June 2010

Friday

Mac opened the door and let out a sigh when she saw the messy hallway. Harm has been taking care of the house this week, she thought. She slipped off her shoes and put her briefcase down before entering the living room. She stopped in her tracks and smiled. Harm was moving around the floor with the mop.

"Nathan! Claire! Did you tidy up the hallway?" he yelled.

"Not yet!" Nathan yelled from the upstairs.

"Well do it then, I want everything perfect for when Mom…" he stopped when he noticed her. "Mom's home!" he yelled instead.

Mac smiled as he walked closer to her. "Hi, handsome."

He leaned in and kissed her. "Finally, you're home. Happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary," she kissed him again. She heard steps on the stairs and soon Nathan and Claire appeared. "Mom!" they ran over and hugged her. "We're tidying the hallway now," Nathan said to Harm as they ran past them.

Matthew came down the stairs. "Mom!" he ran over and hugged her.

"My four-year-old," she kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry I missed your birthday."

"Dad made my cake," Matthew said.

"I know, he sent me pictures. Was it a nice birthday?" she wondered.

"Yeah, it was. I got presents and candy, and cake," Matthew said.

"That's great. How is it going here then?" Mac wondered.

"Dad made me clean my room," Matthew whined.

Mac laughed softly. "Really?"

"He says that I'm a slob," Matthew's eyes were huge.

"I just wanted everything perfect for your arrival," he defended himself. "By the way, Betty will be back on Monday." Betty was their Nanny/housekeeper.

"Is her daughter doing better?" Mac wondered.

"Yes, she's back home and recovering. It was a few bruised ribs and a concussion from the crash, but other than that she's doing great. The car was a mess though, so she was pretty lucky," he said.

"I know the feeling," she said remembering her own crash five Christmases ago. "Well, I think it's great to be back home with you guys."

Harm kissed her softly. "We think it's great too. I don't like sleeping alone," he complained.

"Me neither," she agreed before kissing him again. "So, what's for dinner?"

"Lasagna," Harm smiled proudly. "I'm doing great here, although I might have to put in some extra hours next week to get caught up with everything at the office."

"I'm proud of you," she complimented.

"I had help from Mom and Frank, but I'm proud of me too," he turned back to the mopping. "You go change, I'll finish this and dinner will be served in a few minutes."

Mac took Matthew's hand. "Come on, tell me what you've been up to this past week."

That night after putting the kids to bed, Harm suggested that they go to bed early. Mac had no problem agreeing with him, and they made passionately love, trying to make up for the separation.

"I'm happy you're back," Harm said as he pulled her close after their union.

"Me too," she agreed and kissed him softly. "We didn't get to celebrate our anniversary."

"On the day, but I have a plan," he reassured.

She smiled. "You do?"

"Sure I do," he kissed her softly. "Five years together, huh?"

"Pretty amazing," she moved her hand up his chest, caressing him softly. "I was reminded this week of how fast life can change. Going from happiness to hell in a short time. It's been a tough week, a tough case. It all just reminded me how important it is to appreciate the people closest to you. The last five years have been amazing, and I love you more for each passing day."

"I love you too, and I hope you know how much it means to me to have you in my life," he cupped her face.

"It's amazing that in five years we've created this beautiful family together," she let out a contented sigh.

"I have never been happier," he leaned in and kissed her softly. "I really missed you."

"I missed you too," she smiled and kissed him again.

Saturday

Mac spent the morning with the kids, while Harm had to go into the office to take care of a pressing issue. While the kids were running around in the backyard, Mac sipped her ice tea and enjoyed watching the kids' interactions. Both Nathan and Claire were so good with Matthew, letting him play along and teaching him new stuff.

"Hey."

She turned and saw her husband stepping out on the patio. "Hey. Did you get everything done?"

"Yeah, I had to send Graves and Lee on an investigation. There was a bad mishap last night during night flights. The Navy lost two good pilots and a helicopter. Not a great night," he slumped down in the chair beside her. "How's it going here?"

As usual, Mac didn't ask anymore. They didn't talk much about open investigations, because of the chance that she'd get the case handed to her if it ended up in court. "It's been going great. It's good to be home," she said and let out a contented sigh.

Harm smiled and took her hand. "I have plans for later. I'm afraid it won't be a weekend in Paris or anything else exciting, but I figured a fancy dinner would do."

"We could just stay in and eat with the kids," she suggested. "Not that a night out with the hubby wouldn't be nice, but I'm more in the mood for casual pizza night."

"We can do that," he agreed, sensing that her need to be with the kids after a week away was more important than a fancy celebration.

"Thanks," she tugged on his hand and smiled. "You're the best."

He leaned in and kissed her softly. "I love you."

"I love you more."

That night after a run Mac found Harm and the kids in the kitchen preparing dinner. She was surprised when she found them making burgers.

"Burgers?" she questioned.

Harm smiled cleverly. "Yup, I know how much you love my home-made burgers."

"I do love them," she said as she peeked over his shoulder. "Homemade burger bread too. You really went all out."

"And," he opened the oven. "Homemade fries, from organically grown potatoes."

"Dad says that organically grown vegetables are the best. And guess what, the cow that had to die for us to have the meat for the burgers lived a great life before it died," Claire said from her place by the counter, busy cutting the salad.

Mac smiled. "Good to know. I'll just take a shower before we eat."

"Okay, but hurry up, the food is ready," Harm said.

Mac ruffled Nathan's hair as she walked past him. "I'll be quick."

"Nathan, will you set the table?" Harm wondered.

"Yes, sir," Nathan said and smiled cleverly.

"Dad, when can I fly in Sarah?" Matthew wondered.

"Not until you're older, son," Harm said and noticed the pout from his son. "I can take you to see the Patrick Henry. She's just outside the coast of Florida for war games the next couple of weeks. You'll get to fly on a COD out there."

"Can I go too?" Nathan pleaded.

"Me too, Dad?" Claire said.

"Sorry guys, this time it's Matthew's turn. I can't bring all of you, and you both have been on warships before," Harm smiled. "If your Mom says it's okay, buddy, we can fly out there tomorrow."

"I'll go ask right now, Daddy," Matthew jumped off his stool and ran out of the kitchen.

After the kids had gone to bed Mac found her husband out on the porch swing. She smiled and joined him.

"Hi beautiful," Harm said and put his arm around her.

Mac smiled lovingly. "Did I thank you for dinner?"

"Not the way I would have wanted," he said and flashed her a sexy smile.

"Only the thought of going out to sea on a hangar ship will bring out the pilot charm, won't it?" she teased.

He laughed softly. "So, am I allowed to take our son out to see the Henry?"

"Yes, he wore me down," Mac said hesitantly.

"Come on, what could go wrong?" Harm questioned.

"With two Rabb men, I'm thinking that a lot could go wrong," she warned.

"Have some faith, babe," he leaned in and kissed her. "I'm not allowed to fly remember? You could come with us?"

"I remember, and even though I know you miss it, I'm glad you decided to give it up. I'll let you have your dad/son time. I should spend the day with Nathan and Claire," she relaxed into his arms. "This is nice."

"I agree," he rested his cheek on top of her head. "Happy late anniversary."

"It was a great celebration," she let out a contented sigh. "I'm so blessed, having you and the kids in my life."

"I feel like the luckiest man alive," he smiled and cupped her cheek when she lifted her head to look at him. "I love you, Sarah."

"I love you too," she leaned in and kissed him.

It was late the next night when Harm and Matthew came back after their trip. Mac knew that both Nathan and Claire were disappointed that they couldn't go too, but they had both been with Harm on previous occasions so this time it was Matthew's turn.

Harm entered the house carrying a sleeping Matthew. He smiled when Mac met him in the hallway. Mac followed him upstairs and helped remove Matthew's shoes before they tucked him into bed. Harm took Mac's hand as they went to their bedroom.

"He had an amazing day," Harm said as he released her hand and started taking off his uniform.

"I bet you had a pretty amazing day too," she suggested as she sat down on the bed.

"You know, I've been looking forward to the day when I could take him to see The Patrick Henry. It was great to tell him all the stories of missions, and cases we've worked there," Harm smiled and hung up his uniform. "A lot of memories on that ship."

Mac smiled lovingly. "Yeah."

Harm headed for the bathroom to take a shower, then turned in the doorway. "Hey babe, this sailor would like some company in the shower," he wiggled his eyebrows.

Mac pretended to think about it, then stood. "How could I resist."

"I'll show you a good time," he promised.

"Oh, you always do," she assured him as she followed him into the bathroom.