Thursday June 30th
Mac knocked on Mattie's door. It was 09.00 and Mac decided that even teenagers needed to get their day started even during summer vacation. Mattie had the day off from physiotherapy, but that didn't mean that she had the day off from exercise. Molly had provided her with a plan for what she had to do during her day's off and Mac knew it was her job to make sure that Mattie did what she had to do.
"I'm up," Mattie yelled. "Come in."
Mac smiled as she opened the door. "Good morning."
Mattie stretched in bed and yawned. "Morning. Did you have breakfast?"
"Nah, I just got back from my run," Mac walked over to the window and opened the curtains.
"You're a real morning person, aren't you?" Mattie sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"I guess I am," Mac admitted as she headed for the door. "Come on, up and hop, it's a beautiful day. Let's have breakfast, then we'll go out. Maybe a walk in the park, huh?"
"But you just ran?" she tumbled out of bed.
Mac smiled. "We can't stay inside when the weather is so lovely," she said in a British accent.
Mattie shook her head with amusement. "Okay, I'm up."
They enjoyed a quiet breakfast then went for a walk. Mac used the opportunity to ask Mattie about what she wanted to do during summer.
"I don't know," Mattie shrugged. "I'll be busy with therapy most of the summer."
"Molly did suggest a few weeks off," Mac reasoned. "We're spending that week in D.C, but maybe we could do something else too? Europe is great, a lot of beautiful countries around us."
"That's true," Mattie hesitated. "What do you want to do?"
"We could spend a week in Italy, maybe?" Mac suggested.
"That sounds romantic," Mattie smiled. "Something you and Harm should do alone. I'll just be in the way."
"No, you won't ever be in the way, Mattie," Mac reassured. "It'll be fun for us as a family."
Mattie smiled. "Okay. Italy sounds great."
"We should sit down with Harm and plan," Mac let out a happy sigh. "This is a nice park, huh? And so close to the house. We were lucky to be able to live like this, and close to schools and Harm's work."
"It sure is nice," Mattie agreed.
Later that night
Harm stood by the staircase waiting for Mac to be ready. He was busy checking his email on his phone when he heard Mattie clear her throat behind him. He turned and saw her pointing up the stairs. Harm turned and saw Mac walking downstairs. She was dressed in a black cocktail dress, showing off her body perfectly.
"You look... Wow," he offered his hand and kissed her softly.
"Thank you. And you look so handsome," she smiled sweetly and straightened his tie, then turned to Mattie. "Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. I'm ordering a pizza, and I have candy," she smiled. "You guys enjoy dinner."
Harm tugged on Mac's hand. "We better get going. We don't want to be late," he handed cash over to Mattie. "For pizza. And be careful. Don't open the door to strangers."
"The pizza delivery person is a stranger," Mattie pointed out.
Harm wrinkled his forehead with worry.
Mac smiled. "Mattie will be fine. Come on Captain," she focused on Mattie. "Have fun."
"You too," Mattie smirked by the way Harm was looking at her. "Don't worry, Dad."
Harm smiled. "Me? I don't worry," he followed his wife into the hallway. He pulled her into his arms. "You look spectacular."
"I wanted to dress up for you," she kissed him softly.
"Lucky me," he kissed her again.
Later
Admiral Hayes and his wife were both gracious people. The Admiral was curious about Mac's career and her choice to give it up.
"Love won, I guess," Mac smiled and took Harm's hand. "I could have asked for an assignment here, but I have other priorities at the moment."
"I can respect that," the Admiral smiled. "And how is your daughter? I understand she was in some sort of accident?"
"Yes, sir. She crashed in a small airplane," Harm clarified. "She was taking lessons."
"It was a near fatal accident. She's lucky to be alive, it's amazing really, and especially considering how fast she has recovered. It's truly remarkable," Mac smiled. "But she's a remarkable girl."
"And your husband is an interesting man too," the Admiral smirked. "I must say, in the past, that I've found lawyers boring. The Captain however..."
Mac smiled. "Yes, he's unique."
"It must be the wings," the Admiral chuckled. "We still have some environmental issues to talk about, but the Captain has some good ideas."
"Well," Harm looked at Mac. "I have to give the credit for some of those ideas to Mac," he focused on the Admiral again. "Being married to a lawyer has its advantages."
"Maybe I should have the Colonel on my staff," the Admiral suggested. "When you decide to come back that is," he added.
The dinner progressed very well. Harm and Admiral Hayes went over to discussing business, and Mac offered her opinions. She also had a nice talk with Mrs. Hayes, who seemed used to these dinners that were mostly business.
"Get used to this," she said with a smile.
"Yeah, I guess I should," Mac agreed.
Later
Harm let Mac enter their house before him. He heard the TV and assumed that Mattie was still up. As much as he wanted to go straight to their bedroom and close the door, he decided to spend some time with Mattie first.
"How was your night?" Mac asked as she walked into the living room.
"It was good," Mattie yawned. "I mostly talked with Jenn on Skype. She has leave coming up so I suggested that she visit. Is that okay?"
"Of course," Harm smiled. "We have room."
"Great," Mattie started to stand. "Well, I'm heading to bed."
"See you tomorrow night then," Harm hugged her.
"I'll wake you up around 08.30. We have that session with Molly at 10.00," Mac reminded her.
"I know," Mattie hugged Mac too. "Good night."
"Good night," Mac watched her disappear upstairs then she turned to her husband. "I think having Jenn here would do her good. I'll call Jenn tomorrow and invite her."
Harm nodded. "Good idea," he smiled and pulled her close. "Tonight was nice, right?"
"Yeah, it was," Mac leaned in and kissed him. "I'm proud of you."
"Me?" he questioned.
"Yes, you," she smiled. "I know that you'd rather work cases and be superman, but you're doing great in command, Harm. The higher ups are satisfied, and your staff seems happy. Even your XO seems to be settling with your ways," she noticed his curious look. "I talked with his wife the other day after our lunch. I ran into her as I was leaving your office, and we had coffee."
"You didn't say," he hesitated. "And yes, the commander seems to be doing better."
"He was hoping to get a promotion to full Commander, and when that didn't happen this time he didn't take it so well," Mac shrugged. "I think he just needs a little encouragement and it'll work out."
"Thanks for the heads up," Harm smirked. "You've done some good detective work, huh?"
"Nah, just wanted to be nice to a fellow Navy wife," she teased. "Did you know that they have a son with Downs? Three children in total. It's a lot of work I think."
"I did know that, and they seem to be handling everything fine," Harm ran his hand up and down her back. "It's hard for any military family abroad, without family support. But I think having children is a blessing, even with extra needs. I wouldn't give up the experience with Mattie, even the hard times with her going back to live with her father, her accident and the needs she has now."
"I'm proud of you," she put her hand on his cheek. "I also think the Mattie experience is why we could eventually make it work. It's because of her that you've learned to love unconditionally."
"I guess," he leaned in and kissed her. "I also think you have something to do with that. I love you."
"I love you too," she smiled. "Let's go to bed, Captain."
He released her and moved to the staircase. "After you."
She walked past him, taking his tie she pulled softly at it. "Come on, handsome."
Friday July 1st
Harm turned the alarm off and let out a groan. He felt her arms encircle his waist and he smiled and put his arms around her. This was a great way to wake up, it was just a shame it wasn't the weekend so that he could stay there with her. He started trailing kisses down her neck as his hands moved down her sides as they met in a heated kiss. She was a work of art from top to bottom and he couldn't get enough of her.
"Do you have time?" she mumbled between kisses.
"Too late to stop now," he mumbled as he moved close enough for her to feel his excitement.
A little later they collapsed in bed breathing hard.
"That was… Wow!" Mac relaxed into his arms.
"A good way to start the day," he agreed and turned to her. "And I really have to go," he leaned in and kissed her. "Which sucks."
"Big time," she agreed and kissed him again. "I'll get up too, and we can have breakfast together. If you have the time."
He hesitated as he reached for his watch. "It's 06.45. You don't have to be in until 0800 because you don't have anything scheduled before your morning staff meeting at 08.30."
"Sometime soon I have to find a way to short circuit that watch of yours," he leaned in and kissed her deeply. "I won't have time for breakfast, because my shower will last too long," he wiggled his eyebrows as he started to get out of bed, tugging on her hand.
She wasn't hard to ask as she followed him to the shower.
Later
Mac smiled when Mattie tumbled into the kitchen. Mattie hadn't been much of a morning person after she'd come home. The girl was so happy to not be waken up by nurses to take her blood pressure or tests early in the mornings, claiming that she was so over hospitals. She truly had blossomed after being home, gaining weight and getting some color back on her face. She looked happy.
"Morning," Mac put her coffee down. "I was just about to come wake you up."
"I'm up," Mattie smiled as she slumped down on a chair. "Did you eat with Harm?"
"Ah," Mac blushed slightly by the thought of what they had been up to early in the morning. "He didn't have time for breakfast."
"I'm not even going to ask why," Mattie teased.
"Anyway," Mac stood. "Oatmeal, eggs?"
"I can make it," Mattie started to stand.
"I've got it," Mac waved her off.
"Okay, eggs please," Mattie hesitated. "Did Harm say he was coming today?"
"No, he won't make it. He has a 09.30 meeting with Admiral Hayes. He'll make sure to be there on Monday though," Mac reassured.
Mattie nodded. "Okay."
"He would have been there if he could Mattie," Mac smiled. "Really."
"I know. It just feels like he works a lot," Mattie shrugged. "I know he has to, I just miss him."
"Yeah, I understand," Mac cracked an egg. "It'll calm down for him, it's just a lot to do with a new command."
"I understand," Mattie reassured. "Besides, I have you."
"You do have me," Mac smiled as she cracked the second egg.
