Love is in the Air
Chapter 6
Harm's head shot up at the glaring alarm. It took him a few seconds to register the difference between the odd bleeping and the usual fire drill. Knocking his chair over behind him, he rushed out to Beth's desk. She was already out from behind her desk and heading for his door. "Move it now, Petty Officer."
"Sir, I have to secure..."
"Now! Out the security tunnel. Do not stop or speak to anyone. That's an order." Knowing it would most likely do no good, he pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to her anyway. "Breathe through this."
"Yes, sir." She accepted the handkerchief and reluctantly turned away.
Once Mac and Tracy were past the second set of double doors in the underground tunnel, Gunny pointed ahead. "There's a safe room at the end of the hall. I'm going back to help with the evacuation."
"Understood," Mac replied automatically. Technically, Tracy was his superior officer, but it was second nature for Mac to respond to the Marine.
Gunny hadn't made it more than twenty feet back up the hall when the staff started shuffling in his direction. "This way." He waved them forward. "Keep going. The safe room isn't far."
"Why can't we just leave the building?" one of the secretaries asked.
"SOP, ma'am." The question hadn't been directed to Gunny, but since he'd heard it, he felt obliged to respond. When he saw Beth coming towards him with a cloth over her mouth his stomach rose to his throat. "Are you okay?"
Beth nodded. She wasn't prepared to disobey an order, even to speak to Gunny.
Gunny wanted to stay with her, but his duty was to see to it that the building was evacuated. He had a responsibility to everyone in the building.
Harm would have preferred a less dramatic confirmation of the red alert, but at least it was some consolation that Mac hadn't been caught in the building. Now, his thoughts fled to Beth. He had a concern for everyone under his command, but he was especially worried about her. If the nerve gas alarm was accurate, there was no telling what damage could have been done to the baby. He didn't want to even begin to consider the horrible possibilities.
"Sir, you need to leave the building now," Staff Sergeant Michael Houlihan said as sternly as possible.
"Is the building secure?"
"Floors three, four, and five are all clear."
"What about the rest of the building?"
"In process. Let's get moving, sir. Please." The sergeant waved Harm down the hall just as Gunny Galindez came through the tunnel double doors.
"Anyone left?"
"Three, four and five are all clear," Houlihan reported.
Just then Corporal Milton came barreling around the corner. "One and two all secure, sirs!"
"Then let's move it!" Harm ordered, following the last of the Marines through the double doors and down the hall.
Mac was surprised at the size of the safe room. She had expected a small structure barely large enough to pack the staff in like sardines. If her estimates were correct, the safe room ran the length and width of the building above it. The rear of the area had at least twenty cots neatly laid out in barracks style. One wall was covered with basic supplies, including blankets, pillows, lanterns, and water. Silently she hoped they wouldn't be there long enough to need any of it.
"Not exactly what I had expected," Tracy commented softly, looking around at the bare room.
"Me neither," Mac added, her voice as quiet as Tracy's.
"How many people do you think are in the building?" Mac wondered aloud, noticing a stack of thin mats, not much different from those used for exercising.
"I believe at full capacity there are approximately 350."
"Things could get crowded," Mac sighed.
"Yes, ma'am." Tracy looked up at the first group of people coming through the door. "We'd better make ourselves useful."
Mac nodded her head and walked towards the door. Tracy moved to where the mats were stacked along one wall of shelves.
"Everybody move along. If you'd like a cushion to sit on, see Commander Manetti across the way. Otherwise, find a spot somewhere and make yourselves comfortable."
Quickly, a continuous hum of conversation could be heard throughout the room. When Mac spotted Beth winding her way into the room through the crowd, she suggested Beth go straight to the back and lay down on one of the cots.
"I don't think that will be necessary, ma'am." Beth tried to smile. She was worried about Gunny going back into the building.
"Well, you certainly can't be expected to sit on the floor in your condition. At least go sit on one of the cots."
"Thank you, ma'am, but it's not that hard to get up and down, yet." Beth noticed Mac looking over her shoulder and down the hall. "I'm sure he'll be along any second, ma'am."
"Thank you, Beth."
"I tried to stay and secure the offices, but Captain Rabb ordered me to leave."
"I would have done the same," Mac nodded. "I'm sure you're right and he'll be along shortly." Mac wished she felt as sure as she sounded. The last thing she needed now was for Harm to play Superman somehow.
Within a few minutes, the last of the personnel had settled into the room. Harm and Gunny had been in the hall just outside the doorway, talking on the radio. Mac watched them intently, wishing she was still an active Marine so she could go out there and find out what was going on.
Finally, Harm and Gunny made their way into the room.
"Attention on deck," Gunny called out loudly. Immediately the room quieted to a dull roar.
"If I can have your attention a minute please." Harm waved his arms at the crowd in an effort to drop the noise level another notch. "We've had a confirmation of a security sensor indicating nerve gas has been released into our ventilation system. As some of you know, the tunnel and this safe room are on a separate ventilation system and will not be affected by whatever has set off the alarm. A doctor should be joining us shortly in the event anyone needs medical attention before we receive the all clear. We could be here for a while, so try to make yourselves as comfortable as possible."
Everyone continued to stare at Harm as though that might somehow make the information he'd just shared more palatable. By the time he'd moved closer to his wife, the quiet buzz of conversation had once again filled the room.
"How bad is it?" Mac asked quietly.
"We have no idea. We might as well make ourselves comfortable, too." Harm steered Mac towards a relatively uncrowded area along a side wall. "This could be a long night."
Grabbing a spare cushion as he walked past the rack, Harm dropped it on the floor and gestured for Mac to have a seat. "I didn't realize you were in the building."
"Barely," she shrugged. "If you're hungry, your lunch is on that table over there." She tried to smile but somehow it came out more as a faint smirk. "I was barely in the front door when the alarm went off. I'd bumped into Gunny and Tracy outside. As soon as the alarm sounded, Gunny practically shoved Tracy and me into the hall and down to the tunnel. I probably didn't breathe from the building air for more than 30 seconds."
"I'm worried about Beth. We got her out pretty quick, but I'd hate to see something happen to that baby."
"You think it might?" A sick feeling swelled in the pit of her stomach.
"I wish I knew," Harm sighed heavily.
Chapter 7As soon as the other Marines didn't need him, Gunny walked over to where Beth was sitting on one of the cots. "Glad to see you taking it easy." He sat down next to her.
"Mrs. Rabb seemed to think it was a good idea. Once I got over that naval stubborn streak, I decided she was right."
"Were you having trouble breathing?" Gunny was a little startled by his overwhelming need to touch her, by how he wanted to run his hands down her sides and across her tummy, to simply make sure everything was really all right. Of course, he knew better than to try, but still, he wanted to more than anything else right now. He desperately felt the need for just a little reassurance.
"No, the captain gave me his handkerchief and ordered me not to stop or speak to anyone."
A small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. That man really was one hell of an officer.
"How long do you think we'll be here?" Beth mindlessly rubbed the side of her large belly.
"There's no way of telling. Are you feeling okay?" Gunny misunderstood her light ministrations as a sign of discomfort.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried about all these people."
Now wasn't that typical Beth. Five months pregnant, with plenty of her own problems, and she was worried about all the other people in the room.
"I'm sure everyone will be fine." Gunny patted her arm slightly. Under the circumstances, the small gesture didn't seem out of line.
"I know." Beth dropped her right hand momentarily on top of Gunny's and squeezed lightly. A simple act of gratitude, but she was unaware of the impact it had on the stoic Marine. "Why won't they just let us go home?"
"Security. Once the situation is under control, everyone exposed might need to have medical treatment."
Beth pressed her lips and gave a short nod, wishing she could take hold of Gunny's hand for a little security of her own.
Across the room Harm and Mac sat chatting quietly with their hands entwined tightly when Tracy walked over. With remarkable ease, she descended to the floor beside Harm more gracefully than either of them thought was humanly possible.
"Any idea what prompted this?" she asked in almost a whisper.
"A security sensor indicated nerve gas was released somewhere in the building." Harm shrugged a shoulder and crinkled his mouth to one side. He wished he had more information for her.
"Then all we can do is wait." It wasn't really a question.
Harm knew what they needed now most of all was to distract themselves from the situation at hand. "I'm afraid so. Care to fill me in on this morning?"
"Well, sir, our brazen lothario appears to be nothing more than a foolish romantic." She paused, hoping that would be enough, but the look on her CO's face indicated he was clearly waiting for the rest of the story. "I'm afraid I let my guard down when I was distracted by a rather friendly tomcat."
"A ploy?" Harm asked.
"I suspect it was a mere coincidence since none of the other reports mentioned a cat. I wasn't as prepared as I should have been when he appeared behind me. Under normal circumstances I should have been able to apprehend him myself."
"Normal circumstances?" Harm curled a curious brow.
"I think she means if he hadn't distracted her with a kiss." Mac squeezed his hand, hoping he wasn't going to make this too difficult for Tracy. Mac could already see how awkward retelling the story was for her.
"That would be correct, ma'am." As hard as she tried not to, Tracy knew her cheeks were undoubtedly turning a bright shade of red.
Harm looked over at his wife and back at Tracy. Surely, this guy couldn't have had THAT much of an effect on the woman?
"Fortunately, after he thanked me and ran away, Gunny was able to apprehend him."
"He thanked you?" Harm couldn't believe the nerve of this guy.
"Apparently he's from a rural town in Georgia. He explained that his grandmother would never forgive him if he didn't remember his manners." Tracy did her best to hide a grin. Harm on the other hand burst out laughing.
"And his 'grandmother' wouldn't have minded his running around stealing kisses?"
"He didn't expound on that," she smiled.
"So, who is he?" Harm asked.
"Civilian. Overheard his sister and some friends talking about how hard it was to get the men to notice them if they didn't look like an actress. That was all the inspiration he needed. Working at the commissary he got to eavesdrop on all the conversations. He had a pretty good idea of who was socially active and who was 'lonely', as he put it. Apparently, had he not overheard my comment to the kitty about not having a Valentine, I would not have been a suitable target."
"Suitable target?"
"Mr. Perkins wouldn't have wanted to 'offend' anyone." Tracy bit back another laugh.
"How did we wind up with this guy in the first place?"
"His sister is stationed here. He took a year off from his studies and came to visit her. When she managed to get him a job at the commissary, he agreed to stay on longer."
"Lucky us. So how old is he?"
"Twenty, sir." Tracy wasn't about to tell her CO that she felt this kid must have spent his entire high school career studying backseat maneuvers, because he really was one hell of a kisser.
Harm rubbed the side of his face, hiding a quiet chuckle, then looked back up at Tracy. "He's not US military so we can't hold him accountable. Is there anyone willing to press charges against him with the local authorities?"
"I'm afraid not, sir. Everyone agrees he was perfectly harmless, and considering his young age, they're willing to write it off as youthful folly."
"He won't be allowed back on base. If he wants to remain in London with his sister he'll have to prey on somebody else." Harm wasn't completely convinced this young man was as harmless as everyone seemed to think.
"His sister has already taken care of that. She's arranged for him to go home to Grandma for a refresher course on southern manners." This time Tracy chuckled out loud. Her experience with southern grandmothers led her to believe that he would have had an easier time of it in the brig.
Gunny had been recounting the story of the kissing bandit to Beth, fully aware that her attention was on the Rabbs and Commander Manetti across the room.
"I honestly didn't expect her to stand there frozen when he finally kissed her. Fortunately, from where I stood, he didn't have enough time to get a good lead on me."
"It's probably best he's going home," she mumbled, still staring at the Rabbs. "Have you noticed throughout that entire conversation they haven't stopped holding hands?"
"No, but that doesn't surprise me. This is a stressful situation. It makes sense they would lean on each other. Under the circumstances, holding hands is justifiable."
"It's sweet too."
He wasn't willing to agree to sweet, but he did agree they made a smart looking couple.
"They'd probably be wonderful parents," Beth added softly.
"Yes, they already are." Gunny thought back to all the stories he'd heard about the Rabbs and Mattie. Not many people could take on a teenager like that, especially after her accident.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Beth began rubbing her tummy again. "Do you think if they really can't have children of their own, maybe they might want mine?"
Chapter 8
Gunny couldn't seem to find any words. He'd known she hadn't made up her mind regarding what to do about the baby. It had actually been the cause of some concern for him ever since New Year's, when he'd realized she was still seriously considering giving the baby away. At this stage of their pregnancies his sisters would have already been overloaded with more baby paraphernalia than any single home could hold. In Beth's case, she didn't have a single item that could be considered even slightly baby related, nor did she have the room in that little apartment to hold it even if she did.
"What do you think?" she repeated.
"I think you'd be as good a mother as the colonel." It didn't exactly answer her question, but it was the truth.
Beth glanced down at her tummy before looking up at Gunny. "I wish that were true."
"It is." He could read the doubt in her eyes. "I've known the colonel a very long time and I think I've come to know you pretty well the last few months. You have just as much to offer a child as she does."
"Maybe so, but she and Captain Rabb could afford things I'll never be able to give this baby. It would be the best of both worlds. A life filled with love, nurturing, and a more than comfortable lifesty...le." Beth froze pressing her hand more forcefully against her stomach.
"Is something wrong?" Gunny immediately noticed the odd look on her face.
"I'm not sure." Waiting a few more seconds in silence, a small grin slowly spread across her face. "I think the baby's kicking." Without giving it a second thought she reached over, took hold of Gunny's hand, and placed it on her side. Keeping her hand firmly on his, she waited again for another sensation. "There!" She grinned more brightly.
Gunny chuckled softly. "Yup. That was definitely a kick."
Across the room, Tracy Manetti got up from her spot next to Harm and Mac.
"I can't believe one little kiss could have completely disarmed someone as competent as Tracy." Harm shook his head.
"I can."
Harm raised a brow at her.
"I'm serious. I remember one little ole kiss on a dock in Norfolk that literally took my breath away. I'm not sure how I managed to find the words to say something."
"That really was one hell of a kiss. Did you really think I was kissing Diane?"
"Weren't you?"
"It might have been her memory that drew me to you, but the feelings that came to life inside me had nothing to do with any ghosts." Harm stretched his fingers and then wrapped them more tightly around Mac's hand.
"But you didn't say a thing." Mac shifted her weight for a better look at him.
"Part of me didn't think you wanted to hear that. Another part of me didn't want to admit it to myself."
"When did that part finally admit it?"
"On the admiral's porch. When you walked away, I had no idea how I was going to live with the ache of watching you marry another man." Harm's thumb brushed soothingly back and forth against her hand.
"Oh, Harm..." Mac didn't know what to say. Why did so much go so wrong for so long? "We wasted so much time."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"So am I." Mac put her other hand over their already clasped hands. "I guess that leaves us no choice but to double our efforts to make up for lost time." A grin as wide as the English Channel slid across her face and the impish twinkle that appeared in her eyes could have lit all of London.
"Woman, you're hell on a man's restraint!" Harm had no idea how he had resisted the urge to pull her into his arms for as many years as he had, because at this moment it was taking every ounce of self-discipline he had, and then some, not to try and kiss her socks off.
Still smiling, Mac shifted back and rested her head against the wall behind her, noticing for the first time how cute Gunny and Beth looked all alone in their own little corner of the world. "What do you think they're talking about?"
Harm looked up to see where Mac's eyes were focused. "Could be anything. Maybe he's telling her about the day's escapades," he chuckled.
"Don't think so. He's got his hand on her stomach."
Harm turned to take a closer look. "You're right."
"Of course I'm right. Think they've gotten together?"
"No. Gunny's convinced it's a one way street."
"Do you think it is?"
"Maaaac. If I were any judge of the female mind, do you really think I would have waited nine years to propose?"
"Good point," she chuckled, squeezing his hand again. "Tomorrow's Valentine's Day. Maybe Cupid will inspire them."
"Sir," Corporal Milton interrupted. "There's a call for you on the radio."
Harm quickly moved over to where the Marines had set up a mini command post. "Rabb here... I see... yes... well done. Thank you." He handed the radio back to the sergeant. "We've got the all clear."
Turning to face the rest of the room, Harm called for everyone's attention. "I've just been informed that this little exercise has been a false alarm. We've got the all clear to return to the building." Harm could hear the collective sigh of relief. "Any non-essential personnel can secure for the day. Dismissed."
Mac walked up next to Harm's side as the people slowly got up and started moving out the doorway. "Two hours and forty seven minutes, much better than I had feared."
"Much," Harm agreed. Just then he caught sight from the corner of his eye of Gunny helping Beth up from the cot. He honestly couldn't remember the last time he'd felt such relief. He had to chuckle to himself. From this distance, they looked like an old married couple. Gunny was trying to be helpful, and Beth was obviously insisting she didn't need it. He couldn't quite make out from their expressions what they might be saying, but he honestly hoped that Gunny wasn't ignoring his advice.
"I think we should go to Clachan's, get a nice hot meal, and continue this conversation," Gunny reached out to help Beth up from where she'd been sitting. He wasn't sure he could go on much longer and not say something about her plans to give up the baby.
"I don't want to talk about it. I just want to go home and put my feet up." She tugged her arm close against her.
"Fine. I'll take you home, you can put your feet up, and I'll fix you something to eat."
"You don't have to do that. I can fix my own food."
"I know I don't have to. I want to. Let me help, Beth. Please." He meant so much more than just fixing her supper, but he couldn't say that here and now.
Her chest deflated with a heavy sigh at the same time a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Who am I to argue with a Marine?"
Trying once again to offer his arm for support, Gunny gave up and followed her closely out the door and past their CO. "Sir, ma'am."
"See to it that she gets home safely," Harm replied. He was pretty sure that was already their intention, but just in case, it didn't hurt to make it an order.
Mac nodded at the two as they walked past. She slipped her arm around Harm's waist and started up the hall beside him. "You don't think they're going to need nine years to figure this out do you?"
"I certainly hope not." Looking at the young couple's back as they walked several feet ahead of him Harm turned to Mac. "Remind me I owe AJ a phone call."
Chapter 9
Gunny followed Beth into her apartment. "Why don't you lie down on the sofa, put your feet up, and get comfortable while I get you a cup of tea."
"If I were going to lay down anywhere with the intention of being comfortable, that sofa wouldn't be my first choice." Beth plopped heavily in the uncomfortable easy chair, hooking her foot around the coffee table to draw it in as a footrest. That was getting harder and harder to do as her tummy grew larger. She might have to break down and invest in a real footstool.
Gunny made a mental note that he wasn't the only one who thought her furniture was less than ideal. "Where do you keep the teabags?"
Beth could hear the cabinets opening and closing as Gunny searched unsuccessfully. "The thin cabinet between the stove and fridge."
"Got it." Gunny had already put the kettle on to boil and now placed three teabags in a nearby pot. Walking into the living room and taking a seat on the uncomfortable sofa, he noticed Beth glancing at the photo beside her. "It'll take the water a few minutes to boil, then I'll let the tea steep a bit." He wondered what was going through her mind. Did she miss Greg? Wish he were here? Did she still love him?
Chuckling softly, Beth was oblivious to the serious thoughts running through Gunny's mind. "Doesn't take us Yanks long to learn how to make a proper cup of tea does it?"
Gunny chuckled. "If it were a proper cup of tea, I'd be using tea leaves, not teabags."
"I stand corrected." Her smile lingered as she let her head fall back against the chair. "We just barely got out of this one today, didn't we?"
"Yeah," Gunny noticed her rubbing her feet together and stretching her toes. "Here, let me." Shifting over to sit on the coffee table, he picked her feet up and dropped them on his lap. Taking one foot in his hands, he began gently rubbing the balls of her feet before she could formally protest.
"Mm, you're hired," she murmured. Any thought of objecting to his actions disappeared faster than they had occurred to her. She could feel every ounce of the day's tension slowly slipping away. When his thumb moved across an especially sore spot, she couldn't control the low moan that escaped. "That feels so good," she mumbled. For just an instant her mind flashed to what else he could do with those hands before she quickly put a lid on any thoughts like that. Gunny was a good friend, nothing more.
The low rumble of her tired voice and soft moans was having a much stronger influence on Gunny than he had anticipated. Shifting back slightly, he tried to adjust himself more comfortably, but it was no use. His body was reacting to the sultry tones of her voice and the soft feel of her skin. It never would have occurred to him that a woman's foot could have such a sensual impact on him, but he didn't dare stop now. She deserved a little pampering. He was just going to have to find a way to clamp down on his responses.
The sharp whistle of the kettle gave him just the distraction he needed. "Be right back."
"Feel free to pick up where you left off," Beth called to his back as he hurried into the kitchen.
A few minutes later Gunny had returned with two mugs of hot tea. "Here you go.".
"Thanks." She shifted her weight to sit up a little higher in the chair, accepting the proffered cup.
"I know it's been a long day," Gunny started. "But, I'd like to talk to you about something."
"For another foot rub, you can talk to me about anything. Even income taxes," she grinned over the rim of her teacup.
"I'd like to talk about the baby." Gunny watched as Beth stiffened then scooted forward on the chair.
Rabb Flat
Same time
Harm came walking up the hall from Mattie's room. The first thing he'd done when he and Mac got home was to give his daughter a long hug. He had been vividly reminded how precious life was, and how easily this wonderful life he finally found himself in could change.
Walking up behind Mac in the kitchen, he pulled her around into his arms for another hug. He'd hugged her several times since the ordeal had ended, but somehow neither of them could shake the sense of impending loss.
"That really was a close call," Mac mumbled into his shoulder.
"Very." Harm kissed the top of her head. He'd fought visions all afternoon of Mac in a wheelchair, suffering in pain like that witness years ago who had been victim to a nerve gas attack.
"Think this was what the red alert was all about, or was it really just a faulty sensor?"
"We should know more by morning." Harm kissed her hair again. He wasn't ready to let go of her yet, and she was in no hurry either. They both needed this simple comfort, the strength they could draw only from each other.
"What do you say we skip dinner and get some sleep?" Pulling back slightly, Mac looked up into Harm's eyes.
"I'm not very hungry tonight." Sliding his arm down her side and catching her hand in his, they walked slowly to their room.
Harm was already in bed when Mac crawled in beside him. Lying on her side against him, she draped her arm across his chest. Immediately, she felt warm and secure as Harm shifted just enough to be able to wrap both his arms around her, holding her close. Snuggling into his embrace, she moved one leg, bent at the knee, over his warm body, and rested it across his midsection, her ankle tucked around his strong leg.
With another quick kiss to her forehead, Harm closed his eyes. They drifted off into a restful sleep, finding perfect comfort in the tender warmth of each other's arms.
Beth's apartment
Bachelor Enlisted Quarters
"What about the baby?" Slowly she set her cup down on the corner of the coffee table.
"What if the Rabbs aren't interested in adopting? Will you still want to give the baby away?"
Beth picked the cup up again and blew softly into the steaming liquid. She was stalling. "I honestly don't know." She took a short sip. "With the Rabbs I'd at least know the baby will have a good life. If they're not interested, it goes back to being complicated. It's not an easy decision."
"No, it shouldn't be. Do you want to know what I think?"
"What do you think?" Her tone was a sharper than usual, almost hostile.
"I think you haven't made up your mind because you want to keep this baby and are afraid to admit it. I think you're looking for reasons to give it away and you can't find any good enough."
"I'm afraid, Dr. Freud, you've overlooked a few very pertinent facts. All of which I believe I have already pointed out to you." Beth stood up and walked across the room. "Take a look around." She waved her arms. "I barely make enough money to support me. How do you suggest I stock up for the expense of a baby?" Beth didn't give him time to answer. "And you know darn well there's only one of me and no extended family to speak of. What do I do if I get deployed to someplace less comfortable, and I use the term loosely, than London? I won't even go into how little I know about babies. No siblings, no nieces or nephews. Didn't even baby-sit as a teenager. Good God, teenagers. What the hell am I going to do with a rebellious teenager if I'm stationed in Timbuktu?"
"Beth." He rose from his seat and stepped up behind her. "You wouldn't be the first parent on a budget. That's why they invented baby showers. You also wouldn't be the first single parent in the military. Lot's of people have no extended family and they still manage. I don't have any answers for the deployment problem, but I'm sure with the help of your friends we can come up with something, and plenty of first-time parents don't have a clue about babies. They get to teenagers one very small step at a time."
Beth stood frozen, her hands resting gently on the top of her tummy. The baby was squirming again. She'd gone from not feeling anything to feeling him wiggle about almost constantly in the last few hours. Somehow, it made everything seem so much more real, more urgent.
"Let me help, Beth." Hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around her and set his hands down on hers. "I'm already an experienced uncle. You could think of me as a godfather. Give us a chance."
"I...I can't ask you to do that." She pulled away from his grip.
"You're not asking. I'm offering." Gunny watched as she walked back to the chair and sat down.
"I...I don't know." A small grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. "If I say maybe, would that get me another foot rub and some food?"
In two strides, Gunny was by Beth's side. Sitting down on the coffee table as he had been before, he grabbed her feet and lifted them onto his lap again. He tried not to get too enthused with her slightly more positive response, but he couldn't stop the hopeful grin that spread across his face. "That would be affirmative."
Chapter 10
JAG Headquarters
Harm's office
Tuesday morning
Feeling inspired by the romantic, although misplaced, sentiments of the kissing bandit, Harm had taken it upon himself to make sure every female staff member had a single rose on their desk Tuesday morning.
"Sir," Petty Officer James tapped lightly on Harm's office door.
"Yes, Beth?"
"I just wanted to thank you. The rose was an appreciated gesture."
"Me?" Harm raised his eyebrows in feigned innocence. Beth couldn't resist a small smile.
"I'm afraid the florist called to see if you were happy with the delivery."
"Busted." Harm leaned back and smiled.
Beth nodded her head still smiling. "He also mentioned the arrangement for Mrs. Rabb would be delivered by 1100 hours."
"Thank you, Beth, and ... let's not share this information with anyone."
"No, sir," she smiled. Getting a rose from your boss wasn't quite the same as getting a rose from a lover, but it was better than not getting any rose at all.
Rabb Flat
1015 hours
Mac set the nicely wrapped gift on Harm's side of the bed. It had been incredibly difficult not to breakdown and give him his Valentine's Day present this morning at breakfast. The only thing keeping her quiet was knowing Harm had to be at the office today, and she really wanted to spend time with him after they exchanged gifts.
Shifting the package up a little higher so it was propped against his pillow, Mac was ready to move it back down again, searching for the perfect spot to catch Harm's attention, when the door bell rang.
"Delivery for Mrs. Rabb," the soft-spoken young man announced after she'd opened the door.
Mac accepted the proffered flowers. "Just a minute." Placing them temporarily on the side table by the door, she rummaged through her purse and pulled out a coin. "Thank you." She handed the man a pound.
"Thank you, ma'am."
They were the most beautiful arrangement of red roses she had ever seen. Of course, she was probably a little biased, but the flowers simply took her breath away. The wonderful aroma had her senses tingling. When she placed the large vase on the center of the coffee table, she noticed the small card. 'A lifetime won't be long enough to show you how very much I love you.'
London Headquarters
Beth's desk
"The restaurants are going to be jam packed tonight. I talked to Jack at Clachan's. He said he'd have two dinners waiting for me to pick up. If it's okay with you, I thought I'd bring them over to your place after work."
Beth hesitated a moment. After last night's conversation, she wasn't so sure she was up to another dinner visit. On the other hand, she wasn't so sure she wanted to be alone on Valentine's Day either.
"Sure."
For a split second he had been afraid she was going to say no, that he had pushed her too far last night.
"We can ride home together," she suggested.
"No, I have an errand to run first. I'll meet you at your place. About 1900?"
"Oh, well... I don't mind tagging along."
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary. It won't take me long. I'll feel better knowing you're getting some rest."
"If you're sure?" She wasn't certain if she should make something out of this or not. It wasn't unusual for them to accompany each other on errands after work, but she wasn't going to make a mountain out of a molehill.
"I'm sure." Nodding his head at her, Gunny turned on his heel and headed back to work.
The rest of the day seemed to drag on forever. When Beth finally walked through her front door, she was delighted to simply drop in the nearest chair. She was actually tempted to go lay down in bed and take a quick nap, but Gunny would be here in less than an hour and she didn't want him to find her all groggy. Clicking on the TV, she leaned back in the chair, closing her eyes. A little catnap wouldn't hurt.
Gunny shifted the dinner bag to his other hand and knocked on the door.
It took Beth a few minutes to react to the sound. Opening the door, she took a deep whiff. "Mm, smells wonderful. Corned beef and cabbage?"
"With Irish soda bread." Gunny carried the bag over to the kitchen. "I've also got something else." He turned back towards the door.
Beth watched closely as he opened the door, stepped outside, and then backed into the apartment pulling a large bulky item in front of him. It wasn't till he cleared the doorway and moved around to push the door closed that she realized he'd dragged in a chair.
"What is this? I mean I know what it is, but why?" She was very confused.
"Consider this my first act as a godfather. You'll need a comfortable chair when the baby comes. This is a rocker recliner. When you're tired, you can put your feet up, and when the baby is tired, you can rock him to sleep. Not to mention it should come in handy now after long days at work."
"How did you get it up here?" She was still stunned at this large piece of furniture sitting by her front door.
"Blair came with me. I wanted you to have it today."
"Gunny..." She took a deep breath. "I can't..."
"Beth, Please. I want you to have it." Gunny looked at her hopefully.
"Oh, Gunny," she sighed again.
"Here." Gunny dragged the chair across the small apartment. Moving the couch over a bit, he maneuvered the chair into the corner by the window. "See? You can read by the light from the window, or watch TV, or just relax after a hard day. Come try it out. Sort of a test drive."
Beth couldn't resist the small smile. It did look awfully comfy. Slowly she made her away across the room. Easing into the large chair, she could tell immediately this was going to make a huge difference in her life. Before she realized it, she had pushed the chair back and was reclining comfortably with her feet up and her eyes closed.
Gunny watched her reaction as she sat down. Briefly her hands caressed the soft padding on the arms of the seat before she pulled the lever and pushed the chair into a reclining position. A wave of softness washed over her expression as she molded into the comfort, closing her eyes, and letting out a barely audible sigh of approval.
"You rest a little while, I'll go warm up dinner. Be right back."
Beth opened one eye, watching Gunny grin and turn around towards the kitchen. "Gunny."
"Yeah?" He looked back at her.
"Thank you." Closing her eyes, a smile tugged at one side of her mouth. Godfather.
Rabb Flat
"The table looks lovely." Harm scanned the room. Mac had outdone herself. Everything was absolutely perfect.
"I told you it would be nicer to stay home than fight the restaurant crowds."
"I didn't doubt your wisdom for a moment." Harm wrapped his arms loosely around his wife's waist as she stood over the sink slicing the last bit of cucumber for the salad. "I just didn't want to make you work today."
"I wouldn't call baking a little salmon 'work'." Mac tossed the last of the cucumber into the bowl and turned around to face Harm. "Shall I put the salmon in the oven, or do you want to see what I got you first?"
Harm leaned forward and lightly kissed Mac on the lips. "Actually, I'd like to see you open your gift first." His hand slid around catching hers. Leading the way to the living room, he picked up his briefcase and sat down beside Mac on the sofa.
She watched closely as he pulled the small box from an interior zippered pouch, then set the bag on the floor by his feet.
"Remind me later to tell you the minstrel story that goes with this." Harm held the neatly wrapped package out to her.
"Minstrels as in the men in your office yesterday?"
"Those would be the ones," he smiled, watching her carefully peel apart the corners of the wrapping paper.
"Oh, Harm." She stared at the delicate trinket, before pinching the clasp and opening the locket to expose the two small photos. "Ohhh..." she batted back the tiny droplets of water that threatened to fall.
"I'd hoped you'd like it."
"Oh, Harm. It's beautiful." She flung herself at him, snaking her arms around his neck and drawing him into a tight clench.
"I love you," he whispered into her hair.
