Here, something to lighten your mood guys. . . I know I know "Why didn't he propose!" I am working on that! Thank you! ;)

Jackie

Thanks to: e-dog, Macaroon, BeachChick, Dessler, dansingwolf, Maria, blueangel, Vrbinka, BiteBeccy, SarahRabb, my.evian, anna, Jaggie107, snugglebug, Manda, Lisa, cbw, Xblue, froggy, aserene, crazybum, VrbinkaCZE, sally, trooper, starryeyes, Martini, NavyBabe, jaggurl, Nix, joanoa, jagdreamer, Kinga, JAGChic, Jagfan 724, littlemaccyd, ninjaturtle, blueangel, Kinga, JK, zoomie, myevian, CathyF, CBW, jagdreamer, joanoa, alix33, arian, Lurkz, LiseGirardi, Beach chickJASSNL, Tracy, Lisa, and mizukimar for the feedback:)

Part 11 - Well Worth A Two Hour Drive

The first thing I do after the maitre 'd escorts us to the table, is take a hard, languorous look at our surroundings. No ex-girlfriends, no female friends of mine, no ex's of Mac's and no co-workers. With a sigh, I glance across the small round table at Mac and grin. She seems to be pleased with my selection however, boy, did I hear it on the way over.

The restaurant is literally two hours away from DC. I figure, this way, it would be much more difficult to bump into anyone. Now, try taking a very hungry female Marine for a two hour drive when she's already made it a point to tell you that she's starved. The last thirty minutes of the drive had me checking several times to make sure she didn't have some sort of weapon on her. I had a fleeting image of her beating me over the head with the tire iron if I didn't feed her ASAP.

But now, she's just giving me this sexy and sweet smile. Actually, after we made love for the first time, anything and everything about Mac is sexy. Even when she yelled at me the other day for sandbagging her in court again. I think the only time she isn't sexy is when we are in court, but that's only because I try to keep my head on the case and not her. Which, I am proud to say, I am managing to do. "Let me guess, you were trying to have me all to yourself?"

I chuckle slightly, boy is she right on the money. "And trying to avoid ex's of all kinds and coworkers."

Suddenly she gets this look, it's a cross between playfulness and real remorse. "I'm sorry for wanting to belt you over the head with the tire iron." See, I knew it! Thank God that thing is in the trunk and we didn't have to pull over, else, I'd be a dead man. "But you could have told me you were going to haul me half way across the country for dinner. . .I've brought a snack along or something." She's running her fingers around the rim of an empty water goblet and has this kid like appearance about her that is making me melt.

"Are surprises so bad?"

"Nooo, I rather like surprises."

I smile. "Well, that is good to hear, because this night might just be full of surprises." I motion over to the small, wooden dance floor and the three couples taking a slow lap around it. "May I have this dance?"

"Yes." That smile of hers, the personal one saved for me, goes up in wattage. She extends her hand across the table and I take it as I usher her across the room. We catch the eye of several people and with all of the confidence possible I can say that we make quite the stunning couple. I have on a black suit with a burgundy tie which Mac's dress matches. It's one of those with a plunging neckline that still looks tasteful and classy. We dance slowly, allowing no space between our bodies and I find myself catching my breath. Damnit, she's right, I've become a romantic. Not sure how the hell that happened or if I can be cured. But, moments like these, when she is in my arms, I really do not care. "Hmm, so you said you had more surprises?"

"Oh yes. . .It is your birthday after all." I grin. Mac hates birthdays, specifically her birthday. I know that stems from her childhood and her mother leaving her on her fifteenth birthday. Ever since I've learned of that, I've tried each year to do something special. Tonight is no different.

"Harm, you didn't have to do all of this. . . But thank you." Turning her head to the side, she kisses my cheek, then reaches her hand up to wipe off the lipstick. "I should leave that there. . .make sure no other girls try to steal you away."

I've come to find out that while Mac isn't the overtly jealous type (or so she says), she can become dangerously territorial. I found this out when we were at the market a couple of blocks away from her place. Here I am in the bakery trying to order some donuts when a pretty, tall blonde, who couldn't be older than 26, blatantly tried to pick me up. And by blatant, I mean she was rubbing her. .um. ..chest against my arm as she passed by. Mind you, she had all the space in the world. Mac caught her and instantly I saw that little green monster flicker in her eyes. She strutted, and I literally mean strutted, her way over to me, walked into my personal space, wrapped her arms around me and kissed me so deeply that I nearly lost consciousness for a moment.. When we parted 'Blondie,' as Mac called her, huffed, tossed her blond hair and headed out of the bakery aisle. I found myself grinning like an idiot at my girlfriend.

Chuckling, I shake my head. Mac's some woman. "What is it?" She asks, her eyes alight with amusement.

"Oh, just thinking about the bakery and Blondie." I say, and she joins me with a chuckle of her own.

"I wasn't too bad was I?" Too bad? Oh, not at all, it was downright sexy kissing her with the sweet smell of bakery goodies. "I mean you seemed to be all out of words when we stepped apart." She teases, then rests her head on my shoulder as I pull her impossibly closer.

I kiss the top of her head and smile. "You were perfect, Sarah, perfect."

Her head raises and our eyes lock. Mac's voice is soft, feminine, a way it only gets when were sharing private moments like this. "I like it when you call me that. . .For some reason, it sounds right coming from you."

"Not anyone else?" She shakes her head and smiles shyly. "It's a beautiful name." And it is and it fits her beauty. Though, to me, she'll always be Mac. I realize the music has ended and we've just been standing together, moving without a tune. Slightly embarrassed, I ease Mac away from me, then take her hand to lead her back to the table.

We finally have dinner and for my evil, torture of a two hour drive, I ordered this decadent, delicious, divine chocolate creation of a mouse that will probably give us a heart attack the minute we put the spoons down. The dessert was great, even better than the dinner which was, 'to die for' as Mac put it. But, the best part for me, was watching her lick the mouse off of the spoon, which she does in this slow, teasing way that make my pants feel just a little tighter. I clear my throat and look away momentarily. Reaching into the pocket of my jacket, I feel around for the long, rectangular, velvet box I put in there.

Oh s! It's missing. Glancing at Mac I pale slightly. Great, oh, this is just great! I've lost her birthday present. What kind of a moron looses his girlfriends rather expensive birthday present! I take a deep breath and manage to smile. Calm down Harm! Calm down! Jesus, I already feel the sweat on my brow. "Uh, Mac. . .I need to us the head, I'll be right back."

I see concern in her eyes, ugh, not good. "Are you okay?"

I nod. "Yea, but you know, that two hour drive and all. . .it's not good to hold it." By now I am bolting away from the table, heading towards the exit which is, mercifully where the entrance to the bathrooms are. I glance back towards the table, making sure she isn't watching me. Course, I miss completely the waiter who comes around the corner carrying a tray full of drinks. It goes flying all over the place as I apologize profusely and then, literally, run out side. "Okay, it has to be in the car, it probably just fell out of my pocket. . .that's right. . .that's what happened, it's in the car." I walk over to the Vette, open the door and search around. . .nothing. Damnit, I want to cry! "God, if there is ever a time I needed a favor, this is it. . ." By then it occurs to me to check my other pocket and immediately my hand touches the felt box which, I swear, was not there when I checked minutes earlier. I look up to the skies and sigh. "I promise, this Sunday, we're going to church, no sleeping in late, no running, no. . uh, extracurricular activities. . .church it is." I cross myself and run back into the restaurant, this time, I manage not to run over anyone.

Taking the box out of my pocket, I approach Mac from behind, then stop. Wait, she's a Marine, one that would, no doubt, probably fling me over her head and toss me on the table. So, instead, I walk around her and sit back across from her. "Harm, are you okay? You look flushed."

Oh yea, just dandy. With a smile and a nod, I place the long rectangular box on the table and slide it over to her. "Happy Birthday."

She gets this totally adorable look on her face as her fingers rub the material of the box. "Harm, what is this?"

"It's a box, but, think you'll like what's inside the box." I say, then take a the goblet of water and chug down all of it. Whew! Man was I worried.

The adorable look on her face turns to one of total confusion as she opens the box. Oh God. Don't tell me she didn't like it. . .I mean, maybe I am not a romantic guy or whatever, but I thought it was pretty damned cute. "Uh, Harm." She glances up at me and shakes her head. "Ha ha, jokes on me?"

"Huh?" She turns the box over to me and. . .guess what? It's empty. "Oh for the love of God." I yell catching the attention of several other patrons. With a grimace I take the box and stare at it. "I swear there was something in here. . ." Ugh, shoot me now. . .please. I search my pockets and this time, they are totally empty. I take it back, I won't go to church on Sunday. Taking the box, I hear something jingle inside. Aha! It fell under that little flappy thingy on the top. With a grin, I yank out the top part, turn the box around and, then, present it to Mac. "Okay, now you can have your present." I guess I'll have to go to church after all.

Mac gingerly takes out the chain and dangles it on her fingers so that she can stare at the charm. It's a simple, flat, golden heart with the inscription: 'S heart H.' In the back is another inscription and I would have had more put in, if there were more space. 'To the owner of my heart, Love, Harm.' Her eyes start to fill with tears that I know are from joy, but still, it upsets me to see her cry. "I. . .I don't know what to say."

"Say that you like it." I reach over and wipe a tear which has caused her mascara to run.

"I love it, Harm." She leans her face into my hand then takes it and places the chain into it. "Put it on me, please." With pleasure, I walk around the table and place the chain around her neck. I clasp it in the back and admire how it looks in contrast to the dress she's wearing. Mac pulls me down and we kiss briefly, before I take my seat.

She smiles at me. "So I was right about you."

My eyes lock on her fingers which are playing with the charm. "Right about what?

"That you're a romantic." Mac's smile goes up in wattage and well, I guess she is right and you know what? If she continues to smile that way, I guess I'll just have to figure out what other romantic things to do for her.