Part Seven
4 Months Later Rabb Residence San Diego, CA
Mac looked out the window as the rental van turned onto another street but her mind was on the last few months. The two weeks after Harm came back had been healing but mostly they just enjoyed being close to each other. Harm reported back to work only to be handed transfer papers.
She'd exploded, accusing him of being revolted by her disabilities and abandoning her. His response was to get down on his knees and propose to her… again.
A few weeks later, in her hospital room and in front of their few closest friends and the Corporals, they were married.
Before she knew it Harm and Mattie were on their way to San Diego. Coates and the Bud were requested and then they were gone to San Diego too.
The days seemed longer and definitely lonelier despite the Admirals constant visits and June's constant babbling. She put forth even more effort into her into her therapy. And she'd made great progress, moving from her power chair into a manual. Her fine motor coordination would always be weak but she'd gained more function than anyone thought she would.
Nearing the end of her stay, she'd been asked what her future plans were. She'd wisecracked about staying away from oak trees. Truthfully she didn't know what her plans were. She was a Marine and a lawyer but she'd tried being the lawyer without the Marine before and that obviously didn't work out. But Lucy wouldn't settle for staying away from oak trees. The next day she met Lucy for her daily torture session with her answer.
Badwater.
Lucy snorted saying she might have to work up to Badwater or go completely insane first.
By the end of the next day Lucy handed her a list of San Diego based wheelchair sports leagues, trainers and equipment companies.
She'd been discharged and stayed the first few nights with the Admiral getting used to life outside Bethesda. She was glad she didn't have to hide her nervousness from Harm. Once she felt confident enough, plans were made for Franks' private jet to fly her out there. Harm met her at the airport with the biggest flyboy grin she'd ever seen. But the ride to their new home had been eerily quite and she found herself longing for the safety of Bethesda.
"This is it." Harm pointed out, turning into a driveway. The house was larger than the photos and video captured. Flowers lined the sidewalk and wrapped around the house.
Moments later she pushed the door opened with a smile. Everyone was there. Mattie, Bud, Harriet and the boys, Jen and Trish and Frank.
"How was the flight dear?" Trish asked greeting her with a hug.
"It was fine Ma'am." She wouldn't tell them that if she never flew again it would be perfectly fine.
"Nonsense." Trish scoffed. "Call me Trish, Sarah."
Mac glanced at Mattie. She looked happier than she had been in D.C. "How's the new school Mattie?"
"Great Mac! Some of us are going out to the drive-in later." Mattie gushed. Mac glanced at Harm who looked a little concerned but was smiling as well.
"That's great Mattie."
"Yeah I gotta get ready." She leaned down and kissed Mac's cheek before bounding out of the room.
"She seems happier."
"She is Mac." Harm replied.
Mac glanced at Jen. She was definitely frowning and concern shown in her eyes.
She excused herself and followed Mattie down the hallway.
"Troubles?" She asked the bed was covered with clothes. The teenager was busy dumping more clothes onto the bed.
"No. Yes! I can't decide which to wear."
"Does your indecision have to do with a boy?"
Mattie looked up startled. "What did Jen say?" She demanded.
Mac moved closer to the bed. "Mattie I may have been out of the loop for awhile but I'm still female."
"You won't tell Harm will you?"
"It's not my place Mattie. Just promise me you'll be careful?"
"I promise."
Mac turned to leave calling over her shoulder. "Go with the blue one."
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Harm rolled over finding the bed beside him cold.
"Mac?" he whispered. "Mac?" He called louder after she didn't respond. Alarm he flipped the light on. She wasn't in the room and the bathroom door was open.
"Mac?" He called softly in the den.
"I didn't wake you did I?"
"No. Couldn't sleep?"
"Yeah."
""Scooch." He pulled the computer chair closer. "What's this… handcycle?"
"Yeah. I was thinking… maybe eventually I can jog with you?" She sounded shy and Mac never sounded shy. She was starring at her hands.
He gently lifted her head to look at him.
"You don't have to ask Sarah. When you're ready, it's yours."
"Really?" She sounded surprised.
"Sure," he nodded. "If it won't harm your health… I know how much exercise means to you."
"Who are you and what did you do with my squid?" She replied dryly.
"I grew up. That and skates performed a cranial-rectal inversion while I was on the Seahawk."
She snorted at that.
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"MAC!"
"HARM!"
Mattie called over the blaring music.
"In here." Harm yelled back.
Mattie came to a screeching halt inside the exercise room. Harm was helping Mac with some stretches.
"Whoa, where's the fire?" He asked. Reaching over he killed the music.
"Bud's been trying to get a hold of you."
He frowned. "Why?"
"It's Harriet! He finally called Jen and we came over. You have to get to the hospital!" She was throwing clothes and towels at them.
"Mattie slow down! Is Jen outside?"
"Yeah."
"You two go to the hospital. We'll be there as quickly as we can."
As soon as the front door slammed shut, Mac burst into giggles. "What's so funny Marine?"
"I thought she was going to have an apoplexy." She burst into giggles again.
"Very funny." Harm couldn't help but laugh at her, his Marine caught in a fit of giggles.
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Half an hour later Mac rolled into room Harriet was in. Nurses were bustling around.
"Ma'am!"
"Wha-whooa, Harriet!" Harriet grabbed her arm, almost pulling her out of her chair.
"What if the babies aren't okay?" She burst into tears.
Mac glanced at the nurses.
"We're getting her ready now." One of them replied.
"Everything will be alright, Harriet."
"Promise me you'll take care of the kids."
Mac shook her head no. "Harriet you'll be fine."
"Promise me?" She begged.
"I promise." Mac made room for Bud. "I'll be here when you get back." She promised.
TBC
