Disclaimer in chapter one.
Thanks to Froggy0319, KJFlygirl87, DD2, Harley1, and Ilikegiles for reviewing chapter two.
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JAG HQ
Falls Church, VA
Monday, September 6, 2004
0925 EST—
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"Hey, Mac." Harm popped his head into Mac's office.
"Hey."
He walked in, shut the door, and sat down.
She looked up.
"What's up?"
"I need a favor..."
"What is it?"
"The Admiral needs me to go to Norfolk for a few days. He promised I'd be back before Thursday, so don't worry. The problem is Mattie. Normally I'd just ask Jen to stay with her, but she's on vacation."
"You need me to stay with Mattie?"
"Yeah. I mean, it's not like she's any trouble, but I'd prefer someone be there at night."
"I can do that."
"Thanks." He smiled. "I'm afraid I'll have to cancel our lunch date though."
"I understand."
"Walk with me to my car?"
"Sure." She smiled.
They walked into the bullpen and to the elevators, and waited for the car to reach their floor. When they got on, it was discovered that they were alone.
"Good we're alone. I can do this without anyone watching." Harm said, then gave her a long hug. "I'm going to miss you."
She smiled.
"I'll miss you too, Harm. But you'll be back, and then we have 2 weeks of freedom. You can do this whenever you want to during those 2 weeks."
They let go of one another just as the doors opened, then it was back to business.
"I'll call you tonight." He said when they reached his Lexus.
"I'll be waiting."
"I have to go home to pack some stuff, so I'll let Mattie know what's going on."
"Okay. Tell her I'll be there at around 1800, and I'll bring pizza for us."
"I will. Bye Mac." He looked around carefully, then gave her a quick, but meaningful, kiss on the forehead.
"Bye."
She went back into JAG HQ to try and get through a boring day without Harm to make it better. She looked forward to his call that night.
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Wednesday, September 8, 2004
Harm's House
Great Falls, VA
2250 EST--
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Harm walked quietly into the house, and dropped his briefcase and hung his cover by the door.Mattie and Mac already had their luggage sitting neatly next to the door.
He walked upstairs and to all the guest bedrooms looking for Mac. Then he went to Mattie's room. She was in her bed, sound asleep, with a magazine laying across her middle and her hands still lightly holding it. He turned off the small lamp by her bed, and kissed her forehead.
'Where is Mac?' He wondered.
The answer came a few seconds later when he walked into his own bedroom, and saw Mac curled up in his bed holding Rex-Bear in her arms. He smiled at the sight and quietly stripped down to his boxers, then slipped some sleeping shorts on. He gently got into the bed and rolled over to bring Mac to him.
She stirred and rolled toward him.
"Hey, you're home." She smiled.
"Yeah. I got in about 5 minutes ago."
"Do you want me to go to one of the guestrooms?"
"Well where have you been sleeping the past 2 nights?"
"In here." She said sheepishly.
He grinned.
"You should stay. I wouldn't want to mess up your sleeping pattern, now would I?"
"Certainly not."
He kissed her cheek.
"Go back to sleep, Princess. Our flight leaves at 0600, you know."
"Yeah." She yawned.
He wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes also.
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Thursday, September 9, 2004
Reagan National Airport, Washington, DC
Concourse B, Gate 14
0540 EST—
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After getting through security, Harm, Mac, and Mattie sat down at their gate. Harm put his arm around Mac's shoulders, while Mattie looked out the window in disgust.
"It's not even light out there yet..." She complained.
"Chill Mattie. If you plan on trying for Annapolis, get used to this side of noon." Harm said.
"Harm's right."
"Yeah, well...you both suck..." She buried her head in her pillow.
"Someone needs to sleep on the plane... They're a little cranky..." Harm said.
"I heard that." She mumbled through the pillow.
"Harm, I'm going to Starbucks for some coffee, do you want some?"
"You stay here, I'll go. Mattie do you want something?"
"Hot Chocolate with extra whipped cream." She looked up.
"I'll be back."
Once he was gone Mac turned to Mattie.
"Is something wrong? Besides the fact that it's the asscrack of dawn out there."
"What if Harm's parents don't like me? What if they think I'm a brat?"
"They won't. Harm said they're dying to meet you, and are thrilled that they have a grandchild to spoil now."
"That'll change when they meet me."
"I don't think so. Besides, I'm the one who should be worried. I'm the drunk who's best friends with their son and wants to marry him one day."
"But you're not a drunk anymore. And anyone should be proud to have someone like you marrying their son. You're a Marine, a lawyer, and a really great woman who loves their son."
"True, but I'm still afraid they won't see past the alcoholic in me."
"They will. They have to."
"Have to what?" Harm asked. He handed coffee to Mac and Hot Chocolate to Mattie.
"Nothing. It's girl stuff." Mattie answered.
"Alright."
Just then their flight was called.
"Let's go girls." Harm picked up his carry-on, then Mac's.
"Gee, thanks for carrying mine Harm..." Mattie groused.
"I've only got two hands. You're young and can handle a pillow and backpack. And besides, you're not my girlfriend."
"A fact which I thank God for everyday."
"And why is that?"
"Duh, you're old."
Harm glared at her for a few seconds.
"It's the truth..." She grinned.
"Maybe I'll leave you in La Jolla..."
"Would you?"
"No. I love my mother too much for that. I was exactly like you when I was 15, and I won't put her through that again."
"So you're saying I'm too much trouble?" She asked, hurt by his comment.
"No, you're the right amount of trouble. Just what I need to keep me in line." He kissed her forehead. "Hey, don't frown. You know I love you, right?"
"Yes. And I love you too."
They boarded the plane, found their seats and settled in. Mac was on the aisle, Harm in the middle, and Mattie claimed the window seat.
The plane took off finally, and about 15 minutes later they had leveled off and the fasten seatbelt light was turned off.
"I'm going to sleep." Mattie said.
"You should try to get some more sleep too." He said to Mac. "I didn't mean to wake you so late last night, and getting up at 0400 didn't help much either." He reclined his seat back easily, given that there was no one behind them. "Come on, we'll take a nap together."
She laid her head on his shoulder after putting her seat back also, put her arm and hand to rest on his midriff, and closed her eyes.
Harm did the same.
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LAX International Airport
LA, California
0930 PST—
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Harm, Mac, and Mattie grabbed their carry-ons and got off the plane. On the other side of security Trish and Frank Burnett waited next to baggage claim for the 3. When they walked out into that area Trish waved her arms so they would see her and Frank.
"Hey Mom." Harm said wrapping his arms around her tightly. "I didn't know you all were meeting us here."
"We decided to at the last minute."
"Mom, Frank, this is Mattie Grace. Mattie, these are your grandparents."
"It's nice to meet you, Ma'am, Sir."
"Oh nonsense! You can call us Grandma and Grandpa."
"Okay."
"Harm, who's this lovely young woman?" Frank asked.
"Oh, this is the imfamous Lt. Col. Sarah Mackenzie, better known as Mac." Harm grinned. "I asked her to come a few weeks ago."
"You mean you didn't tell them I was coming?" She asked.
"You didn't tell her that you didn't tell us she was coming?" Trish asked.
"Well, no."
Mac and Trish simaltaniously hit him on both arms.
"Hey! I'm sorry, but I didn't think you'd mind."
"I don't. But it would have been nice to have known to fix up one more bedroom."
Mattie and Frank walked away to get the luggage.
"We should probably steer clear of that..." Frank told Matttie.
"I don't envy Harm right now."
"Do you have your learners permit or license, Mattie?" He asked.
"Yeah, my permit. Why?"
"Well, I've got a brand new Beamer in the parking garage if you want to drive back to La Jolla." He grinned.
"Really? Can I? That would be soo cool!"
"Here's the keys," He held them out. "and when we get to the garage just act like nothing's out of the ordinary. I got a rental for you all anyway, and the Beamer only seats 2."
"Cool."
By that time Harm and his mother had stopped arguing and came over to where Mattie and Frank were.
"Have you all been conspiring over here?" Mac asked.
"Something like that." Mattie grinned.
"Are we ready then? We still need to pick up the rental." Frank said.
"Let's go." Harm said.
They all grabbed the luggage and made their way out to the parking garage where the rental companies kept their cars.
While Harm and Mac were getting the car, Mattie, Frank, and Trish stood outside.
"Trish, are you riding with Harm and Mac?"
"Yes. They need a chaparone..."
"You should see them at home. See, Harm hasn't even kissed her yet, but that doesn't stop them from making eyes at each other and holding hands EVERYWHERE we go..."
"Do you have a boyfriend, Mattie?" Frank asked.
"Yeah. But left for school about 2 weeks ago. He goes to Carson Long Military Institute in Pennsylvania."
"That must be hard, with him being gone all the time." Trish said.
"I'll see him again at Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Years."
"Good. Maybe we'll come out for Christmas, then we can meet the boy." Frank said.
"Cool."
Harm and Mac came out with the keys to their car.
"So how are we doing this?" Harm asked.
"You, Mac, and Trish are going in your car. Myself and Mattie are going in my car."
"Okay. I'll take your luggage Mattie." Harm said.
"We'll see you all at home." Frank called over his shoulder.
Harm looked at him.
"Mom...? Why does Mattie have the keys, and not Frank??"
"I don't know. He's probably letting her drive."
"She's only had her permit for 3 months..."
"Harm, she's been driving since she was 12." Mac told him.
"That doesn't mean she's good at it...The girl is a speed demon."
"Just like her father." Mac smiled.
"I speed for a reason. I'm used to being in a Tomcat."
"I've always wonder why, if you speed, you can't get anywhere on time."
"Oh honey, he got that from his father. It's imbedded in his very being." Trish said.
"That doesn't mean it makes sense."
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Home of Frank and Trish
La Jolla, California
1100 PST—
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"Wow, can you all adopt me instead of Harm? I love the house and beach." Mattie said.
"I think Harm would be a little disappointed if we took you from him. But you can come out here whenever you want."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Just let me know when you want to come and I'll get you a ticket."
"Cool!"
Harm, Mac and Trish pulled up behind them. Harm took the luggage out of the back and took his and Mac's inside, while Mattie pulled her own suitcase behind her.
"Harmon," Trish started. "will you show Mac and Mattie around? I have to go to the Gallery for a while."
"Yes Mom. Come on ladies, and I'll show you your quarters."
"Harm this house is not a ship..." Trish said while rolling her eyes.
Harm grinned then started up the stairs.
"Here's your room Mattie." He said when they reached the 2nd door on the right.
"Okay."
"Ours is up another slight of stairs." He said you Mac.
"Good, we get a workout everytime we come up and down."
"It's the guest suite. I'll give you the room with the balcony if you want it."
"I do."
He dropped her bags at the door while we went to his room deposit his in his room. He came back to bring hers in and found her out on the balcony looking down at the beach.
"Like it?" He asked, pulling her into him.
"I love it. It's beautiful."
"I thought you'd like it." He kissed her hair. "Are you hungry?"
"No. I think I'm going to take a nap though."
"Okay." He started to walk out and to his room.
"Think you could give me another of your famous massages?"
"I sure can. I'm going to go let Mattie know which rooms we're in, then I'll be back."
"Okay." She yawned.
He came back a few minutes later and found her curled up on her bed, sound asleep.
'So much for that massage.'
He laid down beside her and gently pulled her closer to him. He quickly fell asleep holding her tight.
An hour and a half later she woke up, and felt arms around her. She smiled at Harm. He was softly snoring.
Mattie slowly opened the door and put her head in.
"Hey," She whispered. "uh, Grandpa is going to meet Grandma at her gallery to take her to lunch. Is it okay if I go too? He said Grandma would probably want to take me shopping afterwards."
"It's fine. Have fun."
"Thanks Mac." She smiled, then closed the door.
Mac turned her head to stare at Harm, knowing he'd wake up if she did so, but while she waited taking the chance to take in his beautiful features.
"So you've figured out the secret to waking me up?" He asked, his eyes still closed.
"Yeah."
"Let me guess. You're hungry now?"
"Yes I am, as a matter of fact."
"Come on, I'll take you and Mattie to a burger joint or something."
"Mattie's not here. She went with Frank to have lunch with Trish, then to shop, according to Frank."
"We'll have to buy her an extra suitcase to take all her new clothes home in. You too if Mom gets a hold of you."
"I'll try not to get too much."
"What would you like for lunch?"
"Hmm, I don't know."
"Why don't I just fix us something on the George Foreman grill, then we'll have more time to spend in the hot tub..." He grinned.
"Hot tub?"
"Yeah."
"And what if I didn't bring a swimsuit?"
"Makes no difference to me. But you did bring one, right?"
"Yeah, a few."
"Would that lovely blue bikini be among the few?"
"It might." She winked, then got out of the bed.
Harm grinned as he sat up too.
30 minutes later they were sitting on the deck eating their food. Harm had a chicken breast and Mac a hamburger, both fresh off the grill.
"Any plans for tomorrow?" Mac asked Harm.
"Just a day of relaxing with my favorite girls."
"Sounds fun. I haven't had a day to relax on the beach since before I can remember."
"Tomorrow is your day. Plus half of today."
She finished her burger and stood up.
"I'm going to go change."
"I'll be up in a minute." He picked up her plate along with his, and took them to the kitchen to put in the dishwasher. Then he went back outside to turn on the hot tub to make sure it filled by the time they got back down. He went upstairs and to his room to change into his swimming trunks. As he came out of the bathroom from getting a towel, he heard a knock.
"Come on in Mac."
"Hey, I need your help."
"With what?"
"You're going to love this. You get to put the sunscreen on my back."
"My pleasure." He grinned.
She handed him the bottle of lotion and he rubbed some in his hands, then started on her back.
"Thanks Flyboy." She said when he'd finished, then burst out laughing.
"What?"
"Those trunks!"
He grinned. They were Popeye swimming shorts. He turned to grab his towel and Mac laughed even harder. They said 'Whoa!' across the backside.
"You like these?"
"Very much."
"Mattie saw them in a store and told me I had to buy them."
"They're cute."
"Thank you."
They went back down to the deck and into the small booth were the hot tub was. Harm checked the temperature.
"Perfect." He then climbed in, and held out his hand for Mac to get in.
"Ahh, this is heavenly." She sat right up next to him and leaned back into his arms.
"I knew you'd think so. I should get one of these. It would be a good way to keep you coming over."
"You're the reason I keep coming over." She said softly. "Although a hot tub would be nice."
"I'll look into buying one when we get back."
"You better. I might stop coming if you don't, now that you've gotten my hopes up and all."
"I'll buy one then."
They sat in silence for a while, with Harm gently rubbing Mac's back.
"You know I'm going to fall asleep again if you keep doing that." She said.
"How about a cold dip in the ocean to wake you up?"
"No. Although just laying on the beach would be nice."
"Let's go." Harm climbed out and took her hand to lead her down to the private beach.
She spread out her towel and laid down on her stomach.
"I'm going to go for a quick swim. I'll be back in about 5 minutes."
"I'll be here."
He came back a few moments later and saw her with her eyes closed, getting a tan. He quietly snuck up behind her and bent down to poke her sides.
She screamed and jumped up really quick.
"Harmon Rabb Jr., you get back here!" She yelled after him as he started to run away.
"No, you'll kill me if I stop running!"
"I promise I won't kill you."
He stopped running and turned around.
"But that doesn't mean I won't kick your six for scaring me that way!" She tackled him into the sand.
"Go ahead, I deserve it." He said.
"Yes you do, and I should kick your butt right now. But now that we're in this position..." She was laying on top of him, holding his arms loosely over his head.
He quickly flipped her over so he was on top. He then leaned down and gave her the softest of kisses.
She smiled at him when they parted and he kissed her again, a little firmer this time.
"I've been waiting a long time to do that." He said.
"And I've been waiting a long time for you to do it."
"How about we go back to our towels and sun for a while?" He got up out of the sand.
"Okay."
He took her hand to help her up and they walked back to where they had been before.
"How long do you think Frank will be gone?" Mac asked after they'd been laying out for awhile.
"Probably all afternoon. I think Mom will take him with her to shop, so they'll have someone to carry the bags while they shop more."
"Good. I have all afternoon with my Flyboy then." She moved close to him.
"That you do. And I have all afternoon with a beautiful Marine." He smiled.
They laid out for another hour and a half, until Harm heard the phone ringing inside the house.
"I'll be right back." He told Mac.
"'Kay."
"Hello, Burnett residence."
'Hello Harmon.'
"Hey Mom. Having fun shopping?"
'How did you know we were shopping?'
"Just a guess. What's up?"
'What are you and Mac doing?'
"Laying on the beach. Mac's still out there sunning."
'Good. We'll be out shopping all afternoon. Frank has taken Mattie to get her a set of golf clubs, so he can teach her to play tomorrow morning.'
"Sounds like fun for her."
'She's looking forward to it, I believe. Anyway, why don't we meet at 7 o' clock at Marcos' downtown?'
"Okay. We'll be there. Casual dress?"
'Yes. I'll see you both in a few hours.'
"Okay Mom. Bye."
'Bye Harmon.'
He hung up the phone and went back down to the beach.
"We've got another 3 hours down here, then we're meeting Mom, Frank, and Mattie for dinner."
"Okay." She said. "What else is there to do here?"
"At the house or in town?"
"Anywhere. I'm bored with just laying here. I want to do something."
"Well, we could go cruising in Frank's Boxster. I'll show you around the area."
"Sounds as good as anything. Let's go get ready."
She and Harm gathered up their towels and water bottles, and headed back up to the house.
"I'll be done in about 20 minutes." Harm said when they had gotten upstairs to their rooms.
"How should I dress?"
"Casual. Marcos' is just a seafood restaurant on the beach."
"Alright. It will take me longer than 20 minutes though. I have to beautify myself."
"Ahh, too late. You're already beautiful."
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Commander." She smiled.
"Everywhere, you say?"
"Nice try, but you have to kiss me more than twice to earn entrance into my shower."
"Will three times work?" He said, after he'd given her a gentle kiss.
"Nah."
He kissed her once again.
"What about four times?"
"No, but feel free to keep trying."
"My pleasure." He grinned and continued kissing her. "What about now?"
"Hmmm, no. And we should stop before this gets out of hand."
"Yeah, I need a cold shower anyway."
"If you're good, we'll continue tonight."
"Yes Ma'am. I'll be an angel." He smiled before going into his own room to get ready.
45 minutes later Mac emerged from her bathroom, fully dressed and ready. Harm was sitting on her bed waiting patiently.
"Hey. You look great." He grinned. She was wearing a simple demin knee-length skirt and a cap sleeved red shirt.
"You look pretty spiffy yourself Flyboy." He had on a pair of khakis and a button down royal blue shirt.
"Shall we go cruising?" He offered her his hand.
She took it and they went downstairs, then to the garage.
"So which car would you like to take?" He turned on the lights in the large garage.
"Wow..." She saw all the cars Frank had.
"It's Frank's hobby, this and golf."
"Are you sure he'll be okay with us taking one out?"
"Yeah. Most of them don't have gas in them, but some do."
"How about the Jag over there?"
Harm went to the wall and opened a small safe hidden behind the wall. He took out some keys, then closed the safe.
"It most likely has gas in it." He put the key in the ignition. "Yep. Hop in Beautiful."
She climbed in the passenger side while he turned off the lights.
When he got back in he opened the garage door, started the car up, and put the top down.
"So, where are we going?"
"Shopping?"
Mac smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
"You missed. Bear left."
"Bearing left." She kissed him again, on his lips this time.
"Trap made successfully. You earn Top Gun status." He grinned, before flooring the gas pedal.
"Harm!"
"What??"
"You're going to get us either arrested or killed."
"Nah, I'm a fighter pilot remember? I have the reflexes to keep us from getting hit, and the charm to keep us from getting arrested."
"Let's hope..." She mumbled to herself.
15 minutes later Harm sped into the parking lot of an upscale looking mall.
"I'm not sure I can afford anything in any of these stores." Mac said when they walked inside.
"I saw Mom's car out there, so we'll go find her. Besides, I have a $15,000 credit limit on all my cards. That means you could spend $45,000."
"Yeah, but that's not the issue. It's whether or not you have the money to pay the $45,000 bill. I have a $15,000 limit on my Visa, but I don't have the money to back that up."
"Well I'll let you go shopping with Mom then. She'll make you pick out numerous outfits that look good on you, which would be everything, then insist they're too good to leave at the store. She'll then smile at Frank, and he'll hand over his credit card."
"Harm I'm not looking to spend your parents money."
"Let's put it this way. If you don't let her buy you clothes and stuff, she'll take it personally. You have to understand that she wanted a daughter, but never got her. Now she has one, and will want to give you everything she would have given a biological daughter."
"I still don't feel right about it."
"Would you feel better about spending my money?" He smiled.
"Well, yeah. But that's because you're mine and I know I can push you around all I want." She grinned at him.
"Then whenever you want something, anything at all, just tell me. I don't mean just while we're here either. I mean anytime."
"Harm, you make less money than I do, and you have a mortgage and teenager to take care of."
"Don't worry about that. Just promise me that you'll tell me if you want something."
"I promise."
"Good. Now let's go find Mom and Mattie, and rescue Frank."
They walked hand in hand through Trish's favorite stores looking for her. They came out of Saks and saw Frank standing outside The Buckle, and Trish and Mattie hanging more bags on his arms.
"Mom! What are you doing to this poor man?" Harm cried.
Frank was indeed loaded with bags, all the way up both arms and in both hands.
"He offered." Trish said.
"Yeah, but he's never been shopping with you AND a teenage girl before. Cut the guy some slack." Harm took some bags from Frank.
"What are you two doing here anyway?" Frank asked.
"We got bored on the beach, so we decided to go cruising in the Jag. I figured Mac would like to go shopping, so here we are."
"Well good. Now we're three against two. Which means two men to carry bags." Trish smiled.
"Why don't Frank and I take these to your car? Then when we come back in, he can carry yours, and I'll carry Mac and Mattie's."
"Okay. Mattie and I need some ice cream anyway, and Mac could use some fattening up."
"Oh believe me, she can eat." Mattie piped up. "But she runs like 10 miles a day, so fat doesn't really stick."
"She gets a double scoop then."
Mac and Trish sat down at a table in the food court while Mattie ordered the ice cream for everyone.
"So what did you and Harmon do after I left?"
"We both took a nap, Harm fixed lunch, then we sat in the hot tub for awhile. After that we laid on the beach in the sun."
"Ooh, romantic...the hot tub." Mattie said as she passed out ice cream.
"Mmhmm." Mac mumbled.
"It'll be more romantic when he kisses you." Mattie mused.
Mac didn't say anything, in fact she avoided eye contact with both Trish and Mattie.
"AHHH! So he DID kiss you already!!" Mattie said with excitement.
"Yes. And I feel really weird right now. Discussing mine and my boyfriends steps in out relationship, with his daughter and mother..."
"Oh Honey, I know exactly what being with Harm is like. He's just like his father in every way possible."
"Really?"
"Yes. It goes farther than looks. And believe me, I agree that Harmon is a very handsome man. I'm so happy he took after his father in that way."
"Aww, my mommy thinks I'm pretty." Harm grinned as he and Frank sat down beside their ladies.
"Yes, you're my pretty little boy." She patted his cheek.
Harm smiled and whispered something in Mac's ear, which caused her to laugh.
"Hey, no secrets!" Mattie complained.
"You wouldn't understand, Mattie." Harm said, then stole a spoonful of her ice cream.
She crossed her arms across her chest and pouted.
"Are you ladies ready to start shopping again?" Frank asked.
"I am." Trish said.
"How about you two?" Harm asked.
"We'll catch up in a minute." Mac said.
"Okay." He kissed Mac's forehead and followed Trish and Frank.
"Alright kid, spill you guts."
"I miss Joshua." Mattie said quietly.
"That's natural."
"It's just that seeing Grandma and Grandpa, and you and Harm reminds me that my boyfriend is 450 miles away from me."
"I'm sorry Sweetheart. You know we can't bring him any closer, but I'll talk to Harm about maybe going up to Pennsylvania for a weekend or something. You know his grandmother lives up there, so we might be able to arrange something with you and Joshua while we're there."
"I'm not sure Harm likes Joshua that much."
"I think he does. Did you know that Joshua came to Harm and asked if he could ask you to be his steady girlfriend?"
"He did?"
"Yes. And Harm gave him permission, so he must think he's okay."
"I guess so."
"I want you to know that if something is bothering you, and you don't want to tell Harm, you can always talk to me. Remember that we have similar stories growing up, but I don't want you to end up like me."
"You know that wouldn't be such a bad thing."
"If you want to be like me, than don't be like me. Skip all the crap I did after my 15th birthday, before I joined the Marines."
"I will." Mattie wrapped her arms around Mac.
Mac returned the hug.
"Thanks for being here for me Mac. Harm is like my dad, and you're the closest thing to a mother that I have."
"And I've come to think of you as a daughter."
They both sniffled as they let go of one another.
"You know Harm is going to think we're nutcases..." Mattie laughed.
"Oh well, then we'll fit right in with him."
They stood and walked through the mall to catch up with the people who they thought of as their family.
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Trish and Frank Burnett's House
La Jolla, California
2200 PST—
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After goodnights were said by Trish, Frank, and Mattie to Harm and Mac, they went outside onto the deck.
Harm had grabbed a throw off the couch in the living room.
"How about a walk?"
"That sound's wonderful."
He took her hand in his and they walked down the beach about a hundred yards. They stopped and sat down in the sand. He wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and she leaned on him. Together they watch the water gently roll onto the beach.
"Remind me to book our honeymoon somewhere with a beach." Mac sighed.
"A little presumptuous aren't we Colonel?" He grinned.
"No, very presumptuous actually."
They laid back in the sand to look at the stars. She put her head on his chest and he laid a hand on her back.
"You know we're going to have sand in places only God knows about..." Harm said.
"Don't worry Sailor, I'll help you clean all the sand up."
"Are you inviting yourself into my shower?"
"Hmm, I might be."
He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"You missed Flyboy. Lose some altitude."
He kissed her again, properly this time.
Pretty soon they were both on their sides, Harm's hand gently holding her face, and hers resting on his chest.
"You know we have to stop soon..." Mac mumbled against his mouth a while later.
"Why?" He kept kissing her.
"We're...getting...carried....away..." She said between kisses.
"Not...a...good...enough...reason...."
She broke away.
"It'll have to be."
"Okay." He gave her a quick kiss...then another...and another....
"Harm!" She half giggled, half chastised.
"What? You're irresistible."
"Well try to resist me long enough to get back to the house and into my room."
"I'll try." He stood up and gathered the blanket, which had been on top of them. He held put his hand to help her up. "Come on, the sooner we get back the sooner we can continue."
"Harm you're worse than a hormonal teenager."
"Yeah, I'm a horny adult." He grinned.
She rolled her eyes as they walked back.
10 minutes later they were both changed into sleeping clothes and back in Mac's room cuddling on the bed.
"It's almost 2300. We should go to bed."
"Yeah probably." He kissed her softly and started to get out of the bed.
"Where do you think you're going Mister??"
"You said I should go to bed."
"No, I said we should go to bed. As in you stay here with me and play teddy bear again."
"Oh well in that case..." He turned off the light and got into the bed.
"Goodnight Harm."
"Goodnight Sarah." He kissed her forehead.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Friday, September 10, 2004
Frank and Trish Burnett's House
La Jolla, California
0945 PST--
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Mattie carefully opened the door to Mac's room. She saw Harm and Mac sound asleep, Harm on his stomach with one arm thrown over Mac.
She crept over to the bed to plan her attack. She figured out exactly where to jump.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE UUUUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed as she pounced them on the bed.
They both merely rolled over and moved closer to one another.
"Hey, you guys are no fun!"
"I heard you come in." Mac said from the bed.
"I thought I was quiet enough to sneak attack you all."
"You can't sneak attack a fighter pilot." Harm said. "And you especially can't sneak attack a Marine." He added.
"Well, I tried. It's boring here. Grandma and Grandpa both went to work."
"So you thought bugging us would be fun?" Harm asked.
"Well, yeah. I mean you guys are military, aren't you supposed to be up with the sun or something?"
"When at all possible, no." Mac said.
"You know you might as well just get into the bed now, you know you want to." Harm said,
"Okay." Mattie climbed into the bed, right in between them.
"Not exactly what I had in mind..."
"I'm the kid, it's my job to be annoying." She grinned.
Harm reached over Mattie and took Mac's hand and kissed it.
"Okay... How about I go cook us some breakfast? Pancakes anyone?" Matte said, climbing out of the bed.
"Sure." Mac said,
"We'll be down in a few minutes Mattie."
"Okay. In the meantime, be good!" And she left.
"Nah, I've been good all night." Mac said, then rolled closer to Harm.
He cupped her cheek and gave her a long kiss.
"You do know you're perfect, right?"
"What exactly makes you think I'm perfect?"
"Well, aside from the obvious." He looked her up and down with a grin. "I've just found that, unlike most women, you don't have to brush your teeth before you kiss me, because, somehow, your breath doesn't get all stale at night."
"I wish I could say the same for you, Flyboy."
"I'll be right back." He went to his suitcase and popped about five CertsÔ into his mouth. "Better?"
"Yes." She smiled and stood up on the bed to kiss him again.
"So what do you want to do today?"
"That's up to Mattie to decide."
"Did you find out what was wrong yesterday at the mall?"
"Yeah. Harm, I know it's a few months away, but what are you planning for her birthday?"
"I thought I'd let her have a party at the house with all her friends."
"Are you thinking of having Joshua as one of the guests?"
Harm smiled.
"I might be able to manage to take Sarah up there and get him for the weekend."
"Good. That would mean the world to Mattie. She misses him a lot." Mac said, just before her stomach growled.
"Come on, let's go eat." He turned around with his back to the bed. "Hop on."
"You're going to give me a piggyback ride?"
"Yeah, hop on."
"You're too much sometimes Flyboy." She laughed as she climbed onto his back.
He carried her downstairs to the kitchen.
"Are the pancakes ready Mattie?"
"I'm just now starting to cook them. Give me 5 minutes and they'll be done."
"Okay. So what do you want to do today?"
"I was planning to spend all day on the beach." Answered Mattie.
"Well, I have a better idea. Tomorrow you can relax on the beach. Today, we can go to this theme park I know in San Diego. If you both want to."
"Sounds fun." Mac said.
"Cool." Was Mattie's reply.
"Okay, we'll leave whenever we're all ready, then."
Mattie served the pancakes and they all ate.
Afterwards, Harm and Mac both took quick showers and dressed, all in about 15 minutes.
However they had to wait for Mattie.
"Doesn't she realize that she's only going to get hot and sweaty again?" Mac sighed.
"Apparently not. You should have seen our water bills... I'd use about 1/8 of what was used at Mattie and Jen's. And Jen told me she almost never took long showers, it was always Mattie."
"Welcome to fatherhood. Teenage style."
He sighed, and laid his head back on the couch in boredom.
Mac moved from the chair she was sitting in and sat down on his lap, laying her head on his shoulder.
He put his arms around her middle.
"You look tired. You sure you feel like going?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. And I'm looking forward to riding some coasters today."
"You do that."
"You don't like roller coasters?"
"Nah, they go too slow."
"Will you still ride some with me?"
"Yeah, but don't expect me to be too thrilled. I prefer Tomcats over dinky roller coasters."
"Well for some of us, a coaster is all we can stand."
"I'll ride the Ferris Wheel with you."
"That's way slower than the roller coasters."
"I know. It's slow enough that I can do this." He kissed her gently.
"I'll put the Ferris Wheel on my mental list of rides."
"Oh God," Mattie said when she walked into the living room. "this is worse than school..."
"What's worse?" Harm asked.
"Her sitting on your lap. People at school just make out in the hallways."
"Sorry, you missed that part of the show."
"You know, I'd be grossed out if it wasn't so sad. It only took you a month longer to kiss Mac, than it did Joshua to kiss me, Harm."
"What? He kissed you? You're only 15!" Harm all but yelled.
"Harm, how old were you when you got your first kiss?" Mac asked him.
"Who said it was my first??" Mattie grinned.
"WHAT?!" Harm exclaimed.
Mattie and Mac looked at each other and laughed.
"Lighten up Harm." Mac smiled, then kissed his cheek. "Come on, let's get moving."
"We'll talk later, Mathilda Grace..."
"Mac, can you talk to him? Explain that one kiss isn't the end of the world."
"I'll try."
They all went out and climbed into the Jeep Cherokee that Frank had rented for them.
Mattie put her headphones on and zoned out for the ride.
"Harm, what's your problem?" Mac asked. "So her boyfriend kissed her. It's not like you didn't do the same at her age."
"Yeah, but I still don't like the idea, now that I'm a father."
"And the girls you kissed had fathers who did? Joshua is a good kid, who is away from everyone he loves from August until May of every year. Cut them some slack."
"I'll try."
"Thank you." She picked up his right hand, which was holding her left, and kissed it.
He in turn kissed her left hand and smiled at her.
"You know, you're really good at this whole mother thing."
She laughed.
"Now that's a bald faced lie."
"No, it's not."
"You really think I'm a good mother?"
"Yes, I do."
"I never thought I'd hear someone say I'd make a good mother..."
"You just did. Any man would be thrilled to have you as the mother of his children."
"What about you? Are you 'any man'?"
"I'd be beyond thrilled if we have children aside from Mattie."
"How many more do you want?"
"At least one. Ideally 3 or 4 more."
"Sounds reasonable."
Okay folks, I know that was a crappy chapter. It's been sitting in my hard drive for awhile while I try to finish it. Which was next to impossible with having to write long papers for English. Who knew 102 would be so much harder than 101...? Not Rebekah!