Disclaimer: Not mine, danred sure wish they were...
A/N: I decided to do something a little different with the wedding chapters. Instead of just "having a wedding and reception", I want to allow my readers to see and feel everything that goes into the wedding day. I'm using my own wedding day as a loose basis for Harm and Mac's story, but theirs will be super heavy on the romance (not that mine wasn't, but compared to this one, mine'll seem plain as dry toast!). This means that it'll take us a tiny bit longer to get to the wedding chapter than I first planned, but then I first planned for this to be a 15 chapter fic, LOL! I hope folks enjoy these next few chapters. I'll be out of town and away from all computer access for a week starting Wednesday, March 16, but I'll be writing down ideas to use when I get back!
Chapter 45
"Calm down, marine" said Mac to herself as she stood in the shower that cold, December morning. "Just because this is one of the biggest days of your life is no reason to give yourself an ulcer." She turned off the water and stepped out onto the bathmat, pulling her towel down from the hook on the wall.
"Mac?" called a voice from the other side of the bathroom door.
"Yeah?" she replied as she toweled off.
"We just checked out the continental breakfast downstairs, and they've got Belgian waffles, would you like one?"
"Yeah, Jen, I guess I should eat now" said Mac, "since I probably won't eat later."
"OK" said Jen, "We'll make you one and bring it up."
"Thanks" said Mac, putting on her robe and stepping out of the bathroom. They were staying in a nice hotel in Mount Union. Everyone involved with the wedding had driven up from DC on Friday morning, and Trish and Frank had hosted the rehearsal dinner in the banquet room there Friday evening. Harm had a separate room from Mac and Ainsley Friday night, since it was important to them both to be "traditional" (as traditional a couple with a 3 and a half month old child could be anyway!) and not see one another after midnight Friday until the ceremony on Saturday. Bud, Harriet and their kids had their own room, as did Trish and Frank and Sturgis and Varese. Jen, Mattie and Chloe shared another room, and the retired Admiral shared a room with Sergei.
"Good morning, sunshine" said Mac as she looked into Ainsley's portable crib and found her awake. "I bet you're ready for some breakfast, too, huh?" As Mac undid her robe and prepared to feed Ainsley, the baby smiled up at her.
"There's no question who your daddy is, baby girl" said Mac as she pulled her close. "That's the same smile I've seen in every one of his baby pictures." The older Ainsley got, the more she looked like Harm. Her eyes weren't nearly as blue as his just yet, but they were definitely looking more blue than brown. She was still above average in length for her age, something Harm had always been according to his mother. The clincher, though, was her smile. Mac didn't really notice how much of a "Rabb smile" Ainsley had until they got the proofs back from the photo shoot that AJ had arranged for them.
…flashback…
"Hey babe, come see this" called Mac.
"See what?" replied Harm from the home office.
"Just come here" she called back.
"Coming" he answered.
"What's up?" he asked when he joined her in the living room.
"I was looking over these pictures again" said Mac, "trying to figure out what I want to order, and I decided to compare Ainsley's pictures with yours and mine from when we were about her age."
"OK" said Harm.
"Take a good look at all 3 of these" she said, pointing to the side-by-side pictures, "and tell me if anything jumps out at you."
Harm studied the trio of baby photos for a few moments before saying anything.
"She's got your nose" he said with a smile, "you've both got very cute noses."
"Yeah, she does have my nose" said Mac, "but other than that, anything catch your eye?"
Harm looked at the pictures again. "Her smile." he said softly. "My little girl's most definitely got my smile."
"She sure does" said Mac, "that's the thing that I noticed as soon as I laid your picture next to hers."
"That's pretty cool, Mac" he said, clearly proud that his sweet baby girl had inherited what people always told him was one of his best features.
"I think so, too, babe" said Mac. "You do realize that she's gonna break a lot of hearts with that smile, right?"
"Really?" replied Harm.
"Oh, trust me, flyboy" said Mac emphatically, "that smile is a hands-down heartbreaker!"
…end flashback…
"Breakfast is served" said Jen as she, Harriet, Mattie and Chloe returned with the waffles.
"Great" said Mac, "just set mine on the table, please, I'll eat it as soon as she's finished."
"Boy, I remember those days" said Harriet. "I don't think I had a hot meal for over a year at a time! Does she do OK with a bottle?" .
"It's not her favorite" said Mac, "and she refuses to take one if she knows I'm around, but she takes them at day care and Harm can usually get her to take one if he gets up with her at night."
"How do you think she'll do tonight?" asked Jen. "Think she'll take the bottle since you'll be there?"
"We're hoping she will" answered Mac as she sat Ainsley up and patted her back. "I brought several along and some frozen milk, which is in the freezer in Harm's room right now, and hopefully Trish can get her to take it since she'll have no choice for the week we're on our honeymoon, but if she refuses with all the excitement tonight, I'll just take her into another room and feed her, no biggie."
"Ugh" said Mattie, "I hope you don't have to do that - that bustier is a pain to get in and out of!"
"Exactly" said Mac, "but if I have to do it, I will."
"Speaking of your honeymoon" asked Chloe, "has he told you anything yet?"
"Not a single thing" said Mac as she took a bite of her waffle, "and the suspense is killing me!"
"Aw, he's just being romantic" said Harriet. "I think it's neat that you get a surprise honeymoon!"
"It is" said Mac, "and I know he's poured a ton of thought and effort into it, it's just making me crazy not knowing where we're going!"
"You said Trish is keeping Ainsley while you're gone?" asked Jen.
"Mm-hmm" replied Mac. "She and Frank are going to take her back to our house tomorrow morning and they'll stay there while we're away."
"Do you have any idea how spoiled she'll be by the time you get home?" asked Mattie.
"Oh, we have a pretty good idea, Mats!" exclaimed Mac. "It's OK though, we figure that's what grandparents are for, so as long as it doesn't go too far, we're fine with it."
"Ooh" said Harriet, looking at her watch, "we better finish up here, we've got hair appointments in an hour!"
"Damn" said Mac, "I'm so nervous my internal clock is fried! Can someone take her so I can finish eating real quick, please?"
"Here" said Mattie, "lemme have my little sis."
"Thanks" said Mac, "could you possibly…"
"Change her and dress her?" said Mattie, "of course!" Mattie took Ainsley over to the suitcase and pulled out her clothes before laying her on the floor to change her diaper.
"OK" said Mac as she finished the last bite of her breakfast, "done with that, now I should throw some clothes on, I guess."
"Remember to wear a button-up shirt" said Harriet. "Otherwise we'll destroy your hair trying to get your shirt off later."
"Got it" replied Mac. She glanced at her clothing options, pulled out a green button-up shirt, a pair of jeans and her underclothes.
"Be out in a couple minutes" she said.
"Sure" replied Chloe.
Mac got dressed and quickly blow-dried her hair, then rejoined the rest of the girls.
"Are we ready?" asked Harriet. "It's a good 20 minute drive to the salon."
"I think we are" answered Mac. "Let me make sure Ainsley's got everything she needs in her bag, then someone can go drop her off with Harm. I hope he's ready for her."
"Why don't I go make sure?" said Mattie.
"Good idea" replied Mac. Mattie left and headed for Harm's room while Mac finished checking the diaper bag.
"Hey, Mats" said Harm when he opened the door. "What's up?"
"Mac wanted me to make sure you're ready to keep Ainsley while we go for our hair appointments" said Mattie.
"Yep, all set" he answered. "I've been up for a couple of hours, went to the workout room, had breakfast, showered and dressed, I'm ready for her."
"Cool deal" said Mattie, "I'll go get her for you. What do you need besides her diaper bag, anything?"
"Car seat" answered Harm, "never a good idea to not have it around."
"OK" said Mattie, "lemme go get her, the bag and her seat. I'll be right back."
"OK, kiddo" said Harm, leaving the door ajar a bit. He absent-mindedly flipped through the channels on the TV as he waited for Mattie to return.
"Knock, knock" she said as she bumped the door open with the car seat.
"There's my baby girl" said Harm with a huge smile. "Come see daddy!" He took Ainsley from Mattie and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. "Daddy missed you last night, yes he did…"
"Mac wanted me to tell you she fed her 45 minutes ago" said Mattie, "so you'll probably have to give her a bottle around 10:30."
"I can handle that" said Harm, "did she sleep through the night?"
"Nope" said Mattie, placing the car seat in a corner. "Mac said she woke up to eat 3 times last night."
"I figured as much" said Harm, "her routine is all messed up this weekend. I offered to keep her with me last night, but we decided since she'll be away from us for a whole week, she'd probably do better staying with Mac."
"Yeah" said Mattie, "they're waiting on me, so I better run."
"Have fun" said Harm.
"You, too" replied Mattie, giving he and the baby kisses and hugs before she left. She made her way down to the hotel lobby where the rest of the girls were waiting.
"All set" she said.
"Did you tell Harm to feed her at 10:30?" asked Mac.
"Of course" replied Mattie, "but I'm sure even if I hadn't, he'd figure it out eventually!"
"Very true" said Mac. The group stepped out into the cold December air and hurried towards Harriet's minivan.
"Brrr!" said Chloe.
"I'll second that!" said Jen. "I'm so glad you didn't have us wear strapless gowns, Mac!"
"I'm beginning to wish mine wasn't, either" said Mac.
"Oh, don't be silly" said Harriet, "that dress is perfect for you, and you'll be so involved in all the attention tonight, you won't have time to be cold."
"Even if you do get a little chilly" chimed Chloe, "I'm sure someone will be glad to warm you up!"
"Chloe Madison!" exclaimed Mac, blushing a little bit.
"Like you can deny it, Mac" said Mattie.
"Still, you're too young to be thinking like that" said Mac, "that goes for both of you!"
"Hey, how far from the church is Grams' farm?" asked Jen, sensing a change of subject would be appreciated.
"It's pretty far" said Mac, "roughly 80 miles. We almost didn't accept her offer to host the reception out there because of the distance, but I could tell it meant a lot to her to do it, so I convinced Harm."
"Do you think the fact that it's so far from the church will keep people from going?" asked Harriet.
"Nope" said Mac, "in fact we're yet to talk to anyone who's said they weren't planning to go to the reception. They said if they drove that far for the wedding, they wouldn't dream of missing the bash afterwards."
"It's gonna be so cool!" said Chloe. "Definitely better than any other New Years Eve party I've been to."
"And just how many of them have you been to?" asked Mac with a laugh. "You're only 16!"
"A few" answered Chloe, "but this one will rock!"
"It sure will!" said Mattie.
"I hope so" said Mac silently to herself.
"I think this is the place" said Harriet as she turned into the parking lot of a tiny strip mall in downtown Mount Union. She found a parking spot, and everyone climbed out of the van and ran inside the salon.
"Good morning, ladies" said a woman behind the counter. "I'm guessing this is the Mackenzie bridal party?"
"That's us" said Mattie.
"Wonderful" replied the woman. "My name's Lauren, I'll be helping everyone out today. Which one of you is the bride?"
"That would be me" said Mac, raising her hand a bit.
"Congratulations…Sarah, right?" said Lauren.
"Yes" said Mac, "thank you."
"Did you bring your headpiece or veil or whichever you're wearing tonight with you?" asked Lauren.
"Got it right here" answered Mac, holding up a long, white box.
"Great" said Lauren. "If you'd like to follow me, I'll take you back to the stylist who'll be working on you today. The rest of you ladies are welcome to have a seat and I'll be right back out to set you where you need to be, OK?"
"Great" said Harriet, "thank you."
Mac followed Lauren to the back of the salon, and sat in the stylist chair she was shown to.
"Sarah" said Lauren, "this is Michaela, she's gonna take care of you."
"Pleased to meet you, Michaela" said Mac, extending her hand to the stylist.
"Likewise" replied Michaela, accepting Mac's handshake. "Is that your headpiece box?"
"It is" answered Mac as she opened it and pulled her headpiece out.
"Oh, that's beautiful" said Michaela. It was a handmade wreath of off-white roses and baby's breath. In back was a two foot long veil and a big bow, all made out of tulle netting. "Did you make it yourself?"
"No" replied Mac, "I'm no good at things like this. My fiancé's mother made it for me after I showed her one like it in a magazine, but that one didn't have the bow on the back like I wanted mine to have."
"That was sweet of her" said Michaela. "Do you know how you want your hair done?"
"I do" replied Mac. "I'd like it all pinned up, through the wreath and curled on top."
"So, like this" said Michaela, putting the headpiece on Mac's head and pulling her hair up through the top of it.
"Exactly like that" said Mac, "and all curled on the top, maybe a few ringlets hanging loose around my face?"
"I can do that" said Michaela, "no problem."
…3 hours later…
"Oh wow, Mac" said Harriet as Mac came out into the waiting area. "That looks gorgeous!"
"It sure does" said Chloe.
"Thanks" said Mac. "I think it turned out really well."
"Harm will love it" said Mattie with a sly smirk on her face.
"Oh, Mats…" answered Mac. "You all look wonderful, too!" All the other girls had their hair done similar to Mac's, but instead of a headpiece they had little off-white roses pinned throughout.
"Are we pleased with everything, ladies?" asked Lauren.
"Very much so" said Mac.
"Think the gentlemen in the party will approve?" asked Lauren.
"Oh, I know they will" replied Mac. She smiled as her mind drifted to thoughts of what the look on Harm's face would be when he saw her later that evening.
…meanwhile, back at the hotel…
"James Kirk Roberts!" exclaimed Bud. "Come here, now, young man!"
"No!" replied Jimmy, hiding behind a poolside table. Bud walked over and picked him up.
"Didn't daddy ask you not to throw your shoes into the water?' asked Bud.
Jimmy nodded.
"Why did you throw your shoes into the water?" continued Bud.
"Unno" answered the little boy.
"Well" said Bud, "now you have to stop swimmingso we can take your shoes up to the room and try to get them dried out."
"No!" said Jimmy, "swim!"
"You can't swim anymore right now" said Bud, still holding the disgruntled child in his lap. "We have to go dry your shoes out as best we can."
"Down!" cried Jimmy, "want down!"
"Sorry, son" said Bud as he held Jimmy in one arm and picked up his soaking wet shoes with the other. "Come on AJ" he said to his eldest child.
"Aw, daddy" replied AJ, "why do I hafta get out, too? Jimmy's the one in trouble!"
"I'll keep an eye on him if you'd like, Bud" offered big AJ, who was sitting beside the pool reading a book.
"That'd be great" answered Bud. "AJ, you listen to Uncle AJ, understand?"
"Yes, sir" said the little boy as he disappeared back under the water.
"He's quite the little fish, huh Bud?" said Harm, who was sitting on the steps of the shallow end of the pool with Ainsley. He'd lower her little legs into the water and she'd smile and kick and splash, and he'd smile back at her. It was really adorable.
"Without a doubt" laughed Bud. "I have no idea how to get these dried out" he continued, holding up Jimmy's wet sneakers.
"Blow dryer, maybe?" suggested Harm.
"That might work" said Bud. "Harriet's gonna ask me why I even had his sneakers down by the pool…"
"Doesn't much matter now" said big AJ, "besides, I'm sure all the ladies will have far more important things on their minds today than those wet shoes."
"Good point" said Bud as he headed for the door. "I'll be back down as soon as I can."
"OK" said Harm, "we'll be here." He looked up at the large clock in the pool room.
"I bet the girls will be back pretty soon" he said to his former CO.
"I think so" replied AJ.
"You know" said Harm, "I feel kinda bad that they've got so much to do today and here we are lounging around the pool."
"Don't feel bad, son" said AJ, "just enjoy the time with your daughter this morning, and before you know it, it'll be time for us all to get dressed and get the show on the road."
"I'm looking forward to it" said Harm as he lifted Ainsley up over his head and brought her face to his for a kiss.
A/N: I must say that I was pleased with Harm's involvement in the story on "JAG: San Diego". He still wasn't in it enough, but anything is better than only being in one scene like he was in "Straits of Malacca"! My personal prediction is this: Tom will go over the deep end again because of Mattie's accident, making him once again an unfit parent. Harm will step in and care for Mattie, and that will be the reason that he can't accompany Mac when they transfer her to the offices in San Diego. This is based on nothing other than my own ideas, but it's just something I can see happening since we know Harm will have to have a VERY good reason not to go with her!
I'm not sure what may become of the baby deal on the show, though - my gut tells me they'll decide it wouldn't be fair to have a baby and live on opposite ends of the country, but maybe I'm wrong. I HOPE I'm wrong - those of us who have endometriosis are REALLY pulling for them!
Next chapter coming as soon as I can get it done:)