Thank you to R, DD2, Froggy0319, and StarryEyes10 for reviewing chapter four.
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Friday, November 5, 2004
Rabb-Mackenzie-Grace House
Great Falls, VA
0720 EST—
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"Hey Harm, can you give me a ride to school? I need to be there early."
"I have to be at JAG in 15 minutes for a meeting. Ask Mac."
"Okay. I'll see you this afternoon." She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye." He hugged her back.
Harm had told small fib when he said he needed to be at JAG in 15 minutes. In reality he was flying 'Sarah' up to Carson Long to pick Joshua up for a surprise birthday party for Mattie.
Mac walked through the kitchen on her way out and grabbed a piece of toast.
"Be careful flying today." She whispered in his ear.
"I will." He smiled and gently pulled her head down to kiss her.
She smiled.
"Bye. Call me when you get back."
"I promise. Bye."
Mac headed out to her car to get Mattie to school.
Harm waited until they were out of the driveway before heading upstairs to change into civilian clothes. He had put on his uniform so Mattie wouldn't be suspicious. He carefully put his uniform in a garment bag to put back on when he got to the school.
Later that afternoon. . .
Harm and Joshua pulled into the driveway at about 1500.
"Well I'm going to go put on my uniform again, hopefully for the last time today, then run to JAG for about an hour. You can either stay here and rest before tonight, or you can come with me."
"Actually I think I'd like to come with you. See some real military men and woman at work."
"Okay. I'll be down in about 5 minutes. You can put your stuff in one of the guest rooms, you know where they are. Mattie took your room, so that only leaves two choices on which room you want."
"Thank you Sir."
Twenty minutes later they pulled into JAG HQ, and after securing Joshua a visitors tag, they headed upstairs to find Mac.
"Hey." Harm knocked on her doorframe.
"Hey, come on in." She smiled. "I see you made it back in one piece. How are you Josh?"
"I'm doing well Ma'am. How are you?"
"Better than I deserve."
"Nice to see you've joined us for a while today Commander." Admiral Chegwidden said from behind them.
"Yes Sir. This is the reason I needed the day off. Joshua, this is Admiral AJ Chegwidden. Admiral, this is Mattie's boyfriend, C/1st Lt. Joshua Allexton."
"It's nice to meet you Sir." Joshua said.
"It's nice to meet you too. I understand you attend Carson Long?"
"Yes Sir."
"Very nice part of the country up there. Tell me, what are your plans for the future?"
"After I graduate I'm hoping to be able to attend Annapolis."
"Good, good. If you need recommendations, the Commander and myself would be happy to write two."
"Thank you Sir. A recommendation from the JAG would mean a lot."
"Well you let me know when to write it and I'll be happy to."
"Yes Sir. Thank you Sir."
"You're welcome." He smiled, as much as an Admiral does.
"Have you two eaten yet?"
"I stopped for lunch before I picked Josh up." Harm answered.
"I didn't even have breakfast this morning. I had to turn in a project early today so I could come here to see Mattie." Joshua said.
"Well, I'm sure you're hungry then, Josh. We'll go down to the cafeteria."
"What about me??" Harm asked.
"You've eaten…now you can do some work." She smiled. "Besides, this is a lunch for Marine types."
Harm rolled his eyes and walked out of Mac's office to go to his own.
"Good, now we're rid of the Navy boy…" Josh said with a smile.
"Couldn't have said it better myself."
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Rabb-Mackenzie-Grace House
Great Falls, VA
1830 EST—
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Harm and Joshua pulled into the driveway of the house.
"Okay, you go wait in the pool house. I'm going to take Mattie on an errand so the guests can come in. The plan is having the guests come in the house, yell surprise when Mattie walks in, ect. Then at 1930 I'll send Mattie out here to get something, and she'll see you. I think Mac put a bow in there for you to stick to yourself or something."
"Okay." He walked out to the pool house. He then waited by the window for Harm and Mattie to leave. After a few minutes he went back into the house to see if his parents were coming.
"Ma'am, are my parents going to be here?"
"Yeah, they should be here any minute."
"Okay." He said. "Do you need any help with anything?"
"Why don't you inflate some balloons?"
"Yes Ma'am."
1855 EST...
Joshua waited outside in the small pool house for Mattie to come out. He hid in the bathroom when he saw her coming. She went into the pool house, turned on the lights, and went to the freezer to get some ice cream out. He quietly crept out and snuck up behind her.
"Surprise…" He put a hand on her shoulder.
She turned around and gasped.
"Oh my God!" She threw her arms around him. "I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you too." He hugged her tightly.
"How did you get here?"
"Commander Rabb flew his plane up to my school and got me today."
"Really? He did that for me?"
"Yeah. Come on, let's go inside."
"How long are you staying?"
"Just until Sunday. Your dad is going to fly me back up Sunday afternoon."
"Where are you staying while you're here?"
"Tonight I'll be in a guest room here, and tomorrow I'm going to my parents."
"Good."
They walked and in hand back into the house. When they got inside Mattie immediately launched herself into Harm's arms.
"Thank you." She said as se held onto him tightly.
"You're welcome kid."
"I love you…Daddy."
"I love you too, Mattie."
Eventually the party wound down and guests started heading home.
Harm and Mac, and Rose-Anne and William went into the living room to talk after cleaning up. Meanwhile, Mattie and Joshua went back outside to the pool house to be alone for a while.
"So, do you like school this year?" Joshua asked.
"It's okay. Harder than last year, but I know next year will be better. What about you?"
"I like Carson Long. I know people there and all, but I still wish I could be here all year. Not seeing my family for 3-5 months at a time is hard. And now, not seeing you is driving me nuts."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm going to apply to Massanutten Military Academy for my senior year next year. I'd really like to be here for some time before I, hopefully, go to one of the Academies."
"That would definitely work for me." Mattie smiled.
"You can't even imagine how much I've missed you Mattie." He gently put a hand on her cheek. "I mean, at least you have guys at your school to remind you what a boy looks like. Carson Long doesn't even have any female instructors. I hadn't seen a female since August before I walked into JAG and saw Colonel Mackenzie today."
"Wow."
"I had to sneak your picture into the barracks at school. I keep it in my locked safebox so no one can take it."
"Aww." She gave him a hug, which he quickly returned. "You're so sweet to risk getting in trouble just for me."
"I wouldn't exactly call it "just" for you. You're the most important person in my life. You're as important to me as my family is."
"I am? Really?"
"Yes." He took her hands. "I love you Mathilda Grace Johnson."
Tears formed in Mattie eyes."I love you too, Joshua Paul Allexton."
"I know I already gave you one gift, but I have something else for you." He pulled a ring box out of his pocket. "It's not an engagement ring." He said quickly when he saw the shocked look on her face. "Well, not exactly anyway. It's a promise ring. I promise that one day I'll put a real ring on your finger, but for right now this is all I can give you."
"It's beautiful." She looked at the white gold ring, with a very small diamond in the middle.
"I wanted to get something better, but I only had $300 saved from my summer job." He slid it onto her right hand.
"Want to trick your parents, and Harm and Mac?"
"How?"
"By putting the ring on my left hand."
He grinned.
"How much trouble will it get me into with your dad?"
"Mac will keep him from killing you. He'll do anything for her, and she would find this funny."
"Okay then." He switched the ring from Mattie's right hand to her left.
"Let's go see how long it takes them to notice." Mattie grinned.
"I have a feeling this is going to blow up in my face…"
"Oh, probably. But like I said, Mac will keep anything bad from happening."
"If you're sure." He said as they walked through the back door.
They went into the living room and sat down together in a huge chair.
Harm, Mac, and the Allexton's continued talking, until Harm looked over and stopped speaking mid sentence.
"Joshua, will you please tell me why there is a ring on my 15 year old daughters left hand?" Harm said slowly.
"Oh, well maybe he proposed…?" She said cryptically. "And I'm 16."
"Not until Monday, kid. Now why is there a ring on her hand?" Harm asked, now getting worried.
Mac and Rose-Anne were both sitting laughing, while Harm and William gave Joshua stern looks.
"Harm, relax." Mac said, putting a hand on his arm. "It's only a promise ring."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know what a promise ring looks like. He didn't propose. At least he better not have, because I'm going to be pissed if Mattie got a proposal before me."
"Yours is coming." Harm said, without thinking.
"When?"
"Uhh, soon…"
"It's getting late, so we're going to go." Rose-Anne said. "Josh, are you coming with us?"
"No Ma'am, I'm staying in one of the guest bedrooms, if that's okay."
"That's fine. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay Mom." He gave her a hug and a kiss goodnight before they bid Harm and Mac goodnight.
"Do you want to watch a movie downstairs?" Mattie asked Joshua.
"Sure. Let me go change into my pajamas first though. I've been in my uniform since 0600 this morning."
"Okay, I'll go do the same." They both went upstairs to change clothes.
"Now that we're alone Flyboy," Mac climbed onto Harm's lap. "I want to know more about this proposal."
"Nope. You find out soon enough."
"But I don't want to know then. I want to know now. I hate surprises."
"I know, but I can't tell you. It wouldn't be right if I did."
"Sure it would." She laid her head down on his shoulder and semi pouted, hoping it would work.
He rubbed her back.
"I know you're disappointed, but this is one thing I have to keep secret."
"Please?" She kissed his cheek.
"No, sorry."
"You're no fun…"
"Meet me in the hot tub shelter in 5 and I'll show you how much fun I can be." He whispered in her ear.
"I'll be there." She kissed his lips before getting up and going upstairs.
2120 EST
Hot tub shelter—
"You sure you don't want to tell me?" Mac said, leaning against Harm, his arm around her.
"I can't. Besides, what's the rush? We've only been together for 4 months."
"Yeah but according to Mattie, we've been dating for 9 years. I like her timetable better."
"I don't. It reminds me how long I've already wasted. If I had asked you out when my heart told me to, we would be married by now, and probably with kids."
"But look at it this way, if you hadn't waited we might not have Mattie in our life."
"True."
"You know, it's going to be freezing cold when we get out of here."
"I put some towels in the warmer, and an electric blanket on the bed."
"Planning to turn in early tonight?"
"Not me. I'll probably go down and keep an eye on Mattie and Joshua."
"Harm they don't need anyone to keep an eye on them. I think we can trust them to watch a movie together."
"I guess. I just can't help but worry some. She is my daughter after all."
"Speaking of her being your daughter. I found out that she doesn't have to sign the adoption papers. If Tom, you, and I sign them that's all we need."
"So we could surprise Mattie with it?"
"If we take them out to Blacksburg tomorrow morning to have Tom sign, then take them to the courthouse in the afternoon, we could have a daughter by Monday night."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"I'll call Tom in the morning then."
Mac yawned.
"Tired?" He asked, kissing her hair.
"A little." She leaned over the side and pulled two towels out of the warmer.
"Ready to curl up in a warm bed?"
"If you're in it with me."
He stepped out of the hot tub, unfolded a large towel and wrapped it around Mac as she stepped out.
"Thank God for climate controls…" She said as Harm put a towel on himself.
"Definitely."
He turned off the tub and heat in the shelter, and they quickly ran into the house and up to their bedroom.
Harm climbed into the warm bed and opened his arms to Mac so he could hold her.
"Are you getting warm?"
"Slowly."
He started rubbing her back and arms.
"Better?"
"Well, it's not getting me warmer, but it feels great."
"Good." He kissed her gently.
She turned her head upwards to kiss him again.
They continued like that for a while, until Harm brought his hands to rest on Mac's bare hips, and hers rested on his chest. She was laying half on top of him, half to his side.
Eventually her hands found there way down to his waist, and his up to her back.
He untied to her bikini top and rubbed her back where the strings once were. She ran her hands over his well muscled stomach. He pulled at her top until it slid out from underneath her, and for the first time he felt her bare breasts on his chest.
"Harm, are you sure this is what you want?" She whispered.
"No. We need to wait." He said. "I'm sorry I got carried away." He stroked her cheek.
"You didn't do it alone." She scooted up against his side.
"Think you could put a shirt on?" He asked, smiling.
"If you'll go get me one. I'm certainly in no position to get up."
"I wouldn't mind." He grinned.
"It's not like you've never seen a pair of breasts before, Harm"
"But I've never seen yours. And you're all that matters."
"Thank you, but you'll have to wait to get the full showing."
"Wait until when?"
"At least until you propose."
"So, if I propose, I'll get to see you at least half naked?"
"It's quite possible."
"Marry me?" He grinned.
"I expect something much more romantic than that. A ring included."
"Well, I already have the ring…" He revealed.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I've had it for about 7 years now."
"Wow. You are slow."
"I have patience is all."
"No, you're slow."
"Okay, maybe I am."
"How about getting me that shirt?" She rolled over and covered herself before picking up her bikini top and expertly putting it back on without giving Harm a peep show.
"Right." He went to his dresser and pulled out an old t-shirt and tossed it to her. "I'm going to go check on Mattie and Joshua, not because I don't trust them, but just to be a good father."
"I'll come too." She got out of the bed before slipping some shorts on. "I need to practice being a good mother."
"You already are one. Even if those papers didn't have your name on them, you would still be Mattie's mother."
"I still feel like I need some practice, especially if we're going to have any more."
"We will, if you want more that is."
"I do."
"Good, because I want a house full."
"I'm not sure there's time for that. I am nearing 40 you know."
"Can we try for at least 2 more?"
"At least." She said as they reached the base of the basement steps.
"At least what?" Mattie asked.
"We were discussing children. We'd both like at least 2 more." Mac answered.
"What? I'm not enough trouble for you?" Mattie grinned.
"You're too much." Harm kissed the top of her head. "I'm hoping to have one who's not a troublemaker."
"What would be the excitement in that?"
"You two having fun?" Mac asked.
"Yeah."
"What movie are you watching?"
"Shrek 2."
"You're awfully quiet Joshua."
"I'm sorry. I'm just tired."
"Why don't you go on to bed? I know you've been up for a while today."
"I should probably do that, especially if I'm going to get up for a 0630 run."
"Make it 0730, and we'll go out together."
"That sounds better. An extra hour of sleep is always great."
"We'll plan on 0730 then."
"I'll be ready."
"Don't stay up too late Mattie." Mac said, she and Harm walking up the stairs.
"I won't." She called after them.
"I'm going to head to bed." Joshua said, stretching.
"Yeah, me too." Mattie turned off the movie and they went upstairs to their respective bedrooms.
Mattie went into her bedroom to change into her pajamas, then quietly knocked on Joshua's door.
"Enter." He said and Mattie walked in. "Sorry, I'm too used to being at school."
"It's okay." She watched him walk around the room in his boxers, carefully hanging his uniform in the closet.
"So, what did you come in here for? Not that I mind you being here."
"Oh just to say goodnight, that kind of thing."
He walked over and wrapped his arms around her.
"Goodnight Mattie."
"I'm really happy you came." She put her arms around his waist.
"So am I. Like I said before, I've missed you so much in these past 3 months."
"I wish you didn't have to go back on Sunday."
"I wish that too. But look at it this way, I'll be back in 2 ½ weeks for Thanksgiving, then just 4 more for Christmas and New Years. After that will be hard because I won't be back until April for spring break. But when I do come home for spring break that means I'll only have 5 more weeks of school until I'm home for the summer."
"I know, but I'll still miss you."
"Just like I'll miss you. But we'll write, email, and IM. And I'll be able to call you too."
"Really?"
"Yeah. After winter break the juniors will be allowed to have cell phones for use on weekends. And if I'm still at Carson Long next year I know I'll be able to have one all of my senior year."
"That's good."
"Yeah, I'm still going to see about transferring to Massanutten for first class year though. It will be nice to be able to come home every weekend just to see you."
"You'd come just to see me?"
"Yeah. I'd do it now, but there's no airport that commercial planes fly out of within 70 miles of Carson Long."
"Well, Harm was planning to go see Grams sometime in January or February. She lives in Bellesville, so maybe he could arrange for you to come with us for the weekend."
"I don't want to intrude on time with your family."
"You wouldn't. I know Grams would love to meet you. She's thrilled to have a semi-greatgrandchild, so I know she'll love you too."
"Well, you ask the Commander about it, and if he says it's okay, I'll see if I can get a weekend pass."
"Good. I'm not sure I can wait from New Years until April to see you."
"I admit, the thought of not seeing you is pretty depressing."
"I should let you go to sleep now. I know you've had a long day."
"I'm okay, really. I'd give up a week of sleep to be able to talk to you."
"What time do you leave tomorrow?"
"My parents are coming at 1200 I think."
"Okay. I'll see you in the morning."
"I'll come see you when we get back from running."
Mattie smiled.
"I never get up that early on a Saturday. But for you I'll make an exception."
"I'm glad." He once again put his arms around her.
She hugged him back.
"Goodnight Mattie. I love you." He said in her ear, as if it were a secret between just them.
"I love you too. Goodnight."
He bent down and kissed her gently on her lips.
She smiled before walking out of his room and into her own.
He also smiled to himself as he got into the bed and drifted to sleep.
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Saturday, November 6, 2004
Rabb-Mackenzie-Grace House
Great Falls, VA
0915 EST—
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Harm and Joshua returned from their run to find their women still sleeping.
"Knowing Mac and Mattie, they'll want doughnuts when they wake up. Do you want to come along to Krispy Kreme with me?"
"No Sir, I think I'll stay here. I need to clean up before my parents come pick me up anyway."
"Alright, well I'll be back in 20 minutes."
"Okay."
Harm left, and Joshua crept quietly up to Mattie's room. He opened the door and walked quietly in.
She was sprawled out on the bed, both arms and one leg out from under her sheet and blankets.
Joshua covered her back up and laid a hand on her cheek, rubbing his thumb across it.
Mattie stirred, then opened her eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Admiring my beautiful girlfriend." He stated with a smile.
"How about a good morning kiss for your girlfriend?"
He leaned down and gave her a kiss.
"Feel better?"
"Yeah. One of those every morning would be nice."
"I don't know what I can do about that. But I promise one every morning that I'm here."
"I think that's the best I'm going to get."
"I'm going to go take a quick shower. I'll be back in 5 minutes."
"I like you this way better."
"What? Sweaty?"
"Sweaty and shirtless."
"I'll try to stay that way after my shower."
"Okay."
He walked out of her room and into his own to gather his shower things. Meanwhile, Mattie got up and dressed, then went downstairs for some orange juice. Joshua soon joined her, not shirtless, but in a thin a-shirt and Adidas jogging pants.
"Commander Rabb will be back soon with doughnuts." He told Mattie, who was looking through the kitchen cabinets for food.
"Good. I'm starving."
"That's what he figured."
"He figured right. Mac and I always want doughnuts on Saturday and Sunday morning, but we usually get a speech about how much fat and sugar is in them."
"Ah so go do some sit ups and crunches afterward. That'll take care of the fat."
"But that involves work…" Mattie wrinkled her nose.
"Well if you want to go to Annapolis, you better get used to working."
"I guess. I'm actually thinking about just going to Georgetown and doing NSROTC. Same result in the end, really."
"I might apply to all four academies, but if I don't get into the Naval Academy, I'll go to Georgetown too."
"I want to be an aviator. So if I do NSROTC I can apply for flight school, but if I don't make it I'll still be able to apply to some other branch if I want to, but still have the option to stay civilian. If I go to the Academy and don't make it, I have to find another branch of the Navy to go into."
"That's true. I mean I want to be a submariner, but if I don't make it, I'll do something else. Most likely go with the Marine option and choose something like Artillery."
"Harm has a friend who he went to Annapolis with who's a former bubblehead. He says he loved it down there."
"It sounds fun. You get to glide through the water and sneak up on your target."
"I prefer to be above them and drop bombs and stuff."
"To each his, or her, own."
Harm came in with doughnuts, and put them on the counter.
"Is Mac up yet?"
"Nope."
"Okay, you two dig in and I'll go tell her I brought food. That should get her up." He took a plate and placed two doughnuts on it.
He went upstairs to their bedroom and saw Mac engulfed in blankets, more than when he had left earlier.
Sitting the plate down he climbed in with her.
She opened one eye.
"Did you get cold?"
"You left me, so I had to resort to fake sources of warmth."
"Well I have hot doughnuts for you if you're hungry."
"Of course I'm hungry…"
He handed her the plate.
"I'm going to take a quick shower. I'll be out in a few minutes."
"Okay."
Half an hour later the four of them were sitting in the living room chatting.
"So what are we doing today after Joshua has to leave?" Mattie asked.
"Actually you're going with him. Mac and I have some stuff we need to go do."
"Oh, okay. I'm going to go shower then." Mattie left the room.
"Any reason she's coming too? Not that I mind, seeing as she's only the 2nd female I've seen in 4 ½ months, 1st being you Colonel."
"Drop the rank crap. I'm Mac and he's Harm. Those are our names, so use them. As for Mattie going with you, we're going to Blacksburg to get some papers signed. Papers that will finalize Mattie adoption when we take them to the courthouse. The thing is, Mattie doesn't know about the adoption yet. She thinks that Harm has been granted custody in agreement with her father."
"Oh wow. That's great."
"Yeah, we think so too. Anyway, your parents are in on our little secret so they agreed to let Mattie come with you all for the day." Harm said.
"Good. I've missed Mattie while at school, so any time I can get with her is great as far as I'm concerned."
"That's what we thought. Mac and I will probably head out about 1100, so I'll trust you two to behave."
"Yes Sir."
"Good."
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Montgomery County Courthouse
Christiansburg, VA
1300 EST—
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"You ready Marine? There's no backing out once we submit these papers." Harm said as they stood in the lobby of the courthouse.
"Yeah I'm ready. Why? Are you having second thoughts?"
"What would I be having second thoughts about?"
"Having me as Mattie's mother."
"Sweetheart, if I had any doubts about your abilities I wouldn't have asked you." He kissed her. "Now, unless you're not feeling right about this, let's get these papers in."
"No, I feel great about this. I love Mattie like she were my own child."
"So do I and I think we're going to be okay parents."
They went to the proper place and turned in the folder of papers.
"Do you want to go get lunch now or later?" He asked when they were finished.
"Now. I'm hungry again."
"Aren't you always? You and your Marine strength stomach."
"Shut up…" She playfully punched his arm.
"Ah, you fatally wound me! May I have a kiss before I die?"
"Nah, you're not worth it." She grinned.
"No, probably not." He grinned back.
"Now if you throw in lunch, you might be worth it."
"Lunch in exchange for a kiss from you? I'm coming out on top here, Babe." He took her hand as they walked to the Lexus.
Meanwhile back in DC…
Rose-Anne and William Allexton had taken Joshua and Mattie ice-skating at the rink in Capitol City Mall. The two adults skated slowly around the rink, while Mattie and Joshua raced due to the abnormally low volume of people there that day.
"Having fun?" Joshua asked, breathing heavily when they came to a stop.
"Yeah, I'm having a blast."
"Want to go get some food?"
"Sure."
Joshua skated out to his parents and told them that he and Mattie were going to the snack bar.
"So what do you want for Christmas?" Mattie asked when they sat down after getting their food.
"You." He grinned.
"What else do you want?"
"You with a bow on."
"Okay, I'll tie a bow on myself on Christmas morning."
"Good. That's all I want."
"Don't you want something you can take back to school with you?"
"Sure. Whatever you get or don't get will be fine, I really don't care if I get anything material, as long as I still have my family and you."
"Well I have to get you something. I wouldn't be a good girlfriend if I didn't."
"You're already the best girlfriend I've ever had."
"How many girlfriends have you had?"
"Including you."
"Including me."
"Hmm, one."
"I'm the only one you've ever had?"
"Well, yeah. I honestly just never found a girl who was worth calling a girlfriend while we had to be apart. Until you I mean."
"Aww, you're so sweet."
"How many boyfriends have you had?"
"One other one. But we were 12, so I don't know if that actually counts."
"I don't think it counts until you're at least 14."
"So we're each other's first. How sweet is that?"
"Do you want to keep on skating, or go shopping?"
"Shopping sounds nice right now, although I forgot to ask Harm for money."
"Don't worry about it. I got some from my relatives for my birthday."
"Yeah, but that's your money. You should use it for yourself."
"To buy what? There isn't really a lot to buy at school."
"True, but you should still keep it. If you want to go shopping with me, wait until the day after Thanksgiving when all the sales are going on."
"Well, we can at least go look around, can't we?"
"Yeah, that's part of shopping. You have to assess the situation before charging in." Mattie smiled.
"This isn't battle Sweetheart. Not yet anyway."
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Rabb-Mackenzie-Grace House
Great Falls, VA
1530 EST
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"I'm ready for a nap. I'm not feeling very good." Mac yawned when they got into the house.
"What's wrong?"
"My throat is feeling sore."
"Why don't you go on upstairs, and I'll be there soon?" He suggested.
"Okay, don't be long."
"I won't." Harm smiled at her.
Mac went upstairs and Harm went into the office and to the desk. He dialed William Allexton's cell phone number.
'Hello?'
"William, it's Harm."
'Did you get the papers taken care of?'
"Yeah, so you can bring Mattie home whenever you want to."
'She and Josh are somewhere in the mall shopping, so as soon as we find them we'll be on our way.'
"Okay. And thanks again for distracting her for awhile."
'It was no problem. Josh would have just moped around all day if she hadn't been with him.'
"The same would have happened here."
'I've spotted them in a store, so we'll be back to the house in about 20 minutes.'
"Alright, I'll see you then. Bye."
'Bye.'
Harm hung up and went upstairs to he and Mac's bedroom.
"What did you have to do that was more important than me?" Mac opened her eyes when he climbed in the bed.
"I called William to see if they were ready to get rid of Mattie yet."
"Are they?"
"Well they're bringing her home in about 20 minutes. I'm not sure they're tired of her though."
"You act like she's a devil child or something."
"No, just annoying in her own little ways."
"As are you, Sweetheart…"
"You know I could just leave you to nap alone." He teased.
"No you won't." She held on tighter. "I need your warmth."
"I'm just a heat source to you."
"If the shoe fits…"
"I'm seriously leaving! I don't need this abuse."
"No, you're staying. I'm sorry." She laid her head on his chest.
"You're forgiven." He kissed her head, then started stroking her hair.
"I wish life could always be like this."
"Like how?"
"This simple. Just you, Mattie, and me. I wish we didn't have to work everyday and Mattie didn't have so much homework every night."
"That would be nice. But hey, summer is only 6 months away. We'll take a long trip next summer, just the 3 of us. Maybe we'll go to Mom and Frank's house in the Bahamas for a month or so."
"That sounds great."
"And Mattie has spring break in April, so we can take a few days then."
"Yeah, that's true."
"There's always the weekends to make things simple." Harm waited for an answer, but never got one. Mac had fallen asleep on him.
Harm pulled a blanket up around them and closed his eyes.
30 minutes later Mattie came in the room and saw them. She was about to turn around and leave when she heard Harm.
"Mattie," He whispered. "what do you need?"
"We're going out to dinner in awhile. Do you two want to come?"
"Mac isn't feeling very good so I don't think she'll want to go out. Where are you all going?"
"Don Pablos."
"Okay, take $20 extra from my wallet and bring us home some food. You know what we like."
"Okay. See you later."
"Be good."
Mattie turned around and stuck her tongue out, then grinned.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Next morning
0230 EST--
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Harm rolled over, intending to pull Mac closer to him. However he found her space empty.
Seeing the bathroom light off and the bedroom door open, he knew she had gone downstairs.
He got out of the bed and went downstairs, where he saw Mac putting her shoes on.
"Don't tell me you're going out for a run…"
"No." Her voice was thick and raspy. "I'm going to the drug store for some cough medicine."
"No, you're not. I'll go."
"Harm, I'm already dressed."
"But you're sick, and it's freezing out there. It will only take me 15 minutes to be back here." He had already started to go back upstairs to get dressed.
Mac followed.
"Harm you need your sleep. You have two long flights ahead of you."
"I'll be fine. I've flown on less sleep than this." He slipped on some running pants and a t-shirt.
"I'm not going to win this, am I?"
"I'm already dressed. I'll be back in 15." He kissed her forehead.
Mac sighed and took off her shoes, then got into the bed. She pulled a magazine from off her bedside table and turned on a lamp to read.
Harm returned a short time later.
"Here's some Nyquil, Robitussin, Cloreseptic spray, and there's a quart Phish Food ice cream in the freezer with your name on it when you feel like eating it."
"Give me the Robitussin and throat spray, please."
He measured the correct dose of cough syrup for her and handed her the little cup.
She made an awful face after swallowing the medicine.
Harm laughed.
"You don't like it?"
"No, I hate cough syrup. I can't believe people could be so desperate as to get their booze from this crap…"
"The alcohol…I didn't even realize. I'm sorry Mac."
"It's fine. I'm not going to take anymore of this than I need to in order to get well."
"Still, I should have thought about it."
"Don't worry about it. I honestly have no desire to take a drink now. I have you and Mattie to fill my life."
Harm leaned over and kissed her.
"Harm you're going to get sick!"
"Can't think of a better way to share germs." He grinned.
"Get back in this bed with me funny guy. I'm getting cold."
He put the meds on the table, stripped to his boxers, and got into the bed with her.
"Better?"
"Much." She snuggled into his arms.
"Go to sleep." He stroked her back.
"Sing me a song Harm."
"A song?"
"Yeah. Sing me to sleep."
"Okay."
I
won't talk, I won't breath. I won't move 'til you finally see
that you belong with me. You might think I don't look, but deep
inside the corner of my mind I'm attached to you. Mmmm. I'm
weak, it's true. 'Cause I'm afraid to know the answer. Do
you want me to? 'Cause my heart keeps falling faster.
I've
waited all my life to cross this line, to the only thing that's
true. So I will not hide, it's time to try anything to be
with you. All my life I've waited. This is true.
You
don't know what you do every time you walk into the room. I'm
afraid to move. I'm weak, it's true. I'm just scared to know
the ending. Do you see me too? Do you even know you've met me?
I've waited all my life to cross this line, to the only thing that's true. So I will not hide, it's time to try anything to be with you. All my life I've waited. This is true.
Harm looked down and saw Mac sound asleep. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Sunday, November 7, 2004
Rabb-Mackenzie-Grace House
Great Falls, VA
0945 EST—
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
"Mattie, Josh and I are leaving in 15 minutes. Come say your goodbyes."
Mattie sleepily came down the stairs, yawning and eyes still half closed.
"Call me when you get back." She put her arms around him.
"I will." He hugged her back.
"I'm going to go see if Mac is awake." Harm said.
He went up to their bedroom and saw, or rather heard, Mac blowing her nose and coughing.
"I guess you're not feeling any better?"
"Take a wild guess." She glared at him.
He put his hands up in surrender.
"Okay, okay. I get the point. Josh and I are leaving in about 10 minutes. You and Mattie can mope around together."
"Tell him I would come down and tell him bye myself, but this bed is looking like my home for the day."
Harm placed a hand on her forehead.
"You feel a little warm. I'll have Mattie bring you some breakfast after we leave."
"Thank you."
"I'll see you later tonight, and call you when we land in PA, and when I get back into Blacksburg."
"Okay."
He kissed her once again.
"Bye."
"Bye Harm." She said before sneezing.
"Alright, load up and move out." Harm said to Josh when he came back down. "Mattie, I know you're probably going to go back to sleep, but would you take some toast and orange juice to Mac when you go back up? She's still not feeling well."
"Okay."
"And make sure she takes some medicine. Don't just tell her, watch her take it."
"Yes sir." Mattie mock saluted.
"Ha ha. Funny. I'll see you later tonight." He kissed her forehead and went out the door.
"Bye Mattie." Josh said. "Don't cry. I'll see you again in 2 weeks."
"I know, but I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too. He hugged her one last time. "I love you Mattie."
"I love you too." Mattie cried.
Josh quickly broke away and went out the door before he started crying also.
Mattie busied herself making some toast for her and Mac. She took it upstairs and into the master bedroom.
"Hey, Harm said you still aren't feeling good."
"I'll live. What'd he tell you to bring me for breakfast?"
"Toast and juice." She got into the bed and sat beside Mac.
Mac made a face."There's some Phish Food in the freezer, we should have that since Harm isn't here to lecture us."
Mattie half smiled.
"You sad about Josh leaving?"
"Yeah. I miss him already."
"It will get easier with time." Mac said, putting an arm around Mattie.
"I hope so. I'm not sure how often I can do this." She laid her head down on Mac's shoulder.
"Do you love him?"
"Yeah, more than anything."
"Than that probably means you'll do it as often as you have to."
"Yeah. How do you deal with it when Harm has to go away?"
"I usually bury myself in work to keep my mind off of him. But eventually I have to stop working and that's when I miss being able to have him here with me. "
"Do you get scared when he goes away to fly?"
"When he goes out to do his quals, I do. I don't worry about him when he flies his bi-plane."
"Josh wants to be a submariner, which I guess is safer than flying, but still dangerous. I'll still worry about him with whatever he does."
"I guess that's what we get for falling in love with military men." Mac smiled.
"Yeah, why do they have to be so appealing?"
"It's a law of nature. Women always have to have the man that's hardest to get, and those who have the worst jobs for staying home with us."
"Well Harm knows a lot of about playing hard to get…"
"Yes he does. But so do I."
"You two really need to get married. I want a little brother or sister while I still have time to spend with it."
"Harm hasn't asked me yet."
"He will. I know his plans."
"Oh really?"
"Yes, but I'm sworn to secrecy."
"Please tell me it will be soon."
"Yes. And now I've said too much."
"No, you haven't said enough. I hate not knowing about things that involve me."
"I promise you'll like this."
"I hope so. Now why don't we go downstairs and watch a good chick flick over some Phish Food? We can pig out today since we don't have Harm telling us how bad the food we like is for us." Mac got out of the bed.
"Sounds good to me. How about Pearl Harbor?"
"That's what I was thinking."
"Harm told me to make sure you took your medicine."
"I will."
"I'm supposed to watch you, to make sure."
"Does he think I'm three years old?" She rolled her eyes, then poured the right dose and swallowed it. "Good?"
"Yes. I'll report to Harm that you were a good girl and took your medicine."
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Great Falls
1600 EST—
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Harm came in the backdoor and walked into the family room. On the couch was Mac and Mattie asleep, wrapped up in a blanket, with a movie playing. A pizza box, chip bags, cookie bags, and ice cream cartons were all over the coffee table. He went over and started cleaning up their mess.
Mac heard the noise and awoke.
"Hey. When did you get in?"
"Just a few minutes ago. Did you two have a party without me?"
"We decided since you weren't here to lecture us, we'd eat junk food all day."
"Are you feeling better?" He placed a hand on her forehead.
"Yeah. The ice cream helped."
"Glad to hear it." He finished cleaning up. Then came back and sat down on the couch, with Mac leaning back against his chest.
"What movie are we watching?"
"City Of Angels."
"Good movie."
"Mattie put five movies in, then went to sleep half way through Top Gun."
"What movies did you watch?"
"Pearl Harbor, Freaky Friday, A Few Good Men, Top Gun, and City Of Angels."
"Sounds like you all sat on your butts all day long."
"So? We have good excuses. Mattie is a teenager, therefore it's her duty to sit around every weekend. And I don't feel good." She semi-pouted the last part.
"Aww, I'm sorry. Where does it hurt?"
"My throat."
"Here?" He kissed her neck.
"I'm beginning to feel better." Mac smiled.
"Oh God, go to your room you two…" Mattie groaned.
"You could go to yours." Harm grinned.
"I'm too comfortable here."
"Than don't complain."
"I'm hungry."
"You and Mac just ate a pizza, two bags of chips, a bag of cookies, and two quarts of ice cream. How can you still be hungry."
"I'm growing for one, and plus that was hours ago that we ate."
"Go eat another snack, and we'll eat dinner later."
"You're just trying to get me to leave so you two can make out…" Mattie grinned.
"So what if we are?"
"You could have just said "Mattie, leave so we can make out like teenagers in a movie theatre." I would have understood."
"I'll keep that in mind for next time. Have you finished all your homework?"
"No, but I'll do that after I get a snack. It's not going to be too hard."
"Get it finished kid."
"I will." Mattie got up and went to the kitchen, grabbed a granola bar and some milk, and went upstairs to her room.
"I could dim the lights. Better for kissing you know." Harm grinned.
"True."
Instead he simply held her face gently between his hands and kissed her.
"I've been needing to do that all day."
"Did you have fun getting to fly all day?"
"Not really. It's pretty cold up there. I had on two ski masks and my goggles and still froze my butt off."
"Looks like it's still there to me. And as cute as ever." She pinched him.
"Hey now Colonel. Be good." He grinned, then kissed her more.
"You realize you're going to have whatever I have in about 3 days, right?"
"Yeah, but then I'll have Nurse Sarah to get me well again."
"How about you get yourself well? You're a grown man."
"Exactly. A grown man. I'm prone to complaining."
"Not my fault."
"I wouldn't be getting sick if you weren't so desirable." He started kissing her neck again.
"Harm you know with our luck Mattie is going to walk in any minute now."
"So? She'll need sex-ed sometime…"
"Why don't we continue this after dinner? Mattie will be on AOL with Josh for God knows how long, so we can sneak outside to the hot tub."
"I like your thinking, Colonel."
"So do I. Now go cook some dinner for the starving women. Please?"
"Yes Ma'am. Right away Ma'am." He mock saluted and made his way to the kitchen to concoct something for dinner.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Hot tub shelter
1800 EST—
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
After dinner Mattie said that she was going to go talk to Josh, then go to bed early. That left Harm and Mac the perfect window of opportunity to escape to the hot tub.
"I'm going to go put a swimsuit on." Mac said after she and Harm had finished washing dishes.
"Okay. I'll go start the jets." He replied.
Five minutes later Mac came downstairs and saw that Harm was coming back in.
"It is cold out there…" He shivered. "The tub should be hot by the time I come back down from changing."
"Alright. I need to take some medicine anyway."
"Good, take some. I need you well, Marine."
"And why is that?"
"I have plans…" He grinned before walking upstairs.
She shrugged and went to take her meds.
A few minutes later Harm came downstairs in his trunks.
"Did you take your medicine?"
"Yes. And I'm freezing so can we please get out there?"
"Yeah, I was just making sure. You Marines get defensive…"
"You're not my father, Harm. I am capable of taking medicine without you reminding me and then making sure I did."
"I know. And I'm sorry." He caught her and wrapped his arms around her. "I just want what's best for my two girls."
"I'm sorry for getting mad. Blame it on PMS." She said as they were walking outside to the small heated shelter.
"I always do." He grinned. "God help me if our next kid is a girl…"
"I hope it's a boy." She got in.
"Why?" He got in behind her.
"I like the idea of a Harmon Rabb III running around." She leaned back against him, and he put his arms around her.
"You really want to name our son Harm 3?"
"We could call him Trey for short. Of course, you need to propose before we start making him."
"So that's all it will take? Just a proposal?"
"Theoretically, yes. Practically, no."
"Explain."
"If you were to propose right now, in the position we're currently in, not much would stop me from jumping your bones. Practically speaking though, we did agree to wait until we were married."
"You know, we could start the process tomorrow. I mean the blood tests and license and all."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. Wait here for a minute, okay? I'll be right back." He gave her a kiss before getting out of the hot tub and jogging into the house. He returned a moment later carrying something in his hand.
"What's that?" She asked.
"Open it." He handed it to her.
She took it and realized it was a ring box.
"Harm…?"
"This isn't the way I planned proposing, but it still feels like a good time."
Mac was speechless as she opened the box that revealed a 1-½ carat diamond ring in 14K white gold.
"Harm, it's beautiful."
"It doesn't hold a candle to you."
Mac looked up and saw Harm on one knee in the hot tub.
"Will you marry me Sarah Mackenzie?"
"You really want to marry me?" She said quietly.
"Yes I do. In case you haven't figured it out yet, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. I want you to walk around the house barefoot in the summer while you're pregnant with our child, and blame me for your discomfort. I want you to yell at me when you're in labor and swear I'll never be allowed to touch you again. Then take it back when we see the beautiful baby we created. I want the chance to have the baby boy with my looks and your brains, and the little girl with your looks and my brains."
"Harm, you're rambling."
"Sorry. I'm kind of nervous."
"Don't be. Yes I'll marry you, if you're sure you want me."
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life." He slipped the ring on her wet finger and leaned forward to kiss her. "I love you Sarah. I'm sorry it took me so long to say."
"I'm guilty of the same thing. I love you too Harm."
"You know Mattie is going to be mad at me. This wasn't the way it was supposed to happen."
"How was it going to happen?"
"I was going to propose on Christmas night."
"Maybe we should go tell her."
"Yeah. But first I'd like to kiss my fiancée again."
They met in a long kiss. When they broke apart Harm grabbed Mac and wrapped her in a huge hug.
"You've just made me the happiest man on earth."
"Good. I'm happy too." She smiled. "Now let's go break the news to Mattie so we can get the wrath over with before bed."
Harm pulled a towel out of the warmer and wrapped it around his waist, then pulled out Mac's bathrobe and some big thick slippers out of the warmer.
"When did you put those in there?"
"I have my secrets…" He grinned.
She stepped out of the tub and he put the robe on her, then she slipped her feet into the thick slippers.
"Thank you for this Harm."
"I also turned the blanket on, so we can curl up after we tell Mattie."
"I like the way you think Flyboy."
They hurried inside the house to keep warm. Mattie came downstairs about the time they came in the backdoor.
"Ah, so that's what you rushed back into the house for." Mattie said, pointing to the rings on Mac's finger.
"Yeah….you're not mad?"
"No. Why would I be mad?"
"Well, you helped me plan the proposal for Christmas, so I thought you'd be mad that you didn't get to see it happen."
"Nah. But I will be mad if I don't have a baby brother or sister before next Christmas." She grinned, then went back upstairs.
"You heard the girl. She wants a sibling." Mac said.
"We'll take care of that after we're married."
"Why not now?" She took his hand and they walked up the stairs.
"I thought we'd agreed to wait." Harm was confused.
"Never mind what I said. Besides, that was last month. As a woman, I have the right to change my mind as many times as I want to."
"Just don't decide to change your mind tomorrow."
"Harm are you that uncomfortable about having sex with me?" They went into their bedroom.
"No, I just…I guess I got so used to the idea of us waiting until we got married that you surprised me when you said you wanted to forget all that."
"If you don't want to make love, I completely understand."
"It's not that. It's just that it seems like maybe we're going into this for the wrong reasons. I mean, yes I want a child with you. But it seems like Mattie was the one who pushed us into this."
"Yeah, a little."
"I just want things to happen by themselves, and not because a 16 year old girl wants a sibling."
"I agree. So for right now lets just get ready to get into this warm bed."
"You can have the bathroom first. I'll see if there are any good movies on TV." He picked up the remote to the small TV in the room.
"Find anything good?" She asked a moment later when she came out of the bathroom.
"Kate and Leopold is on if you want to watch it."
"Sounds good to me."
"Okay. I'll be out in a minute."
Mac got into the bed, which was already warm thanks to the electric blanket.
Harm came out of the bathroom a minute later in fresh boxers and a t-shirt.
He got into the bed beside Mac and she snuggled up to him.
"You getting warmer?" He asked.
"I'm starting to."
"Good." He kissed the top of her head. "I love you."
She smiled.
"I love you too, Harm."
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
A/N—Here's
the ring. I'm not very good at describing rings, because I know
nothing about them. But this is the one I want for an engagement
ring. I know I have expensive
tastes...
Zales(dot)com, item number 15548175