Disclaimer: In the words of Mac from The Four Percent Solution, "Do I really have to say it?"
A/N: THANK YOU for all the great reviews of the wedding chapter! I worked hard on it, and I'm glad to know folks enjoyed it. My goal was to make it seem like we were all there, as much as possible anyway. A few things here and there were taken from my own wedding, but most of it was tailor-made for our favorite couple in the universe:)
I'm exercising author's privilege as far as what the farm looks like. :) Also, the original version of this chapter as well as the next 3 contained excerpts from the lyrics of the songs used in the story. They've since been removed at the request of FF dot net, which makes the story a bit less easy to mentally picture, but still - I hope - very readable and enjoyable. :)
Chapter 51:
"Will we all fit up here?" asked Bud as the photographer directed the entire wedding party, along with Harm's family, to stand upon the altar steps.
"Oh yeah" said Helen, "here's what we need you to do: we need the bride and groom in the center, honor attendants right next to them, yeah, just like that. OK, bridesmaids and groomsmen line up alongside them, tallest to shortest please, angle down a step if you need to. Perfect!"
"I had no idea this would be such a production" laughed Harm to Mac as everyone continued getting into place.
"I guess I didn't think a lot about how orchestrated the pictures would be" said Mac, "but I don't mind, I mean we want the best pictures we can get, right?"
"Definitely" agreed Harm, giving Mac a little kiss.
"Save it for the honeymoon" mumbled Chloe under her breath but fully intending for Mac and Harm to hear her.
"Did anyone ever tell you" said Harm with a smile, "that bridesmaids should be seen and not heard?"
"Nope, never" said Chloe, sticking her tongue out a little.
"Alright" continued Helen, "now we need the parents right down here in front, grandma, you too sweetie, that's great!"
"Who's gonna hold Ainsley?" asked Trish, who was still hanging onto the now sleeping little girl.
"I'll take her, mom" said Harm, stepping carefully between everyone standing in front of him and taking his tiny daughter in his hands.
"OK" said Helen to Harm, "if you can, kind of nestle her in between you and Sarah, oh, that looks perfect, just like that…"
click
After another dozen or so pictures in various poses of one sort or another, everyone bundled up and made their way to the parking lot to load up for the ride to Belleville.
"Do we need to put Ainsley's car seat in Frank's car?" asked Mac as she climbed into the front seat of their SUV while Bud and Harm took little AJ and Jimmy's seats out and put them in the Robert's van.
"No, babe" replied Harm, "remember, they'll be driving this back to DC tomorrow, so they'll need it in here."
"I knew that" said Mac, shaking her head. "Call it 'bride's brain' I guess."
"It's OK" said Harm, "it's been a big day and the party's just getting started. You've got a right to forget a few things." He made sure the baby's car seat was securely in place, then closed the back door before hopping into the driver's seat. He liked this SUV a lot more than the one he'd totaled in the accident 6 months earlier. It had a few more bells and whistles on it, the kinds of things guys enjoy. As he turned the heater up another notch and rubbed his hands together in front of the vents, Mattie tapped on his side window.
"Yeah, Mats?" he asked as he rolled the window down a few inches.
"Can Chloe and I ride with you?" she asked. "In all the jumbling around of who belongs in what car, we somehow ended up without a ride!"
"Of course you can ride with us" said Harm, "but how did you end up without a space in any of the other vehicles?"
"Beats me!" said Chloe as she appeared beside Mattie, holding her coat tightly against herself. "All I know is it's darned cold out here and I'm not hoofing it 80 miles to Grams' farm!"
"Get in, girls" said Mac, unlocking the doors with the button on the console. The teens climbed in, one on either side of Ainsley, and carefully folded the flows of their dresses behind their legs before closing the doors.
"Are we all set?" asked Harm as he put the vehicle in reverse.
"Let's go party hearty!" exclaimed Mattie. Harm and Mac just shook their heads and laughed.
"Hey, Ainsley-bear" said Chloe to the infant beside her. "What do you think of all this, huh?"
"She did really good, didn't she?" asked Mattie to her parents.
"She sure did" said Mac, "I never heard her make a sound through the whole ceremony."
"Well" said Harm, "she fell asleep about halfway through, but even before that she was perfectly quiet."
"I didn't know she'd fallen asleep" said Mac. "Did your mom tell you that?"
"No" answered Harm, "I happened to look out at my folks at one point and saw that she'd zonked out."
"Well, she's definitely your child" said Mac with a grin.
"What do you mean by that, babe?" asked Harm.
"Seeing an opportunity for a nap and grabbing a hold of it with both hands!" kidded Mac.
"I thought you were the 'napper' of the family" said Harm, reaching out and holding Mac's hand.
"Oh no, my dear flyboy" said Mac, "you've definitely got me beat in that category!"
"Well then" said Harm, "you can't deny that you're the reigning queen of the munchies!"
"I'll give you that" laughed Mac, fully aware that she was known for her love of all things edible. "Oh, hey, speaking of munchies, please tell me you grabbed her milk bottles from the church freezer before we left!"
"I sure did" said Harm, "actually, when I went to help Frank warm one up for her right after the ceremony, I took the rest out of the freezer and re-packed them, then put the cooler back in here so we wouldn't leave without it."
"OK" said Chloe, "you are, like, the most organized guy ever!"
"He really is, isn't he?" said Mattie. "Has he always been that way, Mac?"
"For the most part" replied Mac, "yes."
"What can I say?" said Harm, "Military training has shaped me well."
About an hour later, Harm pulled around the back of Grams' farmhouse, followed by the Roberts', big AJ, Sturgis and Frank. An area had been set aside for the wedding party to park in, not only to ensure they were able to park somewhat close to the house, but to give them all a chance to get out of their vehicles and get ready to make their grand entrance without everyone seeing them beforehand.
"Harm, could you please grab my make-up bag out of the back?" asked Mac as she unfastened her seatbelt and pulled down the sun visor to access the lighted vanity mirror.
"With pleasure, my love" he replied.
"They're so sweet it's sickening" said Chloe.
"Nah" said Mattie, "they're just in love."
"Here you go" said Harm as he handed Mac the bag. "Want me to get the baby out?"
"Yeah" answered Mac as she fished for her lipstick. "She probably needs changed again, it was a pretty long drive out here."
"I'll do it" said Mattie, opening her door and stepping outside, then leaning back in to unfasten Ainsley's straps.
"Thanks, Mats" said Harm, patting her on the back as he walked by. "You can just lay her on the seat there and do it if you want. I'm gonna go see how close everyone else is to being ready to go inside."
"How do I look?" asked Mac a few moment later after she'd touched-up her face.
"Very pretty" said Chloe.
"Thanks" smiled Mac. "What are they doing over there?" she asked, looking through the vehicle window at all the men in the wedding party, standing in a tight circle next to Sturgis' car.
"Dunno" said Mattie as she finished changing Ainsley's diaper, "must be talking about something." Moments later, the circle broke, and Harm returned to his vehicle.
"Are we ready, ladies?" he asked.
"I think so" said Mac, "what were you guys doing over there?"
"Plotting to take over the universe" he wisecracked, "why?"
"I just have to wonder" said Mac, "when a bunch of guys, especially this bunch of guys, huddle together like that."
"There's nothing to wonder about, babe" said Harm as he laid Ainsley back into her car seat and covered her up. "We just needed to make sure we knew what order everyone was supposed to enter in, that's all."
Somehow, Mac didn't feel completely convinced, but she knew if Harm was up to something, she'd find out soon enough.
"Everyone is waiting for us by the back door" said Harm, lifting the baby seat out and grabbing the diaper bag and the cooler full of bottles. He led the way as Mac walked closely behind him, followed by Chloe and Mattie.
"Sergei" said Harm once they arrived at the door, "would you please go inside and let the DJ know we're here?"
"Sure" answered the best man, "I'll be right back."
"The DJ is gonna introduce us, right?" asked Bud.
"Yeah" said Harm, "he'll have us all line up first and he'll run down his list to make sure he's got all our names and pronunciations right, then he'll introduce us all as we enter."
"Cool deal!" said Chloe, "I've never had all eyes on me before!"
"And you won't this time, either" said Mac, "we're being introduced in couples, so you and Sturgis will walk in together, just like at the wedding."
"Aw, man!" said Chloe. "Oh well, it'll be close to having all eyes on me." Just then, Sergei returned with the DJ.
"Hey, everyone" said the DJ, "I already know some of you, but for those of you whom I haven't had the chance to meet yet, my name's Alex, I'm the DJ for this evening." Several "hi's" and "hello's" came from the group.
"It's awfully cold to do this out here" said Alex, "why don't I go in and close the kitchen door, then we can all step inside and get in order without becoming Popsicles in the process?"
"Go for it" said Harm, looking down at Ainsley's carrier to make sure she was still covered up.
"OK, come on in everyone" said Alex as he stepped behind the door and held it open.
"Oh, it's warm in here" said Jen.
"I know" said Harriet, "I think my fingers were turning purple out there!"
"OK" said Alex, looking down at his list. "Harm and Mac chose the order in which they'd like everyone to make their entrance, and they'd like to start with his grandmother, Sarah Rabb. I'm gonna guess that's you, young lady?" He looked at Grams and smiled big.
"Oh, you're too kind" replied Harm's grandma.
"If you'll stand right here, ma'am" said Alex, pointing to a place near the kitchen door.
"I need the parents of the groom" said Alex, "Frank and Trish Burnett. Is it 'BUR-nett' or "Bur-NETT'?"
"Bur-NETT" replied Frank, "but we hear it both ways so often that we'll answer to either one."
"Well" laughed the DJ, "tonight, we're gonna get it right! Next up is the ring bearer, AJ Roberts."
"That's me!" exclaimed little AJ. Everyone laughed at the youngster's enthusiasm.
"Well OK, AJ" said Alex, "I need for you to come stand right behind Mr. and Mrs. Burnett here, can you do that for me?"
"Yes, sir" said the little boy, stepping into place right where he was told.
"Such a polite little man" said Alex, clearly amused at AJ's antics. "Up next, I need Sturgis Turner and Chloe Madison."
"Right here" said Sturgis, stepping forward.
"And here" said Chloe, picking up her bouquet off a nearby chair.
"Great" said Alex, "just stand right behind the little guy there. AJ Cheg…widden? Is that right?"
"Correct" said the retired Admiral.
"Hey, got it on the first try, how about that?" said Alex, "I need you and Mathilda Grace Johnson together, please."
"Can he call me 'Mattie', please?" she asked Harm and Mac. "'Mathilda' just sounds so formal."
"It is formal, Mats" said Harm, "it's a wedding reception."
"Please?" she begged.
"Sorry kiddo" said Mac, "indulge us just this once, it won't kill you."
Mattie sighed. "Alright, but just this once!" She stepped into line beside her honorary uncle.
"Bud Roberts and Jennifer Coates?" said Alex.
"Right here" said Jen as she and Bud took their place in line.
"That brings us to the honor attendants" continued Alex, "that must be you two?' he asked, looking at Harriet and Sergei.
"Yes indeed" said Harriet. She and Sergei only needed to take a couple of steps from where they were standing to get into the line, which by then was stretching nearly the full length of the kitchen.
"Harriet Simms-Roberts and…you'll have to help me with this one" said Alex as he tried to pronounce Sergei's name.
"Sergei" said the young Russian, "Zhukov."
"OK" said Alex, "I think I can handle that, 'SAIR-gay JEW-kov."
"Looks like we're the only ones left" said Harm as he looked at the line before them.
"Yeah" said Alex, "but everyone knows the grandest entrance is saved for last. How would you like me to introduce you? Full names, nicknames…?"
"Here" said Mac reaching for Alex's list and pen, "I'll write it down for you." She jotted a few words down and returned the paper and pen to the DJ.
"Looks good to me" he said upon reading what she'd written. "If you wanna get the little one there all set" he said, nodding towards Ainsley's carrier, "I'll go get the guests attention and we'll get this show on the road."
"Let's do it" said Mac with a huge smile. Alex left the kitchen, and they could hear him address the gathering of guests in the huge living room.
"If I could have your attention for a few minutes, please folks" he said into his wireless microphone, "the wedding party has arrived, and it's my sincere pleasure to introduce them to you tonight."
"Here we go" said Grams to Trish.
"First in line" said Alex, "we have the grandmother of the groom, Mrs. Sarah Rabb. Let's welcome her tonight!" The crowd applauded Grams as she entered the room.
"I must say" she said, "I've never been welcomed quite so nicely to my own house before!" Everyone laughed as the applause continued.
"Next we have the parents of the groom, Frank and Trish Burnett. How about a round of applause for them as well!" The applause continued as the couple made their way across the room and stood beside Grams.
"Introducing the ring bearer, AJ Roberts!" Little AJ proudly walked across the room and stood next to Trish.
"How'd I do?" he asked her, much the same way he'd asked that very question to Harm at the wedding, only much louder this time.
"You did wonderful, honey" said Trish amidst the laughter and continued applause.
"Next up, Sturgis Turner and Chloe Madison. Let's hear it for them, folks!"
"This is embarrassing" mumbled Sturgis.
"Nah" replied Chloe, "it's pretty cool." They fell into line next to Little AJ.
"Please welcome AJ Chegwidden and Mathilda Grace Johnson. Give it up for them, folks!"
"There's a grand total of about 5 people on earth I'd do this for" said AJ to Mattie in a loud whisper as the applause rang through the room.
"I'm with you there, Uncle AJ!" said Mattie as they reached their place in line.
"Joining us next are Bud Roberts and Jennifer Coates. Yeah!"
"This guy is a little too…fun for me" said Bud as he and Jen began their trek across the living room.
"Me too" agreed Jen, "but just think about how cool he'll make the reception!" They reached their place next to Mattie, stopped and turned around.
"Up next we have the Matron of Honor, Harriet Simms-Roberts, and the Best Man, Sergei Zhukov. Make them feel welcome, everybody!"
"Why do I feel like all eyes are on me?" asked Sergei.
"Because they are" replied Harriet with a little laugh as they continued their walk. Once they were in place, everyone knew who was coming up next, and every eye in the room was trained on the kitchen door once again.
"It's now my great and humble pleasure" said Alex, "to introduce to you, appearing for the first time in public, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon David Rabb, Jr., and their daughter, Ainsley Rose."
Harm and Mac emerged from the kitchen, his right arm locked with her left. Mac was clutching her bouquet and Harm cradled Ainsley as they walked slowly across the room to take their place at the end of the receiving line.
"Folks" said the DJ, "we're gonna have the happy family stay up here for a short while so anyone who'd like to congratulate them can do so, then we'll get the music going and have ourselves a wonderful time, OK!"
Harm, Mac, Ainsley, Mattie, Frank, Trish and Grams stayed together to receive the greetings and well-wishes while the rest of the wedding party scattered throughout the room, helping themselves to the food and mingling with the guests. Many of the guests that Grams had invited had never seen Mac, Mattie or Ainsley, and hadn't seen Harm since before he became a lawyer. Others had met the happy couple but hadn't seen the baby, so it was a wonderful time to show her off. After about half an hour, Alex stepped up to the mic again.
"It's time now for Harm and Mac to share their first dance as husband and wife. If I could ask everyone to gather around the dance floor, we'll share their moment in the spotlight."
As guests stopped mingling and visiting and gathered around the 50x50 wooden dance floor that Grams had rented for the occasion and had installed in her incredibly spacious living room/dining room, Harm handed Ainsley to his mom, then took Mac's hand and led her to the site where they'd have their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Jr.
The lights dimmed around them as "their song" began to play. Mac laid her head on Harm's chest as they slow-danced, thinking back to the night that this song became so special to them.
…flashback to 15 months ago…
"There's nothing on TV tonight" said Harm as he flipped through the TV Guide.
"There has to be something" said Mac as she waited for the popcorn to finish, "it's Friday night, there's always something on Friday nights."
"Not this Friday night" said Harm, tossing the book onto the coffee table and stretching out on the couch. "Those darned Hollywood folks have ripped the lifeblood right out of the only show I liked watching on Friday night. I guess we'll have to watch a DVD."
"Sounds good to me" said Mac just as the microwave sounded that the popcorn was done. "You can look and see what I've got for DVD's if you want to, you know where they are."
"OK" said Harm, getting up from the couch and walking over to the shelf. He turned his head to the side and read the titles that sat before him: The Bridges of Madison County, Father of the Bride (parts 1 and 2), Apollo 13. Nothing caught his eye until…
"What are you doing with a "Lion King" DVD?" he asked her.
"Oh, that" she replied, "Chloe brought it one time when she came to visit, since I'd never seen it. I liked it so much that she let me keep it, said she had another copy at home."
"Isn't it a kids movie though?" he asked.
"It's animated, yes" answered Mac, "but it happens to be a really sweet love story. Wanna watch it?"
"Sure, what the heck" said Harm as he popped open the case and put the disc into the DVD player. He dimmed the lights, then sat on the couch next to Mac and took a handful of popcorn as the movie started. They sat together through the entire movie, until end credits rolled and that song by Elton John began to play.
"Well" she asked him, "what'd you think?"
"Hmm?" he replied, apparently lost in thought over something.
"Did you like it?" she asked.
"Oh" he said, "yeah, it was really good. Hey, you know, that popcorn made me awfully thirsty, could you get me a bottle of water, please?"
"Uh, ok" said Mac, a little confused as to why he couldn't get up and get his own bottle of water. When she returned from the kitchen, though, she figured out the reason. Harm had moved the DVD back to the beginning of that last song, "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", had moved the coffee table aside, and was standing in the middle of the living room floor.
"Dance with me, Mac" he said softly.
"OK" she replied, equally softly. She set the bottle of water on a chair as she walked over Harm and put her arms around his neck. His arms wrapped themselves around her waist, and they looked into one another's eyes as the words of that beautiful love song filled the air.
"I love you" whispered Mac.
"I love you, too" whispered Harm. He leaned down to kiss her, and when the kiss broke, the look in her eyes told him where the night was headed.
"You sure you want to?" he asked her, his voice barely audible over the music.
She nodded in reply. They'd been trying to conceive for a couple of months, with no luck, and their intimate moments had become overburdened with calendars, cycle days, "doctor's orders" and "timing everything just right." On that night, though, it could just be the two of them, Harm and Mac, making love just because they wanted to. No pressure. No expectations. They could just be…together.
…end flashback…
Harm leaned down and sang the next line of the song, his favorite line, softly into Mac's ear.
She smiled and blinked back a tear.
As planned for this point in the song, Trish carried Ainsley over and handed her to her parents so the three of them could dance the last verse as a family.
When the song ended, Harm and Mac kissed one another and then kissed their daughter before a round of applause swept over the room.
A/N: The reception will be posted in several chapters, it ended up being really long!
I was SO happy to learn yesterday that season 10 is the last for JAG. It was a bittersweet announcement to hear, though. I'm glad that we won't have the new guy rammed down our throats as if we're supposed to accept him as replacement for the lifeblood of the show (do we look that gullable?), but it just KILLS me to know that because the network couldn't decide this, oh, say last fall, we won't get the kind of shippery ending we've all waited so long for. After all, they couldn't get them together in no uncertain terms and then have Harm not be there next season, hence the reason DPB said the relationship will be resolved "ambiguously" and it'll be up to the viewer to decide for themselves if Harm and Mac actually get together or not. ARGH!
BIG hugs to David James Elliott, who definitely earned the right to say he was part of JAG from beginning to end. Thankfully, he'll get to say that now that CBS realized that some things just can't be replaced.