Chapter Sixty Three

AN-I am still guessing at the NJROTC things. It fits my story, so I am going to go with it. This is what my friends though said they did on drill team – so, lets go with the flow, if it is wrong, I apologize to people who it will offend.

Mac cursed the fact that she an internal clock at that moment. She had only twenty minutes to get everything situated in the gym before the rifle team exhibition. She wouldn't get a chance to see Mattie before because she had to be at the school an hour ahead. Thankfully Sergei's classes got cancelled and Jen was able to secure early to take Mattie to her event. Mac swung her car into the parking lot. She hated the fact that she wasn't able to get home and shower after her long flight over the Atlantic, but she made a promise to her daughter and she was going to make it.

Mac ran into the gym and spotted Sergei with Mackenzie almost immediately. She laughed when she saw the outfit that they had put her in. She had on little jeans and a t-shirt that said Marine in the Making. Because she was running late, her relatives had dropped Brennen off at their place, and she saw the little man sitting with Bud by the computer.

"Hi Sergei. Thank you so much for doing this. I know you and Jen have better things to do than come watch Mattie's high school events."

"Ma'am, there is no where else we would rather be right now. Mattie has worked really hard," Jen commented.

"Colonel," Harriet said addressing her. "I got your message, and the DVR at your house went dead, but Bud was able to hook ours up and we are going to send the ceremony to the Commander."

"Thank you so much Harriet. Harm was upset that he was going to miss this. You would think to him that it was like he was missing her wedding day." Harriet chuckled at that. "Where is your brute?"

"Mikey is watching them for the night. I don't think that my children could sit through this. Did you like the shirt I found for Mackenzie?"

"I love it. Harm it going to flip out though." She saw Harriet smile.

"Looks like the whole JAG family was able to make it." She said pointing over Mac's shoulder.

Mac snapped to attention when she caught sight of Admiral Jonas walking up with Sturgis. AJ was also walking with them in his uniform. He had just come from a friend of his funeral and figured since this was a military function he should just stay in his uniform. Admiral Jonas and Sturgis had just come from work and were still in uniform as was Bud.

"Carry on Colonel. I got a call about your daughter the other day." Admiral Jonas said addressing her.

"Which one sir?"

"Mathilda. It seems that she is being fast tracked. Did you know that she scored high on one of the promotion tests and feels that she would make a fine officer, but because she started late they weren't sure if they would be able to do it. They needed a recommendation from a non-family member."

"I'm sorry sir if it was a problem." Mac said with a grin. Her daughter was getting promoted. "Does Mattie know about this?"

"It's going to be a surprise. It was a pleasure to give my recommendation. I explained that Mattie has been working with the Navy for quite a while now, helping out with workings of our JAG offices when she had the time over the summer. She really is an exceptional child."

"She takes after her father I think." She blew a raspberry on Mackenzie cheek and she started giggling. "I think this one takes after her father too."

She ushered everyone to the spot in the bleachers when one of the Naval Science instructors came out and then rushed back in and grabbed the other instructors.

Mac was filling in Admiral Jonas about the outcome of the case when she noticed the NJROTC instructors coming to attention in front of the JAG family. She could hear AJ snicker, those kids probably had no clue what was coming. Admiral Jonas raised an eyebrow at AJ and gave AJ the go ahead. "At ease." AJ Chegwidden said.

They blanched at the site of a Lt. Colonel, two Admirals, a Commander, a Lt. Commander, and a Petty Officer all standing together. "Sirs, I am Lt. Commander Netters, and this is Chief Anderson. We are the instructors of the NJROTC program. We just wanted to say thank you for attending this event. Which cadet is yours?"

Mac looked up, "Well, we are all here for Mathilda Johnson."

"Cadet Johnson is a good kid. Her school records say that she is living in a foster home right now and is in the process of being adopted by her guardian. She said her parents couldn't make it today."

"There was a delay at the airport in Spain. I had to call Mattie to let her know that I may not make it on time. I'm her stepmother Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie." She introduced herself and extended her hand to them.

"Is her father here?" Lt. Commander Netters asked. "Her school records say that her father is Tom Johnson, and that she is living with her guardian Harmon Rabb."

"Her biological father couldn't make it today, sir." Jen answered, "Her adoptive father Commander Rabb is currently stationed aboard the Patrick Henry."

"No wonder she was able to pass those promotion exams so quickly. She really surprised us at camp. She didn't let anyone know that she was around military personal all the time."

"I'm sure Mattie didn't want to seem like she knew everything." Mac explained. "She tends to downplay her family situation, it is a little different then most traditional households." She said looking at all her friends.

"Who will be on stage for the congratulatory kiss or handshake?"

"I think it should be Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie." Admiral Chegwidden said. "Considering she thinks that her mother wasn't able to make it today it would nice surprise."

"Okay." Lt. Commander Netters said. "They are going to go through the drill team exhibition. Cadet Johnson is a natural with a rifle, and then we are going to make an announcement for the special promotion."

"What will her new rank be, I know right now she is a Cadet Seaman." Sergei spoke up.

"The school finally got her records from her middle school, and apparently Cadet Johnson had taken two semesters of JROTC at her middle school in Oregon, so we want to place her as Cadet Ensign."

Admiral Chegwidden smiled. "Well, our girl made Officer rather quickly. I am so proud her. To bad Rabb is going to miss this."

"He won't exactly miss it sir." Bud said walking up. "Lt. Commander Bud Roberts, Cadet Johnson's uncle so to speak." He said extending out his hand. "I actually have him online right now, and we are going to give him a play by play. He said there is no way he is going to like Mackenzie become a marine."

"And what is wrong with that?" Mac said smiling at her daughter who grabbed her mother's hair. Mac untangled herself from her daughter who then reached her Uncle AJ's trident.

"I think she is going to become the first female SEAL." He said taking Mackenzie from Mac's arms. "Lets get you a bottle."

Mac turned back to the instructors. "Just call me up when it is time, and I will come up. Thank you for the opportunity to be able to do this." They came to attention and got their cadets ready for the exhibition.

Mac went back up to the rafters of the gym and held Mackenzie in her arms. The color guard came out and presented the colors and the pep band played the Star Spangled Banner and they snapped to attention. Mackenzie started crying at the sound of the band and Mac gave her a pacifier to calm her down. She stroked her daughter's beautiful brown hair.

The NJROTC drill team came out and started their exhibition. The parents were exhilarated by their children's abilities. Mac could see Mattie because she was front row center. If Mattie saw her, she gave no indication because she was intently focused on the task at hand. At the end, Mac could hear the command given, Mattie stepped forward with two of her fellow drill team members. They took the rifles and started spinning them. They then took the rifles and threw them in the air. Mac held her breath, not wanting Mattie to get hurt, she saw the two guys go to catch the rifle and miss, and Mattie nailed it. That got the whole JAG crew up on their feet clapping. Mac felt her cell phone vibrate a minute later.

"Mackenzie." She whispered into the receiver,

"Mac, did you see what our little girl just did!"

"Sure did Flyboy. Call at the end, and I will make sure she gets to talk to you."

"Love you Mac."

"Love you too Harm."

Mac hung up quickly and watched the rest of the team fallout with the taps and make their way to the reserved seating.

Lt. Commander Netters made his way to the podium. "I want to acknowledge the parents who have allowed me to monopolize their children's free time after school. Without the support of the parents, these kids wouldn't be here today." He then started to go into the history of the NJROTC program. "This is where we would normally end, with the exception on one little detail.

Back on USS Patrick Henry

15 minutes before

There was a knock on Harm's stateroom door. "Enter," he replied.

The Captain walked into Harm's quarters and smiled. Graves and Rabb had become inseparable since he had come aboard. The captain knew it was because they were family, and Harm had helped save her life. Harm and Emily were watching his laptop. "The Colonel was successful in pulling this off." The captain said knowingly. They watched Mattie catch the rifle. "Which one is your kid Rabb?"

"The one that just caught the rifle."

"She's good."

"I know," he said smiling.

The Captain watched the rest of the ceremony with them.

Back to the HS

Lt. Commander Netters, "Cadet Johnson front and center." Mattie got up out of her chair and made her way towards the stage and stood at attention when she got to her destination. "Cadet Johnson has only been with us for two months and she completed the summer boot camp experience. She has already shown so much promise as a Cadet. Her efforts quickly excelled her through the program. Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, please come forward."

Mattie gasped as she heard her mother's name being called. She made it after all! Mac made her way to her daughter.

Netters continued, "Cadet Johnson, you are out of uniform. We know that this isn't proper protocol, but after getting your school records from Oregon, we found out that you went through two semesters of JROTC training there and with the stellar reviews you received from two Admirals and a Commander, we hearby promote you to the rank of Cadet Ensign. Congratulations Cadet Ensign Johnson. Colonel Mackenzie, would you do the honors?"

Mac stepped forward and put the insignia on her daughter. "Congratulations Matts." She told her pulling her into a hug. "I'm proud of you Honey."

"Thanks Mom." Mattie came to attention and saluted her mom and receiving a salute back, she made her way back to her seat. Mac stood onstage watching her children.

"The 20th Annual Exhibition is now over. Please continue with your support." Netters said. The cadets all stood at attention and then made their way towards their parents.

Mac's cell started vibrating again. "Mackenzie."

"You knew our daughter was going to be promoted!"

"I didn't know that. It was a complete surprise to all of us. Admiral Jonas told me about it today."

"Is she there?"

"She is making her way over to me now."

Mattie walked over to her mother. "Mom, you made it!"

"Of course I did. I told you I would definitely try to make it. Oh, your father is on the phone." She said turning on the speakerphone. She knew that they would have a ton of things to talk about. Her NJROTC instructors came up to talk to Mac and the rest of the JAG Crew when they heard Mattie on the phone with her dad.

"Cadet Johnson?" Harm started. Mac bit her lip to keep from laughing at the serious tone that Harm took on.

"Yes sir?"

"Did you know that this was going to be happening today?"

"No sir." Mattie answered. "Commander Dad, are you flying safe up there?"

"Yes ma'am."

"No crazy air stunts, no crashing into decks, no crazy terrorists, nothing out of the ordinary?"

"I am completely behaving myself, ask your mother."

"Believe me I will. How did you know I what was going on?"

"Well, your Mom set up the DVR to direct link me to the exhibition on real time. Your cousin Emily, Captain Ingles, and I watched everything happening. Captain Ingles has something to say to you." Harm said.

"Cadet Johnson?" Captain Ingles started.

"Yes sir?"

"I saw that exceptional catch of the rifle and the promotion ceremony. Keep up the good work."

"Yes sir, thank you sir."

"I have to get back to commanding my ship, if you need any letters of recommendations to the Academy, I will be happy to write one for you. It may help smooth out the fact you are Rabb's daughter." Captain Ingles said.

"Thank you sir." Mac started laughing along with AJ at the Captain's statement.

"I look forward to meeting you when we have a two week liberty in Italy in a month. Maybe I could talk to someone in charge about bringing some of your Officers out here on a field trip, you may be able to earn a couple of ribbons."

The NJROTC instructors just looked at each other, Mac was smiling. She answered in, "Thank you Captain, I will get you the appropriate numbers."

"You are most welcome Colonel. Good job on the investigation."

"Thank you sir."

He handed the phone back to Harm. "Hey guys, I have to go, we are taking the birds up, I'll catch you tomorrow. Mattie, honey, I'm proud of you. Love you kiddo."

"Love you too Dad." He hung up the phone.

"Mom, are we going to Italy to see Dad?" Mattie handed the phone to her mother who was holding her sister.

"I already talked to your teachers, and if you keep up with the school work and write a paper on the experience, then yes. You may actually not have to have any missed days if what Captain Ingles suggested happens."

"That would be awesome. What are we having for dinner?"

Mac laughed, "I don't know yet."

Harriet spoke up, "Ma'am, Admiral Jonas let it slip about Mattie's promotion, so we are having a cookout at your house. Mikey is there already there with Mattoni starting the grill."

"Harriet, you are a genius."

"We calculated around 30 people."

"Wow. Aunt Harriet, you didn't have to do this for me," Mattie said.

"Honey, you worked hard and deserved it." Harriet said.

Jen came walking up with Brennen in tow. "Everything is loaded in the car Colonel." Brennen looked up and smiled.

"Aunt Mac, I'm hungry. Eak otdogs."

""Yeah buddy, we are heading that way right now." Jen took Mackenzie from her and Sergei scooped up Brennen to get them situated in their carseats. Mac handed Mattie the keys to her corvette. She looked at the instructors, "You are more than welcome to come to the cookout. We are really informal people at home. We don't use ranks, and you guys can call me Mac."

"Thank you for the invite Ma'am. We will follow you there."

"Sure, and while we are there, I will get your numbers for Captain Ingles, I am sure these kids will have a trip that they would never forget."