A/N: Here it is, as promised… Chapter II of Fair Winds and Following Fate… I hope you enjoy it! Thank-you muchly to everyone who left a review after the first chapter was posted. I really appreciate your kind words. Andsowego
Fair Winds and Following Fate
Chapter II
Best Western Lodge
Washington, DC
07:00
Sunlight streamed through the hotel room window as Mic Brumby awoke. Well, actually he'd been awake for hours, his brain stuck in overdrive. After arriving in D.C. the night before, it was all he could do to try and get at least a few hours sleep. He'd spent the night tossing and turning, his mind sifting through endless "what ifs" and "how comes", before finally falling into a fitful sleep, only to be awakened by the early traffic on the street below.
Sorting through the clothing in his hastily packed suitcase, he found it. The photo. Him and her. He wondered if she was still as breathtakingly beautiful as she was the day he left her at her apartment. Sarah was the only thing on his mind since that day. "Leave and don't look back" had become his personal mantra... the daily chore of convincing himself that she didn't matter. No longer. He was resolute in his desire to make things right. Yes, today would be the day he'd see that she got everything she'd ever deserved... and more.
Harm's apartment
The morning after McMurphy's
07:00
Sunlight streamed through the apartment windows as Harm awoke. Startled at first, he felt the weight of someone's body against him. It only took him a second to remember the events of the night before as he breathed out a sigh of relief. He never thought he'd see the day when Mac would spend the night in his arms. He had no way of knowing that it would feel this exquisite. His imagination just didn't do it justice. There was no comparison, and for that he was glad. Mac stirred slightly, sensing that he was awake.
"Morning sailor" she mumbled into his chest.
"Morning beautiful" came his reply.
A comfortable silence filled the air as they took time to appreciate the morning for what it was. New, fresh, calm, full, and hopeful. For the first time in his life, Harm actually knew what it was to feel truly hopeful. The events of the previous night came flooding back to him as he drew Mac closer. They were getting married! He and Mac were really, truly, in actual fact going to get married. No more doubts, no more worries, no more second-guessing, and certainly no more dancing!
And as if that news wasn't enough, neither of them would have to leave their military careers behind. Thanks be to AJ for that little arrangement. There's a chance that Fate had her hand in the situation as well, but Harm was reluctant to analyze the whole thing for fear that it was only a dream. Mac was going to stay at JAG and maintain her Colonel status, and he was going to be a teacher at Annapolis. A TEACHER? What the hell was AJ thinking? Don't teachers need to be masters of patience?
"Harm?"
"Yes?"
"What'cha thinkin' about?"
"Why do you ask?"
Mac paused a moment. "Harm, I can usually hear you thinking a mile away, so the fact that you're nearly crushing me to you gives me a distinct advantage here, don't you think?"
"Sorry!"
Harm pulled away from her slightly. He hadn't realized that he was squeezing her so tightly.
"I was just thinking about everything that's happened over the last twenty-four hours. We're getting married you know... at least, I think we're getting married!"
"We are indeed Harm. Now are you gonna tell me what's really got your brain so worked up this morning, or do I have to come over there and force it out of you?'" Mac giggled.
"It's nothing really."
He didn't think it was worth bringing up his career concerns during their first morning together.
"I was just thinking about how happy I am. How you're going to be Mrs. Harmon Rabb Jr., and how happy Mattie's gonna be when we tell her the news."
Mac giggled again. This giggling Mac was one that Harm could easily get used to waking up next to.
"First Harm, I always thought that you'd become 'Mr. Sarah Mackenzie', and second, we have to tell Mattie before someone else spills the beans! She'll be so upset if we don't tell her ourselves!"
Already half out of bed at the "Mr. Sarah Mackenzie" remark, Harm reached for the telephone...
"Mattie, it's me... Mac and I are planning on dropping in today to see you... yes, I know it's not necessary for me to call... yes, everything's fine... no, I did not screw things up again with Mac... uh... London's not an option anymore... no, I don't want to discuss it over the phone... HEY! ... where'd you learn language like that?... okay, okay, we just want to drop in to chat about some important news... no, I didn't quit the Navy... WHAT? ... since when are you a mind-reader anyway? Fine. YES! Mac and I are finally together... no, she didn't force me... and yes, I asked her to marry me... whoa, calm down! ... the nurses are going to be so upset with you for the noise... yes, we're still dropping by... I love you too... see you soon... Bye."
As Harm hung up the phone, tears streamed down Mac's face in amusement.
"She's so much like you it's scary! How am I ever going to live with two of you around?" Mac joked.
"Oh, you love us, and you know it!" came Harm's reply.
Mac paused as her eyes became serious.
"Mac?"
"Yeah?"
"Where were you just now?"
"I was just lost in my thoughts for a sec there."
"Care to share? Turnabout's fair play you know."
"I love you Harm."
Mac waited. Simply stated, it wasn't so difficult.
"I know Mac. The words aren't necessary. I know how you feel." Harm answered.
"Do you? Now who's the mind-reader?" she joked again, "it's not like I've been particularly forthcoming with my feelings Harm...'" she trailed off.
"Well, you did agree to marry me afterall didn't you?" he asked.
"Yes, but I don't want you to ever have any doubts Harm. I've been down this marriage road before, and I certainly don't want to start a life with you feeling like there are things that remain unsaid. You mean everything to me. I've been in love with you since the first moment I met you, I just never had the courage to admit it to myself, let alone you. I've had the love for years... the words for about 24 hours!"
Laughter filled the room as the sun continued to stream through the blinds.
Best Western Lodge
Washington, DC
07:45
Over-cooked ham and two runny eggs stared up from the plate at Mic Brumby as the sun streamed through the blinds. He felt sick to his stomach, but he was a smart enough man to know that his nausea had nothing to do with the breakfast. He needed to get a plan together for the next few days. Buying a plane ticket on a whim just wasn't going to cut it in this situation. He needed to get his priorities straight.
Re-covering the now cold breakfast, Mic crossed the room and retrieved a notepad and pen from the hotel room desk. Where to start?
Sarah. He scribbled her name on the top of the page.
Sarah.
Sarah.
Sarah.
Mic scribbled it over and over again, waiting for something to come to him. Something... anything! He caught sight of the picture on the nightstand. God, she was beautiful. Her chestnut hair and chocolate eyes called to him from within the photo. How was he going to follow through on what he had planned? Was he even capable of such an act? Only time would tell he supposed.
Only time would tell.
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TBC... Chapter III coming soon... Please leave a review… I love reading them! Andsowego