Family Life Part 7 of 8
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
1100 EST
Harm came straight back from his investigation to JAG HQ. After reporting to the Admiral, Harm walked through the bullpen to Mac's office. He walked through the open door closing it behind him and said, "I've missed you. Did Mattie and the Kid give you too much trouble while I was gone?" (Harm had taken to calling to referring to the child Mac was carrying as the Kid.)
"I've missed you too. So has Mattie. She and the Kid have been no trouble at all," said Mac. "Why don't we get lunch at 1200 and catch up then?"
"Sure," replied Harm. "I guess I better go check out the files that have been breeding on my desk while I've been gone."
At 1200, Harm came and got Mac for lunch. They went to a little deli near JAG. Mac filled Harm in on Mattie's school project and reminded him that he needed to be available for an interview about impending fatherhood. She also told him about her plan to spend more time with Mattie doing something Mattie picked.
Harm said, "Sounds like you've got this mom thing down. What do you think Mattie will come up with for you guys to do?"
"I don't know," Mac replied. "I do know that we need to get back to work though."
Rabb/Mackenzie Apartment
North of Union Station
Washington, District of Columbia
1830 EST
Harm, Mac, and Mattie are sitting around the dinner table eating and discussing the day. Mattie had several entertaining stories from school to share. Mattie's school stories often left Harm and Mac thinking that they would prefer active duty in Iraq to wrangling teenagers. And Mattie's school was a good one with an advanced academic magnet!
"Mac, I've decide what I want us to work together," said Mattie. "I want us to learn to knit so I can make myself a poncho. Susan has a book with a pattern that lets you teach yourself."
Harm was about to make a comment about his marine knitting, but after seeing how excited Mattie was he bit his tongue. Mac looked a bit scared since she wasn't sure they could learn knitting from a book. Sensing her reluctance, Harm jumped in and said "You could wait until we go visit Grandma Sarah over the President's day long weekend and she could help you get started." Mac's eyes lit up at that suggestion. Mattie agreed that would be fun. They had found their project.
While Mattie was doing her homework in her room, Mac grabbed the cordless phone and curled up next to her husband on the couch and called Grandma Sarah.
"Hi Grams, its Mac."
"Hello Sarah. How are you doing? Any morning sickness?"
"No Grams. I'm doing just fine. How are you?"
"I'm just fine Sarah. I'm looking forward to having you visit over President's Day."
"That's why I'm calling Grams. I told Mattie that I'd like her to pick something that we can do together. I wanted there to be something special for us to do, especially with the new baby coming. Anyway she decided that she wants us to learn to knit. She wants to make a poncho. Harm said that you could probably teach us."
"Oh, I'd love to teach you to knit. We have a great yarn store here. It sounds like a wonderful activity for you and Mattie. Now put that grandson of my mine on the phone."
Mac handed the phone to Harm and went to tell Mattie that knitting lessons were on with Grandma Sarah.
