Chapter 18
Mac's apartment
Saturday night
"About time flyboy," said Mac, opening the door and feeling her knees go weak as she saw Harm.
Harm's jaw dropped at the sight of her and Mac smiled, blushing slightly.
"Are you going to stand there staring or are you coming in?" she asked.
"Uh..wow, you look beautiful," said Harm.
"Thank you, you look incredible yourself," said Mac, taking in his black suit, white shirt and blue tie that made his eyes look even more amazing than usual.
"Thanks," said Harm.
"So, are you coming in?" prompted Mac.
"Oh yeah, sorry," said Harm sheepishly, stepping inside.
"These are for you," he said, handing her a bouquet of assorted flowers.
"Thank you, they're beautiful," said Mac.
Harm smiled and wrapped his arms around her.
"Did I get around to kissing you hello yet?" he asked.
"No, I don't believe you have," said Mac with a smile.
"Well, I'll have to do something about that won't I?" said Harm, leaning in to kiss her.
As they pulled apart, breathless from the kiss, Mac took one look at him and laughed.
"Come on," she said, taking his hand.
"What's so funny and where are we going?" asked Harm, oblivious to the lipstick that had rubbed off on him.
Mac lead him into the bathroom, trying hard not to laugh. Harm noticed his reflection in the mirror and then laughed.
"Now I see what's funny," he said.
"I'm sorry," said Mac.
"Well, that doesn't normally happen," said Harm.
"It's a new lipstick. They didn't have my color in my usual brand so I got a different brand since I was in a hurry," said Mac, getting some tissues and starting to remove the lipstick from his lips.
"Ah okay," said Harm.
"Now I know which one doesn't work though," said Mac with a laugh.
"There you go," said Mac, finishing with him and quickly checking her make-up.
"Thanks," said Harm.
"It was a good color on you though," teased Mac over her shoulder as she headed to her room to find a different lipstick.
Harm chuckled. "Even if you think so, I'm glad it's off," he said.
A few minutes later they were ready to go and headed to the restaurant where they would be meeting Bud and Harriet. Harriet was exiting the restaurant as they arrived and they met her on the porch.
"Colonel, Commander. Er, hi Mac, Harm," said Harriet, having noticed the look both officers gave her at the use of their titles.
"Hi Harriet, you look beautiful," said Mac.
"You look great Harriet," added Harm.
"Thanks, you're both looking great. I love that dress Mac," said Harriet.
"Thanks. Were you inside?" asked Mac.
"Uh yeah. I was checking on our reservation," said Harriet.
"Shall we go in?" added Harriet.
"Lead the way Harriet," said Harm.
They entered the restaurant and Harriet showed them to a group of tables clustered around the back, away from the main area.
"Which one is ours?" asked Mac.
"That one there," said Harriet pointing at a large table in the middle.
"These all say they're reserved Harriet," said Harm, noticing the cards on each table.
"I'll just go find Bud. Take a seat," said Harriet, departing quickly.
Harm and Mac looked at each other with a shrug before choosing seats. Just moments after they were seated they saw Harriet return with Bud, with all their co-workers and friends at JAG following. Harm looked at Mac and saw she was looking as shocked as he felt. He got a larger shock when behind their friends he saw his mother and Frank along with Chloe.
"Harriet?" questioned Mac.
"Yes ma'am?" asked Harriet innocently.
"Was there something you forgot to tell us?" asked Harm.
"There was actually. Surprise!" said AJ, coming to stand beside Harriet.
"This is a great surprise. Thank you," said Mac, hugging Harriet happily.
"Thanks Harriet," said Harm, hugging Harriet.
"It wasn't all my doing. Bud and the Admiral were in on it too. We thought it would be fun to celebrate all together. This is huge after all!" said Harriet happily.
"Mac!" said Chloe, running to hug her. Meanwhile Trish reached Harm and hugged him tightly, thrilled to be a part of his special night.
"Hi Chloe! I'm so glad you're here," said Mac, hugging her back.
"Me too. This is so exciting," said Chloe.
After many hugs and greetings were exchanged, the group sat down to a delicious dinner. Bud and Harriet then started the dancing, followed closely by Harm and Mac.
"Are you having fun Sarah?" said Harm in her ear, as they moved around the dance floor to the music.
Mac nodded. "It's so nice celebrating with everyone like this. It's still hard to believe any of this is really happening."
"I know. I'm just sorry it took me so long," said Harm, holding her closer.
"I could have just told you how I felt too," said Mac.
"Well, we're both too stubborn for our own good," commented Harm.
"That's a reason why we're perfect together though," said Mac, touching his cheek lovingly. Harm simply kissed her in reply.
Across the room, Trish watched her son interacting with Mac. The two of them were clearly very much in love and Trish smiled, the happiness radiating off them was the kind of happiness she'd always wanted for her son. As she watched Harm and Mac whispering and laughing, Frank, who was dancing with Chloe stopped beside them.
"May I steal your beautiful fiancé for one dance?" asked Frank.
"Sure Frank. Save the last dance for me Marine," said Harm.
"I will," smiled Mac.
"Chloe?" asked Harm, holding his hand out. Chloe smiled and took his hand. After dancing with his mother also, Harm was dancing with Harriet when Mac interrupted them.
"Can I cut in?" she asked.
"Have fun," said Harriet grinning.
"I see you've had no shortage of dance partners," said Mac teasingly as Harm wrapped his arms around her.
"Ah, but you're my favorite," said Harm smiling.
"And you're mine," said Mac, kissing him.
"She's doing it again," commented Harm as he noticed his mom and Frank dance by.
"Doing what?" asked Mac.
"Mom has spent the whole night watching us," said Harm.
"I noticed, but she just wants to see you happy," said Mac.
"I'm very happy," said Harm.
"Your mom has waited a long time for this, she's having fun," said Mac.
"Yeah, she is," agreed Harm.
At that moment the Admiral called for attention and with their arms around each other, Harm and Mac moved off the dance floor. The cake was wheeled out and everyone laughed as they read the icing.
"Who is responsible for this?" asked Harm.
"Me sir. I did consult your mother too though," said Harriet, trying to hide a smile. Trish was smiling widely.
"Great choice then to both of you. I couldn't have said it better myself," said Harm with a grin.
"I agree," said Mac.
The icing read "Congratulations Harmon and Sarah. Finally!"
AN: More from the engagement party is coming in Chapter 19. This chapter just wasn't ending so I thought it would be best to make it a two-parter.