Chapter 29

AN-Ah – its getting to be a long story, tell me what you think – continue – not continue?? Sigh- the real world. Forgive me for the lapses in time I had originally started this story to be set in May – but I still need the baby to be five months in July – you will understand later – so the baby will now be born in February – sorry guys! I also want to thank everyone who has reviewed-it helps keep me going.

Disclaimers – not mine, never will be, if they were, the show would be more shippery with more action – sigh

EST 1300

JAG Headquarters

Harm returned from lunch with Mac. He saw that the messenger had dropped off the package that his mother had sent to him. He opened it up and several things came falling out. He found a new package of pacifiers for Mackenzie, baby booties, his christening gown, and his mother's engagement ring. He looked at the simple solitaire and decided that it wasn't the right time and put the ring aside in his drawer. Mac came in to his office asking his opinion on a case when Harriett Sims came walking in looking as pregnant as ever.

"Sir, ma'am," Harriet knocked on the door to Harm's office. After the switches in Admirals, Admiral Jonas had done some office reassignments, so Harm ended up with a fairly bigger office than the closet.

"Harriet, you can call us Harm and Mac. You aren't in uniform. Please take a seat." Harm said, moving his office chair over to her. He figured it would be easier for her to get up with the arms.

"Harriet, what are you doing here?" Mac asked her.

"Admiral Jonas asked me to come in to discuss the annual 4th of July picnic. Everyone is expected to attend this afternoon staff meeting."

Just then Harm's phone rang. "Rabb speaking."

"Commander Rabb, this is Nikki down in the daycare."

"Hi Nikki. Is there something wrong?"

"Well, Mackenzie is being extra fussy, and she just seems to be needing either you or Ms. Mackenzie."

Harm hung up the phone.

"Harm, what's wrong with Mackenzie?" Mac asked. Since Mac had told Harm that she was Mackenzie mother, they had fallen into a routine to where Mac would spend the weekends at Harm's and would come in on most week days. They still haven't told everyone in the office, but had remembered when they told the admiral.

--Flashback--

"Coates, is the admiral free?"

"Sir, he and Admiral Chegwidden are getting ready to leave for their weekly lunch date. But, if you are going in to tell him, I am sure you can tell Admiral Jonas and Admiral Chegwidden at the same time."

"Sure Coates."

Harm and Mac stood at the door, and knocked. "Enter."

Harm and Mac walked into the room and stood at attention. "At ease." Admiral Chegwidden said. "Sorry, Jonas, force of habit."

"It's alright Chegwidden." He addressed his two officers, "What can I do for you?"

"Well sir, I thought it would be appropriate to tell you that Mackenzie's birth mother had contacted me."

"Why is the Colonel here? Is she representing you in a custody hearing?" Jonas asked.

"No, sir, there won't be one." Mac stated. "The mother has agreed to let the Commander keep Mackenzie underneath his care."

"That's a relief. I'm attached to that little tyke." Admiral Chegwidden spoke up. Since AJ had retired, in between his trips with Francesca he had picked up little trinkets, and would drop them by the Rabb and Roberts households. He would bring Dammit along and Harm would allow the dog to run around the yard.

"Well sir, I'm glad you have taken such an interest. Mackenzie just happens to be my daughter." Mac said. Jonas sat in his chair quietly. "Since I am still recuperating, and the Commander has set up such a lovely home for his children, I don't see how I would be a good mother, uprooting my child. However, I will be spending time at the Commander's house, and we didn't want it to lead to a court marshal."

"Well, thank you for informing me of the Colonel." Jonas said. "Commander, I envy you. You have three beautiful women who love you."

"Yes sir, I love them too." Chegwidden stood there in shock. He had waited for years to hear Rabb utter those words.

Mac stood there shocked, "You're former CO has informed me of your 'working' relationship, and don't look so surprised you two. Just as long as you can keep the relationship out of the office, do what you must for your family. Keep me apprised of any further changes in your relationship. I need to know if you guys decide to get married so I can see if there is a way I can keep both of you. If that is all, then you are dismissed."

The officers snapped a salute, and executed a perfect about face.

"Well AJ how did you know?" Jonas said reaching into his pocket.

"Well Jett, lets see I know my old staff well enough to know that Jen was smiling way to early at work today, and Harm and Mac looked anxious. When we were helping them move, I was holding Mackenzie, and I noticed a look that the baby gave Harm when she was tired is the same look Mac has at the end of the work day. Pay up."

Jett Jonas took out his wallet and pulled out a twenty. "Well, you sure called it. But I will win on the announcement of their engagement."

--End Flashback--

"Mac, Mackenzie is just needing her mom or dad." The words just slipped out, Harriet looked wide eyed. Mac looked at Harm and nodded. He jogged down the stairs to pick up the baby. Mac explained the situation to Harriet. She then decided it would be good to inform the entire staff to stop the scuttlebutt. Rumor had been flying the past couple of weeks.

JAG daycare

Harm walked down to the daycare and put in his security code in the keypad and reached the infant section. He found Mackenzie there crying her eyes out. He reached down into her crib and started stroking her back.

"Wanna come to work and see mommy, the Admiral, and your older sister Jen? Will that make you feel better?" He cooed in her ear.

"Well Rabb, I wouldn't mind having her in the staff meeting. What's wrong with her?" Admiral Jonas asked as he was settling in his grandchild. "My wife has a spa day, so I brought in Alina." He said gesturing to his toodler. He said goodbye to his grandchild has he walked out of the daycare.

"She didn't sleep much last night, might be cranky." He picked up her baby bag and shifted her so she was comfortable. He made his way up to his office to put down the diaper bag and to make his way into the conference room where everyone was assembling. Harm took a seat next to Mac, and Mackenzie reached for her mom. Harm forgetting his briefcase went out to go get it.

"You see, the Commander can't handle his own kids, I told you so," one of the support staffers started to whisper.

"Yeah, I bet he is taking advantage of the colonel." Another one said. "Why can't he just leave her alone."

Harm walked into the room and Gunny pulled him aside quietly. Gunny had informed the commander on what he had heard, and he wasn't please. He called the two ensigns front and center. The Admiral was standing in the doorway watching Rabb and Mackenzie rip the younger officers apart. He decided there was no way he could tear the duo apart. He realized that both of them would make great commanding officers.

The Admiral stepped into the door, and Gunny yelled for everyone to come to attention. "Rabb, good job son. Good to see becoming a parent hasn't made you soft. Colonel Mackenzie, Commander Rabb, I heard you guys wanted to make an announcement."

"Yes sir. We have known this now for a couple of weeks. Colonel Mackenzie is the biological mother to Mackenzie. The rumors can stop flying now."

"Consider that an order," the admiral added. "Congratulations again Colonel and Commander; now for the business at hand. I have received a call from the park that we have reserved for the 4th of July picnic. There has been a slight problem, a septic tank underneath the park has bust. Lt. Simms, it is nice to see you again. Have you made any progress with finding a new place?"

"Well sir, because of the late scheduling of the event, I couldn't find another venue. The picnic will have to be cancelled." Harriet answered.

Right on cue, Mackenzie started whimpering and reached for Harm. He gently stroked her back. "What did the picnic entail, and how large of an area did you need?"

"We have rented a jump castle, a climbing wall, a blow up obstacle course, a blow up ball pit, a small Ferris Wheel, and a teacup ride. We also have different booths for about a dozen games. The park was about the size of a football field."

"Well, I don't think we should cancel the picnic. In fact, if we open it up to the public and sold tickets, we could donate the money to a charity." Harm said.

"Rabb, we still don't have a place to hold it."

"When I purchased my house, we had a lot of five acres, and most of that is cleared because it used to be a horse ranch from what I understand. The old owners of the land were having a stable built on the back acre. My parents had purchased a couple of more acres right beside my lot for an investment area. We could use the land for the picnic if it is big enough."

"It's a generous offer, but I wouldn't feel safe letting your house be open to the public, things could go missing."

"Well, we could post a guard outside of the house, and one inside," Gunny spoke up.

"I also have a security system. As for bathrooms, I would leave the pool house open. All there is in there is a small tiled bar and a bathroom. I haven't stocked the bar with anything but junk food for the kids. However, by the end of the week, I will have a couple of horses. Mattie talked her grandfather into giving her equestrian lessons, and he went overboard and is sending out Trotter and Tommy. We could use Mattie's riding ring and allow the kids to have horse rides."

"Rabb, good thinking. But how will we get the word out?"

"Mattie works at a day camp, and could tell the parents there, and I am sure we could get the local churches and daycare to make the announcement." Mac spoke up.

"Commander, it's a great idea, but how are we going to raise the money for the food in such short time. We don't have enough funds for a large scale picnic." Harriet pointed out.

"Local grocery stores may donate some food, if we say we have a large corporate sponsor. I know that the Bi-Lo sponsors local places."

"Who could be that corporate sponsor?"

"Burnett Industries and Art Galleries." Mac stated. "Frank mentioned on the phone they were looking for a tax break the other night."

"Good thinking. I'll call Frank as soon as we get out."

"Rabb, why don't you call now? I can't give you another case until you clear up some, and there aren't really any that are pressing."

"Aye, aye sir." Harm turned to leave the room when Mackenzie reached for him and smelt her foul diaper. He picked up her baby bag and left the room.

"You turned him into a domestic ma'am." Harriet commented.

"No Harriet, I had nothing to do with that. Coates and Mattie had a head start with him way before I entered the picture. Harm should be back soon, he got used to changing those smelly things in two minutes flat. Also, this is Harm's mother's number. Give her a call when he says that it's a go. She will be more than happy to help you plan. You shouldn't do all this being pregnant and raising two more."

"Thank you ma'am. I will do that."

Back in Harm's office, he deftly changed Mackenzie with one hand, while talking to Frank on the other.

Ring. . . Ring . . . Ring

"Burnett Industries, this is Alma, how can I direct your call?"

"Hello Alma, this is Harm. I need to speak to Frank."

"Who are you?"

"Sorry, you must be new, I'm his stepson."

"Oh right, the Commander in the Navy. We have seen several pictures of you in his office. Right away Commander."

"Harm, its Frank. What's up?

"Well, the JAG Corps is looking for a corporate sponsor to help us with a picnic. Would Burnett Industries and Art Galleries be interested?"

"We would Harm. What is the picnic for?"

"Well, it was going to be a small 4th of July picnic. But then I got the idea of opening it up to the public, using the land that the house is one, and we are probably hire a life guard and riding instructor to take care of the pool and stable areas. We are going to charge admission and sell tickets for the rides and charge for the food. We are then going to take the profits and probably use the money for something like Toys for Tots."

"Sounds like a great plan. There are two stipulations. The Burnett Logo has to be displayed somewhere, of course along with whatever logo you guys may choose, and your mother and I should be there."

"Frank, I wouldn't have it any other way. You guys are always welcome out here. You know that." Mackenzie started wailing again.

"Harm, she is sounding a little ill today. Have you taken her in to the doctor's office yet?"

"Not yet. I'm gonna make her an appointment. She's been waking up in the middle of the night and running a low grade fever. Most of the time Tylenol works, but today it hasn't helped."

"Well Harm, you should go do that. Send Mattie and Mac my love."

"I will Frank. Thanks for doing this."

"No problem. We will get the ball rolling on the food and other expenses. Thanks for getting me out of a headache. Bye Son. Bye bye Mackenzie, Granddad loves you."

"Bye Frank."

He picked Mackenzie up and moved her to the pack –n- play and called an appointment in for her, something was right with his baby and he knew it. She fell asleep while he was making the appointment. Her pediatrician said he could see her at 1500. Harm picked up the baby monitor and picked up Mackenzie's diaper bag and headed back into the meeting.

In the conference room, the Admiral was going handing out the cases that would be handled by the junior staff. Harm walked in.

"Where's Mackenzie?"

"She fell asleep while I was on the phone making arrangements with Frank. I put her in the pack–n-play." He pulled out the baby monitor and placed it between him and Mac. "Burnett Industries agreed with two stipulations. The first one was they had to have a logo properly displayed, which isn't a problem. We could do a banner with the logo along with the JAG emblem, and the second one is that a representative of the company has to be here. So my mother and Frank are coming out for that week." He sighed, it was going to be a huge undertaking. It would be worth it though.

Harm pulled Jen and Harriet aside after the meeting. "Ladies, I need your help with something for the carnival." They put their heads together and started whispering while Mac headed off the meet with her client.

He got the rest of the day off for Mackenzie's doctors appointment. Mac asked to get the rest of the day off two, but the Admiral said she could go as soon as she finished her work. Harm walked into the pediatric office with Mackenzie. She immediately looked at the environment and started to get tears in her eyes. Harm settled her on his lap and calmly stroked her back. He started singing soft Beatles lyrics to her in the office.

Women in the office were looking at the tall Naval commander singing softly to his little daughter. They were beginning to take bets on whether or not he was married, and they didn't see a wedding band. The minute Mac walked into the office though they knew that she was the one for him. Mackenzie was lulled into a soft sleep.

"Hey, sorry, has she been seen yet?"

"No."

She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She stroked her baby's cheek, and they waited.

The doctor's appointment only took thirty minutes when they were actually seen. The baby was diagnosed with acute otitis media. Harm was given ear drops for her, and they thanked the doctor.