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"To see the world in a grain of sand, And Heaven in a wildflower; Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.
William Blake
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6:30 EST
HARM'S APT
Harm had finished lighting the candles and checked on the lasagna cooking when he heard her knock on the door. He felt a stray butterfly flutter in his stomach. He hoped this would be as special as he had planned it to be.
Walking over to the door, he turned the doorknob and opened it.
He stared at her for awhile without a word. He couldn't think of a word to summarize how beautiful she looked. Well, he really couldn't think much at all.
Mac, meanwhile, was busing staring at Harm's apartment. The table was set for two, candles and all, and a few vases of roses posed on various tables. She could even smell a wonderful scent wafting from the kitchen.
But she didn't miss Harm's attractive dark blue blazer, shirt and blue silk tie. Only Harm could make a simple outfit look like it was designed specifically for a model.
"Harm . . ."
"Come in." They began talking at the same time.
The both laughed, both thinking how they had never been this uncomfortable before and yet they had never felt this much at ease.
Harm took her jacket from her and hung it up.
"Harm, you didn't have to do all this . . ." Mac said, still surprised. No one, not even Mic, had done something like this before. Maybe it just meant more when Harm did it.
"Yes, I did." He said softly.
Mac was saved from a response when the oven's buzzard went off. Mac stared in disbelief as Harm pulled out, what looked to be a wonderfully cooked, lasagna.
Harm caught her glance and laughed. "Yes, I can cook."
Mac nodded. "I know, I was just fearing the worst."
"I have to ask. And that is . . .?"
"Why Harm's Meatless Meatloaf, of course." Mac laughed.
Harm carried the dish over to the table and placed a hot plate underneath before setting it down. "Hardy har. Must you ruin this dinner with your provocative statements."
Mac rolled her eyes. "Alright, fine, last one. I just hope this taste better than . . ." She was silenced by Harm's glare.
"Alright, alright. I'm shutting up." She laughed again.
Harm walked behind her and pulled her chair out for her.
"Thanks." Mac whispered, suddenly feeling her butterflies resurface.
Harm served two plates of the lasagna before sitting down.
"Mmm. This is delicious, Harm. What inspired you to make lasagna?" Mac said after a few moments of comfortable silence.
"Thank you." Harm replied. "And I remember you said you liked homemade lasagna once but never had time to make it. So I made it for you."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. But it really wasn't too hard."
"No, I mean thank you. For this day. For making what could have been a horrible day into something I'll never forget."
Harm smiled at the compliment. He was glad he could repay her with some of the happiness she had given him. Not just recently, but throughout their partnership. And now, with Mic and Renee gone . . . He stopped his thoughts there. 'No use getting ahead of yourself.'
They finished dinner in an amiable conversation and it was half an hour later when Mac leaned back, stuffed to the brim.
"That was good Harm. Thank you again."
Harm smiled. He wiped his mouth before standing and heading towards the CD player. Flipping a button, Mac smiled as the first strains of soft music drifted through the air.
Harm walked over to her and placed a hand on the back of her chair. "Would you care to dance?"
Mac smiled, feeling a bit awkward. "Of course." 'Is it possible for your best friend to become your boyfriend.' 'Sometimes . . . if you're lucky.' A past conversation drifted through Mac's mind as she stood up.
Harm pulled her chair out for her and assisted her to a spot on the hardwood floor. He placed a hand on her waist and with the other reached for her hand. Mac placed her hand on his shoulder and felt herself drifting away with the music.
Chances are you'll find me
Somewhere on your road tonight
Seems I always end up drivin' by
Ever since I've known you
It just seems you're on my way
All the rules of logic don't apply
I long to see you in the night
Be with you till morning light
I remember clearly
How you looked the night we met
I recall your laughter and your smile
I remember how you made me
Feel so at ease
I remember all your grace your style
Mac's sensations where heightened when she felt Harm's hand turn to rest upon the small of her back. She unconsciously let her hand move towards his neck and sighed almost inaudibly. But it didn't escape Harm.
And now you're all I long to see
You've come to mean so much to me
Chances are I'll see you
Somewhere in my dreams tonight
You'll be smilin' like the night we met
Chances are I'll hold you
And I'll offer all I have
You're the only one I can't forget
Baby you're the best I've ever met
Mac felt free yet she wanted to get closer. She felt Harm's breath on her neck and it was driving her crazy. It stirred the hair on the back and sent chills racing throughout her body. Then she felt his hand rest fully upon her back, open and sprawled. She couldn't help but taking a step closer, closer to loosing herself in his embrace.
And I'll be dreamin' of the future
And hopin' you'll be by my side
And in the morning I'll be longing
For the night
For the night
Harm was having his own share of dealing with self-restraint. She had moved closer and he didn't know whether or not she realized she had. Her hair was recently washed and smelled fresh. He couldn't help but lay his cheek aside it and inhale gently. It smelled like roses. He urged her forward more with his hand on her back.
And chances are I'll see you
Somewhere in my dreams tonight
You'll be smilin' like the night we met
Chances are I'll hold you
And I'll offer all I have
You're the only one I can't forget
Baby you're the best I've ever met
Mac gave up trying not to loose herself in his the dance, in the music. She had the moment she felt his arm around her. The minute she had looked into his eyes as she had stood up from the table.
The music had stopped, but neither of them realized it until a few moments later.
They stopped swaying to the non-existent beat, still wrapped in their embrace that threatened to never break. Harm was the first to step back but both felt the loss of contact.
"Thanks for the dance." Mac's voice sounded soft and whispery, as if in a dream.
"I have something else." Harm's voice was unusually soft as well.
He opened a drawer in a table by the door and revealed a small, neatly wrapped package, which he handed it to Mac.
Mac accepted it, a question in her eyes.
"Open it." Harm urged.
Mac looked back down at the box. It was wrapped in light rose wrapping paper and had red, transparent roses covering it. She gently pulled off the wrapping paper, which Harm took from her hands.
She rubbed the soft velvet covering of the black rectangular box. She opened the box slowly, as not to break the serenity hanging in the air.
She gasped softly as she saw a golden rose, on an intricately linked golden necklace chain, lying on the ivory lining.
Mac looked up with sparkling eyes at Harm and wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug. "Thank you Harm. This is the best birthday present ever."
Harm smiled and hugged her back, pleased to see he made someone he cared for so happy. "You're welcome. Happy Birthday, Sarah."
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"Sarah . . . Mac, you should wake up now." Harm gently shook Mac's sleeping form, which was reclining on his shoulder.
After they had cleaned the dishes, or Harm cleaned the dishes and ordered Mac to relax, they had decided to watch a movie. Mac hadn't wanted to go home and Harm had wanted her to stay. They both mutually sensed this and had thought of the movie to preoccupy their time.
Mac stirred on the couch and lifted herself Harm's shoulder. "I'm sorry . . ." She hadn't mean to fall asleep on him, but the past few weeks of work had begun to catch up with her. She sat up, the gold rose sliding forward on her chest.
Harm smiled softly in the dark room, the TV the only source of light. "It's okay."
"What time is it?" Mac asked.
"11:30."
"Wow, I didn't mean to stay so late. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I'm glad you did."
Mac looked at Harm and their eyes met, even in the darkness. "Me too." She stood and Harm followed her to the door, helping her put on her coat. "I'll walk down with you."
They entered the cold night air and Harm wrapped a warm arm around her shoulder. "Drive carefully and call me when you get in."
Mac turned around and smiled. "I know I've said this a lot tonight, Harm, but thank you. This has really been the best birthday ever. Not many people have shown me the consideration in a year that you've shown me in one day."
"I'm glad I was there to enjoy it with you." Harm said.
Mac sighed a sigh of happiness inside. How had she ever found such a wonderful man . . . such a wonderful friend. That's what he was, a friend, right? Could there be more? Could your best friend become your boyfriend?
Mac stood up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll call you. Goodnight."
Harm watched her vet pull out of the parking lot before turning back to his apartment. "Goodnight." He whispered into the air, his breath hanging in a cloud for a few seconds after he left.