Chapter 41

Bride Boutique

Near JAG Headquarters

Falls Church VA

1220 local

"Mac, it's gorgeous" Harriet was viewing Mac in her wedding dress. It would look better when she didn't have black pumps on. The dress was tea-length and the shoes weren't exactly the nicest pair she owned, they were Marine issue. It just happened that these shoes were the same height heel that she needed for the dress. Mac then told the sales attendant, a perky college student named Britta, she would get the dress; it needed only a minimum of altering since Mac was close to being perfect for her size. The dress would look better if taken in half an inch at the waist. Mac thought the dress was fine before the suggestions by Britta, when the attendant had shown her what difference it made she quickly agreed. Mac told her she would be getting the bridesmaid dresses ordered on Wednesday. She just needed the measurements from Chloe and Mattie, first.

After paying for the wedding dress Mac and Harriet went to Beltway Burgers for lunch.

With Harm's apartment all but packed, Mac invited Harm and Andy for supper Monday night. That night the couple discussed whom they wanted to invite. With the short time-frame before the wedding, it would likely preclude many people from attending. "Why don't you have a second reception, later, for those that can't come?" Andy commented off-handedly. "Mum had a friend from work that got married in Canberra, the bride and groom had two receptions, one at the time of the wedding, the other after their honeymoon and they had settled into their home."

"That's a great idea; we can have it Labor Day weekend." Mac said after thinking only a few seconds on the idea.

"You'll need to get invitations out, pronto," Andy commented. Harm and Mac had been working on who to invite, and Andy hadn't heard anything regarding invitations. His best friend in Tasmania had gone through the 'agony' of all the preparations for his older sisters wedding and he remembered the arguments over the style and color of invitations.

"I hadn't thought of that, whatever we choose, the printer needs to do them quickly or the wedding will have happened before they're sent out." Mac said, looking at Harm with a hint of panic.

"Tonight we need to decide what we want on it. Tomorrow during lunch, we'll go to that print shop that's near JAG. Coates said they're good about rush orders from JAG" and with a minimum of wrangling it was decided what they wanted to say and what colors they wanted to use.

The next day during lunch they went over to the print shop and ordered the invitations paying extra for a rush job. They decided on crème colored invitations with a marine green border. They had decided against embossing the print because of the time constraint. The print was in navy blue. The invitations read as follows.

Sarah Marie McKenzie and Harmon David Rabb

Request your presence at the Botanical Gardens

June eighteenth, two thousand and four

At nineteen thirty hours For you that are civilian that is seven thirty in the evening

When, at last, finally, they will unite in marriage.

The printer told them they would be available at noon on Thursday. There were people that Mac needed to phone as well as Harm, people with the short notice would not likely be able to attend. There were some that they both knew wouldn't be able to attend since they were deployed overseas.

Chapter 42

Tuesday

Harms apartment

North of Union Station

1730 local

"Mattie, this is Harm, How are you doing?" Harm listened to Mattie tell how the past few days had gone since his unexpected visit. Compared to the infrequent calls in the past months, she seemed much more at peace, knowing she would be in a friendlier environment shortly was helping her immensely. "We're fine here, things are busy here, and you know that Andy and I are moving on Saturday. We decided to wait until you are here to get anything. Mattie, the one thing I want to ask is what color you want for your room. Yellow? Okay, I'll check my email later. Listen, Mattie, Mac and I are getting married…June 18, I know that it's just after you come, we didn't want a long engagement. Mattie, Mac and I would like you to be a bridesmaid. Mattie I was wondering if you were interested in going to Australia with Andy in July?" Harm had to hold his phone away from his ear or he would have gone deaf." He wasn't sure which shriek was louder, about the wedding or about the trip. "I take it I need to make reservations?" "Mattie, when you send me the color you want for your room, can you send your measurements, Mac needs them for the dress, she wants you in a navy blue dress… I'll give you her number, it would probably be easier." He gave the teen Mac's phone number. "Talk to you soon, all right, next Tuesday night.

Mattie told Harm she'd send a short email with the color she wanted. Harm told her Andy would send her an email with what she needed for Australia. It seemed to Harm his son and soon-to- be daughter were on friendly terms. He hoped that they were still on friendly terms after their trip.

It was only a few minutes later when Mattie and Mac talked for only the third time. They talked for a short time when Mac was introduced to her after the disastrous custody hearing. They'd had a longer chance to talk on Saturday at the airport.

"Mac, this is Mattie Grace, Harm told me the good news. I'm so stoked. I'm honored to be a bridesmaid. Especially since you don't really know me. Is there anything I'm supposed to do? I've never been a bridesmaid before." Having a teenaged girl in the house was going to be interesting and the mixture of Rabb testosterone with McKenzie and Grace Femaleness would make for interesting times ahead even if the females in question weren't girly –girls.

Mac thought to herself, "Harm and Andy have no idea what they are in for.'

"Mattie, you're part of the family, why wouldn't you be my bridesmaid. You'll meet Chloe Madison, she's not much older than you and she's my 'little sister'. I'm sure Harm told you about her. She'll be my maid of honor, only because I've known her longer. Basically only family will be in the wedding."

"Why navy blue, because I want Chloe to wear the green—and Harm is Navy, therefore Navy. I need your measurements so I can order the dresses tomorrow. The dress I chose for both of you is tea-length, just like mine, except mine will have a lace overlay and its longer in the back. Since I know neither of you can com up with the money for the dresses on such short notice we're paying for the dresses, I think you'll be able to wear them for other events, the attendant at the boutique said several girls have come in there to get their prom dresses."

Mattie asked if Mac had ever been to Australia. Mac laughed, more than a little ruefully. "Yes, I have, Harm and I were there in 2000 for a case, and my former fiancé was Australian. It turns out to be a real small world because he's Andy's uncle."

"Bugme?"

"I see Harm told you about that." Mac said dryly.

"Yep, when Harm was working for me, one day he was working on the plane and the part was not moving he was muttering something about Bugme. I asked him about that, he said, for one thing I was too young to know all the details, but he did say that a former co-worker he had named Bugme and the airplane part was reminding of him. Crop dusters can be an odd breed so I didn't ask him anything more." Mattie laughed and Mac joined in, somehow it fit that Harm had enjoyed his short stint as a crop duster.

"Saturday I'm helping Harm and Andy move in and then we'll paint your room. We both think it will be better if you get to chose what you want in your room so when you get here we'll go shopping. It'll be a little bare the first few days. Bring as much as you want from your dads."

They talked awhile longer, about the wedding plans, and other things, Mattie hadn't had a mother figure in her life since her mother's death and so she discussed things woman to woman.

Chapter 43

Saturday

Harms new house

Falls Church

1330 local

They were finished bringing everything from Harm's loft and some of the larger items from Mac's apartment. It would be more than an few days before they were completely unpacked. With the exception of Mattie's room, none of the rooms were needing to be painted. Because Mac would be moving in shortly, it was a team effort deciding what would go where. Andy's room was somewhat bare, the furniture had arrived, finally, from Tasmania; he would get several items that he had left in Hobart in July. Other than a few smaller pieces that had been in Shannon's family for generations, the majority of the furniture he'd had shipped was for his bedroom.

The next week at work went smoothly, considering Harm's last day was on Friday. As the week progressed, his workload was lighter and lighter. Thursday and most of Friday he was doing work that was more an ensign, just out of law school. Harm would receive his transfer orders at the end of the workday on Friday. One advantage to the small office he'd had since his return was the ease of packing up. The admiral had told them to secure the office at 1600 and a combination farewell party, and wedding shower took place. There were few items that Mac and Harm needed since they were combining two apartments. The staff, however, had gone together and had a gift certificate for a barbeque, along with all the accoutrements one needs for a barbeque. Major Cueva, who was an excellent tailor, made an apron that had everyone laughing, especially Mac. It said, Kiss the Marine, cook! It had a couple of ships on it that were obviously to portray the Navy, but they looked more like something AJ Roberts would have in his bathtub. She found herself making more for the other marines in the building, minus the little boats.

Memorial Day weekend Harm, Mac and Andy spent mostly between getting things unpacked and at the dedication of the World War II veteran's memorial. It was especially poignant for Harm whose grandfather was among the thousands whom had perished in that war. Monday morning they left bright and early to go and see Mattie, who had another week and a half of school before she could leave. They were only able to be there for a few hours before returning to Falls Church, amidst the heavy traffic.

Chapter 44

Harm had to be at the White House bright and early, there were things he needed to do as it was his first day on his new job. The scandal with the prisoners had not made his new job any easier, he spent most of the first few days on the job dealing with that with high-level officials. His primary duties were to be a legal advisor, dealing with the various aspects of the law. He'd been briefed that his experience as a pilot would be called upon, he was the only military advisor who was still qualified as a pilot. He came home from work that first week exhausted. He hadn't been this tired at the end of the day since, he didn't know when. It was one thing to be in charge of someone else's life or several some else's life as a pilot or an attorney. Now he was giving advice and options that affected the country if not the world. And that was mind numbing to him.

When Trish realized just how busy her son and soon to be daughter in law were, she told them to leave most of the planning of both the rehearsal dinner and the reception to her. She'd helped her good friend with enough weddings to know what to do. She asked what they wanted and what their budget was and went from there. Both Harm and Mac were very glad she had offered to do this. This helped them keep their sanity as the wedding drew near. Frank was on a long business trip, one that Trish would have normally gone with him; instead, she came to stay with Harm and Andy. She used the guest bedroom. Frank would join the family on the sixteenth.

Washington DC

June 11, 2004

Friday

The day came when Mattie would legally join the Rabb family.

Because of the death of Ronald Reagan, the former president, Harm's schedule for the day was different; he was given the day off. It was a good thing it was a Friday since there would have almost no way Harm could take the time off to drive all the way to Blacksburg and back and still get any sleep. They would be getting into Blacksburg late in the day so the judge told them to call when they got into town, she would then tell them where to meet her.

Tom Johnson was able to spend one last day with his daughter; they had spent the morning together packing, and then watched the funeral on television, school had finished for the year the day before. It had been an emotional day for both father and daughter, Mattie realized her father wasn't the complete ogre she had made him out to be. The judge talked to her personally, telling Mattie her father wasn't abandoning her, but putting her needs first. Tom privately told his attorney and the judge he'd been diagnosed with cancer, and it was inoperable. His doctor told him he had between six months to two years to live. To him it was a relief that Mattie's guardianship was arranged before the diagnosis. He decided he would give her the summer free of the knowledge of his impending death before telling her and Harm and Mac the news, if he was failing quickly he'd told his attorney to let them know. He wanted to hear about Mattie's upcoming trip, he'd always wanted to travel but never had been able to.

Mac, Harm, Trish and Andy driven over to Harm's former apartment and parked the car. They'd then walked over to where they could see the presidential motorcade pass by. Mac and Harm were in uniform for this. They had the historic funeral on the radio while they went and changed into civilian clothing. They proceeded southwest to Blacksburg. Andy made himself useful and had sandwiches for a light supper. Just before they entered, the city limits of Blacksburg. Mac called the judge who told to meet her at the park at the city center. It was a nice early summer evening, technically still spring, and the judge had decided to have dinner in the park. When Harm called, she then phoned Montgomery, Tom Johnson's attorney who then phoned Tom Johnson.