Chapter 47

Jack and Harm's eyes popped in unison, to the women's glee. "Maria Elena Conchita Moreno Gutierrez" they both said.

"It's Maria Austin now." Meg gently corrected them.

The last time Harm had seen Maria Elena was years ago when she'd spent the night at his apartment, before buying the loft. She'd spent the night in his bed; he'd spent the night on the floor in his living room, as the couch was way too short to even think about sleeping on. He was thankful the next morning she was there because Commander Allison Krennick arrived, unannounced, for breakfast.

Upon his return to the States, after leaving Cuba with the F-14 and its pilot, Jack Keeter, Harm had called Maria Elena at the last number he had for her and talked with her. She was just about to leave for America for a few months travel before starting work at her fathers business. She'd flown into New York, and rented a car, which broke down just before she got to DC. She'd then called Harm who not only found her a mechanic, his own, and told her that she was to spend the night at his place. Her luggage had not made the flight, of course, so she only had the clothes on her back until the next day, when her luggage was finally discovered. For the night, she had to borrow a pair of sweats and t-shirt to sleep in.

Harm had been making breakfast when Krennick barged in. She'd just returned from Cuba and was wanting a shower and a long weekend in bed–with Harm. Harm didn't have a chance to say anything before Krennick realized Harm wasn't alone and the older officer left in a huff. Maria received news her car would be fixed quickly and at a decent price, she'd been very lucky in that regard, by ten thirty her luggage had arrived and nothing was missing. Meg had called Harm, a bit belatedly to warn him about Krennick. Meg found herself with unexpected company herself, her older brother Tony. Hearing that Harm also had someone visiting from out of town; Meg had suggested they get together for dinner. They got together and Maria had left town the next day. Harm had lost track of Maria after that, Maria didn't have the address for the loft and hadn't sent him a wedding announcement. Neither Tony nor Maria had bothered to as Meg if she had his new address.

"So Maria and Tony got married?" Jack wanted confirmation.

"Seven years now. They have three kids, so my two just make it a full house."

"Very funny." Harm commented.

"My twins are the same age as their twins; they're all going into the second grade this fall. Their baby is now three. It does help that my husband's family is also from my hometown, I had join the Navy to fall in love with my high school sweetheart. Dan had to take a medical discharge; a year after we married, and we both of us want the kids to be Texans no matter where the Navy takes us."

"Tell Maria the next time she's in DC to stop by, I need to thank her, Krennick left me alone after that." Harm admitted.

Chapter 48

Mattie enjoyed the time with her great-aunt, and she was able to get several items for school. It turned out that Harm and Mac weren't the weren't the only ones preparing for the open-house/renewal of vows. Frank had filmed the wedding in Asuncion and had it professionally enhanced, and he and Trish had a few special things planned that neither the bride and groom were expecting. Frank contacted the prison at Leavenworth and, by calling in a favor, was able to talk to Matt O'Hara; Mac's uncle had several pictures of his niece with him, pictures from her childhood. Frank went to Kansas and was able to get them copied and while there arranged for Matt to say a few words, on video. It would not be obvious where Matt was from the tape unless you knew where he was.

The day of the party was perfect, not too hot, not too cool or windy. The Burnett's had arrived a few days before and were staying in a hotel; that way to handle the surprises they planned. Mattie was the only one who knew. Grandma Sarah was fully recovered from her cold, and had stayed at Admiral Chegwidden's home overnight. She was enjoying all the festivities, and was privy to a certain secret that would stun the couple. .

All the guests were there waiting for the renewal of the vows, people Harm and Mac expected to attend. They'd been saddened to hear that Sergei and Galina hadn't been able to leave Russia in time for the ceremony. "Red tape, older brother, red tape" was Sergei's excuse. Harm had groaned, and then had to explain to his brother the reason for his comment. The age difference between the two brothers was apparent to Harm; Sergei had reached adulthood in a freer Russia.

The guests as well as the wedding party were waiting on Chaplain Turner, who'd called to say "I had a flat tire, I'll be there momentarily."

Harm actually gasped when he saw the chaplain was not alone when he arrived. "Sergei!" Harm gave his brother a hug and his sister in law, Galina, a hug and kiss on the cheek.

The young couple had arrived in DC the day before. Trish and her stepson had finally met. She decided it was the easiest way for her to think of the young man, if they'd have divorced after Harmon's return from Vietnam she wouldn't have begrudged her son to have siblings. It was her way of working it out and not pinning the blame on Harmon. After all, she'd been married to Frank for several years before Sergei was born. Both couples had cleared security at Dulles at about the same time. Trish was amazed at just how much the young man seemed like her first husband. Not so much in looks, but in the way he carried himself and his demeanor. Harm was different from his father in that respect. As Harmon had died shortly before the birth of his second son, Sergei only had stories and no memories of his father except for a few newspaper clippings his mother had managed to keep. Sergei was surprised to hear just how much like his father he was from the one person he never expected to tell him, his father's wife.

Mattie had insisted that the large screen television and entertainment center Tom had won in a contest before his death stay with her, it had cost her most of the belongings to the Johnson's that she might have been interested in order to keep them. This came into good use today for everyone to see the video that had been taken in Paraguay. Finally, everyone was seated in such a way so that they could see the large screen.

"We can now begin." Chaplain Turner said, "We're gathered here today to witness two ceremonies. As you know Harm and Mac married in May while in South America. We are going to watch a tape of the ceremony." The tape of the ceremony was played, and they listened to the couple say the traditional vows---in Spanish. Those that knew the language could tell Harm's grasp of the language wasn't as strong as Mac's. "I think most of us have been to enough weddings over the years to figure out what was said. Since most of us weren't there, and because of the circumstances Harm and Mac have decided to renew their vows today. This time they will say them in English." There was laughter and the chaplain continued. "I've been told to turn this part of the ceremony over to the mother of the groom."

Trish started when Chaplain Turner gave her the microphone. "We're going to do things a little different, and these two have no idea what we have planned." The music from Fiddler on the Roof was playing. Sunrise, Sunset to be specific. Pictures of a young Sarah MacKenzie were being shown, with Matt O'Hara was speaking.

"I speak for the O'Hara, Hassan, and MacKenzie families, but I speak from the bottom of my heart. Sarah you are a special woman, so much stronger because of who you had to be, yet you never lost that spark of diamond brilliance and rose-petal fragility I saw in you as a child. Like the song says suddenly you're getting married. Time seems to just be flying by like the song implies. I'm sorry I can't be there for you in person, but believe me, I'm there in spirit. Harm, you are marrying a special woman. Treat her well, and you won't regret it." Mac wasn't the only one in tears; hers were just a little more profuse. Harriet passed her a second handkerchief, as the one she'd carried was already sopping wet from her shed tears.

The scene shifted, it was now pictures of Harm as a little boy. On the tape, Frank started to speak. "I'm speaking for the Burnett's, Rabb's, and O'Neill's. Thirty years ago I met a real stinker of a kid."

"He hasn't changed" Admiral Chegwidden commented eliciting a laugh from everyone. The loudest laugh came from the 'stinker' mentioned.

"I'd fallen in love with your mother at first sight, and as you know, it took her a bit longer to return that love and then marry me. I know it took you decades to accept me. I knew you'd come around ---eventually. I think this will speak for itself."

The scene changed to ---a picture of a much younger Harm, in black and white, with a full moustache.

"Harmon David, it's your wedding day. I filmed this on the day you were born."

Harm almost sat down in shock. "Dad?" Mac and he were in each other's arms Mac steadied him, this was obviously the surprise the Burnett's had been alluding to.

"If you're hearing this, I didn't live to see your wedding, for whatever reason. I'm trying not to be morbid, but I just wanted to say a few things I wished my dad could have told me. Love her with all your heart, which my guess is you already do, or you wouldn't be here today. Don't go to bed angry with your wife, your mom and I have had more than a few nearly sleepless nights, just ask her---but we always talked things through." Harm was openly crying, somehow his mother had kept this tape from him all of his life, and he understood why, it was meant for his wedding day.

"To my new daughter-in-law, my son's princess, even though I've only known my son a few hours now, you're getting a real gem. If he's anything like I am, rein him in 'cuz he's a wild one, but you know that he's true to the ones he loves. I know that I'm rambling, and I'll likely add more at a later date, but both of you I love you, and take care."

There wasn't a dry eye in the house, nearly forty years earlier Harmon Rabb had borrowed an eight-millimeter camera from his friend Tom Boone, and filmed something for his son's wedding day, he'd told Trish about it later that day. After the downing of her husband's plane, she'd discovered it and gave to her mother-in-law for safekeeping. When videos came out in the eighties she'd had the foresight to get the film transferred to tape. Frank had it professionally restored. He'd already given Harm a copy of everything his father had taken, except for this---for obvious reasons.

"Frank, what you've done for me this year already, I could never repay. But for this, Dad, I thank you from the depths of my heart..." His voice was breaking; it was so full of emotion. For Harm to call Frank Dad in public was unique, he rarely called Frank Dad in private.

"As Harm and Mac have legally said their vows already, albeit in Spanish, the words they say are for each other and for you to hear." Turner told the assembled group after everyone had 'recovered' from the late Harmon Rabb's tribute to his son.

"Sarah, I commit my life and my love to you this day, just as I did in Asuncion. The words mean more to me today than they did then. I know we married without dating each other in the traditional sense. I vow, in front of all these witnesses to court you, and to woo you like the princess you are. Dad was sure prophetic wasn't he, calling you princess, as that's what Sarah means." He gave her a gentle kiss.

"Harm, I too commit my life and love to you this day, as I also did in Asuncion. Words cannot begin to express the joy I have in my heart with you in my life. You make me complete, I know that may seemed old-fashioned but it's true, you complete me. I'm going to hold you to your vows, counselor or you'll find a whole new meaning of contempt of court." Mac said with saucy grin. Everyone in attendance knew Mac was now a judge.

"Yes, your honor" Harm replied cheekily

"Good answer" Mac said.

"You may now kiss your bride" Chaplain Turner told Harm, who obeyed that command quite willingly. Jen Coates timed the kiss, and it lasted seventy five seconds. Only the need for oxygen had them come up for air.

Chapter 49

The party then got into full swing, and everyone had a great time. Bud took Mattie aside and asked her "Can you keep an eye on AJ" They had discussed the possibility of this happening, and Mattie had agreed to the impromptu babysitting job, in advance of the party.

"It's time?" she whispered.

He nodded. "Yes, Harriet and I are going to slip away. We've told him we're going to get the baby."

"I'll go out to the car with you and get his bag and take it upstairs. Since Dad and Mac are going away Grandma Sarah is staying here tonight."

"I know." Bud had known this or he wouldn't have asked Mattie to watch his son. There was just enough going on at the Rabb house that Bud and Harriet were able to slip away. It helped that AJ was playing with the other children so his parents were able to leave without a big scene. In fact, they were gone about fifteen minutes before for Harm asked Mattie if she'd seen Bud or Harriet lately.

"Dad, he and Harriet had to leave. I'm watching AJ until Bud calls or he comes to get him."

"Did Bud say where they were going?" Harm should have figured out by what she said what was going on.

"He said Harriet was pretty sure she was in labor, and they wanted to get to the hospital right away."

"Okay, I want you to make sure you keep an eye on him."

"I have been, Dad." She'd babysat often when a little younger, to get away from Tom's drunken rages.

Harm went over to Chaplain Turner, it as obvious the man of the cloth was soon in prayer. No one wanted to have a repeat of what happened with Sarah Roberts.

Admiral Chegwidden saw this and asked what was going on. Hearing what the situation was, he blanched. After all, he'd delivered his namesake, he'd been there shortly after the death of little Sarah. "I need to make an announcement." He raised the volume of his voice "Attention everyone, Harriet and Bud Roberts headed to the hospital a little while ago, I think it wouldn't hurt for everyone to say a quick prayer that everything goes okay." As most of the people at the party knew Bud and Harriet, and the recent history, they did as suggested, and sent a quick prayer that mother and child would be okay."

Harm and Mac decided in the process of planning the party that the food would be consumed outside, they had a large back and side yard. They'd keep the sugar-rush down to a dull roar, they'd learned the hard way watching young AJ so they made sure to wait for the cake and had healthy (read non sugared) items for everyone until that time. When it was time for the cake, Mattie went inside to tell the caterers to bring out the cake. Thus she was inside when the phone rang and she answered it. "I'll tell them, congratulations."

She had a few minutes before the cake was cut so she quickly found AJ, right where she knew he'd be. When she was younger and visiting her grandfather, he'd made her a tree house. It was still safe, and the perfect place for a few kids to play during a party mostly populated with adults. "AJ Roberts could you come down here."

"Yes ma'am" Mattie couldn't fault the kid's manners but being called 'ma'am' made her feel old, as old as Mac. She'd told AJ she wasn't going to be climbing any trees during the party because she was wearing a skirt so if she called him he was to answer right away, or be banished from the tree for the rest of the day. AJ climbed down; actually he used the rope ladder because it swung wildly if no one was holding it. She whispered in his ear, and he let out a very loud "yippee"

That drew everyone's attention. "Mats, what's going on, is AJ okay?" Harm asked. To his ears it sound like the boy had hurt himself.

"When I went inside answered the phone, the baby arrived safe and sound." Everyone was relieved to hear that and it took a moment or two before the crowd quieted.

"So what did they have?" Mac asked her stepdaughter.

Chapter 50

"I think he said Jimmy, so my guess is a boy, he said he needed to call the Sims so he kept it short."

"Mattie," It was apparent they'd have to call to find out.

Even though Bud had matured over the years, he could still the bumbling ensign they'd first met. But with the safe birth of his child he could be forgiven for reverting to the endearing bumbler.

Mac and Harm soon cut the cake, and managed not get too much of a mess on each other's face. Soon after that they left, they wanted to stop by Bethesda and see the baby before going on to the Willard where they'd spend the night. "We hate to cut this short, but we need to take our godson to see his little brother, so if you will excuse us, we'll head out shortly." It might not have been the usual exit taken by a newly wedded couple, but nobody ever said that Harm and Mac did things the usual way.

"We'll take care of everything, you two go. That young gentleman should be the first visitor." Trish said.

Sturgis was helping put AJ's car seat into the Rabb vehicle. Harm and Mac bought a car seat, so the Roberts didn't need to transfer theirs back and forth; besides, they hoped to use it for their own children someday. "I'll take Mattie and Grandma with me in a little while, that way you can slip away from there" he said as he finished the process.

"Thanks, you owe me for keeping Mac's secret." Mac told Harm while they were in Rio that she'd let it slip a few years earlier to Sturgis that she loved Harm.

"I learned early on don't mess with a Marine. I was just looking out for myself." Sturgis just smiled as Harm slowly realized he was yanking his chain.

The bags were already in the car, so it didn't take long to get on the road. Before they got to Bethesda the couple prayed that Bud Senior was on his either best behavior or not there at all. Because of her experiences growing up, Mac was actually hoping for a nonappearance. Alcohol had ruined more than one event in her childhood that should have been a happy occasion. She didn't want the birth of a Roberts's grandchild to be marred by drinking. Quickly heading to maternity, they queried what the room number was. The nurse, a fresh-faced ensign, was hesitant to give the information out, until AJ blurted out he was a big brother now, and wanted to see Jimmy. The young nurse didn't have to ask him what his last name and she showed them to the room, there'd only been one Jimmy born in the past two days.

Mac knocked, just to be safe, and they heard "come in" through the door. Harriet's voice sounded hoarse.

"Mommy, I had chocwat cake" AJ blurted out as he came into the room.

"I can tell." Harriet had to hide a smirk, as did Bud. Harm and Mac weren't necessarily wise to all the places a little boy could get cake on him. His shorts showed the telltale sign of rubbed-in chocolate cake.

"Congratulations to both of you" Mac said, beating Harm to the punch. Being in the maternity ward was making her realize she wanted to start working on a baby with Harm—tonight.

"Mattie said you named the baby Jimmy, so I presume that you two had a boy." Harm said, giving Bud a congratulatory handshake.

"We both wanted the name James or Jimmy, but we've had a harder time coming up with a middle name. We finally decided to name him after my great-uncle." Harriet told them.

The nurse came in at that point with a bassinette with a blue-blanketed baby in it. "We've done all the tests, he's asleep for the moment. Just push the button if you need anything." The nurse then left them alone.

"Colonel, Commander, I'd like for you to meet our son, James Kirk Roberts."

Chapter 51

Harm couldn't help it when he heard the full name of the little boy. He snickered, loudly.

It was then Harriet figured out her Trekker husband had managed to pull a fast one on her. "Bud Jay Roberts, Junior, how could you?!"

"It's a good strong name, besides you said you always admired your uncle Kirk." Attorney or not, Bud was unable to come up with anything else in his defense.

Harriet had to mentally kick herself; she hadn't put the names together until it was too late. "I know one thing; this one will not get the full name treatment, if I can help it." Harriet huffed.

"We won't stay that long, but we brought AJ to see the baby, before the hordes arrive." Harm said, and Bud answered the questioning look on Harm's face.

"Dad's down in the cafeteria, having coffee. Harriet laid down the law with him, any semblance of intoxication and he's banned from the baby for six months, Dad's down in the cafeteria with Sonia before he comes up here. We let Mike know, he'll get here as soon as he can."

"My parents are on their way, we already called them." Harriet added.

They didn't stay long, but both Harm and Mac were relieved to see Bud's father was atypically nice and congenial. Harm confided to Mac on the way to the Willard hotel that he attributed it to the woman who'd been with Bud Senior. Big Bud had been seeing a woman a few years younger than he was, this woman brought out the best in him. They waited until someone was there for young AJ. Harm and Mac waited until someone they knew that Harriet and Bud approved arrived, and then they slipped out. Nearly everyone caught on very quickly to the name. Harriet decided something had to be done so she insisted they continue to call him by his middle name, but Kirk would be his first name. Their son would be legally Kirk James Roberts, but would go by Jimmy.

Chapter 52

Before school started in late August, Harm, Mac, and Mattie were due in family court. Kellie had taken care of the welfare of her daughter upon her death. She'd acknowledged the name of her daughter's biological father in a sealed document that was to be opened on her death.

Tilly Johnson, along with her daughter Sue showed up at the hearing, letting their opinion of the teen be known, in no uncertain terms, while they were waiting in the hallway to go inside. Even though Harm was the biological parent, he'd taken the precaution to formally adopt his daughter. Mac had applied to adopt her stepdaughter. What made the Tilly Johnson so upset was Mattie's petition for a change of name.

Bud was their attorney, he'd made sure they'd signed everything that the needed to, making sure everything was in order before long before they arrived in court. The issue of custody was quickly dealt with, the judge allowed the adoption to proceed. He told Harm and Mac "I wish more people would do this when paternity is established later in a minor child's life. I understand the minor wishes to change her name to Rabb," Judge Martin said after signing off on the adoption.

"Yes, your honor," Bud answered. "I have the petition."

"Bring it to me, and then I ask that the minor come forward and I will talk with her." He walked the petition to the judge, and handed it for him to read. Bud went back to the desk. "Before I rule on this, I would like to know if Mrs. Mathilda Johnson and Susan Hannity are in the gallery."

The two women sat up straight. "We are." They wondered why the judge was wanting to talk specifically to them.

"I'm going to speak to both of you. I wish I could charge both of you. Unfortunately, there are no charges that I can actually file against you. I make it a habit before court to sit where I can hear and see people, this way I get to see the true nature of people. This is one of those times I'm both glad and disgusted I took the time to do this. As I understand from the written testimony of the minor both of you have treated her abominably. It wasn't her fault that she was not biologically related to either of you, yet from all I can tell and from what I've read; you've mistreated her for years. From what I've read in the minor's file I understand that Thomas Johnson temporarily lost custody of the minor when the family lived in Florida."

Tilly responded rudely. "Kellie had the gall to accuse my son of physically abusing both her and the brat. She knew my Tommy wasn't the father, yet she went back to him and claimed he was."

The judge was lenient he could have cited her for contempt of court because of her attitude. Judge Martin thought he'd seen it all, it was amazing this minor was this well adjusted if this was what she'd put up with all her life. "Yet, after he lost temporary custody he and his wife reconciled and the family was reunited?" Martin wanted to hear the story from the Johnson point of view.

"Yes, but the brat wasn't his, he had to pay for everything." Tilly continued her rant.

"That's usually what a father and husband does, or that's how it is in my family." Judge Martin hoped what he was saying was sinking in, to the younger of the two women he was lecturing. The older woman appeared to be a lost cause, the younger of the two looked ashamed. Turning to Mattie he ordered. "Young lady, please come forward." The teen stood up and went forward. "I've read what you wrote; I'll talk to you and I want everyone to listen. After what I saw and heard I really can't blame you for wanting to make a clean start when you go back to school in a few weeks. I want you to read, to me, your reasons for changing your name." Judge Martin handed Mattie a piece of paper. Gathering her emotions and her courage, she began to read aloud.

"Your honor, you may not have many requests to change not only the last name but I also want to change the rest of my name. My name right now is Matilda Grace Johnson. I want to change it. I was named after my grandmother, or so I thought. When Grandma Johnson found out, I wasn't her biological granddaughter she turned from being a nice grandma to a not so nice grandma. I liked the name Mattie because it was different. Now I hate the name Matilda, because it reminds me of a woman I'd rather know, I'd rather not have her name anymore. When I turned thirteen, I decided I'd change my name when I became an adult. I'm just doing this a few years earlier if you grant the petition. If anything, I'm more determined to change my name. I want to change keep Grace portion of my name and add Lyn, which is my biological grandmother's middle name. I want to be known as Mattie Lyn Grace Rabb"

Mac was crying quietly, not only for what she was hearing, she'd had many of the same childhood experiences, unfortunately. Her stepdaughter was stronger than she'd been. If she'd been able to have someone mentor her at fifteen, maybe her life would have been without the major bumps in the road she experienced a few years later.

Bud completely related to what Mattie had been through with Tom Johnson and he was glad she had a better father figure in Harm Rabb.

After a few moments Judge Martin spoke. "I'm going to rule; from here on Matilda Grace Johnson will be known as Mattie Lyn Grace Rabb. Court is dismissed," Judge Martin then came around from around the bench, and did something he rarely did in his career.

"Tilly Johnson, Sue Hannity, I can't tell you how to live, but not all families are blood-related. I have three adopted children, I don't differentiate between the two. My eldest son married someone already pregnant with another man's child and I don't --repeat--don't say she isn't my grandchild. My life would be empty without her or her older brother, he too is my grandson, legally. Since it appears that you want nothing to do with Ms. Rabb I strongly suggest you stay away from her and not contact her. I could and probably should rule you legally stay away from her, but I will not today. However, I will keep a note in the file that harassment of any kind against her, or anyone in her family will result in charges being leveled, capiche."

Sue was weak willed, and had gone along with how her family's opinion and treatment of Mattie. She knew how they felt about those who weren't blood-related. Her own husband was adopted as an infant, something her mother had not known, he'd commented more than once about the narrow-minded views of her family. After Kellie's funeral he told her he'd reached his limit. He'd left, with their child, the next day and had started divorce proceedings and told her he'd only stop the proceedings when she stood up to her family. "When you finally stand up to your mom, and join the human race, call me, otherwise, you can have Jon, on Saturday's and Sunday's"

"Your honor, I know it's probably too late, but I for one am sorry." Sue started to sob and she turned to where Mattie was sitting. "Mattie I'm truly sorry for how I've treated you, how the whole family treats you and I know I've lost you, I'll regret that for the entire rest of my life. You were the only good part of the family. I know I should have said something to Mom, Tommy and Danny about the way they treated you. They treated Jon the same way, now Jack left me. He left the night of Kellie's funeral and took Jon with him. I love him; I've lost my son because I couldn't stand up to you Mom." She turned to her mother as she said the last part.

"He's not your son, he's Jack's." Tilly retorted.

"He's mine, he mine in my heart." Sue was sobbing from the depths of her soul.

Mattie reached to the only Johnson she'd ever felt anything for and gave her a hug. "Go to Uncle Jack, and tell him what you did here today, Jon's a great kid, who like me, had no say in how he came into the world."

Harm was very proud of his daughter at that moment. She was showing a maturity that was way beyond her years. He decided to permit Mattie to see this one member of the Johnson clan, if she was as truly remorseful as she appeared. Time would tell.

"I'd go, while the going is good," Judge Martin said to the sobbing woman "that is once you've got yourself under control. Don't leave the parking lot until you can safely drive." He then turned to Tilly Johnson and pointed his finger at her and his voice was stern. "You, on the other hand will die a very lonely lady if you don't open your eyes and your heart to those around you."

He left the court hoping he got through to the harridan, but knew, realistically, she wouldn't change.

The Rabb's waited until Sue regained her composure and followed her out to her car. "Keep in touch, Aunt Sue, but please, only if you've talked to Uncle Jack. Until he calls me, I want to see you only at JAG." Her aunt agreed.

Mattie knew where her uncle Jack worked so she was able to call him and tell him what had occurred in court. "I want to see Jon when I can, if that's okay with you" even if Aunt Sue didn't have the backbone to truly change. Her uncle agreed to the request, he'd tried his best to make this marriage work but his wife hadn't been able to break the strong influence her mother had on her. His first wife died giving birth to his son, he didn't want to go through that again, he was thankful Sue hadn't wanted to give birth to any children. She didn't want whatever defectiveness her family seemed to have passed on to another generation.

It would take some time, and counseling but her family was reunited months later, Mattie would continue to see the Hannity family. Tilly Johnson never did change and Mattie never intentionally saw the woman again in her lifetime