Much to her relief, things appeared to be going well. Chloe and Jen spent the balance of the day baking Christmas cookies with Harm while Mac listened to the laughter, enjoying the free time with her feet up on the sofa.
As tired as she was in her eighth month, Mac wouldn't complain if this dream lasted forever. Turning her head towards the laughter coming from the kitchen, she hesitated a minute to really appreciate all that was going on around her. She wondered if her mind and fate would allow the dream to continue long enough for her to have the privilege of meeting and holding her newborn baby, a reality that would never be in her endometriosis-riddled real world.
Chloe's dad had picked her up early the next day, giving Mac the chance to visit one-on-one with Jen, as she had done in her previous life.
"I would have thought you and the Commander had picture perfect childhoods. Is his brother really in a Chechen prison camp?"
"As far as we know." Mac took a sip of her tea.
"All I've ever wanted was a good job, a good man, maybe a couple of kids. Two out of three would be okay."
"That makes you just like the rest of us."
"Yeah, but you've got the good man, the career, and now a baby on the way."
"You could have the good career if you stay in the Navy. Your evals are all good. There's a future there. You're still young. There's plenty of time to meet that good man, then the kids will come," Mac smiled. Now all she had to wait for was how tonight turned out. With the Corvette tucked safely away in the garage, not nearly as far along in the restoration as Sturgis and Harm had progressed in her world, she had no idea what was to come.
That night at the Roberts', Mac waited nervously for Singer's shrill voice to begin screaming accusations when it suddenly dawned on her that a pre-emptive strike might be in order. Paying close attention to when Lauren made her way to the rest room, Mac searched out little AJ. "And how is Aunt Mac's favorite boy tonight?"
Making every effort to keep the young boy entertained with a new storybook, Mac let out a sigh of relief when she saw Lauren rush back into the bathroom, emerging with a satisfied look on her face, fastening the gaudy bauble to her wrist.
By one o'clock that morning, Mac was dozing soundly on the sofa waiting for Harm to return from his annual visit to the wall. While he had wanted her to come along, she had been beyond too tired to make the trek out.
In her semi-conscious state, she thought she could hear male voices.
"Evening, sir." Jen rushed to the front door when she heard Harm coming home, raising her finger to her lips to indicate a need for quiet. "The Colonel fell asleep on the sofa watching 'It's A Wonderful Life'," she whispered.
"Thanks, Jennifer. I'd like you to meet my brother. Sergeant Sergei Zhukov, Petty Officer Jennifer Coates." Harm turned to hang his coat on the hook, oblivious to the two people momentarily frozen in place.
"Nice to meet you," Jennifer finally offered her hand.
"The pleasure is all mine, fair lady."
This time Harm noticed something different, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. "Let me take your coat, and we can let Mac know you're here." Harm reached out for Sergei's coat, wondering why the man hadn't taken it off yet.
"I don't know that I want to wake the Colonel if she is sleeping. I'm sure she is need of her rest." Sergei handed Harm his coat without taking his eyes off of Jen.
Okay. Harm didn't need to be hit over the head with a sledgehammer. Now he got it. Taking a deep breath, he supposed there could be worse things in life than his brother falling for a prison inmate.
"I don't think Mac would forgive me if I didn't tell her you were here. We've all been very worried about you. And if you're going to be staying with us, you're going to have to call your sister-in-law something other than Colonel."
"I thought I heard voices." Mac appeared in the entryway.
"Hey, gorgeous." Gladly ignoring the two lovestruck puppies by the door, Harm took two long strides towards his wife. Gently patting his hand on her pronounced tummy, he pulled her into his arms for a proper hello kiss.
"Now that's worth waking up for," Mac grinned happily.
"Do they do this public display often?" Sergei asked quietly.
"Pretty much, yeah. I think it's kind of sweet how much they love each other." Jen watched Harm and Mac a few seconds before following their lead into the other room.
Over the next few days, Mac watched the interaction between Sergei and Jen with keen interest. Jen had spent the better part of Christmas day indoctrinating him with old movies, using every opportunity to teach him American slang. As the day progressed, they'd slowly begun sitting closer and closer until by bedtime, Jen had fallen asleep with her head on Sergei's shoulder.
Despite the compelling argument Mac made for Jen's new attitude, she was still given token brig time. Jen was grateful, nonetheless. She knew that the penalty could have been much worse. Her only regret was that her time with Sergei was about to end. It hadn't occurred to her that she could become so attached to someone in such a short span of time. The night before, when they had sat out on the back porch watching the stars, Sergei had promised to visit her if it was allowed. Then with an incredible tenderness, he asked permission to kiss her goodnight.
Stepping up to the bailiff, Mac turned her back to the gallery. "Maybe, once the courtroom has cleared, we could let them have a minute to say goodbye?"
"That would be against regs, ma'am." The tall sailor glanced down to see Mac slowly rubbing circles on her large tummy, a very non Marine-like expression of empathy on her face. "Well, maybe a minute wouldn't hurt," he smiled.
Things slowly returned to normal after the holidays. When Harm returned to NWC in January, Mac discovered it was a nice help having Sergei around. Apparently cooking skills ran on the Rabb side of the family. Not a single night went by where Sergei didn't have a delicious dinner ready for Mac when she got home. If she hadn't been so tired all the time, being permanently pregnant could have had its perks.
Harm, on the other hand, was getting more and more anxious as Mac drew closer to her due date. If Sergei weren't home to keep an eye on her, Mac was convinced Harm would have gone completely off the deep end.
When Mac's water broke at three o'clock in the morning, she thanked God she'd gotten at least a few good hours sleep, and carefully walked over to Sergei's room. Not meaning to startle him, Mac was taken slightly by surprise when he sprang out of bed with the speed of light. He would have made a great Marine. It wasn't smart to wake a sleeping Marine either.
Though Mac would have preferred waiting to call Harm until it was closer to the departure time of the next flight out of Providence, Sergei wasn't interested in facing the wrath of Harm if he didn't phone his brother immediately and insisted Mac not wait to inform Harm. Six hours and forty seven minutes later, Harm was finally at her side in the hospital.
Sergei paced patiently in the waiting room. He'd dutifully stayed at Mac's side until Harm had arrived. By the time lunchtime came around, the contractions were stronger and closer together, and Sergei found it much easier to pace silently, and away from Mac's painful grimaces. He'd always had a healthy respect for mothers, but after spending the last few hours with his sister-in-law, it was even stronger.
Around 1630, the first wave of JAG personnel began to arrive. Sturgis had managed to secure early and rode into town with the Admiral. Half an hour later, Mic Brumby arrived with a stuffed bear the size of the waiting room. Another hour passed by before Bud, Harriet, and Carolyn came rushing down the hall.
"Any word yet?" Harriet asked impatiently.
"She's progressing nicely," AJ barked.
"I see," Harriet sighed. "What time did she go into labor again?" She knew it had been the middle of the night, but somehow it seemed like this was taking too long.
"Three o'clock," Sergei offered, looking up at the clock on the wall. "Fifteen hours and ten minutes ago. Is that not a long time?" he turned to Harriet, as if having suddenly read her thoughts.
"Not for a first baby," AJ added more softly. "Marcella was in labor with Francesca for thirty-four hours."
Looking up at the stunned group, AJ couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't worry, I'm sure the Colonel won't need that long. Francesca has never been on time for anything in her life."
As if on cue, Harm came prancing out of the birthing room.
"Well?" half the room echoed.
Harm quickly glanced around. Harriet and Bud, and Carolyn and Mic were gripping their spouse's hands as though they were waiting to hear which couple had won the lottery. Sturgis, Sergei, and the Admiral each took a step closer, as if that would help Harm make the announcement more quickly.
"It was a little iffy there for a while. The baby had his elbow up by his ear, giving Mac a hard time, but they're both doing well now." Harm let out the heavy breath he'd been holding since the first moment his son's heartbeat had dropped.
"His?" Harriet repeated.
"That's right. Mathew Harmon Rabb, eight pounds, eleven ounces, and 23 inches long."
Chapter 14
"He's beautiful isn't he?"
Mac was startled by the familiar older voice.
"Haven't seen you for a while." Mac glanced over at Harm's sleeping form sprawled across the uncomfortable chair, and then tightened her grip ever so slightly on the nursing baby.
"You really should have insisted he go home and get some rest. He can be stubborn, but he loves you enough to do whatever makes you happy."
"He always has, hasn't he?" Mac's eyes stayed focused on her husband as he slept. A small smile settled on her lips at the near perfection of the moment.
"He has." This time the old woman smiled knowingly at the sound of Mac's words.
"Is it almost time?" A cold feeling had been gnawing at Mac. She was sure her time in this dream world was almost up.
"Not yet. There are still things that need to be made right."
Mac glanced down at baby Mathew, wondering what could possibly be more right than this when she heard Harm stir.
"I thought you were talking to someone," Harm mumbled, straightening in his chair.
Looking over to the now empty chair where the older marine had been sitting a moment before, Mac smiled back at Harm. "Just thinking out loud. You need to go home and get some shuteye. We'll still be here when you get back."
"I'm fine."
"Yeah, I know, but I'd still feel better if you got at least a few hours sleep in a real bed that you actually fit in. Please?"
Harm couldn't resist the tone in her voice at her last words. If he could, he would give her the moon on a silver platter.
"Okay, but I'll be back by breakfast."
"Agreed," Mac smiled. He really was perfect, despite his quirks.
Rabb homeSt Charles Maryland
May 2002
Leaving Mathew in his crib, Mac made herself a cup of tea and settled down for a much needed rest. The visit to the doctor had gone as she'd hoped. He'd given her a clean bill of health to return to work. It had been a bit challenging being on virtual bed rest.
Mathew's little episode with his elbow by his ear had left Mac pretty badly torn up. What no one had expected was for the bleeding to continue internally after the suturing, resulting in a rather large hematoma that made it impossible for her to sit. She'd spent the better part of the last month only able to sit up using an inflatable donut. Today was only the second day she'd been sitting comfortably without any such assistance. It was such a relief.
The one thing she wasn't so happy about was leaving Mat in day care. She loved every minute of holding and loving on him, and wasn't sure how well she was going to take to not being able to do that for over eight hours in a day. Still this was something she needed to do.
Mat was learning to take longer and longer naps. Mac was still enjoying her quiet time when Harm came through the door.
"Hey, handsome. How's my COMNAVAIR's 'Special Assistant for Tactical Air Combat Tasking' doing?" Mac tried not to trip over her own tongue.
"He's doing fine, but the Liaison to CENTCOM part of me is still wondering what I'm doing in that little cubby hole surrounded by enough brass to blind half the building. I keep expecting some two-star to ask me to fetch his coffee." Harm let out a rather large sigh.
Two months ago when he'd received his orders, he'd been struck by the irony that 9/11 had actually been a good thing for his career. There was many a lowly Commander who would kill to be stationed at the Pentagon in the direct line of vision of the military's movers and shakers.
Harm was just thankful he would be spending most of his time in DC, which would keep him close to Mac and the baby. Other times he'd ferry back and forth from CENTCOM in Tampa and its forward location in Qatar.
The exact parameters of his job description were still somewhat vague. He suspected the intention behind his newly created post was to bend said parameters to fit whatever unplanned situation might present itself in this new war on terror. The potential vastness of his duties undoubtedly designed to best use his unique perspective as both a lawyer and an aviator.
With his first full week of duty behind him, he was quickly adapting to mostly sitting in meetings. After all, that wasn't a far cry from almost 11 months of classes. It was being one of the most junior officers in the room that was still going to take some getting used to.
"Well, you and I both know there's no better man to determine the status of air operational issues. As soon as you get your feet, I'm sure you'll start to find yourself in the thick of things. No body is being left out anymore." Mac draped her arms lightly around her husband's neck, gave him a sweet kiss on the lips, and then a quick peck on the nose. " Mat is still sleeping. I'll go heat up supper."
"Sounds good. I'm starving. How did it go with the doctor today?" Harm followed Mac into the kitchen.
"Glowing reviews. I can return to work on Monday." Mac tried not to let the few doubts she had show.
"You're okay with that?" Harm nuzzled up behind her, weaving his arms around her waist.
"I think so." Leaning back against his shoulder for a moment, she glanced up at his chin. "At least, I know I have to try."
"Good enough for me." Harm kissed the top of her head and grabbed a cherry tomato from the bowl in the sink just as Mat's tiny voice could be heard through the baby monitor. "I'll get him." Harm backed out of the kitchen, popping one more tomato into his mouth, and winking at his wife.
Having set everything on the table, Mac quietly padded to the baby's room. Standing in the doorway, she watched in awe as her large husband cradled their tiny infant. She had spent years praying for this day, only to have to mourn its loss to endometriosis. This all seemed so very real. She almost started to wonder if her real world was the nightmare and this was to be her reality.
"How long have you been standing there?" Harm kissed his wife on the forehead.
"Not long. You're so good with him."
"I had a good teacher." Harm leaned in to kiss his wife more fully when the phone rang.
"I'll get it. Dinner's on the table." Mac hurried to the nearest phone.
"Hello…Evening Admiral…. Yes. Clean bill of health. I'll be able to return to full duty on Monday…. Mmm hmm... I see… Yes, sir… Understood... No, sir… Yes. Thank you." Mac dropped the handset into its cradle, holding on a little longer than she should have.
Harm listened intently to the one-sided conversation. His curiosity piquing with each additional comment, concern flooded his system when she finally ended the call.
"What was that all about?" He asked, setting the baby down in the carrier.
"That was Admiral Chegwidden. It seems the President has called a Tribunal. He and Sturgis will be defending. I'm to sit first chair for the prosecution." Swallowing hard, she continued. "On the Seahawk."
Chapter 15"When do you leave?" Harm asked softly, his tone indicative of the enormity of his wife's declaration.
"Tomorrow. I have so much to do." Walking over to the dinner table, Mac's mind immediately shifted to the history-making case. She'd need to review her constitutional law. Of course, there was the issue of whether the tribunal itself could even be considered lawful. She'd have to expect that would be the Admiral's first argument.
Harm watched Mac sit down and go through the motions of serving dinner. He could almost see the wheels turning in her mind. The room was momentarily filled with an ominous sense of awe at the impending case. This was a military lawyer's chance of a lifetime. Besides being one hell of a feather in her cap, this was a chance to put away one of the bastards responsible for 9/11. The entire concept was invigorating.
Taking his seat across from her, he reached forward to accept the proffered dish when Mac stopped mid motion. He knew what had just happened. With an uncanny sense of oneness, he had been struck with the same realization. She would be leaving him and their son for an unknown length of time. This was something neither of them had truly had time to emotionally prepare for.
"I can't go," Mac blurted out.
"You don't have a choice." Harm tugged at the dinner plate, startled by the grip Mac held on it.
"The baby?"
"Will be fine." Harm set the plate on the table and took hold of Mac's hand.
"Harm."
"I know."
"A tribunal," Mac practically whispered. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"Who's second chair?" Harm had never regretted his return to flying, even though moving up the career path meant fewer hours in the cockpit, but the law was still a large part of his life. A big part of him wished he could be with her on this one. He still held out hope that his new orders would be an excellent chance to blend both his passions.
"The Admiral didn't say. I'm assuming Bud since he's on the Seahawk already. He's not an inexperienced lawyer. He'd be a logical choice."
Harm nodded and smiled, "Bud's really come a long way. I guess we raised him well."
"Yeah. Now if we could just get Harriet to tell him about the house." Mac looked heavenward in frustration.
"Please don't go there." Harm raised his hands in a defensive posture. "Let's finish dinner, and if you want, I can help you prep for this."
"Of course, I want," Mac smiled. "I may want a few other things, too." Her grin took on a provocative gleam.
When Mat started kicking his feet and bouncing playfully beside them, both parents broke into a fit of laughter.
"Think he's trying to tell us something?" Mac sputtered.
"Maybe he's ready for a sister?" Harm shrugged.
"One thing at a time, thank you. Let me put an end to world turmoil as we know it and we'll deal with family planning later," Mac smiled to herself.
She took her first bite of dinner. Life was good, though there would be several things to work out for this trip. Mac was still nursing. She'd take her pump with her in an attempt to continue nursing when she returned home. Daycare was in place, and Harriet had already volunteered to take care of the baby if Harm and she were ever away at the same time. She felt more at ease knowing if Harm needed to leave for Central Command or anyplace else before she was back, Harriet was prepared to step in. Yes. All in all, this life was very good.
USS Seahawk.
"Good to see you ma'am," Bud saluted.
"Same here. What have you got for me?" Mac followed Bud into his office.
"Ma'am." Jen stood up.
"Petty Officer," Mac smiled. Remembering she wasn't supposed to know about Jennifer, she quickly added, " I didn't realize you were here."
"Sergei didn't tell you, ma'am?" Jen tried to hide the disappointment in her voice.
"Actually, I haven't spoken with him lately. He's been in Pennsylvania with his grandmother." Mac had almost forgotten about Jen and Sergei. Perhaps she was in for a few surprises.
"Of course, ma'am. I should have realized."
"I gather this means you're keeping in touch?"
"Via email, yes, ma'am."
"Hhhm," Bud not very casually cleared his throat.
"Yes, Bud. What have we got?"
With few exceptions, the proceedings went very much as Mac had remembered. Being first chair and working with Bud made very little difference in the outcome of the case. Mac handled everything very much the same way Harm had. Bud simply took over as first chair when she had to go to the detention camp in search of new witnesses.
Even that went much the same way. Despite her attempt to keep her distance from the prisoners, fate seemed to have other ideas, and she nonetheless found herself in the same predicament with a knife-wielding prisoner. Thankfully, the outcome had not changed.
As the case drew to a close, Mac found herself tormented by the knowledge she held about Atef's suicide in her world, and wondered what she should do with it. Lying quietly in her bunk, she ran the same questions over in her mind. Even if she told what she knew, who would believe her? How could she prove she wasn't crazy? How could she even be sure things would be the same? She tried reminding herself this was only a dream, but if this was a dream, why did it all seem so real?
"It's an interesting dilemma," the familiar elderly voice commented.
"Yes, isn't it?" Mac showed no surprise at her alter ego's presence, though the lack of visits in the recent past made Mac wonder if this meant she was about to make the wrong choice.
"I see you survived the camp escapade unscathed." Slowly, the old woman walked across the cabin and took a seat at the desk.
"Yes," Mac nodded.
"Much like the time before."
"Not that I didn't try to avoid it," Mac snorted.
"I know. You said nothing when baby Sarah was being born," the older woman reminded her.
"That's right." Sitting up, Mac's curiosity was piqued.
"She's a beautiful little girl, isn't she?"
"Just like her mom."
"I see Jennifer is doing well, too."
"Seems to be." Mac wondered where this conversation was going.
The General sat across from Mac, watching her younger self process the tidbits of information she'd been fed.
"I don't have a choice," Mac finally offered.
"We always have choices. Opportunity is less frequent. Fate is a funny thing. Some things simply aren't meant to be."
"So you're saying this is what was meant to be?" Mac gripped the edge of the bunk more tightly.
"Don't confuse choice and opportunity."
Once again, as with a miraculous apparition, the old general was gone.
Mac was starting to wonder if maybe she was simply crazy. Dreams are never supposed to last this long, and if this wasn't a dream, then she was hallucinating. Not a good sign for a Marine lawyer. Rubbing her face, Mac climbed back into bed. Maybe after a good night's sleep, she'd wake up and everything would be clearer.