Monday, July 13th
Harm noticed that the apartment was dark and he wondered if Gina wasn't home. He'd tried to reach her at work and on her cell phone, but he'd had no luck getting in touch with her. He knocked on her door and waited.
The door opened. "What's up?" Gina stepped aside to let him enter.
"You didn't answer your phone, so I thought I'd check up on you," he stepped into the apartment. "I called the office, and they said that you're taking a few days off."
"I am," she closed the door behind her. "I figured I deserved it after the last month."
"Absolutely," he noticed the bottle of vodka and the gun on the table.
"I decided to have a drink," she slumped down on the couch. "The gun is for protection; I'm not suicidal."
Harm nodded. "You're doing okay?"
"I lost my partner," Gina hesitated. "It takes time to work up a partnership like Steve, and I had."
Harm sat down on a chair across from her. "It does."
"I'll be alright," she shrugged. "I have to be, right?"
"Losing someone is never easy," Harm reasoned. "Hey, listen," he put his cap on the table and leaned forward. "You should be careful. Stay out of the investigation."
"Why? What do you know, Harm?" Gina sat up straighter.
"Just trust me on this one," Harm found her eyes with his. "The right people are on this."
Gina nodded. "Should I make a point out of staying away?"
"That would be smart," Harm agreed. "Especially around colleagues."
Gina nodded. "Point taken."
"I better head home," Harm started to stand and reached for his cap. "You take care, okay?"
Gina stood as well and rounded the table. "Harm," she reached for his arm. "You could stay? I mean, for old times sake."
"Gina," he took a step back.
"I know you're married, Harm, but I also know that we were good together," she reached out to unbutton his shirt.
Harm moved her hands away. "You're hurting, Gina. I can't give you what you think you need."
Gina reached for her glass and emptied it. "Is your marriage really that great? Most men don't turn down the opportunity for some out of wedlock interaction after a few years. But not you," she let out a snort.
"Gina, sober up and we can talk again when you're a little more like yourself," Harm suggested and turned to leave. He hesitated and turned back to her.
"Change your mind, did you?" Gina smirked.
Harm pointed to the gun. "It's no point in me taking that because you probably have another one. You won't do anything stupid?"
"Like I would shoot myself just because I couldn't get into your pants," she laughed. "Don't worry, Harm. I'm not that crazy."
Harm turned to leave. "See you around, Gina."
Later
Harm walked into the living room and was run over by a happy four-year-old. It was nothing better than a big hug and the simple joys of a child after a long day. Harm lifted him in the air and held him there.
"I'm an airplane Daddy!" Matthew laughed.
Harm flew him into the kitchen. "Hi," he searched his wife's face. "Sorry about running late," he smiled sheepishly as he wondered about her mood.
"Dinner isn't ready yet," she continued stirring the wok.
"I'll go change, and then I'll help," he put Matthew down. "I'll set the table."
"Fine," she didn't meet his eyes.
Harm turned and headed out of the kitchen. He hurried to say hi to Claire and Nathan before he headed for the master bedroom to change into civilian clothes.
A little later
Mac turned down the heat on the stove when the doorbell rang. She walked past her husband who was busy setting the table.
Mac opened the front door, and her jaw fell slightly. "Uncle Matt?"
"Surprise!" he hugged her. "You look good, Sarah."
"Thank you. So do you, Uncle Matt," she stepped back to let him enter and closed the door behind him. "What are you doing here?"
"I decided that I wanted to see you, and the kids'," he smiled. "It's been too long."
"It has," Mac agreed. "Come on; everyone will be so happy to see you."
The kids were ecstatic, especially when Matt brought out his gifts for them. They got caught up on everything during dinner. Matt noticed the tension between his niece and her husband. It was unlike them, and he wondered what was going on.
"I hope it's okay that I surprised you like this," Matt said after dinner. "I can stay at a motel.."
"No way. And we love having you visit," Mac reassured as she stood to clear the table.
"You're welcome to stay. I'll do the cleaning," Harm offered. "You guys go catch up."
"Come on guys, you have to show me around the house," Matt reached for Matthew and threw him over his shoulder, the boy letting out his adorable laughter. "Have you practiced your swing since I last saw you, buddy?"
"He's getting pretty good, Uncle Matt," Nathan said.
"You're never too young to know how to hit that baseball," Matt smirked.
"You have to see my book about dinosaurs. I made it myself," Claire said.
Mac watched them leave the kitchen with a smile on her face. She reached for a few plates and carried them to the sink.
"Let me do this. You catch up with your Uncle," Harm tried a careful smile.
Mac hesitated. "We need to talk."
"Later," he touched her arm in a sweet gesture.
She nodded. "Yeah."
After tidying up the kitchen Harm walked out on the back porch. He hated it when they argued, and he knew he was the one who could make it better. He was conflicted. A part of him wanted to dive into the investigation into Steve's death. And usually he acted on impulse without thinking it through, but he felt that he had been thinking before acting this time and that Mac was overreacting. He knew she had changed a lot since they married, he had too, but she had no desire to break up what was a quiet family life.
"Tell me something, Harm."
He turned and faced Matt O'Hara.
"Did you do something to get on my niece's bad side?" the older man wondered.
"I did," Harm admitted as he leaned on the railing. "A friend of mine went missing about a month ago and turned up dead this week. I've been getting involved in the investigation a little. Mac doesn't approve."
Matt nodded. "Is it dangerous?"
"Yes, potentially," Harm answered honestly. "It's drug-related."
Matt looked thoughtful. "Is that smart?"
Harm shook his head. "No, and that's why I've been keeping mostly out of it."
"Drugs mean money, and when there are money involved people will do horrible things," Matt let out a sigh. "If you want my opinion?"
"Please," Harm studied the older man.
"If it's dangerous, you stay away," Matt patted his shoulder. "But I think you've already decided on that."
Harm nodded. "I have."
Matt offered an approving nod. "Just tell her that."
"I will," Harm promised.
Later that night
Mac found her Uncle out on the porch after the kids had finally fallen asleep.
"I called Trish and let her know that you'd bring the kids over for lunch," Mac sat down in a chair.
"She wasn't upset I hope?" Matt asked.
"No, she and Frank offered to take all of you out on the boat," Mac reassured.
"It's been ages since I was out on a boat," he chuckled. "You have leave coming up next week," he remembered.
"Yeah, spending a week in Beallsville, then one in San Diego. And we're still coming to see you in August too," she smiled.
Matt smiled too. "You know Sarah; those kids are pretty amazing. Claire is so smart, Nathan the practical one, and Matthew he's so curious about everything. Reminds me of you when you were that age. I'm glad I get to take part in your life. It means a lot to an old man."
"It means a lot to us too," Mac smiled. "I'm glad you're here Uncle Matt."
"Tell me something though," Matt studied her. "What's up with you and Harm?"
Mac hesitated. "We had a small disagreement."
"About an investigation into his friend's death," Matt noticed her raised eyebrows. "Harm picked my brain about it," he explained. "You know Sarah, you should trust him."
She studied him thoughtfully. "You don't know him the way I do."
"Exactly," Matt stood. "You're afraid you'll lose him. But you know, you're not the only one who's finally, after a life of pushing people away, found true happiness. He wouldn't do anything to risk losing that any more than you would," he bent down and kissed her head. "I feel the bed calling me. Good night, Sarah."
"Good night, Uncle Matt," she turned and watched him go, before standing and letting her eyes find the rose threes they'd planted because Harm wanted to remember how they met. The day that changed his life. Uncle Matt was right; Harm wouldn't do anything to risk losing what they had.
She turned when she heard footsteps behind her.
"Mind if I join you?" Harm put his arms around her. "I'm sorry."
She relaxed into his arms. "I'm sorry too."
"I went to see Steve's ex today. His daughter Ava is a sweet girl. They're doing okay despite everything," he hesitated. "She has a great stepdad. A younger brother too. They seem like a great family. I think she'll be okay. I gave her Steve's wings, told her about what a great man he was."
"That was nice of you, Harm," she nuzzled into his neck. "You're amazing."
"I don't know," he rested his cheek on top of her head. "Sometimes I can be a little dense when it comes to your feelings."
"Isn't that typical men?" she teased as she moved her head to look at him. "I trust you, Harm. I know you wouldn't do anything stupid. And I'm sorry I doubted you."
He smiled. "That's okay."
"No, It's not okay," she argued.
He nodded. "We've come too far, you and me. I would never risk your life or our kids' lives, ever."
"I know that," she smiled. "I do."
He leaned in and kissed her softly. "I love you."
"I love you too," she hugged him close. "Those roses we planted are pretty."
"They really are," he agreed.
Tuesday, July 14th
"Give it back!" Claire tried to reach for the paper her brother held in his hand.
Harm peaked over the newspaper. "Nathan."
"You can try to reach it," Nathan teased.
"Nathan Rabb give your sister that paper right now," Mac ordered.
Nathan hesitated, offered one look at his mother and dropped the paper. "I'm sorry Claire."
Harm turned back to the newspaper. "Leave it to the Marines."
"Most people do," Mac and Uncle Matt said at the same time.
Harm chuckled.
"You wrinkled my drawing!" Claire hurried to put it on the table and straighten it out.
"It'll be fine, honey. Sit down and have…" Mac stopped as Matthew turned abruptly, and his milk glass tumbled over as he hit it with his hand. "…breakfast," Mac let out a sigh. "Matthew."
"Sorry Mom," Matthew smiled cleverly.
"I've got it," Uncle Matt walked over with paper towels.
Harm shook his head as he again peaked over the newspaper, then decided to put it away. "Is your drawing okay, Claire?"
"It's fine," she glared at her brother.
"Not cool, Nathan," Harm reprimanded.
"Yes, sir," Nathan reached for a pancake.
Harm stood. "I better get going. Are you riding with me?"
"Uncle Matt needs my car," Mac filled her travel mug with coffee. "Are you sure you'll be able to handle all three on your own?"
"I've led men in battle, I can handle three kids," Matt reassured. "Besides, Mattie will be up soon, right?"
"Mattie will be up sometime after 09.30," Harm smirked and put his hand on the small of Mac's back. "They've got this."
"Marines as more disciplined than these three," Mac commented with a slight worry in her tone.
"We'll just blame that on the Navy, huh?" Matt chuckled. "Seriously, I'll do fine. Right kids?"
"We'll be real good," Claire promised.
Mac kissed her head. "It's not you I'm worried about, honey."
"I think Uncle Matt and I can handle those two," Claire pointed between Nathan and Matthew.
Mac smiled. "I love you," she hugged her daughter. "And I love you," she hugged Matthew tight. "Be good, okay?"
"I'm always good," Matthew flashed her a charming smile.
"You help take care of your brother," she hugged Nathan too. "I love you."
"I'll be good," Nathan promised. "I love you too."
"See, we got this," Matt reassured.
"Come to hug your father," Harm held his arms out.
Nathan. Claire and Matthew all ran over and jumped into his arms. "Be good. I love you guys."
"Love you," they all said.
Harm chuckled as they ran over to the table again and sat down to eat. They could be a handful, but they were definitely good kids.
"Ready?" he asked his wife.
She nodded. "I am."
