Part 20

OOOO

"But…that's wonderful!" Harriet exclaimed, when they told her of their idea.

"You don't think there'll be any problems because we want to adopt the children?" Harm asked.

"No…I mean, social services may ask that the children stay in your care for some amount of time before you take steps to adopt them, but I don't think it will be a problem, I know how committed you both must be to this, to the children. You seem like you've given this careful thought. Is Mattie with you on this?"

"Absolutely," Mac nodded, "she's as committed as we are and she's going to help and support us in this."

"That's wonderful, it really is!" Harriet repeated, unable to find more words to express her joy.

"How about the fact that we're officers of a foreign military force?" Harm asked, "Do you think they'll still agree."

"They should do," Harriet considered, "You've already adopted Mattie. I'm sure that they'll consider that favorably. And Bud and I will always be willing to speak for you."

"Thank you, Harriet," Mac hugged her friend with incredible relief. One really couldn't get any more loyal or supportive friends as Bud and Harriet Roberts.

"Thank you, Harriet," Harm thanked their friend, "What do you think our next step should be?"

"Well," pondered Harriet, "Let me get hold of Bud, then maybe we could set up some sort of meeting with Wendy and Alfred Moon."

Harm and Mac nodded in agreement, then the three of them went back into the living room, to check on Mattie and the children. She looked pretty happy, sitting between both children, each cuddled under one of her arms. She positively beamed, as she looked up at them.

"I think this is going to be great!" she pronounced, smiling.

OOOO

Harm watched his wife as Mac dressed, ready for their meeting with Wendy and Alfred Moon.

"Does this look okay?" she asked, eyeing the maroon sweater, which she had teamed with black slacks, "Or do you think I should go for the lilac sweater?"

Said item was laid across the bed, beside Harm. He looked at it appraisingly, but shook his head.

"The maroon looks great," he told her.

"The lilac would be more feminine, but I think the neckline might be a little low…"

"Mac, they're not going to judge us on what we wear…"

Mac shot him a glare.

"Okay, I know we have to make a good impression," Harm amended, "And I know that it's important to you to do so, but I really think that they're going to see you as the amazing, wonderful woman that I do, that Mattie does…Honestly, you have nothing to worry about on the appearance front. You look great."

Mac let out a sigh and bent down to drop a kiss on his lips.

"Sorry," she apologized, "I'm nervous, that's all. I know this is important to you, too. I just can't seem to be as calm as you are."

"I'm worried, too," Harm assured her, "But I'm guess I'm trying not to borrow trouble before we know anything for sure…"

They had both talked to the Moons already about applying to adopt the children and the aim of tonight was mainly so that Wendy and Alfred could find out a bit more about them. It was meant to be informal and relaxed, but truth be told, Harm and Mac still felt anything but.

They were cut off by a quiet knock on their door.

"Come in," Harm and Mac both replied.

Mattie came into the room, as dressed up and seemingly as nervous as Mac was.

"Hon?" Harm asked her, "Are you sure that you don't want to use your wheelchair tonight?"

Mattie shook her head vehemently 'no.'

"But what if you get tired?" Mac pointed out, "Besides, this is just dinner and everyone's going to be sitting down. Nobody will notice it."

"If it's just dinner, then I'm unlikely to get tired, am I?" Mattie snapped, but was immediately sorry, "I'm sorry…I'm just really nervous about this…"

"It's okay," Mac pulled her into a hug, "I am myself…I just did the same thing to your Father."

"I'm hoping it'll grow back before dinner," Harm joked as he indicated to his head.

Mattie and Mac gave him a look that said 'goofball!'

"Besides," Mattie explained her earlier actions, "It's not the chair itself. It's what it stands for. It indicates a weakness I have and I don't want to feel that way, tonight. I want to feel strong and in control. I'm nervous enough as it is, I don't want them to think; 'what's wrong with her?' I'll feel better this way."

"I'm sure they won't think anything like that," Mac told her, "Your Dad and I will make sure to tell them just how proud we are of you."

"I know you are," Mattie told her, "You guys are always telling me that and I'm sure it'll show, without you having to say anything. But do you mind if we just leave the wheelchair behind, for tonight? I could really do without it."

"Okay," Harm conceded, "How about this; we take the chair, but keep it in the trunk of the car? That way, if you start feeling tired, I can go and get it for you."

"But," Mattie stipulated, "if I do need it, (which I won't) you wait until after the Moons have left. I could just order some dessert and you and Mom could get coffee or something."

Harm looked to Mac, who nodded, then shook on the deal with Mattie.

"You drive a hard bargain, kiddo," Harm smiled, as he and Mac helped Mattie to her feet as they all gathered everything in preparation for leaving the house.

OOOO

"Are you nearly ready, Alfred?" camealilting voice.

"Nearly, dear," Alfred Moon told his wife, as he tied and adjusted the knot in his tie.

In their many years as husband and wife, Alfred had come to know that when his wife used his full name like this, he was either in trouble, or she was feeling her nerves.

"Sorry," he apologized, as he joined her in the living room, "I was just having some trouble with my tie. My fingers don't move the way they used to."

Wendy moved and adjusted his tie some more and Alfred knew not to take it personally, it was just that his wife was eager for them to make a good impression. There was nothing that was more important to her than their children.

"Is that the baby sitter?" Alfred asked, as they both noticed the slamming of a car door, outside.

"Must be," Wendy murmured as she took a step back to take in her husband's appearance.

Just a second later, the doorbell sounded, indicating that the sitter had indeed arrived.

Before she left to go answer the door, Wendy smiled at her husband appreciatively.

"You're a handsome man, Mr. Moon," she told him, "just as handsome as the day we met!"

With a little chuckle, Alfred went followed her, grabbing up his jacket off the couch.

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