Disclaimer: see previous chapters
A/N: Sigh. Finally! Well, all things must come to an end, and so must this story. I've been kind of dreading it, because my expectations were so high, but here it is.
Thanks to the reviewers for all the wonderful feedback and concern throughout this long journey. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.
Also huge thanks to Mary and Colie for their thoughts and corrections, you girls are the best as you very well know!
For those who forgot, since it's been a while - ("this stuff is Hebrew")
-----
The invitation read:
Guy & Tal
The Wedding
All around the script there were quotes from various love songs in Hebrew, English and French. It came in a brightly colored envelope addressed to Harmon Rabb Jr. and Sarah MacKenzie, which also held a map to the event and a short hand-written note.
'We know it's a long shot, but we would really love for you to come anyways!'
"I still can't get over the fact that the guy's name is Guy." Harm leaned down over Mac as they waited for their luggage. Mac relaxed back against him, knowing it would be a while before the conveyor belt would even start moving.
"Tell me about it. When Tal first told me about him a couple of weeks after we left, I thought she was trying to keep his name a secret or something..."
Harm's arms fastened around Mac's middle, they stood and waited for the Israeli airport workers to unload the luggage from their plane.
It's been almost a year since they last stood in this very place, about to attend a conference, unaware of the troubled times that lay ahead.
When they last left this country it was with a bond stronger than they'd ever shared. They worked their way through Mac's recovery together with a lot of help from their family and friends. The words and explanations came in small, measured doses, both uncharacteristically careful with what they said. They relished just being – being well, being happy, being together.
Upon receiving Tal's invitation it was almost instantly decided that they would ask for a week's leave and attend. And so now, for 8 days they would be just Harm and Sarah – on vacation.
Their single piece of luggage had another go on the belt, since Mac didn't feel like letting Harm move away from her when it passed them the first time.
-----
Harm, having a slight height advantage, searched for a familiar face in the crowd and found a rather big sign, identical to the one that greeted them a year ago. Below the sign was Gil's face, a huge smile plastered on it. Steering Mac in the right direction, it took him a minute longer than her to see the major difference in the sign – the big red heart drawn around the '&' sign. His double-take was enough to make Mac laugh all the way to Jerusalem.
"So what are your plans for the week? I mean-" Gil cleared his throat, trying to swallow back the two extra words he'd let slip.
Harm and Mac exchanged amused glances; the kid really had grown up in a year.
"Actually, Gil, I took your advice." Harm answered, not offering anymore information as Mac raised a brow.
"Really, sir? Uh... what advice...?"
"Yeah, sailor, what advice?" Mac leaned more into Harm, but it only made him laugh.
"You'll just have to wait and see, Mac. No method of torture or persuasion will get it out this time. God knows you've tried most." He added under his breath.
A slight blush forming, Mac sat straight in her seat, but couldn't stop a smile when she caught Gil's gaze in the rearview mirror.
"So how does it feel to be an officer in the IDF?" Mac chose to change the subject. Gil eagerly told them about the half a year he'd spent training to become an officer and the new post he'd just started. He was still his high-spirited self, but he had toned down significantly; pausing between points and thinking more before talking. He had matured quite a bit.
The car phone started ringing just as they started the ascent to the holy city.
"Hey Tal" Gil answered, recognizing the number on the screen.
"Hey motek, hem itcha?" Tal's voice carried over the speaker phone.
"We're here, Tal. How're the preparations going?" Mac spoke up, subconsciously reaching for Harm's hand and lacing her fingers through his.
"Oh.. you know... I'm a wreck." Tal's laughter filled the small car, eliciting bright smiles from all three occupants. "I've got the dress on, my face is buried under countless layers of makeup and my stomach's doing summersaults that would put an Olympic athlete to shame!"
"It's going to be perfect, Tal!" Harm used his most authoritative tone, which made the sentiment sound more like an order. Tal didn't even seem to register what he said though, as they heard a mother figure in the background, spewing out orders much more definite than Harm's.
"Okay, okay! I just wanted to hear you guys got here ok, I'm gonna go before my mom breaks my phone to lots of tiny pieces, see you all tonight!"
Before any of them managed to say a word, the line went dead and their parting words were trapped on their side of the connection.
-----
The wedding was to take place in an open garden in Neve Ilan, just out of Jerusalem. Stepping out of their rental car, Mac's jaw actually dropped as she took in the scenery. At just past 19:30 there was still some light outside, showing a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. The day had been a hot summer day, but now the evening mountain winds were softly caressing them, making Mac thankful she brought a wrap.
She was so absorbed in the sights that Harm's gentle touch managed to startle her. His laughter resonated in her body as he gathered her back against him.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" he leaned down to whisper in her ear. A distant hum was enough to convey her agreement. It took her a few minutes more to get herself completely together, but then she looped her arm through his and together they went in through the main entrance.
The bride and groom along with their families were standing just inside the entrance, greeting the guests as they came. The invitation had said that between 19:30 and 20:30 there would be a reception, and the actual ceremony would take place at 20:30.
Among the first to arrive, Harm and Mac were immediately noticed by Tal, who rushed to them and hugged them both tightly.
"Oh, I still can't believe you guys came!"
She was a radiant bride. Her dress was plain yet beautiful, her curls swept up and away from her face but then fell freely down her back. Her smile was threatening to break her face in two and her eyes were glistening. A tall man in a grey suit came up behind her and fitted his arm around her waist. Flashing a smile at Harm and Mac, he shoved a tissue into Tal's hand and smiled down at her.
"If you start crying now, the makeup will never hold and then all that torture would have been for nothing!" Mac took notice of the slight French accent, but was concentrating on the love and chemistry clearly shared by the couple. Her hand once again found Harm's, and a quick glance in his direction gave her the assurance she needed every once in a while – she really had that love and chemistry too.
Tal dabbed her cheeks with the tissue and then smacked her groom's arm. "Guy, I'd like you to meet Harm and Mac. They came all the way from the US, be nice!"
After a few more pleasant words, Harm and Mac left the couple to greet the other guests that were arriving, and found a quiet spot for themselves.
-----
("Just look at them.") Tal smiled warmly at the young man before her. Gil had just arrived and his attention turned rapidly from the bride and groom to the couple that was talking quietly in a corner.
("I know. I can't believe I'm getting married before they are. I was planning a shopping trip to the USA.") Tal chuckled as her husband-to-be came to stand beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist.
("Don't throw those plans away yet. I have a feeling.") Gil still couldn't look away. Leaning into Guy, Tal too turned her gaze to Harm and Mac.
Looking at them from afar was enough to register the warmth and love emanating from them. They weren't touching, just standing close enough to create a space all their own - an intimate atmosphere. Mac laughed at something Harm said, she touched his shoulder lightly and their lips met for a casual kiss. It was obvious to anyone that their emotions ran very deep.
The reception went on. More and more guests arrived, Ester and Simon among them. When asked about their plans for their stay in Israel, Harm still managed to keep the answers vague. Mac was going crazy not knowing what he had planned and everyone laughed when she all but tackled him in order to get him to answer any question. He only promised Ester and Simon a day in Jerusalem before going back and Gil a day in Tel Aviv before that. That left Mac wondering what would happen from Friday to Monday.
Just as Mac started analyzing those points and going through the more and less likely places Harm could plan on taking her, they were saved by the wedding coordinator that called them to the actual ceremony.
Simon had explained the basics of the Jewish wedding ceremony to Harm and Mac earlier; pointing out the Chupa – the canopy under which the ceremony took place. The bride and groom would stand there along with their parents, the Rabbi and the declared witness.
The Rabbi was already standing under the Chupa, which was located so that it looked over the valley and was surrounded by mountains. A few rows of chairs facing it were already mostly filled by relatives of the bride and groom. Ester and Simon managed to find a pair of seats but Gil, Harm and Mac chose to stand with most of the guests on the slope.
The parents of the couple were invited into the Chupa. A few moments later the happy couple appeared and started walking down the slope hand in hand, accompanied by an upbeat song, which connected in Harm's mind with opening a door to a new day.
Not for the first time, wishing he understood the language, Harm wondered about the one word that kept repeating in the song. Mac, swaying next to him, somehow knew his thoughts and leaned her head back to whisper in his ear. "A'hava means love." With a short kiss to his cheek, she turned her attention back to the ceremony which would start, now that the couple reached the Chupa and the music faded.
The ceremony itself was short. Harm caught sight of Guy slipping the ring onto Tal's finger, cued by the Rabbi and Tal returning the gesture, saying a few words that didn't seem to be a part of the dictated ceremony. The whole thing ended when Guy broke the glass placed at his feet. The music picked up and most of the guests made their way to the Chupa to hug and congratulate the newlyweds.
Harm and Mac stayed back, Mac once again swaying lightly to the music, as they watched everything unfold.
Slowly all the guests left the area and moved to the tables and the dinner that was being served. After the meal came the entertainment – Tal's sisters sang a song, the couple's parents read a long verse together and their friends put on a show. Harm spent most of the time with an amused grin on his face, every once in a while receiving an explanation from Mac, who was enjoying the event immensely.
Soon the dance floor began to fill. After a few upbeat Hebrew songs that had about 40 young people jumping on the floor, came a slow number. Tal and Guy made their way together to the center of the floor and the crowd dispersed some. For a couple of minutes the new couple had the floor to themselves, then they were joined by a few more couples.
Tracing two fingers down Mac's arm, Harm took her hand in his and caught her eyes. "Would you like to dance, Mac?"
Her eyes fluttered a moment and it was all she could do to nod. After 9 years of some form of friendship and a year as a couple, she wondered how he still managed to pull off gestures that would shock her into silence and cause ripples of warmth and desire to lap against the walls of her veins.
Feeling as though she was floating, Mac let Harm lead her to the floor and on it. He held her close and it was a hug in motion. Coming into his arms was as familiar and comfortable as slipping into a warm bath for her. Their arms fell naturally about each other and once again they were in a bubble within the bubble of the world.
-----
After a few more slow tunes the DJ decided enough was enough and brought all the 20-30 age group back to the floor with a vengeance. Harm and Mac drew back to their table. The evening didn't last much longer as Ester and Simon called it a night, catching a ride with Gil who needed to be up early for duty. Still recovering from their jet-lag, they too made their apologies for leaving early and headed back to their hotel for the night in Jerusalem.
Harm breathed a sigh of relief that Mac was too tired to start another line of questioning this final night. He truly felt that just one or two of those would finally break him and ruin the surprise.
-----
"You know, for a while I was worried you were gonna blindfold me." Mac threw Harm and amused look as they started their drive out of Jerusalem.
Since neither got much rest on the flight, not to mention the hectic week that preceded it, they both fell asleep quickly the night before and slept for a good 9 hours. They started a brand new day, the hope of having beaten the jet-lag at the earliest stage alive in their minds.
"Believe me, I've thought of it-"
"I knew it! You secretive little-" Mac laughed and interrupted him.
"But then Gil said you shouldn't miss the sights on the way, so..." Harm ignored the interruption and raised an eyebrow her way when he could tear his eyes away from the twisting road.
The comment earned him a smack to the chest and feigned annoyance for 5 straight minutes. When he least expected it, she leaned quickly and planted a kiss on his cheek. His rich laughter filled the small car, joined by hers.
-----
Harm took the decidedly scenic route. The blindfold was a moot point for the first hour as they took back roads that went through villages, vineyards and orchards.
While driving through one vineyard they stumbled upon a group working on harvesting the grapes and had a nice chat about the whole area and the grapes in slow Hebrew and broken English. Soon after the encounter they reached the highway and drove for a good two hours, snacking on the container of grapes they'd received.
"So, we're going north." Mac stated in what she hoped was nonchalance. Harm only hummed his acknowledgement.
"What did you do, memorize the route so you wouldn't need a map?"
Harm didn't answer, but the smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth for a brief moment gave Mac all the proof she needed.
At one point they got on a road that gave them a marvelous view of the Mediterranean Sea for a while. Mac decided somewhere along the ride that she would just give Harm a break and enjoy the sights, which were as riveting as Gil promised. She's learned the hard way to appreciate the small things and enjoy sights and smells that had gone unnoticed by her most of her life.
After a while on more back roads they entered a certain village. A few turns left and right brought them to an old house and Harm pulled the car over.
Hand in hand they walked inside and met a slightly older couple that took them for a walk in their backyard.
"All this used to be an orchard, but when the village grew it was taken down so they could build more houses." Shlomit started explaining as soon as they exited the house. "So we built our house and when the land next to ours was left vacant we bought it."
Mac still had no idea why they had stopped here but Shlomit and her husband Amir seemed to be expecting them and Harm just held her hand and smiled, not offering further explanations.
They walked through various trees, some with fruit, some obviously very young. Finally they reached a large patch of grass and a wooden cottage.
"And this is yours." Shlomit smiled at Mac's surprise. "There's a dirt road that leads here from the village center, I'll explain later how to bring your car around."
As they walked towards the cottage Mac saw the deck on one side and the hammock at a distant part of the yard. After they were shown them the works of the cozy little place, complete with a Jacuzzi and A/C, Harm and Mac were left to themselves.
"So, what do you think, ninja-girl?" Harm spread his arms and smiled.
Mac tried to answer, but in the end just marched herself into those waiting arms and kissed him soundly.
-----
"I never wanna leave this place." Mac sighed contently as she settled deeper still into Harm's arms. The evening sun was casting its last warm rays as they gently swayed in the hammock, wishing this last evening would never end.
Harm's only response was to hold her even tighter to him. The four days spent in a small piece of paradise would be just as hard for him to leave behind. Most of their time was spent relaxing inside the cottage or in its immediate surroundings, with several outings to fancy dining or easy trekking. It was just the break they both needed to regain perspective and sooth their souls.
"Thank you." Mac's soft whisper brought Harm back from his dreams.
"Hmmm?"
"I can't even begin to think how I could ever possibly thank you enough." Her hand caressed his chest back and forth absentmindedly; almost smothering the pain he felt when he heard the resignation in her voice. Then a thought occurred and he fought to hide a smile she couldn't see anyways.
"I can... say yes."
"What?" Harm's unexpected response to what was a thought uttered unguardedly caused Mac to brace herself against his chest and look up into his handsome face.
"Say yes." Harm articulated in as clear a fashion as he could muster while holding back all facial expression but a gleam in his eyes.
Mac's breath caught in her throat, her heart at a complete stop as her body reacted before her mouth could. Could she really deal with reality if he wasn't offering what she thought he was? Did it matter? Harm didn't seem inclined to offer any more until she answered and a little voice in the back of her mind prodded her to throw caution to the wind. Harm would always catch her if she fell.
"Yes." She finally managed to breathe.
In a brief moment the expression on her lover's face made a complete 180 from boyish excitement to childlike awe and mature comprehension mixed together. It took her breath away.
His long slow kiss jump-started her heart and drowned her mind in a lovely haze. A few minutes later she realized her breathing and heart-rate had returned to normal and she was once again safely nestled against Harm. She loved how at times he made her lose touch with the world. She'd become a Harm-oholic and this sweet addiction she had no intention of beating.
Once again balancing on his chest, Mac studied Harm's peaceful face. His eye-lids had fluttered closed and she pondered the mature lines visible without the green-blue of his eyes as a distraction. His lips were just slightly parted and anyone who didn't know Harm like she did would think he was sleeping. She knew better.
She started tracing his bottom lip and laughed when he caught her finger in his mouth just as she'd expected.
"What did I agree to just now, sailor?" Mac asked when his laughing eyes once again focused on hers.
"Does it matter?" He baited.
"No." She told the truth.
"Marry me?" Harm raised one brow, sudden worry bubbling to the surface. This time Mac initiated the kiss and finished it, then settled back down.
To herself she counted back from 10 and bit a smile when he stopped her countdown just as she reached one.
"Mac?"
"Hmmm?" She couldn't quite bite down on the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. Silence ensued and Mac decided to give into her soft spot.
With mock realization she shot up "Oh! You were expecting an answer?"
Never expecting Harm to stick his tongue out at her, Mac fell laughing to his chest, his following tickling session never giving her an opportunity to set things straight. The hammock tipping dangerously to one side finally stopped Harm's attack and allowed Mac a few breaths.
"Yes, Harm." She finally got out. "I'd love to marry you, sailor."
Some kisses and minutes of silence later another uttered thanks drifted from her lips against his form.
A sigh of frustration described Harm's rolling eyes. "Oh, here we go again...". Mac's giggles were music to his ears. She would never fully understand that his actions stemmed from the selfish desire to keep his other half by his side.
-----
Once again on a plane, once again going home. Their saviors' reactions to the proposal were varied: Tal cried, Gil looked triumphant, Ester clasped her hands in muted joy and Simon clapped Harm's back with a force that jarred his brain.
Harm and Mac's eyes remained glued to the landscape of a country that saw them through their happiest and most dire times. Mac clutched the little Tehilim prayer book Simon and Ester gave them with one hand, while the other drew patterns on Harm's thigh. As the plane drew higher still and the blue of the ocean replaced the brown of the land, one word played in her mind. It was one word that was hello, goodbye and a prayer for peace.
Shalom.
-----
The (corny?) End.