0800 Zulu
Naples Naval Base
Mac is busy packing her gear as she readies to board her flight back to Washington. She stops when her cell phone rings and rushes to find it in the organized chaos that is her method of packing.
"This is Colonel MacKenzie."
"Hi beautiful." Harm says seductively.
"Hi yourself handsome. Whatcha doing?" Mac plays along.
"Well I was just sitting here thinking of the most beautiful woman in the world. And I was remembering the last time you in were in Italy. And I was wondering what she was doing for the rest her life?"
"I do remember my last visit to Italy and I am sorry sailor but I am taken."
"That must be one lucky guy."
"He is."
"I know that." They both share a smile while they are miles apart. "How is the Washington brass' feeling about your big win in court today?"
"Relieved I think. The Admiral called a moment ago and congratulated me on the conviction and said the SECNAV was pleased as well. You know your testimony was crucial to my case."
"I just told the truth Sarah."
"Knowing it was not going to be a popular decision to do so."
"I had to Sarah. I cannot have Buxton influence the guys any more than he already has."
"Not to change the subject, but have received your orders yet?"
"No not for another two weeks. But I have spoken with the Admiral about it."
"And what did he say about it?"
"He is taking under advisement and he will let me know his decision in due time."
"So I guess we are in a holding pattern until then?"
"I am rotating out of the squadron in ten days. After that I am all yours."
The sound of that makes Mac's heart jump. She knows there may be challenges, but she wants to face them with this man knowing that he is as devoted to her as she is to him. "I can't wait sailor. But Harm I have to catch my flight back to the states."
"Ok Sarah. You had better get going. I love you."
"I love you too Harm. Good bye."
"Good Bye Sarah."
Mac finishes her packing and rushes to get to the airport. The queasiness she has been feeling lately has returned and she begins to wonder what is wrong. She thinks to herself the she should see a doctor when she returns to Washington. Mac decides to call Harriet to ask her to set up an appointment at Bethesda for her upon her return.
1700 Zulu
Bethesda Medical Center
Bethesda, Maryland
Three days later
Mac sits in the waiting room for her appointment with Dr. Neil.
"Colonel MacKenzie, the doctor will see you now." The nurse calls out.
Mac gets up from her chair and walks with the nurse to the examining room. She puts on the gown and sits down and the nurse takes her vital signs, blood sample and instructs her to wait for the doctor to enter the room.
"Colonel, hi I am doctor Neil. What seems to be the problem?"
"Well doctor, I have been feeling ill lately. Not sure why, I haven't been eating a lot and I thought that might be the reason. I changed my diet and I am still feeling sick at times."
"Ok colonel. Let me look at the report and we'll see if we can discover what is ailing you. Ok?"
"Yes ma'am. I have been travelling a lot lately, could that be a cause for my sickness?"
"Where have you been travelling to?"
"I have made two trips to Italy and one to the Adriatic for the course of my duties."
Dr. Neil scans the report, nodding her head to acknowledge what Mac is saying. "Well that might be a cause but it depends upon your activities while you were overseas."
"My activities? I don't understand doctor."
"Colonel you are about 7 weeks pregnant."
Mac is stunned and overcome with excitement. "Pregnant? Are you sure?" She asks the doctor.
"Yes colonel. Congratulations."
"Wow. I didn't even think about that. I guess now it makes sense, the morning sickness and the fatigue."
"I am writing you a prescription for pre-natal vitamins and I want to schedule a checkup for next month. See my assistant when you leave."
"Thank you doctor, I have a very important phone to make." Mac says glowingly.
0200 Zulu
Mac Apartment
Georgetown
Mac was having trouble sleeping. She had tried desperately to contact Harm to tell him the news of her pregnancy but she has been unable to reach him. This worried her greatly as she began to have thoughts of Harm being in danger. May be he was shot down, he crashed or worst yet dead. She tossed and turned until she was awakened by the sound of her phone ringing.
"Hello, Harm is that you?"
"Hi Sarah I got messages but I haven't been to return your call until now. We just got out of a terrible storm and can start communications again."
"I was starting to get worried. I have news for you."
"Good news or bad news?"
"The best news ever sweetheart."
"I already got the best news ever in Italy when you said you'd marry me."
"Well something else happened in Italy as well. Harm, I'm pregnant!"
"Pregnant?"
"Yes Harm. You are going to be a father." She says with pride.
"I do not know what to say. But I love you Sarah."
"I love you Harm. I now have all I have ever wanted, a good career, a good man and I have never been happier."
"What about the comfortable shoes, lots and lots of them?"
"Harm that is a going process, a woman will always be looking for more shoes."
"So I had better get a good job now."
"No sweetheart. We will manage just fine."
"Ok hun, I got to get ready for today. Not sure if we are flying today or not. But I will call you when I get my orders at the end of the week."
"Alright Harm. I miss you already."
"I miss you too; good bye and I love you."
"Love you too; good bye."
Mac wanders to her kitchen and grabs some vanilla yogurt and a banana for breakfast. She reaches for her prenatal vitamins and takes her first one with a smile.