I'll Be Home for Christmas

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Washington
Harm's place
Early December
He was decorating like his life depended on it. Or Mac's life. Or better said, her coming home in time for Christmas.
He knew it was stupid, him preparing for a full Christmas wasn't making any difference, it wouldn't bring her home in some magical way, but still he was decorating ...

Plane over the Atlantic
December 24th
She hardly could believe she had made it to the plane. Correct that, she hardly could believe it she was on a plane in the first place. It had only been hours earlier that her temporary CO had summoned her to his office and told her she was to be replaced by a new JAG-officer.
She had 45 minutes to pack her stuff and to report to flight deck one, in order to grab a transporter to Milan and a commercial flight from there. If she didn't make it, she would have to wait four days till the next flight.
And she had made it, with only two minutes or so to spare. All her stuff was in her duffel bag, clean and dirty alike, and even the few presents she had managed to buy during her short leave. The only thing she hadn't had time for was a shower. She sniffed her armpit and pulled a face. Maybe she could freshen up a little in the bathroom. But anyway, going home was worth a bit of ... She dedicated a few compassionate thoughts to her replacement. Poor bugger, deployed just before Christmas. And missing his daughter's first Christmas. But that was the military ...
Looking at the little red light she realised the bathroom was free and she headed towards it. Inside she used hand soap and paper towels to freshen up and then applied some deodorant. Although not completely fixing the 'problem', it helped and she felt much better. Back in her chair she checked her internal clock. Right, she had about eight hours in front of her. Better get some shut-eye, she decided. A transatlantic flight was an almost certain guarantee for a jetlag.

At three o'clock the little 'fasten your seat belts' lamps went on and Mac prepared for the steep descent. Collecting her luggage and going through customs went smoothly and then she had to decide to go home, shower and then go to the Roberts or go straight hither. Checking the time once more, she decided for the latter. She guessed she could take a quick shower and find something clean in her bag over there.
Outside a taxi wasn't hard to find and then she was on her way.

Roberts' residence
17.00
Harriet frowned. Whoever it was knocking at the door, if it was one of her friends, he or she was really early and if it was someone else, she didn't have time. A bit irritated she opened the door, but when she saw who was standing there, she let out a cry of joy.
"Mac, how on earth?!"
"I was send home this morning," Mac laughed, hugging her friend.
"Come in, come in! I'm so happy!"
With a broad smile Mac did so.
"Can I get you something? I'm sorry, I would love to catch up, but in about an hour ..."
"Hungry guests will start to turn up," Mac completed her friend's sentence.
"That."
"I would love a cup of coffee and a shower," Mac said. "And then I hope I can find something wearable in my bag. I had only about half an hour to pack my stuff this morning."
Harriet showed Mac the guestroom, gave her a couple of towels and told her to use whatever she needed in the bathroom. Coffee would be ready when she was. Grateful Mac took the towels and proceeded with digging up some clean underwear. Before she could disappear into the bathroom, Harriet was back with a little black dress, a colourful fringed shawl and thin flesh coloured stockings.
"Something to wear tonight," she explained.
"Yours?" Mac raised her brows.
"Yes. Before little AJ, that is." Wistfully she slid her hands down her hips. After the birth of her son she had gained a few pounds.
"Thanks." Luckily she had also purchased a pair of new shoes that would go well with the dress. Harriet went down to the kitchen again to keep an eye on the food and her son and Mac went to the bathroom. Grabbing shampoo and conditioner she stepped into the shower and let the hot water run over her. She let out a content sigh; this was heaven. But she couldn't take too long; she had a dinner to attend.
After washing and rinsing her hair, she stepped out of the shower cabin, towelled herself and then put on the last pieces of clean underwear. Next was Harriet's little black dress. It fitted like a glove. Then she sat to blow dry her hair and apply some make-up. Harriet came in with a cup of coffee.
"Looks good on you," she commented. Mac smiled and twirled.
"It feels good to be a woman for a moment instead of just a marine," she said. "Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but …"
Harriet laughed.
"I so hear you." She nodded at the dirty clothes.
"Why don't you throw those in the washer. Short program and they should be laundered and dried before we have to leave for the service."
"Sounds like a plan," and with that Mac gathered her stuff to do as her friend had suggested.
When she left the laundry room, she heard voices at the door. Apparently the first guests had arrived.

Harm was feeling torn. Of course he was happy to celebrate with his friends. Harriet's Christmas dinners were the best, but someone would be missing. And he missed her very much. Mentally straightening his shoulders, he decided not to show his feelings. Not that he was used to show his feelings that much, especially not when something was bothering him, but anyway … the occasion deserved a happy face and maybe she would call later this evening. Inside he headed right to the kitchen to get rid of the box with pastry he was carrying, thus missing Mac's big entry.
He only came back to the living, when he heard the surprised and happy cries. His jaw dropped; whatever he had expected, not that. Dreamed of it, yes, but not really expected it. Not by far!
But there she was, standing in the middle of a circle of co-workers! He saw her eyes wander, clearly looking for someone and when she spotted him, a broad smile appeared on her face and she started to move towards him. Their colleagues gave way and then she was in his arms, her arms tightly around his shoulders and her cheek against his. The others smiled among themselves and retreated to the living, giving them their moment. Except one little person, little AJ, who had been unaware of his godmother's arrival and now ran to greet her, bumping into her leg in the process. Mac jumped when he hit her, but when she saw what, or better, who it was, she laughed and scooped him up.
"Hi, little man, glad to see you."
He wrapped his little arms tightly around her neck.
"Auntie Mac, auntie Mac, you're back!"
"Yes, I am," Mac smiled, fighting her tears. She was so happy to be home again.
"Santa is coming tonight."
"Yes, he, is. Did you hang your stocking already?"
"Santa already came for me," she heard Harm mutter under his breath.
"Yes, it is on the mantle!" AJ started to squirm and she let him slide back to the ground. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he grabbed her hand to drag her to the fireplace and show her the three stockings hanging there.
"Here it is," he proudly pointed out.
"I bet Santa will fill it up nicely, tonight."
Harriet came to call them for dinner. She already had made an extra place setting at the table for Mac and of course she and Harm were sitting next to each other, with little AJ at Mac's other side.
They ate and chatted, but then it became clear little AJ had something weighting on him.
"Auntie Mac, Santa is coming tonight, right?"
"Yes, of course," Mac answered surprised. "Why wouldn't he?"
"But uncle Harm said he already came. And there are no presents," the boy explained, tears in his voice.
"Uncle Harm said?" Mac was confused, but now Harm stepped in.
"Come here, little man," he said and AJ scampered over to him. Harm took him on his lap.
"Santa always brings the things you want the most, right?"
AJ nodded.
"Well, the thing I wanted the most was auntie Mac coming back home in time for Christmas. And she did, didn't she?"
The boy nodded fervently.
"So Santa granted me my biggest wish. But it wasn't even Christmas Eve, so it was a bit early, right."
Once more the boy nodded.
"That's what people say if they get a big present, even if it's not Christmas morning yet. They say 'Santa came early'. Do you understand now?"
"Yes. So Santa is coming tonight?"
"Santa is coming tonight and I'm sure he'll bring you lots of presents," Harm once more reassured him.
Mac in the meantime had trouble to keep her emotions in check. Had it really been his biggest wish, having her home for Christmas? She knew celebrating with him had been her biggest wish.

Dinner gone, some of the guests helped to clear the table, rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, while others brought the dining room back to its original state. Then they all gathered in the living, chatting and enjoying themselves, till it would be time for the church service. Mac had to tell about her stay in Europe and was filled in about the events in the office. Before they knew it, it was time to leave and Harriet told her not to forget her laundry. Harm went to collect her duffel bag and throw it in the trunk of his car and then they left, thanking Harriet and Bud for their hospitality. Only Bud would attend the service, Harriet staying home to watch little AJ and making sure Santa would come that night.

When they exited the church, Harm asked "What do you want? I can bring you to your own place, but …"
"It will be cold and you didn't stuff the fridge," Mac completed his sentence.
"No, I didn't." It sounded almost apologetic and she gave him a friendly nudge.
"Hey, don't feel bad. You didn't know I was coming. H***, until 45 minutes before departure I didn't know I was coming."
"You can stay with me," he now offered.
"I would love to." She meant it; spending a day, maybe even two, with him was heaven on earth. She so had missed him.
"Good," he answered casually, but added after a moment "I missed you."
"Missed you, too." Why was it suddenly so easy to admit?
They drove in silence, only to be broken by the soft Christmas music from the radio. Mac fought to keep her eyes open; jetlag was starting to hit. Luckily it wasn't that far to his apartment and the frosty cold when she emerged from the car revived her for a moment.

Harm saw her drowsiness and chivalrously carried her duffel bag up the stairs.
When they entered Harm's loft, Mac's eyes widened. Before there wouldn't have been any sign of the festive season, but after he had found out about his father's fate, he would decorate moderately, with a small Christmas tree and some candles. Now there was a full size tree complete with a pile of presents underneath it, a decorated fake pine garland draped along the mantle - which also sported a small nativity - and a whole lot more candles. And wasn't that mistletoe hanging from the ceiling?
"What on earth …?"
He shrugged and brought her bag to the bedroom.
"Harm?"
"It's nothing. It was stupid anyway," he muttered.
"You mean it's stupid to decorate for Christmas?" Mac didn't get it.
"No, of course not."
"But why …? I love it, but why? Normally you wouldn't decorate so elaborately."
"Because of you."
"Because of me?" Mac shook her head in utter confusion.
"Remember that phone call? You just learned your deployment could be till well into the new year and you were so down. You told me how much you hated that song 'I'll be home for Christmas' they played and how much you wanted it to be true. When we had terminated the call, I was determined that, on the very odd change you would make it home for Christmas, you would have everything. Snow I couldn't guarantee, but a tree with presents and mistletoe, that I could. Hence …" he made a wide gesture to the decorations.
"That is just so sweet. Why stupid then?" Mac frowned.
Harm blushed.
"Because while I was decorating, it started to feel like if I made sure everything was there, you would be there, too. Like decorating would magically bring you back in time for Christmas. I know it doesn't work like that, but …"
Now Mac understood and she was touched to the core. She walked over to him and pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Thank you, I love it," she whispered.
He answered her embrace.
"You're welcome. Can I get still you something? he asked. "Otherwise, it's to bed with you."

"No, I'm fine." She let out a massive yawn and he laughed.
"So to bed it is."
He released her and went to get her some towels. Luckily he had changed the bedding that morning.
Mac made quick work of brushing her teeth and washing her hands and face and then crawled into the bed. Already half asleep, she watched Harm bend over and fetch a blanket and a pillow from out of the drawers under the bed. She reached out with her hand.
"Stay?" she murmured.
He looked at her.
"You're sure?"
She nodded.
"I'm going to hit the lights and lock the door," he said. Moments later he was back, disappearing into the bathroom and she heard him get ready for bed. Clad in boxers and a Tee he walked over to the bed and slipped under the blankets. She snuggled in and rested her head on his chest, sleep overwhelming her.
"Good night."
"Good night, my Marine. I love you," Harm whispered.
Then he froze. Did she really say "love you, too?"

The End

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all of you