"Who do you think helped get the cabin set up the way I wanted it and make the dinner? I wouldn't have had the time between getting the ring and the tux. Both AJ and Ester helped me with everything."
He picked up the tray setting it between them so they could share. He asked, "So, when did you want to get married, not that I'm trying to rush you. It's just if we are going to have a baby, I would like to be married to you before he or she is born. What do you think?"
After she chewed and swallowed the bite of toast she had taken, Mac replied, "Well, since everyone from JAG will be here for Harm's and Meg's wedding on Christmas Eve how do you feel about getting married on New Year's Eve?"
Leaning over the tray to give her a kiss on the lips, he answered, "I think that is perfect. I can't think of any better way to start the New Year out."
Smiling and thinking of all she had to do, she said, "I don't want a fancy wedding, just something small, close friends and family. Of course, my close friends are my family, well, except for my uncle and Chloe."
"That sounds wonderful, Darling, whatever you want so long as it's you that I marry."
They had continued to eat as they were talking and when most of the food was gone, Mac took a sip of the juice and commented, "It's a shame we can't stay here all day. I had plans for you." She had a devilish grin on her face.
"And what plans might those be?" Tom asked as he moved the tray and took the glass from her so that they were out of his way. He gently pushed Mac onto her back and gazed into her eyes.
Mac rolled them over so that Tom was on his back. Kissing him on his lips, she said, "Well, I was…" she stopped to kiss his cheek, "going to show you…" She moved to his neck, "how much fun…" She moved to his chest, "taking a bubble bath can be." She moved back to his mouth giving him a very arousing kiss.
"I think we have time for that," Tom replied, picking Mac up and carrying her to the bathroom.
************************
Saturday
November 5, 2005
2:00 p.m.
Homestead
When they finally arrived back and saw all the cars, they knew everyone was inside waiting for them. Deciding to keep everyone in suspense, Mac removed the ring from her finger before entering the house, placing it in her coat pocket.
Mac and Tom just carried on like nothing was out of the ordinary. Going down on her knees to rub Duke's head, Mac asked, "Were you good while I was gone?" Out of the corner of her eye she could see Tom doing the same thing to Molly.
The ladies looked to see if there was a ring on her finger. When they did not see one, they were very disappointed. The men also noticed this and Matt was not very pleased. He was hoping that she had finally decided that Tom was the one.
Tom and Mac could see all the sideway glances and knew what they all were thinking. Looking at each other, she smiled and he nodded. She pulled the ring out of her pocket, sliding it back on her finger. When they all saw this, they clapped and cheered, giving their congratulations to the newly engaged couple. Ester and Rose decided to have an impromptu engagement party for them that night.
Mac and Tom told them what date they had picked to get married. "Just think! We will have two weddings here in one week. Don't you worry, Mac, Rose and I will help you with all the wedding plans. You and Tom just show up at the PV Rink tonight at seven," saying that Ester and Rose hurried out the door to plan the celebration. AJ and Zek thought it best to follow the ladies to see what kind of help they needed, leaving Matt alone with them.
"Tom, I'd like to speak to Sarah alone if you don't mind," Matt said. He wanted to make sure this was what she really wanted.
When Tom went to the kitchen to get Mac and him some ice tea, Matt said, "Sarah, I just want to be sure that you're happy with your decision. I can tell that he really loves and cares for you, but being your uncle, I feel it's my place to make sure you're doing what's right for you. In saying that, I DO think you are making the right choice and it has nothing to do with the fact that you may or may not be pregnant. I love you, Sarah, as if you were my daughter not just my niece." He was getting misty-eyed while saying this.
"Does everyone know that I could be pregnant? Do they think that's why he asked and I said yes?" Mac was getting upset. She didn't like the fact that they might think she didn't love Tom, or he didn't love her.
Trying to calm her down, he replied, "Well, they know there is a chance, but they also know that the two of you love each other very much. That night at the dance, we all knew you would eventually get married. It was just a matter of you taking a chance on happiness and time," he replied.
"Thanks, Uncle Matt. I don't know what would have happened to me if you were never in my life." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and hugged him.
"You would have done fine on your own, Sarah." He did not want to take her well-earned achievements from her.
"That may well be, but I am so glad that you are."
"So am I, Sarah, so am I."
Tom walked back in hoping he had given them enough time alone. Mac took her drink from him, taking a sip, and then said, "I'll be right back, need to use the head." She knew that her uncle wanted to speak to Tom and thought it best if she left them alone for a few minutes.
After Mac had walked into her room and closed the door, Matt with a very stern look on his face, crossing his arms over his chest he turned to face Tom. "I'm only going to say this once. You ever hurt her and you'll have to answer to me."
Giving him a rueful grin, Tom replied, "If I ever even thought about hurting Sarah, I probably would be safer with you, and all her friends here and at JAG then I would be with her. Sarah would most likely skin me alive!" He joked, but knew that it was also the truth. "Besides, I love her too much to ever think of hurting her in anyway."
Finally smiling, Matt held out his hand telling him, "Okay, you take good care of my niece. She means the world to me and I don't like to see her hurt. These past couples of years have been hard for her."
Nodding his head, Tom replied, "Yes, well, Sarah doesn't want me to tell you this, but with AJ and me heading out tomorrow for our sailing trip, I feel you should know. She is still having nightmares, not that often, well, she hasn't since we… umm… Well, you know…" Tom was not sure how to say it.
Smiling at his discomfort, Matt said, "Since you have been holding her in your arms at night? Yeah, even as a child, she has needed to feel the arms of someone who truly loves her to keep the demons away." Patting Tom on the shoulder, he added, "I'm glad she has you to look after her now. And I'll keep my eye on her while you're away. When are you planning to return?"
"We should be back the first week of December. I'll have my laptop and cell phone with me so if there is any reason that I need to return, you can reach me that way," he said, handing Matt a card with his e-mail address and cell number on it.
Mac came out to them, "I don't know about either of you, but I'm ready for lunch."
Tom teased her, "When are you ever not ready to eat!"
Slapping him on the arm, she complained, "Hey! Now is that a nice thing to say to your future wife?"
Pulling her in to his arms, he said, "I like the sound of that." He leaned in giving her a kiss.
Matt smiled at the couple thinking that it was about time Mac had taken a chance and gave her heart to someone. "Well, if you two are just going to kiss all day, I'll go ahead and make some lunch. I hope soup and sandwiches sound good, because that's all I making." With that he walked into the kitchen.
Laughing as Matt left, Tom yelled back, "You'll just have to get use to it, Matt! I plan to kiss Sarah every chance I get!" He then pulled her back for another wonderful kiss.
*********************
Later that night
11:45 p.m. MST
The Homestead
The party had been wonderful, everyone had a great time dancing, mingling and congratulating the couple.
Tom and Mac were huddled together on the floor in front of the fireplace. They had just logged on to the computer. They had e-mailed Harm and Meg, and Bud and Harriet, telling them to log on tonight at this time, that they had some news to tell all of them.
Ninja Girl: Hey, Harm, Meg, Bud and Harriet!! :) It's Tom and I here together!!
Hammer: Together? What's going on?
Mom+5: Yeah, Mac! Spill the beans!!!
Blondie: I'm sure if we let them talk, they will answer. So, tell us- What's the big news? As if we couldn't guess already!! ; )
Ninja Girl: Okay, Okay!! Well, we thought since you will be here for Harm's and Meg's wedding and Christmas too, you might as well stay for another wedding!!
Mom+5: WEDDING!!!??
Hammer: Whose? As if I couldn't guess.
Blondie: When?
Ninja Girl: Ours!! Tom asked last night and as you can guess, I said yes. It will be on New Year's Eve, just before midnight. Harm, we know you have to leave the next day, but hope you don't mind.
Mom+5: Oh!! This is so wonderful!! We can't wait!
Blondie: Congratulations!! :)
Hammer: Wow, you don't waste any time, Tom! I can't wait to be there and that will not be a problem.
Ninja Girl: Harriet, Mac here, would you be my matron of honor?
Mom+5: Oh Mac! Of course I will! We are so happy for the both of you!
Ninja Girl: Well, we are going to let you all go get some sleep. We know it's very late there, but we wanted to tell you all the news at the same time. Bye!! :)
Hammer: Bye, you two!!! Love you, Blondie!! :)
Mom+5: Good bye!!
Blondie: Bye, everyone! Love you too, Hammer!! :)
Shutting down the laptop, as he laid on his back on the floor, Tom asked, "Do you really think they will be able to get any sleep after hearing our news?"
Rolling onto his bare chest, she replied, "Probably not, but they don't have to go into work tomorrow, well, except Harm." Moving very sensually on top of him, she asked, "So, what time do you and AJ have to leave?"
"Unfortunately, we have to leave here at five in the morning. Our plane takes off at seven." Moving his hands down her body, he told her, "I'm going to miss you so very much, Sarah." Planting a kiss on her forehead, he moved down to her face, giving it light kisses all over.
"My, no, I mean our bed will feel so empty without you, but don't worry about me, I'll be fine. This will be good for us and will give me time to plan our wedding. If you were here, I don't think I'd get anything done. I'd only want to make love to you all day long."
"Maybe I'll just tell AJ I decided to not go. I think I would have a more pleasurable time with you."
"Oh no, you have been planning this for awhile before you even thought about me. No, you go, that way when you come back, I can welcome you home in a very special way." She pushed her lower body into his giving him an idea of what that special way would be.
"I think that would be a very nice way to be welcomed home," he replied and then began to kiss her, caressing her body trying to memorize it for those long evenings while he was away.
Mac was trying to memorize his body as well. "It's going to be a long twenty-one days, seven hours, four minutes and thirty seconds of my life."
Laughing, Tom pulled her up closer to him saying, "How in the world do you do that?"
She leaned in and whispered into his ear the secret that she had never told any other person before. "Really, that's how you do that?"
Nodding her head, she began to trace his face with her lips. She soon came to his mouth and then things started to get steamy. They soon ended up in bed spending what little time they had left in each other's arms.
*****
*****
Friday
December 23, 2005
The Homestead
Mac kept pacing back and forth waiting for the airport shuttle to bring everyone here. "They are two minutes and ten seconds late, where can they be?"
Tom came up in front of Mac to stop her pacing. He grasped Mac by her waist pulling her towards him. "Sarah, they will be here soon, don't worry." Trying to lighten the mood, he said, "It's not like Harm's flying the plane."
Knowing what he was trying to do, Mac commented, "You're not funny, and you know Harm is a wonderful pilot." Resting her head on his shoulder, she said, "I know what you are doing and I thank you for it. I guess I'm just nervous. This will be the first time that I have seen them since leaving JAG."
Kissing the top of her head, he said, "They understand why you left, Sarah," looking up as the door open, he continued, "Maybe not how you did, but it doesn't matter to them. What matters is that you have healed from the trauma you went through. They're your family, Sarah. They will always be there for you."
"He's right, Mac."
Turning from Tom's embrace, Mac saw all her JAG family standing at the entrance, as well as Clay and Catherine, Harm's gramma, Trish and Frank. There was also a man that she had only seen on the TV. He turned out to be Meg's uncle, Retired Colonel Ollie North!
With tears streaming down her face, she almost ran over to Harm as he held his arms open for her. They hugged one another for several minutes until Harriet teased, "Hey, what about the rest of us?"
After greeting them all, Tom and Mac showed them their rooms. As they were getting all the kids settled into watching a movie, or playing with their toys, or video games, Mac and Tom went downstairs.
They were going to tell them their news. While Tom was on his trip, Mac found out over Thanksgiving that she was indeed pregnant. She had told him the day he came back.
As they were sitting there waiting for everyone to join them, they both recalled the day she told him.
***********************
Flashback
Mac was so thrilled the day that she saw two little blue lines on the pregnancy test stick, but right now her stomach was doing somersaults. She had welcomed Tom home last night as she had promised, and hadn't been able to tell him yet. Right now she was waiting for him to come back from the kitchen. He told her stay there that he would be right back. That was almost thirty minutes ago and she was half tempted to get up.
Another five minutes passed before Tom walked in carrying a tray filled with food and a single rose. Setting the tray down, he kissed her. "Good morning, Sweetheart."
Remembering that morning in the cabin, Mac smiled and said, "It is now."
"I hope you're hungry. I made enough for an army or in this case, the Marines."
Looking at the tray, she felt a little queasy so decided to stick with the toast for now. Looking over to him, she said, "Tom, there's a bag in that drawer next to you. Can you get it for me?"
Turning around, he pulled out the little brown paper bag handing it to her. "Here you go, Sarah." He wondered why she wanted it now.
Taking a breath, she pulled out a wrapped box, handing it to him. "Tom, I want you to have an early Christmas present."
"Sarah, why don't we wait for Christmas to exchange gifts?"
"Well, this gift you kinda have to wait for, this is kind of like peeking."
Not understanding, he replied, "Okay." When he had unwrapped and then opened the box, he saw a long narrow stick with two blue lines on it. He had his suspicions on what it meant but looked up at her with questioning eyes. She smiled and with a pat on her stomach, nodded.
AJ and Matt were in the kitchen drinking coffee, when all of sudden they heard a bellow followed by a crash coming from Mac's room. They were worried so they went charging in with Molly and Duke ahead of them. What they saw stopped them in their tracks. Tom and Mac were laughing and crying while Tom was swinging her around the room. The crash was the tray that landed on the floor when Tom had grabbed Mac lifting her in the air. Molly and Duke felt that since the food was on the floor it was their job to help clean the mess up.
After getting his heart to stop pounding, AJ asked, "What the hell is this all about?!"
"Yes, Sarah, you scared the hell out of me!" Matt commented.
Turning to face them, Tom said, with the biggest grin anybody had ever seen, "I'm going to be a father!"
Matt looked to Mac asking, "Is it true? Are you pregnant?"
Smiling with tears in her eyes, all she could do was nod.
End of flashback
**************************************
AJ and Ester came from the kitchen carrying trays of coffee and hot chocolate. Ester gave Mac a cup of tea, saying, "I'll be right back. I'm going to take some cookies and hot chocolate up to the kids."
Her uncle and his girlfriend, Emily, came out carrying trays of cookies and cheese and crackers. They sat talking until everyone came back down.
Glancing to Sarah, Tom said, "Sarah and I have an announcement." They had decided that they would say it together. "We're going to have a baby!"
Everyone got up and congratulated them. Harm came over to Mac with a huge grin on his face, "No wonder you're crying like a big baby."
"Oh, you big goof!" she replied, punching him in the arm.
"Hey, is that any way to treat a friend?" he teased, rubbing his arm even though it was just a friendly punch.
Looking up to him, Mac shook her head saying, "No, but this is." Then she reached out to give him a hug, whispering, "I missed my best friend, Flyboy."
He whispered back, "Me too, Ninja Girl, me too."
******
End of Part I
Part II will come but it will be awhile since I lost it when my computer crashed. Now I have to write it from my memory which is shot!! LOL!! : ) I hoped everyone enjoyed this!!