Chapter 11
May 24, 2006
1545 Local
"So, do you really think that the nanny was involved with the bomb that killed the admiral, Sir?"
"Bud," Harm warned, eyes facing forward and a smile playing on his lips. Sitting beside Sophie in the middle bench seat of the Robert's minivan, Mac smirked as well. They'd be old and gray and bedridden before Bud finally started using their first names without being prompted…if then.
"Sorry, Harm. Old habits die exceptionally hard deaths with me. Gruesome even," Bud tossed a self-depicting smile at Harm before turning his eyes back to the road. "Seriously though, do you really think she was involved?"
Mac marveled at how, even as a lieutenant commander in the Navy and a man who had fathered five children, Bud's voice could still sometimes make him sound like the guileless, wide-eyed young lieutenant j.g. he was when she first met him.
"I think it's possible," Harm glanced at the younger man through his dark-tinted sunglasses. "I'll know more when Webb calls. Until then, I'm just glad to be back on home soil." He threw a full watt grin over his shoulder at Mac, and she couldn't help the warm, tingly feeling that shot up her spine. He'd been in an exceptionally good mood all morning, finding all kinds of reasons to touch her, wink at her, smile for her. It was a mood she could get use to very quickly.
"How about you, Ma'a...ac," Bud stumbled out.
"It was my theory," she pointed out, shrugging her eyebrows at the back of his head.
"Unbelievable," he muttered as he navigated the minivan into the driveway of his home. "Not that I don't believe you, of course," he hastily added, catching Mac' eye in the rear view mirror. She smiled warmly in silent reply.
As the van came to a halt, Mac noticed the pickup park on the street in front of the house. "Tom and Mattie are here already?" They'd spent the entire trip from the airport filling Bud in on the events in Italy, never getting around to anything going on back here in the states.
"Yes," Bud confirmed with a chuckle as pulled his keys from the ignition. "She's been bouncing off the walls since they arrived a couple of hours ago."
Leaving their bags in the car for the time being, Harm helped Mac maneuver the baby seat out of the back of the van. He then moved to get Damnit out of her crate in the rear.
"Jen's here also," Bud continued as he reached into the car and pulled out Sophie's diaper bag. "The General allowed her to secure early. She's been almost as bad as Mattie."
"Bud, you don't have…" Mac began, holding her hand out to take the bag.
Brushing her off, Bud smiled sincerely. "Not a problem, Ma'am," he assured, swinging the bag up over his shoulder and leading the way up the front sidewalk.
Mac shook her head and smiled, not bothering to correct the 'ma'am' this time. She followed Bud up to the front porch with Sophie, Harm trailing behind, letting the dog take care of her business.
Opening the door, Bud hollered playful, "Honey, we're home!" and the aforementioned home erupted with the sound of footsteps. Harriet was the first to arrive, coming out of the kitchen and giving Harm and Mac both a welcoming hug. Mattie and Jen appeared from the den just seconds later. Tom wandered out of the kitchen behind Harriet, his pace noticeably more languid than the rest.
"Is that her?" Mattie asked unnecessarily.
"Look at how little she is," Jen gushed.
While Bud lead Tom, Harm and Damnit out to the back patio, Mac lead the women into the livingroom, setting Sophie down on the coffee table. Unbuckling the baby from her restraints, Mac pulled her up and turned toward her captivated audience. "Everyone, this is Sophia Rachele Peretti, soon to be Rabb." She could feel the smile splitting her face as she presented her daughter for the first time. It was a kind of elation that she'd never felt before.
"Oh my gosh," Harriet sighed, "will you look at how pretty she is!" Her left hand rested over her heart while her right brushed across one soft baby leg, her eyes suspiciously moist. "May I?" she requested, holding her arms out eagerly.
"Of course," Mac nodded, carefully handing Sophie over. "Go see Aunt Harriet, Sweetpea."
"I'm next," Mattie stated in no uncertain terms.
Laughing, Mac took the baby bag that Bud had dropped by the couch and pulled out a bottle. "I'll do you one better," she offered the teenager. "I'm gonna go heat this up, and then you can feed and burp her." She meant the comment as tongue-in-cheek, but the way Mattie's face lit up, Mac knew the girl was pleased.
She headed for the kitchen to heat the bottle before Sophie remembered that she hadn't eaten in almost four hours. Making her way to the sink, Mac grabbed an oversized cup from the cabinet above the coffee machine and filled it with water. She smiled to herself as she listened to the murmurs and laughter coming from the other room. Taking the cup out of the microwave after a minute and a half, she dropped Sophie's bottle into the hot water and waited.
Mac heard Harm approach before she felt his arms wrap around her from behind. Tilting her head to the side, she granted his lips access to her neck for just a moment before turning around and draping her arms over his shoulders. A lazy smile graced her face as an outburst of 'awh's drifted in from the livingroom.
"I think we have a little 'social butterfly' on our hands," she said playfully, her fingertips running through the stubbly hair at the base of his neck.
"Of course. Would you expect anything less?" Harm returned her smile. "She is our child after all." He bent down to kiss her properly when they heard the sound of scurrying little feet headed their way.
"Are you guys kissing again?"
Harm's head made a detour, his forehead landing on her shoulder and a groan escaping his lips. She laughed lightly, her fingers continuing to play with his hair, noting idly that he was due for a trim soon. She turned to look at her godsons, both wearing smirks that would have made Clayton Webb proud. If she didn't know any better, she'd swear that they knew exactly what they were interrupting.
"Can we help you, gentlemen?" she asked with a raise of an eyebrow. Harm snorted into her shoulder before straightening up to look over at AJ and Jimmy.
"Did you b'ing a baby 'ome?" Jimmy asked inquisitively, looking curiously around the kitchen as though he thought he'd find her under the table, or possibly in the sink.
"We sure did," Harm answered, striding over to the youngsters and swooping Jimmy up in his arms. "Would you like to go see her?" Jimmy nodded his head vigorously, his chubby arms wrapped tightly around his Uncle Harm's neck.
Mac turned to AJ. "How about you big guy? Do you want to go meet Sophie?" She moved to follow Harm out of the kitchen, placing her arm around AJ's little shoulders as she went.
AJ's response was a little less enthusiastic than his brothers. "Sure," he replied, and she felt his shoulders raise and drop in a shrug as he allowed her to lead him out of the kitchen. "But I don't see what the big deal is. Mom's bringing new babies home all the time."
Mac choked on a gasp and swatted AJ on the bottom good-naturedly. "AJ Roberts!" she admonished, not able to completely force the laughter from her voice.
"What?" he turned his face up innocently to look at her. "It's true. I don't tell lies, Aunt Mac."
Mac opened and shut her mouth, really not sure how to respond to that. Once again, the kid did have a point.
The foursome made there way into the livingroom where Jen was currently swaying back and forth with little Sophie in her arms and Mattie glued to her side. Harm set Jimmy down and the toddler skipped over to join his parents on the couch. Mac sat down on the love seat with Tom, smiling knowingly as she watched Harm make a beeline for his daughter.
"She's just beautiful, Sir, Colonel," Jen craned her neck to see Mac around the tall captain as he adjusted the blanket around his baby girl.
"Thanks Jen. I actually think she looks a little like the admiral," she smiled warmly despite the melancholy that crept in her voice.
Jen's eyes watered slightly as she and Sophie stared speculatively at one another. "I can see that," the young woman finally responded. "She has more hair, though," she continued in a lighter tone, looking up to return Mac's smile.
Mattie sighed as Sophie let out a yawn that practically encompassed her entire face. "I want one," the high-schooler stated dreamily.
"Excuse me?" Tom spit out, at the same time Harm exclaiming, "I don't think so!"
Jen was unsuccessful in swallowing down her giggles.
"Not now!" Mattie scoffed defensively. "Geez, did you see me with that crying, peeing...doll thingy from my Life Planning class last year? No thanks." Looking at her 'fathers' disapprovingly she added, "Give me a little credit."
Mac, who was having a bit more luck than Jen at holding her laughter in check, was watching on in amusement as two grown men with matching crimson faces stumbled over each other's words trying to redeem themselves. A series of 'um's,' 'uh's,' and embarrassed coughs, with a few panicked looks traded for good measure, were all they could manage.
"Never mind," Mattie held up a hand and rolled her eyes. "Dads," she sighed dramatically and with an overburdened air.
"Hey Mats," Mac cleared her throat of any lingering laughter, "why don't you go check to see if her bottle's ready yet. She should be demanding it any time now."
"Sure thing," and with that, the carefree teen was back to her previous, exuberant self, bouncing her way into the kitchen
"Daddy," AJ asked from his place beside Mac, "why can't Mattie have a baby?"
"Be...because babies are...are for grownups," Bud explained, looking at the rest of the adults with a helpless shrug.
"So," Harriet clapped her hands together once, sharply, to get everyone attention. Mac breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't think the male egos in the room could handle much more embarrassment. "Sturgis is going to stop by on his way home to meet this little one," she reached up to where Jen was standing and grabbed Sophie's foot, giving it a shake. "I think Tiner might be joining him."
"Victor is going to stop by as well," Jen spoke up, gazing intently at the baby in her arms. Mac traded a looked with Harm, her eyebrows raised and her lips pursed curiously. He mimicked her expression, both of them glancing over at Harriet. If anyone knew anything, it would be Harriet. However, the east coast's very own 'gossip queen' looked very out of the loop at the moment. Before anyone could ask, Mattie came bounding back into the room.
"Ooooh, Viiictor," she singsonged teasingly, eliciting a glare from Jen. Turning away from her former roommate, she handed the bottle to Mac. "I think it's okay, but you might want to double check and make sure."
Nodding, Mac squeezed a couple of drops of formula onto the inside of her forearm. Most of her attention, though, was focused on Jen. The young woman glanced around the room, realizing that all eyes were now on her and not the baby she was holding. Blushing slightly, she followed Mattie over to the armchair next to the Mac and Tom and handed her the baby when she was settled.
"The Gunny and I had a nice time Saturday night," she explained measuredly. Turning away from Mattie and Sophie she faced the rest of the group with her arms loosely crossed. "He asked what I was doing tonight; I told him, he wanted to come," she stated simply, but with a hint of a grin.
Mac and Harriet exchanged one more look before Nicki and Nate demanded attention from upstairs, effectively ending the conversation
"Ah, I was wondering when they were going to grace us with their presence," Harriet stood up. "I'll be back."
"I'll help," Mac offered. She stood and pivoted, leaning down in front of Mattie to kiss Sophie's head. Then she turned and winked at Harm before following Harriet up the stairs.
"So," began Harriet once they were on the second floor, "have you guys decided what to do about the hotel situation?" Mac had discussed with Harriet earlier the complications of staying in a hotel for a week with an infant. Of course she and Bud had offered their pull out couch in the den, but with four children and two adults already, Harm and Mac were hesitant to impose.
"Actually, we have," Mac said as they headed into the twins' room. "We're going to stay at the house in McLean." She went to Nate's bed and pulled the sniffling tot up into her arms and headed to the changing table.
"You don't think it'll feel a little, you know," Harriet waved her hand absently as she made her way to Nicki's crib with a new diaper, "…weird. I mean since he's gone."
"Possibly," Mac admitted. She'd said as much to Harm when he came up with the idea. "But it's the most logical solution. We talked to Marcia Crosby and she's arranging to have the water and electricity turned on, so it'll be much easier to take care of Sophie's needs there than at a hotel. Plus, if we're there all week, we can pack up more efficiently." She finished changing Nate's diaper and began redressing him, humoring his game of grabbing and pulling her hands while she tried to button his shirt.
"Yeah, I suppose that does make the most sense," Harriet conceded as she changed Nicki's clothes from the little girl's crib.
For the next couple of minutes the only noises in the room were the twins babbling their nonsensical words. Mac was amused to realize that when one twin would finish a stream of baby talk, the other would respond with more gibberish, or a giggle, from across the room.
"So," Harriet began after a moment, "Jen and Victor. Very interesting."
Mac shook her head, a knowing smile on her face, as she pulled Nate up into her arms and turned toward her friend.
"What?" Harriet inquired over her shoulder, apparently catching Mac's expression.
"Nothing, nothing," Mac answered innocently, shaking her head slightly. "I just hope Jen and Gunny know what there getting into."
"You don't think their...relationship is a good idea?" Harriet sounded somewhat taken aback by Mac seemingly disapproving attitude.
"I don't know that there is a 'relationship' to approve of," Mac pointed out diplomatically as she strolled over to Nicki's crib. "And even if there is, it's not my place to sanction anyone's personal life." She shrugged, "Besides, Gunny's not at JAG anymore, so I don't see a problem."
"So, what's your concern?" Harriet finished up with Nicki and lifted her up with a grunt. "You're getting to be a big girl," she murmured into her daughter's wispy blond hair.
"My concern," she began, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes thoughtfully at Harriet, "is that now that you and those busy bodies we call friends no longer have me and Harm to speculate over, you'll all turn you attentions to the next poor, unsuspecting souls who show any sort of attraction for one another. Namely, Jen and Gunny."
Harriet ducked her head back toward Nicki, trying to look as innocent as possible. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Mac snickered at the unconvincing denial. She wondered briefly if she sounded that way the night before last, when she'd used the same line on Harm after he caught her singing 'Airship' to Sophie.
"Okay, so there were a few...public opinion polls," Harriet admitted, shifting the baby to her other hip. The marine raised an eyebrow and Harriet rolled her eyes. "And there may have been some betting going on," she continued on hastily, "but I never had anything to do with those. I only wanted my friends to be as happy as I was. As I am," she corrected as she smiled down a Nicki.
"I know," Mac assured, stepping forward and embracing her friend as best she could with two babies in the way. "And I sincerely appreciate that." Mac pulled back, laughing, and added, "Let's just hope it doesn't take them ten years to get it right."
"Amen," Harriet agreed as the two women turned to exit the nursery.
Jen, Mattie and Sophie were the only ones still occupying the livingroom as Mac and Harriet descended the steps.
"Hey ladies," Mac greeted. She followed Harriet's lead, setting Nate down beside Nicki in front of a basket full of toys.
"Hey," Jen replied, waving to the twins, "Commander Roberts took the boys outside to play with the dog. Mr. Johnson and the captain went with him."
Nodding, Mac sat down next to her on the couch and couldn't help the grin that naturally appeared when she saw Sophie's big eyes gazing up at her from Jen's arms. Sniffing inconspicuously, Mac reached over for her little girl. "I think someone needs a new diaper," she announced. "Mattie would you hand me her bag?"
"Sure," Mattie handed the bag over to Jen who placed it on the floor by Mac's feet.
Mac, meanwhile, was stripping the soiled diaper from Sophie's bottom. She looked up just in time to see Mattie turn slightly green as she spied the contents of the Pamper. "Yeah, I think I'm going to go introduce myself to my new dog." The adolescent stood swiftly, heading toward the back door.
"Mattie, tell the guys to decide what kind of pizza they want," Harriet called after the girl.
"Yes, Ma'am," they heard her reply before the back door swung shut.
"Sturgis is eating here with us since Varese is still in Las Vegas," Harriet explained. "And if I know Tiner, he's not going to pass up free food." All three ladies laughed at that. "Are you staying for dinner Jen?"
Looking away bashfully, the young woman shook her head. "I have dinner plans already, but thank you," she politely responded.
Harriet's eye lit up. "Plan's with Gunny perhaps?"
"Harriet!" Mac all but hissed as she finished up with Sophie.
"What? Oh, okay, fine," she threw her hands up in defeat, then grabbed the dirty diaper and stood up. "I'm going to go order those pizzas. Mac, any requests?"
"Meaty and greasy," Mac answered automatically, smoothing Sophie's brightly colored romper back into place.
"Got it," Harriet gave her a thumb's up. "Watch the twins for me a minute?"
"Got it," Mac agreed with a grin as she hoisted her own baby up onto her shoulder.
"Thanks, Colonel," Jen whispered as Harriet headed out the back door.
"Anytime Jen. I've been there, you know. Just remember that she does it out of love."
Jen laughed. "I understand, Ma'am." She turned her attention back to the baby sucking contently on her pacifier, her head resting comfortably against Mac's clavicle. "She really is something amazing."
"Yeah, she really is." Mac felt a lump in the back of her throat and quickly swallowed it down. Now was not a time to get all weepy and emotional.
"Are you taking a maternity leave, Ma'am?" Jen asked, turning her gaze from baby to mother.
"Um, yes," Mac replied, dropping an absent kiss on the baby's downy hair. "I talked to my C.O. yesterday from Italy. I'll have to go back next week as scheduled and work though Friday, but after that, I'm home with Sophie for three months." She was surprised how strongly she was looking forward to staying home for the next 12 weeks. What once would have sounded like a prison sentence, she now couldn't wait for.
"Well, your mommy's a pretty lucky lady," Jen informed Sophie in a whimsical voice.
Mac sighed contentedly, thinking that she couldn't agree more.
Stugis and Tiner arrived the same time the pizza did, with the Gunny right behind them. After properly 'ooh'ing' and 'ahh'ing' over the baby, Gunny escorted Jen to his car and the two headed out for their evening. Mac noticed Harm peeking out the window beside the front door as the two made their way down the walkway to Gunny's car. She stood at the foot of the steps with Sophie sucking on a chubby little fist, and watched his concerned, fatherly eyes follow the taillights down the road and out of sight.
"I think she's in good hands, Dad." Her lips curved up when he swung his head around to face her, his hand in the proverbial cookie jar.
"I realize that," he said defensively. "I'm just making sure...Gunny's not...speeding or, you know, driving...recklessly," he waved his hand toward the window lamely.
"Uh huh." She took a couple of steps, closing the distance between the two of them, watching as his eyes fell to the baby in her arms.
"She's never allowed to date you know," he stated very matter-of-factly.
Mac's smile grew wider. "We'll talk about it in a few years, honey," she patted his chest patronizingly.
"Well, I like him," came a voice from the kitchen doorway. They turned to see Mattie standing there, a plate of pizza in one hand and a can of Coke in the other. "He's hot, polite, respectful of women, hot, has a promising future, and, oh yeah, hot." She pressed the cold can to her cheek as if trying to cool off, grinning wickedly at Harm as she turned back toward the kitchen.
"You're grounded," he called after her ineffectively.
He looked back at Mac, helplessness written all over his face. "How am I going to do this with her?" he pointed to their new little daughter, sounding seriously panicked. "These two," he motioned between where Mattie was just standing and the window he'd recently been spying from, "…are stressful enough."
"We'll survive it," she assured him. "You'll survive it. Just like millions of other fathers every day."
She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him lightly, trying to banish the doubtful look from his face. Pulling back, she grabbed his elbow with her free hand and began pulling him into the kitchen. "Let's go get some pizza, Flyboy." Then just for fun, she added, "Did you see the way Gunny was watching Jen with Sophie? I think he saw something he liked," she tossed a wink at Harm from over her shoulder.
"Maaaac, come on now," he whined as he followed after her, grimacing.
TBC