MAC'S POV
I can't believe he just proposed! After such a long time of convincing myself that there was nothing between us, that he didn't feel the same way for me as I did for him, he proposed!!!! Chloe is going to freak! And Uncle Matt! He might try and wind Harm up a bit, but I know how great he thinks Harm is. When I was engaged to Mic, he was the only person who asked me why I wasn't marrying Harm. They were probably all thinking it. And now everyone's staring at us. Great! Thanks Harriet! I feel Harm wrap his arms around me and I relax slightly. He makes me feel so safe and protected. I feel my hand being pulled at, and look up to see Harriet grabbing at my hand, trying to get a closer look at the ring.
"Its beautiful!" she breathed, looking down at the diamond sparkling slightly in the dim lights of the bar. "Where did u get it from Commander?" she continued, turning her attention to the man standing next to me without letting go of my hand.
"It was my grandmother's." Harm admitted, "My granddad gave it to her, and my dad gave it to my mum." I feel yet more tears fill my eyes at his words. He's just given me a family heirloom! I couldn't be happier if I tried.
"It's beautiful," I manage to whisper, smiling up at him through my tears. "Are you sure your mum is ok with me having it? He laughs; a low chuckle,
"She came to town almost the moment she heard you and Mic had broken up and gave me the ring, telling me to, and I quote 'stop being so bloody stubborn like your father and ask that girl to marry you before you lose her again." I smile at that. I've never met Trish Rabb, but I have a feeling that when we meet, we're going to get on like a house on fire. I look down at my hand, still stretched across the table in Harriet's,
"Well I'm glad you took her advice this time!" I pull my hand back, realising as I do so that although I had nodded, I'd never actually said the word. I quickly lean up and whisper in his ear, "By the way, the answer is yes." Harm looks at me, and the intensity in his eyes, coupled with the full force flyboy grin makes me want to melt. He leans in and kisses me, and for a second I consider deserting all our friends and dragging him back to my apartment.
"I love you." He says softly, and we stare at each other, both grinning like Cheshire cats until we are interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat rather loudly. Looking up, I see Sturgis looking at us both with an unmistakeable look of amusement on his face.
"Congratulations you two." He said, reaching over to shake Harm's hand and to give me a kiss on the cheek. "If he doesn't treat you right Marine, then let me know and I'll kick his six halfway around the world for you!" he added with a grin. I like Sturgis, he's a good guy, and he seems to see me as a kid sister. We're about the same age, but I don't mind; its nice to feel cared for.
"You'll have to get in line Commander." The Admiral pipes up from beside him and I feel Harm squirm slightly under their gazes.
"Yeah, behind me!" I replied with a laugh. I am after all a kick-arse Marine! Harm trains his puppy dog eyes on me, yet another look of his that I find hard to resist, and I lean up to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek.
STURGIS' POV
Well he's finally done it. I have to say I'm proud of the boy. Wait til I tell Keeter! He's gonna love this story. They make an adorable couple and they both look so happy. Wait a minute; did I just use the word adorable?! I think I may have spent too much time surrounded by women. I think to myself ruefully. Not that I should be complaining of course! I can't believe he just proposed to her and none of us noticed. I saw Harm looking a bit nervous, but he had just come back from talking to the Admiral, presumably about their relationship. I shake my head in wonderment and glance over at the pair, who are staring dopily into each other's eyes. I clear my throat loudly, hoping to interrupt them for a second, and they jump apart, grinning and blushing guiltily. I reach out to shake Harm's hand. The guy really has been like a brother to me, and to be honest Mac kind of reminds me of my little sister: tough on the outside, but a big softie at heart
"Congratulations you two." I say with a grin, "If he doesn't treat you right Marine, then let me know and I'll kick his six halfway around the world for you!" I continue, noting with amusement the brief look of fear that appears on Harm's face at my words, and the Admiral's who is quick to support my statement.
"You'll have to get in line Commander." He says with an impish grin as Harm squirms uncomfortably.
"Yeah, behind me!" Mac adds with a smile of her own. Harm pouts at her and she leans up to give him a kiss on the cheek.
It's nice to see them looking so happy, I think to myself, although I still can't believe that Harm serenaded her at the fundraiser. He's such a big softie. I watch how they interact with each other, momentarily jealous that I don't have that with someone myself. Don't be such a baby, I remind myself quickly, Harm really deserves this shot to be happy. I smile to myself as I notice Harm unconsciously pulling Mac closer to him, almost like a security blanket, while they are talking to the Admiral. Since I'm the newcomer, I'm still to some extent the outsider of the group, which gives me a chance to observe them all from an almost neutral point of view. It struck me on my very first day at JAG just how much of a family they were. Sure when he has too, the Admiral won't hesitate to pull rank or chew people out. But here, especially in the bar, he acts like one of them. He cares for them as if they were his own family, Mac especially. Everyone seems thrilled for them, especially Harriet, who can hardly contain her excitement. I pull myself from my own thoughts when I realise that the Admiral is speaking to me.
"Sorry sir? What did you say?" I ask sheepishly.
"I'm going to the bar." The Admiral repeated, "Would you like a drink?" I nod towards my half empty pint.
"Same again please sir." I say, moving aside to allow my CO to go to the bar.
AJ'S POV
I get up and head towards the bar, intent on buying a bottle of sparkling grape juice or something so that we can celebrate. Obviously I can't buy champagne, but you can get some pretty nice non-alcoholic versions nowadays, and I'm sure that Joe the barman will have something in stock. As I lean on the bar waiting to be served, I twist round to watch the group. They are a great team, I think to myself, I really couldn't ask for a better, or more loyal group than the people standing in this room. My eyes fall on Mac. She has never looked more beautiful, or more content than right now. Her right hand is intertwined with Harms, a radiant smile on her face as she sits there listening to Sturgis and Harm bickering about something. I notice, with delight, the expression on her face change to one of childlike wonder as she glanced down at the ring on her finger. Although their relationship is likely to cause me a couple of headaches over the next few weeks while we sort out the chain-of-command issue, that is nothing in comparison to the number of headaches they have caused me from not being together. I smile to myself, and Joe calls to me.
"What'll it be Admiral?"
"Have you got any sparkling grape juice Joe?" Joe looks at me quizzically, tilting his head to look over at the others. He doesn't have to ask. We've been here enough times that he knows the reason.
"Sure, what's the occasion?"
"We're celebrating Rabb finally coming to his senses and proposing to Mac!" I reply with a laugh. The expression on Joe's face surprises me. I had no idea how many people were actually rooting for them to get it together.
"That's fantastic!" Joe replies, "This is on the house Admiral!" he adds, producing a bottle from the fridge behind him. He pulls out 9 glasses, placing them on a tray for me with the bottle.
"That's good of you Joe. Would you like to join us for a minute?" I reply, touched by his kindness. But then again I suppose that we probably are some of his best customers!
"Thanks. But this is a family affair." Joe replies with a smile. I'll be over to speak to them when I get a free moment though." I nod, and give Joe the rest of my order. Although I wasn't particularly surprised that Harm wanted to marry Mac, I was surprised, and more touched than I can express that he actually asked my permission to marry her. I've always looked at Sarah as the daughter I never had, and I'm so glad that those two have finally figured out what has been in front of them this whole time. Poor Harm, he looked so nervous when he was asking for my permission, and I couldn't resist giving him a bit a hard time about it. I look over at the group again, to see that Harriet and Victor Galindez were now crowded around the couple chattering excitedly.
HARRIET'S POV
I can't stop smiling, I'm so happy for them both. It's such a shame that it took them this long, but they look so happy, and so in love, maybe it was for the best. They both are so stubborn. I think to myself with a grin as I sit and watch them sitting together. That is such a beautiful ring, I continue to myself, glancing down at my own ring and remembering the day that Bud gave it to me. I look over at him and smile. He seems to read my mind and mouths to me 'I love you.' 'I love you too' I mouth back, before turning my attention back to the conversation I was having with Mac and Victor.
"How did he propose without anyone noticing? I asked, intrigued, and I have to say, slightly gutted that I missed it. I notice with pleasure the blush that colours both their cheeks. Harm is deep in conversation with Sturgis and Bud, but I can tell he heard the question. Mac smiles at me, and replies,
"He slipped the ring on my finger under the table and whispered the question to me." She admits, her smile radiant at the memory. That's so sweet, I think, and so perfect for those two. They are both very private people, and that really is a perfect private and public proposal. Who would have thought that the Commander would be such a hopeless romantic?!
"That so romantic!" I breathe, "What did he say?" I added, trying to push for the more juicy details. Mac blushes harder at this.
"I'm not saying. But it was awfully sweet." She replies, looking back down at the ring that she hasn't been able to take her eyes off of since he gave it to her.
"It's a beautiful ring!" I say, smiling at her. She nods, unable to say anything, and I notice a few tears of happiness glinting in her eyes. I give her a hug. I can't express enough how excited I am for them both. They are two of the most important people in my life: mine and Bud's best friends, Bud's mentors, little AJ's godparents; and they both deserve so much to be happy.
"Congratulation's Ma'am" Victor adds, also reaching over to give Mac a hug. She smiles at him,
"Victor, we're off duty, call me Mac like everybody else." He nods nervously,
"Congratulations Mac," he touches Harm on the arm to get his attention and holds out his hand, "You too sir, I uh mean Harm." Harm smiles at the youngster,
"Thank you Victor." He replies, just as the Admiral comes up with a tray laden full of drinks.
"Here Gunny, hand these out to everyone will you" The Admiral says, gesturing to the glasses of something sparkling. I watch as the Gunny hands out the drinks as directed, flashing him a smile of thanks as he hands one to me.
"Excuse me!" the Admiral says, looking round at the group as we all fall silent. "Can I have your attention please." Our little corner falls silent, and Bud comes round to stand next to me. "As you know, Harm and Mac have been partners for a long time, and few people I know make a better team than these two, when they are speaking to each other anyway!" We all laugh at that, the Admiral has never spoken a truer word! "And now they have finally come to their senses, and seen that they make a great team in all senses of the word, I think you will all agree with me when I say, its about time too!!" there are a few murmurs of 'hear hear' from the surrounding group. I glance at my friends to see them both blushing furiously, You better get used to it guys, I think with a smirk, I think that's going to be said quite a lot over the next few weeks! My reverie is interrupted by the Admiral continuing "So, if you would all like to raise your glasses to Harm, and Mac!" The Admiral finishes.
"Cheers!" I chime in unison with the others, and take a sip from the glass. Sparkling grape juice, I should have known.
BUD'S POV
I don't think I've ever seen the Colonel look this happy, I think to myself, the Commander neither. I guess Harriet was right when she said that they were quite clearly in love with each other. I look over at my wife, who is currently chatting to Mac and fussing over her ring, and catch her eye. 'I love you' I mouth to her quickly, smiling at her response. I turn my attention quickly back to the conversation I was having with Harm and Sturgis. Before long, the Admiral returns to the table with all the drinks and I move round to stand with Harriet for the toast, slipping her free hand into mine and giving it a squeeze. Looking at Harm and Mac I'm sure they are going to be as happy as Harriet and I, they sure as hell deserve it. I turn my attention back to the Admiral's speech,
"Here, here!" I say, agreeing with the Admiral's suggestion that it was about time too. Harm looks at me as I say that and I feel the tips of my ears go pink. I shrug my shoulders at him, laughing slightly to myself. In fairness it's absolutely true, I think to myself, although I'll never admit this to Harriet, I always did wonder about them, there was always something there, but I always thought they were too stubborn to do anything about it. I owe them so much, they have done so much to help me, I couldn't ask for better mentors, or friends, I hope they are happy together, if anyone needs some luck in their love lives, its Harm and Mac.
As we drink to the happy couple, I watch them. It really was a sweet sight. Harm was standing behind Mac, an arm wrapped firmly around her waist as he held his glass in the other one. He was murmuring something in her ear, which was making her blush, and I notice Mac elbow him gently in the stomach, laughing at his reaction. I feel Harriet wrap her arms around me, whispering in my ear,
"See, I told you they were perfect for each other!" I turn to her, kissing her gently on the cheek,
"Just like us!" I say, loving that I can still make Harriet blush after these last few years, even more surprised that I could manage to come up with such a smooth line.
HARM'S POV
I'm standing here, with my arm around the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on, and she's not threatening me with severe bodily harm, nor are we being threatened with fraternization charges; never has my life been so perfect. She said yes, I realise suddenly, the events of this evening finally sinking in, I get to have Sarah Mackenzie's love forever. I really am the luckiest guy in the world right now. Asking the Admiral for his permission was just about the toughest thing I have ever done, including not dying in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. And now she's mine, and she loves me! I have to admit, although there are conversations going on all around me, I can barely concentrate, I am far too aware of Sarah's body pressed up against mine, her hand intertwined with mine, and the fact that she is wearing my grandmothers ring right now. Mom is going to be thrilled, Grams too. And I hope wherever he is, Dad is too. I lean down to whisper in her ear,
"You look good in that ring," I say softly, smirking slightly, I just can't help myself "I think you'd look great wearing nothing but that ring though." I can see she's blushing and her slight intake of breath at my words makes me smile. She elbows me in the stomach gently, but doesn't really seem to mind my words.
"Get your mind out of the gutter squid," she whispered back with a giggle, "until later that is" she adds, pushing her body back slightly, so that there is no space between us. Now its my turn to take a deep breath in, a glance at her beautiful face telling me that she is more than aware of the effect she has on me. She turns slightly in my embrace to whisper, "And Harm? I know your Dad would be proud of the man you've become." I feel like I've been punched in the stomach, is she a mind reader now? How did she know I was thinking about my dad jus then? I feel a surge of love run through me. She really is the one for me. No-one knows me better that Mac, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Hope you liked this kinda random instalment – and that you didn't get confused by the layout, I know it jumped around a lot, and not much happened, but I hope you liked it all the same!
All thoughts/comments welcomed!!