Part 25: A Journey of Separate Hearts – Keep On Loving You
Disclaimers and AN to part 25: Sad to say but the song "Keep On Loving You" isn't mine. It's on REO Speedwagon's "The Hits" album. You can also find "Can't Fight This Feeling" on it. It always reminds me of the fabulous fanfiction by Tracy Mallon and the amazing shipper video by Abby O.
Both songs are two of my favorite love and shipper songs. If you haven't listened to them already, I suggest you do it now. ;)
"Don't dream away your life, live your dreams!" is originally an old German proverb and I try to follow it.
The line "You had me from hello" was taken from the song "You Had Me From Hello" performed by Bon Jovi.
Thank you all for reading my story and thanks to my wonderful beta readers Carrie and Lee Ann. I learn so much from you two!!
February 14th 2003, Friday
1700 Zulu (18:00 hrs West EDT)
Foyer of the Hilton Paris Hotel
18 avenue de Suffren
Paris, France
"Hey, Sailor, what's going on with you? You were quiet the whole ride back to the hotel." Mac was really curious about Harm's strange behavior; she wasn't used to seeing him that silent. She only hoped that he hadn't become sick. She really wanted to surprise him, but if Harm didn't feel well, he wouldn't enjoy it.
"Nothing, Mac. I'm fine." But when Harm met Mac's gaze, he knew that she didn't believe him. So he tried to assure her, "Really, Mac, I'm fine. It's just…well, I'm a bit tired…"
He smiled sheepishly.
"Oh, Harm, you should have told me!" Mac looked at Harm reproachfully, but concerned. "How about you go upstairs and take a hot shower and afterwards a short nap? I'll wake you when it's dinner time, all right?"
She gave him the room key they had been given by Louis earlier.
"And what will you do meanwhile?"
"Oh, I need to buy a postcard from Paris. Remember that we promised Martha we'd send her a postcard from each city we visit. We didn't have a chance to send her one from London…"
Harm still winced inwardly at the memory of the last two days even though Mac was safe now.
Mac recognized Harm's uneasiness and quickly continued, "Anyway, I'll buy a postcard in the hotel's souvenir shop and write a few lines letting Martha know we're still alive and happy."
She hoped Harm would buy her excuse so that she could start working on her plan.
"Oh…okay, say hello for me. I'll take that shower and nap. But you have to promise me to wake me. I don't want to be late for our first dinner as…" he trailed off not sure if they had already taken the step of admitting that they were a couple now – lovers, not only friends anymore.
Uncertain, he sought out Mac's eyes.
"You mean our first dinner as a couple? As lovers?" asked Mac.
"Yeah…I mean…are we really there?"
"Yes, I think so, although it still seems to be a dream. But, yeah, you could call us a couple," she stated convincingly and offered him a bright, happy smile.
He nodded relieved and returned the smile.
"Well, I guess the shower awaits me! See you later, Mac." With that Harm walked to the elevator and disappeared a moment later.
'All right. Now I have to find Louis. I'm sure he can help me with the arrangements.'
Mac spotted Louis next to his office door and hurried to him.
"Hello, Louis."
"Bonjour, Mademoiselle MacKenzie. What can I do for you?"
"Well, Louis, I want to arrange a beautiful evening for Commander Rabb. But I need your help. I want to make it special, considering it's Valentine's Day. Will you help me?"
"Of course, Mademoiselle. I'd love to help you. It's my way of apologizing for the trouble you've been trough in this hotel."
"Oh no, Louis, it's absolutely not your fault. You couldn't have known about William Lawson aka Luke Wilson. No one could have."
"Nevertheless, I'm deeply indebted to Commander Rabb. That's why I'm happy to help wherever I can. So, what do you have in mind, Mademoiselle MacKenzie?"
"Do you mind if we continue this talk in your office?"
"No, not at all. Let's go."
Louis led her to his office, and after thirty minutes, Mac left Louis' office with a happy smile on her face. She headed to the souvenir shop, bought a beautiful postcard with Paris' skyline during sunset on it and sat down in one of the comfortable armchairs in the foyer and wrote:
Friday, 03-02-14
Bonjour Martha,
I know you haven't heard from us in a while and I promise to explain everything later. But I want to send you some greetings from Ville de L'amour (City of Love). Today's Valentine's Day, and the day has been wonderful so far.
Hope you're fine.
Harm says hello, even though he isn't by my side at the moment.
Au revoir, Harm & Sarah.
Mac gave the postcard to the clerk behind the reception desk and headed to the boutique she had spotted earlier when walking to the souvenir shop. She definitely needed a new dress – something that would make Harm speechless.
Only thirty minutes later, a satisfied looking Sarah MacKenzie left the boutique. She had the dress she had been looking for. Thanks to Louis, all the arrangements were set and she still had an hour left before she would wake Harm.
So, she asked for the room key to her room – the room she hadn't seen since her involuntary early arrival two days earlier. She would use it to take a shower and dress without Harm knowing.
February 14th 2003, Friday
1845 Zulu (19:45 hrs West EDT)
Hilton Paris Hotel
Harm's room, Number 306
Paris, France
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Harm was still in his bed when the phone on the nightstand woke him. Slowly and sleepily he groped for the receiver and grabbed it.
"Hello?"
"Wake up, Sailor. Get ready for dinner. I will await you in the Midnight Lounge in exactly fifteen minutes. Don't be late or a wonderful evening will start without you." Mac whispered – her voice a bit teasing.
Harm was fully awake now.
"Okay, Mac. I'll be there."
"Oh, wait a minute. There're some clothes on a chair in the living room area. Put them on, please."
"Whatever you say. See you in fifteen minutes."
He put the receiver back on the cradle and swung his legs out of the bed.
February 14th 2003, Friday
1900 Zulu (20:00 hrs West EDT)
Hilton Paris Hotel
Midnight Lounge
Paris, France
Sharply at eight Harm entered the Midnight Lounge. Nearly all the lights were switched off. Only a dimmed table light was on and some candles were lit. The only table in the room was placed next to the dance floor. He walked to the table hoping to find Mac there. But she wasn't there. The table was set for two and a bottle of non-alcoholic wine and champagne were placed in two coolers.
He found a red rose on his plate and spotted a small note tied to its stem. He carefully opened it and read silently:
'A red rose as a symbol for our newfound relationship.
Turn around, Harm!'
He did as asked and turned around to face the dance floor.
Suddenly a sea of small lights went on, romantic piano music started playing softly and in the center of the dance floor, stood Mac.
His mouth dropped open as he saw Mac. She was incredibly beautiful and breathtaking in her long, dark lilac dress. The velvet flattered every curve of her body till mid-thigh, then smooth silk curled around her legs. Her hair fell in soft curls around her face. The tiny diamond earrings and the silver necklace with a round pendant caught the reflection of the lights and candles and mirrored the sparkle in Mac's eyes.
"Like what you see?" Mac asked, arching a brow.
Harm couldn't say anything – still stunned, he just made a circular movement with his index finger, signaling her to slowly turn around.
When he saw her back, he inhaled sharply because the very low cut back of the dress didn't cover much of her smooth skin.
As Mac could see Harm again, she asked mischievously, "So, you Honor, what's your verdict?"
"Still unsure, I need to inspect the dress more closely." Harm's voice was a bit unsteady.
"Well, then…"
Mac walked seductively towards Harm, enjoying how Harm took in every inch of her.
When she was close, Harm put one hand on her waist and closed the distance between their mouths. The kiss started out gently and softly but turned quickly into a soul searing and passionate one. Only the need for oxygen stopped them from drowning completely in their kiss.
"So, I guess you like my outfit?"
"Very much, Sarah. You are the most beautiful woman on earth. And I'm the happiest man alive to have you close to me."
A soft pink appeared on her cheeks, but she stared lovingly into his eyes.
"You don't look so bad yourself, Harm."
Harm wore a black suit, black trousers and shirt and a dark red silk tie. She knew he looked fabulous in his Dress Whites, but she could definitely get used to Harm in civvies.
Remembering why they were here originally, she smiled and spoke, "You know, Valentine's Day isn't over yet. So, we'll hopefully enjoy the dinner Louis arranged for us. Afterwards we can dance or talk – just enjoy that we're together. How does that sound to you?"
"Wonderful. I still can't believe it. Don't wake me if it's only a dream." He smiled.
"Believe me, it's real – we are real."
Harm helped her to sit down and when both were seated, a waiter had appeared magically to fill their glasses with champagne for Harm and non-alcoholic wine for Mac.
"Bonjour, Madame, Monsieur. My name is Jean Luce and I'm your waiter for the evening. Your dinner will be here in a minute. If you need anything, just call."
Harm and Mac nodded and Jean Luce walked away.
Mac lifted her glass, "To a wonderful evening and a wonderful man. Thank you for being my lifeline, Harm."
"To the most amazing woman alive. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life."
They clinked their glasses and each took a sip before Harm leaned over the table and gave Mac a soft, quick kiss on her lips.
When he leaned back, she sighed happily.
It was then that Jean Luce and a second waiter brought their meal.
The meal was uneventful, neither of them talked much but they fed each other from time to time. Mac and Harm just enjoyed being together and relaxed laughter echoed through the room.
After they had finished dinner, Harm asked Mac for a dance when the pianist played "Keep On Loving You" – one of Harm's favorite love songs.
He pulled Mac close. She put her hands around his neck and positioned her head on his chest, so that she could hear his heart beat.
Harm inhaled the scent of her shampoo in her hair and placed his chin softly on her head.
When the refrain started, he placed a finger under her chin and turned it until he could look into her eyes while singing the lines to her:
And I'm gonna keep on loving you
'Cause it's the only thing I wanna do
I don't wanna sleep
I just wanna keep on loving you
Mac saw the truth of those words in his eyes and his soft voice warmed her heart. She looked up with unshed tears in her eyes. Mac tried to blink them away, but a single tear made its way down her flushed cheek.
Harm caught it with his thumb.
Looking deeply into her brown eyes he said, "I mean what I've just sung. I'm gonna keep on loving you – loving you forever. And nothing will change that."
"I know, Harm. I'm just so happy. Happy, because you sang to me for the first time, because you are here with me, because we took the chance this time and because you love me. I love you, too, Harm."
They smiled at each other, knowing exactly what the other was thinking now. Then they silently continued dancing until the last chords of the song ended.
"Let's go back and sit down. I have something for you, Harm."
"As you wish, Milady."
Mac giggled at the way he addressed her, but when they sat across from each other, she presented him with a rectangular, black velvet box.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Harm." she said smiling.
She had bought the gift so many months ago – she didn't remember exactly when. She had planned on giving it to him on his birthday last October or maybe as a Christmas gift, but their friendship hadn't been the same then and it just had seemed wrong.
Hoping that this vacation would change things between them; straighten some issues between them, she had packed the box in her suitcase.
And her hope hadn't been groundless, their friendship was back on track and it had become even more: a relationship built on truth, honesty, trust and love.
Harm opened the box and found in it a silver pendant similar to the one she wore, but made for men to wear.
"Read the engraving."
"Don't dream away your life, live your dreams!" Harm read aloud then turned the pendant over and saw another engraving on the backside of the pendant.
"You had me from hello.
Love you.
Always, Sarah."
After a while just staring at the pendant he looked up, meeting her sparkling eyes.
"This…Mac…Sarah, this is beautiful. I don't know what to say…" Harm was speechless.
"You're welcome, Harm. And I mean every word on it. It's the way I feel and I think that we are both finally living our dreams. That's why I have a similar pendant with the same proverb on it."
Mac pointed to her necklace.
"Thank you so much, Mac. Sorry, I don't have anything for you…"
She interrupted him, "Harm, you don't have to give me anything more than you already have given me: You saved my life, I spent a wonderful Valentine's Day in Paris, and remember the wonderful lunch you arranged today? But more than that, you gave me your love and that's all I had hoped and prayed for, for so long. Being here with you is the greatest Valentine's gift I could have."
Mac stood up and walked to Harm, then sat down in his lap, her arms curled around his neck. She lowered her head and initiated a long kiss. His arms went around her waist immediately, pulling her even closer.
It was an endless moment later that they broke apart, still enjoying the closeness of each other.
After a while Harm stood up and brought Mac with him.
"C'mon, Sarah. Let's dance…"
"I'd like that."
When they reached the dance floor Harm whispered, "Love you, Sarah MacKenzie. Always have and always will."
"Love you, too."
A new song started, and Harm and Mac got carried away by the melody, rhythm and lyrics.
They just danced into the night.