Chapter 6
"Thanks for dinner Harm," said Mac, after she finished the last bite of her meal.
"Don't mention it. I was glad to," said Harm.
"And to be fair, I really liked Harm's special vegetarian pasta sauce," said Mac with a smile.
"I told you you'd like it," said Harm, grinning.
"You did," replied Mac as she got up to clear the dinner table.
"What do you think you're doing Marine?" asked Harm.
"Clearing the table. You cooked, so I'm clearing and washing up. Is that okay with you Sailor?" asked Mac, her tone half exasperated and half playful.
"Okay, I know when to stop driving you nuts," said Harm, admitting defeat grudgingly.
"Good," said Mac with a smile.
"Can I help though?" he asked.
"Sure," said Mac, handing him a plate.
After washing up without pausing the friendly conversation and banter, Harm and Mac sat back down in Mac's living room. A few minutes of comfortable silence later, Harm spoke up.
"We need to have that talk," he ventured.
Mac looked at him with some surprise. She'd thought he might have decided to once again sidestep the conversation. Harm's expression however told her that he was serious. Her heart skipped a beat in anticipation.
"Do you want to start?" she asked.
Harm nodded before looking away from her for a moment, gathering his courage.
"I guess I should start almost at the beginning," he said, looking into her eyes
"At Norfolk, when we kissed for the first time…I know I didn't say so at the time, but it wasn't Diane I was kissing. I may have been kissing her for a second or two, but I was kissing you," said Harm.
Mac felt herself blush as she nodded. "I'd always thought you were kissing her," she stated.
"I know and I didn't say anything," said Harm.
"It's okay," said Mac, secretly thrilled.
"There are so many things we could talk about here Mac, we've shared a lot over the years. I wanted to make sure you knew that about Norfolk though," said Harm. Mac nodded in acknowledgment and Harm continued.
"I didn't know I'd get such a close best friend when we met, but that's what you became. You've always been there for me, giving me the strength to do anything just by being there. You're really something Mac. You overcame so much and look at you now, a successful Marine Colonel. You're smart, beautiful and tough. I know there's the Sarah side of you though. The side that's not just a tough Marine, but also a wonderful woman who has normal insecurities and fears. I haven't always been fair to you, I've let my stupid pride get in the way and didn't go after what I wanted most. I meant what I said at your engagement party, I never want to lose you," said Harm.
Tears had made their way to Mac's eyes and she cursed herself inwardly for being so weak. Harm moved closer to her on the couch and took both her hands in his, trying to keep his own emotions in check.
"Harm," she began, shakily.
Harm let go of one of her hands and lightly caressed her cheek, wiping away a tear that had escaped despite Mac's struggle to keep the tears at bay.
"I need to keep going," he told her.
Mac smiled, showing him she understood and Harm grasped her hands again. Inwardly he was trying to decide what the best way to continue would be while also trying not to get lost in Mac's expressive dark eyes.
"I always knew we'd come to the moment of truth at some point. I just didn't know when. I know that it's now though. It could have been earlier but we'll make do," said Harm.
Mac was sure Harm could hear the way her heart was hammering in her chest as he spoke again, not knowing that he was thinking the same thing.
"I want to tell you that….that I love you Sarah Mackenzie and I have for a long time now. I love you and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win your love," said Harm.
Mac stared at him for a moment as more tears escaped down her cheeks.
"Oh Harm, you don't know how long I've waited to hear that. The truth is that I love you too. I knew we had something between us but I didn't know that you felt the same way," said Mac.
Harm wiped her tears away before embracing her tightly.
"It took me so long but it feels good to have finally said it. I love you more than anything," said Harm, getting emotional with the knowledge that Sarah Mackenzie loved him back.
"More than flying?" asked Mac playfully, tenderly placing a hand on his cheek and wiping away the moisture she found there.
"More than flying Sarah," he replied.
"I love you more than anything too Harmon Rabb. We're both stubborn but getting there today was worth the wait. You're the greatest best friend I could ever have. You're so supportive and always show me you care, even when we're fighting! You've been there for me so much over the years. You're amazing, as a man, friend and a fellow lawyer. And you already know how gorgeous you are," said Mac, finishing on a lighter note.
"Despite popular belief, I'm not that cocky," said Harm, with a grin.
"You're full of surprises today," said Mac laughing.
Harm smiled at her and Mac moved back into his arms, relishing the feel of his embrace. Harm placed a kiss on her hair and Mac looked into his eyes, lost in the sea of blue-green.
Harm leaned closer, questioning her with his eyes and smiling at the assent she was clearly giving him, he closed the distance.
He captured her lips for a sweet, loving kiss.
They pulled apart and smiled at each other.
"I love you," said Harm, pushing a lock of hair away from her face.
"I love you too," said Mac, running her fingers through his hair.
"I think I'll be going around grinning," said Harm, shaking his head with a laugh. Mac's smile matched his own.
"Well, it looks like we're both going to go around grinning," she said.
Laughing, they kissed again, lighthearted in the knowledge that they didn't need to hide their feelings anymore.
Chapter 7 is coming soon!