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 and thank you for the reviews. Harmfantic (No, the Navy wouldn't change their rules but that's the great thing about Author's privilege, thank you though for liking my writing), Winjan (Now that would be telling), Abigaile (Thank you for your nice review and yes Jason and Harms will reveal their feelings for each other), Starryeyes10 (Thank you), pitaqueen (thanks, hope you like this one), KJFlygirl87 (Hmm a degree in something you can't spell, I can do that, I think), Tracy (Thank you. I'm glad you like it), smithknk (Thank you so much, I was overwhelmed by your review), chwkchic (Thank you so much, I love reviews like yours, they give me insperation.)
If things had been different
Chapter Eleven: Family, friends and lovers
Rabb Residence – Falls Church Virginia, Washington DC (Christmas 2003)Midshipmen Sergei Rabb climbed out of the car after his friend, the last out was his niece, and the three of them had gotten a lift to the Rabb house from a fellow Midshipmen and her parents.
They grabbed their bags from the back and returned to the front to say goodbye. "Thank you for the lift Mr. and Mrs. Wells," Sergei bided.
"No problem Sergei," Mr. Wells said with a smile. "Have a good Christmas."
"You too, sir, Ma'am," Harmony said politely.
"Drive safe, sir, Ma'am," Chris Buxton, the young man who had accompanied them, added.
"Will do, Chris." Mrs. Wells said smiling.
"See you after Christmas leave," Penny Well said cheerfully. It was no secret she had a crush on Chris, even though he had a girlfriend.
"Bye," the three bided and the Wells drove away.
Chris tightened his hold on his bag, he'd only met Commander Rabb and his wife, once and that had been awkward because of who his brother was. The former Lt. Andrew Buxton had served with the Commander on the Patrick Henry, they hadn't parted on good terms. But Harm Rabb hadn't held that against him, he could see the young man was nothing like his brother. "Are you sure your brother and his wife said it was all right for me to stay?"
"Harm and Mac insisted when I told them you weren't going home for Christmas, don't worry." Sergei insisted, even after two years in the States, he still hadn't lost his Russian accent.
"You'll be fine, Chris," Harmony insisted. "Come on Wolverine, you can handle staying with the Rabb's for the holidays."
He chuckled. "Sure I can Rabbit, I handle having you in my classes."
"Oh very funny," she smirked and playfully thumped him. "Lets go."
Sergei just shook his head at their bantering, following them to the front door. He dug his key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, opening it. "Home sweet, home," he remarked removing his cover.
"Your so poetic, Sergei," Harmony teased her Uncle and walked in, removing hers.
Chris laughed, taking off his own. "She has you pegged so well."
"I know," he groaned and went in shutting the door. They left their bags near the stairs, glancing around.
"Mom, dad!" Harmony called out.
"Attention!"
They snapped too, seeing the tall Commander, still in his uniform, a grin forming as he came into the hallway. "At ease before you hurt yourselves," he ordered lightly.
"Yes sir," they responded.
Rolling his eyes, Harm laughed. "Come here daughter of mine."
Harmony handed Chris her cover and nearly jumped into her father's arms. "Hi daddy."
"Hi sweetheart," he said happily. God his little girl had grown up. "I've missed you Harms."
"I've missed you too, dad."
"Harmy, Harmy," a little voice said coming down the hallway.
She stepped away from her father and hankered down, taking her little brother into her arms. "Hi Anthony," she stood with him in her arms. "You've grown."
"I'm nearly two," he told her.
Harm turned away from them smiling, he held out his hand. "How are you Chris?"
He shook the Commander's hand. "Fine thank you sir, and thank you once again for inviting me to stay."
"You're welcome," he turned to his brother. "Sergei, you look great."
"Thank you brother," he gave him a manly hug. "I have a niece to keep up with."
"Must take a lot of energy then," his brother teased.
"A lot."
Harmony rolled her eyes. "Where's mom, dad?"
"Right behind you," Mac announced grinning, she'd snuck in quietly.
Giving her little brother to Sergei, Harmony turned and gave her mom a hug. "Hi mom."
"Hi sweetie," she held her at arms length. "You look wonderful," she commented, and then looked to her brother-in-law. "Sergei, you're getting more handsome every time I see you."
He blushed a little. "It's the Rabb genes."
"So I'm told," she mused, and then gave him a hug, being careful of her baby son. She then addressed his friend. "Chris, you look handsome too."
"Thank you Ma'am."
"None of that Ma'am, sir business," Harm told him. "As of this moment your part of the family, it's Harm and Mac."
"I'll try and remember that sir," he said with a grin, his gray/blue eyes filled with amusement.
"Lets get you all settled," Mac said, chuckling. "Sergei, you and Chris have your old room, Harms you have the apartment, Jace is going to bunk on the sofa though. We've already started decorating his old room."
The three of them had grabbed their bags. "Why?" Harmony asked, referring to the room.
"Because you're mom is pregnant again." Harm said proudly.
His daughter squealed and hugged her mom and him again. "How far, when's the baby due?"
"One question at a time," Mac said, finding it amusing. "Four months and May."
"Wow, so cool."
"That's my girl," Harm smirked.
"Congratulations, brother," Sergei said, slapping his shoulder.
"Thank you."
Mac shook her head and took her son from his uncle's arms. "Any one would think he did all the work, it was a joint effort you know."
"Mom," Harmony exclaimed and Chris laughed. "I'm going to change."
"Sounds like a good idea," her dad agreed. "We only got home ourselves a few minutes ago."
Once they'd changed and settled in, they sat in the living room, which Harm and Mac had decorated. A Christmas tree sat in one corner and streamers and tinsel were hung around the house, as did mistletoe. The three Midshipmen were recalling their summer cruise on the Patrick Henry, as Anthony played happily on the floor with blocks.
"Captain Ingles walks into the wardroom and straight over to Harms," Chris was telling them. "He bypasses Commander Rollins, who is standing there with his mouth open, without a word. The Skipper pats Harms on the shoulder and asks to talk with her."
Sergei took over. "They walk out and that's the last we see of her until a few minutes later, when we're invited to sit in on a briefing. There's Harms all suited up sitting with the squadron, Commander Rollins is even more confused by this stage," he stated, finding it funny. "The Cag dismissed every one and Harms leaves with the squadron, Captain Johansson walks up to the Commander and tells him he'll keep Harms safe and walks out. Commander Rollins orders us to Vultures Row and hurries off to the bridge. I don't know what the Captain said to him, but he came out to us none to happy."
Harm looked to his daughter. "Please tell me you didn't fly a bird off the Henry?"
"I didn't fly a bird off the Henry," she answered, and grinned. "I sat backseat for the Gag once and flew twice off the Henry on short recon flights with Tuna."
Her father groaned as she, Sergei and Chris laughed. "I can't believe the Skipper let you do that."
She grinned. "The Skipper likes me," she mussed.
"And she got us cat shots too," Chris added. "Which we are still thanking her for."
Mac shook her head. "Young lady, if you keep this up, they won't need to send you to flight school."
"Oh mom, I still have a lot to lean."
"Yes you do," her father remarked. "So slow down a little, at this rate you'll be graduating with Sergei and Chris."
"That's the plan dad," she mused and stood up, walking over to the picture windows.
"Don't be in such a hurry, Harms," her father said gently.
She turned. "I'm not dad, I just need the extra challengers. That's why they keep moving me ahead."
"All right sweetheart."
Mac glanced up. "Harms I would move if I were you."
"Why?" She asked and saw her mom point up. Looking she saw the mistletoe handing form the ceiling. "Who put that there?"
"Me actually, to catch your mom," her dad teased, getting up he gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you daddy."
"Excuse me brother, my turn," Sergei announced behind him, tapping him on the shoulder. When Harm moved out of the way, he kissed his niece on the cheek too, seeing her blush.
Chris jumped up on Mac's urging and joined in. "My turn," he smirked.
Sergei grinned, teasing his friend. "Be gentle Wolverine."
"Of course, this is Rabbit. If I try anything she'll kick my six," he exclaimed.
Harmony groaned. "I can't believe I fell for this."
Jason Rabb walked in at that moment and saw his stepsister being kissed by a fair-haired young man. He felt as if a knife had been thrust into his heart. Not even noticing the mistletoe made him feel any better. He cleared his throat and they came apart, startled.
Harmony grinned. "Jace," she rushed over and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He enclosed her in his arms, feeling a little warm with her so close, but he didn't want to let her go. God she smelt so good, she still used that shampoo that made her hair smell like wild flowers. "Hi Harms."
She pulled away a little; she didn't fail to hear the huskiness in his voice. For a brief moment she forgot about everyone else in the living room, for a brief moment it was just him and her, and then reality imposed and she stepped back. "I hear your giving up your bed for me."
"Actually it's your bed, but I don't mind hitting the sofa," he told her lightly.
She had a feeling there was more to all of this but let it slid. "Come and met Chris."
"Sure."
Chris stood and held out his hand. "It's good to finally met you Jason, Harms talks about you all the time. So does Sergei."
Jason shook his hand. "They've mentioned you too, Chris."
They sat back down; Mac noticed something different in her son's attitude, he'd been so eager for his stepsister to come home and now he seemed nervous.
"So Harms," Harm began. "How did you get Rabbit?"
She grinned that 'flyboy' grin of hers. "Chris christened me with it, said only a rabbit eats rabbit food and from then on he started calling me Rabbit and it's stuck."
Mac laughed. "Careful Chris, her father happens to eat rabbit food too."
"Well that explains it then," the young man remarked lightly and they all laughed.
All except Jason, he was watching Harms and only her; he hadn't realized how much he was going to miss her. Last Christmas he'd gone with Grams and Gramps to the Bahamas, he just couldn't face her coming home so different. This year his parents had insisted he stay, this year they would celebrate as a family. Then they'd gone and invited Chris Buxton to stay.
"Harms says you're joining the Marines, Jason," Chris said, talking to him.
He nodded. "Yeah, in the New Year," he managed. "Um excuse me." He mumbled and got up and left.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No Chris, you didn't," Mac assured. "How about some hot chocolate?"
"Not for me mom," Harmony said. "I'm going to see what's up with Jace." She announced getting up, leaving the living room. She went to the garage apartment, knocking before going in. "Can we talk?"
He was sitting at the window seat. "Leave me alone, Harms."
"Can't do that," she said shutting the door she went and sat beside him. "What's going on Jace?" She asked him. "You hardly e-mail me, you don't write, when I come home on leave you make excuses to not be here. Last Christmas you went to the Bahamas, what did I do, Jace?"
"You changed," he told her. "I couldn't handle that."
"I grew up, Jace," she said gently, taking his hand. "But I never changed from being who I am."
"Didn't you? Before you left, you wouldn't have kissed somebody under the mistletoe like you just did," he said jealous.
She sensed that. "No, the Christmas before I left for the Academy, I kissed you under the mistletoe."
And he'd still remembered that kiss, it was so light, a mere peck on the lips, but he remembered it. Shaking his head he got up and walked away form her.
Harmony went after him, grabbing his arm. "What do you want from me Jason?" She demanded frustrated.
He pulled her against him. "I want you to love me!" He blurted.
She felt her heart pounding against her chest, becoming lost in his chocolate brown eyes, admitting. "I do love you Jace."
"I don't mean as a sister, Harms," he said softly.
"I know what you mean, Jason," she pulled her arms free of his hold and slipped them around his waist. "I've had feelings for you that aren't the type a sister should have for a brother."
"You have?"
She nodded. "So what do we do now?"
He ran his finger over her lips, then lent forward and kissed her, a kiss that started off soft and gentle, but turned into so much more. He moved her back against the wall, pressing his body against hers, parting her lips to deepen the kiss. She ran her fingers through his hair, sucking seductively on his bottom lip as he pulled away, both of them breathing hard. He saw desire in her eyes, felt it in her body and his own. "Harms, we've got to stop."
"I know," she pulled his shirt free of his jeans as his mouth found hers again, she slipped her hands beneath his shirt, finding his skin warm to touch and he shiver. Gathering the shirt up, she broke the kiss pulling it over his head, throwing it to the floor.
He groaned at the feel of her lips on his chest as they chanced positions, it seemed since leaving for the Academy, she'd picked up a few things. "Harms," he felt himself sliding towards the floor, she went with him, sitting on his lap. Jason pulled her tee shirt from her jeans and off her body in one swift motion, dumping it on the floor. "Fare's fare."
"I hope so," she wiggled forward and heard him groan. "Liked that, did you jarhead?"
"Yes," he groaned as she did it again. "Do you know what you're doing to me?"
"I can feel what I'm doing to you," she said, and then gasped as he grabbed hold of her hips, pulling her closer. "Enough talk."
"Damn right," he agreed and kissed her. Somehow they managed to get to the bed, pulling and tugging at each other's clothing, leaving a trail behind them. There weren't any hesitations; they both knew what they wanted and what they were feeling. Making love with an undying passion that left them exhausted in each other's arms.
Harmony ran her fingers down Jason's chest as he slept to his stomach; his muscles contracted and then relaxed. She smiled softly. He didn't stir or wake. She laid her head back on his chest, her fingers continued to move with feather like strokes. Their lovemaking had been everything she'd expected it to be and more. She dreamed about making love to him, her dreams were nothing like the real experience. Slipping from the bed she grabbed her clothes off the floor and her bag and went into the bathroom. She dropped her clothes into the clothesbasket and her bag on the counter, turning the water on she stepped under the spray, letting it ease sore muscles as she washed herself. When she'd finished she rested her head against the tiles, letting the spray ran down her back, closing her eyes.
Jason had woken to find her gone. Then heard the shower turn on, he'd wandered in and just watched her for a while. Pushing the recess door back, he stepped in, closed it and drew her into his arms. He kissed her neck, running his hand over her slick body.
Harmony opened her eyes. "Hi."
"Hi," he greeted. "Are you all right?"
"A little sore, but I'll be fine."
That brought him out of his daze. "Harms," he let her turn around. "Are you tell me, that…" he tried to comprehend this. "It was your first time?" She chewed on her bottom lip and nodded, he was surprised by that. "Why didn't you tell me, did I hurt you?"
"No," she assured, putting a finger on his lips. "It was beautiful, better then I'd ever dreamed off." She removed her finger and kissed him, a deep passionate kiss that put everything she felt behind it.
He groaned and pushed her against the wall of the shower recess. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," she said breathless. "Please, love me."
He did just that, touching and caressing until she was whimpering in pleasure and begging for more. He picked her up and they made love against the wall, her legs wrapped around his waist. It wasn't flying but Harmony did reach extraordinary heights that took Jason along with her.
That night, when Harmony and Jason managed to dress and head back to the main house, their Grandpa AJ and Grandma Grace were there with their son Darien. Last year, Grace's daughter and son-in-law had been kissed in a car accident. She and AJ had gone to Dallas for the funeral. Her grandson, Darien had returned home with them, they'd been given guardianship. Midway through the year they'd adopted Darien, giving the little boy parents again. The eight-year-old hugged Harmony; he was wearing the Naval Academy sweatshirt she'd sent him for his birthday.
She hugged him back. "Hi kiddo."
"Hi Harms."
She then hugged her grandfather and grandmother. Grace held her a little longer, whispering. "Your mom said you and Jason were having a long talk"
"We were, why?"
"Lets just say he left his mark on your neck."
She blushed as her grandmother released her, chuckling.
"How's the Academy, Harms?" AJ asked his granddaughter as they sat down.
"It's great Grandpa," she answered, seeing Chris smirking at her. She rolled her eyes at him. "Could be a little more challenging at times."
That made her grandfather laugh. "Have patients young lady."
"Yes sir."
"That's what I told her," her father commented.
Mac was seated on the arm of her husband's chair, his arm around her. "Was Emily like this, Dad?"
"Not as bad, but yes," he admitted. "Then she met Harm and it was a challenge to see who could out do each other."
"Thanks dad," Harm groaned as they all laughed.
"My pleasure son."
The doorbell rang and Harmony volunteered to see whom it was, she peeked through the spy hole and quickly opened the door. "Poppa, Nana," she hugged them both.
"Harmony," Deanna greeted. "You look wonderful dear."
"Thanks Nana."
Joe lifted his grand daughters chin with a finger and moved her head a little, seeing the mark. "What's this young lady?"
"Poppa," she groaned.
"Darling it's called a hickey," Deanna said placidly and took her grand daughters arm. "It's obvious she and Jason have realized their feels for each other."
Harmony groaned again. "Did everyone know how we felt except for us?"
"Yes darling we did," Joe told her.
She blushed hard and went with them into the living room; Mac hugged her mom and dad, introducing Chris to them. Finally they all sat down.
"Well young man, " Joe addressed Chris. "What are you going to do in the Navy?"
"I'm planning on being a Naval Aviator, sir," he answered. "Since the F-14 is being phased out, I guess it'll be Super Hornets."
"They're not that bad, Chris," Harm told him. "Not as good as the Tomcat, but not bad."
"You've retrained sir?"
He nodded. "We still have our Tomcats, but the Admiral wanted us trained in the Super Hornet too."
"I would rather the Tomcat," Harmony declared. "They handle better then the Super Hornet, which flies itself more then anything."
Harm frowned at her. "Please tell me you didn't con Captain Ingles into letting you fly one?"
"No, dad," she grinned. "I got to sit R2D2, while on board, we all did."
"I liked it," Sergei announced. "Not as good as some of the helo's, but it was fun." Harmony and Chris picked up a cushion each and throw them at him, coursing everyone to laugh. He pelted them back at them. "Rhino drivers."
"You might change your mind once you get to flight school, Sergei," Harm told him.
"Maybe."
"At least he's joining the Navy and not defecting to the Marines, like somebody," Harmony teased her new lover.
"Thanks so much, Rabbit," he smirked. "But I was a Jarhead, long before I met you squid."
"Yeah well, just remember it takes a squid to handle you, ninjaboy," she smirked back.
"That's my girl," her father chuckled and got dug in the ribs by his wife. "Hey, just watch it ninjagirl."
"Just remember squid, it takes a Jarhead to handle you," she mused.
"Nope, just takes one to put up with me," he jeered.
"So true," AJ remarked and they all laughed.
"I'm going to be a SeAL like Papa," Darien announced, referring to his adopted father.
AJ ruffled his hair. "That's my boy."
Joe sighed. "Well I still have Anthony to work on and the new baby."
Deanna patted his arm. "Patients dear."
Anthony crawled onto his father's lap. "I'm gonna to fly like daddy."
"That's right squirt," Harm said proudly. "Go Navy, right buddy?"
"Go Navy," the little boy cheered and his family laughed.
Later that night, after dinner, when both grandparents had left and nearly everyone had gone to bed, Harmony and her dad were seated outside on the back steps.
"Do you love him, Harms?"
"Yeah dad, I do, I just didn't realize it until now," she told him, as he slipped his arm around her. "I guess I have for a long time, I was just a little slow in seeing it."
He chuckled. "I think that's a Rabb trait darlin."
"Maybe."
"Just be careful," he advised.
"I will dad," she promised.
Christmas Eve – The Vietnam Memorial WallCommander Harmon Rabb stood beside his daughter, they'd came to the wall to visit his father as they did every year. It was a little too cold to bring Anthony, so they came alone.
Harm removed his glove and ran his fingers over the gold writing. "Merry Christmas dad."
Harmony did the same thing. "Merry Christmas Grandpa Harm."
"Commander Rabb?"
Both turned, seeing a young woman in Naval uniform, rugged up in a warm uniform coat. Harm recognized he; he'd met this young woman once during his sea duty aboard the Patrick Henry. "Lt. Gibson?"
"Lt. Commander Gibson, sir. Andrea," she reminded. "We meet aboard the Patrick Henry."
He'd pulled his glove back on, reaching his hand out to her. "How are you, Andrea?"
"Find thank you sir," she shook his hand.
"This is my daughter, Harmony," he introduced. "Harms, Andrea's father was Grandpa Harm's RIO, Lt. Andrew Gibson."
"It's nice to meet you Ma'am."
"You too Harmony," Andrea said smiling a little before addressing Harm. "I just wanted to pay my respects sir," she informed. "I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all," Harm insisted. "Where are you based now?"
"Oceana, sir. We're deploying to the Persian Gulf in the New Year."
"Andrea is a member of the 215th – the Predators," he told Harmony. "When I was on the Patrick Henry, she, her CO and their RIO's had to do an emergency landing in the modified Cod they were flying."
"It made life interesting sir," the young woman remarked. "I hear you made quiet a stir yourself a few days later."
He nodded, grinning. "I did at that."
She glanced to her left at the young man who was standing nearby waiting. "I have to go sir."
"It was nice to see you again, Andrea."
"It was good seeing you too, sir, Harmony," she saluted him and then hurried over to her companion.
"Her dad obviously survived," Harmony remarked, watching them leave. "She's not old enough to have been born before they went down."
"He was found a few days later in a POW camp and rescued," her dad revealed. "He felt guilty because he was rescued and dad wasn't. He and his wife were killed in '79' when Andrea was five. She's one of the best Harms, so are the Predators."
Harmony turned back to the wall and touched the letters of her Grandpa Harm's name. "If you can Grandpa, look after the Predators. One day I might get the chance to fly with them."
"One day Harms," her dad said, putting her hand on her shoulder. "You just never know," he declared. "Come on kiddo, lets go home.'
She nodded and they walked away, a light breeze tugged at bell that had been left behind, making them tingle as they tolled. Glancing back, Harmony had a feeling Harmon Rabb Sr. had heard them, smiling she continued on with her father.
Christmas Day – Rabb Residence, Falls Church VirginiaMac woke hearing laugher and noticed once other thing; the bed beside her was empty. Getting up she pulled on her robe and looked out the window. In the back yard, Harm, Sergei, Chris, Harmony and Jason were involved in a snow fight, laughing as they pelted each other with snowballs. Thankfully they'd all dressed and rugged up against the cold.
By the time she'd showered and dressed, they were back inside out of the cold. She found them all in the kitchen. "Good morning."
"He sweet thing," Harm greeted tugging her into his arms. "How are you feeling?"
"Good," she kissed his lips, finding them cold. "You need warming up."
Mischief sparkled in his eyes. "I'm sure we have time."
The four young adults grinned. "We'll run interference for you mom, go for it," Harmony smirked.
"Yeah mom, go warm dad up," Jason jeered.
"We'll look after ourselves," Sergei agreed.
"And Anthony," Chris added.
"That settles it then," Harm declared, grinning he stood and swung his wife up into his arms much to her shock. "Excuse us."
They laughed heartily as he carried her out of the kitchen.
"Your brother and sister-in-law are great, Sergei," Chris told him, chuckling.
He agreed. "I don't think they'll ever get out of the honeymoon stage."
"There just making up for lost time, Sergei." Harmony mussed. "I'm going to check on Anthony, behave yourselves."
"We will."
She just shook her head and hurried out, going up the stairs to her brother's room. She loved this room and how they had decorated it. A mural of an aircraft carrier was on one wall, there were Tomcat's flying off it. Model airplanes hung from the ceiling. She found her little brother awake. "Hey buddy," she sat on the bed. "Merry Christmas."
He jumped up. "Presents now?"
"Soon, kiddo, lets get you dressed huh."
"Okay."
Once that was done, they headed down the stairs and into the living room. "We'll wait for mom and dad, they won't be long," she told him.
Chris, Sergei and Jason came in, each had hot chocolate, Jason carrying an extra, which he gave her.
"Thank you," she said rewarding him with a kiss.
"You're welcome."
They sat down, Anthony beside her, getting a sip or two of her hot chocolate. "More?"
She chuckled and let him drink more. "Good?"
"Uh huh."
Jason sat their just watching her, the way she interacted with their brother. For a brief moment a vision of her cradling an infant against her chest, she was in uniform, Lieutenant's bars on her collar, it flashed into his mind, then it was gone. He blinked, shaken by it. He'd had visions before, but they'd come in his sleep, and never so strong like that one.
"Are you all right, Jace?" Sergei asked him quietly.
He nodded. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Sorry I zone out there for a while."
"That's okay."
They managed to keep Anthony occupied for an hour before Harm and Mac rejoined them.
"Finished warming dad up, mom?" Harmony asked, grinning.
"I have," she smirked. "Shell we open presents now."
"Yeah," Anthony cheered.
By the time they'd finished, their was a pile of wrapping paper on the floor and a group of toys in front of Anthony, the little boy was more interested in playing with the paper though.
Jason got up and went into the kitchen; Mac saw him go and followed him, she knew he was brooding over something.
"What's wrong, Jace?"
He turned, hugging himself. "I saw something, a vision."
"Oh?" She moved closer. They barely discussed the gift that both were cursed with. "What did you see?"
"Harms cradling an infant, she was a Lieutenant and she looked scared and sad."
"Honey," she put her hands on his arms. "It could mean anything."
"I know."
She smiled and hugged him. "No matter what, we'll face it together, all of us."
"Thanks mom."
"You're welcome kiddo, come on," she said. After grabbing a garbage bag, she led him back into the living room.
Harmony took it from her and started shoving the wrapping paper in with her little brother's help. He laughed and giggled, coursing her to laugh. When they were finished, she picked him up, cradling her in his arms. "How about some breakfast little man?"
"Breaky," he giggled. "Breaky, daddy."
Harm chuckled, getting up. "I get the idea, kiddo."
"I'll give you a hand," Chris volunteered.
"Me too," Sergei announced.
Mac took her son from her daughter's arms and went with them, which left Jason and Harmony in the living room alone.
"Well that was smooth," Harmony mused.
He smiled and drew her into his arms. "They're getting good at it," he remarked and guided her under the mistletoe. "Merry Christmas Harms."
"Merry Christmas Jason," she whispered and rose on her toes to kiss him, feeling him push her body towards his. His tongue playing a tantalizing game with hers, and only the need to breath drew them a part. Even aroused by the kiss, she could see there was something brothering him, it was in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he forced a smile. "I promise."
She didn't believe him, but let it drop. "I can wait Marine."
"I know you can, squid," he mused. "I love you."
"I love you too, Jace."
Together they walked into the kitchen, hand in hand, joining the rest of the family.
To be continued….
(Okay, so I couldn't resist putting Andrea Gibson into the story, it was kind of fun to do so. Especially when I seem to be writing the two stories at once sometimes. It gets a little confusing, but I'm managing. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.)