Three days later
Harm helped Mac into the wheelchair and walked beside it as the nurse rolled it out the door and into the elevator. She waited as Harm brought his car around, then with his assistance got into the car. She was still in pain, but it was nothing compared to the first two days.
They were both silent for the first few minutes as Harm pulled onto the highway heading towards D.C. Mac smiled softly and turned to Harm. "Thank you."
He smiled back and squeezed her hand. "For what?"
"For everything." There was so much she had to thank him for, how could she possibly tell him in a few simple words?
As if understanding, he nodded. His thoughts were on something else, though. Right now he was more than sure that he had made the right decision when he had purchased the gift for her only hours before. In fact, he had never been surer of anything in his life.
"Why don't you go to sleep? It's going to be a long ride." Harm suggested.
Mac nodded and soon dropped off to sleep.
They pulled up at Mac's apartment building a few hours later and he helped her out. He wanted to carry her up the stairs, but knew she wouldn't stand for it. Still, he could try. "Want me to carry you?"
She looked at him like he had sprouted another head.
He laughed and shook his head slightly. "Didn't think so."
She smiled and he wrapped an arm around her waist, being careful of her ribs, and let her lean on him as they headed towards her apartment.
They reached the apartment and Mac was surprised to find Jingo gone. "Harm, where's Jingo."
"Bud and Harriet kindly offered to take him while you were in the hospital. We can drive over there tomorrow and pick him up." Harm said. He smiled as Mac quickly forgot about her dog's whereabouts and turned to stare at her apartment. The room had beautiful vases of roses on every spot imaginable and the heady scented wafted through the air. He turned her and gently wrapping his arms around her waist, smelled her hair, which smelled nearly as good as the roses. It smelled like Mac, and that was good enough of a smell, even if it wasn't really that clean. He laughed at that thought.
"What are you laughing at, flyboy?" She smiled up at him as she pulled back.
"Nothing."
"Uh huh."
"Just that your smells good, even if it's not clean." He laughed as Mac swatted him on the behind on her way to turn on the radio.
"I'll get you for that squid." She laughed over her shoulder.
After turning on the radio, she walked back over to him and smiled as the first strains of music floated through the air. She knew this song, and it was perfect. Harm recognized it too, and soon they were dancing slowly.
I don't need a lot of things,
I can get by with nothing
Of all the blessings life can bring,
I've always needed something
But I've got all I want
When it comes to loving you
You're my only reason,
You're my only truth
Harm hugged her closer as he listened to the words. How had he not seen what was right in front of him for over four years? How had he let her almost slip away? Well, he didn't know the answers to those questions and probably never would, but all he could do now was never let her go again. That was one thing he didn't intend to ever do.
I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you
Mac wrapped her arms more securely around Harm. She didn't want this dance to end. She was too afraid it was a dream, and she'd wake up and find herself in the predicament she had been in for so long just months before. She would be nearly engaged to Mic, Harm would still be dating that horrible video princess, and they would have never confessed their love for each other. How had she nearly married Mic? He was a good man, but not good for her. There was only one man that would ever been good for her.
You're the hope that moves me
To courage again
You're the love that rescues me
When the cold winds rage
And it's so amazing
'Cause that's just how you are
And I can't turn back now
'Cause you've brought me too far
I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you
I need you like water,
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you
Harm reluctantly broke their embrace as the song ended. Staring into her dark brown eyes with a look that spoke of only love and hope, he kneeled down in front of her and reached for her left hand. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the ring he had bought and slipped it onto her finger.
"Sarah Mackenzie, I need you more than words can express. Without you, my life isn't worth living. I am sorry it took me so long to realize that, but I swear to you I will spend every day of the rest of our lives making it up to you. It would be the best thing that could ever happen to me if you would be my wife."
She didn't try to stop the tears that began to fall. He stood back up and wiped them away with a shaky finger. She had to say yes. He would never love someone the way he loved her.
Placing a hand on his cheek, she whispered, "Yes."
It just took one simple word. He didn't need to hear a speech, that one word conveyed all that they meant to each other, all that they had been through, and their vow to love each other. It was his turn to let the tears fall.
She smiled softly as she wiped his tears away. "I'd be honored to be your wife."
Harm leaned in to kiss her, and raked his hands through her hair. "Now, about washing that hair . . ." His voice trailed off as he grinned seductively and they headed towards the bathroom, still wrapped in each other's arms.