Chapter 10
"Hello?" said Mac, picking up the phone.
"Mac, it's me," said a familiar voice.
"Chloe! What is it sweetie? Are you okay?" asked Mac, hearing a catch in her little sister's voice.
"I'm okay. I know it's late but I had a bad dream and needed to talk to you," said Chloe, her small voice a bit stronger.
"Don't worry about it being late. You can call anytime, you know that," said Mac reassuringly.
"I know. You're okay right?" said Chloe.
"I'm fine. Did you dream I was hurt or something?" asked Mac.
"Yeah, you were in hospital again and I was really scared," said Chloe.
"Oh sweetie. I'm fine, I promise," said Mac.
"Good," breathed Chloe in relief.
"Were you sleeping?" she continued.
"No, actually I just got home," said Mac, a small smile playing on her lips as she considered whether it would be a good time to tell Chloe about her relationship with Harm.
"You haven't started going back to work yet have you?" asked Chloe.
"No, not yet," replied Mac.
"A hot date!" said Chloe.
Mac laughed lightly. "You could say that," she said.
"Not Mic?" said Chloe.
"No," said Mac.
"Who then?" asked Chloe, her fingers crossed.
"I was going to tell you when you came to visit, but it's Harm," said Mac, holding the phone away from her ear as she said it.
Chloe gave an excited shriek and Mac smiled to herself, putting the phone back to her ear.
"I told you! You two are perfect for each other. Can I be your flower girl?" said Chloe.
"Whoa, slow down Chloe. We've only been out on one date," said Mac.
"So? I know you guys are gonna get married. You're going out again right?" said Chloe.
"Tomorrow actually for a lunch date," said Mac.
"Cool. So did you kiss?" asked Chloe, a cheeky tone in her voice.
"Um, I plead the fifth?" said Mac, blushing.
Chloe shrieked excitedly again.
"You love him right?" asked Chloe, already knowing the reply.
"I can finally say it now. Yes, I do Chloe. I have for a long time now," said Mac.
"This is too exciting. Does he know? Has he told you he loves you lots?" asked Chloe.
"We've both said it," replied Mac.
"Yay, about time you guys worked out you were crazy about each other. So what did you do on the date?" asked Chloe excitedly.
"We went out to a lovely dinner and then he took me to a carnival," said Mac smiling.
"That sounds so nice!" commented Chloe.
"Chloe, we'll talk more again soon. I'm guessing your dad doesn't know you're on the phone instead of being asleep in bed, right?" said Mac, her internal clock alerting her of the hour.
"Yeah, I'd better get going," agreed Chloe.
"Okay, sweet dreams honey. I love you," said Mac.
"I love you too. Have a fun date tomorrow, " said Chloe.
"I'm sure I will. And Chloe?" said Mac.
"Yeah?" said Chloe.
"If Harm and I get married, you'll be a bridesmaid, not a flower girl," said Mac, smiling.
"Yay! Thanks Mac," said Chloe excitedly.
"Okay, now try to get some sleep okay?" said Mac.
"I will. Maybe I'll dream about your wedding," said Chloe.
Mac chuckled. "Good night Chloe. Love you."
"Love you too," said Chloe before hanging up.
At a cafe
1300
"Boy was I glad when lunch time came around," said Harm, stretching his long legs under the table.
"One of those days huh?" asked Mac.
"Oh yeah. That'll teach me to bring all that work home with me," agreed Harm with a smile.
"You've got my cases don't you?" asked Mac with a grin.
"Don't look so happy about it," said Harm.
"Oh I'm not. Besides, I'll have them all back tomorrow," said Mac.
"You're sure you should come back so soon," questioned Harm.
"What you don't want me there, Commander?" teased Mac.
"Of course I want you there. I just don't want you overdoing it while you're still recovering," said Harm, squeezing her hand.
"I'm fine. I promise," said Mac, returning the gesture.
"Am I being annoying?" asked Harm, smiling.
"No. You're being…." Mac stopped, wondering what Harm would think of her calling him sweet.
"What?" Harm prompted.
"You're being sweet," finished Mac.
Harm shook his head with a chuckle. "Thanks Mac, but just don't let that get around."
Mac smiled. "It'll be our little secret," she said.
"Good. Wouldn't want to ruin my image," teased Harm.
"You don't want to be seen as a SNAG?" teased Mac.
"A what?" asked Harm, confused.
"A sensitive new age guy," explained Mac.
"That's a good thing to be right?" asked Harm, for confirmation.
"Apparently," laughed Mac.
Harm just smiled back, leaning forward to place a soft kiss upon her cheek.
"I almost forgot to tell you. Chloe knows," said Mac.
"Really? I thought she didn't know yet," said Harm.
"She rang me last night just after I got home. She'd had a bad dream so we talked for a bit," said Mac.
"What did she say?" asked Harm.
"Let's just say it was a good thing I'd thought to hold the phone away from my ear after I told her," said Mac smiling.
"She was happy," said Harm.
"Thrilled," said Mac.
"She even started going on about…" said Mac, stopping herself before she went too far.
"Going on about what," said Harm.
"Nothing," replied Mac, a blush rising to her cheeks.
"It must be something. Come on Ninja girl, I want to know," said Harm with a grin.
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," said Mac.
"Shoot," said Harm.
"She started going on about um, our wedding," said Mac blushing and avoiding his gaze.
"What's wrong with that. Did you think it would scare me?" asked Harm.
Mac looked up at him and felt all nervousness vanish. His flyboy grin was infectious and she smiled too. "You're not even slightly scared?"
"Nope. I hope you know what my intentions are Sarah," said Harm, looking deeply into her eyes.
Mac was speechless for a moment before replying. "I do know, and mine are the same."
"Good. So we're on the same page then," said Harm.
"We are," said Mac, as she kissed him.
"About time we got here don't you think," joked Harm, as they pulled apart.
"Definitely," agreed Mac, smiling back.
After they finished their lunch, they took a short stroll through a nearby park and all too soon their second date was over.
"Come in for a bit," said Mac as he walked her to her door.
"I'd love to. There's something I need to do though," replied Harm.
"Anything I can help with?" asked Mac, unlocking her door.
"No. It's just something that needs to be taken care of," said Harm.
"Okay, well then I guess I'll see you tomorrow," said Mac.
"I'll ring you later. I had a great time today," said Harm.
"So did I," said Mac.
"Rest up. You'll need it for work tomorrow," instructed Harm.
"Yes sir!" laughed Mac, giving him a mock salute.
Harm grinned. "Hey, I can't help worrying about you."
"I know," said Mac.
"I love you so much Sarah," said Harm, tenderly touching her cheek.
"I love you so much too Harm," said Mac, placing her hand over his on her cheek.
A few kisses later, Mac stepped inside her apartment and dropped down onto the nearest chair, smiling happily. Harm drove home to his apartment with a matching smile on his face. Just minutes after he'd gotten home he was dialing a familiar number.
"Hello?" said the voice that answered.
Stay tuned for Chapter 11!