CHAPTER THREE

Forgot disclaimers – Most characters don't belong to me, they belong to the production people in Hollywood, – but writing definitely doesn't pay the bills or my outrages tuition bill – All of the sudden the NAVY recruiters are beginning to make sense in my head.

AN- Thanks to everyone who has given me reviews – I love the advice. If you have any ideas on where you want the story to turn, let me know, I will try to write in. I don't have children, and the ones I do spend time with are not infants, so pardon my guessing when it comes to some of these things.

North of Union Station

1100 EST

Harm juggled the baby up the steps with the diaper bag and his briefcase. He sighed relief as soon as he got in the door and set the baby down. He picked up the diaper bag and dumped out the contents: clothes, four diapers, 2 bottles, formula, a manila envelope, and a video tape.

He picked up the tape and put the tape in the TV/VCR combo that Webb left at his apartment years before. He picked up the baby and started the video. Jordan's face immediately popped up on the screen.

"Harm, if you are seeing this tape, I have decided to go through with a plan I cooked up in my head years ago." There was silence from her. "I have instructed my lawyer to send some things to you. This video, a manila envelope that contains several documents, and, this is harder than I thought, a little girl. The child you are holding on your lap right now, that is probably trying to stuff her whole hand in her mouth, is your child."

Harm gasped. He looked down at the precious life that he held in his lap. She was indeed sticking her entire hand in her mouth. He just smiled. His mom said he used to do that.

"Harm, pay attention," Jordan's voice filled the room. "I know you are wondering how this happened since we haven't been together for a long time, and you are probably going straight to Bethesda tomorrow morning to get a DNA test. I know I would. All of your questions will be answered. Go warm up a bottle for the baby. She doesn't have a name. I knew I was dying, so I never gave her a name. Normally I called her angel, sweetie, or babe. Nothing appropriate for a baby. I know my lawyer also said I died in a car wreck, that isn't true. I sent my car over a cliff, and am dying peacefully with dignity under an assumed name in a country estate. By the time you track me down, I will be dead anyway. Let it go."

Beep, beep. Harm's microwave went off. He pulled out the bottle and tested it on his arm, way to hot he thought. He turned off the tape and called the only person he could think of that could help him.

Ring, ring, ring

"Hello?"

"Harriet, and I disturbing you?"

"Sir, no."

"Harriet, call me Harm. I am calling you for advice."

"Did you finally get your head out of your six, and decide to do something about Colonel Mackenzie?" Harriet squealed with excitement, then as she suddenly remembered who she was talking to, she snapped back, "Sorry sir, I was out of line."

"Harriet, don't worry about it. I do need your help. See, I warmed up a bottle for 15 minutes in the microwave. Now it is too hot. How long do I warm it up for?"

"The milk should be slightly warm, about 45 seconds on medium-high heat should work" She paused, "Harm, why do you have to warm up a bottle?"

"Harriet, I need your help," He started to tell her but stopped," As soon as I finish the tape and feed the baby, I will be over."

"Okay sir." He hung up the phone and tried again.

He pushed play on the tape. Jordan's voice began to fill the room again. "Harm, be angry with me. I was really angry with you. You took away everything I had ever hoped for, a good man, a family, a house in the suburbs, a dog, and a SUV. You shattered my dreams to chase yours.

"About two years ago I discovered that even though I thought I could have children, that my ovaries were producing unviable eggs. About 18 months ago, I was stateside. A friend of mine was working in a fertility clinic right outside DC. She told me that a lot of military men and women store their sperm and eggs there. When they left me alone after some more tests, I slipped out of the room to their storage facility. I stole some viable eggs, and sperm. But more specifically, your sperm. Imagine my surprise when I saw your name on a file. The great Harmon Rabb Jr. storing sperm. I kept the eggs and sperm safe until I got back to Germany, where I convinced my friends to help me artificially inseminate myself. So, 14 months ago, I found myself pregnant with your child." Jordan started laughing. Harm started feeling sick to his stomach. He started burping his little girl.

"I took away the one thing you wanted most, a child. But the ironic thing is, I was never meant to keep her. I was diagnosed with cancer, and given the opportunity to abort the baby, or die. I chose the later. After I gave birth, on December 8, I was told only had a couple of months left, that the cancer had spread to my brain. Harm, be angry with me, but never take your anger out on your child. I now realize that I was only a vessel to carry this baby. You and another are meant to raise this baby. Try to find her real mother. Pick out a good strong name for her. I was crazy to try to do this to you. I will always love you Harm."

The baby started crying. Harm picked her up and started looking around his apartment. "Well kiddo, I have a ton of things I have to do now. We have to find a nice big place your me, you, and Mattie. I have to call your grandmother," Harm wrinkled his nose, "and I have to change your diaper."

Harm changed her diaper, picked up the diaper bag and left for Harriet's.