AN: Happy birthday to me...;-)
Disclaimer: I'm sure DJE was on my wish-list...oh well...
On with it...
CHAPTER NINE
As Harm and his mom were talking outside, Frank led Mac to the spacious guestroom and adjoining bathroom, putting the bags down at the foot end of the quilted covered queen-sized bed.
"I suppose you can unpack these later. Bathroom is right through that door. Help yourself to some towels and whatever else you might need, okay?"
Mac nodded. She thought she might like Frank. He was kind and very forward, but at the same time seemed to respect her privacy, for he didn't ask awkward questions or even look at her oddly.
"Thanks, Frank, you and Trish, for…for everything."
"No problem whatsoever. We like having people around, there's plenty of room, and if you're a friend of Harm, than you are always welcome with us."
She sat down on the edge of the bed, mindlessly tracing the patters on the quilt with her index finger, lost in thoughts.
A friend of Harm, Frank had named her. She knew she was of course, might even slowly become more. She sure wanted to be, always had. Still, everything that had happened today and last night, kept fading in and out of her tired mind, until she really couldn't say whether or not she'd been dreaming. What if she woke up tomorrow in her bed in San Diego and all these events had just been in figment of her imagination? Just wishful thinking?
"Mac, you okay?"
She shook herself out of her reverie, finding herself still in the Burnett's guestroom, with a concerned Frank standing in the doorway.
"Yeah, yeah, I guess…"
"So much to think about, huh?"
"Too much to think about. I just wish I could get things lined up the right way in my head. I'm so tired, so confused. I wish to God I'm not dreaming, but to face this as a reality…I'm just so tired."
The older man approached her cautiously, holding out his hand.
"It doesn't have to become clear right away, Mac. I don't know what you've been through and I don't need to know if you're not ready to tell, but you're safe here. It's a beautiful place and a beautiful surrounding to get some rest. Allow your mind to take a break."
He tentatively put his hand on her shoulder.
"Let's get back to Harm and Trish again, get you something to drink and we'll start dinner. You look hungry."
"I'm always hungry."
Frank smiled at that.
"Yeah, Harm has mentioned that once. Now, let's go. I could use a cold drink myself."
She quietly followed him out.
When she got outside, she heard snippets of the conversation Harm had with his mom. She had to smile when she first witnessed him and his mom interact. He could be such a big baby sometimes…
Trish had just put a full glass in front of him, which he gratefully gulped down in one go.
"Where are your manners boy?"
His response was so automatic, it couldn't possibly be sincere.
"Sorry mom."
She refilled his glass with a smile, though. Like on most other women, his smirk worked wonders on her. Most of the time.
"So…how's she doing?"
Harm allowed himself a grin. At least he knew where his blunt forwardness came from.
"I'm not sure. One moment she seems happy to go back, the other moment her mood switches and she's nervous, gloomy, almost scared."
"Can you blame her? She hasn't seen anybody of you guys in what, a year? And now she's being whisked away to face a past she might not be ready to face yet."
"I don't blame her, mom. I couldn't. I just wish I knew how to get through to her."
"You did, Harm."
He turned at the sound of Mac's voice behind him. She looked a bit cautious, but at least she was smiling. He didn't miss the doubt in her eyes though.
Quickly he stood up, pulling her in his arms, a tender gesture that didn't go unnoticed by his mother and stepfather. Behind him, Trish winked at her husband. It was good to see her son in love.
"You think you can be comfortable here, Ninja girl?"
She nodded, looking at him.
"I'll be fine here Harm. At least I'll have some peaceful surroundings to get everything straight in my head. Thanks for getting me here. I'll work it out."
"I hope so, Sarah…I hope you'll get that spunk back. I hope you'll believe in yourself again, enough to know in your heart you can be you again. A Marine if that's what you want to be, or anything else you want to become, or do, or have. Anything, Mac. I want you to know you can have anything, do anything, accomplish anything. I want you to trust in that, as I do. As I trust in you."
She wouldn't cry, she refused to cry again, even if his words burned a hole into her soul. He believed in her so completely, so…proudly, she was so overwhelmed…but she wouldn't cry. She already was.
Trying to hide her real feelings, she pounded his chest with a small fist.
"Stop the Hallmark moment, please Harm. I don't wanna cry in front of your parents."
He chuckled, knowing he had to lighten the mood. He hadn't meant her to break down, but he somehow had to convince her he was there for her.
"And here I though you liked Hallmark moments."
"Normally I do, but not when I'm starring in it."
"You're a star always."
"Whatever you say, sweetheart. Now what's for dinner? Hungry soon-to-be-reinstated-Marine here!"
Trish stood up, laughing.
"That's my cue."
She was touched at the little display of affection she'd just witnessed, but was careful not to let them see it. Inside, she was cheering, though. Her son, the guarded one, always in control, had just shown more real emotion in ten seconds than he had ever done, especially since Christmas 1969.
And if Mac was the lady of his choice, as she had frankly always suspected, she was okay with that. No, more than okay. This guarded creature he'd brought in just needed some back-up. She was a wonderful woman underneath all the doubts and insecurities. Trish couldn't wait to be alone with her.
For now, though, she enjoyed having her son around.
"Mom, let me give you a hand."
She determinedly pushed him away from the kitchen doors.
"No need. You sit down with your girl. Frank can set the table for us."
When he objected, she cut him off, whispering.
"Get back to that girl, Harm. She needs you close. I can cook, you know."
Harm understood and gave his mom a quick hug.
"You're the best mom. Thanks. For…"
"I know, son. She'll be okay. Trust me."
"You know I do. That's why I brought her over here."
"Smart idea."
"I have those, from time to time."
"Once, every decade or so," she agreed.
"Gee thanks."
"You had that one coming, dear boy, now get out of my kitchen!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
He hurried outside, laughing, looking for Mac. Softly chuckling as he found her collapsed on her chair, sound asleep.
"Mom, you'd better set a plate aside for Mac, I think she's more exhausted than hungry. I'll get her upstairs.
Carefully he lifted her in his arms, carried her upstairs and into the guestroom, where he laid her down on the bed.
He covered her with the quilt, not daring to undress her in case she'd wake up. He kissed her forehead.
"Goodnight, Sarah."
As he silently closed the door, she opened her eyes a little, smiled in herself, before promptly falling asleep again.
Oke, let's give her some rest. Next chapter(s) coming up soon. Reviews much appreciated
