Next Day
Patrick Henry
"Oh, for crying out loud, you'd think you were an inmate on death row. Will you stop with the pacing already!" Tuna called out from the top bunk, shaking his head at his cabinmate's impatience.
"Sorry, man. It's just that Mac should have arrived over an hour ago. I thought they'd have let us off this tub by now." Harm continued pacing restlessly, then suddenly stopped short. "You look way too patient. What happened to Gabriela?"
"She, Francesca, and Francesca's father and mother aren't arriving until tomorrow," Tuna replied rather glibly.
Now Mac's email made sense. She wasn't coming with the Admiral. He was coming to visit Francesca and her mother. Turning to begin another round of pacing, Harm looked back towards Tuna, "Did you say Francesca's mother?"
"Yeah, why?" Tuna sat up slightly.
"No reason. I just didn't know the Admiral and his ex-wife got along that well."
"I don't know that they do. Gabriela didn't come right out and say so, but I got the impression that this is going to be a surprise to both of them." Tuna leaned back in his bunk again.
Standing frozen in place, Harm rolled his eyes. All he could hope was that he and Mac could stay out of the line of fire.
Grand Hotel Cocumella
Naples Italy
Later that afternoon
Harm had made his way to the hotel Francesca had recommended with the impatience of a schoolboy on his way to his first major league ball game. Even though he and Mac had been married for over a year, his heart skipped a beat when the concierge handed him the key and announced, "Your wife has already checked in."
He had expected to be stateside to celebrate their first anniversary but the delay in the Seahawk's retrofit had put an end to that idea. Hopefully, these few days would make up for having missed the actual date.
Eagerly sliding the keycard into the door, Harm entered the room, immediately scanning for signs of his wife. Closing the door behind him, and dropping his bag on the floor, he glanced at the empty bed before noticing the sound of running water. A sly grin crept across his face.
Having left his clothes in a puddle by the bathroom door, Harm slipped inside to find the room filled with steam. Momentarily frozen in place, a rush of desire pulsed through him as he watched Mac slowly lather her body. Through the clear shower curtain he could follow every movement of her curvaceous form provocatively calling to him.
Silently stepping closer, Harm was about to ask to join her when she turned around, tilting her head back under the powerful spray of water. The motion of her hands running through her hair, rinsing out the unwanted shampoo, caused her breasts to rise and fall in the most mesmerizingly sensuous vision he'd ever seen.
Harm hadn't realized he'd gasped loudly at the sight of his luscious wife until Mac jumped with a start at the sound. Seeing a large grin slide across her face at the recognition of his presence, he pushed the curtain aside and stepped in. "Need someone to wash your back?"
Thoughts of all the times he had dreamt of seeing Mac step out of his bath flashed through his mind. None of them compared to the reality of sharing a shower with his wife.
Somehow, getting clean was no longer an issue. The two lingered in the intimate closeness, unwilling to leave their new lover's haven even for food.
Ordering room service, they enjoyed a quiet dinner on the balcony overlooking the Bay of Naples before curling into each other's arms again, and again.
"Do you think anyone would care if we never left our room?" Harm asked, squinting at the morning light rudely invading their private world.
"If you miss movement, someone will." Mac buried herself deeper into Harm's shoulder.
"Okay, then. What if we stay in bed until the ship leaves?" Harm placed a feather light kiss across her temple.
"Works for me. What about the Admiral? He's expecting us to join him for dinner. He should by arriving sometime today."
"And Marcella," Harm sighed.
"And who?"
"Marcella, the Admiral's ex-wife. Apparently since his breakup with Sidney, Francesca has taken it upon herself to play matchmaker."
"Does she have a death wish?" Mac sat up.
"I've considered that possibility. Incredible stupidity was the other option." Harm smiled, pulling Mac back down. "I suspect if we hide in here long enough, we could miss the fireworks."
"I suppose we could make our own fireworks." Mac reached up playfully, nibbling on Harm's chin.
"Mmn," Harm moaned, as the two sank back under the covers.
By 1900 hours they had thought they would successfully be able to remain hidden from the rest of the world another day, and then the phone rang loudly.
"Rabb," Harm mumbled.
"Don't tell me I'm waking you up at this hour?" Francesca's voice came through the line.
"Just relaxing," Harm smiled knowingly.
"Good. Then you and your wife can join Papa and me for dinner. Meet you in the lobby in one hour. Is that enough time for the two of you to find your clothes?" Francesca laughed playfully.
"Never mind. One hour, in the lobby." Harm hung up the receiver, and turned towards Mac. "Well, she didn't mention her mother, so maybe we worried over nothing."
"What did she say?"
"For us to join her and her Papa for dinner. We're meeting in the lobby in an hour."
Hotel Lobby
One hour later
Hand in hand, Harm and Mac stepped out of the elevator and around the corner when Mac stopped suddenly in front of Harm.
"Look," she whispered softly in his direction.
"What?" Harm asked, almost falling over her when she stopped short.
"I see the Admiral and Francesca, but look at the woman who just walked up to them. The Admiral doesn't look too pleased." Mac stepped back behind a rather large potted palm, dragging Harm beside her.
"MAC…This isn't a Peter Sellers movie." Harm was none too happy to be hiding from the Admiral.
"Will you just look?"
Glancing in the Admiral's direction, Harm nodded his head. "That's Marcella, alright. Oh, dear. You're right, the Admiral doesn't look happy. Look at the way his shoulders just stiffened. Do you think Francesca is aware that he can kill a man, or woman, eighteen ways with his bare hands?"
"Haaaarm."
"I know, but we can't stand here all night."
"Wait, they're shaking hands. That woman has a beautiful smile. Francesca gets hers honestly."
Harm looked down at the top of his wife's head. There was no way he was touching that comment with a ten foot pole.
"Is that a smile? Can you see if the Admiral is smiling?" Mac looked up at Harm.
"No, but Francesca is grinning from ear to ear and it looks like AJ's not standing so stiffly anymore."
"The Admiral is looking at his watch. How much you want to bet he's wondering where we are?" Mac cursed her perfect sense of time. They'd been standing behind this tree for almost ten minutes, making them seven minutes late.
"Hey, it looks like they're going to sit down and wait for us." Harm watched as the three people shifted around near the sofa and chairs.
"Is that my imagination or did the Admiral just choose to sit next to his ex instead of in the empty chair across the way?" Mac looked up at Harm again, her eyebrows high in surprise.
"Not your imagination. I guess Francesca knew what she was doing. Shall we join them or are you developing a fondness for palms?"
Tugging his hand, Mac smacked him lightly in the arm before making her way to the Admiral.
"There you are," AJ announced, standing up to greet them. "I was beginning to wonder if we were going to have to have dinner without you."
"Sorry, we were…" Harm started.
"Held up a moment," Mac interrupted.
"I forgot to ask. Are Tuna and Gabriela joining us?" Harm looked at Francesca, as Marcella mouthed curiously at AJ, 'Tuna?'
"They have decided to stay in their room this evening and 'relax,' Francesca smirked suggestively.
Turning the appropriate shades of red, Harm and Mac followed Francesca to the dining room, surprised to see the Admiral offer Marcella his arm. All in all, this could prove to be a very interesting few days.
Chapter 11
April 2001
JAG HQ
The ship finally returned to port in February, the squadron having flown the birds home a few days early. Harm and Mac immediately fell into a familiar routine, as though Harm had never been gone. Harm would report to work daily at Pax River and Mac would make the same old trek into DC. Once they were home again, their time was their own and usually spent together. Often military wives talked about the difficult adjustment period when their husbands first returned home, and yet, with her and Harm, they slipped into their roles like a hand in a glove. Maybe if things had really gone this way instead of being just a dream, it wouldn't have been so easy for them, but in her heart Mac knew this was exactly how it would have been for them.
It wasn't that long after he'd been home when Harm's orders for his next tour came in. Starting in June, he was to attend the Naval War College in Newport Rhode Island. At least he'd be closer there than out in the middle of the Mediterranean. Considering the honor it was to attend, it appeared his rather unique career path hadn't hurt him as much as had been predicted when he first left JAG and returned to the fleet.
Mac was continuously flabbergasted that she hadn't woken up yet from this incredible dream. Surely she needed to wake up, to go to work, something. For someone who hardly needed any sleep, this dream was probably the cause of the longest night's sleep she'd ever have.
Fully engrossed in the wonderful changes in her life, Mac hardly ever saw her older self anymore. She wondered what it was she was supposed to learn from this. It was too late, she couldn't really go back in time and change it all, but she could change how she dealt with Harm. Maybe it was time for her to make a move as she'd done that day that she'd called for Harm to stop at the elevator. Maybe it was time she stopped dancing as well.
Mac looked up from her reverie as Admiral Chegwidden tapped lightly on her door.
"Yes, sir?" Mac stood up.
"Sit down, Mac. This isn't business." AJ took the seat across from her.
"As you know, Marcella has been visiting for the last few weeks, and she suggested that it might be good for morale if I were to have a small gathering to celebrate Brumby's and Commander Imes' engagement, " AJ sighed before continuing. "I'm not convinced it would be appropriate for me to do so, though I would be more than willing to volunteer the use of my home."
Recognizing a fishing expedition when she saw one, Mac smiled. "I would be honored to throw Carolyn and Mic an engagement party at your home. With your permission, sir."
"Thank you, Colonel. Marcella is chomping at the bit to throw a party, and has gladly offered to do most of the work. If you would just see to it that this doesn't outdo any events given for Charles and Diana, I'd be grateful." Standing up, AJ nodded thankfully at Mac, and took his leave. He was never comfortable with discussing personal matters at work.
May 12, 2001
Admiral Chegwidden's
home
The date hadn't escaped Mac's notice. This was the same day as her and Mic's engagement party in the real world. This dream was definitely not short on ironies. She wouldn't object to having a chance to say a word or two to her elusive older self. Of course, it wouldn't do any good for her to bicker with her own imagination, now would it?
"You okay?" Harm asked as they walked up to the Admiral's porch.
"Yeah, just thinking about the tricks life plays on you." Mac attempted to reassure Harm with a soft smile.
"Colonel, Commander." AJ opened the door.
"Sorry we're late, sir," Mac began to explain.
"No, need, Colonel. Marcella and Tiner have everything in order."
Smiling thankfully at the Admiral, Mac almost fell over when she spotted Marcella standing across the room chatting with Gunny, and …NO…it couldn't be. Gravitating helplessly in Gunny's direction, Mac dragged Harm along side her.
"Ah, Colonel," Marcella called out watching the couple approach.
"Everything is perfect. You've done a wonderful job." Mac's heart began racing a beat faster as the other woman talking to Marcella turned around fully.
"You know the Gunny." Looking at Harm, Marcella waved towards Gunny Galindez.
"Evening, sir."
"Good to see you, Gunny." Harm extended his hand.
"I don't believe you've met my girlfriend. Commander and Colonel Rabb…" Gunny turned to the woman standing between him and Marcella, "Renee Peterson. She's a director."
Mac tried desperately not to let her jaw drop, but she wasn't sure if she was at all successful. Mindlessly, she extended her hand to the blonde woman. "Nice to meet you."
Harm mumbled similar greetings, eyeing the woman curiously. "A director? Must be very interesting work."
"Mostly just commercials," Rene smiled broadly, through the layers of lip gloss.
"That's how we met. During the recruitment commercial," Gunny offered.
"If he had been Navy instead of a Marine, he would have been the perfect lead. You wouldn't have been so bad to work with either, Commander." Renee smiled, a little too playfully.
"I didn't realize you'd been dating that long," Mac let slip, not missing the obvious glare Renee shot Gunny's way. Obviously Mac wasn't the first to point out that tidbit of information to the Gunny
"Yes, ma'am," he smiled.
"If you'll excuse us, I think we need to find the guests of honor." Taking a firm hold of Harm's arm, Mac very possessively turned in the opposite direction.
"Did I miss something back there?" Harm inquired curiously.
"No." Mac headed for the front door, needing a little fresh air about now.
Harm followed her out onto the Admiral's porch, curious about the change that had suddenly overcome his wife.
"You look upset." Harm set his arms behind him, leaning on the rail.
"I'm not. She was just flirting with you and it made me a little uncomfortable."
"I wouldn't exactly call that flirting, and if you ask me she looks pretty attached to Gunny. Or at least she's trying to be," Harm chuckled lightly. "Besides, she's not my type."
"Oh, really?" Now this Mac could find amusing.
"No, she's not."
"Why not?" Mac pressed.
"Well, for one thing, I'm partial to brunettes." Harm wiggled a brow at her playfully. "I'm also fond of the natural look. That woman has on enough makeup to cover half the state. Not to mention, since when are ruffles in fashion? She looks like Marie Antoinette with those sleeves." He paused a moment to look at Renee through the window. "I wouldn't have pictured Gunny with someone like that either. She seems so…shallow."
Mac smiled to herself. Maybe this was her dream, but it proved her right just the same. Rene should never have happened.
Tiner and Marcella had done a splendid job. With a few minor exceptions, although Mac wasn't sure Renee's unexpected presence could be considered minor, the majority of tonight's engagement passed similarly to hers and Mic's. Wisely, Marcella had eliminated meatballs from the menu. Even though Bud had spent the entire evening without a tie thanks to Little AJ's peanut butter, at least he hadn't had to wear an apron most of the evening.
Without meaning to, Harm and Mac had once again spent a great deal of time talking privately on the porch. This time, however, the conversation had taken a decidedly more intimate tone. Where before they had been walking away from each other, tonight they stood close together. Where they had previously talked of the times they didn't connect, tonight they lingered on the sweetness of the times they had shared. When Tiner came to get them for the toast, he stuttered awkwardly at interrupting the passionate kiss.
Standing next to Harm, their hands entwined tightly together, Mac marveled at how a simple gesture by a closing elevator door could reap such change in the lives of so many.
Chapter 12
Rabb home
0200 hours
Following week
As Ops Officer, Harm was supervising night training again and wouldn't be home for hours. As a matter of fact, it was very likely he'd be home just around the time Mac would be leaving for the office. It was happening more often lately, but just seeing him, even if only for a few minutes was enough to brighten her days.
Mac had been having a hard time sleeping without him. It happened every time he deployed too, but her sleep wasn't usually affected by his night flying. Tossing over, and banging the pillow mercilessly, she couldn't help but wonder if the restlessness simply meant she would be waking up soon. It had been some time since her older self had appeared to nudge her in the right direction. Mac couldn't help but think that might mean it would soon be time for this wonderful dream to end. Perhaps she was already teetering in that semi conscious, pre-awakening state between dream and reality. Of course, she could also blame it on that horrible new Chinese restaurant they'd ordered lunch from yesterday. Even though Bud had insisted it was the most delicious meal he'd ever eaten, Mac had used every ounce of her marine control not to hurl at the first bite.
Closing her eyes once more, she forced herself to think of pleasant things: making love with the sounds of the ocean rushing ashore, dining on a moonlit patio, sleeping in with the smell of bacon frying. Bacon frying? Rolling over, Mac took a whiff. It wasn't a dream, she smelled bacon. Sitting up, Mac grabbed her robe and followed the tasty scent.
"Morning, beautiful." Harm grinned at his sleepy wife.
"Bacon?"
"And a cheese and mushroom omelet, with toast, and fresh orange juice."
"Wow. What did I do to deserve this?" Mac stole a piece of bacon from the plate.
"Well, I didn't want you to oversleep again, like yesterday. I thought this would be nicer than a blaring alarm clock."
"You got that one right." Mac couldn't believe she had overslept yesterday morning. She never overslept, no matter how bad a night's sleep she'd had. Taking a seat at the table, she watched Harm flipping the eggs. When the time came, he was going to have to teach their children how to cook.
JAG HQ
0745
"Morning, ma'am. Bright and early today." Bud met Mac in the hall, walking with her to the break room. Reaching the coffeepot before her, he turned in time to notice her stopping short at the break room door. "Coffee's almost ready. I think Tiner's trying to make up for the lunch yesterday. It smells like it's marine grade." He waved the fresh pot out for Mac to smell.
"Thanks, Bud. I think I'll skip coffee this morning." With the speed of light, Mac had turned on her heel and made a beeline for the ladies room. Taking a deep breath before swallowing hard, she decided she was really going to have to stay away from that new restaurant. Her stomach was still feeling the consequences.
What Mac hadn't noticed in her hasty escape was the odd expression on Bud's face as he held the coffeepot up in midair. Deciding it might be better to skip coffee himself, he turned to the fridge and pulled a banana out of his lunch.
Once back in her office, Mac could see Bud conferring secretively with his wife. Her curiosity piqued, she was about to stand up and make sure everything was all right when Bud knocked softly at her door.
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
"Come in, Bud." Mac's concern heightened when Bud closed the door behind him. "Is everything okay?"
"Actually, I was about to ask you the same question."
"Excuse me?"
"Well." Setting the banana on the desk, Bud looked unsure of where to begin. "I thought this might make you feel better. A banana first thing in the morning would help settle Harriet's stomach. Of course, the smell of coffee always got to her anyway, though I don't think Chinese food was a problem. Now if she got within a hundred feet of Greek food, it was a lost cause. Most people love the smell of baklava, not Harriet…" Bud rambled.
"Bud…"
"Sorry, ma'am. It's just that you mentioned you were late to work yesterday because you overslept, and everyone else in the office thought the new Chinese restaurant was wonderful, except you. Now this morning, you turned your nose up at the smell of strong coffee, and my guess is you didn't run to the ladies room to use the head. Ma'am," he added respectfully.
"And your point, Bud?"
"Well, ma'am, Harriet and I think you're pregnant."
"Harriet and you?"
"Well, mostly me, but Harriet agrees the symptoms do fit." Bud sat back, hoping he hadn't just ticked off a superior officer. "The banana will help settle your stomach."
Reaching for the banana, Mac looked as if she'd never seen one before. In almost slow motion, she glanced up at Bud, "Thank you. I…I hadn't considered that possibility."
December 23, 2001
JAG HQ
Bud had been right. She was indeed pregnant, less than one month, but far enough along for the early signs of morning sickness to have set in. Within a few days she was in full morning upheaval and loving every minute of it. Although she would have preferred a dream without morning sickness, in an odd sort of way, she absolutely loved all it implied.
Harm, on the other hand, reacted as though she was suffering from some life-threatening malady. From the moment she'd told him the good news, he hovered over her incessantly. The slightest sign of nausea, or tiredness, and he fawned like a mother hen. Originally she had thought having Harm away at NWC was going to be challenging. As it turned out, having him only able to come home on breaks or long weekends gave her much-needed room to move onto the next stages of pregnancy without being smothered by Harm's overprotective streak. The fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving had all been interesting adventures in impending parenthood. Just the thought of him stuffing pillows under her already raised feet brought a smile to her face. Who would have known?
"Colonel," Petty Officer Jennifer Coates spoke.
"Mm?" Mac had allowed her mind to wander while waiting for Judge Helfman.
"I asked, do you really think you can get me out? Of the Navy, I mean."
"If that's what you want." This was going to be a challenge for Mac. She had no way of knowing if she'd be able to have the same influence on the young Petty Officer as Harm had had in the real world. She was having a hard time convincing herself that things didn't really matter. This dream had gone on for so long, and every minute detail felt so real. She couldn't help but worry about Jennifer's future.
Within a few minutes, all had transpired once again as it had years ago in the real world. Jennifer was remanded to her attorney's custody. Being eight months pregnant, Mac was in no mood to go schlepping through everything Harm had. With a quick phone call to the Restricted Barracks at Anacostia, she was able to discover that there would be no place for Jen at the inn. Now she just had to decide if she should try the Reverend Coates, or if somehow her pregnant form would induce a more human reaction from the man than Harm had received.
No, it wasn't a chance she was willing to take.
"It looks like we have a small problem, Petty Officer. Do you have any family that you would like to spend the holiday with? Someone trustworthy?"
"I have a brother," Jen suggested.
"I see." Mac flipped open Jen's file. "And his name would be?" She could see Jen deflate at the realization that Mac wouldn't be that easy to snow.
"Now that I think about it, I believe he was going to be out of town. No, ma'am. There's no one."
Mac's heart tightened at the sound of Jen's saddened voice, 'No one'.
"Then Petty Officer, it looks like you're stuck with me." Holding back the small sigh of relief, Mac waddled ahead of Jennifer, praying that all went well.