Disclaimer: Same as always...not mine, sure wish they were... :)
A/N: I hope folks enjoy this chapter, It's one of the most fun ones so far (in my opinion anyway). Please be sure to let me know what you think of it:)
For those interested in my personal health, here's the skinny on my post-op appointment from today. My surgery last week went very well, my doctor was pleased with the findings andwith the level of treatment he was able to provide me. My left fallopian tube was in dreadfully bad shape and, for all intents and purposes, was dead. All the structures inside it which were supposed to make it work were collapsed, it was completely blocked, and there was zero chance of it ever functioning again, so he removed it. I had a"minimal amount" of endometriosis which had returned in the last 10 months, but he removed it and said there was nothing to worry about there, which is good. I also had a 25mm cyst on my right ovary which he was able to remove with no problem, again, good news. I'm still in a good deal of pain from theoperation, and he gave me a few more prescription pain killers today, just to get me through the weekend and after that we both expect the worst of the pain to beover. We're on a break from fertility treatment for another 4-6 weeks while my body heals, then we'll give it another go and pray for the best...
Chapter 27:
"I'm so excited, aren't you!" asked Mac jubilantly as she and Harm walked hand-in-hand towards the Roberts' house, the site of their long-awaited baby shower. The previous few weeks had been really tough on them, dealing with Harm's accident and Mac's blood pressure issues, and they were really looking forward to a fun afternoon with their family and friends.
"I sure am" said Harm, "but I still don't get the whole 'couples shower' thing. I thought showers were for women."
"They can be for whoever the people involved want them to be for" explained Mac. "Mattie asked me if I thought you wanted to be a part of it, and I knew you did so I told her to plan it for couples."
"I'm glad you did that, babe" said Harm. "I would've understood if they'd made it just for the women, but I'm glad I can be here and share in the fun." He leaned down and kissed her as they rang the doorbell.
"Hi! Come on in!" exclaimed Harriet as she welcomed the guests of honor. "Everyone is mingling in the living room, so go on in and say hi, and we'll get started shortly."
"Thanks, Harriet" said Mac.
"Can I get either of you anything?" asked Harriet.
"I'd love a bottle of water, please" replied Mac. "Anything for you, babe?"
"Water'd be great, Harriet" answered Harm, "thanks."
"No problem, sir - I mean Harm" said Harriet as she went to get the water. Harm and Mac entered the living room, and were amazed to see so many friendly faces waiting to greet them - Chloe, Sturgis and Varese to name a few, and it took no time at all for Trish and Frank to descend upon the parents-to-be.
"Hi, mom" said Harm, giving her a big hug.
"Hi, son" replied Trish, "it's so good to see you up and about like this!" She hadn't seen him since two days after he'd gone home from the hospital, and he'd made amazing progress since then.
"I'm glad I can be up and about" said Harm, "especially for this."
"Mac, honey, how are you feeling?" asked Trish, embracing her future-daughter-in-law.
"I'm feeling really good" replied Mac. "We're really excited about today, and we're so glad you both could make it."
"We wouldn't have dreamed of missing it" said Frank, stepping in to hug the couple.
"Mac's right" said Harm, "we're really glad you're here." As the conversation drew to a close, Bud approached the group.
"Hey Bud" said Mac as she gave him a hug.
"Hey, Mac" he replied. "How are you?"
"I'm great, thanks" she answered. "This all looks great, I know you had to have helped with all these decorations." The whole room was decorated in a Winnie the Pooh baby shower theme. There were pink, blue and yellow streamers all across the ceiling, and tons of balloons to match. The table covers had an adorable scene of Pooh and Piglet looking at a little baby chick as it hatched from it's shell. The centerpiece on the food table was a 3D image of the same Pooh and Piglet scene, and across the top it said "Hello, little friend". Jen had asked Mac for the baby book earlier in the week, and it was laid out next to the gift table, opened to a page for shower guests to sign in.
"Yeah" said Bud, "the girls roped me into being the one to climb on the step stool and tack all the streamers and balloons up."
"Sorry about that, Bud" said Harm with a chuckle.
"No, I didn't mind at all!" replied Bud. "I was happy to help."
"Glad to hear it" said Harm.
"So, how are you doing?" Bud asked him.
"Doing pretty good" said Harm, "a little better each day."
"I'm so glad" said Bud. "How are your injuries healing up, pretty well?"
"Yeah, pretty well" replied Harm. "My ribs are still sore if I move wrong, and my knees still hurt a lot if I walk too far or stand too long, but aside from that I'm feeling good."
"Well here, sit down!" exclaimed Bud, pulling a chair over for Harm.
"I'm fine Bud, really" insisted Harm, "but thanks."
"Well how about you both go sit in the chairs we've got for you" said Bud, "that way I won't feel bad for making you stand up."
"Ok, we'll go sit down" said Mac. "I assume those are our chairs?" she asked, pointing to the 2 chairs near the gift table which had huge Mylar balloons tied to them, one reading "Mommy-to-Bee", the other "Daddy-to-Bee", and they had Pooh on them with a little bumblebee on his nose.
"Those are yours!" said Bud. "I'm gonna go see if they need any help in the kitchen."
As Harm and Mac made their way to their seats, they were greeted by another very familiar and friendly face.
"Admiral!" exclaimed Mac, reaching out to hug the man who'd seen she and Harm through so much in the course of their relationship.
"It's AJ" he said, "and don't you just look wonderful?"
"Thank you, AJ" said Mac. "I didn't expect to see you here!"
"Well, why the hell not?" inquired AJ. "I've been waiting for this to happen for, what, 8, 9 years now, I wouldn't miss it!"
"Didn't you expect a wedding invitation first, though, AJ?" asked Harm, fully realizing he was setting himself up for one of the retired Admiral's famous comebacks.
"Quite honestly, Commander" said AJ, "no I did not. You two never did anything 'by the book'
or the way I expected you to, so I didn't figure having a baby would be any different."
"Really, sir?" replied Harm, still intent on egging his old boss on.
"Really, Commander" answered AJ. "Besides, it was plain as the nose on my face the whole time I was the JAG that you two were head-over-heels in love with each other. I knew it'd just be a matter of time before you realized it and did something about it."
"Well, looks like we've done both, huh?" joked Mac.
"Indeed you have" said AJ, "and I couldn't be happier for you."
"Thank you, AJ" said Harm.
"Just out of curiosity, though" asked AJ, "can I expect a wedding invitation anytime soon?"
"It's in the works, sir - I mean AJ" said Harm, "but it won't be until after the baby is born. Mac insists she can't look good in a wedding dress while she's pregnant, so even though I tried to tell her she looks good in anything she puts on, we decided to wait."
"Well, I'll be looking forward to the invitation" said AJ.
"Can I have everyone's attention, please?" asked Harriet. The chatter quieted down and all eyes turned to her as she stood in the center of the room.
"I think everyone is here, so we'll go ahead and get started. I know from personal experience that many baby shower games can be silly and aggravating, so we've come up with a few we hope will actually be fun." Mattie and Jen went around the circle and passed out sheets of paper and pens.
"Ok, here's how this game goes" said Harriet. "Everyone needs to write down a problem that Harm and Mac might have with the baby, and a solution to the problem. It can be anything from a big problem to a simple one - use your imagination! Go ahead and do that, we'll give you about 5 minutes, and then we'll tell you the next step."
"Hey, no peeking" said Mac as she caught Harm trying to look over her shoulder.
"I'm not peeking" he insisted with a smile, "I'm merely checking your creativity."
"You're so full of it, Harm" said Mac, smiling back at him.
"Is everyone finished?" asked Harriet after 5 minutes. "Ok, now, I need everyone to tear their papers in half to where you have a piece with only the problem on it and a piece with only the solution. After you do that, I want you to pass your problem piece three people to your left, and your solution piece four people to your right. When we're done, you should have 2 pieces that don't belong to you."
"Oh boy" said Mac, "I know where this is going."
"Where?" asked Harm.
"You'll see" she said. "It should be funny."
"Ok" said Harriet, "now for the fun part. We'll start at this end with Varese, and you need to read the problem on your list and then the solution. Go ahead, Varese."
"A problem Harm and Mac might have with the baby is: it cries all hours of the night. To solve this problem, they: leave the house an hour earlier. That doesn't make any sense!"
"It's not supposed to" said Jen. "That's what makes it fun!"
"I see" said Varese. "Well, maybe the next person will have something funnier."
"I guess that would be me" said Sturgis. "Let's see, A problem Harm and Mac might have with the baby is: they run out of diapers. To solve this problem, they: buy the baby some bigger shoes." The entire room roared with laughter.
"Just so you know Harm, bigger shoes won't help if you run out of diapers!" joked Bud.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Bud" laughed Harm.
"That was a good one, Sturgis" laughed Harriet. "Ok, Chloe, go ahead."
"Ok" said Chloe excitedly. "A problem Harm and Mac might have with the baby is: it spits up everything they feed it. To solve this problem, they: send the baby to grandma's. That's funny!"
"Hey, you never know" said Mac, "it just might happen!"
"Fine with me!" exclaimed Trish.
The group continued with the rest of the game, and played another involving a listing of different TV show children from past and present, matching the right kids to the right parents. After that, it was time for gifts…
Mattie took a seat next to Harm with a legal pad and pen in her grasp. Jen stood next to the gift table on the other side of Mac.
"I'll hand you the gifts" said Jen, "and you can open them however you want. Mattie will make note of everything you get and who gave it, and we'll pass it around the circle so everyone can see it."
"That sounds like a good plan" replied Mac.
"Works for me" seconded Harm. "Let's get started!"
Jen handed Mac the first package, and Mac turned to Harm to see if he wanted to do the honors.
"No, you go ahead, babe" he said.
"You have to open some of these" said Mac, "I'm not gonna have all the fun!"
"OK, we can take turns" offered Harm, "will that work?"
"Yeah" said Mac, as she began to tear the paper from the package.
"Awwwww…" she said as she laid eyes upon the contents, a package of sleepers and a pair of baby booties.
"Thank you, Chloe" said Mac, "they're adorable!"
"They sure are" said Harm, reaching out to hug Chloe as she approached.
"You're welcome" said Chloe, "I'm glad you like them."
"Here you go, Harm" said Jen as she handed him a large gift bag from the table.
"Thanks" he said, setting it on the floor at his feet and carefully removing the tissue paper. He pulled out a hand-made baby quilt with Pooh Bear on it.
"Oh, wow" he said.
"That's just gorgeous!" said Mac. "Is this your handy work?" she asked, looking directly at her future mother-in-law.
"Yes, it is" admitted Trish. "I saw the pattern in a crafters magazine and since your nursery theme is Pooh, it was too perfect."
"It's great, mom" said Harm, "the baby will no doubt love it."
"I'm glad you both like it" said Trish with a smile. She'd waited a long time for this day, and she was loving the sight of her son and his eventual bride opening baby gifts.
"Next" said Jen, passing Mac a smaller gift bag. Mac peeked inside and squealed "Oh my gosh!" before pulling out two stuffed bears. One was outfitted in a sailor suit, complete with sea bag, the other dressed in Marine camouflage fatigues.
"Now those are cute" said Harm. "Who are they from?" Before Mac could look at the tag on the gift bag, the giver spoke up.
"They're from Varese and I" said Sturgis. "Squeeze their tummies." Harm handed Mac the Marine bear, and he gave the tummy of the Navy one a squeeze. A soft, digital version of "Anchors Aweigh" filled the room.
"Need we guess what this one plays?" laughed Mac as she held up the Marine bear. After "Anchors Aweigh" had finished, a gentle press of the tummy on her bear elicited an adorable, lullaby-type tune of "The Marines Hymn."
"Perfect choice, Sturgis, Varese" said Harm, "thanks."
"Hey, buddy" replied Sturgis, "we've gotta give this kid equal exposure to both, you know?"
"Oh, believe me" assured Harm, "I know!"
"OK, here Harm" said Jen, passing him a mid-sized box with a huge yellow bow on top.
"What pretty wrapping" said Mac as Harm carefully removed the bow and handed it to her. He took the top off the box and pulled out a stack of baby clothes.
"I remember this" said Mac as she looked at the pink sleeper with a kitten on it.
"Yeah, me too" replied Harm with a smile.
"That's way too cute!" squealed Mattie, who'd been so busy making note of who gave what, she'd hardly said a word since they began with the gifts.
"Hey!" exclaimed Chloe "I thought you didn't know the sex of the baby!"
"We don't, honey" assured Mac. "When we did our registry, we each chose one outfit for a boy and for a girl, this is the one I chose for a girl."
"Ah, OK" said Chloe, accepting Mac's explanation without further question.
"Hey, look here" said Harm as he pulled something from the middle of the stack. It was the bib he'd picked out with the red anchor on the front.
"Lemme see now" said AJ, "who on earth could have chosen to register for that…?"
"You got me, sir" joked Harm as he pulled an outfit from the pile. "Probably the same person who chose this little boy's sailor suit".
"Who's this all from, anyway?" asked Mac, looking for a tag on the package.
"It's from me" said Jen. "It's all supposed to be things you registered for, but some of the abbreviations on the printout at the store were really hard to figure out, so if I got anything wrong, you can exchange it."
"I'm sure it'll all be fine, Jen" said Harm. "Thanks for being so gracious."
"You're welcome, Harm" she said as she lugged a big box from behind the gift table and put it in front of Mac.
"My goodness!" Mac exclaimed. "I can't imagine what this could be…" She tore off the pastel wrapping paper to expose a box containing a stroller.
"Is it the right one?" asked Trish.
"It sure looks like it to me" answered Harm, "it is, Mac?"
"Yep, it is!" said Mac. "We tried out a few different ones in the store and this one was the only one with handles high enough for Harm to use without slouching down."
"Ok, I'm glad I got it right" said Trish. "Jen's right, those printouts can be confusing."
"I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt that way" laughed Jen, handing Harm a gift bag with baby zoo animals on it.
"Hey, neat!" he said as he removed the tissue paper and looked into the bag and saw an assortment of bottles and bottle accessories.
"You'll really like those, Mac" said Harriet. "I used the same kind and they're wonderful."
"I researched them quite a bit" said Mac. "I needed one that would work well with breastfeeding, and those always seemed to make the grade, so I went with them."
"Oh yeah" agreed Harriet, "they're great with breastfeeding, really great."
"This obviously means I'll be expected to take some of those 2 a.m. feedings, huh?" said a smiling Harm.
"Eventually" said Mac, "so enjoy sleeping through the night while you can, my dear!"
"Count on it!" said Harm.
"Here we are, Mac" said Jen, handing her a small box with a pretty white bow. Mac slipped the top off the box, bow and all, and just stared at the contents for a moment before saying a word.
"Harm, I think you should be the one to show this off" she said, her voice quivering with emotion.
"Why? What is it?" he asked, taking the box from her. Like Mac had done, he held the box and stared silently at what it held for a moment. He looked up from the box and into his mother's eyes.
"I don't know what to say" he said, blinking his eyes to keep the tears at bay. Inside the box was an old color photograph in a brand new sterling silver frame. The photo was of Harm, Sr. holding his newborn son, looking down at him in total admiration. On the frame were engraved the words "A love like no other…"
"You don't have to say anything, dear" replied Trish, crying just a bit. "Just take it out of the box and pass it around." He did just that, then walked across the room to give his mother a long embrace. When he returned to his seat, it was evident he'd really been crying. Mac reached over and took his hand, wiping away her own tears with her other hand.
"That's such a special gift" said Harriet, also crying.
"I know, isn't it?" said Mattie, hugging Harm's shoulder.
"I know right where it'll go" said Mac. "On the baby's dresser, next to the lamp so we can always see it."
"I know Harm, Sr. would be such a proud grandpa" said Trish. "I came across that photo a few weeks ago while looking for something else, and I knew exactly what to do with it."
"Was that taken the day I was born?" asked Harm.
"Yes, it was" answered his mother. "You were maybe 3 hours old, and that was when he held you for the first time. Gosh, Harm, he was so proud. He held onto you like you were a million bucks."
"Well now that everyone in the room is crying" sniffled Jen, "here's another gift!" She dragged another large box out from behind the table.
"I think I might know what this is" said Mac as she tore the paper off a corner of the box.
"I have an idea, too" said Mattie. Mac continued removing the paper until the contents of the box were evident.
"The swing, cool!" said Chloe. "Is that what you thought it was?"
"Yep" answered Mac. "I remembered the size and shape of the boxes from the store."
"You'll be so glad to have that, guys" said Bud. "Our kids all loved theirs, they'd spend hours in it just happy as could be."
"Is this from you two?" Mac asked Bud.
"Nope" answered Mattie, "it's from me."
"Mattie!" exclaimed Harm. "You didn't have to get us anything that big!"
"Don't be silly" retorted Mattie, "big sisters have a certain amount of spoiling to do, and this is just the beginning!"
"Thanks, Mats" said Mac as she leaned over Harm to give Mattie a kiss on the cheek.
"OK, next" said Jen as she handed Harm an envelope. He opened it and removed the card.
"Aww, that's great" he said.
"What is it?" asked Mac.
"From Sergei" replied Harm. "It says 'Dear brother, Mac and baby: I'm sorry I can't be there today, but I wanted you to know how much I love you all. Use this gift card to buy whatever the baby needs, assuming you don't get it all today! Much love, Sergei.'"
"What a sweet thing of him to do" said Trish. "He's got a lot of his father in him for sure."
"Here's another card, Mac" said Jen. Mac opened it and her eyes grew big as dinner plates.
"Sir! I mean AJ!" she said.
"Lemme see that" said Harm, taking the card from Mac's hands and reading it for himself.
"WOW!" he exclaimed.
"What is it?" questioned everyone else in the room, eager to know what the expectant couple was so amazed by.
Harm read the card aloud. "'Harm and Mac: This card is to let you know that your entire nursery furniture set is ready to be delivered to your home at your convenience. Congratulations, AJ Chegwidden. '"
"That's SO cool!" said Chloe. "Uncle AJ, you give the best gifts!"
"I try" said the retired Admiral with a modest grin on his face.
"Sir, AJ" said Mac, "this is so much more than we-"
"Nonsense" interrupted AJ, "I wanted to get you something practical and useful, and that just seemed to fit the bill."
"We really appreciate it, AJ" said Harm.
"Just promise me I can come see it when it's all set up" said AJ.
"Absolutely!" agreed both Harm and Mac.
"OK" said Jen, only a few more. She brought out a large, bulky package from the other room and put it in Harm's lap.
"It didn't fit behind the table" she said.
"Ah, OK" said Harm, squeezing the package a little.
"Just open it" said Mac, beginning to tear the paper off of it herself.
"Hey, this one's mine!" kidded Harm. Mac stuck her tongue out at him.
"Children, children" said AJ. "I swear, those two aren't ever gonna grow up" he laughed.
Harm finished unwrapping the package. "All together now" he said as he held up the gift, "awwwww." It was the Pooh and Friends crib bedding set they'd taken so long choosing for their registry.
"That's too adorable!" exclaimed Varese.
"I know, I love Pooh" said Harriet.
"Who's it from?" asked Sturgis.
"Let's see here" said Mac, looking for the tag. She found it and read it to herself, then looked at Harm in disbelief. He took it from her, also read it in silence, and ended up with the same look on his own face.
"Well?" said Frank.
"It says 'Best wishes to you all, Major General and Mrs. Creswell.'"
"How nice!" said Trish.
"How surprising!" said Sturgis.
"Indeed" said Harm.
"Well, not all that surprising" said Mac. "He's actually been very supportive through the pregnancy, giving us time off when we need it and such. Seems he's got a heart after all."
"Well" said Jen, "that does it for the gifts. Are we ready for cake?"
"Bring it on!" said Mac. "I hope it's chocolate, is it?"
"You're in luck" said Harriet.
"Good, I've been craving a big piece of chocolate cake for days now" said Mac.
Everyone went into the dining room and gathered in front of the table where the cake was at. Mattie and Jen filled the stemware with sparkling cider, and asked everyone to grab a glass.
"AJ, sir" asked Harriet, "would you like to give the toast?"
"I'd be honored" he replied. He thought for a few moments, then began to speak.
"I've known Harm and Mac almost as long as they've known each other, and they're two of the most special people on this earth. They're going to be amazing parents, and there's no doubt this little baby will have more love than it knows what to do with. So, let's raise our glasses to the next generation of the Rabb family and may God bless them as much as they've blessed all of us."
"That was beautiful, sir - sorry, AJ" said Bud.
"Yes, it was" said Mac, her eyes wet and teary. "Thank you."
"I meant every word of it" said AJ, giving Mac a big hug.
"OK" said Harriet, "we need Harm and Mac up here for a picture with the cake before we cut it." The expectant parents made their way to the table, and stood behind it, holding the cake up together. Afterwards, Jen handed them a serving knife.
"Do the honors" she said.
"I see, practice for the wedding cake, huh?" joked Harm. He took Mac's hand and pretended to cut the cake like he figured they'd cut their wedding cake, garnering laughs from all in attendance.
"Oh, Harmon" said his mother, "just cut it, we're hungry!"
"Yes, mother" said Harm, his tone mimicking that of a little boy who'd just been scolded. He began to slice the cake when Mac took the knife away from him.
"I'll do it" she said. "I've seen him cut cakes, we'll be here all day!"
"What's wrong with the way I cut cakes?" he asked her, knowing she was just picking on him.
"Nothing, babe" said Mac, "you just try too hard to get every piece to be the exact same size, and it takes you forever, that's all."
"What can I say" said Harm, "I have a few quirks!"
"Oh, I'm not even going there!" said Mattie.
"Smart move, kiddo!" said Harm, pulling her into his arms for a big hug. He winced just a little, having forgotten about his still-bruised ribs.
"Oh, I'm sorry" said Mattie, jumping backwards.
"Don't worry about it, Mats" said Harm. "I'm just a little sore is all, no biggie, I'm OK."
"Alright" said Mac, "it's all cut, so everyone dig in."
"Hold it" said Harriet, "you two get the first pieces, now choose what you want!"
"Yes, ma'am" said Harm, giving Harriet a mock salute.
As everyone was eating their cake and visiting amongst themselves, Harm decided he had something to say.
"Can I have everyone's attention for a moment?" he asked as he stood in front of the cake table.
"I want to say thank you to everyone who helped make today so special for Mac and I. We had to go through an awful lot to get to this point, to where our wonderful family and friends could throw us such a great baby shower, and I know I speak for Mac as well when I say it meant the world to us that all of you were here to celebrate with us. So, again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
"Oh, you two…" said Harriet as she gave Harm a hug and then moved on to Mac. "I love you both so much!"
"We love you too, Harriet" said Mac.
"How much longer until I get to hold this little miracle?" asked Harriet, gently rubbing Mac's tummy.
"Around 7 more weeks" answered Mac.
"Oh, I can hardly wait!" exclaimed Jen, who'd joined the happy conversation.
"I know the feeling" said Harm. The next few weeks couldn't possibly go by fast enough for him.
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