Harm sat in his large, windowed office, tapping a pen on the dark, mahogany surface of his desk. His eyes were fixed on a black and white photograph of Mac that adorned the right hand corner of his desk. Five months after their engagement, he was still captivated by the idea that he had a picture of Mac on his desk; a gorgeous picture and he found himself staring at it often. Of course, every picture of Mac was gorgeous, but this one was particularly eye catching. Everyone who saw it made comment about it.
It was his favorite photograph. He'd taken it himself the first week they were in London. They'd gone site seeing that day. As they were crossing Westminster Bridge over the River Thames, he had stopped to take a photograph of Big Ben as it rose in the distance. As he lifted the camera, Mac, who had been walking a few steps ahead of him, stopped and turned her head over her shoulder toward him. Almost on its own, the lens of the camera had slowly lowered, seeking her out, centering her in its view as Harm admired her. At that moment, the sunlight caught her face at just the right angle, illuminating her perfect features. A wisp of wind then brushed through her hair, spiraling it around her face like ocean waves. Almost unconsciously, Harm had snapped the picture; the monument in the background all but forgotten.
The moment had so entranced him, that he initially didn't even recall taking the photograph. The clicking of the shutter was incidental to his admiration of his beautiful fiancé. It wasn't until later, when he was sorting through a memory card full of photos that he had come across the shot and again been mesmerized.
Staring at it now in its bright red frame, it still had the same power, the same magic that it did the day he took it. When their baby was born, he would put a copy of this picture in the nursery, he thought.
A knock on the door interrupted his musings.
"Captain Rabb," said a junior officer, poking his head in the door. "We have your car ready downstairs."
"Thank you. I'll be right down."
The young man nodded and left. Harm adjusted the photograph lovingly one last time and then got up to leave. Grabbing his coat off the rack near the door he slipped it on. Stepping out into the bullpen, he turned to close his door behind him and almost ran head first into another young officer with a large stack of papers in her hands.
"Excuse me, Captain Rabb," she exclaimed, face red with embarrassment.
"No, no. It's my fault," he assured her. "I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Sir," she began quickly, realizing that he was trying to leave. "I have a few more resumes for you in regard to the open position."
"Oh, thank you. Go ahead and leave them on my desk. I'll look at them first thing Monday morning," he said pushing his door back open.
"Right now I've got to get to the airport," he said, glancing at his watch. "We've got company coming into town."
"Yes, Sir," she nodded and quickly striding into his office, she laid the stack of resumes on his desk.
After she had left, Harm locked the door and hurried off toward the elevator.
Back in the darkened office, the pile of paperwork sat unassumingly on the vacant desk. As the heat kicked on, a gust of air from a ceiling vent fluttered the papers, blowing open the folder on the top of the stack. Inside, staring innocently back was a profile and a resume. Written in bold letters across the top of the page was the name Commander Caitlin Pike.
…
Heathrow Airport was buzzing with activity as Harm waited in the passenger pickup area. He tapped his foot excitedly as he watched the gate for any signs of life. A group of children playing in the waiting area giggled enthusiastically and Harm couldn't help but smile. He checked his watch for the tenth time, more out of habit than anything. It was 1600. They should be arriving any minute now.
Moments later, a large plane pulled into the gate and Harm jumped to his feet a bit more eagerly than he meant to. As the passengers began making their way down the breezeway, Harm watched the procession with nervous anticipation. He scanned each face as it appeared, waiting for that moment of recognition. Suddenly, there was a flash of blond hair and a woman's voice called out to him.
"Captain Rabb!"
Before he knew it, there was a squeal of excitement and a small woman rushed through the crowd and threw herself into his arms.
"Harriet," Harm laughed as he hugged her tightly. "Welcome to London."
"Thank you!" She gushed. "We're so excited to be here."
"Where's Bud?" Harm asked.
"Right behind me," she said, whipping around.
They both looked toward the door and sure enough, there was Bud looking extremely jetlagged, pulling a rolling suitcase behind him as he made his way out of the tunnel, his eyes searching the crowd. They both waved at him and a huge smile spread across his face as he caught site of them.
"Captain!" He exclaimed as he joined them, reaching out to shake Harm's hand.
Harm pulled him in for a hug instead, clapping him on the back.
"It's Harm, Bud. No formalities. You're here as my friend. You too, Harriet."
They both laughed and nodded in agreement.
"It's so good to see you both," Harm said excitedly. "Mac's going to be ecstatic."
"I can't wait to talk to her about the wedding," gushed Harriet. "I can't wait to go wedding dress shopping!"
"Well then what are we waiting for?" Asked Harm. "Let's get your bags and get home."
Harm grabbed the suitcase from Bud's hands and began walking toward the baggage claim, gesturing for them to follow.
"Oh," he said, raising his eyebrow at them. "You're in for a surprise . . . Mac's cooking."
Bud stopped and looked at Harriet with apprehension.
"Mac's cooking?" He asked with concern.
"Yes," said Harm. "In fact, she's got a few things in the oven, but then I don't want to ruin the surprise."
Harm smiled mischievously back at them and then continued on toward the baggage claim. Both Bud and Harriet paused. They exchanged a questioning look, wondering what exactly Harm had in store for them. Then, shaking their heads in amusement, they hurried after him through the crowd.
…
The lock clicked and Harm threw the door to the flat open.
"Welcome home," he said with a smile, gesturing Bud and Harriet in from the hallway.
As they strode into the living room and set their bags down, a rush of footsteps sounded on the stairs and moments later, Mac burst into the room, her face aglow with excitement.
"Bud, Harriet!" She exclaimed and hurried over to hug them both.
"I'm so glad you're here," she gushed.
"We're thrilled to be here," said Harriet, giving her a tight squeeze.
"God, you look fantastic," Harriet added, stepping back to admire Mac. "I guess life in London agrees with you."
"It certainly does," said Mac with a grin. "You look terrific yourself, Harriet."
Harriet blushed at the compliment.
"Gosh, Bud, you look stunning too," interjected Harm, poking fun at the two women.
Mac glared playfully at him and then continued on.
"We have the guest room all fixed up for you. You'll love it!"
"Thank you so much for letting us stay with you," said Harriet gratefully. "The hotels in this city are so expensive. I'm not sure we would have been able to afford it."
"Oh, it's no problem at all," Mac assured them. "I would have insisted you stay here regardless."
"I'm sorry the kids couldn't come," Harm added as he moved the bags toward the stairs.
"Oh, trust me. You'd feel differently if they were actually here," laughed Harriet. "It would be chaos. You would have kicked us out after 15 minutes."
Bud nodded in agreement.
"It's better that this is an adults-only trip," he added.
"Well, how are the kids?" Harm asked, motioning for them to sit. "We do miss them."
"Aww," said Harriet, taking a seat on the couch. "They're wonderful. And they miss you too."
"Are they staying with your Mom while you're gone?" Asked Mac.
"Actually, no," said Harriet with a grin. "Mikey is watching them."
"Wow," said Harm, sliding into an armchair and pulling Mac with him onto his lap. "That's awfully brave of him. Is he sure he knows what he's getting himself into?"
He pinched Mac playfully in the side.
"Probably not," laughed Harriet, "but he does have help."
She paused and looked at them, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Jennifer is there with him," she said with a smile.
"Jennifer Coates?" Harm asked in surprise.
"Yes," grinned Harriet. "A couple of weeks ago, the two of them offered to watch the kids while we were gone."
"So what exactly is the story there?" Asked Mac. "There has to be one."
Harriet eyed Bud as she answered.
"I suspect a romance is blossoming," she said, a hint of intrigue in her voice.
"Wait a minute," said Harm, furrowing his brow. "What about General Creswell's daughter? I thought things were pretty serious between Mikey and Cami."
"Apparently it fizzled," said Bud shaking his head. "Nothing ugly. No drama. I guess they just mutually decided to call things off."
"And not more than a few weeks later, we started to notice that Mikey was spending an awful lot of time with Miss Jennifer," added Harriet, sounding like a detective.
"I think it was just a friendly thing at first," said Bud sincerely, "but recently, they've become inseparable. It's kinda cute."
"It's fantastic!" Gushed Harriet. "They make such a wonderful couple."
"Well, I always thought they'd be good together," Mac chuckled. "Maybe we can send them a joint wedding invitation."
Mac and Harriet laughed, but Harm shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"You'll do no such thing," he said, jabbing Mac gently in the ribs. "No matchmaking. Just let the poor kids figure this thing out on their own. I'm sure their perfectly capable."
"Besides," added Harm, "we have to plan our own wedding before we can start planning theirs."
"Yes we do," said Harriet enthusiastically.
"Why don't we start the planning tomorrow," interjected Mac. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving. Anyone else feel like eating dinner?"
Bud turned to Harriet, trying hard to hide his obvious concern over Mac's cooking skills, but failing miserably.
"Oh my gosh," laughed Mac seeing the fear in Bud's eyes. "Did Harm try to scare you by pre-warning you that I was cooking?"
"I would never do that," said Harm feigning insult.
Mac pushed herself off his lap, pinching his knee as she did so. Harm laughed as she hit a ticklish spot.
"I realize that in the past my cooking skills may have left something to be desired," she acknowledged.
Bud and Harm raised their eyebrows at her simultaneously.
"Okay, okay," she conceded. "I was terrible. But that's not the case anymore. I've learned a lot in the last few months. I'm actually pretty good now."
She looked over at Harm for support.
"Help me out here, Rabb. You started this."
"Alright," said Harm laughing and raising a hand to calm her down. "It's true. She actually is a really good cook now."
"Thank you," said Mac in relief.
"And these cooking skills couldn't have come at a better time," added Harm standing up from his chair.
"Why's that?" Asked Harriet playfully. "So she can cook for her new husband?"
"No," said Harm matter-of-factly, staring at Mac. "I just figure with two chefs in the house, maybe there's a fighting chance our baby won't be born craving Beltway Burgers."
Harm paused and glanced out the corner of his eye toward Bud and Harriet. Mac's eyes grew wide and she cracked a subtle smile at him. Bud and Harriet sat on the couch looking confused, trying to process what they'd just heard. Suddenly, realization sparked in Harriet's eyes and she jumped up from her seat. Grabbing Mac and Harm by the hands, she gasped with excitement.
"Are you pregnant?" She squealed.
Mac nodded ever so subtly, biting her lower lip to keep from exploding with excitement.
"Oh my God!" Screamed Harriet, throwing her arms around Mac. "This is incredible."
She released Mac and launched herself at Harm.
"Congratulations!" She shouted into his shirtsleeve.
Bud stood up from the couch, a confused crinkle in his forehead. The rapid progression of events had evidently left him in the dust.
"You're having a baby?" He reaffirmed sheepishly, not sure he'd heard Harriet's high pitched question correctly.
"Yes we are," smiled Harm.
Bud staggered forward in shock. He managed to grab Harm's hand and he shook it with increasing enthusiasm as the news sank in.
"Wow," said Bud. "This is some trip. And we've only been here a couple of hours."
"Well, we don't like our guests to be bored," said Mac grinning at him.
"Well, that's good because I need more baby details," demanded Harriet.
"Perfect dinner conversation," said Mac, linking arms with Harriet and leading her toward the dining room.
The boys took the cue and followed.
"Don't worry, Bud," assured Harm. "We can talk about something more manly. This is already starting to feel like a slumber party."
"Well, if you're lucky, maybe we'll have a pillow fight later," teased Mac looking slyly back at them.
Bud and Harm glanced at each other intrigued and then burst into laughter as the four of them made their way to the table for what would turn out to be a surprisingly delicious dinner.
…
Harm eased the door to the bedroom shut behind him, taking care not to wake Mac who was sound asleep under a pile of white sheets. It appeared as though she'd fallen asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. After getting Bud and Harriet settled in the guest bedroom, Mac had headed off to bed while Harm took a few minutes to straighten up the kitchen. In those ten or so minutes he was in the kitchen, she had managed to throw off her clothes, pull on a pair of his boxer shorts and one of his t-shirts, crawl under the sheets and fall fast asleep. He chuckled to himself, admiring how quickly she could let go of the noise of the day and fall asleep. He envied that about her.
Sliding into the bed beside her, he untangled some of the sheet she'd gathered around herself and scooted in toward her. Placing his arm around her, he kissed her forehead as he gently massaged her shoulder blade with his thumb. She murmured in contentment and Harm closed his eyes.
As sleep began to overtake him, his mind wandered back to the night of their engagement. Once again, he could see the pink cherry blossoms and smell their sweet scent. He could feel the clean, cool smoothness of the ring as he held it between his fingers. He could hear the darkened waves lapping at the shore behind them.
The memories became more and more vivid, playing out like a movie in his head. Suddenly, the scene leapt forward to the end of the night. He was standing alone once again in his apartment, surrounded by boxes. Since they were leaving in the morning and they both needed to finish packing, he had reluctantly dropped Mac off at her apartment before returning to his. Trying hard to focus, he began loading the last of his belongings into boxes and taping them shut. As he set another full box on top of the stack, he heard a knock at his door. The noise startled him. It was ridiculously late. He was confused why anyone would be knocking on his door at this hour.
Striding over to the door, he opened it slowly. There in the hallway stood Mac, silent, her expression unreadable.
"Mac," he said as if to confirm that she was actually there.
But before Harm could ask her what was wrong or why she was there, Mac took two, resolute, purposeful steps forward and pressed her lips to his in a fiery kiss. It was his undoing. Without hesitation, Harm threw his arms around her and kissed her furiously, his hands desperately grasping at the fabric of her dress. The kiss was urgent and full of the desire that only nine years of denial can bring.
Head spinning, Harm lifted her off the ground and Mac responded by wrapping her long legs around his waist. Retreating back into his apartment with her, he swung the door closed with a loud slam. His breath shook with adrenaline as he broke the kiss and looked Mac in the eyes. She lowered herself to the floor again, fingers still tangled in his hair.
"I don't care if my clothes and my coffee cups make it to England. I want to be with you tonight," she whispered.
That was all he needed to hear. Without a word, he swept her into his arms and carried her up the steps to his bed. Laying her gently down on the clean, cool sheets, he stared at her, awed by her powerful presence as the room seemed to ignite around her. This vision of her; her dark, olive skin against the soft white linen; her liquid brown eyes staring back at him; her body burning with desire for him; it was intoxicating. As he closed the distance between them, he couldn't help but reflect that the reality of this moment was infinitely better than any of his thousand fantasies.
There were no more words, nothing but the two of them and this night as nine years worth of longing was released in one feverishly passionate night.
Afterward, delirious with euphoria, Harm whispered to Mac.
"I don't think you or I are going to miss your clothes when they don't make it to England."
Their combined laughter echoed and then faded into mist as Harm blinked open his eyes back in the present.
Staring at Mac now, asleep in their London flat, he still couldn't believe how lucky he was. The perfect woman. And she had chosen him. Harm snuggled closer to her and she leaned into his chest. Maybe he could convince her to leave her clothes behind again when they went on their honeymoon, he thought. And with a grin on his lips, he slipped back into sleep beside her.