Chapter 9
Jen looked at Mattie sadly, she had done a lot of growing up in her young life and now here she was facing again something she shouldn't have to at her young age. "Don't talk to him that way Mattie. No matter what, he loves you and that will never change." Jen climbed in the car and waited to be taken home. She just wanted this awful day to be over.
Glaring at Harm, Mattie turned at stomped to the other side of the car and climbed in beside her friend Jen. "Well I've lost her love and respect," sighed Harm. "Today just doesn't seem to be my day. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be much worse."
"We all will have to face the Admiral and what ever charges he brings on us, Harm it doesn't get much worse than that!" Mac told him.
"Yeah, it could! If I've lost your love and respect, that would be worse. If I've lost you forever along with my children, that would be worse too," he replied opening the door for her. "And now Mattie, whom I have cared about…no loved…doesn't care for me any longer. I've lost Jen's friendship and she will be moving away. I deserve everything the Admiral throws at me."
"You know...maybe if you realize that, then you might have finally matured after all, Harm!" Mac said and tried to smile at him. It was the first step on the road to forgiving him.
"I'm going to drop you off at your car," Harm said unhappily. "Then I'm heading home with the girls. I'll give them money for food and I'm heading for bed. I'm sure they don't want my company and after today I just want to curl up and sleep for a week."
Harm crawled into bed more emotionally exhausted than he could ever remember being. As his body finally began to relax into sleep he remembered the last time he had felt this emotionally rung out. It was when Bud had stepped on that landmine and he and Mac and Jen were all waiting to see if Bud would live.
He thought about how hard that had been on all three of them, but then he recalled that at least they had been there on hand. Poor Harriett had been back here at home, so far from Bud's side. Harm's last thought before he fell asleep was about Harriett.
Maybe that was the reason for the dream, or maybe it had just been the day from hell that he had just been through. He was walking towards the elevator at work when Harriett came hurrying up to him with an eager expression on her face. The elevator doors opened and both of them stepped inside. Seeing they were the only two in there, Harriett reached out and turned the elevator off!
Harm stared at her in surprise as she began to speak. Laying her hand on his arm, she smiled up at him saying, "I wanted to tell you as soon as I knew, Harm. After what happened between us a few weeks ago, I figured that I had better make sure who the father of the twins were."
Placing his hand on her still flat tummy she delivered the news, "The test came back saying you're the father and not Buddy!" She beamed up at him and hugged him happily.
"Harriett, are you sure?" he pleaded, this was ALL he needed.
"Yes, aren't you thrilled?" she asked eagerly.
"Thrilled is not quite enough to describe what I am feeling right now!" he told her and then woke from the dream in a cold sweat. Looking around the safety of his own bedroom, in his own bed, he sighed in relief and punched his pillow into a better shape and tried to go back to sleep.
Friday, September 17, 2004
0700 EST
Harm's apartment
North of Union Station, DC
Harm was tossing and turning on the couch when Mattie entered his apartment and woke him from his sleep. Sitting up with a weird look on his face, Harm asked what she was doing there. Mattie started telling him about the wonderful time she'd had with Tim on her date the night before. Harm staring straight ahead clearly wasn't paying attention.
"The least you could've done was wait up for me, Harm! No, you had to have a beer and watch TV! Then of all things you fall asleep, fine guardian you are, Harm!" Mattie pouted as she stomped out of the room to get ready to go to school.
The day from hell had all been a dream! Harm was overjoyed!
THE END