Disclaimer: Not mine…just borrowing…
A/N: So this one's longer than the last, and my stress level has dropped significantly since my last update. Although I have to warn you that I have my first chemistry exam this upcoming Friday, so I won't be able to think clearly until after that's done, which sadly means no updates until next weekend at the earliest. In other words: sorry in advance. Happy reading!
Chapter 18:
It had been three weeks since Harm had driven Mac and the kids to say goodbye. The ride each way was virtually silent and even Nat was uncharacteristically quiet. When they reached the hotel, Mac wasted no time getting up to the room. It was like someone had turned her autopilot on fast forward.
"Do you want me to go with you?" he asked.
"Uh no," he eyes flitted nervously from their spot in the elevator bay to Mic's door a few yards away, 'You should probably stay here."
"I'll wait in the hallway," Harm said unwilling to let her out of his sight.
"Okay," she took Nat's hand, "Let's go, Mr. Man."
"I'll knock," Nat offered when his mother hesitated.
"Sarah," Mic opened the door in surprise and shot an angry look at Harm, who silent stood in the background.
"Hi Daddy!" Nat smiled, his confused thoughts from before replaced by the excitement of seeing his dad.
"Hey champ!" Mic picked him up, "Come on in."
"You coming Mummy?" Nat called from his dad's shoulder as he was carried into the hotel room.
"Yeah, sweetie," She followed them in with Talia in her arms, leaving Harm to watch from the doorway.
Harm had stood there and watched as Mic and Nat said their farewells. He had watched Mic kiss Talia goodbye and place a kiss on a stoic Mac's cheek. He had then watched as Mic, with a mixed look of relief and despair, had tried to hold back her tears. They got into the elevator in silenced and remained that way until Harm dropped them off at her house.
Over the next couple of days, Harm had checked in on Mac claiming that he just happened to be in the neighborhood. They both knew this was a lie, but neither he nor she would challenge it. Nat loved Harm's visits and Harm found himself looking forward to 'playtime' when he got home from work. It was not much, but it was nice.
He and Mac were getting along well too. She looked happier then when she first came back to the states and was once again laughing easily. The last two weekends, Mac had even invited him and Mattie over for dinner. In a way, they had started to date. Of course neither would admit that, and Harm didn't want to push the issue until he was sure Mac was comfortable.
Currently, he was driving to Mac's house for Talia's first birthday party. Harm had offered to drive Mattie and Jen, but they came up with some shopping they needed to do before the party claiming it was all girl stuff. He parked his car, grabbed a manila envelope, and got of the car, "Hello Chloe."
"Hey Harm," Chloe called, handing the cab driver her money, and attempted to balance her suitcase and present for her goddaughter.
"Let me," Harm offered taking the bag for her, "Are you done with school already?"
"Yeah, finished finals yesterday," she smiled.
"Mattie has another week."
"That sucks," she noticed the envelope in Harm's hand, "Don't tell me that's what you got Talia."
"Mattie brought the gift," he held up the envelope, "This is for Mac."
"What is it?"
"Divorce papers," he held open the front door for her.
"So Bugme's officially out of her life?"
"Judge signed them yesterday," Harm smiled, "Where do you want your bag?"
"Closet for now," Chloe swung open the door to the hall closet, "Thanks."
"No problem," Harm smiled when he saw Mac approach them with Talia, "Happy Birthday!"
"I think that means thank you," Mac laughed when Talia clapped her hands. She leaned in to hug Chloe, "Hey Sweetie."
"Hey," Chloe reached for Talia handing Mac the present in exchange, "How is my favorite goddaughter?"
"Chloe!" Nat shouted and raced to hug her.
"Hey buddy!" she ruffled his curls.
"What I don't even get a hello?" Harm teased.
"Nope!" he folded his arms and shook his head.
"Mr. Nat," Mac scolded gently.
"Unca Harm gets a G'day!" he broke out in a grin.
"Works for me. Come here kid," Harm ordered and Nat ran into his arms, "Did you get your sister anything for her birthday."
"Yeah," he nodded emphatically, "I got her Kwala."
"Kwala?" Harm shot Mac a confused look and she just laughed.
"Yeah, to play with Karoo."
"A stuffed Koala to play with her stuffed Kangaroo," Mac explained.
"Oh, good gift," Harm laughed and set Nat back down on the ground, "So, what have you been up to?"
"Playin' with A.J." he grabbed Harm's hand, "You come too!"
"I'll see you ladies later," Harm called as he was dragged away.
"What?" Mac asked Chloe who was staring at her intently.
"Nothing."
"Chloe."
"It's just that Nat really likes Harm," she began innocently, "So does Talia."
"I know. He's great with them."
"And so do you," Chloe whispered and Mac smiled in response, "You didn't correct me, you smiled!"
"Yes, I did."
"Do you know this means?" she asked excitedly, "You are getting closer to actually admitting your feelings."
"Mmhmm," Mac half smiled.
"Talia, do you have any idea how great this is?" Chloe looked down at the little girl, "Your Mommy might actually tell Uncle Harm the truth."
"Okay, Chloe, now I'm going to tell you to stop. Give me my daughter."
"But, what?" Chloe handed Mac Talia.
"Why don't you go find Mattie?"
"You sure? Because I can get that."
"Chloe, go," she smiled, "I'll get it."
"Whatever," Chloe shrugged as she went off in search of her friend.
"Hi A.J.," Mac greeted, not calling him 'sir' for the first time without prompting.
"Hey Mac," the admiral walked in, "Hello, birthday girl. This is for you."
"Thank you," Mac took the present he had for her daughter.
"How is the birthday girl's mother?"
"Better. Much better."
"Great party," Harm came up to Mac with a stack of empty paper plates. Harriet had been helping Mac with the clean-up, but he had agreed to take over so she could relax in the backyard with the other party guests.
"Thanks," Mac smiled as she began packaging the leftover cake, "You can put those in the bag by the hall, if you don't mind."
"Sure."
"Do you want any leftovers?"
"Nah," he grabbed the envelope he left in the close, "Mattie and Jen have enough sugar in their fridge."
"But not you, right?" she teased, "Mr. Health Nut."
"I'm not a health nut," he argued, returning to the kitchen.
"Whatever," she shrugged and noticed the envelope in his hands, "What's that?"
"It's for you," he handed it over.
"Harm?" she took the envelope and opened the clasp. She gasped slightly when she saw the contents: her divorce and custody papers signed by a judge, "I wasn't expecting these for another week."
"You had a good lawyer."
"I can't believe it's officially over," she looked down at the papers, "All of it. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"I mean it, Harm, not just for the legal stuff. For standing by me, being there for my kids, and supporting me in a way that no one else has before," she reached up to hug him and whispered, "Thank you."
"Like I said, you're welcome and…"
"Hey Mac," Chloe came in with Talia in her arms. At her entrance, Harm and Mac jumped apart, and Chloe smiled at the sight of their hug, "Nevermind."
"Chloe," Mac stared at her expectantly.
"Just a diaper change," she quickly made her way to the stairs, "I got it."
"You hate diapers," Mac reached over and took Talia, "I got it."
"Whatever," Chloe watched Mac go and smiled at Harm.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing," she answered quickly heading back outside.
"You look pensive," Chloe walked into the kitchen to find Mac sitting at the table and staring at her divorce papers. The party had ended a couple of hours ago and the kids were asleep.
"The judge signed the papers," Mac answered simply.
"I know."
"You know?"
"I know all," she smiled, sitting down opposite of Mac.
"I forgot," Mac teased.
"I'll forgive you, if you listen to my advice."
"What advice?" she asked skeptically.
"Get in your car, drive to Harm's, and talk to him."
"No."
"Yes."
"Chloe."
"Mac."
"It's late."
"What time is it?"
"2127."
"That's not late," Chloe countered, "Go."
"Fine."
"Fine?"
"That's what I said."
"I just wanted to make sure I was hearing things properly," she held back a grin, "So you're going?"
"Unless you talk me out of it."
"Go!" Chloe jumped up from her chair, "The kids and I'll be fine. You just go."
"All right," Mac grabbed her keys with a laugh and headed for the garage, "I'm going."
"Hoorah!" she grinned as she watched the car pull out. Once Mac was clearly on her way, Chloe raced to the phone, "Hey Mattie, it's Chloe. Whatever you do, do not go over to Harm's apartment tonight," she paused a beat, "Yup, she'll be there."
Pain – Thank you…I'm happy to please you!
Nix707 – Sure you had an updating gap, but you just finished a story so you're still far superior. Hehehe…I'd love to ramble longer, but I've got to get this done fast so I can go to Race for the Cure…ttyl!
Bookworm0485 – Okay, I'm being nice because Mac wants her kids to have a semi-healthy relationship with their father one day. She doesn't want them to hate him like she did with her father. As for sending him to jail…well I did banish him to Australia…does that count?
Prinnie – Thanks…I loved that line to? And for confusing Nat's gender…that's what school will do to me…hehehe!
Anacharlie – Ooo! I'm driving you into not sleeping…I like that I hold that power…muahahah!
Janlaw – Thanks for all of the info…I've just been skirting around the issue due to a lack of knowledge.
JamieAKAaclassyone – I'm just mean like that…and I did it again. Although I did have fun making Chloe interrupt what was going on so that she foiled her own plans…hehehe!
Kara – While I'll try to help you procrastinate if you help me be reviewing.
Tina Frank – Thanks...things are settling down into a rhythm, so I'm free to enjoy college again…last week was just chaotic to the extreme
Jaggurl – Hehehe…and now I'm leaving you with a cliffie of sorts…
MiDushiNoSushi – Mac was just dealing with the ending of one chapter of her life…but now she's going to start a new one…hehehe!
Starryeyes – THANKS!
Mxfan214 – I love Nat…have I mentioned that recently? Thanks!
KJFlygirl87 – Thank very very much!
TV Angel 711 – Hehehe…I feel like singing "Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead" or something, because even though that's not what happened it just seems to fit!3
Judy52sa - Mmm...romance...yup, that's where this is going!