Chapter Nine:

1900 EST
December 24th
North of Union Station

"Harm!" Mattie screeched coming down the hall in between their apartments.

"Yeah Matts?" Harm hollered back. Days like this he was glad that they were the occupants on that floor.

"You got packages today from Gram." Mattie answered him.

"Can you open it? I am sure she showered you with gifts this year." Harm said knowing this his mom probably did spoil Mattie that year. She had spent a week in California with his mother right before school started that resulted in him having to make three trips from the car to the apartment.

Mattie started opening up one of the packages and gasped. "Um, Harm, are we planning on moving soon?"

"Well, that is in the works," he answered from his bedroom trying to pick out a top. "Why?"

"Just wondering."

"Explain."

"Well, Grams sent you her engagement ring, and I just thought that we would want a bigger house with all the little Mackenzie-Rabb children running around." Mattie said coming into his bedroom.

"Mom sent the ring with her presents?! Mattie, I was going to discuss this with you. I am planning on asking Mac to marry me sometime soon."

"Don't you think you should try to date?"

"Mattie, we have known each other for ten years, I have taken her out plenty of times."

"Well, point taken. Well, ask her today then." Mattie simply stated. "I like her, she would make a good stepmom."

"Mattie, that is kinda soon don't you think?"

"No, you guys already know each other, no need to date as you pointed out, and there is so much sexual tension between you guys that . . ."

"What do you know about sexual tension young lady?" Harm asked. He laughed at the thought that Mattie had no clue that the two had started dating, so he wanted to shift the conversation around.

"Relax Daaad. I had to take sex ed last year, remember you signed the permission slip. Besides, during break I started watching soap operas." She said watching him try on another sweater. She walked over to the closet and pulled out his dark grey turtle neck sweater and threw him a pair of black pants and pulled out his shoes. "Now that I have you dressed, I'll run down to my apartment and change quickly."

"Thanks Mattie. Change quick though, we have to pick up Mac in thirty."

"Don't worry, I have my clothes laid out already." She said exiting the apartment.

Harm quickly changed and surveyed the damage that his mother's shopping spree caused to his apartment. Typical teenager, she had opened up all of the boxes but left a mess in the wake. He straightened up a little piling the presents underneath the tree. He walked over the closet and pulled out more gifts he had gotten for Mattie. He looked on the coffee table and saw the ring sitting there. He made up his mind and put the ring in his pocket. Slipping on his jacket he heard Mattie locking up her apartment.

"Make sure you are warm Mattie. It is pretty cold out there tonight."

"Okay Harm. I also wrapped the gifts for all your co-workers and they are already in the Lexus."

"What would I do without you?"

"I don't know, lets not find out."

1930 EST
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown

"This can't be happening," she screeched at the top of her lungs. She looked at her bed and saw the pile of clothes. She heard the knock on the door and called for him to enter. "Come in Harm!"

"It's not Harm, it's Mattie. Harm is keeping the car warm."

"Mattie, I can't figure out what to wear!" Mac explained when Mattie saw her standing there in a robe.

"Clothes would be a good start. Let me look."

"You look great." Mac said commenting on Mattie's choice of clothing. She was wearing a light purple turtle neck, a black skirt that hit right below the knees, and black tights to keep warm.

"Thanks. Harm took me out shopping. I didn't have a lot of winter clothes, and you know Harm. Ah, ha I found it." Mattie said pulling out a dress. It was one of Mac's favorite dresses that she hadn't found the occasion to wear it to. It was subtly alluring with a lace bodice over champagne lining that dipped both front and back to a scalloped V-neckline. The sheer three quarter length sleeves of lace added a graceful touch and it fell right below her knees. Mattie pulled out Mac's winter dress coat which was grey.

"Good choice honey. Can you run to the guestroom and grab everyone's gifts."

"Sure Mac." Mac quickly slipped on the dress and gave herself a once over as her and Mattie left to meet Harm in the car.

"You know, if Harm doesn't think you look good, he is blind." Mattie commented going down the steps.

"Thank you Mattie." Mac said smiling at the young girl.

They reached the car and Harm popped the trunk to help the girls with the gifts. "Both of my girls look wonderful tonight."

"Thanks Harm," Mac said, "Mattie helped."

"Matts, you have been real helpful lately. Thanks Kiddo."

"No problem Harm." She said slipping into the car. "You know what I need?"

"I knew this was too good to be true," he said putting the car into reverse.

"A license."

"Mattie, I have given it some thought and decided that you do need one, and as soon as the weather clears up, I will take you to the DMV."

"Really, thanks!" She screamed with excitement. Harm grimaced at the loudness and Mac just laughed.

"Mattie, this doesn't mean you can be out all ends of the night, and it doesn't mean you can go driving around DC. Understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. We will talk about more ground rules when it gets closer and you pass the test."

"When can I drive your vette?"

Harm looked perplexed. "One thing at a time right now Mattie. Let's just make it through the party." He said to her putting his hand over the pocket feeling the engagement ring tucked safely inside.

AN - Okay guys, I didn't mean to leave you here, but I haven't quite figured out if I want it to happen at the party, at the wall, or while they are alone, so tell me what you think - you as the reader how would you want Harm to propose?? Happy reading, hope you are enjoying it. Thanks for all the input and reviews thus far, you guys ROCK!