Ch. 4
Disclaimer: See Ch. 1
A/N: I own up to all mistakes
Harms POV
I sit here and stare into the flames of the fireplace as it slowly dwindles down. It's been three months to the day since I had to leave my family. Well, I don't have much of a family. I mean, I am married to a woman that I am deeply in love with. Sarah has and always will be my best friend. We've known each other for almost a decade. Not very long when you put that next to the fact that I'm over 40 years old. There is only one person that I've known longer that I am still in contact with. That is my unrelated sister, Missy. I say unrelated, because there is no blood between us, and technically no marital relation either. Frank, my stepfather, was married to Samantha Owens before he married my mother. The first marriage created my 'little sister' Elizabeth. However, I didn't even know Missy existed until I was a junior at the Naval Academy and didn't meet her till Thanksgiving my senior year. I'm sure Frank has his reasons on why he didn't tell me. Thankfully he told my mother, but for some ungodly reason, I was never told until she showed up. Nevertheless, I am thankful that she did. I have been able to build a few memories with her and we have slowly but surely made way into each other's lives. I guess that is why it doesn't surprise me that I went to her this morning when I first came back. I've been away for the last three months doing things for the Navy and the CIA and just about any governmental agency out there. However, I've decided that that all changes tomorrow. I found out this evening that I'm to be a father, and I do not want my wife, my mother, my sister, my child, no one, to ever have to worry unduly about me. I took this last assignment because I really had no choice. However, I will make sure that I never have to be put in that situation again. Sarah told me a little bit about what she went through while I was gone. Elizabeth did the same. Moreover, it makes me sick to my stomach that they went through that. Both of them understand the military way of life, they're both Marines. Nevertheless, they are also women. It took me a long time to realize that about female service members. I mean, I've always known that they're female with all of the physical differences than myself, a male, but behind that façade that is placed upon them, there is a true woman sitting there. I think I'm the only male that has ever seen these two Marines cry. However, it wasn't so much the Marines crying but the girls crying. My girls. Sarah and Elizabeth are the two most important women in my life, next to my mother and grandmother. And despite always associating the tenderness and frailty of the woman to those two women, it took me a long time to associate the same to Sarah and Missy. Moreover, I realized more than ever tonight how much that is true. They can be as kick ass and Marine like as they want to be, but they will forever be my girls. And who knows, maybe I have another baby girl on the way.
I turn around and see Mac coming down the stairs. She comes and stands behind me and starts softly massaging my shoulders. Her tender touch is relaxing in and of itself. "Hey." She says.
"Hey. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just kind of worried that you're not in bed yet. I've missed you."
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I slept on the way up from Norfolk and so now, I am not terribly tired. I'll probably be up soon." I respond. "Hey, you want to come here and sit with me until the fire goes out?" I look up at her and slightly smile.
However, her smile reaches her eyes. "I'd love to." She moves around the couch and I stretch my feet to the ottoman so she can snuggle into my shoulder. This is definitely something I've missed. No words are needed right now. Just the comfort of the one you love.
End Ch. 4.
I have and idea for Ch. Five. And unless I just have a major enlightenment, I'll probably end it there or at Ch. Six. Thanks for your reviews and encouragement. J.