JAG Headquarters, Thursday

Harm logged off his computer and stood. He was done. It was almost lunchtime, his client had gotten the sentencing they had hoped for, he had cleared his desk and handed over a few open cases to Sturgis and Bud. He was done. Finished. It put a smile on his face as he closed his briefcase and his eyes darted to the picture on his desk. It was of Mac, taken at their Annapolis trip three months ago. It had been the beginning of this journey they were on.

"We're still meeting at six?"

Harm focused on Sturgis who was hovering in his doorway. "Yeah, around then. The women will be occupying my…" he smiled. "our apartment by then so it's probably best for me to get lost."

"Good," Sturgis smiled. "Are you taking off?"

"Yeah, we have to pick up Chloe at the airport, they have a last dress fitting and I have to pick up the rings," Harm took a breath. "And a million other things."

Sturgis chuckled. "Only two more days and you'll be an old married man."

Harm rounded his desk. "It's about time."

"I wholeheartedly agree," Sturgis said as he followed Harm into the bullpen.

Harm headed for Mac's office and could hear laughter inside. "Ready to go?"

Mac and Kate both turned to him. "Almost," Mac smiled as she stood.

"I'll see you later tonight," Kate said to Mac, then slipped past Harm and out of the office.

Mac reached for her uniform, that she had changed out of a little earlier, and briefcase. "Ready."

Since she was in civilian clothes he reached for her hand after she'd turned off the light and closed the door to her office. "You look nice."

"Thank you," she smiled as they crossed the bullpen hand in hand. 47 hours and thirty-five minutes until their wedding day.

Later that day

Harm finished in the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist before walking into his bedroom. As usual the pillows and cover on the bed made him smile, reminding him that he wasn't alone anymore. The giggling from the living room made him shake his head in wonder. He hadn't realized that having two teenagers in the apartment would be so loud. Mattie and Chloe had found each other instantly and were now helping Mac prepare for when his Mom, Harriet, Jennifer and Kate would arrive. He was going out with Frank, A.J, Sturgis, Bud and Keeter for beers.

He hurried to dress, then walked down the steps to the living area. He found Mattie and Chloe on the couch, while Mac was seated by the desk writing something. He walked over, curious what got her so occupied. "What are you doing?"

She hurried to cover up the sheet pf paper. "Don't sneak up on me."

"I didn't think anyone could sneak up on a Marine?" he peaked at the sheet of paper that she was covering.

"I wasn't prepared to be attacked in my own home," she pointed out as she hurried to turn the sheet of paper around. "It's my vows."

"Oh, that," he shrugged. "I thought I'd just wing it."

She raised her eyebrows. "You'll wing it?" she was amused.

"It's like a closing argument, I could do it in my sleep," he smiled sweetly.

"Yeah, you're going to end it with; and that's why I should be sentenced to life without parole?" she teased. ¨

He chuckled. "That's not bad. I'm going to use that."

"You will not," she stood and took the sheet of paper, folded it and put it in the top drawer. "No peaking."

He took her into his arms. "I'm getting ready to leave."

"Okay," she leaned in and kissed him. A knock on the door interrupted them and Harm unwillingly let go of her to get the door.

"Hi Harm," Trish hugged her son.

"Hi Mom," he closed the door behind her.

"Good to see you again, Sarah," Trish hugged Mac too.

"You too," Mac smiled.

Mattie and Chloe walked over. "Nice to see you again, Trish," Mattie got a hug from Harm's mother.

"You too, Mattie." She turned to Chloe. "And this must be Chloe?"

Chloe offered her hand. "That's me."

"Mac told me a lot about you," Trish smiled warmly.

"Nothing embarrassing I hope, because I have a lot of embarrassing stories about her too," she added the last part as a warning in Mac's direction.

Mac smiled. "Don't worry, I just told her that you're amazing."

"That's true," Chloe smiled cleverly.

"Well, I should get going," Harm reached for his jacket. "You girls have fun."

"Tell Keeter that I will kill him if he doesn't have you back in one piece," Mac warned.

Harm chuckled. "How much trouble can we get into at McMurphy's?"

"With Keeter, one never knows," Mac smiled. "Bye."

Harm leaned in and kissed her.

"This could take some time," Chloe said to Trish and Mattie as they moved further into the apartment. "They kiss a lot."

"I heard that," Mac warned when they ended the kiss.

Chloe smiled cleverly. "You were supposed to."

Mac walked over to them after seeing Harm leave. She found her list on the counter and read through it one more time, crossing off a few things.

"Enough with the list. "Chloe reached for the pen." Harm said that you have everything under control."

"But he's a man," Mac reached out to get the pen back. "And Navy," she added.

"You will let me know if there's anything Frank and I can help with," Trish demanded.

"I think we pretty much have it under control," Mac reassured and pushed the list away. "Marines just like to make sure."

"This Marine also needs to learn how to relax," Chloe pointed out. "She can't," she added the last part towards Trish and Mattie.

"I can relax," Mac argued.

"You can't even go for a hike without a first aid kit," Chloe laughed and hugged her big sister. "I've missed you."

"I missed you too," Mac let out a contented sigh.

Later

Three hours later Mac had been a good sport going along with all the frilly bridal shower things Mattie, Jenn and Harriet had planned. They had eaten and had some laughs. Chloe had won the 'who knows the bride the best' quiz.

"I think Mac has been a good sport," Harriet smiled.

"I did like the whole decorate your own cupcake thing," Mac admitted with a chuckle.

"Oh, but we have one more thing left," Mattie reached for a sheet of paper. "The quiz about Harm. Chloe and I made Harm answer some questions and now we'll see how well Mac knows him."

"How many questions?" Mac wondered.

"Ten," Mattie smiled.

"I bet I know them all," Mac smiled cleverly.

"We'll see. What was Harm's favorite toy as a kid?" Mattie asked. "And no helping Trish," she warned.

"I'll keep my mouth shut," Trish promised with a chuckle.

"Easy. He built a model of a Steerman with his Dad on his fourth birthday," Mac answered.

"That's correct," Trish said.

The next few questions were easy. "Okay, number nine. What was Harm's nickname in High School?"

"It was stickboy at first, because he was so skinny, but his senior year he was called Tower, because he was a head higher than everyone around him," Mac smiled. He told me that when we were spending the night outside, hiding from poachers after I was shot in the thigh."

"So far you have nine out of ten," Mattie was impressed.

"I didn't even know that one," Trish smiled.

"You were hiding from poachers?" Kate questioned.

Mac nodded. "That's a bit of a long story."

"Last question. When did Harm fall in love with you?" Mattie continued her questioning.

Mac hesitated as she thought about it. "I have no idea. And I doubt Harm knows either."

Mattie raised her eyebrows. "That's what Harm said. Did he tell you the answers before he left?"

Mac chuckled. "No, I promise. We've been spending a lot of time together over the last nine years. He probably knows more about me than anyone I know."

"And still it took you nine years to get together?" Trish wondered with amusement. "And my son doesn't know when he fell in love with you?"

"I have no idea when that happened either," Mac admitted.

McMurphy's Tavern

Harm sipped his beer and peaked at his watch. It was ten thirty and he wondered if the girls had finished their gathering. He had a good time, but he was getting anxious to get home and get a good night's sleep. The better part of the previous night had been spent doing other things than sleep and he knew the next day would be long enough with the last preparations, the rehearsal and dinner.

"I think that's it for an old man," Frank announced.

Harm nodded. "Are you stopping by my place to get Mom?"

"I am," Frank stood.

"We'll just share a cab then," Harm started to stand too, but got a look from Keeter.

"Come on, we're not done," Keeter complained.

"Actually," A.J Chegwidden stood. "I think I'm done too. I'll see you all tomorrow," he offered his hand to Harm. "I thought this day would never come."

Harm chuckled as he shook his hand. "I'm guessing that you're not the only one."

"You're a lucky man," A.J smiled.

"Tell me about it," Harm agreed.

"I'll share that cab, sir," Bud stood too. "Harriet has our car at your place, so I'll get a ride from her."

"I guess I'll go back to the hotel and see if Meghan is back yet," Keeter stood. "You're getting boring on your old age Hammer."

Harm nodded. "I guess I am. I have important days ahead of me."

"You got it bad, son," Frank patted Harm's shoulder. "It's a good woman you've found."

"She's the best," Harm agreed. He had enjoyed a night out, but a part of him just wanted to be with Mac. He was so ready for Saturday, and the day after and the rest of his life.

Harm and Mac's apartment, later that night

Mattie and Chloe were in their pajamas, one on the couch and one on the floor. They were still chatting and giggling when Harm got out of the bathroom. Harm smiled when he found Mac with her list.

"You've got to be kidding me," he walked over to the bed and got under the covers.

"We are done," she held the list up. "It's all crossed out, but still I feel like we forgot something."

"We have it all under control," he reassured as he took the list from her and threw it on the floor. "Did you have a nice night?"

"It was really nice," she smiled. "I got all the questions right."

He chuckled. "You know me so well."

"I'm curious though," she turned to him. "You don't know when you fell in love with me?"

He shook his head thoughtfully. "No. I guess I've always been a little bit in love with you. I mean, men fall for you pretty much right away. You have that effect on the opposite sex," he smiled. "I wish I could have told you sooner. Let go sooner."

"We can't dwell on the past," she reached out and touched his cheek in a sweet gesture. "This is our time, right?"

He smiled." It is," he leaned in and kissed her softly.