July 30
0805 Zulu
Heathrow Airport


Mac and Chloe rubbed noses as they hugged. They had used that sign of affection between them for years. “I’m going to miss you Chloe. It was great having you here.”

“Thank you for making it possible. I always knew you two belonged together.”

“Yes you did...I knew you were smart. I wonder why I never listened to you.”

“Cause I’m a kid,” Chloe answered simply.

“Not any more...you’re a lovely young woman with the whole world before you. Give me another hug,” Mac instructed as she realized they were running short on time.

“Mattie, I really do feel close to you. Thank you for letting me share your family this summer.”

“Not just this summer Chloe...always.” Mattie was serious as she made her vow to Chloe.

Harm hugged Chloe. “Remember Chloe, I don’t make promises I can’t keep. We’ll see you again in less than a year.”

“I know...thank you...and you better take good care of both of them,” Chloe scolded Harm.

“I will.”

“Thanks Harm.”

“You’re welcome Chloe...safe trip home.”

Mattie, Harm and Mac hugged each other as they watched Chloe walk away, glancing back to wave again and again until she was swallowed up in the crowd and out of sight.

As they walked back to the Lexus, Harm asked, “What would my girls like to do today?”

He was met with quiet sniffles and shrugs at first.

“I just want to go home,” Mattie finally said.

“Yeah...I’d like to spend some time thinking about the nursery today I think,” Mac added.

“Okay...would you like to stop at the place in get samples to look at?” Harm asked.

“No...not yet,” Mac refused the suggestion.

“Okay...home it is.”


August 4
2039 Zulu
River Cruise Ship
Thames River
 

The candle light flickered on the table between them. The decorative lights on the deck of the ship twinkled off the river water as they cruised along eating their dinner.

Harm reached over and picked up Mac’s hand. “Happy anniversary, Sarah Mackenzie Rabb.”

“Happy anniversary to you too,” Mac smiled as she gazed into his eyes.

“You know, we’ve been married three months, and I don’t think I’ve ever asked you if you still prefer me to call you Mac or if you’d rather I called you Sarah...have I?” Harm asked.

“Have you asked or do I have a preference?” Mac asked with a tilt to her head.

“Both I guess.”

“No you haven’t asked, and as long as it’s you saying it, I don’t care. More and more people we meet know me as Sarah. Mattie calls me Mac because you do...I think Mac is now my family name...and for old friends. I like the way you say Sarah, but I’ve been Mac to you so long that it use to sound odd when you would call me Sarah. What do you like to call me?” Mac asked turning the tables on him.

“Sometimes, when you’re dressed up or I really want you to know how much something means to me, I think of you as Sarah...most of the time, you’re Mac...are you okay with that?”

“Yes. Have I told you how much I love you lately?” Mac asked in a whisper.

“I always like hearing it...Mac are you feeling okay?” Harm asked in his protective mode.

“Yes. Why?”

“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t having morning sickness or something.”

“Nothing yet. I just seem to tire quickly. Sometimes food doesn’t sound good, but nothing like nausea or vomiting. Maybe I’ll be lucky.” Mac smiled as she turned her hand in his and squeezed his fingers lightly.

“Do you ever feel like we’ve packed a lot of things into the last three months?” Harm asked.

“Yes...it’s been a whirlwind...like we’re trying to pack everything we should have done in the nine years before into one year,” Mac declared.

“Do you feel like we’re moving too fast?” Harm asked, eyebrows raised, his voice cracking just a little like it always did when he was nervous or uncertain.

“Harm, is something wrong?” Mac asked trying to read him.

“Not wrong really...it’s just before it seemed like we were living life waiting for the time to be right...and now we’re hurrying life...Mattie’s hurrying through her recovery, we hurried to get married...to have a baby...to find the right home...”

“Are you having regrets?” Mac asked pulling her hand from his.

“No...not regret at what we’ve decided or what we’ve done. But I’d hate to wake up one day and realized that the very things we’d always wanted, we rushed through and didn’t enjoy. You know?” Harm asked hoping he’d been able to explain himself and not upset Mac.

He watched her face waiting for a reaction and when he saw it he relaxed. She looked up at him and smiled. “I think I get it. You’re afraid we’re going to start taking things for granted?”

“Yeah...I think so. I mean...I think we’ve done the right thing...waiting to tell people about the pregnancy...including my mother. At the same time, I think we did the right thing telling Chloe and Mattie. But Mac...if this is the only pregnancy...I want to enjoy the whole experience. I want to watch your body change and I want to feel everything I can along with you...when the baby starts to move and stuff...I don’t want us to wish this time away.”

“Oh Harm...” Mac smiled at him sweetly, her eyes shiny with unshed tears of joy. “I think that is about the sweetest thing you’ve ever said...except maybe ‘let’s get married’ and ‘I love you.’ I want to enjoy it all too.”

“Come on...” Harm said as he stood up and held out his hand to her.

“Where are we going? Harm...we’re on a boat on the river...”

“I know...we’re going to dance in the moonlight out on the deck...how’s that?”

“It’s good.”

“I want to enjoy having you in my arms right now,” Harm whispered in her ear.

He held her close and they swayed to the music in the distance as they just let themselves enjoy the warmth and the beat of each other’s heart.


August 26
1622 Zulu
Exam Room
Medical Facility
London, England
 

“This will be a little cool when we put it on, but it warms quickly. I’ve tried warming it first, but it creates an awful mess that way. Okay...look at the monitor...it will take a few seconds to come into focus...there...tell me what you see,” Dr. Wright instructed as Harm and Mac studied the grainy black and white image before them.

Finally Mac said, “I think I can see the baby...is that the heart beating?”

“Oh...yeah...I think I see it too,” Harm said a little less certain.

“Okay, Dad...show me where you’re looking,” Dr. Wright charged.

“There...is that the heart?” Harm asked pointing to the image near the top of the monitor.

“Yes.”

“What’s that? Am I carrying twins?” Mac asked as she pointed to another area on the screen.

“No...one baby...that I’m afraid is a mass. I suspected as much when you were here last month. Normally the tiredness doesn’t set in quite as soon as it did with you and I shouldn’t have been able to feel the fullness in the uterus as distinctly as I did after just a couple of weeks.”

“Is it malignant? Mac asked.

“Probably not. It could be just tissue from the endometriosis. “We’ll need to do a biopsy and we’ll need to monitor you very carefully. Let’s not borrow trouble.”

“Are you going to do that now?” Harm asked.

“Yes. We’ll give Sarah a local and use a needle to extract some tissue that we can then run in the lab. The good news is, that the location should not interfere with the pregnancy, as long as it’s not malignant.”

Once Dr. Wright had left them alone, Mac and Harm looked at each other. “Good news, bad news,” Harm murmured.

“I know...” Mac said turning a wide-eyed look at Harm.

“What?”

“Remember what we talked about the other night...how we want to savor every second of the experience?” Mac asked.

“Yeah...”

“I still want to enjoy this experience.”


1711 Zulu
Rabb Residence
Charing Cross, England
 

“Mattie?” Harm called as he entered the house behind Mac.

“Coming,” Mattie called from her bedroom. “I got my welcome back to school papers today from the DOD school. I start back September 6 - next Tuesday.”

“We’ll go shopping this weekend,” Mac forced a smile as she joined them.

“Okay...how was your appointment?” Mattie asked.

“Here’s the picture,” Harm said handing Mattie one of the ultrasound pictures. “Can you find a baby in that?”

“Harm did,” Mac said with pride.

“Not really,” Mattie admitted.

“It’s harder when you can’t see the heart beating,” Harm admitted. “Here...”

“What’s this? Twins?” Mattie innocently asked.

“No...it’s a mass...the doctor took a sample and sent it to the lab. We’ll know Monday,” Harm quietly informed her.

“Should we fill Chloe in on this?” Mattie asked in concern.

“Let’s scan the image and email her right now,” Mac suggested. “Harm, while you two do that, I’ll call for pizza...and I wouldn’t tell her anything about the mass...”

They each set about their tasks and by the time the pizza arrived, the picture and an email had been sent to Chloe.


August 29
1745 Zulu
Rabb Residence
Charing Cross, England
 

Mac walked through the door into the quiet house. Mattie had gone with Jen for dinner and a movie. Harm wasn’t expected for another 30 minutes. The desire to get into comfortable clothes warred with the desire to check the answering machine. The comfortable clothes won.

In the bedroom, Mac stripped off her uniform and hung it up. She would need it tomorrow as well. Today she had been called into consult with the Ambassador and to review some cases with his staff. Tomorrow she would be starting the proceedings on a new case. Again she would hear the case in the London office. This time she knew no one involved in the case.

Dressed in a fleece warm-up suit Mattie had gotten her for her birthday, Mac enjoyed the warmth on this cool Monday evening in London. Dressed again she couldn’t put it off any longer and headed for the office to check the messages. The light was blinking that there were three messages.

The first one clicked on. It was Mattie. “Hey guys...I’ve been trying to catch one of you all day to let you know that Jen and I are going to grab some food and go to a movie this evening. Jen will make sure I get home okay. I should be home by ten...Love you both.”

Mac smiled. She had gotten the message first hand from Jennifer at lunch time...before Jen had called Mattie even. They had been so close before coming to London, but with Mattie’s accident and recovery, Jen meeting Kyle, and serving as Harm’s yeoman, they hadn’t spent as much time together. Mac was glad they were reconnecting. She listened to the next message.

“Colonel Rabb...this is General Langley...I have a case I’d like you to hear in Germany as soon as you wrap up the case that started today. Give me a call when they present closing arguments and I’ll get the next one scheduled on the docket for you. Oh by the way...the boys were hoping Mattie would be able to join them and a couple other friends for a movie this evening...call if she’s available and you wouldn’t mind her joining them.”

Mac smiled. She would tell Harm before they discussed whether or not Mattie should date one or both of these boys without Chloe around. Once they had talked it over, they might tell Mattie about the call.

“Mrs. Rabb...this is Dr. Wright’s office. The lab results were negative. The mass is not malignant. Dr. Wright feels it is connected to your condition and will monitor your pregnancy closely. He does not feel that it will impact your pregnancy. He would like to see you again in three weeks.”

“Whew!” Mac let the air whoosh out of her lungs in relief as she heard the message. She had tried not to think about it all day but now that she knew the relief was almost overwhelming.

“Mac? You home?” Harm called as he came through the door.

“Yes...I’m in the office...just listening to messages.” Mac called back.

“Hey...hi,’ he bent down to kiss her cheek as he came up behind her. “Any news?”

“Yes...Mattie and Jen are going to grab a bite and catch a movie. General Langley wants me to hear a case in Germany in another week or so...and he thought it would be great if Mattie could join his boys and their friends at the movies tonight...and the test was negative.”

“Wait a minute...Mattie’s going with Jen to the movies and I’m not sure I want Mattie going out with a group of guys to the movies...and I’m glad.”

“About?”

“The test being negative...that is good news right?” Harm checked in case he had misunderstood.

“Yes...in a way...it’s not cancer...which is good...but there could still be complications. He wants to see me again in three weeks.”

“Mac, complications we’re good at...how do you feel?”

“Relieved...tired...hungry...hopeful...”

“Okay...what would you like for dinner?” Harm asked folding Mac into his arms.

“I’d love a Texas steak, baked potato and fresh broccoli...but I’d settle for a hamburger about now.”

“There’s that steak house near the Embassy,” Harm started to suggest before he realized she was shaking her head no. “What do you want to do for dinner then?”

“I think we have some leftovers we can warm up and then I’d really like to curl up in your arms and just spend some time home alone with my husband...do you mind?”

“Not at all...let me go change and then I’ll start warming up some food,” Harm offered.

“No...you change, I’ll warm up our dinner,” Mac countered.

“Deal.”


2134 Zulu
Rabb Residence
Charing Cross, England
 

“You are kidding, aren’t you?” Mac asked glaring at Harm.

“What’s wrong with that name for a boy?” Harm asked fighting to keep a straight face.

“It’s terrible! How do you even spell it?” Mac demanded.

“I don’t know...E-l-o-w-i-s-h-u-s maybe?” Harm attempted a spelling before both of them burst out laughing.

“Harm that’s just awful! I know you can’t be serious.”

“You’re right, Mac...I’m just messing with you...but I wish I had a picture of your face when I first suggested it.”

“Worse than Harriet’s when she realized that she’d been had by Bud letting him pick the middle name for Jimmy?”

“Yeah...James Kirk Roberts...talk about space characters...sometimes Bud wins the award for space nut...but I miss him.”

“I know...I miss Harriet and Bud a lot. Think we should call them and tell them our news...or email them with the picture?”

“I think we should call them...but I don’t think we should mention the mass...to anyone,” Harm suggested.

“You’re right. Shall we do it tonight or wait until this weekend?”

“I vote for this weekend...I have other ideas before Mattie gets home,” Harm suggested with a raised eyebrow.

“I like the way you think, Sailor,” Mac said as she moved into his arms and they made their way to the bedroom.


September 1, 2005
1931 Zulu
Rabb Residence
Charing Cross, England
 

“Ty Langley called today,” Mattie announced as they finished dinner.

“Really?” asked Mac smiling at the teenager.

“He and Greg miss Chloe and me and wondered if they could come over this weekend to visit. Would you mind?” Mattie asked.

“They want to come here?” asked Harm some what surprised yet pleased.

“Yes. They said they knew better than to push their luck and invite me to go somewhere with them. So, what do you think?” asked Mattie looking from Harm to Mac and back at Harm.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Harm stated. “I need to polish my 9 mm this weekend too. Saturday afternoon would be good, don’t you think Mac?”

“I think that you polishing your 9mm isn’t going to impress them much...their father is General Langley. Cut them some slack, Dad...Mattie, why don’t they join us for pizza tomorrow night. You guys can pick out a movie for us to watch together here if you want,” Mac countered.

“Thanks Mom...I think Mom loves me more than you do Dad,” Mattie suggested with an impish smile at Harm.

“Sure...play us off each other...go ahead...and you Mac...undermining me like that in front of the kid...we can’t have this,” Harm pretended indignation.

Mattie got up from her seat and walked behind Harm resting her face against him as her arms circled him from behind. “I love you Dad...even when you’re trying to be tough and protective.” She kissed his cheek before taking her plate to the kitchen. “I’m going to call them and invite them over for tomorrow night then,” she called over her shoulder.

Harm and Mac looked at each other and smiled. Mac reached for Harm’s hand. “You do tend to be a little too protective of those you love Harm.”

“Even you?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not sorry...but I know you’ll be the voice of reason to counter me.”

“You really don’t mind do you?” Mac asked.

“No. They are good kids...Mattie, Ty and Greg will be fun to have around tomorrow. Now...how’s your trial going?” Harm asked Mac.

“It’s keeping me on my toes. The two JAGs they sent to try this case are young but know their stuff. They both are trying to score off any mistake the other makes and challenging the other over very slim factors. I’ve had to call a recess three times this week, twice today alone, to try to figure things out and restore order in the courtroom. I hate to admit it, but they make you seem like a choir boy in comparison.”

“You’re kidding?”

“No...about the only thing they haven’t done is shot holes in the ceiling this week. They’ve picked arguments with each other, held up proceedings by being late, tricked each other; the list goes on.”

“And you are enjoying it,” Harm stated as he watched the sparkle that lit Mac’s eyes.

“Yeah...I am. Harm, I like the fact that I have a flexible schedule and that I’ve been home mostly with Mattie this summer. I thought I might resent reserving my commission, but this is working out better than I had ever imagined it would. I’m pretty lucky you know.”

“You told me once that you wanted a great career, a good man and lots of comfortable shoes...how’s that working out?”

“Are you fishing for compliments, Harm?”

“No...but maybe some reassurance...” he reluctantly admitted.

“Yeah...I think I do have it all...or will have...”

“What’s missing?”

“I can always use more comfortable shoes,” Mac smiled at her husband.

“Should we go buy you a pair this weekend?” Harm asked.

“No...have to find them first...” Mac broke off with a yawn. “...but I’m too tired to do anything about it now.”

“How long does the doctor think you’ll have this excessive tiredness?” Harm asked in concern.

“He said my body should adjust to the pregnancy during the first three or four months...but I think my exhaustion today is from my errant lawyers.”

“Would a massage help?” Harm asked.

“That would be nice.”

“I’ll do the dishes for you and then after we spend some time with Mattie, we’ll call it quits early tonight...how’s that?”

“Sounds wonderful.” Mac got up and stood behind Harm the way Mattie had. “I love you,” she said softly before kissing his cheek like Mattie had.

“I love you too,” Harm had replied as she removed his plate from the table. Shaking his head he rose and followed her to the kitchen. Together they rinsed and loaded the dishes in the dishwasher and tidied up the kitchen.

They could hear Mattie in the living room talking and laughing on the phone.

“Think she’ll adjust to school okay?” Harm asked Mac as they finished up.

“Yes. She’s amazingly resilient after all she’s been through.”

“The doctor told me that she could have residual effects from the head trauma and that it might not show up right away. Did you notice anything when she was finishing her work right after we got here?”

“No...but them I didn’t work with her before the accident like you did.”

“She’ll be carrying a full load and I think we should monitor things pretty closely to start with.”

“I agree...but we can’t smother her Harm.”

“I know. We won’t.”

“You sound pretty sure of yourself.”

“I’m sure of you...and Mattie...making sure that I don’t get carried away.”

“Smart man...let’s go see how our daughter is doing.”

Mac shut the light off in the kitchen, slipped her hand into Harm’s and followed him to the living room just as Mattie hung up the phone.

“They’ll be here. They wondered if you’ll tell them more stories about the academy.” Mattie moved her feet so Mac and Harm could join her on the sofa.

“Sure...I’ve got more Keeter stories I can share.”

“I’ve tried to picture Keeter and Sturgis in the same unit...it won’t work in my head,” Mac told him.

“Yeah...Sturgis was often the odd man out...and he was Keeter’s roommate. Luke Pendry and I were roommates.”

“Now see...for some reason I pictured you and Jack as room mates.”

“No...the four of us worked as a squad...for four years. Three of us went to flight school. Sturgis opted to be a bubblehead.”

“Bubblehead?” asked Mattie.

“Submariner.”

“Oh...” Mattie shuddered. “I can’t imagine being cooped up on a submarine underwater for days at a time.”

“Or weeks...”

“Weeks?”

“Oh sure. Did you hear about the time that Mac and I had to work a case on a submarine?” Harm asked Mattie.

“Really?”

“Yeah...I had to keep ducking.”

“Ceilings low?”

“Yes...but I was ducking so Mac wouldn’t hit me,” Harm quipped.

“Jerk!” she said as she slapped his arm. “Mattie, I think I should tell you that story...”

“I have my voice back ...I can tell it.” Harm objected.

“Whoa...why can’t you each tell part of the story?” Mattie interjected.

“I suppose we could...or we could flip a coin,” Harm suggested.

“Your answer to all big decisions?” Mac asked him with her eyebrows raised n question.

“Hey, don’t knock it if it works.”

“Oh it works...considering you usually win,” Mac sputtered.

“Hey...are you getting angry?” Harm asked.

“I think so...I’m going to go take a bath...you tell Mattie the story...” Mac got up and made her exit.

“Harm...is Mac okay?”

“Yeah...I think some of it is the memories the story stirred up...and some of it is the pregnancy...hormones. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay...so tell me the story.”

Harm did...he told her about the corpsman that made people sick so he could make them better. He told about hot bunking and Mac threatening to feed the sailors to the crabs. He told how close he came to losing Mac. He didn’t tell her how severely he had been injured...just that Mac had kept him safe as well. When he finished telling the story he excused himself and said goodnight to Mattie.

It was time for him to make good on the promised massage for Mac.


Chapter 5


September 6, 2005
1822 Zulu
Rabb Residence
Charing Cross, England
 

“Mattie? How’d school go?” Harm called as he walked through the door. “Mattie?” he called again as he made his way into the house. He could hear music coming from Mattie’s room so he headed that way. Poking his head in the door, he had to smile at the sight. Mattie, with her school books spread around her, sound asleep on her bed. He decided to fix their dinner before he called her.

Stopping to change in the bedroom, Harm made his way to the kitchen to survey the contents of the refrigerator. He pulled out a vegetable lasagna that he had taken out that morning to thaw and set the oven to heat it up. He figured an hour would be about right. He worked at making a salad and preparing some garlic bread for the oven. Checking the lasagna, he reset the timer and headed to the office to get the portable phone. Hitting Mac’s cell phone number, he went to the living room and got comfortable while he waited for her to answer.

“Hello.”

“I love you,” Harm greeted his wife.

“Oh...who is this?” Mac answered trying to keep a straight face.

“Maaaccc,” Harm whined.

“Oh hello Harm...everything okay?”

“Yes...but I miss you.”

“I miss you too. How did Mattie’s first day at school go?”

“Don’t know...she’s sound asleep on her bed, books spread out around her.”

“Don’t let her sleep too long... she won’t sleep tonight.” Mac warned.

“I know. I thought I’d wait until supper is almost ready. How’d court go today?” Harm asked.

“Interesting. Remember Commander Aldrich?”

“Yes...he’s got the case?”

“Yes...he certainly learned a few of your tricks.”

“What did he do?” Harm asked dreading the answer.

“He sand-bagged his opponent big time...or tried to. I think I quashed it.”

“Pretty smart, aren’t you?” Harm teased.

“Yup.”

“Just think...you wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t learned how I work.”

“Yes...I guess you should get some of the credit for my abilities as a judge.”

“No Mac...you make a much better judge than I did. And I don’t begrudge you any of the honor you get in that role.”

“Thanks...I think.”

“So, how are you feeling?” Harm asked.

“I’m still tired...but not as bad. I think the pre-natal vitamins that Dr. Wright prescribed are finally working...that and I’ve had red meat the last two days for three meals a day.” Mac grinned picturing Harm’s grimace at the thought.

“I’m not going to give you any grief as long as the doctor agrees with your diet plan...and so far he does. You know...I didn’t sleep much last night...”

“Why?”

“I kept waking up and reaching for you and you weren’t there.”

“I’m sorry...I think this is going to go quite fast. I hope to be home on Saturday.”

“Can I pick you up at the airport?” Harm asked.

“No...I’m not sure what time I’ll get home. General Langley is here and I think we’ll fly back together. I’m sure he’ll give me a ride home.”

“All right...if you’re sure.”

“I am...I’ll call if there are any changes in plans.”

“Okay...I may call you tomorrow night again,” Harm warned.

“I hope so. I’ll be waiting...I love you.”

“I love you too...Night Mac.”

“Dad?” Mattie called, her voice still sleepy.

“Right here Mattie...have a nice nap?” Harm asked as he set down the phone and turned to see his teenager slip onto the couch next to him.

“Yeah...I’ve got to get my brain working again...I didn’t realize how hard this was going to be.”

“Any problems?” Harm cautiously asked.

“You mean like mixing up words and forgetting major chunks of information?” Mattie asked.

“That or anything else.”

“No, but I was so tired I couldn’t stay awake to do my homework.”

“Do you have a lot tonight?”

“No...just cover my books and write the typical what I did over my summer vacation type essay...by hand...no computers,” Mattie sputtered.

“Wants raw material huh?” Harm asked chuckling.

“I guess.”

“Meet lots of new friends?”

“Dad, it was one day...there were some cool kids, yeah...but no friends yet.”

“Potential friends?” Harm pressed.

“Yes...some potential friends. Satisfied?”

“Yes Mathilda Grace,” Harm pulled her close for a hug. “Dinner will be ready soon. Hungry?”

“Yes. You know what?”

“What?”

“I miss Mac. Is she going to be gone a lot now?”

“I don’t think so. We’ve been lucky she hasn’t been traveling more. Many of the judges are somewhere new every week or two...on carriers, foreign bases, in embassies, and so far she’s only had to leave home twice. We’re really lucky.”

“I know...but I’m the luckiest.”

“Why do you say that?” Harm asked.

“Because I have you and Mac home with me almost every night and when you aren’t here...there’s always someone that is there for me if I need them.”

“You are tired...and emotional...you sure everything is okay?” Harm asked.

“Yes...let’s go get dinner.” And with the recovered energy of youth she was on her feet pulling Harm along with her.

“Hey I met Mrs. Gordon’s daughter...she lives just across the road from us you know...and it was the first time I’ve really met her,” Mattie told Harm as they served up their dinner.

“Is she going to school with you?” Harm asked.

“Yes...her name is Shelley Warner and she just got back yesterday from the States. She was over there with her father and grandparents. She didn’t want to come back but she said knowing I live so close maybe it will be better.”

“Her step-father said she was a handful but she’s a good kid. It’s tough when you’re torn between two parents...and I guess in a way you can relate to that, huh?” Harm bumped her arm as he passed her to take a seat at the table.

“Yeah...but two fathers is probably easier than being shared by a mother and a father. Besides...you wanted to be there for me, but wanted me to be able to have my father back...”

“I guess I failed you pretty bad, didn’t I?” Harm asked her.

“Failed me? How? Harm you were always there for me...and when Tom Johnson fell apart again, you stepped in and rescued me again...and I was the one that walked away from you - insisted I was ready to go back to my father. You didn’t fail me Harm...and this time you’ve given me a new mother and stayed by me while I’ve tried to regain my life.”

“You’ve done a great job Mattie...I know that rehab wasn’t easy...and I know being torn away to a new country has been a challenge.”

“Dad...I love you...and I love Mac...and I’m getting a chance to live in England...and Chloe has become one of the best friends I’ve ever had...I owe you so much.”

“No, Mathilda Grace...you owe yourself so much...a chance to be a kid while you can...a chance to do all the things we’ve talked about...you’ve given Mac and me more than you can imagine.” Harm held her gaze with his own as he gave her the intense and passionate little speech.

“Don’t look know, but this is what Mac would call a Hallmark moment,” Mattie grinned at her ‘dad’ as he thought about Mattie’s words. A smile broke out on his face.

“Yes she would...”


1835 Zulu
Military Base
Germany
 

“Colonel Rabb,” General Langley greeted her as he stepped off the elevator as she unlocked the door to her temporary office.

“Good evening sir. Are you as glad to have this case wrapped up as I am?”

“Maybe more so. Look, I know I mentioned having you fly back with me tomorrow, but I’d like to surprise my wife and get home tonight...even though it will be late. Is it possible for you to be ready in say 30 minutes?”

“Yes sir. Thank you sir.”

“Good. Meet me in the lobby in 30 then.”

2048 Zulu
Air Borne
Over Europe
 

“A few more delays than I wanted, but it will be good to be home. How are those teenagers of yours doing?” General Langley asked.

“Chloe’s back in Vermont with her grandparents. Her father is at sea again. Mattie is home with Harm, trying to adjust to being back in school again.”

“She’s had a lot of healing to do, hasn’t she?”

“Yes. Harm and I are very proud of her. At one point, the doctors weren’t even sure she would live. Now, she hardly has a limp and she’s hoping to get into shape to go to Annapolis next year.”

“I know Ty and Greg think a lot of those two girls. If I can write a letter on Mattie’s behalf to get her into Annapolis, all she needs to do is ask.”

“Thank you sir. We still have one major hurdle to get over first.”

“What is that Colonel?”

“We aren’t sure if there was any impairment to her ability to learn from the head trauma. The doctors said that it might not show up right away and that the first three or four months back in school should reveal any long-term problems.”

“Well, I hope things work out for her.”

“Thank you sir. Sir, I might as well let you know that my travel ability will be curbed in another month or two.”

“Is there something wrong?”

“No sir...I’m pregnant.”

“Congratulations, Colonel. I’m assuming that you and Captain Rabb are pleased with this development.”

“Yes sir. It’s something we’ve thought about for more than six years...and there was a chance that it wouldn’t happen. We don’t want to take any chances with the baby during the pregnancy which is why I won’t be traveling much soon.”

“I can keep you busy with cases in London then, can’t I?”

“Yes sir. Sir, I feel like I’m not being used much at the embassy. Do you know if they have had any problems with my work?”

“Not at all, Colonel. I’m afraid it’s my doing. You’re an excellent judge and I’ve requested more of your time. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No sir. I’m honored sir.”

“I told you I could keep you as busy as you wanted, Colonel.”

“Yes sir you did.”


2255 Zulu
Rabb Residence
Charing Cross, England
 

“Thank you General. I appreciated the ride,” Mac said as she stepped out of the car and accepted her bag from the driver.

“Have a good weekend, Colonel.”

“Thank you sir. Good night.”

Mac quietly let herself into the quiet dark house. She made her way in the dark to the bedroom and set her bag down before kneeling on the bed and leaning over to kiss Harm.

His eyes snapped open but instant recognition brought a smile to his face. “Sshhh, don’t let my daughter know you’re here. She might tell my wife.”

“Jerk...” Mac slapped his shoulder as she collapsed against her husband.

“This is a nice surprise.”

“Why don’t you show me how much you like it? I’ve missed you this week,” Mac murmured as her lips teased his as she spoke.

“Were you gone somewhere? I hadn’t noticed,” Harm grinned against her lips toying with her.

“Shut up Squid...before I have to get rough with you,” Mac whispered trying to sound tough and knowing she had failed.

“Sounds interesting...Jarhead,” Harm countered just before Mac’s lips claimed his. Harm didn’t mind at all. He met her kiss for kiss as he quietly worked on her clothing until she was almost as undressed as he was in his boxers.

“That was fast,” Mac said between kisses as she realized that panties and pantyhose were all she was wearing. “I’ll take care of these,” she murmured and was quickly on the bed beside him again, totally naked. “Off,” she said pointing to his boxers as she licked her lips seeing the tent in them.

Harm obliged her and then turning to face her in all his glory, he felt her hand reach for him. The air whooshed from his lungs at her bold caress. He wanted to tell her to slow down so it wouldn’t be over too fast, but she was a Marine on a mission.

Mac could have told him that it had taken her exactly 13 minutes to finish him off, except she was already asleep by the time Harm’s breathing had returned enough for him to ask her. Propped up on one elbow, Harm watched his wife sleep, smiling contentedly. He was a lucky man and he knew it. Carefully, so as not to wake her, he leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She stirred, but snuggled closer and slept on.

As she slept he thought about the life she carried inside. Mac had spent a year fearing the worse and it had almost kept them apart. Then somewhere inside, she found the fortitude to move forward. The surgery had been scheduled and the word was that her chances for getting pregnant would improve. They had been fully prepared to go through more tests and more procedures, fertility shots, scheduled sex, and everything else that would come before the attempts at in vitro insemination. Yet here they were, married only four months, and they were expecting a baby.

Someone was smiling on them. He said a silent prayer and threw in a special thank you to his dad for any help he had given them. And he remembered the necklace they had purchased on the trip. It was hanging on the mirror in their bedroom and he turned to study it in the semi-darkness of the bedroom.

He wondered if that little necklace had played a role in the conception...or the vacation. He tried to think about the timeline, but it didn’t add up. The necklace was interesting, but he didn’t feel that this pregnancy was the result of her buying it or wearing it.

He fell asleep smiling, one happy and contented man.


November 8
1645 Zulu
Dr. Wright’s Office


Harm sat in the waiting room today as it was Mattie’s turn to have a complete physical. As a favor to Mac, Dr. Wright had agreed to see Mattie and Mac had accompanied her in for the internal physical exam at Mattie’s request. Harm was there waiting for Mac’s turn. They would be taking pictures again today and the doctor said maybe they would be able to tell if Mac was having a boy or a girl.

He found himself lost in thought as he waited thinking about all the changes in their lives in the past six months. As September wore on into October and then November, Mac seemed to adjust to the pregnancy and was less tired.

Mattie meanwhile adjusted to being back in school and was also less tired and more like her old self. They had discovered that when she got tired, her whole body ached and she didn’t remember what she had read immediately after reading it...yet the next day or after resting, it would come back to her. Being well rested helped her to avoid the pitfalls.

Ty and Greg Langley each ended up in two classes with her. She only had two classes a day without someone she already knew. It didn’t take long however for her bubbly personality to win her lots of people wanting to be her friend. Ty Langley seemed to be the one that was the closest to Mattie. It was one reason that Mattie was here for this exam.

While Harm had been freaking out over Mattie dating, Mac had taken a more practical approach and talked to Mattie about gynecological health. As a result of her accident and the medicines they had put her on for a couple of months so that her periods would stop, the doctor had recommended that she have this exam. In talking about it with Mac, Mattie had admitted that she had almost had sex with her boyfriend, Kevin, before the accident. Mac had been open with her about using protection, not out of fear of pregnancy but disease. They had talked about birth control being able to prevent pregnancy, but not disease.

Mac had told Harm about their discussion later when they were alone. She didn’t want to keep anything from him, but knew that she had to prepare him that Mattie, his little girl, was a young woman and that it was better to be proactive than naive about the chances of her being sexually active. He was fine when she told him that she had made good choices to this point but that Mattie needed to feel that she could come to them about anything. If Harm was to freak out, Mattie wouldn’t feel she could do that. Mac’s calm reassurance and his own research that supported what she said, had allowed him to remain calm and deal with the reality of a teenager growing up.

Harm looked up as Mac came into the waiting room. “How you holding up Dad?” Mac asked with a smile.

“I’m okay. How’s Mattie?”

“She’s getting dressed. What do you think of her staying in with us while they do the ultrasound and take pictures?”

“Are you comfortable with that?”

“Yes. But are you?”

“Mac, I’m not a prude,” Harm insisted with a pout.

“I didn’t say you were. Come on,” Mac held out her hand. “I’m sure Mattie’s dressed and I have to get changed. Dr. Wright will be right back...and I want to see our baby.”

Harm stood up and followed her, not releasing her hand. Neither one spoke of what was on their mind...the mass in Mac’s uterus. They would see that today and find out if it had grown. Mac was having to let out her skirts and around home either wore her pants unzipped with an elastic around the button and a long shirt or Harm’s sweat pants with the draw string above her belly. Today she had on a high waist dress that she had in her closet. She had tried on several other things before breaking down and wearing it.

Mac peeked in to make sure Mattie was dressed before Harm joined them. She chuckled to herself while she changed as she noticed that neither Harm or Mattie made eye contact with each other. Both were also slightly pink from embarrassment.

Harm turned to help Mac get up on the table and to cover her legs while she lay back waiting for the doctor.

“Mattie, come over here next to Harm so you can see and not be in the way, okay?” Mac instructed.

“Sure. Mac...tell me again what Dr. Wright is going to do.” Mattie asked quietly.

“He’ll probably feel my stomach and ask a few questions and then he’ll have me open the tummy flap on my gown and put this cold gel on my belly. Then he’ll turn on a machine and hold a wand over my abdomen and try to get a clear picture of the baby. The picture is grainy...you saw the other ones, right?”

“Yeah.”

“But you’ll be able to see if the baby moves and everything. There’s nothing gross, I promise.”

“Cool,” Mattie smiled, a little less nervous, as she glanced up at Harm and quietly slid her hand into his. Just then the door opened and Dr. Wright returned.

“How are we doing?”

“Good...anxious to see what Baby Rabb is willing to reveal today,” Mac grinned.

“We’ll get to that in a minute. Let’s see what I can feel first.” His hands gently pressed on Mac’s belly and he smiled as he said, “I can feel the baby. It’s growing good it seems. Now let’s take a look.”

“Here’s where the gooey stuff goes on,” Mac explained to Mattie.

They all waited and watched as Dr. Wright adjusted the screen. “Hey there Baby Rabb...looks like you’re not so shy today...and I see why...” he smiled as he watched the parents take in the picture before them. He knew the minute they realized they were having a son from the light in their eyes and the smiles on their faces.

“Mattie, can you see what we see?” Harm asked his daughter.

She nodded, “I’m going to have a brother, huh?”

“Very good...hold on a minute,” Dr. Wright said as he measured in a few places on the screen.

“What is it doctor?” asked Harm.

“The mass...it seems to have gotten smaller and that’s a good sign.”

“Oh! You scared me for a minute,” Harm relaxed suddenly realizing he had been squeezing both Mac and Mattie’s hands while he waited on the verdict.

“So everything is looking good?” Mac asked Dr. Wright.

“Yes...have you had trouble with nausea or vomiting?” Dr. Wright asked Mac.

“No. I’m still tired, but not as bad as I was.”

“Good. You are showing more than I would have anticipated, and the baby doesn’t appear to be unusually large. Have you had any spotting or pain?”

“No, nothing.”

“Everything looks good then. We’ll take the picture...oh look...you have a thumb sucker.”

Sure enough, Baby Rabb had moved his thumb into his mouth just as the doctor was taking the picture. He took a second one to be sure it wasn’t too blurred.

“I’m going to have the nurse come in and take your weight and measurements. I’d also like to draw some blood for a couple of tests. Once that’s done you can go ahead and get dressed and go on home.”

“Okay. Thank you Dr. Wright.”

“See you in one month.”

“Now we know we need to name a boy...Mattie why don’t you and I wait outside for Mac and start thinking of names for the baby while Mac finishes up...okay Mac?”

“Good idea. I shouldn’t be long.”

In the waiting room, Mattie studied Harm who was still smiling. “Will this be Harmon Rabb the third?”

“No...I won’t mind using Harmon for a middle name after my father, but I don’t think I like having a third.”

“What about Mac’s father? What was his name?” Mattie asked.

“Joseph...but somehow I don’t see her wanting to name our baby after her father...her Uncle Matt maybe.”

“Matt and Mattie could be interesting I guess,” Mattie smiled.

“I hadn’t even thought of that...but you’re right. It would be awkward. Maybe we could use Matthew as a middle name.”

“I can’t wait to tell Chloe.”

“You two can come up with a list of ideas for names for us if you want,” Harm reminded her.

“I know...but you and Mac get the final say. Just be good to the kid and don’t stick him with a weird name like you and I got...okay?”

“We’ll do our best.”