They had been trying for a few months now. The good luck Mac had when she conceived her first two children had run out. Having had five rounds of IVF, Mac was about to give up. She had her two biological kids, and there were times she tried to tell herself that she should be ok with them. That maybe it was time to give up. Sitting down with Harm, they talked it over. He convinced her they should take a month's break and try again. If it didn't work, then they would be done. After their month break, the medication is back on, and having not had to be on a schedule made things 100% better.
Sitting on the exam table, Mac held Harm's hand. She was incredibly nervous since she had heard she had two viable eggs. Is this going to work? Will I have two eggs that worked? Will I actually have a baby? Were the thoughts in her head. Hearing a knock on the door and looking up to see the doctor walk in, Mac tries to smile.
"General? Captain." She says, with a small smile.
"What's the news?" Mac asks, sitting up but still holding Harm's hand.
"Well, I got your results back."
Her hand squeezes his tighter, hoping to calm her nerves.
"From your blood test, I see that you have higher than normal hCG levels, which means-" She pauses.
"Your pregnant."
Harm looks at Mac, and she looks back at him. They were finally pregnant. Mac was glad she didn't give up because now she was having another baby.
"I called you in this room instead of my office because I wanted to do an ultrasound; your high hCG levels are higher than a normal pregnant person and have me suspicious of things."
"But I'm pregnant, right?" Worry in her voice.
"Yes," She says, helping Mac to undo her pants and squeeze the gel on her stomach. Moving the wand around, she finally finds what she's looking for.
"Well, I've got the answer to your high hCG levels; you're having twins."
"Excuse me, what? Did I hear twins?"
Mac's eyes dart over to Harm. She can't believe what she just heard.
"Harm…" Tears are now falling from Mac's eyes. She never thought she'd be pregnant again, especially at this age, and definitely not twins.
"I know this is a lot to take in, but I like telling my patients as soon as possible so you have time to prepare and ensure we are giving the right prenatal care."
"Twins…" Mac is still holding Harm's hand, and she's glad because he looks like he's going to pass out.
"Captain, why don't you sit down? I'll have the nurse get you some water." The doctor says, reaching to pick up the phone on the wall and asking for some water from the nurse who answered. She brings in a bottle and gives Harm a moment.
"I wanted to show you, and hopefully, I can get you guys some pictures."
"This here is baby A, and that's baby B."
There's still shock in the air as the two turn to watch the screen. Harm has thankfully not passed out, and Mac is still quiet. Not sure how to feel. She's excited but having two babies at once. That's a lot to take in.
An Hour Later
Rabb Minivan
805 Freeway Headed Towards Home
Mac is sitting in the passenger seat. She's got the pictures in her hands as she studies them. She still couldn't believe the news the doctor gave them.
"Twins…" She mutters, running her finger over the picture.
"That means two babies." Harm replies.
"I know; it's a good thing we have room because I'm definitely not about to move while pregnant."
"Does this mean you'll retire?"
"I've thought about it, and maybe I should. At least turn in my paperwork. I know it won't be for a while, but if we are going to have twins, I think it's time I become a stay-at-home mom."
"Are you sure? I don't want you to do something because of me; I don't want to force you."
"No, I really have thought about it. After the third round of IVF, I thought maybe I should retire; maybe that would help us get pregnant. It was on my mind, but I didn't feel like it was urgent, but now that we are having twins, It's becoming more urgent."
"I'm still in shock." Harm says, looking back at the road to study the freeway signs before him to make sure he didn't miss their exit. He'd done this trip a million times back and forth to work, but with the news he'd been given, he was worried he'd be so distracted and not pay attention to their exit.
"I know me too. I was so afraid it was going to be another no, and I was ready for it, but wow, twins."
"How are we telling the kids?"
"I don't know; I know Mattie will be excited, but it's Harmon I'm worried about."
Two Months Later
1720
Rabb Living Room
Mattie has come over for dinner. She'd graduated college from San Diego State and was getting her master's in education. She'd graduated with a major in education and a minor in child development. Her plan was to one day become a school principal.
Sitting on the couch, having picked up her siblings from school, she's as interested as her siblings to hear what the good news is. She had a suspicion as she could tell the way Mac had been acting for the last few weeks, and she wasn't exactly skinny anymore.
"Your dad and I have brought you guys in here because we have an announcement. We were going to wait longer but felt we shouldn't keep you guys out of the loop if anything weird were to come up." Mac says, reaching for Harm's hand to help calm her nerves.
"What is it, mama?" Harmon questions, looking up at his mother, who is sitting in a chair in front of him.
"Well, you guys are going to be big brothers and sisters. Mommy is having twins. I'm pregnant."
"That means you have a baby and get big like Jason's mom?" Harmon is the one asking all the questions while Mattie and Harper both look at each other in shock.
"Yes, but I'm going to get much bigger than Jason's mom, as I have two babies in me."
"Two babies?"
"Yes, and sometimes two babies need a lot, so we have to be careful with mommy." Harm replies, trying to explain things that a seven-year-old would understand.
"You said two babies?" Mattie asks, trying to put the pieces together.
"Yes, We had two viable eggs the last transfer, and I guess they both decided to be babies." Mac says, reaching out to hold Harmon's hand, which had been thrusted at her.
"Does anyone have any questions? I know this is a lot to take in." Mac says, directing the question to Harper, who hasn't said much.
"When do they come?" She finally speaks up, looking at her mother as Harmon gets up to put his head in his mother's lap. There's that Mama's boy.
"We have about seven-ish months. We waited a little to tell you because we wanted to make sure it was official and hear the heartbeats and sometimes-" Mac stops herself, not sure she wanted to get on the subject of miscarriage with her nine-year-old.
"Do you know if it's boys or girls?" Harper asks another question.
"Not yet; they need to get a little bigger to tell. When we know, we will tell you." Mac smiles, feeling Harmon play with her shirt as he lays his head on her lap.
"Are they in there, mama?"
"Yup, here, lemme show you."
She lifts up her shirt to show him. She didn't have much of a belly if she wore a loose shirt, but she definitely could not fit into her standard-issue uniform anymore and would be heading to the uniform shop to pick up the Marine pregnancy smock. She just hoped it would last for a while so she didn't have to worry about getting a bigger size.
"See my belly? There's a baby right here-" She points with her finger to show approximately where baby A was.
"That's baby A and baby B is over here." She shows him where the other baby is.
"Hi, babies!" He smiles, happily talking to the babies in Mac's belly.
Rabb Master Bedroom
2135
"Well, that went well." Mac says, trying to figure out her uniform for the morning. She knew she'd need that smock, but time got away from her, and she was growing bigger and quicker than she expected. Her skirt had a zipper on the side, and if she positioned the skirt with the hem just under her belly, it would fit, but that meant she couldn't really tuck in her shirt. Coming up behind her, Harm wraps his arms around his wife and lets them rest on her stomach.
"You know, General, I could take you in the morning, get you some new pants; I don't think they will miss you for an hour or so."
Happiness filled her heart every time he called her General. She was one of few female Generals, and it still felt foreign to her.
"I wish I could say that." Mac sighs.
"I've got a staff meeting that I can't miss."
"Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Yeah, make my pants fit!"
"You know I wish I could, but you don't want me to sew anything, promise me." Harm chuckles, placing a kiss on his wife's shoulder.
"I can't believe this fit just a few days ago. I'm off a few days, and boom, these damn babies grow, and I'm stuck. I thought I had a few days!" Mac huffs unzipping the skirt and tossing it on the bed.
"I'd give you a pair of my peanut butters, but they won't be the same, and I'd hate to get you in trouble." Harm sighs, watching his frustrated wife.
"No, but you're a genius! I might have some pants in my closet that are a close match."
"Well, let's look; let me help you."
"Thanks." Mac happily sighs, walking towards her closest.
"I just have to ask. You didn't keep anything from the last two pregnancies?"
"No, because after Harmon, there was a time I didn't think I'd get pregnant again, so I gave them away."
"Oh-" Harm says, helping Mac look through the section of her closet that housed her pants.
"Harm, stop those wheels; I know what your thinking; why me, a Marine, not prepared for this? I know I should be, but I blame pregnancy brain."
"Hey! I wasn't blaming anyone. You said it yourself."
"Ah! Found 'em!" Mac smiles, pulling out a pair of greenish pants.
"I saved these maternity pants for whatever reason. They are not exact, but I think they will get me through my meeting. Then we can take an extended lunch and go to the uniform shop."
"Alright, can we go to bed now?"
"Yes, please." Mac smiles, taking off her shirt and hanging everything up.
The Next Day
1220
Naval Base 32nd Street
Uniform Shop
Walking or more like an almost waddle, Mac finds herself inside the uniform shop with Harm quickly behind and watching and keeping a firm eye on her.
"Hi, welcome!" The clerk smiles, seeing the couple come in.
"Anything I can help you with, General?"
"Yeah, I hope so." Mac sighs, leaning on the counter to take a breath.
"I ordered a week or so ago, a few of the new maternity items, and I was wondering if they came in. These twins are growing faster than I expected."
"Let me see, did you have a name on the order?"
"Probably Sarah MacKenzie, or just General MacKenzie, unless I put it under Sarah Rabb, but I highly doubt it."
"Well, according to my computer, I got one of your tunic smocks in, possibly a pair of pants but no dress blues or skirt yet."
"That's ok; I just need something to wear for the rest of the week."
"If you'll come with me, I'll get them from the back and let you change so we can see if they need any alterations."
"I'd rather not alter anything, I'm having twins, and the pregnancy brain is real this time, and I don't want to have to remember to get it taken out."
"Well, congratulations. Let's just see what they look like." The woman smiles, pulling the garment bag from the rack of uniforms that were ready to be picked up. She handed it to Mac and ushered her to the changing room. The woman closes the door, and about a minute later, Mac calls for Harm.
"Harm?!"
"Yes?" He replies.
"I need your help. I can't get my pants off."
Hurrying over, Harm opens the door and steps into the dressing room.
"What did you do this morning?"
"I put them on this morning like normal pants, but now I can't see, and my fingers are fumbling."
"Hold on, give me a moment, and I'll get them off." He says, getting on his knees to give himself a better angle.
"If we weren't married, I'd call this a red light." Mac jokes, feeling Harm's large hands as he unzips the zipper.
"There you go, General. All done."
"Thank you, Sir." Mac smiles, slipping the skirt off and reaching for the pants. She slipped them on, and the elastic band that was meant to go over her belly sat comfortably. Mac let out a sigh of relief.
"Man, these are a lot more comfortable than I remembered; these are going to be hard to give back."
"Comfortable?" Harm asks, watching his wife button up her khaki shirt.
"Oh my yes! I'll probably have to size up at some point if these babies grow and my belly gets bigger, but for now, this will do the trick." She smiles, lifting the tunic over her head. Finishing up and hanging up the none fitting uniform on the hanger, she steps out of the dressing room to have the clerk look her over.
"They fit, ok? Room to grow?"
"Yes, they fit great."
"Well, good. If I get your dress blues and that skirt in, I'll give you a call, no need for you to come in; save you the hassle."
"Thank you."
"Well, if that's all, I need to get lunch and get back to work. I'm starving."
"You are free to go." The clerk smiles, watching the couple leave. It was always refreshing to see someone come in needing alterations for pregnancy. It wasn't something she'd see often, and since she couldn't have kids of her own, she relished when others did.
"Ok, General, starving, what are we craving today? What is daddy getting for his two little munchkins?"
"I could go for a big juicy cheeseburger. I'd love Beef N' Bun, but that would take us an hour to drive there and back, and I don't have the time. There's that five-burger place at the base food court; I know it's not much, but it's a burger. We can get Beef N' Bun soon and take it home to the kids for dinner; you know they like a treat."
"Sounds good to me," Mac replies, watching Harm open her door and help her in. She's doing pretty good now, but she knows soon it will be nearly impossible to get into the minivan.
Smiling at his wife, Harm gives her a kiss on the lips before closing her door and getting in the driver's seat. He starts the car, and off to lunch they go.