Chapter 111

Monday, May 24, 2004

1100 EST

Bethesda Naval Hospital

Bethesda, Maryland

Doctor Terrance had been warned of Sarah's amnesia, so he was careful to not say anything that would lead her to believe that the things she believed were not the case. "Mrs. Chegwidden, your pelvic exam is fine. Now, let me check where your incision for infection," the doctor said to her. "There is no sign of infection, and the incision has healed beautifully. Is there any soreness?" he asked.

"No, doctor, I feel fine," smiled Sarah, sitting up on the table.

"Well, you look like you have completely healed, young lady. I would advise you wait at least six months before you try for another child. You're healthy, but I still would like to see you get your strength back," he smiled filling out her chart.

"Thank you, Doctor," Sarah said, putting her clothes back on. She then watched as the doctor completed Angela's check up and pronounced her perfect in every way. "Well, I could have told you that without an exam, doctor," she laughed as she dressed Angela in her tiny sailor suit.

"I'm sure you could have, Mrs. Chegwidden. Mothers often are better judges than their doctors for many things."

AJ had known that she was coming into town today, since he had made the appointment for her, so when he had asked her to meet him for lunch after she was finished, she had no choice but to agree. Going into JAG Headquarters, she saw Harm standing by his office door with a young girl. Angela was fussing and Sarah was sure that it was time for a diaper change. Deciding Harm's office would be good for the change and hoping to mend bridges, Sarah headed that way.

"Hello, Harm, do you mind if I use your office to change Angela's diaper?" she asked glancing at the
teenage girl.

"Oh! It's a baby. Isn't she sweet, Harm?" cooed Mattie.

"Sure, Mac, help yourself," replied Harm, turning to leave without answering Mattie, only to learn Mattie wasn't behind him when he got to the elevator.

"Could I hold her, please?" begged Mattie.

"I'm sorry…I don't know you…" Mac started to say before the girl interpreted her.

"Sure you do! I'm Mattie…oh yikes, I forgot that Harm said you had amnesia!"

"You know Harm?"

"He's my guardian. Sorry, Mac, I forgot you don't remember, we've known each other just a few months."

"Wow! Harm, a guardian? Wonder what else I've missed around here?" Sarah grinned, "Mattie, you might want to wait until I change her before holding her. The smell might run you out of the room."

"Okay, but then I can hold her?" asked Mattie, full of excitement.

"I don't see why not. Just as long as you promise not to drop her," Sarah grinned, changing Angela's diaper and dropping it into Harm's waste basket.

"Mac! You can't put that smelly thing in there," he complained. He had come back to find Mattie.

"Don't know why, it's a wastebasket and that definitely was waste. Wouldn't you agree, Mattie?"
Sarah asked with a wink.

"Oh, definitely, Harm. She has you there," Mattie grinned and returned Sarah's wink.

"CRAP!" exclaimed Harm throwing up his hands.

"Yep!" both females said and started to giggle. Their happiness was to infectiousness for Harm to fight, so he started laughing as he moved the wastebasket outside his door.

Hearing the laughter from the break room where he had gone to get coffee, AJ looked out and saw the three of them in Harm's office all around baby Angela. He hadn't heard Mac laugh in over a week. He knew something was wrong and he had tried to find out what it was, but she wouldn't tell him. That was what hurt the most. Not that finding her laughing with Rabb didn't hurt, but the fact that she could not trust him to tell him what was bothering her, that was what cut him to the heart.

Sarah handed little Angela to Mattie, and a look of pure joy came over the girl's face. "I want a baby
someday," she whispered.

"Not too soon I hope," frowned Harm.

To be continued….