Sweetest Gift Chapter 2: Forever Christmas Eve, a jag fanfic

Sweetest Gift Chapter 2

Author's Notes: Wow! I didn't expect this much response to my story, thanks you guys! I just wanted to add a little note, I want to say thank you to my beta and best friend Amanda (pen name is red cherry 11). She doesn't watch JAG, but she'll always read my stories, and give me advice. I love you girlie! Now on to the story!

"Well as a matter of fact Marine, I do have a little something for you." Harm said as he took off his coat and laid his cover down on the couch. Mac smiled playfully, and went to go stand next to him, looking over his shoulder. He searched through the pockets of his coat, and smiled as he pulled out a black jewelry box.

"Oh Harm….you didn't have to." Mac whispered as he handed her the box. She grinned, and handed it back to him. He looked at her, very confused. "One minute." She said mysteriously, holding up one finger. She slipped into her room, and reappeared a few minutes later with a small box. "Okay, now you take this…" She said as she handed him the box. "And I take this!" She traded him for the box that he held out to her.

He smiled as he sat down on the couch next to her. He had missed this, he had missed her. For the past year and a half, things had been so strained between them, and they were just starting to get better. But he had missed his best friend, so the moment that he realized she was no longer at the party, he went out looking for her.

Mac looked up at him innocently. "Is it okay if I open it tonight?" She asked, gently shaking the box. Harm just laughed at her childish antics, and nodded.

"As long as I get to open mine tonight Jarhead." He said, mirroring her actions, lightly shaking the box. She pretended to think, and then nodded, already opening the box that held her Christmas gift.

Harm put off opening his gift for a moment, wanting to see her reaction. This year he hadn't gotten the perfume that he usually did. He was walking through a shopping mall with Mattie and Jen one night, and saw it. Immediately he thought of Mac, and told the girls to hold on for a minute. He went in, and without a second thought, bought it for Mac.

"Oh Harm…."She gasped as she opened the box. Inside, on the black velvet laid a sliver heartshaped locket, with a rose engraved on it. "It's beautiful." She gently took it out of the box, afraid that if she moved to quickly it would break. "You didn't have to…."

"I wanted to Sarah." He murmured, his voice dropping down to a low intimate tone. She looked up at him, and was captured by his beautiful eyes and charming smile. "It says something on the inside too."

She glanced up at him curiously, a soft smile gracing her face. She gently pried open the locket, and paused to read the inscription. She felt tears brimming as she read it over again, making sure that it said what she thought it did.

Inside the delicate locket were just a few simple, heartfelt words. The inscription read, "To my Sarah. Love Harm." She glanced up at the man next to her, speechless. Then suddenly, going on instinct, she leaned up and captured his lips with hers.

'It's something so magical, incomprehensible
Yet it's so sensible, this you and me
The snow on the street outside that catches the blue moonlight
Why can't it always be
Forever Christmas Eve'

They broke off a few seconds later, and Mac slowly opened her eyes. She glanced up at him with a small satisfied smile on her face. "Thanks for the gift Flyboy." She whispered, lightly kissing his cheek. "It's your turn now." She said.

Harm waited for her to kiss him again before it dawned on him that she was talking about the gift that he held in his hands. He smiled embarrassedly, and picked up the wrapped package in his lap.

Inside was a beautiful pewter frame, and in the frame was a picture of Harm, Mattie, and Mac at the park. They were there with Harriet and Bud, helping to watch the kids. They had brought along a little picnic and the picture was of them sitting on the blanket, and all of them were laughing.

She waited eagerly for his reaction to the gift, and when he didn't say anything, she began to panic. "If it's too personal or anything, I could always just keep it, and get you something else. I mean, I saw this really nice watch that I thought would really suit you…." She trailed off as his lips gently met hers.

'Sparks from a midnight flame, the giggle of French champagne
A kiss sends about half way to fantasy
Wait mister brand new year, why can't we stay right here
Oh, how I wish it could be
Forever Christmas Eve'

"It's perfect Mac." He whispered as they broke apart, their lips still just a breath away from each other. "Thank you Sarah, it means a lot to me."

Mac smiled at the use of her first name. Somehow, this night was shaping up much better than she had expected. "I wish that it could stay forever Christmas eve Flyboy." She said, smiling up at him.

Harm laughed and smiled, looking down at her, as he put his arm around her shoulders, and drew her close to him. "I think that if this is how Christmas eve is going, that Christmas day is going to be even better." He said, dropping a small kiss on her forehead.

Mac realized that she was still holding the locket that Harm had given her in her hands, and decided to put it on. She reached behind her neck and began fumbling with the clasp until she felt Harm's big hands envelop hers, and take the clasp. She sighed as her hands retreated, coming back down to her sides. He fastened the necklace, and gently ran his hands over her neck, before putting them back around her shoulders. "Thanks Harm." She murmured, leaning into him.

'A distant bell is ringing out across the winter land
It's singing out a song of things to come
And though this kind of holiday is not what we had planned
It's wonderful tonight'

They sat in silence for a few minutes, but something was in the back of Mac's mind, and she couldn't help but voice it. "Harm…." She waited until he looked at her. "Why did you come tonight? I was waiting for you, and when it reached 2300 I figured that you weren't coming. And then suddenly, I open my door, and there you are."

Harm grinned, and glanced down at his Marine. "This is the high point of my year Ms. Mackenzie." He lightly nuzzled her ear. "Getting to spend all night with you." He placed a gentle kiss right below her ear, and indulged in the shiver it provoked.

'It's something so magical, incomprehensible
Yet it's so sensible, this you and me
The snow on the street outside that catches the blue moonlight
Why can't it always be
Forever Christmas Eve'

Mac began fiddling with her locket, reflecting on the past year. They had been through many things, but this might have been the worst of it. They were still dealing with Paraguay, and trying to fix the mess it had caused. And even though Webb was out of her life, at least personally, he could still somehow drive a wedge between them, reminding them of everything that had gone wrong.

"Thank you." She whispered. Harm looked down at her, not quite sure what she was talking about.

"For what Marine?"

"For being here….being you." She said quietly. "I've been so horrible to you Harm. I've said things, and done things that were so cruel….I've ripped your heart out, and you just keep on giving it back to me." She looked up at him, her eyes shiny with tears and full of questions. "Why? Why do you keep coming back to me?" She asked, her voice soft and vulnerable. "I'm not worth it."

Harm just shook his head and gently raised her chin up so that she would look him in the eye. "Mac, I never want to hear you say that again. You are worth more than I have to offer, I've seen you get through horrible ordeals, and you always come out a better person. You save me from myself." He said with conviction. "And I keep giving you my heart, because I know that you will protect it. And I hope that some day….you'll give me yours."

Mac smiled faintly, and looked down again. "But why Harm? Why me?"

Harm could tell that she had self confidence issues, and he had always kicked himself for contributing to them over the years. "Because Sarah, you're the most amazing woman that I've ever met. You could kill a man with your bare hands, and those same hands are the ones that take care of our godsons. You're a strong and tough Marine, but at the same time, a sweet and vulnerable woman. And I love all of that." He raised her face to his once more. "I love all of you. I love Colonel Mackenzie, and I love Mac, and I love Sarah….when I get to see her." He said teasingly.

She grinned and chuckled, leaning into his embrace again. "I think that you'll be seeing a lot more of Sarah from now on Harm. Think you can handle that?"

Harm nodded, and tightened his arms around her. "I definitely can handle that." They stayed in their positions for a few more minutes, a blanket of comfortable silence surrounding them. Mac yawned slightly, and absently checked her internal clock. Noting the time, she smiled, and leaned over and began kissing Harm.

He was taken by surprise at first, but as he felt her pliant body melting into his, he couldn't help but give in. His lips moved restlessly against hers, trying to make up for lost time. She grinned as his tongue lightly traced the seam of her lips, and gasped when he charged inside. She tangled her fingers into his hair, enjoying the sensation of the silky strands between her fingers.

When they finally broke apart, Harm glanced down at her and gave her the biggest Flyboy smile she had ever seen. "What was that for Marine?"

"Well, aren't you supposed to kiss whoever you're with when it's Christmas day?" Mac asked innocently.

"I'm pretty sure that you do that to ring in the new year Marine." Harm said, grinning and shaking his head. "But we can make up our own Christmas traditions I suppose." He said. "Merry Christmas Sarah." He murmured, leaning into her once more.

"Merry Christmas Harm." She replied softly, meeting his lips.

'Wait mister brand new year, spare us a little cheer
Why can't it always be
Forever Christmas Eve
Forever Christmas Eve'

Author's Notes: YAY! Second chapter! Okay, so there were too many reviews to reply to all of you, but I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate all of your words! Thanks so much everyone!

Pretenderfan: Pretty close to your timeframe, right? I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Froggy0319:  Glad that I could put a smile on your face!

GuitarVixen: ::laffs:: Okay, here's your chapter…..where's my Harm? wicked grin

BlueShadow: ::grins:: Nice to know I'm loved….I'm sorry I didn't review….I must have missed it….. ::scampers off to read story:: And I'm writing see!?

Maidenpride: I play the violin…w00t for the string instruments. I played the flute for a little while, but I just kinda squeaked, so I stopped. :P Here's one more chapter before finals, but I don't think I'll get the next one up before finals are over….sorry. 

Last but not least….

ReD-ChErRy11: ::grins:: Thanks for reviewing….and I'm glad that you haven't changed your opinion of the story within the past few hours. :P Luffs you too! 'I'm a man…duh.' ::giggles::