Wednesday, October 5th
Doctor Turner removed the inflatable rubber cuff from Mac's arm and put away the equipment. It was just a routine check-up to see that everything was okay.
"Perfect blood pressure," the Doctor reassured as she sat down behind her desk. "You say that you've been feeling dizzy in the mornings?"
"Yeah, and nauseous," Harm added.
Mac looked at him with amusement. "Harm is a little worried that I'm not eating enough."
Harm smiled. "I wouldn't say worried, just a little concerned maybe."
Doctor Turner smiled. "It's very normal. Other than that there's nothing that you're worried about? No bleeding or cramping?"
"No, I feel fine," Mac reassured.
"That's what we want to hear," Doctor Turner closed a file and put her pen down. "Questions?"
"You can tell my wife that she can slow down a little," Harm smiled and took Mac's hand. "Maybe she'll listen to you?"
"I'm taking it as slow as I've ever done," Mac reassured the Doctor.
"I think your wife might know her limitations," Doctor Turner smiled. "And it's perfectly normal that husband's think that pregnancy means to stop doing pretty much anything, but actually it's better for the baby that mommy leads an active life."
Ham nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
"And Harm is a little worried about having sex," Mac said.
"I just don't want to do anything that can cause harm," Harm added.
"As long as Sarah isn't uncomfortable it's perfectly fine," Doctor Turner reassured. "I would like you back here in three weeks. We'll do an ultrasound then and hopefully; we'll be able to hear the baby's heartbeat. It will be around your eight weeks and that's when we're first able to hear it."
They made a new appointment before they left. Harm drove Mac to the university; then he went back to work.
Later
Harm worked late that night and went straight for basketball training afterward. When he came home, he had a bite to eat, then went looking for his wife, wondering if she had turned in already. He found her on their bed reading.
"Hey," Mac looked up from her book.
"Hey," he dropped his gym bag and bent down and greeted her with a kiss. "Has Mattie turned in?"
"She was exhausted tonight," Mac put her bookmark inside the book and closed it. "She begged off physiotherapy today. We agreed to take a week off."
Harm wrinkled his forehead with worry. "Is she okay? She hasn't said anything to me."
"She didn't say anything to me either, but I noticed that there was something. She fell apart crying when I asked if she was doing okay," Mac took his hand. "You should talk with her tomorrow. She's been pushing herself so hard."
Harm nodded and let go of her hand. "I should have noticed," he started removing his jeans and t-shirt, then headed for the bathroom.
Mac waited for him to come out of the bathroom. "She's good at keeping things inside."
Harm started emptying his gym bag. "I know," he threw his dirty clothes in the hamper. "How was your day?" he walked over and slipped into bed.
"It was fine," she chuckled when he put his hand on her still flat belly.
"So, everything is fine with mommy," he moved her top aside. "The Doctor is pleased," he bent down and kissed her belly. "Everything is perfect."
"Pretty much," she ran her hand through his hair, enjoying his touch and caresses.
He moved up her body and pulled her into his arms, laying down holding her. "I'll talk with Mattie. And I think taking time off from physiotherapy is a good idea."
"We had a long talk this afternoon," she moved an arm around his torso. "She promised to let us know when she's tired and needs a break before she gets exhausted."
"Good," he kissed her softly.
"How was basketball?" she wondered.
He smiled. "It's great; I'm glad I joined a team."
"I'm glad you did too," she ran her hand up his chest, caressing it softly. "You need some you time."
"You think so?" he chuckled. "I guess I do."
"So?" she moved in to kiss him. "Are you tired?" she let her lips touch his lips in a soft kiss.
"Nope," he kissed her. "What did you have in mind?" he kissed her again.
Losing herself in his kiss, she didn't answer in any other way than using her body language.
Saturday, October 8th
Mac had slept past nine that morning. It was so unlike her to sleep in, but the pregnancy took so much of her energy away that she slept soundly for nine hours straight. Some days she even needed a nap during the day, especially the days she worked at the university.
Harm and Mattie left early to go for a hike and would be gone for most of the morning. Harm and Mattie had a serious talk a few days earlier about Mattie being exhausted and not letting them know about it. He had suggested the hike as a way for Mattie to get some fresh air and use her body without demanding too much. Mac had decided to stay behind and relax with a book, knowing that she wouldn't feel good before later in the day.
Mattie and Harm spent the morning hiking at Meadowlily. They walked for about an hour and stopped to have a bite to eat. The weather was cold but dry. The beautiful colors of the autumn leaves made it extra beautiful Mattie declared.
"I hope Mac's feeling okay," she said thoughtfully. "She would have loved it here."
"She would. We'll come back all of us," Harm smiled. "I'm sure she's doing great on the couch with her book. The pregnancy is just taking a lot of her energy right now."
Mattie nodded. "Do you think it's a boy or a girl?"
"I don't know," he looked thoughtful. "It doesn't really matter as long as we get a healthy baby. And a pregnancy without complications."
"I hope so too," Mattie agreed. "I always wanted a sibling. I remember asking my mom for one. She just smiled and told me that I was a blessing."
"You are," Harm agreed. "And this baby will be a blessing too."
"Mac told me about your baby deal," Mattie admitted. "I can't believe you did that."
Harm chuckled.
Mattie smiled. "I'm glad you two finally decided to get together."
"Me too," Harm agreed. "Now, let's talk about you."
"I don't want to," Mattie shrugged.
"Well, I'll talk then," he chuckled. "Just promise me one thing. Tell us when you're feeling overwhelmed. You have a lot to deal with, and it's okay if you need a break."
"I said I would," Mattie let out a sigh. "We've had this conversation already."
"I know, but I just want to make sure you understand how important it is that you don't overdo it," he reminded her of the warning her Doctor had given them the day before. He had ordered a two weeks break.
"I know," Mattie stood. "Let's get moving huh?"
Harm stood as well. "Okay." He was a little disappointed that Mattie seemed to avoid a conversation about how she was really feeling.
Later that night
Mattie had made plans with Jane, so Harm and Mac were alone for dinner that night. Mac noticed that Harm seemed a little distant after his and Mattie's hike. When he still hadn't said anything about what was bothering him, she decided to ask.
She found him in the kitchen working on that night's dinner. "What's on your mind, Sailor?"
He finished seasoning the fish and put it in the oven, then turned to her. "Nothing?"
She sat down on a barstool and studied him. "I don't believe you."
He chuckled, then rounded the counter and sat down on the barstool beside her. "Well, Dr. Froyd…"
"Don't be condescending," she warned. "I'm just worried. And besides, talking about things aren't that bad."
He was surprised. "You hate talking."
"Maybe I've had a change of heart," she smiled and took his hand. "I've been seeing a psychiatrist."
"You were ordered to do that," he reminded her.
"At first, yeah," she hesitated. "But I did go back. I had some problems sleeping. I think the whole endometriosis on top of everything else got a little too much to handle."
"You could have talked with me," he reminded her.
"Ah," she hesitated. "I tried, but you were busy."
Harm looked confused; then it dawned on him. "I had dinner with Alicia."
"It's okay, really. Commander McCool was what I needed," she shrugged. "It seems like another lifetime ago anyway."
"About Alicia," Harm started.
"No, it's not important," she smiled. "Just tell me what's bothering you. I could pin you down until you tell me."
He laughed softly. "What's scary is that you would."
I would," she sobered up. "It's about Mattie, isn't it?"
He nodded. "Yeah. She's shutting me out."
"She isn't," Mac reassured. "She just needs a little time to figure out how she feels."
"You think?" he wasn't so sure.
"It's hard to talk about your feelings when you have no idea about what you're feeling," Mac reasoned. "Mattie will be fine. Give her some time."
"And in the meantime?" he wondered.
"In the meantime, we're there for her," Mac smiled. "You're a great father."
He nodded thoughtfully, then smiled. "So, having another baby with me isn't mortifying?" he teased.
She chuckled. "It really isn't."
He kissed her softly. "Hey, about me not being there for you before…"
"We both could have done better," she shrugged. "I can't go down that road, Harm. The list of regrets is just too long, and it really doesn't matter anymore. It's all in the past. I want to focus on the future because it's looking pretty great."
He smiled. "I agree."
She kissed him deeply. "I love you."
"I love you too," he kissed her again.
Wednesday, October 12th
Mac walked back home after walking with Mattie to her school. She didn't feel like taking a run, so she had opted for these morning walks with Mattie. Some mornings, when she felt better, she walked for about an hour. This morning, she wasn't feeling all that great, and she had to be at the university by 0900, so she just walked back home to get ready for work.
She knew that she didn't have to walk with Mattie, but it seemed like the girl liked their routine, so she had kept it up even though Mattie was getting familiar with the way to school. Mac loved their time together as well. They had a lot of good talks in the mornings when it was just them. Mattie was still more attached to Harm, but certain things were better to talk about with a female.
Mac's phone rang as she closed and locked the door. "Hey, honey. Checking up on me?"
Harm laughed softly. "As a matter of fact, I am."
"I'm fine. Hang on," she put her phone down and removed her coat and shoes. "I'm just going to try to eat a little, then I'll leave for work."
"No puking?" he wondered.
"Nope, just queasy. But after breakfast I'm sure I'll be throwing up everything," she hesitated. "Don't worry. It'll get better."
"I know that, but I wish there was something I could do. And I don't like that you have to go to work when you're not feeling well," he let out a sigh. "Maybe you should… No, forget it."
"I'm fine. This is normal," she reassured.
"You're not invincible, Mac. I wish for once you'd admit that," he knew he was walking into dangerous territory.
"Harm, will you just back off. I have this under control. I wouldn't risk something happening to the baby, and frankly I'm a little disappointed that you think so," she took a calming breath. "Listen, I need to go."
"Mac.."
"Talk to you when you get home. Bye," she hung up.
Harm put away his phone. "Sometimes I don't get women," he mumbled as Petty Officer Larsen walked into his office.
"What's that, sir?" she wondered as she handed him some files.
"Never mind," he looked at the post-its she was holding. "Is that my messages?"
"There are a lot of them," she handed them over.
"Good day to me," Harm smiled. "Is my 0900 still happening?"
"Yes, sir," she smiled. "Let me know if you need something.
"I will," Harm promised.
Later that night
Harm heard laughter coming from the kitchen when he came home that night. So the mood wasn't all bad, he thought as he headed in the direction. He carefully entered the kitchen, and the laughter stopped.
"Am I interrupting?" he wondered.
Mac smiled. "Nope."
"It was just something Jenn said," Mattie hesitated. "I got you something today," she handed over a booklet. "I found it when I stopped by the bookstore."
"Naval Aircraft 1943 to 1945," he read out loud. "Thanks."
Mattie walked over and hugged him. "Thanks for putting up with me."
Harm was surprised. "That's pretty easy," he reassured.
Mattie hesitated as she released him. "I'm really thankful for everything you guys do for me."
Harm smiled. "We're grateful to have you in our lives."
"Okay, enough touchy-feely stuff," Mattie smiled. "Let me know when dinner is ready."
Harm waited for her to leave the kitchen, then turned to Mac. "That was a surprise."
Mac hesitated and walked over. She put her arms around him and hugged him. "I'm really sorry about earlier today. I'm blaming it on hormones."
Harm moved his arms around her. "It's okay."
"No, it's not. You're sweet, and I bite your head off," she leaned back to look at him. "I'm really sorry."
"Hey," he smiled. "I can take a few hormonal outbursts," he sobered up. "This is new to me, and I'm just worried," he admitted.
"I know," she let out a sigh. "I'm still getting used to this. The pregnancy. And you and me being an us. I've always had a problem with men acting like my protector. In previous relationships, I haven't let my guard down like that. It occurred to me today that you aren't trying to control me."
"I'm really not," he assured. "I know how strong you are, and in a gunfight or hostage situation, you'd be the one I'd want by my side. That hasn't changed. You are still you. But we're different now."
"Good different," she smiled. "I love this new us."
"I love us too," he leaned in and kissed her. "I never want to lose you. This pregnancy is totally new territory for me."
"For both of us," she agreed. "We'll figure it out though."
"Yeah," he smiled and pulled her close. "We will."
