Chapter Thirty
AN- For the purposes of my story, 4th of July is on a Friday
July 3rd
Harm's Place
Harm was given the day off the day before the carnival to sign for the things that were needed. Mattie wanted to skip work, but Harm wouldn't let her. He laughed at the thought of watching his pouty teenager sulk out the Gina's mother car. The items wouldn't be delivered until the morning, but he and some of the other men had volunteered to put together the items they needed for the booths and various games.
Harm had Mackenzie strapped into her snuggly safe to his chest. She had been feeling a little better since her ear infection. He hated seeing his baby in pain. Mac had stayed with them throughout the week to help with her periods of restlessness.
Harm was out with Mackenzie by the horse stables when he heard the trucks pull up to deliver the carnival supplies. He signed for the booths and the various materials they would need and told them to set everything but the perishables in the backyard.
He took Mackenzie down to the stables and feed the horses. He remembered the day the horses came in.
--Flashback --
"Dad!"
"Yeah Mattie?"
"The horses finally came can I run out to see them?"
"Yes ma'am you may. Make sure though the trainer runs the horses through the riding ring, and make sure they get put in the right stall. I'll be out in a few. Is Mac still up in the nursery with Mackenzie?"
"Yes sir."
"Okay, I've keep you long enough. Go see the horses."
Harm was making his was to the stairs when he heard Mac and Mackenzie coming down.
"Hey, there are my other beautiful girls. Are you ready to see the horses?"
"You know Harm, I can't believe you had horses growing up."
"Mac, I didn't have horses until I was around Mattie's age. I learned to ride to keep my mother happy. I rode in between football and basketball practice. But these aren't my horses. They are the offspring of my original Tommy and Trotter."
"I understand the name Trotter, but why Tommy?"
"Well you see the charcoal grey horse that Mattie loves?"
"Yeah."
"Well, he is the same color as my F-14 Tomcat, and his predecessor rode like my Tomcat handled." He laughed when she swatted him.
"Come one. If we can get Mattie to watch Mackenzie after dinner, if I bribe her with a dip in the pool tomorrow, I will take you on a ride tonight. We will scope out the rest of the land."
"Sounds like a plan sailor."
Harm walked out to the stables with Mac and went over the ground rules with Mattie, and told her if she were to ever break them, her riding days would be over.
Mac sat back and watched Harm in full father mode as he explained that even though she may have a hard head, it wasn't that hard.
He strapped on a saddle, put a helmet on Mattie, gave her a kiss on the forehead, and watched her go around the ring. He worried, but realized he did this as a kid, and that he could think of worse things for her to do.
--End Flashback --
Harm feed the horses, and watched Mackenzie squeal when Tommy came up and took a carrot out of Harm's hand.
"When you get older, Daddy will let you ride the horses."
He saw his mother and Frank walk up to them. Frank gave Mackenzie a quick kiss on the cheek and went over to pat the horses.
"Mom, Frank, why didn't you call, I would have picked you up."
"Nonsense Harm. Do you know how much time it would have taken you to get to the airport with the Mackenzie now? And how is my granddaughter's little ear infection?"
"Well, it's clearing up. She is on her last round of drops. Mackenzie still has a little cough, but the doctor says it is probably allergies, and not to worry."
"Harm, she should be inside resting." His mother asked.
"She came with me to the stables. She loves the horses, and it doesn't cause her allergies."
"Trish let the boy be. Harm, how long has it been that you and Mac have done something together without the baby?"
"Weeks. We know we have a built in babysitter, but Mac just can't seem to get enough of the baby."
"And neither can you," his mother said.
"Touché. I really do want to take her out tonight. We have been really busy with work, and then we get back her, all we want to do is watch the girls. Me and Mattie have been setting aside an hour each day to have Dad and Mattie time. Mackenzie isn't allowed and Mac isn't allowed. Lately it has been playing basketball together, swimming, or riding."
"You and Mac need some time alone though, and since you are spending the whole day with the baby, we figured that maybe we could take over tonight and take her back to the hotel."
"You guys aren't staying in the hotel. This is your home as much as it mine. I have you guys set up comfortably in the guest room. Most of the JAG crew is staying after the carnival to help with the clean up. I decided to put Jen in with Mattie, the Roberts are staying in the FROG where I have put a convertible couch, and Sturgis is taking the extra room that we are in the middle of fixing up."
"Sounds like you have a game plan all set up Son." Frank said with pride in his voice.
"Well, with a teenager as active as Mattie and a baby, I have to have some course of action."
"Well Harm, are you going to take Sarah out on a date?"
"I'll ask her when she comes over later. The admiral made it a half day at JAG, so Admiral Jonas, Bud, and Sturgis are coming over to help put together the booths for the games and food. Harriet and Mac are coming to do some baking to sell at the carnival."
"Well, I'm gonna take Mackenzie for a while and we are going to get her some new clothes. She is growing like a weed!"
"Mom, don't spoil her."
"I wouldn't dream of it. And I want to pick Mattie up some things she can use for the next school year."
"Mom, these kids already have everything they could want."
"I know, but if I can spoil my grandkids, then I will."
"Harm, don't try to stop her. She was talking about this the entire trip. Sometimes it is better just to let it go."
"Thanks for the advice Frank. Well, if you are going to take her, her baby bag is packed on my bed, and I'll put her stroller and car seat in the Escalade."
Harm got his keys and went to the garage and pulled out the regular baby stroller. "Harm, when did you get this stroller?" Frank asked while point to the jogging stroller.
"Well, when Mac is here on the weekends, she likes to go running with Mackenzie in the morning. Mackenzie gets a big kick out of it."
"Ah." Harm put together the other stroller since the Escalade had a big enough trunk for it to remain unfolded, and he strapped the car seat in.
"So where are you planning on taking Mac?"
"Aldo's in Baltimore. I know it is a pretty far drive and I am planning on surprising her tonight. Frank, I want to propose to her. I can't imagine my life without her."
"How do you plan on proposing?"
"That is a surprise, but I can guarantee you it will be something special. I needed help though executing it. It is going to be perfect."
"Good luck Son. Me and your Mom love her. Also remember, women enjoy the little things in life. I believe Mac would love to be surprised when you are going to ask, so just say what is in your heart instead of a rehearsed speech."
Trish walked up with the baby. She had overheard their entire conversation, and was excited. If her son thought though that he would be able to take Sarah out on a romantic dinner and spring this on her, he was going to need some help.
"Harmon, when do you plan on proposing to her?" Trish asked.
"That's a surprise. I had your engagement ring re-set in platinum, I also added two more stones on the side for our daughters. I have the perfect way of proposing to her. I came up with a plan that I know is going to work."
The morning went by slowly. His mother true to her word had taken Mackenzie out so he could get started putting a booth together.
"Harm, you are pretty good with a hammer."
"Thanks Frank, when I was younger I used to watch Dad help Gram out on the farm, and as I got older, I watched you in the wood shop. I know that I was a rotten teenager, but you were the best dad that you could be to a kid that wouldn't accept you. Luckily I have it so much easier with Mattie."
Harm's cell phone rang and he picked it up.
"Hello."
"Hi. This is Georgetown University Hospital. I am trying to reach a Mr. Johnson."
"Why?" Harm's started panicking.
"We have a Mathilda Grace Johnson in the emergency room. She is asking for her dad. She had a riding incident at her summer camp."
"I'm her father. I'm on my way." Harm hung up. "Frank, Mattie was admitted into the emergency room at Georgetown. I'm going to head down. I don't know what has happened to her, all I know is that she had a riding accident. Can you wait for the JAG crew?"
"Sure Son. Call me as soon as you can."
