Chapter 7
Harm's alarm went off at 0530 the next morning. He quickly got dressed and headed out to the SUV. The drive to admiral Chegwidden's took 10 minutes at that early hour. When he arrived at the admiral's home he opened the back gate and loaded Mattie's present into the back of the SUV. When he got back home it was just past 7:00. Before unloading the present he woke Mac up so she could take pictures of the girls' reaction. Harm brought the present, a 2 year old golden lab, to the door of Mattie's attic bedroom. He let Mac creep up the stairs before releasing the dog. The dog bounded up the steps and began licking the girls faces. All three were camped out on the floor since they decided it wouldn't be fair if one of them got the bed. All three girls woke up, first shrieking in surprise and then in joy.
"Merry Christmas Mattie," Harm said a wide grin on his face.
"You mean he's mine?" Mattie cried out in excitement.
"He's all yours," Harm said, "his name is Hawkeye, he's 3 years old."
"Thank you Harm," Mattie said, "he's beautiful."
The teen got up and hugged her guardian as Chloe and Jen continued to play with the dog on the floor. The other guests heard the ruckus and joined the group in the attic.
"Whose dog is that Harmon?" Grams asked as she reached the top of the stairs, "it is making quite a racket."
"He's mine Grams," Mattie said, "Harm got him for me for Christmas."
"Well aren't you a lucky girl," Grams said, "a dog is the loyalist friend you'll ever have if you take good care of him."
"I will," Mattie said.
"She says that now but trust me in a couple of months it will be you feeding, walking and taking care of that dog," Trish said to her son.
"Don't I know it," Harm said, "well since we're all up why don't we go open the rest of the presents?"
The others readily agreed and they all headed for the living room where the tree was set up with piles of presents underneath it.
Rabb House
1551
Harm answered the door bell with a dish towel thrown over his shoulder. He, his mother, and Grams were all cooking Christmas dinner.
"Hi Tom," Harm said letting Mattie's father in, "The girls are in the backyard."
"Thanks for having me Harm," Tom said removing his boots and coat.
"Let me introduce you to everyone," Harm said leading the other man into the kitchen, "This is my mother Trish and my grandmother Sarah Rabb. Mom, Grams this is Tom Johnson, Mattie's dad."
"It's an pleasure to meet you both," Tom said.
"Mattie's a wonderful girl," Trish said.
"She is," Tom agreed, "Harm do you mind if I speak to you and Mattie alone for a minute?"
"Of course not," Harm said. He went to the back door and called Mattie inside. Once Mattie was inside the three went into the office and closed the door.
"What's going on Dad?" Mattie asked a bit concerned as to why she was called inside.
"I wanted to give you two your Christmas present," Tom said, "but I want to make it clear that if you don't want it you don't have to take it."
"Ok," Mattie said a little confused.
Tom pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Harm. Harm opened the envelope and pulled out some papers. He looked at the top sheet shocked.
"Harm what is it?" Mattie asked, "what do they say?"
Harm didn't answer her so she took the papers from his hands.
"Document of surrender of parental rights," she read the top of the page.
"It means Harm can adopt you," Tom said, "that is if that's what you both want?"
"You're serious?" Mattie exclaimed, "you'd let Harm adopt me?"
"If that's what you want," Tom said, "I'm not trying to get rid of you."
"I know you aren't Dad," Mattie said, "and thank you, this is the best Christmas present ever! Isn't it Harm?"
Harm was still in shock, "huh?"
"I said this is the best Christmas present ever," Mattie repeated.
"Yes it is kiddo," Harm said, "I don't know how to thank you Tom."
"Just keep taking good care of my little girl," Tom said as he gave Mattie a hug.
"I will," Harm said, "lets go back downstairs and tell everyone the good news."
Later that night Harm sat at the head of the dining room table. He glanced around at the people gathered together in him home. Many of them weren't even related, to him or each other but there was no denying that these people were his family. The love of his life, his soon to be daughter and her father, his mother and step father, his fathers wingman and best friend, his Grams and a young lady who he loved as a little sister. Two years ago a family was a far off dream and now it was his reality.
The End