Family Life Part 2 of 8
Rabb/Mackenzie Apartment
North of Union Station
Washington, District of Columbia
2100 EST
Mattie was wiped out after an evening of babysitting the energetic Roberts boys. She looked so tired that Harm and Mac decided they could share their news tomorrow.
Mac was snuggled up in bed. Harm stripped to his boxers and crawled in next to her. He pulled her close, put his hand on her still flat stomach and remarked, "It amazes me that our child is growing in there."
Mac spooned against him and replied, "I know it just doesn't seem real yet, but I am excited. Besides in a few months he or she will be obvious."
"Harm, I've been thinking that we should tell Mattie at breakfast tomorrow. Then after dinner, if you make yourself scarce, I can get Mattie to help me with the dishes, and ease into our talk," said Mac.
"I'll see if Sturgis wants to play some basketball or something. Should I plan on a group conversation when I come back?" asked Harm.
"We'll play it by ear, but I would think not," said Mac. "I think we should take some cues from Mattie. We don't want to overwhelm her. I'm hoping that maybe we can find something else like something on TV or in the news that we can use to start a discussion."
"Sarah, you are instinctive at this mom stuff. Our children are very lucky," say Harm He kisses Mac and then they both drifted off to sleep.
Rabb/Mackenzie Apartment
North of Union Station
Washington, District Columbia
0630 EST
Harm is in the kitchen making omelets, while Mac sets the table and makes coffee. A still sleepy Mattie walks into the kitchen barefoot and in her pajamas. "Good morning," Mattie says through a yawn.
"Good morning," Harm and Mac reply.
Harm starts dishing up omelets, as Mac and Mattie sit down. He ruffles Mattie's hair as he passes her. "Sweetheart, Mac and I have some good news," says Harm.
"Our family is going to be getting bigger in about eight months," said Mac.
Mattie squealed, "You're pregnant! That is so great!"
Harm said, "We think so."
"Mattie, I'm glad you are happy about this. A new baby will mean lots of changes around here, but remember that we love you no differently than this baby," said Mac.
"I know that. I'm not planning on being jealous of an infant," replied Mattie. She continued saying "I can't wait to tell Jen."
Harm spoke up and said "Mattie we aren't planning on telling anyone but my parents and Grandma Sarah just yet. It's still early and we don't want to tell too many people in case, God forbid, something happens."
"O.K." Mattie agrees.
Harm grabbed Mac and Mattie and swept his girls up into a group hug. Mac reminded them unless they got going that they were going to be late for work and school.
Rabb/Mackenzie Apartment
North of Union Station
Washington, District of Columbia
2000 EST
Harm went off to play basketball with Sturgis. Mac and Mattie were in the kitchen doing dishes and cleaning up after Harm's cooking. Mac and Mattie are chatting and Mac is trying to figure out how best to begin her talk with Mattie.
While on the subject of the baby Mattie asked "How long had you and Harm been trying to get pregnant?"
"We're very, very happy about this baby, we were talking about starting to add to our family soon, but we weren't actually trying," said Mac. "As far as my doctor and I can figure I somehow fell into the 1 failure rate of the birth control pills."
"Really?" queried Mattie. "I thought you couldn't get pregnant if you were taking the pill?"
"Well," said Mac "the only thing that is a foolproof form of birth control is not to have sex. The pill does have one of the best success rates. I've been taking it for years and this has never happened to me before. Remember if you are going to be sexually active you need to be prepared to deal with the consequences because nothing is foolproof. Also, the pill does not protect you from disease, you need condoms for that."
"Mattie, Harm told me he signed your permission slip for the sex-ed unit in family life. It made me realize you haven't had your mom around for a while. Is there anything you'd like to talk to me about? You know you can come to me and Harm with anything."
Mattie blushed and stared at her feet. "Mac, none of the boys my age even look at me. I'm not pretty, silly, and giggly. I think I would need to have a date before I even think about having sex."
"Mattie, honey, you are very pretty, and, well, boys your age a dumb and immature," said Mac. "I know it's hard to see now, but take a look at the men that you respect and the women they love. I'm not silly and giggly. Harriet isn't silly and giggly. Congresswoman Latham isn't silly and giggly. Your time will come. Anyway, just because you are not dating does not mean you won't have any questions."
"Mac, my mom and I had the 'what's going to happen to my body talk' years before she died. So no questions there," Mattie said. "I promise that if anything comes up I'll come talk to you. Not Harm though. Way too embarrassing. You're not going to tell him about this conversation, right?" Mattie looked like she was hoping that the floor would open up and swallow her.
"Harm and I don't keep secrets from each other. I'll respect your privacy when I can, but if there's something I think your other parent needs to know, I will tell him," Mac replied. "I might mention that we had this talk to him, but I won't go into all the details."
"I guess that's all right," said Mattie.
Mattie went off to her finish her homework before she went to bed.
Rabb/Mackenzie Apartment
North of Union Station
Washington, District Columbia
2100 EST
Mac was very tired and she decided to read in bed until Harm came home. She feel asleep with the book in her hand and only woke up when Harm got in bed next to her. She stirred and turned to talk to Harm.
"How was the game?" asked Mac.
"Good. I beat Sturgis," replied Harm. "How did your conversation with Mattie go?"
"Pretty well. In fact she kind of started it by asking how long we had been trying for a baby and we went from there" said Mac. "I also learned she doesn't think any boys like her because she is not pretty, silly or giggly. I reminded her of how pretty she is and that silly and giggly is not so important after High School. She didn't have anything to ask me. She looked horrified when I said she could come to you or me with anything. I get the feeling that she is not likely to talk to you. In fact, she didn't even want me to tell you we talked. I told her I would respect her privacy, but there are some things that I might need to clue her other parent in on."
"Sounds like a good talk. I can't say that I'm upset that boys in her class don't see how special she is. I'd like her not to date until she's 30," said Harm.
"Harm! Peer acceptance is everything at her age," said Mac. "Plus enforcing a no dating until she's 30 rule would be kinda hard to enforce."
Harm pulled Mac close to him, kissed her and said, "On that note Mrs. Rabb, I think it is time to get some sleep."
