Title: If things had been different
Author: Anaika Skywalker
Author's Email:
Rating: PG -13
Disclaimer: I don't own JAG; I just like to spread my wings occasionally.
Author's Note: Hi everyone; thanks for the reviews. The story taking a small jump and will deal with family life. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks to Winjan (I know weddings make you cry, and don't worry Harms is going to be fine), Abigaile (All will be revealed, stay tuned.), jagaddict, (I realized all the legality regarding adoptions, the end wasn't intended to be incest or anything like that. But to please everyone, there will be no adoption. This way I can just run with Harmony's and Jason's relationship) Jbird7986 (Okay you can have some more), Starryeyes10 (thanks), KJFlygirl87 (Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying it.)
If things had been different
Chapter Nine: Life, and all we deal with.
JAG and AWCIS Headquarters, Falls Church Virginia, Washington DC – July 2001
Admiral AJ Chegwidden noticed his Chief of Staff wandering around with a smile on her face, not that Sarah Mackenzie-Rabb frowned all day long, but this was a different sort of smile, a 'I know something you don't' sort. "Colonel, can I have a word?" Mac joined him in his office; he shut the door and gestured for her to sit down, joining her. "How are things at home, Mac?"
"Quiet," she mused. "With Harms at Pensacola, Jace at his grandparents in San Diego and Sergei visiting Trish and Frank, the house is quiet."
He smiled at that. "How is Harms handling Pensacola?" He asked. "Grace and I got a postcard from her a week ago that just said and I quote: 'Hi Grandpa and Grandma, missing you heaps. Pensacola is great, having a great time. See you when I get back. Love Harms'."
It was Mac's turn to smile, Grace had gone from being an Aunt to both Harmony and Jason, to their Grandma with her marriage to the Admiral. "We got practically the same postcard except it said Hi mom and dad," she shook her head. "In the month she's been gone, we've received two postcards and four phone calls."
"You're missing them," he noted by the tone of her voice.
"A lot," she said. "Harm is twice as bad of course."
"Of course, but he's Admiral Boone's problem, not mine."
"Still it's hard to believe next year she'll graduate and then it's off to the Academy," Mac sighed. "Jace received a scholarship like the one Harms is doing, he starts that when they return to school. Sergei's off to the Academy."
AJ had a feeling he knew why she was like she was. "Mac. Sarah, tell me if I'm off base here, but are you Pregnant?"
She chewed on her lip and nodded. "Uh huh," she said excitedly and then jumped up to hug him when he stood. "You're going to be a grandpa again."
He was surprised. "You'd like me to be the baby's grandpa too?"
"Of course, dad," she said gently. "You and Grace are very much a part of the family."
"Thank you Sarah," he hugged her again, and then released her. "Would it be all right to let Grace know, obviously you haven't mentioned it to anyone else?"
"Yes sir, and I think it's time everyone else knew. I'll just tell Harriet, she'll tell everyone else."
AJ chuckled. "Of that I have no doubts. Congratulations Sarah."
"Thank you sir," she said, and left his office. Walking across the bullpen she stopped by Harriet's desk. "Lieutenant, can I have a word?"
"Yes Ma'am," Harriet agreed and followed the Colonel to her office.
Mac shut the door. "Harriet, Harm and I found out some good news."
"You're pregnant?"
"How did you know?"
"Because you're glowing, Ma'am," she said, hugging her. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks Harriet."
The Lieutenant stepped back. "I guess the office is just going to have to get use to having two pregnant women around," she said matter-of-factly.
"You too?"
Harriet nodded, grinning, as she and Mac hugged each other again, laughing. They sat down and talked about how they were feeling and what they'd been craving for. A knock on the door broke into their laughter.
"Enter!" Mac ordered.
Major Melinda Smith came in, grinning. "Afternoon Colonel, Lieutenant."
"Afternoon Major, what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Well since I was at AWCIS on business, I thought I'd come up and see if you'd like to join me for lunch, you too Harriet. We can girl talk," Mel answered with a wicked smile.
"Sounds a plan," both women agreed.
Grabbing covers and purses, they went with Mel, getting lunch from the cafeteria and sat in the courtyard in the shade.
"So Mac, Harm tells me your pregnant," Mel blurted out.
Nearly chocking on her chicken, Mac took a drink. "He told you?"
"It wasn't that hard to figure out, he's walking around the office with a stupid grin on his face. Vicky, Kat and Sam are humming nursery rhymes every time he's around and the Admiral has a baby pool going that he plans to get Admiral Chegwidden involved in."
"Now that's an idea," Harriet smirked. "I'll have to talk to the Admiral."
Mac groaned. "Don't you start," she ordered and the three of them laughed.
As they were finishing their lunch, Harm came over to them with his 'harem', as his RIO, wingman and her RIO had been nicknamed. "Afternoon ladies."
"Commander, Lieutenants," the three greeted.
Mac slipped into his waiting arms. "Where are you off too?"
"The Persian Gulf," he answered frankly.
"Harm that's not funny."
"I know darlin, but that's where we're going. We just got our orders, Blades and I are going TAD to the Seahawk and Kitten and Tiger are heading TAD to the Enterprise. Sorry sweetheart."
Mac sighed and snuggled closer in his arms. "For how long?"
"A month," he answered, noticing the other women had moved away to give them some privacy. He rubbed her back in gentle circles. "I'll miss you Sarah."
"I'll miss you too, we both will," she said, tears in her eyes.
"Hey," he wiped away the ones that fell. "None of that, not my Marine."
"I can't help it, my hormones are out of whack."
Chuckling, Harm kissed her forehead. "I love you sweetheart."
"I love you too, Harm."
Vicky came up behind him, she cleared her throat. "Sorry sir, but we have to go."
He nodded, kissing his wife quickly. "Look after my little sailor."
She sniffled. "You mean my little Marine."
"I know what I mean, sweetheart," he mused and then released her. "Harriet."
She came over to them, slipping her arm around the Colonel. "I look after her sir."
"Thank you, Lieutenant." He said, then turned and walked away with the three women, the four of them leaving in Harm's SUV.
Mac wiped her eyes. "I hate it when he has to go away."
"He'll be fine, Mac," Harriet assured her.
"Yeah, Mac, we're talking about Mr. Yummy here," Mel teased her and she chuckled.
"You're going to have to tell me about that one, Major," Harriet insisted as they started inside.
"It all started when we were in Bosnia," Mel began and told the story, which had both Harriet and Mac laughing, which they were still doing when they walked into the bullpen.
The Admiral was waiting. "Colonel. Admiral Boone just rang me. Are you going to be all right?"
"Yes sir."
"Secure at fifteen hundred and go home, that's an order Colonel."
"Yes sir."
He nodded and walked back to his office.
Mel whistled, admiring his backside. "All the good ones are married," she mused.
Mac looked at her shocked. "Mel."
"What, he's got a great six and I bet he's damn good in the sack."
Her friend groaned. "I can't believe you just said that."
Harriet chuckled. "I can, excuse me, Colonel, Major."
"Thanks Harriet."
She nodded and went back to her desk.
Mel noticed Victor Galendez walk into the bullpen and whistled softly again. "Excuse me, Colonel. I'm going to do some recon before heading back to the Pentagon."
Mac groaned again. "I don't believe you."
She grinned. "See you later girlfriend," she mussed and headed over to Galendez.
Turning, Mac returned to her office, determined to get her work finished before leaving. She also put a call through to NAS Pensacola, asking to speak to her daughter, putting her on the speakerphone. "Hi sweetheart, how's Pensacola?"
"It's great mom, is everything all right?"
"Everything is fine, honey. I just thought I'd ring and let you know your dad has gone TAD to the Seahawk for a month." She said keeping her voice calm.
"Do you want me to come home, mom?"
"No honey, I know this means a lot to you. I'll be fine, I have grandpa and grandma if I need anything, as well as Harriet and everyone else at JAG." Mac assured her. "So tell me what you've been doing?"
"We've been doing some training flights in a T-34 Charlie. It's so cool, mom, I can't wait to do this after the Academy," she said excitedly.
Mac smiled. "I'm sure they can't wait to have you there either sweetheart."
"Thanks mom. Are you sure you're going to be all right?"
"I'm sure sweetheart, it's a part of military life."
"I know," there was a pause as someone in the same room as Harmony spoke to her. "I have to go mom."
"Okay sweetheart, be good."
"Yes, ma'am. Bye mom."
"Bye darling," she ended the call. By fifteen hundred she was walking out the door, driving her Vett home. Maverick happily greeted her as she walked out the back, letting him in with her as she went and got changed. "It's just you and me, Maverick," she told him and got a wolf. She chuckled and headed into the kitchen. She was making herself a snack when she heard the door open, frowning since Maverick didn't move.
"Mac!"
She sighed in relief when she heard her brother-in-laws voice. "In the kitchen Sergei."
Leaving his bag by the stairs he walked in. "You're home early."
"I was going to say the same to you, little brother," she noted.
He grinned. "The Admiral rang and said you were alone, that Harm had gone TAD. So he got me a flight back."
"A rather fast flight," she declared.
He agreed with that. "It was at that, I am here though."
"Yes you are," she went around the counter and hugged him. "Thank you for coming home."
"You're welcome sister," he said and looked at her snack. "Is there enough for three?"
She rolled her eyes. "Of course, come on."
Sitting down they chatted about what Sergei had been doing and how Trish and Frank were.
"I'm sorry I brought you back early," she apologized.
"I can go back, California will still be there."
"Yes it will," she agreed cheerfully. Thank you."
He smiled. "We're family, we look after each other."
"Yes we do." Mac acknowledged and Maverick wolfed, making them both laugh.
As the days turned into weeks, Mac just hoped her husband made it back to see his brother leave for the Academy. Sergei had worked hard to get acceptance, he wanted to go just as his brother had, just as his niece was. They had celebrated long and hard when his acceptance had reached them. Jason had returned the same day from visiting his Grandparents.
Soon enough though they were at NAS Oceana, waiting for another member of their family, Harmony to arrive home.
The transport landed and the Cadets started departing, happy smiles on their faces, bags in hand, Commander Nelson came over to them.
He saluted and handed a seabag to Mac. "Lt. Rabb's bag, Ma'am."
"And where is my daughter, Commander?" She asked and followed his gaze skyward to the three Tomcats on finial approach. "She got a lift in a Tomcat?"
"Um, no Ma'am. As you know, from Lt. Rabb's phone call home, she got the chance to go to NAS Whidbey Island," he saw Mac nod. "She was apart of a RAG squadron undergoing training there and they trained her in the F-14."
Mac's eyes widened. "You mean she's flying the F-14?"
"Yes Ma'am."
Jason tried not to laugh, as did Sergei, both failed laughing hard, until Mac frowned at them both and they stopped quickly.
She turned back to the Commander. "Thank you Commander Nelson."
"Ma'am," he said, and then hurried away from the Marine as fast as he could.
The three Tomcats landed one after the other and taxied to a stop. Watching them fly in reminded Mac of the fly in she'd witnessed when Harm had flown in after sea duty. Except it was their daughter she was waiting for and it scared her.
Next to her Jason was feeling something similar, this was his sister, well she wasn't by blood or legally, because their parents had never gotten around to doing the adoption. They did organize guardianship if anything happed to either of them. Still being there waiting for Harmony, it sent shivers up his spine and that feeling returned in the pit of his stomach, the one he didn't understand.
Cadet Lieutenant Harmony Rabb climbed down from the Tomcat and removed her helmet, seeing her family. This was a surprise for them, but it was nothing compared to the one she had.
Her RIO patted her on the back. "Nice work, Storm." Lt Vicky Hawks praised as she removed her helmet.
"Thanks Blades," she saw her mothers face and then saw her father running towards her. "Do you think I'm forgiven?"
"No but I think she's going to be too busy to discuss what you did for the next few days," Vicky mussed.
"What about you?" Harmony asked seeing Lt. Medwick coming towards them.
"I'll invite you to the wedding squirt," she teased and took off, meeting Terry half way, he swung her around in his arms and kissed her.
Now that was romantic, her parents, Vicky and Terry, chuckling she walked over to her brother and Uncle. "Hi guys."
"You never do things by halves my niece." Sergei remarked cheerfully.
"Oh come on Uncle Sergei, that would make things just plan boring," she smirked.
He laughed and hugged her. "Welcome home, Harms."
"Thanks Uncle Sergei," she stepped back, seeing Jason chewing on his bottom lip. "Relax Jace, I'm not going to pounce on you."
"You'd better not."
She grinned that 'flyboy' grin of hers and hugged him.
He hugged her back, whispering. "Missed you squid."
"I missed you too, Marine," she said softly. Then stepped back, standing between her brother and Uncle as Harm and Mac walked towards them. "So Uncle Sergei, where are we going tonight?"
"Up for pizza and a movie"
"Sounds good," both teenagers agreed.
Harm slipped his arm from his wife's waist and addressed his daughter. "Lieutenant Rabb."
She stepped forward. "Sir."
"Nice landing, Lieutenant."
"Thank you sir."
"Dismissed."
"Aye sir."
Chuckling her dad ruffled her hair. "Lets go home kiddo," he announced and they did just that.
A week later they were saying goodbye to Sergei, he was packed and ready to leave for the Academy, Harm was driving his brother to Annapolis.
Mac gave the young man a hug. "Take care, Sergei."
"I will be fine Mac," he assured her. "I'm a Rabb."
She laughed. "Which is why they're taking precautions."
He rolled his eyes. "Maccc."
"Don't worry Uncle Sergei, you'll be fine." Harmony assured him.
He gave her a hug. "I know."
Jason hugged him too, quickly. "Look out for all those cute Midshipmen," he teased.
"You watch out for those collage girls, Jace."
"I will."
Harm patted his brother on the back. "Come on brother, we've got to go."
He nodded, and hugged Mac again. "Thank you for all you've done for me."
"You family Sergei, I wouldn't have it any other way," she told him.
He smiled and got in the car, waving as they drove away.
Mac went back inside the house, leaving Jason and Harmony. He slipped his arm around her. "Don't worry Harms, you'll get your chance."
"I know, but I've had chances others would never have had."
"That's true."
She laughed and shook her head. "Come on little brother."
Chuckling, he went with her into the house.
JAG and AWCIS Headquarters, Falls Church Virginia, Washington DC – September 28, 2001
Petty Office Michael Roberts walked into the elevator and pressed the button that would take him to the floor where JAG was situated. The elevator moved and then stopped, the doors opened and a young attractive woman in NJROTC winter uniform walked in. She smiled and stood beside him, files in her hands.
He also noted her rank she was a full Lieutenant. "Ma'am."
"Petty Officer," she acknowledged warmly.
He took notice of more then just her rank, the dark skirt and long sleeve blouse looked well on her, and she had great legs. In fact she was cute, probably jailbait, he realized, but he could look.
Next to him Cadet Lieutenant Harmony Rabb, hid her amusement, she knew he was checking her out. The fact Mikey Roberts looked very sexy in his uniform, had her doing some checking of her own. What really amused her was the fact he didn't remember her.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened, Harmony walked out and Mickey, remembering to breath followed. He opened the glass doors that led into the bullpen for her.
"Thank you Petty Officer."
"You're welcome," he said smiling.
She smiled also and hurried over to the Colonel's office, knocking she went in.
Lt. Bud Roberts saw his brother, and saw who he'd been looking at. "Mikey."
The Petty Officer snapped too. "Sir."
Bud shook his head. "At ease, Petty Officer," he ordered, and then hugged him. "How are you Mikey?"
"Fine, thank you sir."
Harriet hurried over and hugged him. "Hi little brother."
He smiled. "Ma'am."
She playfully swatted him. "None of that Ma'am business."
"Yes Ma'am," he said, grinning cheekily. Than asked. "Harriet, who was the Cadet Lieutenant?"
Harriet chuckled. "You don't remember her?" She asked and saw him shake his head. "That's Harmony Rabb."
"Harms? Really?" He asked surprised.
"Really," Bud told him. He saw Harmony come out of the Colonel's office and gestured her over, whispering to his brother. "Just remember she's only sixteen."
"Got it."
Harmony smiled addressing Bud. "Yes sir."
"Harms, you remember my brother Mikey."
She grinned and held out her hand. "It's good to see you again, Mikey."
"You too, you're all grown up," he exclaimed shaking her hand.
"Thank you," she chuckled. "I had to do it sometime."
He laughed at that and then asked. "Have you had lunch, Lieutenant?"
"No Petty Officer, I haven't."
"Can I buy you lunch then?"
"I'd like that, give me a moment."
"Okay."
She hurried back into her mother's office.
Harriet shook her head and hurried back to her desk, Bud did the same, going back to his office, especially when he saw who had over head the whole exchange after coming out of the Admiral's office.
"Mr. Roberts."
Mikey jumped and turned, snapping too, seeing whom it was. "Sir."
Commander Harmon Rabb chuckled. "At easy before you hurt yourself, Petty Officer."
He relaxed a little. "Aye sir."
Harm saw his daughter come out of his wife's office. "Just remember one thing Petty Office. You hurt my daughter and I'll hunt you down and kill you."
Mikey gulped. "Yes sir."
Slapping him on the back, he walked over his wife's office, giving his daughter a smile. She smiled back and happily went over to Mikey. "Ready to go?"
"Ready," he escorted her out.
They got launch at the cafeteria and sat outside in the courtyard. "So did dad try and scare you off?" She asked.
"Yes," he admitted.
She laughed. "I thought he would."
"Well you are his daughter."
Harmony smiled. "Mikey, we having lunch, nothing else," she patted his hand. "Relax," she told him and started on her chicken salad.
"So what are you doing at JAG, in uniform, no less?" He asked.
"I work two afternoons a week here, as part of my law studies, sort of like being an intern," she explained. "I also do a few hours with AWCIS."
"You're doing a law degree?"
She nodded. "I got a scholarship to do it while still at school."
"Wow. That's really cool."
"Yeah it is."
They chatted through lunch, about what she'd been up to and what he'd been doing, there were plenty of laughs. Finally they went back inside, removing their covers. Before they went back into the bullpen, Mikey stopped her.
"Would you like to go out?"
"On a date?" She asked a little stunned.
"Yeah," he grinned. "I guess so, but just as friends."
She smiled back. "I'd like that."
"Great, I'll pick you up at seven, we'll get something to eat and catch a movie."
"Sounds great," she pushed opened door and gestured for him to follow, which he did. Going over to Harriet's desk, she borrowed a pen and took a slip of paper. Writing her address down, giving the pen back, she handed the paper to Mikey. "Don't be late, sailor."
"No Ma'am," he grinned.
She held back a smirk and turned walking back to her mother's office.
Harriet got up and walked around to him. "Michael Roberts are you taking Harms out on a date?"
"Yes Ma'am," he answered.
"Then you'd better get your six down to Commander Rabb's office and get his permission." She ordered.
That sobered him. "Yes Ma'am."
Harriet chuckled as her brother in law walked out of the bullpen; there were days when she really enjoyed her work.
Rabb's Residence: Falls Church, Virginia, Washington DC (21:00)
Mikey pulled the car up in front of the house and got out, walking up the driveway, he saw Harmony coming out of the garage apartment's side entrance. She wore tight denim jeans, a white tee shirt and her flight jacket, as well as dress boots.
"Hi Mikey."
He gulped. She's only sixteen, he reminded himself. "Hi Harms. You look great."
"Thanks, you don't look too bad yourself," she messed and saw the porch light come on. "Oh no. Lets go, quick, dad's on his way out," she grabbed his arm, dragging him down the driveway.
Mikey glanced back and saw Harm and Mac standing in the doorway smiling. He chuckled and waved, getting a wave back; the Commander had already read him the riot act that afternoon. He opened the car door and closed it when she was in, getting in the drivers side. He wore jeans, a blue dress shirt and leather jacket. He started the car. "So where too, lovely lady?"
She blushed. "How about the 'Sound Barrier'?" She asked. "Dad knows about it, so it's okay."
"Sure, just tell me how to get there."
Giving him directions, they arrived in no time, parking the car; they got out and went inside. The 'Sound Barrier' was a restaurant as well as a nightclub, one that didn't serve alcohol. They were shown to a table, slipping their jackets off, they hooked them over to the back of their chairs and sat down, taking the menus given to them, the waitress saying she'd be back to take their order.
"So what do you think?" Harmony asked him.
"It's great. How did you find this place?" Mikey asked her.
"Some of the guys from collage told me about it."
"It's great," he repeated and saw her grin, that 'flyboy' grin she'd inherited from her father, the one that could melt the coldest of hearts. "I've already said that, didn't I?" She nodded. "Okay, so what's good here?"
She pointed out a few dishes she liked, recommending them even though she like her father was a Vegetarian. Not that Mikey seemed to mind, he ordered what she did and they both got a diet Pepsi. They chatted while they ate, catching up.
Mikey glanced over at the dancing when diner was finished, then back to his date. "Would you like to dance?"
"I'd love to," she dumped her napkin on her plate and stood.
Mikey did the same, taking her hand he guided her onto the dance floor, the music was slow enough he could dance with her in his arms. "So does Jason have a girlfriend?"
"No."
"I would of thought the girls would have been lining up," he remarked, explaining. "I saw a photo on your dad's desk of the whole family.
"Oh?" She questioned. "And what were you doing in my dad's office?"
"Asking if I could take you out tonight," he admitted.
She laughed softly. "I bet Aunt Harriet made you do that."
"Yeah," he blushed.
Harmony snuggled closer. "So is there a girl in every port for you Mr. Roberts?"
"No," he could smell wild flowers, guessing it was the shampoo she was using. "I guess I'm too picky, like Jason."
"Maybe," she dismissed.
They stayed at the 'Sound Barrier', dancing and generally having fun, until around twenty-two hundred. Grabbing their jackets, they headed out, driving to Virginia Beach, walking hand in hand in the moonlight.
"So are you really going to the Academy next year?" Mikey asked.
Harmony nodded. "I've already got my appointment, then it's flight school."
"You've got things all sorted out," he mused.
She shrugged. "Not everything."
"Oh, and what doesn't Harmony Rabb understand?"
They stopped and Harmony faced him. "Did Uncle Bud tell you about dad being shot and what happened after that?"
"Yeah, he said you saved your dad's life by flying him out to the Patrick Henry, you landed a Phantom on the aircraft carrier."
She nodded. "After it was all over, I started having nightmares, bad ones. I hid them, or I tried too. Jace knew, he was great," she paused. "I had one really bad one, mom and dad had just gotten married and Sergei had just arrived. Jace and Sergei woke me up and settled me down. They stayed the night with me, I woke up in Jace's arms and I felt safe."
"He thinks a lot of you, Harms."
"I know, it took months to get over the nightmares," she continued. "But over that time, my relationship with Jace changed, he changed. I guess so did I. Sometimes I wonder if that's why he doesn't date."
Mikey drew her back into his arms, caressing her check gently. "You've become close, it happens. And he'll date, he just isn't ready yet."
"Maybe."
"Harms," he tilted her chin up, so she looked him in the eye. "You're a beautiful young woman, maybe he doesn't want to date, because secretly he's in love with you."
"Jason?"
"Yeah Jason, and who would blame him. If you were four years older, I'd date you." He said quietly leaning towards her, what he was going to do wasn't right, but he couldn't help himself. His lips brushed over hers in a soft kiss, then he added more pressure and she parted her lips, letting him deepen the kiss. Relaxing in his arms, he heard her moan softly and pulled away, breathing hard. "I'm sorry, Harms, I shouldn't have gotten so carried away."
"It's okay, it was nice. Different from the other kisses I've gotten."
"Still I should take you home," he took her hand and led her back up the breach to the car, opening the door for her.
Harmony didn't release his hand. "Mikey, it's okay. I won't tell anybody you kissed me."
He sighed a little. "You won't?"
"No, I won't," she placed a gentle kiss on his lips, and then got in the car.
Mikey smiled, shutting the door, he got in the drivers side. He drove her home, noticing the porch light was still on when they pulled up. "I guess you dad is still up."
"Wanting a full debriefing," she mused and lent over kissing his check. "Thanks Mikey, I had a great time."
"So did I," he agreed. "But that's what friends do, right. Enjoy each others company?"
"They certainly do," she said smiling. "Bye Mikey."
"Bye Harms."
She got out of the car and waved to him as he drove away, walking into the house with a smile on her face. Sometimes it was good to talk to friends.
It wasn't her dad who was up, though it was her mom. Harmony saw her as soon as she walked into the living room. "Hi mom, I was expecting dad."
"He's in bed, I ordered him to stay there," she patted the cushion next to her, waiting until her daughter had sat down. "Now I want details."
Harmony chuckled, snuggling close she gave her mom the details, leaving out the kiss and her feelings for Jason. She had a hand resting on her mother's swollen stomach, feeling a small kick. Her eyes widened in surprise. "I felt him kick, wow."
"You wait until further on in the pregnancy, then he's really going to start moving." Mac told her.
"Really?"
"Yeah," she saw Harmony chew on her lip. "What is it honey?"
"What does it feel like, knowing there's a life growing inside you?" She asked shyly.
"Remarkable, frightening," she put her hand over the teenagers. "The first time I felt him move, I was in court and I was giving my opening address and I felt this flutter, I just stopped mid sentence and put a hand on my stomach. Admiral Morris thought there was something wrong, so did Bud. He jumped to his feet and rushed over to me. I felt like an idiot but all I could do was grin and say I felt the baby move," she revealed. "The Admiral just smiled and gave me a minute, the court settled down and I went on with my opening. Your father of course laughed himself silly when I told him what happened."
Harmony grinned. "I bet he did."
"But he's regretting it now, because this little one likes to kick when I'm snuggled up against his daddy."
The teenager chuckled. "That's the third time you've said he."
"I'd rather say he or she, then it."
"Oh?"
"Harms," she put her hand over the teenagers. "Being a mother is the most wonderful thing, I know I've done this before, but the little things still thrill me. One day you'll experience it too."
"I don't know mom," Harmony sat up. "I want to fly, I don't want to finally achieve that and then give it up."
"Maybe not right away, but one day you'll find someone who you love with all your heart and soul. You'll know then when it's time to settle down and have a child." Mac told her gentle.
"I suppose so, but just not right away."
"I certainly hope not."
"Don't worry mom," Harmony assured her. "I'm not going to jump into bed with any guy."
"I know sweetheart."
Getting up, she helped Mac to her feet. "Head up to bed, mom, I'll lock up and go to bed myself."
Yawning, she agreed. "Night sweetheart."
"Night mom," she waited until her mother was upstairs and made sure the front door was locked, and then headed up to the garage apartment. She'd moved into it after Grace had married her Grandpa, her old room being transformed into a nursery. Changing in the bathroom, she climbed into bed, Maverick, who'd been waiting for her, jumped onto the bed and curled up on the end. She gave the dog a pat, thinking over what Mikey had said about Jason. Sighing she laid down and turned out the light. One day she would understand guys, but for now they were just going to have to remain a mystery to her.
In the main bedroom, Mac snuggled close to her husband.
"So how was the date?" Harm asked her quietly.
She smiled; she'd been wondering how long it would take for him to ask. "It went well, Mikey was a perfect gentlemen and Harms has gone to bed happy with the fact she has a good friend to go out with."
"Is that so," he nuzzled at her neck as he ran his hand under her nightgown. "My baby's all grown up."
"Mmm, that she is," Mac moaned and kissed him. "Enough talk flyboy."
He rolled her on top of him, kissing her back. Sitting up he gathered her nightgown up and pulled it off over her head, throwing it on the floor. "You're right, talking is so over rated."
"So true," she mussed. "You're definitely a man of action."
"You've got that right babe, and I intend to give you some action," he smirked and kissed her again. Talking was forgotten about completely as they made love.
Near sunrise, Harmony found Jason sitting outside on the back porch; she sat with him on the chair swing. "Morning."
"Morning," he slipped his arm around her and she snuggled close. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Couldn't sleep."
"Nightmare?" He asked concerned.
"No, just couldn't sleep."
He let it drop. "So how was the big date?"
"It was good, we went to the 'Sound Barrier'. You'll have to come next time."
"Nar, three's a crowd."
"Oh come on Jace, Mikey's just a friend," she announced. "You could invite Janie?"
He groaned. "I don't think so."
"Why? What's wrong with my friend?"
"She's handy?" He admitted embarrassed.
"Really?" Harmony was surprised. "She made a move on you?"
"She damn well nearly attacked me at your birthday party," he confessed.
"Wow, I didn't know. Sorry Jace."
"It's okay."
"There's always Melissa," she teased.
He frowned and started tickling her. "Are you trying to set me up?"
"Yes," she giggled, but he'd stopped tickling her and she saw the look on his face. "What's wrong Jace?"
"Nothing, just don't set me up, okay."
"Sure Jace."
"It's not that I don't appreciate it, it's just I'll deal with girls in my own time," he drew her back into his arms. "Besides you're enough to handle right now."
"Is that so," she pocked him in the ribs. "Pain."
Jason laughed and soon Harmony joined him, they sat together, snuggled in each other's arms and watched the sunrise. Neither understanding what they felt, but knowing they had plenty of time to work it out.
To be continued… (All mistakes are mine, the computer did it's best and my Beta ready is out sick)