A Happily Ever After
Disclaimer:Not mine...never will be, but I wish I owned DJE. The doctor at Bethesda is MINE. :)
AN: Two chapters in one day. Must be feeling especially inspired. Must be the fact that I rushed out to buy the new Jane Eyre movie yesterday (which I saw in theaters three times) and just made it four total while I lay on my floor with my laptop in front of me...hehe. Enjoy! Sorry for any mistakes.
One Week Later
Tyson's Corner, Virginia
Their honey moon had been magnificent. The crystal blue water, the clear sky, and the hot sun made it the ideal time for the two lovebirds. They had spent a week in the Bahamas and had gone swimming nearly everyday. Harm had even been able to take them sailing for one day. They had so much fun that now they were physically spent, but emotionally high.
Of course, Harm being his usual protective self, wouldn't let Mac get worn out. She repeatedly told him that she was just four weeks along and that she should swim and have fun while she could.
"I just don't want you or Jr. to get hurt."
"We won't. And how do you know it's a Jr. and not a little Sarah?"
Harm smiled and kissed her. "Little Jr. or little Sarah...it doesn't matter as long as they have your looks and my brains."
"For the sake of our child I hope he or she has my brains and not yours." She laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Funny."
Now they were both lying in bed tangled in each others arm, pleased with their new lives. They had arrived from the airport and had immediately crashed on the bed. They lay thinking that the only thing that made them more excited than being newlyweds was the fact that in less than eight months they were going to be parents for the first time ever. Of course, Harm had been like a father to Mattie and he still loved her as a daughter, but this was different...this was their child, his and Mac's.
And so they slept with the dream of being parents and seeing their little one grow up.
Local Mall
2 Months In
Harriet had insisted that they go shopping for baby stuff as soon as possible. The soon as possible came a few weeks after they told everyone, of course. Harm and Bud had agreed to stay behind and fix the nursery room with little AJ's help while the ladies went out to the mall.
"Harriet, it's like seven months away. I don't think we have to start worrying about stuff for the baby."
"I disagree, Mac. Believe me, the farther you get along, the harder and the less time you have to get the baby's stuff ready. It's better that you do this now and not later when all you want to do is sit on the sofa and pee all day." Harriet gave her a smile.
"Harriet you should see Harm. He is so happy. He's already buying the baby toys. He is so convinced that it is going to be a boy so he has toy airplanes everywhere." She paused as a smile spread on her face. "He's so cute. He wants our baby to have everything."
"With your guy's childhoods, I can only imagine how badly he wants your baby to be happy."
"Yeah."
The remainder of the day at the mall was one of walking, spending money, eyeing, and carrying bags for both of them. Harriet had bought toys for AJ and the other kids and some very nice clothes for herself. Mac had bought clothes for Harm and a few items for herself, but the thing that she had bought and was truly ecstatic about was a beautiful baby quilt for the crib. It was the most adorable thing in the world...so far. The quilt was a pale baby yellow with tiny teddy bears all around. It was nice and she knew that it would go great with the color of the nursery.
Rabb Residence
Tyson's Corner, Virginia
"Bud I need a break. I'm getting too old for this." Harm had said as he let out a long sigh.
"If you think that painting the nursery is tough for you, wait until the baby gets here." Bud teased.
Both men had done a great job at fixing the nursery. They had painted two walls light yellow and the other two white. A small strip of wall paper with balloons of all colors and teddy bears in airplanes was placed around the room three quarters of the way down. The crib was set in place, the baby's dresser was by the window and two rocking chairs were added to complement the color of the crib and the dresser.
"Mac's going to love it, Bud. Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you guys." He patted Bud on the back and lifted his godson up into his arms. "Man you are getting heavy AJ." They laughed.
"I am five now unca Harm...I'm big now. And imma be in the Navy in a little while."
Harm placed him down, "Yeah, you are big now. And just don't tell your aunt Mac that you have decided to go to the Navy, ok."
"Ok."
Later That Day
Tyson's Corner, Virginia
He peeked out the living room window and as soon as he saw her corvette park in the drive way he rushed to the door. He felt silly...it was just a nursery room, but he was so happy and couldn't wait to show Mac. The anticipation of her arrival was driving him crazy. He had sat on the couch watching television, or rather staring at it as he flipped mindlessly through all five hundred and so channels.
Mac was about to open the door before he pulled it open with his flyboy grin in place. Mac was stunned when he opened it and nearly dropped the shopping bags that she had in her hand.
"Harm! You scared me half to death. Didn't your mother ever teach you not to sneak up on people?" She stood in place with the bags in either hand.
"Guess not. Ha-ha. I have something to show you ok, but you have to close your eyes. You're gonna love it."
"Harm, you're acting like a kid with a new toy...what is it?"
"Just wait here ok."
He took the bags from her hands and placed them in the living room and rushed back to her. She had very obediently remained in the doorway waiting for her husband to return.
"So are you going to tell me what this is about?"
"Yeah, but patience is a virtue."
He leaned toward her face and immediately Mac picked up on his intention and met him halfway. Their lips met for a soft kiss that left them wanting much more. Once the kiss was over Harm pulled Mac in and stood behind her with his hands covering her eyes.
"Harm? What are you doing?" She was partly confused and partly laughing.
"Just trust me." He carefully led her up the stairs and into the nursery room. The smell of new carpet and fresh paint danced around them.
"Ok. Open your eyes."
To say that she was happy was an understatement. She was amazed, happy, overwhelmed, and so much more. And it was all visible in her eyes and her body language.
"Oh...Harm. This is beautiful. I can't believe you guys finished all of this in one day. It is...it is...perfect Harm." Tears of joy were starting to escape her eyes as she walked around the room.
"I knew you were going to like it." He smiled and walked up behind her to engulf her in his arms.
"I like the wallpaper, it's cute. Your doing sailor?"
"Nope, our godson picked it out. He thought the baby might like it."
"Well, it's going to go great with this quilt I bought."
He walked backwards toward one of the rocking chairs and sat down settling Mac on his lap.
"Harm the chair is going to break."
"No it isn't just relax."
He quickly placed his hands around her waist and locked his fingers trying to keep her in place. He was trying to make her feel safe and most of all, loved. When she relaxed against him, she tucked her face in his neck and almost immediately fell asleep in his arms.
3 Months Later
Bethesda Naval Hospital
5 Months In
Her tummy was now visible and the excitement only grew between the couple. Mac would often try to put up her brave front, but Harm saw through her and helped her out with everything. He would cook, clean, schedule her appointments with her doctor, he did everything to keep her comfortable and relaxed.
"Hello Colonel Rabb, Commander. How is the baby treating you so far?" Doctor Hanson asked as he walked into the room.
"Well, you know...I'm kinda tired, but so far so good." Harm said.
They all laughed a bit. "Fine. I am a little tired and the baby seems to get excited a lot. By the time this baby is out I'm going to be completely exhausted."
"Yup. That's normal. The baby is now very active and seems to confuse you for a punching bag, I'm afraid."
Harm was seated next to her and held onto her right hand. He was smiling so much that his cheeks started to hurt.
"Ok. Are you guys ready to see your baby?"
Neither could speak due to the welling up of excitement that they were both experiencing, they could only nod. Mac gripped Harm's hand even tighter than before as they prepared themselves to see their baby on the 3-D infrared screen.
"There he is."
"He?" They asked in unison.
"Yup. Congratulations mom and dad, you're having a baby boy."
They looked at the screen and watched as their baby moved his hands around. They listened to the strong beat of his heart. The sound which hypnotized them both and lulled them into a time of happiness and joy. It seemed unreal. Here was their baby, the miracle of life, the creation of two people very much in love. He was something so complex formed from something so simple. He was their child. And as they both admired the picture of their creation, the doctor thought to himself, `Times like this is what makes my job worth while'. Harm got up from the chair and leaned in to kiss Mac.
"Ok. I will give you some time. I'll be back in a bit."
They continued to listen to their baby as his heart beat in a steady and healthy motion.
"I love you." Harm whispered to Mac as his eyes still roamed the screen.
"I love you, too."
"Told you it was going to be a boy."
She caressed his face and pulled him in for a sweet kiss. "So are we going to name him Harm?"
"No way! Too many Harm's in this family. We have to figure something out."
"Ok." She said as she laughed at his remark.
"Look, Mac. He's sucking his thumb." His voice presented the obvious joy and disbelief of finally being a parent.
"What?" She turned to the screen and was amazed to find that he was indeed sucking on his thumb. It was the cutest thing she had ever seen.
"Ha-ha. So I guess pacifiers are out of the question?" Harm asked.
"Yeah, I guess so." She let out a happy sigh. This was a perfect life.
TBC