AN-I hope you guys enjoy this. The ideas just keep coming for this family, and it is shaping up to be pretty long, so if you don't like long stories, sorry! I might even write a prologe for this story, but haven't quite made up my mind on that yet. Enjoy, let me know what you think.
Chapter Thirty Six
1900 EST
Harm's House
Fourth of July Carnival
Harm and Mac went over to where his parents were sitting in the tent where the dance floor was.
"We just sent out the order for everyone who purchased raffle tickets to come to the tent to see who won. Also, we are going to do the customary sponsors of the carnival spiel," Harm told them.
The Emcee made the announcement for the rides and merriment to cease for a couple of moments as AJ, Admiral Jonas, and the SecNav took their places at the podium.
People gathered around the tent, and Harm, Mac, Mackenzie, Jen, and Mattie all sat together as a family.
"First off, we want to say thank you for everyone who has come out to make this fourth of July carnival a huge success. The total money raised for the Toys for Tots campaign will go to buying Christmas presents for those children who are not as fortunate as our own. We want to thank the Rabb family for allowing us to use the property after the event was supposed to not occur." There was a round of applause.
"We also want to extend a warm thank you to Burnett Industries and Galleries for their corporate sponsorship. Without their help, we would not have been able to hold this event." There was another round of applause.
"We want to announce the winners of the dance contest, who will be giving repeat performances during dinner tonight. The winners of the cha cha are: Diana Weston and PO Les Lyles. The winners of the mambo are PO Jennifer Coates and Ensign Jason Tiner. The winners of the tango are Commander Harmon Rabb and Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie."
The winners went up to receive their prizes: three day cruises around the Eastern Caribbean.
"Now I would like to call up the JAG officers, Commander Rabb and his family, and his parents to draw for the various raffles." Everyone made their way to the stage.
Mackenzie started giggling with delight. Harm's parents were told to draw for the winner of the baskets that held different prizes. Mattie and Jen were told to draw for the winner of riding lessons. Harm and Mac drew for winners of spa days, Harriet and Bud drew for winner of a free month of childcare, and the Admirals drew for the winner of the Jeep Liberty.
The winner of the Liberty was Mattie's friend from camp, Max, who was surprised that a five dollar raffle ticket won him a new car.
After dinner was served, the crowds sat and watched the dance winners perform one more time. Harm and Mac were as sensational as the first time they performed. Harm's parents told them that they would watch the baby for them so they could have a couple of hours alone.
Harm walked up to the first booth of games which were pop the balloons with a dart. Harm and Mac each took turns seeing who could pop the most balloons. They saw a child standing by watching them in awe. They combined their prizes and gave the stunned child a huge bear dressed up in fatigues.
Harm saw the cotton candy machine and got this goofy grin on his face like a kid waiting to open their gifts on Christmas. "Hey Mac, can you get in line for the jump castle, I'm gonna go relieve my parents of Mackenzie."
"Okay babe, I will see you in a little bit."
"Okay honey." He left her standing at the end of the line and found his parents holding her in the picnic area. "Hey, I'm hear to claim squirt from you." He picked her up and held her close to him. "Are you ready to fly with Daddy?" He walked over to the cotton candy stand and picked up some for Mac. He had this big goofy grin on his face when he caught up with her. She was the only person standing at the jump castle.
He walked up behind her and held and with one hand he presented the blue fuzzy substance to her. "Hello there." He kissed her on the cheek and took a little bit of the cotton candy. "I'm think I am going to expose Mackenzie to the jump castle." He slipped off his flip flops and stepped inside. The marine who was taking tickets greeted him. "Commander, we have cleared the jump castle for you."
"Thank you sergeant."
He nimbly got into the jump castle. "Are you coming Mac?"
She got into the castle after him. Securely holding Mackenzie, he started jumping a little and then jumped even higher. Mackenzie was letting out high pitched giggling as she grabbed on to her dad's dog tags. Mac was sitting in the jump castle. Harm settled down and put Mackenzie on the floor of air. She tried sitting up and squealed when she couldn't. Harm picked her up and sat her on his lap.
"Oh, I love all of my girls."
"Harmon David Rabb!" He heard his mother. "What on earth are you doing with her?"
"I'm giving my baby a taste of flying."
"That's exactly what I am afraid of."
"Oh Mom, Dad did this with me when I was younger."
"Yeah honey I know." Mackenzie reached for her mom. Mac laughed and got her from Harm's arms. She tickled Mackenzie feet and danced with her in the air castle.
Mackenzie started to get a little fussy and Harm's mother offered to take her in and give her a bottle. Trish and Frank wanted to fix some tea and get ready to watch the fireworks from the deck of the house.
Harm took Mac by the hand, and they walked around the carnival. They saw several of their friends working the game booths.
"Hey Rabb, whose stronger you or Mac?" Sturgis yelled at them. Harm walked over to the test your strength booth.
"I am," they both yelled at the same time.
"Mac, you may be able to kick someone's butt, but there are several scientific studies showing that men have more upper body strength." Harm explained.
"Well old man," Sturgis started out, "Come on up and prove your point. Win her something."
"Sturgis old man, I bet you couldn't even win anything for Varese doing these games."
"I don't see Mac carrying around anything."
"We gave it away to another little child." Mac explained.
"Well, step up and test your strength Rabb." Harm picked up the rubber mallet and hit the target. The metal piece slid up and hit the bell. Sturgis smiled and gave Mac a stuffed F-14.
"Great another F-14 for Mackenzie. If we aren't careful our gorgeous little girl's first word will be Tomcat."
"Naw, it is Dad. She says it all ready." Harm said smiling like only a proud father could.
They walked further down and saw Bud working a ring toss. "Ma'am, Sir, try you hand/eye coordination. Bud deftly threw a ring around the neck of the bottle. "Its really easy."
Harm handed Bud a ticket. "Okay, if I get this Mac, what would you like?"
She pointed to a heart that had the design of the American flag on it. He looked at her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Harriet started squealing. Harm got the ring around the neck of the bottle and Harriet gave her what she wanted.
"Where to next?"
They played several more games. "Step up and go fishing," Jen and Mattie yelled from their station.
Mac smiled at Harm. "I think this is one where I can win you something!"
"Mac, you don't have to win me anything. Besides you won Mattie a charm for her bracelet at the shooting game."
"Well I want to." Mac walked over to Jen and Mattie. "Okay girls, give me the fishing pole." Mattie handed Mac a pole. The girls took their positions behind the wall, and Mac threw her line over the edge. Mac waited patiently for the girls to tug at the string, while waiting Harm looped his arms around her waist. The girls tugged at the string, and Mac reeled in her prize.
