Disclaimer: Not mine
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Rabb Farm
One week later
1204 Local
Harm stood in front of his grandmother's front door, his trepidation mirroring what he'd felt standing in front of his mom and Frank's house five weeks ago.
This was going to be really, really hard to do. He wondered if he'd just been making excuses by putting this off for so long, if he should've just bitten the bullet. But it was going to be really, really hard to do.
Mac's hand slipped into his, soft yet sure.
"Hey," She coaxed.
He looked down at her as she stood next to him, and shored up strength from the warm brown of her eyes. A smile found its way to his lips, reassurance to his heart. He lifted his hand and knocked on the door.
It flew open after a few seconds, the inviting aroma of apple pie and the heart-warming sight of his grandmother greeted them.
"You are early!" Gram exclaimed. Before she could say anymore, Harm pulled her in for a massive bear hug. Seeing his grandmother was always like ... coming home. Like being a kid in the summertime. Sunlight and clear ponds and shrieking laughter and grass stains. And as he got older, it increasingly mixed with nostalgia, not for things passed, but for the day when he would come to this house and she would not be here baking pies and smiling and smelling like the best parts of his childhood.
"Gram." He held her tight. "I missed you."
She squeezed him just as tight. "I missed you too, dear. And you are even skinnier than when you were here last." She pulled back to look at him. "You haven't been eating right, have you?" She looked at Mac. "What has him so worried?"
Before either he or Mac could answer, Gram grinned widely at Mac, seemingly forgetting her question. Much to Harm's immediate relief.
"Sarah, you look more beautiful every time I see you," She gave Mac a big hug, "It is so good to see you, child. I do hope my grandson has been treating you well?"
"He has," Mac gave Harm a glowing smile. Harm grinned. He put that smile there – that one, the one she had on right now – that one came only after he'd proposed.
"Good. Now why haven't you been eating?" This she directed at Harm. She then gave Mac a critical once over. "You, too." She tsked. "Alright, in with you. I'm glad I made extra for our Thanksgiving meal today. And you two had better clean both your plates," She ushered them into the house, taking Mac's hand. As soon as she did, Harm watched his grandmother go still.
She slowly lifted Mac's hand, and then stared at it.
Her jaw dropped open. She looked at Harm.
"This is the ring your father gave your mother."
Harm nodded, grinning from ear to ear, as he watched Gram's reaction.
Gram looked at Mac with tears in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
She looked to Harm, and a few tears slipped down her cheeks. "I am so proud of you."
Harm swallowed hard at her words; getting a little teary himself at the emotion in his grandmother's voice.
She turned to Mac. "And you, oh," She wrapped her arms around Mac, "This is so wonderful. I am so – this is just wonderful!"
Mac looked at Harm, while she hugged Gram, and Harm could see the tears in her eyes as well. He walked up to Mac and Gram as they embraced, and joined in their hug.
"Oh, Harm," Gram said, her voice trembling, "You two have made my old heart so happy."
--
Rabb Farm
1704 Local
One massive meal later...
"Sarah," Gram called to Mac from where she sat on the couch, knitting in hand. "Why don't you start a fire here while Harm finishes up with the dishes."
"Of course, Gram. Let me just hand these glasses over to Harm," Mac said, halfway to the kitchen, glasses in hand.
"This is the last of it," She deposited the glasses by the sink, where Harm was scrubbing away. "I'm going to start a fire for Gram."
Harm nodded absently, lost deep in thought. She would admit to getting increasingly worried about the state he was in over telling his grandmother about Sergei.
"I can't put this off any longer," He muttered, more to himself than to her.
"Harm," She put her hand on his arm to get his attention. When he looked at her, she stood on her toes and give him a slow, lingering kiss. "Love you," She murmured against his lips.
He watched her as she pulled back. His stare as intense as it was indecipherable kept her in place.
"What is it?' She whispered, feeling somehow that anything louder would shatter the space around them.
Instead of replying, he leaned down and returned her kiss with one of his own, his tenderness hitching her breath.
"I'm glad you're here."
"Always." She replied. With one last squeeze of his arm and a lingering look, she made her way back to the living room, and to the fire place. She took her time, kneeling by the hearth, starting a slow, steady blaze. She felt that Gram wanted to talk to her, and she also sensed that Gram's usual insight would not fail her.
So how would she hide from Harm's grandmother that she was swinging between terror and elation at the thought of tying herself to Harm for the rest of her life?
"Can I get you some tea, Gram?" Mac asked, once the fire was lit, as she stood up.
"I'm fine. Have a seat, dear." Gram patted the couch next to her.
Mac wiped her hands on her jeans and did as Gram asked. Here it comes.
"What's the matter, dear?" Gram asked, setting aside her knitting.
Mac held her breath, looking at her hands because she knew that her eyes would give her away.
"You and Harm have been far too quiet for a newly engaged couple." Mac's head shot up at that. Relief and worry battled in her mind – relief that she hadn't given herself away, worry about the news Harm was going to tell Gram—
"Gram," Harm was standing in the doorway to the living room. Mac and Gram both looked at him. He entered the room and made his way to the couch. "There's something I've been ... I need to tell you."
Mac watched his expression, and her heart went out to him. She was about to excuse herself so Harm could have some privacy when talking to Gram. But when he sat down between Gram and her, his hand sought hers out. She stayed in place.
"What is it, dear?" Gram looked from Harm to Mac. "You look so serious."
Harm swallowed, Mac squeezed his hand.
"I was assigned a case in Russia some weeks ago. While I was there, I met a young man – he's in the Russian Army – named Sergei. Sergei Zhukov. He knew dad."
Gram's eyes darkened with an oft-remembered grief. Harm let go of Mac, and took Gram's hands in his.
"Sergei carried a picture of dad. Turns out he – Sergei – is..."
"Is what, Harm?" Her voice was shaking.
"I don't know how to say this ... but, well ... Sergei is dad's son."
It seemed the entire room was holding its breath. Mac watched Harm's face, then Gram's. She felt so out of place, an intruder in a family moment.
"Son." Gram echoed, looking blankly at Harm.
He nodded, his eyes not leaving his grandmother's face.
The suffocating intensity of the moment was shattered by the ringing of Harm's cell. All three jumped at the noise.
Harm quickly took the phone out of his pocket and turned it off without looking at the caller display. He then tossed the phone on the coffee table. Almost immediately, Mac's phone started ringing. She frowned as she reached into her pocket for her phone. Someone was trying to reach them. She silently asked Harm if it was okay for her to take this – it could be urgent. He nodded.
She stood up, "Excuse me," She said as she checked the caller ID. Harriet's cell number was on display. Her heart stopped beating: Harriet was due.
"MacKenzie," She answered.
"Colonel, this is Mikey," The younger man's voice was agitated, rooting Mac in place. "I tried calling the Commander—"
"Is everything alright, Mikey?" Her heart started beating at a painful pace.
"Harriet's in labour, Ma'am. She's on her way to the hospital." His sentences were running into each other, and she realized he wasn't agitated, but excited. Mac breathed a sigh of relief as Mikey rambled on, "I'm watching AJ. Bud asked me to call you and the Commander. I hope I'm not disturbing—"
"Of course not, Mikey." She hurried to assure him. "How is Harriet?"
"She was okay, Ma'am," He said immediately, and then hesitated, "I mean, I think she was. It all sounded very painful."
Mac was torn. She wanted to head back to DC, but they could hardly leave after the bombshell they'd dropped on Gram. "Listen, Mikey. Harm and I are in Pennsylvania—"
"I know, Ma'am. Bud told me, he just wanted me to tell you, I mean, sorry for interrupting you, Ma'am."
Mac could only laugh. It seemed Mikey got as flustered when excited as Bud did.
"That's fine, Mikey. We'll try and head back tomorrow. Can you keep us updated?"
"Of course, Ma'am. I'll keep you posted."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Ma'am."
"Will you be okay with AJ?"
"Yes, we're just fine."
"Call me if you need anything," Mac offered.
"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you."
Mac disconnected the line, a slow smile forming on her face. Baby Sarah was on her way. She grinned, still awed by the fact that Bud and Harriet wanted to name their daughter after her. She turned to Harm and Gram, suddenly remembering that she wasn't alone in the room, and her smile faded at the look of ... she didn't know what to call it, on Gram's face.
"Is Harriet okay?" Harm's anxiety registered for the first time.
"Yes," She hastened to reassure him, "She's on her way to the hospital. Mikey is watching AJ."
Harm stood up abruptly, and then stopped himself. He looked at Gram. Mac could literally see the struggle play out on his face.
"You should go, Harm, Sarah." Gram said, her voice subdued, her thoughts far away.
"Gram, I can't leave you like this..."
"Harm, go. I won't break," She insisted, her eyes coming to focus on the present. "I need to be alone with this," She added, more to herself.
"Gram—"
"I'll be fine," She cut him off, "Don't worry. You need to be with your friends."
"But Gram, it's Thanksgiving—"
"Harmon Rabb Jr." She stated firmly. Even Mac straightened at her tone of voice. "Do not give me lip."
Harm and Gram stared each other down. Mac thought he was very brave for even trying. From the way this exchange was going, Mac was convinced she would rather stare down a two-star than Gram.
"But, Gram..." He said, relenting to her wishes. His plea came out in a near-whine, the first time Mac had heard such a tone from Harm.
"But nothing." Gram stood, patting Harm's hand, obviously distracted, only half-heartedly engaging with them. Eager, it seemed, for them to leave. "Let me pack you some food for the ride back; I'll make turkey sandwiches."
As Gram made her way across the room, Mac thought she finally figured out where Harm got his formidable emotional reticence from. Gram was as great at giving out advice, at reading other people's feelings as she was as hoarding hers all to herself. Very much like her grandson.
They both watched Gram disappear into the kitchen.
"We should pack our stuff," Harm said quietly. She knew from his tone that she would do better to keep her own counsel.
Mac nodded, following Harm up the stairs. She didn't know why, but the scene that had just unfolded in front of her made her want to cry.
--
Harriet's Hospital Room
The next morning
0925 Local
Mac entered Harriet's hospital room, Harm close behind her. They had come to the hospital immediately upon their return from Gram's, and only went home to sleep because the admiral issued a direct order at 2230. They had come back as soon as they got the call from Bud that Harriet had delivered and baby Sarah would be ready to meet them.
"Ma'am!" Bud exclaimed, looking both exhausted and happy. Harriet gave Mac a beaming smile, looking even more exhausted and at least as happy as her husband. A bundle of pink was nestled in her arms.
Mac's heart skipped in anticipation of this meeting. She made her way to the bedside, holding Harm's hand tightly in her own.
"Ma'am, Sir, meet Sarah," Harriet shifted her arms to give Mac and Harm a clearer view. "Sarah, meet your godparents, Aunt Mac and Uncle Harm."
Little Sarah shifted in her warm cocoon of blankets, her large blue eyes peering up from her still wrinkled skin.
Tears filled Mac's eyes, the most absolute joy, her heart. "She's beautiful," Mac whispered, awed.
"That she is. Harriet, Bud," Harm said to the proud parents, "Congratulations."
"Thank you, Sir," Harriet was glowing, underneath all that exhaustion. She turned to Mac, "Would you like to hold her?"
Mac nodded, gratefully accepting her goddaughter. She looked at the treasure in her arms.
"Hi there, Sarah. It's so good to meet you," She cooed, trying to keep her voice level. She ran her finger along Sarah's cheek. The baby turned her face towards the finger, shifting her arms and legs before settling comfortably in Mac's arms.
"Hey there, Princess," Harm whispered, he wrapped one arm around Mac. He slipped his index finger in Sarah's grip, and Mac had to smile at how large his digit looked in comparison. "You're going to break a lot of hearts aren't you?" He grinned at his goddaughter, who stared back at the couple, mesmerized.
Mac watched the baby in her arms as Harm chatted with the little bundle. She'd told Harriet on her wedding day that she and Bud would be as happy as any two people had a right to be. She'd meant it, had been convinced of it. But she'd always wondered who such a privilege was reserved for. Having the right to be happy and actually being so were two very different things ... It seemed unrealistic to expect that she could have a share of this. And what about Harm? Right now, he sounded genuinely cheerful, as she'd known he would be upon meeting his goddaughter. In the car during the ride over, however, he'd been distant, quiet and withdrawn. Brooding.
Mac sighed: Gram's reaction to Sergei was, she guessed, going on the list of things Harm would not talk about until he was ready. She looked at baby Sarah as she remembered the scene that had unfolded in Gram's living room.
What a world to bring children into, full of heartbreak and sadness, where people all clutched to threads of hope, to quickly fading dreams, pretending happiness was something that was within their reach. As if things could be so simple.
She prayed with every ounce of her fragile faith that the little girl in her arms would have a life with more happiness than sadness, more joy than pain. And if anyone hurt her, they'd have one pissed off marine on their scent. That, Mac could promise.
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A/N: I know what happens in the show with regards to Harriet's pregnancy, but I just couldn't bring myself to write it. And I really like the idea of Mac having a namesake.