…Till Death Does Us Part Chapter IV (The Conclusion) – Part 3/12
Disclaimer - See part one for all important information


Friday August 26

Tysons Corner Center

1961 Chain Bridge Road

McLean, Virginia

10:41 AM

Since Mac needed to buy more than only food for the party she decided to take care of everything at the Tysons Corner Center. It was a shopping center where she could get almost everything. She and Harm had gotten the majority of Ty's presents from there as well.

Mac had just finished her shopping and was now on the way back to her car when an object in one of the shop windows caught her interest. She stopped and took a better look.

"Beautiful," Mac whispered before looking at the nearly asleep Ty in her arms. "What do you think, Ty? Would daddy like this one?" She asked her son and pointed at the object of her desire.

Ty nodded his head a little bit before burying it in the crook of her neck again.

"Yeah, I think so, too," Mac told her son softly before making her way into the shop.

JAG Headquarters

Harm's Office

Falls Church, Virginia

11:07 AM

"Enter," Harm called out as there was a knock on his door.

"Sir, Harriet and I wanted to congratulate you once again on your new job," Bud said as he and Harriet stood in Harm's doorway.

The Admiral had told the staff about Harm's job change shortly after the meeting with the SECNAV. His co-workers were surprised about the news, but were happy for him nonetheless.

"Thanks, guys. Come in," Harm told them as he got up from his chair to get his jacket, cover, and briefcase. "Bud, is it possible for us to get together on Monday, so I can hand you over a few of my cases?"

"Sure, Sir, that shouldn't be a problem. I have court early in the morning, but I should be done around noon. Would that be okay for you?"

"Perfect, Bud." Harm smiled at his friend while putting on his jacket. "If you would excuse me now, I have a lunch date with my grandmother, parents, Mac, and Ty."

"Have fun, Sir," Harriet said with a smile.

"Oh, I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun." Harm chuckled at the thought of his mom's and grandma's faces while he and Mac told them about their plan to stay married. "I'll see you guys tomorrow at Ty's party, right?"

"We wouldn't miss it," both of his friends answered with a grin. "Goodbye, Sir."

"Bye, you two," Harm said before walking out of his office and out of the JAG building.

Washington Dulles International Airport

45020 Aviation Drive

Sterling, Virginia

11:56 AM

Mac, Ty, and Grandma Sarah were sitting in the airport café, drinking coffee while waiting for Trish and Frank. They'd all thought it would be the best to meet there, since Sarah would arrive in a different time at a different terminal than Trish and Frank. Ty was sitting on his great-grandmother's lap drinking his apple juice.

"Mac?" A well-known voice suddenly called from the left. Mac frowned and looked at Grandma Sarah with a deer-stuck-in-the-headlight- look. "Mac, it's really you. Hi, how are you doing?"

"Hello, Renee. Now this is a surprise. What brings you to Washington?" Mac asked slightly astonished as she looked up at Renee.

"Oh, I'm not visiting Washington. Cyrus, the twins and I are having a stopover here. Our plane to Rome will take off in two hours," Renee explained with a smile.

"Mama," Ty said quietly as he stood in front of Mac, tucking on her pants. "Up," he demanded, holding his arms up to signal to his mother that he wanted to be in her arms.

"Come here," Mac said gently and took him into her arms. "Are you tired?" She wanted to know and Ty shook his head in response. "No? Then let me guess. You want to see Grandma and Grandpa, right?"

"Yes," Ty answered with enthusiasm while clapping his hands. "Dada?"

"We'll go see Daddy as soon as Grandma and Grandpa are here. Promise," Mac explained her son.

"Mama?" Renee looked astonished at Mac. "Oh my god, this is your son." She deduced while looking more thoroughly at Ty. "He looks so much like you, Mac. So you and Mic have your own family now. Congratulations."

Mac wanted to respond, but was interrupted by her son. "Granma, granpa," Ty called delighted the moment he saw his grandparents walking in their direction. A huge smile covered his face.

"Oh my god," Renee repeated her statement in a whisper as soon as she saw Ty's smile. "This smile… Harm?" She asked with a raised eyebrow as she looked full of expectation into Mac's eyes.

"Granma, Granpa," Ty called once again, before Mac could give Renee her response. He threw himself into Frank's arms as soon as he and Trish were near enough.

"Well hello, Ty. It's good to see you, too. How's the birthday boy doing?" Frank chuckled and tickled his laughing grandson. "Hello Mac, Sarah."

"Hello Frank, Trish," Grandma Sarah welcomed them.

"Oh, he's doing great. He couldn't wait to see his grandparents. Hi, Frank. Hello, Trish," Mac said and gave Trish a warmly hug. "Welcome back to Washington. Ty really missed you."

"Hello, Mac. We missed you guys, too," Trish responded with a smile. "It's so good to see you again." Then she looked at the woman right next to Mac. "Renee? Now this is a surprise," she continued, looking surprised at Renee and then back at Mac.

"Hello, Trish," Renee said quietly. She was still taken aback from her latest realization.

"Renee, I would like you to meet my son Benjamin-Andrew Tyler Rabb," Mac said as she took Ty back into her arms. "Ty, this is Renee. She's a friend of your daddy and me," she explained to her son.

"'lo," Ty said shyly and wanted to shake Renee's hand. His behavior brought a chuckle from each grown-up around him, which made him smile in response.

"Hello, Ty. It's nice to meet you," Renee answered softly and shook his outstretched hand. "He may look like you, Mac, but his smile is all Harm's," Renee told Mac gently.

"Yeah, I've already heard that one once or twice before," Mac answered with a chuckle.

"So I guess you and Harm finally got your heads out of your sixes. It sure took you long enough," Renee said with confidence.

"True," Mac answered with a laugh and brought a new round of chuckles from the others.

"Well, I guess I better go back to Cyrus and the kids before they call a search party," Renee said like it was no news to learn that Harm and Mac had a child and were finally together. "Please, tell Harm I said hi, will ya?"

"Will do. It was nice to see you again, Renee," Mac said and shook Renee's outstretched hand.

"Bye, all," Renee said and walked away.

"Bye," Ty called loudly after her and made his family laugh.

"Okay, guys. Do you have all of your luggage?" Mac wanted to know.

"Yup, we're complete," Frank answered with a chuckle.

"Good, then let's get out of here. Harm and I thought it would be fun to meet at Olive Garden for lunch. I hope you guys are hungry," Mac told them as they made their way to the parking garage, where she'd parked her car.

"I could eat a cow," Grandma Sarah said dryly before she joined the new round of laughter.

Olive Garden

3548-52 S. Jefferson St.

Falls Church, Virginia

1:47 PM

When Harm entered the restaurant he knew he wouldn't find his family there yet. If everything worked out as scheduled, they should arrive around two o'clock. Therefore, he made his way to the bar.

"Hello, Commander. What can I bring you?" The barkeeper asked as he located Harm.

"Hello, Adam. A coke would be nice, thank you," Harm answered and sat down on one of the bar stools.

"One Coke comes right away," the barkeeper said and walked away to get Harm's drink.

"Hello," a dark-haired woman greeted Harm with a gentle voice. "Is this seat taken?" She asked, pointing at the bar stool right next to him.

"Not that I'm aware of," Harm answered nicely.

"Good. Then I hope you don't mind if I take it."

"By all means, I don't mind," Harm said with a smile.

The dark-haired woman smiled and sat down. "Thank you. By the way, I'm Cynthia," she introduced herself.

"Harm," Harm introduced himself and shook Cynthia's hand.

"Nice to meet you, Harm. So, what would you recommend here?" Cynthia asked with a flirtingly voice. She was eyeing him and Harm was aware of it.

"I'm not sure, but the Coke is very good." Harm grinned and took a sip of his cold drink.

"Then I guess a Coke it is," Cynthia said with a smile before she looked at Adam. "Could I have one of these, please?" She asked and pointed at Harm's drink.

Adam nodded and got her a Coke as well.

"What?" Harm asked as he saw that Cynthia was gazing at him.

"Nothing, I just wonder how come a very good looking sailor like yourself is sitting here all alone," she told him huskily, letting him know that she was openly flirting with him.

Harm had to laugh at her trying. "Aren't men normally the ones trying to flirt with a woman?"

"That's true. However, I do like to take the good things into my own hands," she explained while running her hand slightly over his arm. "Now why is this very good looking sailor sitting all alone here?"

"Because," Harm started to explain and took her hand from his arm. "This sailor is having a lunch date with his wife."

"Your wife, huh?" She repeated his words with a raised eyebrow. "I don't see a wedding band on your finger," she continued and touched his bare ring finger. "Don't tell me you're so shy that you're using a lie to get rid of me. I'm sure we both could have some fun together."

Harm studied his bare ring finger carefully before looking at Cynthia with a raised eyebrow, getting slightly annoyed with her behavior. He was just on his way to answer her when someone from behind started to chuckle.

"He may be lot of things, but shy for sure doesn't describe him."

Harm turned around as soon as he recognized the voice.

"Hey, I'm sorry that I'm so late, but traffic was grueling," Mac told him softly before giving him a short sweet kiss on his lips. "However, it looks like you had some nice company while waiting for us," she continued with a gentle smile, taking only a short look at Harm's company.

"That's okay, I didn't wait that long," Harm explained gently with a smile of his own. "And Cynthia here was keeping me company. Cynthia, this is my wife, Sarah," Harm introduced Mac with a proud looking smile.

"Nice to meet you, Cynthia," Mac said nicely and shook Cynthia's hand.

"Nice to meet you, too, Sarah," Cynthia responded, while her disappointment was clearly audible.

"If you would excuse us now, we have a date with our little son," Harm explained gently before he and Mac said their goodbye to Cynthia.

As soon as they were far away, enough so Cynthia couldn't hear them, they couldn't hold back their chuckles. "That poor girl. She really thought she had a big fish on her fishing rod," Mac said between her chuckles.

"Hey, I am a big fish," Harm responded and tried to sound sternly. However, he failed since he couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Yes, you are. But you're my big fish," Mac told him quietly with a glimmer in her eyes shortly before they reached their table, where Frank, Trish, Sarah, and Ty were already waiting for them.

"Dada," Ty squeaked in delight as soon as he saw his daddy. "Up, up," he demanded and was holding his arms above his head.

"Hey, Buddy," Harm greeted his son and took him into his arms, kissing Ty's forehead. "How's my favorite boy doing?"

"Oh, he's like Prince Charming," Grandma Sarah answered and Harm gave her a peck on the cheek. "Hello, my dear."

"Hello, Grandma. It's good to see you. You're looking beautiful," Harm said before giving his mom and Frank warm hugs. "Hi Mom, Frank."

"Harmon, you need glasses," Sarah told her grandson dryly and made him and the rest of her family laugh.

The waiter came shortly after Harm and Mac took their places and took their orders. While Grandma Sarah, Frank, and Trish ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana, Harm and Mac ordered a Garden-Fresh Salad for them and some spaghetti for their son.

While Sarah, Trish and Frank were being amused by Ty, Harm took the chance to have some fun with his wife. "What is it with you and salad the past few days?" Harm asked her jokingly.

Mac looked with a raised eyebrow at him. "Not sure. Maybe you are rubbing up on me," she said and shrugged her shoulders. "That's a scary thought though."

"I don't know. I can't wait until tonight, because I plan on rubbing up on you again," Harm whispered seductively while looking into her eyes. Harm received a glare and a little hit on his thigh from a slightly blushing Mac in response.

"Behave, Harmon," she whispered to him sternly before being interrupted by their waiter as he brought the ordered food.

While the grown ups were enjoying their eggplants and salads Ty was very much enjoying his little plate of Spaghetti. While sitting in his highchair right next to his dad he was eating the Spaghetti with his hands and by now, he had the pasta and ketchup everywhere. His face, fingers, bib, and even his shirt got their share.

"I think Ty and I have to go visit the ladies room," Mac said as soon as they'd finish their lunch. She took one of their napkins from the table and tried to wipe off some of the ketchup from Ty's face and hands, so he wouldn't smear it all over her.

"Okay. Why don't I order us some coffee in the mean time?" Harm asked and got a nod from everyone in respond.

"Sure, I think I would like to have a cappuccino. We'll be right back," Mac said and took Ty out of his highchair before walking to the ladies' room.

Trish and Frank started to talk to Harm as Mac left. When the waiter came and took their coffee order, Sarah took the chance to recall her grandson's actions during lunch. He was happy, truly happy.

"Family life suits you, Harmon," his grandmother told him. "You look truly happy. And so does Mac."

"How is everything going between you two?" Trish wanted to know as their waiter brought them the coffee.

"That's actually something Mac and I wanted to talk to you about," Harm told them tenderly before looking in the direction of the ladies' room, seeing that Mac was on her way back to their table.

"Everything is okay, isn't it?" Grandma Sarah asked slightly worried, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Yeah, there's nothing to worry about," Harm explained gently and took Ty out of Mac's arms so he could sit on his dad's lap.

Mac sat down on her chair, feeling all eyes directed at her. "Is something wrong?" Mac asked and looked slightly confused at Harm.

Harm took her hand into his and squeezed it gently. "I just told them that we wanted to talk to them."

Mac took a sip of her cappuccino and squeezed Harm's hand back, signaling him that she was ready when he was.

"What is it you want to tell us?" Trish asked, even more curious about Harm's announcement. She looked between Harm and Mac, hoping one of them would finally start to talk.

Frank saw how uptight his wife was getting and squeezed her shoulder. "I'm sure we'll find out in a minute, darling."

"It's about our divorce," Harm started to explain before being interrupted by his mother.

"Oh, it already happened?" she asked disappointed and sad, thinking that this was the news they would be sharing.

When Harm and Mac had told her, Frank, and Sarah about the plan to get a divorce, they all felt very sad about the news. However, the circumstances gave them no other choice and when they both explained that it wouldn't change anything about their living arrangement and that they would parent Ty together, Trish and the rest of her family felt slightly better. Trish was sure that it wasn't what her son wanted, just as she felt it wasn't what Mac wanted. However, being a Navy wife herself once, she knew just too well about the regulations and the rules in the military.

"It actually didn't happen, Trish," Mac answered gently before looking fondly at Harm. "Your son and I are still married and we're going to stay married," she continued to explain before kissing her husband sweetly.

Harm looked at his family after breaking the kiss with Mac. "Grandma, Mom, Frank. I would like to introduce you my wife, Sarah." He chuckled at his perplexed looking family and once more squeezed his wife's hand.

"Oh my god," Trish could only say, not believing what she just heard.

"Yes!" Grandma Sarah called out loudly.

"Yes, yes, yes," Ty repeated his great-grandmother's words, squeaked in delight while clapping his hands.

Harm ruffled his son's hair with a chuckle before giving Ty a kiss on his head.

"Congratulations, Son," Frank told Harm proudly, giving him a clap on his shoulder. "You couldn't have found a better daughter-in-law for me," he continued and winked at Mac.

"Yeah, I do have good taste," Harm responded with a chuckle.

"So do I," Mac stated with a sweet smile and gave Harm a peck on the cheek.

"This is great news," Trish told them. "But what about the reasons why you'd planned the divorce in the first place? What about the regulations?"

"On Monday I will start my new job, Mom," Harm told his still worried looking mother.

"You are leaving the Navy?" Trish asked him, surprised about her son's decision. Before Harm could answer Trish cut him off, "I swear if you're going to work for the CIA I will kick your…"

"Mom," Harm quickly cut her off. "Starting next week I'll be the liaison officer between JAG and State. My office will be in JAG headquarters, so there are not a lot of changes that I have to get used to."

"And you don't have to fear any charges?" Grandma Sarah wanted to know.

"No, the Admiral talked with the SECNAV and obviously, he believes we didn't do anything on purpose or intentionally misled the Navy," Mac explained and took her sleepy son into her arms, as he wanted to crawl from Harm and into her lap.

"I'm so glad to hear that everything worked out for you three," Trish said proudly with a tear in her eye as she looked at the young family. "I couldn't be happier at the moment."

"Thank you, Mom." Harm smiled at his mom before looking at his nearly asleep son in Mac's arms. "I think we should go home now. The little boy here badly needs some sleep."

"Good idea. I think as soon as we are home I will join him in dreamland for a while. And I guess we don't have to discuss the sleeping arrangements from now on," Grandma Sarah said dryly with a wink at her grandson and new granddaughter.

End Part 3