Authors notes at end of story

Epilogue

June 1, 2005

Rabb home,

Falls Church, VA

0900 local

Mac had finished eating breakfast, the twins were down for their morning nap and she had a lot to accomplish before noon. Two weeks earlier she'd found out she was pregnant. It was a nice mother's day gift because they hadn't been trying. It meant she'd have three children under the age of two. Without a minute's reservation, she decided she would resign her commission and go into the reserves. She'd been thinking about it for several months, there were little things she was missing out on in her children's lives and decided that was more important to her at this time in her life. This was even though at the end of her maternity leave, she'd been a judge. It keep her in town for the most part, she'd only had to preside over a trial out of the DC area on two occasions. Both of those had been in Florida. This pregnancy would be different, she could tell already, as she was constantly nauseous. The phone rang, and she quickly answered it, not wanting to wake her children.

"Hi, hon. it's Harm," as if it would be anyone else. There was a sense of shock in his voice, even though he knew it was coming. "I just got my orders. I'm to report to Bremerton July 1st. I will be coordinating with the Pentagon, doing what I already do except now I'm to cover all the west coast bases. I'll have to travel, down to San Diego and to Hawaii, but I'll be stationed at Bremerton." He was looking forward to his own command, even if it were a little out of the ordinary command position within the Navy.

"That's great, Harm, I was beginning to think they'd forgotten you." Mac laughed joyfully. Harm's time at the Pentagon had been scheduled for one year, he had not been notified what he'd be doing or where he'd be stationed until earlier that morning.

Harm knew it would be a matter of time, that the detailers had been very busy with the return of so many from Iraq, and he'd bided his time, not saying anything yet.

In truth, Mac was disappointed they weren't moving to San Diego, where Trish and Frank lived, but it would make it easier to visit Andy at Stanford. He'd be a short flight away, taking almost longer to ride the ferry from Seattle as it would to fly from San Francisco. Mattie would stay on the east coast as she'd been accepted at Annapolis. She'd had a close call with death in early spring when, during her flying lesson, the instructor had had a fatal heart attack. She'd been able to get the plane down safely, it was determined the instructor had died instantly. She'd been on the list of nominees and when the news broke that a student pilot, who had designs on attending the Naval Academy, had been able to bring the plane down safely, the admitting committee had agreed she had the right stuff. The Roberts and Admiral Chegwidden would keep an eye on her.

Chapter 74

January 1, 2006

Swedish Hospital, Seattle, WA

1200 local

With her pregnancy considered high risk Mac's obstetrician had her registered at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. It had meant a ferry ride from their house in Silverdale, but the doctor had insisted. It was a few weeks before the baby was due. Harm and Mac both decided to spend New Years Eve in Seattle. It was a wise decision as Mac had gone into labor on the ferry. Harm cancelled their reservations and called the doctor. After checking Mac the doctor admitted her, she was indeed in labor and was well on her way to giving birth by the time Harm had been able to get hold of family members.

At the stroke of midnight, little Amelia Sara Rabb was born, she was larger than Tasia and Liam had been, over a year and a half earlier, but she'd had the womb to herself. As the years passed, she would pass her sister in height, Tasia had been 'blessed' with Deanne McKenzie's height, Mia with the Rabb height and by kindergarten would be taller than Tasia. Harm and Mac thought the combination of his brains her looks or her brains his looks were winners on all three.

Chapter 75

In the future

Mia would be the last born of the Rabb children, but not the last they'd raise. When Meg and her husband were killed Harm and Mac were given custody of Alec Austin Ryan who was a little older than the twins. The three Rabb children and one Ryan- Rabb grew up in the Silverdale Washington area, (near Bremerton Naval Shipyard) Harm decided when his twenty-five years were up to leave the Navy. He'd been offered a job he couldn't refuse, with a non profit working with disadvantaged, and abused children. Mac had become acquainted with the organization through their neighbors, and steered her husband towards the administration of the organization. Harm had become increasingly dissatisfied with the political nature of his job and when presented with the opportunity he'd gladly retired. When the children reached school age Mac returned to active duty as a judge. She'd been asked a few times over the years to handle cases, and depending on the situation, she'd taken the case. A few years later, as the foundation grew, Mac retired from the service, she also had her twenty five in. and became legal advisor, Harm's job had grown to the point he could no longer do that and be president of the Dar-Lin Children's Foundation.

Andy went on to graduate from Stanford, and go into business with his future father in law. He married Stacy Douglas a year after graduation from Stanford. He'd graduated with a major in business administration. The wood working hobby had turned out to be a profitable enterprise. He eventually gave his father three grandchildren, the middle child named after Harm, and went by Trey, the other boy was named Michael Douglas, he went by Mic as he was named after Mic, who'd died in a freak accident before Mic's birth. His oldest, Shannon Patrice, had died shortly after birth, because of numerous health problems.

Mattie went on to one day become Rear Admiral Mattie Rabb-Pendry. She met Josh at the academy and after a long engagement, they'd married. They were only able to have one child, a boy they named Lucas Harmon.

In 2009, Sergei and his family moved to the States. There was finally incontrovertible proof Sergei Zhukov was indeed Harmon Rabb, Senior's son. They moved to the San Diego area, where Frank had arranged a job. He and Galena eventually had six children, both had grown up without siblings, the Rabb and the Zhukov cousins were able to spend many summers together.

July 22, 2044

Navy Retirement Village

LaJolla, California

0555 local

Mac woke up, early as she always did. She wanted to get her daily walk in before the heat. Something was amiss, she looked over at her husband of just over fifty years who was sleeping peacefully. On closer look, she noticed he wasn't breathing. She felt for a pulse, but was not surprised to find there was not one, he'd felt cold to her touch. Harmon David Rabb, Junior had died in his sleep.

"We had a good life, hon, that we did." she said crying softly before pushing the button on the dresser. A few seconds later a voice, and a very young, in her twenties, woman appeared on the small screen on the dresser.

"What is the nature of the emergency?"

"My husband passed away during the night"

"I'm sorry for your loss, ma'am, I will contact the necessary people." Mac had several minutes with Harm by herself to say her goodbyes before the medical authorities came and verified that he had indeed passed away. By days end Mattie, Tasia, Liam and Mia with their families were at the house. Andy had preceded his father in death, hit by a drunk driver at the age of fifty- two. Stacy had remarried, but she came and her children and grandchildren came to be with Mac. Sergei, who lived several minutes away had been the first to arrive, and was able to say goodbye to his brother personally.

The funeral was well attended considering the fact Harm was in his nineties when he died. Mac requested that, in lieu of flowers, people plant a rose bush in his honor. "We met in a rose garden," was her answer why?

A few weeks later, when Mac felt strong enough to go through Harm's papers, she found a letter Harm had written to her years before, but had never given to her. She read the letter crying, he'd ended the letter with:

I love you Sarah, I have from the moment I lay my shocked eyes on you. You gave me what I needed, and though our roses had thorns at times you gave me a second chance at love.

THE END.

I have enjoyed writing this story, and have appreciated the lovely comments in the reviews. It motivates me to write more, this time it won't take over two years to complete. Reviews and critiques of my work are appreciated.

Karen