CHAPTER THREE: Present (Part Two)


November 20th, 2009
1900 (7:00pm)
Richmond, Virginia
Mac and Harm's House

"Mommy, tell me about how daddy asked you to marry him again," said Alexis, looking into her mother's eyes.

"Again angel?" said Mac smoothing Alexis hair so that it would stay behind her ears.

"Yes mommy. I want to hear the story again," Alexis was just as stubborn as her mother and father at the age of five.

"Okay," said Mac taking a deep breath. "It all started-"


FLASHBACK

September 21st, 2004
Harm's Birthday
0900 (9:00am)
JAG HQ

"Hey Sailor!" said Mac walking into Harm's office, and sitting down on the far side of his desk, so that she was next to him. "We still on for tonight at McMurphy's with everyone else to celebrate?"

"Yup," he said, but he was getting distracted because Mac was sitting on his desk and her skirt had ridden up, just a little over the approite mark.

Mac and Harm had been dating for a little over a month, ever since the night of Mac's birthday. They hadn't told anyone yet, but everyone suspected because they were acting different around one another. And all the tension that had once seem to exist was gone, but replaced with the feeling of happiness.

"Harm?"

"Hum?" he had started stroking the skin from her knee to the highest point on her thigh that he dared to go. But each time he made the journey back up his hand would go father, seeing how far Mac would let him go.

"Harm," Mac said a little louder this time, trying not to draw the attention of everyone in the bull pin, since the door was still open.

When he finally looked up, but didn't stop his hand she said, "Not now. We're in the office." But she wasn't giving it much of a fight.

"I know, I know," but he didn't let up. "Hey Mac," he said "I've got something I want to give you," he said reaching into his bottom draw.

"You've got something for me?" Mac asked a little curious to her partners odd topic change.

"Yup, I saw it in a store the other day and I thought of you, and this seems like the perfect time to give it to you," he said pulling out a long black velvet box. "Here you go."

Opening the box with shaky fingers, Mac quickly saw the most stunning bracelet of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. All set in platinum. "Oh Harm. Thank you so much, but I can't take this. It must have cost a fountune," she said trying to hand him the box back.

"No way," said Harm pushing her hands back towards her. "I saw this and I thought you would love it and I love you, so I don't see why what it cost would matter."

"I love you too, Harm," she said a little awe struck. Although they both knew how the other felt this was really the first time either had said it out loud.


Back To The Present

"And then what! And then what!" shouted Alexis happily.

"Well then -,"


FLASHBACK

2100 (9:00pm)
Later That Night
Mac's Apartment

"Hey Mac, you ready?" said Harm walking into Mac's room. Even though they weren't living together they always spent the night at either apartment, so it was almost the same.

"Where's the fire flyboy? You in a rush for some reason?" said Mac from her bathroom.

"Nope, no rush," said Harm coming to stand behind her. "Are you going to wear the bracelet that I gave you?"

"Of corse, I just have to go get it. Come so you can put it on for me," she said going out of the bathroom and into her bedroom.

"Yes ma'am," said Harm following Mac's lead.

Standing in front of her full length mirror Mac looked herself over. "Come here flyboy. Can a girl get some help with her bracelet," said Mac holding out the box and then her wrist to Harm.

"Perfect," he said when he was done putting the bracelet on her wrist and turning around so that he was standing behind Mac in the mirror. Putting his hands on her stomach Harm rested his head on her shoulder. They looked stunning together. "There is one thing that could make this better," he said not taking his eyes off the mirror.

"And what would that be?" Mac sighed.

"This," said Harm, and with that he reached into his pocket and puled out a matching necklace to the bracelet. He clasped it around Mac's neck before she could say anything.

"Harm," she started.

"Sh. It matches the bracelet," he said smiling.

"But," Mac tried again.

"But nothing. Mac, it's not everyday that I get to spoil my favorite girl."

"I better be the only girl you spoil flyboy."

"You bet your sweet six, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Good," said Mac turning around and looping her arms around Harm's neck and kissing him. "Come on. Let's go."

"Do we have to?" Harm whined after Mac pulled herself from his arms. "I would much rather stay here," he said pulling her back into his arms and kissing her.

"As much as I would like to do that flyboy, if we don't leave now we're going to have a very annoyed two star on our hands. Now march!" she said pushing him towards the door.

"Yes ma'am," said Harm giving her a mock salute.

"Smart ass," said Mac closing the door.

"But you love it," said Harm.

"Don't push it," Mac said giving him a small smile.

"Yes ma'am," was Harm's reply as they stepped into the elevator.


Present Time
Richmond, Virginia
Mac and Harm's Home

"Alexis, why aren't you in bed yet?" asked Harm walking into his daughter's room ready to play daddy.

"Mommy was just telling me the story of how you asked her to marry you again," she said very matter of factly to Harm.

"Again?" he asked coming to sit next to Mac on their daughter's bed.

"Yes, again. Now sh!"

"Sorry," he said holding his hands up in surrender.

"Can I finish now?" asked Mac, at their nods she continued.


FLASHBACK

2115 (9:15pm)
en route to McMurphy's
Harm's Lexus

"Mac can you hand me a tissue out of the consul please," Harm said risking a glance in her direction.

"Sure Harm," Mac said reaching into the consul. Pulling out the box that was in there Mac said, "Looks like it's empty sailor, sorry."

"Are you sure?" asked Harm.

Sticking her hand inside the box, Mac's hand hit something but it wasn't a tissue. "No tissues but there is something in there." Mac said trying to see the two small objects that she was holding in her hands. "I can't see what they are though."

"Turn on the light," said Harm risking another glance in her direction.

"Okay," said Mac turning on the light. When the light was on Mac gasped. In her hand she was holding two princess cut diamond earrings. "Harm," she said.

"What?" he asked. "They match," he said again when she gave im a disbelieving look. "What they do!" he said.

"Harm, this is all really to much. First the bracelet, then the necklace, and now earrings."

"Mac we've been over this. I like spoiling you. Now please, wear the earrings and promise me this is the last that I'll hear about it tonight. It's my birthday, and I like spoiling you, so humor me."

"Fine, but only for now. We are going to talk about this later," and with that she put the earrings in and they rode the rest of the way to McMurphy's in silence.

2132 (9:32pm)
McMurphy's

"Commander. Good of you to join us," said the Admiral.

"Sorry, sir. I had to swig by and pick up Mac on the way over.

"Good to see you two getting along."

"Yes sir, it is. Pardon me," he said turning to see Mac being questioned by Harriet, Coasts and Mattie.

"Woah, ma'am. That's a stunning set you've got there," said Harriet admiring Mac's new jewelry.

"Thank you Harriet," said Mac.

"Yes ma'am. Whoever have you that must care for you very much," said Coates. "But I wasn't aware that you were seeing anyone."

"I am but I didn't want everyone to know just yet," said Mac. She and Harm were planning on telling everyone tonight.

"Does Harm know," asked Mattie. She was very protective of Harm and also noticed that he had been acting differently over the last month.

"Yes, he was the first person to find out," said Mac catching his eye.

"Oh, okay," said Mattie, and looked sadly at Harriet. They were the President's of the 'Mac and Harm Fan Club.'

"Excuse me," said Mac making her was over to Harm.

"Hey flyboy. Having fun?" asked Mac when she reached Harm.

"I would be having more fun if you'd dance with me," he said holding out his hand to her.

"Is that an order?" she asked taking his hand.

"Do I need to make it one Marine?" he said leading her to the dance floor.

"Never," she replied.

"Good," he said taking her into his arms.


"Do you think the Commander knows him?" asked Coasts looking at Harriet and Mattie.

"I'm sure, why else would he look like that while he dancing with the Colonel. It's the same face that he had at her engagement party to Mic. He looks unsure," said Harriet watching the couple on the dance floor.

"I just hope that he'll be alright," said Mattie. "He's been acting weird all month. I guess that's when Mac told him."

"Maybe," said Harriet still watching Mac and Harm on the dance floor. "Maybe."


Sitting At One Of The Large Table At The Back Of The Bar

Everyone was sitting down talking, eating and just having a good time. Mac and Harm were on the side of the round table that was part of a booth, sitting as close to one another as they dared, but still touching at all times.

"Ma'am," said Harriet trying to get Mac's attention across the table.

"Yes Harriet," said Mac turning away from her conversation with Sturgis to talk to Harriet.

"Ma'am, there is something in your glass," said Harriet pointing at Mac's tonic water with lime that Harm had just brought her and then turned back to her conversation with Mattie on how to get Mac and Harm together.

"What the," said Mac when she looked into the bottom of her glass, and saw a diamond, set in platinum surrounded by smaller rubies and emeralds. The matching ring to her earrings, necklace and bracelet. Turning to face Harm, who was in a conversation with the Admiral, she just stared at the back of his head with her mouth open.

As if sensing her eyes on him, Harm excused himself from the conversation with the Admiral and Tiner to face Mac.

Her eyes asked a question and he just nodded. Picking up her glass, Harm stuck his hand inside of her glass to pull out the ring.

"I had to make it a complete set," he said looking into her eyes. "Marry me, Princess?" he asked putting the ring on her finger as a tear escaped her eye.

"Yes," she said leaning into kiss him.

"Good, I would hate for you to have an incomplete set," Harm said when they broke apart.

Surprisingly no one had taken notice to the exchange between the couple. It wasn't until a half and hour later when Mattie said.

"Mac?" Mattie said whole table going quite, but not taking her gaze off Mac's right hand.

"Yes Mattie?" said Mac noticing that the whole table had gone quiet and was now focusing on her right hand.

"What's that on your ring finger?" Mattie asked looking up at Mac. "You weren't wearing that before."

"No. I just got it. I was told that it completes the set," said Mac with a smile in her voice. While her right hand may been on the table her left hand had been in Harm's since he asked her, refusing to let go of that bond.

"Another friendship ring?" asked the Admiral. The question from five years ago coming rushing back.

"Not this time, sir," said Harm looking at the Admiral and then back to Mac smiling.

"Good," said the Admiral gruffly. "And about damn time to. Congratulations son," he said slapping Harm on the shoulder.

"Thank you, sir," said Harm looking back at him.

Taking this as an okay the rest of the table began to congratulate the pair. Mattie and Harriet with stupid grins on their faces.


The rest of the time when on without a hitch.

The birthday boy got to blow out all the candles on his cake, with help from Mattie. He opened his presents from his friends and extended family. Not realizing that he hadn't gotten his gift from Mac yet. But when he asked her she just said that he would have to wait until they got home.

When they finally did reach her place Mac went into her room, leaving Harm waiting on the couch. A few minutes later Mac came back into the room holding a narrow package and handed it to Harm.

Inside Harm found a home pregnancy test telling him that he was pregnant. That Mac was pregnant.

He couldn't have been happier.


Present Time

"Now it's time to go to bed," said Mac finishing the story.

"That's how I want my husband to ask me to marry him," said Alexis settling down into her bed.

"You planning on getting married soon?" Harm asked his daughter.

"Not yet daddy!" Alexis said giggling. "It was just a fairy tale."

"Yea Sailor," said Mac wrapping her arms around his waist. "It's our fairy tale. You got a problem with that?"

"Not one," he said also wrapping his arms around her. "It brought me my two favorite girls," he said kissing Mac on the nose.

"EW! Daddy!" said Alexis.

"Sorry! Good night angel. I love you," he said leaving the room with Mac.

"I love you too daddy and mommy!" said Alexis yawning as her head hit the pillow.

"Don't grow up to fast," Harm added.

"Don't worry daddy. I won't."

"Good," said Harm closing the door.

"You know Harm. She is going to wait for someone like you to marry," said Mac stepping into his arms.

"And that's a bad thing?" he asked.

"Not at all," said Mac kissing him. "Not at all.

TBConcluded.