...Till Death Does Us Part Chapter III – Part 11/24
Disclaimer - See part one for all important information
December 24
Harm and Mac's House
6:25 AM
The morning sun hadn't risen yet and neither had anyone in the MacKenzie-Rabb household. Except for Benjamin-Andrew Tyler Rabb, who found himself hungry and in a wet diaper. He shuffled in his bed and didn't like that feeling either as his blanket got wrapped around his pajama covered legs. His little face started to scrunch up as little whimpers tumbled from his mouth. The little whimpers turned into full fledge cries; he knew that those sounds would get his parents up.
His parents were sound asleep in his mother's bed. Harm was spooned against Mac with his arm wrapped around her waist and his other arm under his head. Mac's hand was wrapped in his and their legs were intertwined.
"Are you going to get him?" Mac muttered as she turned more into her pillow.
Harm took a deep breath, "If we wait maybe Mom will."
Mac chuckled. "Sounds fine to me."
A few seconds later a woman's voice could be heard over the baby radio on Mac's nightstand. "Are your Mommy and Daddy trying to sleep in?"
Harm snuggled closer to Mac. "See, told ya' Mom would get him."
"Two weeks of diaper changes says Trish is kind enough to come in here and wake us up," Mac offered.
Harm listened to the radio and could hear the sounds of Trish changing Ty's diaper. "You're on." He grinned knowing his mother would never do that to him and Mac.
A few minutes later Mac's bedroom door opened and Trish's voice filled the room. "What would you two like for breakfast this morning, pancakes or waffles?"
"Waffles," they both responded as Mac started laughing.
Trish smiled at the sight in front of her. "Okay, Ty and I will get started as you two get out of bed."
"Five more minutes, Mom," Harm whined.
Trish got an evil idea in her head, and before she could stop them, the words exited her mouth. "Now, Harmon. I'm sure Mac would want more than five minutes for you to ravish her. Lord, knows I always wanted more than five minutes from your father."
She quickly shut the door as Harm's voice could be heard down the hall. "Mooommmm!"
Mac rolled onto her back, laughing, and looked up at the red faced Harm. "Have I told you how much I love your mom?"
Harm looked down at the angelic face that was next to him. He bit back a smile and joined Mac with a few chuckles. "Good morning, Sunshine."
"Morning, Harm," Mac responded back, before Harm leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. The kiss caught her off guard, but it was too short for it to grow into anything. But it did ignite something inside both of them.
Harm pulled his head back and noticed a look in Mac's dark, expressive eyes. It was something he wanted to see again. It was something that would always pull him towards her. It was something that could get them in trouble. Harm blinked and the look was gone, as was anything that could have happened from that kiss.
"We've got a long day ahead of us," Harm said as he got out of bed.
Mac stretched in the bed. "We sure do."
5:19 PM
Harm walked into the house and looked into the living room. He grinned as he saw Frank sitting on the floor with Ty on his lap. He leaned against the doorframe and listened to Franks' conversation with his son.
"Now I'm sure your Daddy has told you, but you are a very special little boy. You've got your Mommy and Daddy looking after you. Plus me and your Grandma, and oh, do we love doing that. Your Great-Grandma thinks you're the best. But did you know you've got your Grandpa watching over you, too," Frank softly said to Ty. Ty looked up at Frank and kicked his feet and smiled.
"Yeah, his name is Harmon, just like your Daddy. He had to leave his family on this day many years ago, but you know I'm sure he's watching you right now. He's going to make sure that you're taken care of and that nothing bad ever happens to you." Frank took a few seconds and softly ran his hand over Ty's dark locks.
"We visited him today. Do you remember touching the pretty black wall? It was real quiet." Frank smiled. "That was until you decided it was time to let out a few friendly whines."
"He always does that there," Harm said letting his presence be known.
Frank looked over his shoulder. "I heard the door open; I just hoped it was one of the women leaving."
Harm moved over to the two on the floor and sat down next to Frank. He tapped Ty on the nose. "Are they getting to you?"
"Trish hasn't let me in the kitchen for five hours. Luckily when Mac got here she got me some food," Frank said, looking pathetic.
Harm chuckled. "They can't be that bad."
"Oh, yes they can." Frank smiled. "Mac's not too bad, but your mother and grandmother are in their cooking zones."
Harm grinned. "It's Christmas and we're surrounded by family. It doesn't get any better than this, does it, Frank?"
Frank fondly looked at his stepson. "No, it doesn't, Harm. There is nothing better than this."
Ty decided to agree by grinning and wiggling in Frank's lap.
"You like it, too," Harm said putting his hand out to Ty, who quickly grasped it. "Yeah, I like it, too. You also like having Grandpa all to yourself, don't ya?" Ty made a happy sound.
"I think he's glad to have Daddy home," Frank informed Harm.
"Nah, he was like this as I watched you with him, Frank. You're a good Grandfather to him," Harm sincerely told his stepfather. "You're the one who's going to mean the most to him in his life."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that, Harm. I think your Dad is going to be there too."
Harm took a breath. "My Dad has always been the driving force in my life. He's always going to be there. He taught me what he could. But you were there when I needed a father. You were the one who taught me how to drive, how to solve physics problems, and you're the one who's going to help me with my son. My Dad will always be with me but, Frank, you'll always be here."
Harm paused to look into Frank's eyes. "You've been more of a father than my Dad, just because you were there. I'm sorry for everything I did when I was a kid. And I can't make up for the way I treated you, but I can hope that you will accept my apology for everything that happened in the past."
Frank wiped a tear as it fell down his cheek. "I forgave you years ago, Harm. You're my son."
Harm softly smiled at Frank. "Thanks, Frank."
"You're welcome, Son," Frank said before Harm hugged him.
"I love you," Harm whispered in his ear.
"I love you, too," Frank got out before his throat choked up with emotion.
The two men broke apart as Mac walked into the room. "Good, you're home. Trish was about to call you."
"Sorry, I forgot to announce my arrival," Harm joked. "Should I say, Honey, I'm home?"
Mac walked up to the two men and looked down at Ty, who was now happily eating his fathers tie. "I hope baby slobber comes out of that."
Harm and Frank looked at Harm's tie. "Tyyyyy." Harm laughed as he removed the wet end of his tie from his son's mouth. "Santa is still watching you."
Ty just grinned in response.
Frank laughed. "I don't think that worked."
Mac looked towards the doorway into the dining room. She then handed Frank and Harm some cookies. "Here I got us some snacks."
Frank chuckled. "I knew there was a reason why I loved you, Mac."
Mac grinned. "I knew my troops needed some supplies. I'm thinking they will let you in the kitchen once everyone arrives."
"When's that?" Harm asked as he ate the cookie.
"I told everyone 7:15." Mac informed him.
"So Bud and his crew will be here at 6:55," Harm announced.
"Yep, but I haven't told Trish yet." Mac chuckled.
"Don't," Frank and Harm said at the same time.
"Mac, was that Harm I heard?" Trish called from the kitchen.
"Yes, Trish," Mac called back.
"Good," Trish said as she walked into the living room. "Harm, we need you to run down to the store and get some more milk and a three loaves of bread to go with dinner."
Frank grabbed Ty and stood up with Harm as he rose. Harm opened his mouth, but Frank interjected quickly. "Ty and I will go with you, Harm."
Harm looked at Frank to say something, but changed his mind realizing Frank wanted to get out of the house. "Sure. We'll be back in a few."
Arlington, VA
Church of God
9:45 PM
Chaplain Turner stood in front of the congregation and looked out upon them. He recognized the vast number of military men and women who had slowly joined him in the past years. He smiled as he looked at his son and Varise, if things went his way there would be a wedding next year.
He then looked at the Roberts family, he grinned as he looked at AJ Roberts who was sitting attentively, just like his father. During dinner he had convinced Bud and Harriet to bring the boys to the service. Bud was easy to convince, but Harriet was a little harder. After a few more minutes she accepted. He suppressed a chuckle as Jimmy slowly fell asleep in his mother's arms.
In the front row sat AJ and Meredith with their clasped hands together resting on AJ's lap. Meredith and the Chaplain had spent some time speaking with each other over dinner at Harm and Mac's about AJ's family, the JAG family that was. Each one of the people in his command were his children. Meredith laughed that even though she was unable to have children, the JAG family were now her surrogate children. She informed him she was still too young for grandchildren.
As he spoke his words of inspiration he looked upon the inspiration in Harm's life. Trish, Frank, and Sarah Rabb sat behind their pride and joy listening to the Chaplain's words. Sarah Rabb shook her head as she agreed with the good Chaplain.
Finally, Chaplain Turner looked upon Harm, Mac, and Ty. Ty was sitting on his mother's lap, his bright blue eyes wide as he listened to the Chaplain. Every now and then the little boy would wiggle and look around the room. He surprised everyone not for being awake, but for not being cranky. On his mother's knee Chaplain Turner saw a glimmer of hope. Harm and Mac's hands sat there holding on to each other's.
He smiled and ended his service with a prayer for all of their friends, family, and the service men and women who couldn't be with them tonight. He also extended a quiet prayer for the mess on the other side of the world to end quickly and peacefully.
Ten minutes later everyone was standing outside waiting for the parking lot to clear.
"Chaplain, another wonderful service," AJ said as he shook his friends hand.
Chaplain Turner smiled. "Thank you, AJ. I just deliver the material."
"Well, it's easy to see where Sturgis gets his passionate closing remarks from," Mac joked as she took Ty from Harm so he could button up his coat. "It was very nice, Sir."
"Thank you, Colonel. It was nice to see this little one in the congregation." The Chaplain picked up Ty's jacket covered hand and gave it a squeeze. Ty smiled and bounced in his mother's arms. "He is wide awake tonight."
"We're hoping the ride home will put him to sleep," Harm said as he shook the Chaplain's hand.
The rest of the crew extended their thanks and Christmas wishes to the Chaplain, before they walked out to their cars. Frank, Trish, and Sarah stood by Harm's SUV and Mac's car. They had taken two vehicles so there would have been enough room for all of them.
Mac, Harm, and Ty walked down the steps. "We'll see you at home," Mac said as she turned to Harm.
Harm looked into Mac's eyes. "I want you and Ty to come with me."
Mac gave Harm a shocked look. "Ty went earlier with your family, and I already stopped by."
Harm gave her a soft smile. "I'm sure he won't mind seeing the two of you again. We can take your car, while Frank, Mom, and Grandma take my SUV home."
"Okay," Mac replied before Ty gave a cry of agreement causing his parents to chuckle.
Sarah and Trish were already settled in Harm's SVU. Frank, being the gentleman he was, opened the back door to help Mac put Ty in the car seat. He gave her an odd look when she didn't move towards the car, but he quickly understood.
Harm shook his head and Frank closed the door. "The three of us are going to the Wall," Harm announced. "We'll take Mac's car."
"We're a little tired, so we'll probably be in bed by the time you three get home," Frank informed them.
"We'll just see you at the house," Harm said.
"Drive safely," Frank said before he got into the SUV.
"You too, Frank," Mac called out as she and Harm walked to her car which was parked a few spaces away. Harm smiled at her and took Ty out of her arms to carry him to the car.
10:05 PM
The Vietnam Veterans War Memorial
Harm took his glove off and ran his finger over his Dad's name. He stared at it then he looked over at Mac and Ty who stood a few feet away. Harm motioned and Mac stepped forward. Harm carefully looked at Mac's face. "Why are you nervous?"
"I feel like I'm stepping into something very personal to you," Mac admitted.
Harm grinned indulgently at her. "Don't. You're family." Then he looked soulfully into Mac's eyes and smiled.
He turned his attention to the etched black granite in front of him. "Hey, Dad, Mac and Ty are with me this year. It's been a very unusual year, but I wouldn't trade it for anything." He gave Mac a soft look. "Ty has been the best thing to ever enter my life, except for his mom. She's the one person that really understands me. She's the one who I never want to leave."
Mac's throat filled with emotion, she couldn't say anything but she smiled back at him.
Harm continued to speak. "This is the first year where I have everyone around me. Mom, Grandma, and Frank are at home. But Frank told me they stopped by earlier. You're a popular guy." He took a breath. "We miss you, Dad."
Harm fell silent and Mac carefully looked at him. "I'm going to visit a friend of Uncle Matt's." She carefully handed Ty to Harm, but before she left she ran her finger across Harmon Rabb, Sr. "Thank you, Sir."
Before Harm could say anything she walked about eight panels down and he watched as she located a name and softly spoke to it, like so many other visitors at the Wall. Harm turned his attention back to his father's name as Ty did his usual happy cry. Harm chuckled and held his son closer.
"Dad, I'm going to need your help and just not with Ty. I have a problem with Mac. I love her and I'm still married to her, but she doesn't know that. I told Frank I would tell her after New Years, but I don't how I'm going to do it. She's going to hate me and I don't want Ty to get hurt." He exhaled a heavy breath. "I want to be her husband. I could use any and all help you can swing my way."
He glanced over at Mac and she turned her head and gave him a soft smile. He turned back to his father's name. "We better get going." Harm snapped to attention and with his son in his arms, gave his father a sharp salute. "I love you, Dad." He then joined Mac and they walked back to the car.
End Part 11