A/N: Internet has been finicky tonight, flipping on and off like a bilge switch. Therefore, I had time to finish this chapter.
Harm and Mac return from lunch and they run into "Free Willy" just as they step off the elevator. Mac has to cover her mouth to keep from erupting in a fit of giggles. Harm leads Mac by the elbow to her chambers, shaking his head along the way. He closes the door behind them, and gives her a thorough kiss. That has become a tried and true method to get her to stop whatever it is she's doing and lose herself in him. It works great for hiccups too! When they break apart, he teases, "Try not to laugh in open court, you don't want to end up peeing your pants."
Mac chuckles, "You're right. When I am pregnant, I half wish that I was a civilian judge to have a long robe to cover up any wet spots. This uniform hides absolutely nothing."
Harm laughs, "Ha! You can complain about your uniform when you have to wear summer whites or dress whites. They are the worst possible uniforms to keep clean. One of these days the Navy might get smart and do away with them."
Mac gasps in horror, "No way! I'll have to get on any panel making decisions about the services changing uniforms. I can't imagine not seeing you in dress whites."
Harm tilts his head, "What happened to dress whites and gold wings being over-rated?"
Mac rolls her eyes, "The wings are over-rated, but they still make you part of the man that I love. But you look dashing in your whites, more handsome than any man has a right to be. And I have the added bonus of being the one to take you home every night after I watch all the other women swoon over you."
Harm taps the tip of his index finger against her nose, "You are terrible, Marine! And as far as you being a civilian judge, I somehow doubt the general public is ready for your adjudication skills. You engage in fairly swift justice. The legal system outside of the military seems to move at a snail's pace regardless of the type of case. But if you feel like wearing the robe for me, I won't object!"
Mac pushes Harm towards the door, "Get back to work. I only have six minutes and forty-three seconds before I have to reconvene court, and I need to relieve myself first so I don't embarrass anyone. Do you want me to stop by your office if I finish with Admiral Morris quickly?"
Harm replies, "No, I'll see you at home. I'm not sure if the General will want to talk about anything else when we meet. I know I requested the meeting, but that doesn't mean he won't take advantage of having my undivided attention to discuss other things."
Mac replies, "Ok. I'll see you at home later. What do you think about the kids and I making homemade pizzas for dinner?"
Harm smiles, "I think Trisha will be over the moon if you suggest it. As long as you keep the dead animal off mine, that's fine. I love you; I'll see you later tonight."
Mac gives him another quick kiss, "Love you too!"
As she heads in the bathroom, she makes a mental note to see if she still has the robe that Admiral Chegwidden gave her when they were doing mock trial prep for his Supreme Court case. Considering Harm never saw it, since he was supposed to be off sailing, it might be nice to surprise him with it one night.
Mac's meeting with Admiral Morris goes about as smoothly as she figured that it would. He too, had already suspected that she was pregnant, but was absolutely floored when she mentions that she is expecting triplets. As hard-nosed as the Admiral could be in the courtroom, he was just as much of a softie as Admiral Chegwidden when it came to children. He advises her to let him know the minute that she thinks her case load is more than she could take and reminds her to take it easy. He knows without her saying anything that triplets are automatically a high-risk pregnancy, and he will accommodate her schedule to whatever is necessary to ensure these babies arrive healthy.
She secures a little early, and heads over to pick up her offspring. It isn't too often that she gets just them and mommy time during the work week, so she will enjoy this immensely. She just has to remember to keep the flour out of Matthew's reach when they make the pizza dough. He tends to shake it in the air like a bag of popcorn and it took her hours to clean out her purse the last time he got it in there.
Harm arrives promptly for his meeting with the General. Creswell invites him in, and immediately tells him to take a seat. He informs Harm, "I wanted to let you know that Mrs. Roberts has been very helpful in helping Dora and Lt. England work through some of the logistics for the Field Weekend I ordered her to organize. However, Harriet apparently 'suggested' that while paintball would probably be good for the military folks, it wouldn't be very family friendly for younger children or any woman they happened to be expecting. Therefore, she advised that we do something with water guns either as a replacement or in addition to paintball."
Harm nods, "That makes sense. Paintball is a little vicious for children, and those balls definitely can hurt when they explode against you, even in non-vital areas. The last thing we want is a lawsuit from an injury sustained from excessive force. Not that anyone would do that on purpose, at least most wouldn't. A water gun fight would definitely be a better option that everyone could participate in."
The General asks, "So, does Mrs. Roberts comment have anything to do with your request to see me?"
Harm chuckles, "You don't miss much, do you Sir?"
Creswell purses his lips, "Not usually."
Harm supplies, "Well, you were correct in your assumption that Colonel MacKenzie is expecting. She finally had the ultrasound done, everything looks perfect, and she is allowing the cat out of the bag. She met with Admiral Morris earlier to inform him before she secured for the day. However, what everyone isn't privy to yet, it that we are expecting triplets."
The general leaps out of his chair so fast that it falls on the floor beside him. He exclaims, "Triplets?"
Harm sports a grin a mile wide, "Yes, Sir."
Cresswell shakes his head, "I bet you are pretty proud of yourself. I'll be sure to remind you of that when the three of them hit the terrible two's and you are complaining what terrors they are."
Harm grins, "Does that mean I can't call and ask you and the Mrs. to baby-sit?"
Creswell ponders this for a moment, "Sure you can send them all over. I'll have them ship-shape and shouting 'Semper Fi' by the time they come back to you."
Harm cringes, "On second thought, maybe not. I already have one mini Marine in the making and another who thinks watching dad's expression when he says 'Oo-rah' is funny. I want these three to follow in the tradition of the Navy vice the Marines."
Creswell laughs, "Well, they could all defy you both and join the Air Force."
Harm exclaims, "General!"
Creswell grins, "Sorry, couldn't resist."
Harm shakes his head at his Commanding Officer. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the bulldog when he first came to JAG, but they have developed a comradery similar to what he had with Admiral Chegwidden. It probably helps that Harm himself is not as much of a loose cannon as he used to be either.
The General adds, "You also might to consider getting the kids a puppy. One they can chase around and wear themselves out with."
Harm laughs, "Wear out the dog or the kids?"
Creswell grins, "Both!"
Harm chuckles, "I'll have to discuss that one with the Marine. I don't think she is going to give in and consent to three newborns and a puppy at the same time."
The General offers, "I'll have Dora talk her into it. The puppy gets tired and flops on the floor, and the kids get tired and flop on the dog. It gives mom and dad a little peace."
Switching back to the first topic, Harm asks, "When did you want to have the event?"
Cresswell replies, "I was thinking either the weekend before Labor Day weekend, or sometime in mid to late September. I know the ladies are still looking for a venue. Did you have a preference of dates?"
Harm answers, "Not really, Sir. I would offer part of our backyard, but not sure what state it will be in then. We are meeting with a couple construction companies to have them draft some plans for us to add a few rooms to the house and a new shed in the back. I also think that Mac is considering putting a pool. Once we have a timeline for when they could do the work, Mac and I plan to take the kids out to La Jolla for a visit with my parents for two weeks while the major construction is going on."
The General lifts his eyebrow, "A new shed?"
Harm chuckles, "Yes, my new bedroom, according to my wife."
Cresswell laughs, "What did you do to make her come up with that punishment?
Harm shrugs his shoulders, "Apparently, I got her pregnant with triplets! It's all MY fault. She says our bed will be too small for the two of us and the three unborn ones as she progresses in her pregnancy so I need a new shed with a king size bed for me. Hell, she'll probably put an intercom system in there too so I can bring her whatever she is craving at 0200."
The general laughs, "Nah, she'll miss you cuddling with her after the first night you spend out there. Harm, do you think she will go on Inactive Reserves when her maternity leave is up?"
Harm purses his lips, "Honestly, we haven't even discussed that at all. She was on edge for so many weeks before she had the ultrasound thinking there was something wrong that I definitely didn't want to add career decision pressures to that. I think we will just have to take a wait and see approach."
