"It's old," said Bud matter-of-factly.
"Yes," laughed Harm. "That's kind of the point."
The two men stood in the afternoon sunlight, staring up at the moss covered gray stone of an old gothic church.
"It's perfect," said Harm admiring the powerful yet elegant structure.
"You don't want to just get married in a pub?" Asked Bud jokingly.
"Somehow I don't think it would go over well if I came home and told Mac we were getting married at The Ship & Shovell," said Harm glancing sideways at Bud.
"Although, that is a pretty awesome place," he added with a smile.
"Well, the two of you did have your engagement party in a pub," Bud reminded him.
"It's not the worst idea I've ever heard," Harm admitted, "but what do you say we at least give this place a look?"
"Couldn't hurt," said Bud with a nod.
The two men entered the church through the large, ornately carved wooden doors. As they stepped inside, they both froze, mouths agape in awed silence as they marveled at the raw beauty of the structure. The architecture, the lighting, the atmosphere, all sang to them of grandeur. Somehow, just by passing through those doors, they had stepped back in time.
As they strode up the aisle, heads craned toward the ceiling, a man in a simple black robe appeared near the altar and approached them.
"May I help you gentleman?" He asked in a soothing tone of voice, trying his best not to startle them.
Both Harm and Bud snapped to attention, almost as if they had just been woken from a trance.
"Hello," Harm stuttered. "Yes, I hope you can help us. I'm here to discuss availability of the church for a wedding."
"You must be Captain Rabb," said the man extending a hand toward Harm. "I'm father Chapman. We spoke briefly on the phone a few weeks ago."
"Yes," said Harm, shaking his hand exuberantly. "Pleasure to meet you. This is my good friend Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts."
The priest shook hands with Bud.
"United States Naval officers," he said with a smile. "It's good to meet you both. I myself served as a Chaplain in the Royal Navy for ten years."
"A fellow officer," said Harm enthusiastically. "That's a pleasant surprise."
"It's gotta be a good sign," said Bud, looking to Harm for confirmation.
Harm nodded in agreement, then added, "Of course, I think an even better sign would be finding out that the church is actually available."
Father Chapman smiled at the two friends.
"Why don't I give you gentleman a short tour of our church and then we can discuss dates and availability," he suggested.
"Sounds perfect," said Harm and he crossed his fingers for good luck as Father Chapman gestured for them to follow him.
…
"Alright," said Mac's disembodied voice from somewhere behind a large white curtain. "This is dress number one."
Harriet waited expectantly, perched on the edge of a large, overstuffed chair in a viewing room full of ornate mirrors and well designed lighting.
The curtain swung open and Mac emerged, a sea of white organza billowing around her. Harriet jumped up from the chair and followed her excitedly. Mac stepped up onto the pedestal in the center of the room and the two women stared at her reflection in the silver rimmed mirror.
"You look so beautiful," Harriet gushed, her face aglow with a thousand watt smile.
"Thank you, Harriet," said Mac appreciatively.
She turned from side to side, inspecting the dress from every angle. It was a princess style ball gown with a large, flowing, silk organza skirt and a strapless bodice embellished with delicate beadwork; stunning by anyone's standards.
"It's a magnificent gown," said Mac smoothing her hands down the soft skirt. She paused to analyze herself in the mirror.
"But it's not you," said Harriet completing her thought.
Mac turned to her, slightly surprised, but then smiled.
"No, it's not," she agreed. "I mean, it's a beautiful dress, but I don't quite feel like myself in it."
"I don't think you're a ball gown type of girl," said Harriet thoughtfully. "You look terrific in it, but it just doesn't suit your personality. You need something more elegant."
Mac stared at Harriet, an amused smile on her lips.
"You're good at this. I knew you'd be the best person to go dress shopping with."
The two women laughed, Mac gave a little twirl and then she and the bridal consultant headed back into the dressing room to find another gown.
A few minutes later, she emerged again, this time in a satin mermaid dress with a sweetheart neckline and elegantly draped shoulder straps that cascaded down her bare back, evoking the spirit of 1950s Hollywood glamour.
"Now that's more like it," said Harriet in approval.
Mac stepped once again onto the pedestal, the dress's modest train trailing behind her. The consultant placed a jeweled comb with a few intertwined white feathers into her hair to complete the look.
"Now that's sexy," said Harriet raising an eyebrow. "Harm would fall out of his chair if he saw you in that."
"Remember that time at work when he did fall out of his chair?" Asked Harriet with a grin.
"Well maybe he had a vision of you in this dress and that's what caused him to topple," she laughed.
"He was acting rather strangely that day," Mac grinned. "I wouldn't put anything past him."
She gave herself a good look in the mirror and then turned back to Harriet for advice.
"Do you think it's a little too sexy?" She asked. "Don't get me wrong. I know Harm would love it, but I'm worried that it's a little too revealing."
She scrutinized herself in the mirror and then continued.
"Having never met Harm's parents in person, I'd hate for their first impression of me to be . . ."
She paused, biting her finger in thought.
". . . Jessica Rabbit."
Harriet gave a loud laugh.
"Well, I doubt they'd think that," she chuckled, "but maybe you're right. A little less vava-voom might be in order."
"Back to the drawing board," sighed Mac, hoisting the train and heading back to the dressing room.
"Don't get discouraged," assured Harriet. "We'll find it."
…
"I can't believe how lucky that was," said Harm shaking his head at Bud.
"Yeah, it must be fate," nodded Bud.
"I mean, that magnificent church, the private estate nearby, running into a priest with Navy ties. I don't know how else to explain it. It is fate," Harm concluded.
He smiled at the choice of words. He'd asked Mac months before if she believed in fate. After today's experience, he was certain that he did. He raised his pint glass at Bud.
"To an amazingly successful day," he said.
Bud raised his glass in agreement and together they drank to their accomplishment.
"Not too bad for two guys who know absolutely nothing about wedding planning," said Harm raising an eyebrow.
He reclined in his chair and took a hearty gulp of Hefeweizen.
"And there's nothing like a cold beer to celebrate a job well done," he added, holding up his pint glass and admiring the amber liquid inside.
"I wonder how the girls are doing," said Bud thoughtfully.
"I'm sure they're having a blast," responded Harm confidently.
"Well, I know Harriet is," said Bud sipping his beer. "She loves weddings. And this wedding in particular is her Holy Grail."
Harm laughed, almost spilling his beer all over himself.
"Well, I had no idea there was so much expectation tied to this. At least not on Harriet's part," he chuckled. "Hopefully she won't be disappointed with the venue we chose."
"As long as the end result is you and Mac as husband and wife, Harriet won't care if you get married in the middle of that intersection," Bud said, gesturing out the window. "She just wants to make absolutely sure you two make it down the aisle."
"Wild horses couldn't stop me," Harm assured him. "You can tell Harriet not to worry. Both Mac and I have waited too long for this to let anything get in the way."
"Well, just know that if you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask," said Bud. "Both Harriet and I are there for you no matter what."
Harm smiled at him.
"Thank you, Bud."
"And if worse comes to worse, and you do have to get married in that intersection," Bud added for emphasis, "just know that Harriet will do everything in her power to make it the most beautiful, romantic, memorable intersection in the world."
"I'll remember that," smiled Harm. "Now, speaking of the lovely ladies, I think I'll give them a call and see where they're at with this dress shopping adventure. I don't want them to lose track of time. We've got theater tickets for tonight."
"You and me at the theater? Now that should be memorable," said Bud dramatically.
…
A prolonged silence had fallen behind the white curtain and Harriet was beginning to worry. She began to pace back and forth across the viewing room, biting her thumbnail in anticipation.
At last, a hand swept the curtain aside and the bridal consultant emerged, a satisfied grin on her face. Harriet raised a curious eyebrow, waiting to see what had transpired in that secretive little room.
She didn't have to wait long. Moments later, from the bright light of the dressing room, Mac appeared, moving slowly, but deliberately into the viewing room. She had a bewildered sort of look on her face as she glided over to the pedestal and took her place on it.
As Harriet watched her float across the room, her jaw dropped. She made her way hypnotically to Mac's side and stood there, staring in awe at Mac's reflection in the mirror. The site was breathtaking. Both women were struck speechless. The gown she had chosen was ivory lace layered over sherbet satin organza. The warm, antique color of the lace accented Mac's natural coloring, causing her skin to glow against it. In addition to the color, the trumpet silhouette of the dress hugged her curves seductively and the sweetheart neckline showed off her beautiful swan-like neck.
Mac turned to admire the back of the dress in the mirror. Delicate lace shoulder straps outlined the beautiful, olive skin of her back, while accenting the stunning, deep "V" design.
Harriet touched her hand to the side of her face and smiled.
"It's stunning," she breathed, barely able to speak.
She examined Mac's face in the mirror and suddenly there were tears in her eyes. Mac touched her fingers to her lips as if to hold back the emotion. Harriet handed her a tissue and she dabbed her eyes. Overcome by the moment, Harriet felt warm tears begin to well in her own eyes and quickly reached for another tissue. She grabbed Mac's hand and squeezed it.
"You have never looked more beautiful," said Harriet resolutely. "It's as if this dress was designed for you."
Mac nodded, tears still glistening in her eyes.
"This is what I always hoped I'd look like in my wedding dress," she whispered shakily.
"It's fate," said Harriet, squeezing her hand in support.
But before Mac could respond, the muffled sound of a cell phone ringing interrupted them. Harriet ran over to Mac's purse and rummaged around for her phone.
"It's Harm," she said, pulling it out and glancing at the caller ID.
Mac motioned for her to answer it.
"Hello," said Harriet pressing the phone to her ear.
"Harriet?" Asked Harm's confused voice. "Is Mac there?"
"Yes," confirmed Harriet, "but she's a bit speechless at the moment. She's just had a wedding gown epiphany."
"I see," said Harm. "So I guess dress shopping is going well."
"Extremely well," said Harriet.
Mac nodded at Harriet and extended her hand, indicating that she had collected herself enough to speak again. Harriet handed over the phone.
"Harm?" Said Mac in a shaky voice.
"Hi," he said in surprise, not knowing that Harriet had relayed the phone.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" He asked in concern. "You sound like you're crying."
He paused for a response, but heard only a sniffle.
"Mac," he asked gently, "did you find a dress?"
She giggled weakly into the phone, the telltale sound of tears still in her voice.
"Harm, it's beautiful," she whispered.
"That's fantastic, Sweetheart," he said lovingly. "I don't even have to see it to know that you look stunning in it."
She laughed again, wiping a tear from her cheek.
"Well, don't worry. You won't be disappointed," she assured him.
"As long as you're the one wearing it, I never could be."
Mac smiled into the phone.
"Then it's a done deal," she said definitively.
"Fantastic," exclaimed Harm.
"Wow. What a day," he said shaking his head in disbelief.
"What a day," Mac repeated.
"Well," said Harm, "why don't I let you go so you can work out the details. Then maybe you girls can meet up with us before we head home to get ready for the theater."
"Where are you anyway?" Asked Mac recovering her composure.
"We're down at The Ship & Shovell having a beer," said Harm.
"How did the wedding venue search go?" Mac probed, curious as to why they were already at the pub.
"Great," said Harm. "We found the most amazing place. It worked out perfectly."
"What kind of place?" Mac asked skeptically.
"The pub!" Exclaimed Harm. "Turns out The Ship & Shovell is available right when we need it. It's the perfect wedding venue."
Harm raised his eyebrows at Bud and they both stifled a laugh.
"Harmon Rabb, please tell me you're kidding," said Mac sternly.
"No, Honey," he continued. "It'll be great!"
"Harm," sighed Mac. "You know I love you and that the location of the wedding isn't the most important thing to me, but a pub? Really?"
"I thought you liked this pub," said Harm feigning surprise.
"I do," said Mac exasperated, "but not for a wedding. Harm, I . . ."
She trailed off, not knowing what else to say.
"Mac," said Harm in a jovial voice. "I'm kidding."
A deep sigh echoed through the phone.
"I'm sorry," he laughed. "I had to do that."
"Well, the real venue better be incredible to make up for that little joke," Mac chided him.
"It is," he assured her. "I'll tell you all about it tonight. I even took some pictures."
"I can't wait," said Mac, grinning in spite of herself.
"There's just one more thing," he added. "You know how we agreed that we wanted to get married as soon as possible? Well, ask and you shall receive. The only date they had available was during the last week of December. Other than that, we'd have to wait almost a year. So I decided to jump at the chance."
Harm paused to take a breath.
"Mac, you and I are getting married in two months."
"Wow," said Mac, stunned. "That's soon. That's really soon."
"I know it is," he agreed. "But I'm a hundred percent confident we can pull it off. And remember, we do have Harriet the super planner here to help us."
Mac paused for a moment.
"Well," she said, "in two months, at least I'll only have to worry about adjusting my dress for a small baby bump. That is if they can get this dress in two months."
She glanced over at the bridal consultant who couldn't help but overhear their conversation.
"I can't have one made that quickly," she said shaking her head, "but I'll tell you what. I'll sell you the one you're wearing, our sample dress, for a reduced price and our alterations department can make any adjustments you need come December."
"Really?" Said Mac in surprise. "That would be fantastic! Thank you!"
"It's just so perfect on you, I'd hate to see you walk out of here today without it," said the consultant.
"You have yourself a deal," said Mac excitedly.
The consultant smiled and nodded and then retreated to the office to write up the sale.
"Well Captain Rabb," Mac said into the phone, "It looks like you and I are getting married in two months."
"The sooner the better," said Harm.