Well, I'm back! I know it's been a month since I last updated the story and know many of you are waiting what happens next. You guys knew the reason why I was updating, because I had a new job. I quit after five weeks. Now, I have to catch up in school, because I have no idea if I'm passing or not. Hopefully I am. Also, I heard that DJE is not returning to JAG. I don't want him to go! Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own JAG. If I did Harm and Mac would have been together by now.
Summary: Elizabeth finally meets her father, Harm.
Christmas Miracle
All my life I wanted to meet my father. Finding the picture was my first time seeing what he looks like. After that, I been having dreams about him and that we finally meet. I didn't know my dream was going to come true.
It happened during Christmas break. I was visiting my family and we were doing our annual Christmas traditions. I always loved Christmas, but I always felt moody, when I saw kids with their dads and I envied them. Sure, I love my family, but somebody was missing. That somebody was my father.
It began after Christmas Mass was over. My mom dropped me off at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, since my mom couldn't make this year, since she had to go the hospital to visit a friend. Since, I could remember, my mom and I been going to the Wall every Christmas Eve. When I was little, I didn't understand why we went every year. But then my mom told me to honor every fallen hero who died protecting their country. She didn't really explain why on Christmas Eve? Why not go during the summer? Another thing, we do is that we looked at each name. It takes hours, but we both feel good when we do this. Also, I felt a strange connection to the Wall, like an important person was on it.
I always started with the A's, but this year I decided to start with R's. I don't know why, but something was telling me to start there. I skimmed the first seven names, but stopped when I saw a name that was familiar to me. Ever year, I always saw this name, as only a name, but this year was different. Harmon Rabb Sr. Was he my grandfather? He had to be since my dad was name after him. I couldn't believe I was looking at my grandfather's name. I traced his name and started to cry a bit. Did my mom know my grandfather was on the Wall? She had too. This must be why we always go the Wall, but why on Christmas Eve? I soon got my answer.
I didn't know how long I looked at his name. I was like in a trance until I heard footsteps coming from behind me. I turned around and saw a man wearing a black leather jacket, dark blue jeans, and black boots and was wearing a blue cap. When I saw his face, it looked familiar, but I didn't from where. "Hello. I didn't mean to scare you" he said. His voice wasn't gruff but not soft. "It's okay" I said. "Are you here by yourself?" he asked. Now, I should have said no, but for some reason I wasn't afraid of him. "Yes, usually my mom and I are here very year, but she couldn't make this year."
The man didn't say anything; he walked past me and was looking at the same exact spot I was before. "Did you know anybody whose name is there?" I asked. He nodded, his eyes never leaving the spot. "My father, he was in the Navy an aviator. It was during Christmas Eve in 1969, when his plane got shot down. I was only six, when it happened. He was MIA, until the Navy declared him dead." "I'm sorry" I said. "This man story is tragic, why is he telling me this? Duh, I asked him" I thought. "It took me years to find out what happened to him" he continued. "He survived the war, but he was in Siberia and he couldn't go back home. He later died, but I really wished I would have seen him one last time." I saw tears streaming down his face and I gave him a tissue.
He thanked me and quickly wiped away his tears. "It's been a long time, since I told my father story. Thank you for listening."
"No problem. What was your father's name?" I asked. He looked at me and I didn't realize his eyes were blue like mine. His eyes were so familiar, but from where?
"Harmon Rabb Sr." he said. When he said that name, my mouth just dropped.
"Is this man my father?" I thought. "Are you Harmon Rabb Jr.?" I asked. "Yes" he said.
"Look, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think you're my father. I don't say this every older man I meet, but your name and the picture." I took out my wallet and took out the picture and gave it to him. "It's been years since this picture was taken. Where you found this?"
"Before, I answer that question, are you my father?" My voice was hopeful. Can this man be my father? He took out his wallet from his jacket and took out a picture and handed it to me. I looked at the picture and it was me, when I was baby and he was holding me. "That picture was taken two hours after you were born. That day, was the happiest day of my life, Elizabeth." I looked at him. "You know my name?" He nodded. "Your mother, named you after her favorite character from a book. "Only me and mom know about that" I thought. "Your middle name is Harmony after me" he finished.
I felt tears forming and I gave the picture back to him. "He is my father" I thought. "To answer your question, I found the picture in the basement inside a shoebox." I started to cry. I couldn't believe it. I found him. I found my father. After eighteen years, my dream came true. I felt strong arms around me and it was him. I hugged him back and I didn't want to let him go. "Over the years, your mom sent pictures of you" he said. I let him go and said, "Mom been doing that?" He nodded. "Your pictures are everywhere in my house, from when you were a baby and the last one from the Naval Academy."
I was surprised. "You know I go to the Naval Academy, how?
"Your mom been sending letters also" he said. This was a shocked to me. For eighteen years, she's been doing this and yet she never told me anything about him.
"How you knew I was your father?" he asked.
"Well, when I found her your picture, I noticed there were a lot of features we shared, the hair, the eyes, and of course the smile. I just knew. I never told mom about the picture. I didn't want her to take it."
There was silence for a few seconds, until my father spoke again. "I'm sorry; I wasn't part of your life for eighteen years. I'll understand if you don't forgive me."
I smiled at him. "I do forgive you, Dad." Those words felt good. "I don't think I could ever forgive mom. She lied to me. She didn't talk about you and she didn't answer any of my questions! And to top it off, she sent pictures and letters to you! What happened between you two! Was it me! I wasn't planning on screaming, but after years of questioning, my anger just let out.
"It was never about you Elizabeth. We just couldn't see eye-to-eye anymore. When I left the Navy, she went into panic mode. She must have thought of a lot of crazy reasons and she kicked me out of the house. It pained me that I couldn't visit you. One time, I even thought of kidnapping you, but I couldn't. Yes, I could have sued her, but I didn't want you to grow up in an environment like that. Your mother was only protecting you. Don't hate her."
He gave me another hug and I hugged him back. "I love you, Dad" I said. I closed my eyes, never thought I would say those words and I did! "I love you, Elizabeth" he said.
"Liz, what are you doing!" I opened my eyes and I saw my mom. "Mom?"
My dad and I let go of each other. "You're back quick" I said. "I'm sorry, if I ruined your evening. Elizabeth is this strange man!" my mom shouted.
"Maybe I wouldn't be a strange man, if I was in her life more" my dad said. He turned around and I saw my mom mouth dropped.
"Harm?"
"Hi, Mac. It's been awhile.
Well, that's the end of this chapter. Sorry, I left you guys in a cliffhanger. I'm writing the next chapter right now. I thought this chapter was okay. I wanted to do better, but I couldn't think anymore. Please review! Thanks.
