Page 1 Part 09 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13
y all! I’m sorry for the long delay in posting Part 9, but as most of you probably already know – my grandma passed away on Nov. 19th. She was not only my grandmother, but she was also my mom because she was the one who raised me. It’s hard to let someone you love go, but my family and I are relieved that she is free from the pain and suffering she entailed after hearing the cancer diagnosis. Her last wish was to die at home and we are thankful that we were able to grant her this wish. Next to being my grandmother and mom she was and will always be my idol. She is the one I look to in hard times to get me through all of life’s crisis. She is very special to me so when I write about Harm’s Grams I will be thinking about her (always did :-)). I want to thank you all for your support, especially in the last few weeks. I hope from here on out I will be able to post the story on a regular basis. Thanks again and I hope you enjoy this part. Love, Michi
The morning dawned bright and beautiful - but apprehension and questions still loomed in the air. After a restless night, Grandma Sarah decided to get up and take Jingo for an early morning walk. She was still mulling over what had transpired at the police station – or better yet what she hadn’t been told, and she felt a nice, long walk might ease some of her pent up tension.
She re-entered the apartment, Jingo in tow, feeling a little better, but still needing answers. Answers she would get come hell or high water. She took the leash off Jingo who immediately climbed the stairs to lie down outside the bedroom doorway.
Grandma Sarah followed Jingo halfway. “Okay, you two, up and at ‘em. It’s a new day and time’s a wastin’ so get yourselves up and down here for breakfast. I’m cooking up a royal feast.”
Grams proceeded to the kitchen to start breakfast with Harm’s words playing over and over in her head. ‘It looks like it wasn’t an accident, Grams, but the police are still investigating and hopefully they will know more soon.’ Mac had sat there with her hands in her lap unable to meet her questioning eyes. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that they were holding something back. After all, the news reports had already confirmed that it hadn’t been an accident a few days ago.
Grams had let it go last night and didn’t push, but this morning she had other plans. She intended to question them again and get more of the specifics. She knew they didn’t want her to worry, but the not knowing only made her worry more.
They had all retired to their beds last night totally drained and exhausted after their conversation. It had been a long, tiring day for everyone and for Grams, it had been an even longer night. She had woken up several times during the night, feeling the urge to look in on Harm and Mac to make sure they were okay. She had quietly crept up to Harm’s bedroom, doing her best to not wake them as she peeked inside. She smiled and her heart warmed at the beautiful scene in front of her.
Mac was laying with her back to Harm and his arm was around her waist, holding her close while she slept. It was obvious she enjoyed being held just as much as he enjoyed holding her as they were both smiling. Unbeknownst to Grams, she wasn’t the only one unable to sleep as Harm had heard her every time she stood in the bedroom doorway.
Harm had spent most of the night awake, keeping watch over Mac. A part of him still feared that Mac could still be in danger even though Lieutenant Hoyle assured him she wasn’t. It had been easier to convince her of that than himself. So while Mac seemed to be sleeping peacefully, he had slept with one eye open.
*
Twenty minutes later, Grams took a bite of her toast with strawberry jelly and a big gulp of her steaming hot coffee. She looked at her grandson and then to Mac and back. They had been unusually quiet during breakfast, and she wanted to get to the bottom of it. “Okay, you two, do you want to tell me exactly what went on at the police station yesterday, or do you want me to start guessing, which I might add could take a while. Come on, I know you didn’t tell me everything.”
Harm and Mac immediately dropped their forks and raised their eyes to hers, completely surprised. “Oh come on, don’t look at me like I have grown two heads. You two may be lawyers, but your skills were certainly lacking yesterday. This old lady is still sharp enough to know when she hasn’t been told the whole truth.”
Mac looked over at Harm uncertainly, getting a shrug in response. Both were still sitting in silence so Grams took the initiative once again with a sigh. “I know you two are worried about me and what my reaction might be, but believe me, I’m strong enough to handle anything the two of you have to dish out. I don’t want any more partial stories like yesterday. I want the simple truth, okay? Now, tell me what happened.”
They shared another meaningful look between them, and then Harm signaled Mac with a supporting nod. Mac bit on her lower lip before finally finding her voice. “It… it was a bomb, Grams.”
Gram’s gasped as soon as she heard Mac’s words. She remained quiet as Mac continued. “To make a long story short, Lieutenant Hoyle told us that Mic deceived his working partner. He had squandered a lot of money and couldn’t pay it back and in turn tried to blackmail him with some delicate information. In retaliation, Mic’s partner attempted to get rid of him by putting a home-made bomb in my apartment. Apparently it was the first time he had made one, so being a novice at it… well, it did more damage and killed more people than it was supposed to.”
“Oh, my God,” Grams breathed out, placing her hand over her mouth. She looked at Harm who nodded in the affirmative at all Mac had just said. She turned her gaze back to Mac. “That’s horrible. What the heck kind of trouble did your ex get himself into?”
“I…,” Mac started to answer and turned her gaze to Harm. “… I don’t really know what happened or why he got himself in so much trouble, Grams.” Mac was just beginning to realize that she never even bothered to ask Harm for more information about Mic’s problems or his motives. Mainly because up until now, she really didn’t care why he’d betrayed her.
Harm looked into her beautiful brown eyes and he saw the sadness reflected there. He knew that the reality of what had happened had finally hit her and it was hitting her hard. Innocent people died because of her ex-fiancé. Harm reached across the table, grabbing Mac’s unhurt hand to give it a gentle squeeze. “Mac, Mic told me that his law firm was a bust. He couldn’t let you think he was a failure so he pretended that everything was going great. He had no income, so he used the little he had left and tried to multiply it by gambling and instead lost everything… including himself.”
To say she was shocked at what she just heard was the understatement of the year. “I… I had no idea. I never even suspected that anything was wrong,” Mac said sadly as she interrupted Harm’s explanation. “Why didn’t he tell me? I could have helped.”
Harm was still holding her hand supportively. “He didn’t want to bother you, nor did he want to worry you. He couldn’t bear to have you supporting him. When he lost what he had gambling, the owner of the casino offered him a line of credit, which he immediately exceeded. That’s when he ended up working for the owner; however, his partner wanted his money back and began threatening him. Mic then took your money, which wasn’t nearly enough to pay back even a part of his debt. When his partner continued to push, Mic attempted to resolve the issue by blackmailing his partner.” The fact that a famous mafia family was involved was something that Harm didn’t think his grandmother needed to know. She was already worried enough.
“Okay, okay. Did I get this right?” Grams looked directly at Mac, and the worry in her eyes broke Mac’s heart. “Your ex took your money?”
Mac nodded her head.
“He cleaned you out? Without your knowledge?”
“Yeah, he did,” Mac replied, nodding her head again. “When we got engaged, we decided to open up a joint checking account as well as a joint credit card. That is why he had no problems getting at the money. You remember last night when I told you about the house I found near Rock Creek Park and that I wanted to get a few things to spruce it up a bit? Well, that’s when I found out that he’d cleaned me out.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, about how much money are we talking here?”
“All in all… I would say close to ten thousand plus the overdraft fees I have to pay on the credit card and the account until I can square it away - which could take me a while,” Mac added with a sarcastic chuckle.
“Do you think there’s a chance to fix it?” Grams asked, still unable to believe that a man could do something like this to the woman that he supposedly was in love with.
“I really doubt it,” Mac answered in defeat. “I’m going to my bank tomorrow, but Mic was authorized to use the account, so the bank isn’t in any way responsible for the outcome. And with my luck, playing the lottery is out of the question,” Mac threw in with a chuckle.
“I’m really having a hard time believing all this,” was all Grams could say, wishing that there was something she could do. “What are you going to do?”
Mac shrugged, giving Harm’s grandmother a sweet, little smile. “There really isn’t much I can do. I have to make the best of it. After all, it’s only money.” Suddenly Mac became sad and her voice cracked as she continued to speak. “I’m one of the lucky ones. Some of my neighbors weren’t so lucky. They lost their lives because of the mess Mic got himself into. Thankfully, I still have my savings account. It’s not much and I will have to tighten my belt somewhat and start again little by little. I am going to look at it as an adventure. I am a Marine after all.”
“Everything will work out, dear, and most importantly, you’re not alone in this,” Grams told her with a smile and then looked at her grandson. “Right, Harmon?”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself, Grams,” Harm answered, grinning from ear to ear as Mac got up from her chair and walked towards Harm’s grandmother.
“Thank you. I love you, Grams,” she said, giving her a loving hug.
“I love you, too, dear.”
Harm watched his two favorite girls and couldn’t suppress the boyish grin that came over his lips. “Hey! What about me?”
Grams laughed. “Oh, you! We love you, too, dear.” She then looked at Mac. “Right?”
Mac chuckled and looked at Harm with a mischievous grin. “What can I say? It’s hard to not love a Rabb.”
“Yeeaahh… aaaaannnnd?” Harm waved his hands, indicating that there should be more.
Mac looked at him bewildered. “And what?”
Harm opened his arms widely. “The hug! You forgot the hug, Marine. That’s not acceptable.”
Mac sighed, looking down at Grams who pointed towards her grandson with her head, motioning her to go on. Mac sighed again, walking over to him with a sweet smile splayed across her face. “Come here, you big goof,” she said as she let herself fall into his waiting arms.
Harm laughed, immediately intensifying his hold on her, enjoying the feeling of having her in his arms. “Now that’s much better.” He looked over Mac’s shoulder and right into his grandmother’s eyes. She was smiling at them, pleased at what she was witnessing. Harm winked in response and received the thumbs-up from Grams.
They reluctantly broke their embrace and sat back down to enjoy the rest of the wonderful breakfast Grams had prepared for them. Gram’s was curious and wanted to know more about the new house. She loved the sound of it and when Mac mentioned that she’d planned to head over to the new house today and to do some painting and cleaning, Grams was all for it. She knew she probably wouldn’t be able to swing a paintbrush, but she knew how to clean so she happily offered her services.
They came up with a plan of action. The first stop would be the hardware store for supplies they would need for the painting. Next stop would be at a computer shop for a new laptop, and last but not least, a trip to a department store to pick up the several essentials they had discussed.
As soon as they were done with their breakfast, Harm and his grandmother took care of the dishes while Mac made two phone calls. The first one Harm knew was to arrange for a time to meet with Mrs. Curtis at the house, but the second call was a mystery to him. The only words he was able to understand were ‘deal’, ‘agree’, and ‘meet at two o’clock’. Harm couldn’t help but wonder what Mac had just agreed to. Harm promised himself to ask her about it later.
As they were about to leave, Jingo trotted out from the bedroom and looked at Mac with sad eyes that were saying ‘can I come, too?’ Mac recognized the look immediately and walked over to her steadfast friend, bending down to gently rub him behind his ears. “What’s up, boy? Do you want to come, too?”
Jingo barked eagerly in answer to her question.
Mac laughed about his enthusiasm. “Okay, if Harm doesn’t mind you coming along then it’s okay with me. Come on, let’s go ask him.”
Harm had heard Mac talking to Jingo, so before she even opened her mouth to ask, he nodded his agreement. “Come, Jingo,” he called, holding up the leash so that Jingo could see it.
Mac smiled sweetly at Harm as Jingo ran to him and he attached the leash to Jingo’s collar. Harm patted Jingo’s back brusquely. “Good boy.”
Jingo answered with a happy bark and followed his new friend out of the apartment.
With a long sigh, Mac took her bag from the floor and after a last look around Harm’s apartment, she followed Harm, closing the door behind her.
*
Mac knew exactly what colors she wanted to paint the living room and the bedroom. They had decided to work on those two rooms right away and leave the others to do a little later on. For the living room, she had decided on a soft beige and a dark wine-red for one of the walls while a pale apricot for the bedroom. Their stay at the hardware store was short and they emerged with paint, brushes and rollers, paint pots, and drop cloths.
Then it was off to the computer shop and Mac didn’t need long to find the perfect notebook for her. Last but not least it was off to the department store, which took a little longer. Grams walked around the store with them for a little while, picking out a few cleaning essentials and then opted to wait for them in the car with Jingo. Harm and Mac picked out the other items on her list, checked out and proceeded to the new house. Even though she already got her new laptop, Mac decided to wait a little bit longer before getting a new desk, chair, and lamp. For now, the breakfast bar and her bed would have to do serve as her workspace.
*
The drive to the house was quiet, each absorbed in their own silent thoughts. What they didn’t know was that they were all pretty much thinking the exact same thing.
Mac was picking at her fingernail, thinking that last night was probably her last night at Harm’s… in his bed… his arms wrapped securely around her. Tonight she would be sleeping on a mattress… alone.
Harm was tapping on the steering wheel to the rhythm of the song on the radio, thinking about how Mac would no longer be sharing his bed… he would not have her body to wrap his arms around… he would be alone.
And Grams? Grams was looking out the side window, thinking about the two people in the front seat. She knew what they meant to each other, even if they weren’t ready to admit it yet. It made her sad to think that they would no longer be sharing living space because they belonged together like Fred and Ginger, Bogart and Bacall, or Tracy and Hepburn.
As much as they all regretted the move, it was for the best and they knew it. So in Mac’s no nonsense tone, it was time for all of them to ‘suck it up’ in their own ways.
They all left their thoughts behind as they approached the house and Harm parked in the driveway. Mrs. Curtis was already waiting in the front yard, giving them a loving smile and a wave. They exited the car with all the bundles and Jingo in tow. Even though the yard wasn’t completely fenced, Mac was sure they could let Jingo run around the ample yard without fearing he would disappear.
After they greeted Mrs. Curtis, Mac gave Harm the key to unlock the door while she took care of Jingo and talked some more with Mrs. Curtis. Harm unlocked the door and put the bundles down on the counter before returning to the still open door to see what was keeping Grams.
Grams stood outside near Mac and Mrs. Curtis with her hands clasped in front of her. “Oh my,” she boasted. “This house is absolutely breathtaking, Sarah. I can see why you love it so much.”
Mac smiled at Grams. “Wait ‘till you see the inside,” she cooed and turned back to Mrs. Curtis, finally signing her name on the rent & sell contract. Thankfully, her handwriting was getting better with each passing day.
Finally, it was done. The house was hers.
Since Mrs. Curtis was in a hurry, they quickly said their goodbyes before Mac took Grams by her hand, ushering her into the door that Harm was still holding open for them.
“I can see what you mean, dear. This is lovely. Just perfect,” Grams told Mac as she wandered around the entire downstairs. “I know I said I would help you clean, but this place is spotless. Not much to do at all. I guess it’s a good thing we brought some groceries with us. I can at least prepare us some lunch. Go, go you two,” she shooed them away. “Go do the things you came here to do. I will just keep myself busy here putting the kitchen things away. I will call you when lunch is ready.”
Mac turned on the radio she confiscated from Harm’s without his knowledge. The minute he heard the music, he looked at her, shaking his finger in her face. “You little thief.”
“Am not,” she pouted. “I’m just borrowing it so that it won’t be so quiet in here. You know until I can get my own CD player or a TV or something that makes noise besides Jingo,” she added laughing.
Harm looked at her admiringly and couldn’t help but smile at seeing her face all lit up with excitement.
“It’s okay, Marine. It’s yours. Consider it a house-warming present.”
“Thanks, Harm. This is so much better than a toaster. You can be so sweet when you want to be.”
“Hey, what do you mean… I’m always sweet.”
“Yeah, yeah. You just keep telling yourself that. The paint is over there and the walls are over here. Get cracking, Squid.”
“Are you ordering me around?” he bantered back.
“Damn straight. I out rank you, remember?” she concluded with a flirty smile before ascending the stairs with the can of pale apricot paint and roller brush in hand, whistling ‘Anchors Away’.
Harm laughed out loud as he spread the drop cloth and proceeded to administer the soft beige paint to the walls while his thoughts were warmly wrapped around the woman upstairs.
Grams had been puttering around the kitchen, listening to every word of banter between the Marine and the sailor, smiling from ear to ear. ‘Isn’t love grand,’ she mused.
*
Grams had finished putting things away and took a walk out into the back yard and right into the rose garden, marveling at the beautiful scenery in front of her. She stayed there a few minutes, admiring her surroundings until she felt a cold nose nudge the back of her hand. “Jingo,” she beckoned. “How are you doing, boy? You are going to love it here,” she told him, walking over to the stonewall and leaned against it to rest. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the smell of the late morning air, while Jingo sat contentedly by her feet.
*
Inside, Harm had finished putting one coat of paint on the living room walls and decided to call up to Mac to see how she was doing. “Mac, how is it going up there?” He waited at the foot of the stairs for her to respond, but she didn’t. “MAC!” he shouted a little louder this time. Still nothing.
Becoming concerned at her unresponsiveness, he climbed the stairs and peeked into the bedroom just in time to see Mac seductively swaying to the music on the radio as she rolled the paint on to the wall with her left hand. Harm just stood there with the paintbrush, still in his hand, completely captivated by the alluring scene in front of him.
He slowly made his way over to where she was before speaking again. “Mac,” he whispered directly into her ear. She jumped, nearly spilling the can of paint at the feel of his warm breath on her skin. “Harm!” she screeched, turning around quickly. “You nearly scared me to death. What the heck are you do….”
Before she had a chance to finish what she was saying, her nose was swatted with a dab of dark wine-red paint. Harm laughed at how cute she looked as her eyes crossed when she looked down at her now dark red nose.
“Think that’s funny, do ya?” Mac squealed. “Well, take this, Flyboy,” she bellowed, running the paint roller over his entire chest. “You’re right… this is funny,” she concluded laughing hysterically. “I think pale apricot is your color, Harm.”
“Oh you do, do ya?” he bantered back, grabbing her around the waist, tickling her sides viciously.
Mac started swatting at him with her good hand, trying to get him off her. “Stop it… ssssttttoooppppp…,” she screeched, laughing uncontrollably while trying to catch her breath.
“Say uncle, Marine,” Harm demanded.
“Never!” Mac answered adamantly.
“Well then, I guess I’m not going to stop anytime soon,” Harm said, continuing the onslaught of tickling.
Although Mac had enough, she refused to give in and say ‘uncle’ so she had to find a diversionary Marine tactic of her own. She managed to get her leg around his, kicking his out from under him and sending them both crashing to the floor in a heap. Harm took the brunt of the fall and Mac landed on top of him, straddling his torso. After the initial shock wore off, they looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Are you all right?” they questioned simultaneously. Another round of raucous laughter ensued until they both laid there totally exhausted and completely out of breath.
Mac became aware of the suggestive position they were in and slowly started to climb off of Harm. However, he had other ideas and quickly put his arms around her, preventing her from moving.
She looked deep into his darkening eyes and saw all that was in her heart reflecting back at her. She slowly leant in as he moved his hand to the back of her neck and they met in a kiss that immediately turned passionate. It was not the type of kiss that Mac would give her best friend, nor the kind of kiss Harm would give his partner. It was a lover’s kiss.
Harm ran his tongue across her bottom lip and she immediately opened her mouth, granting him entrance. Their tongues dueled hungrily, and their hands roamed freely as they rolled around the bedroom floor mindless of her healing injuries. His hands had drifted under her jersey and were running up and down her back, flirting with the snaps of her bra. Mac’s hand had not sat idle. She managed to undo several buttons of his shirt and reveled in the way his bare skin felt against her fingertips. They were totally lost in each other and in the moment.
*
Meanwhile, Grams got chilly and went back inside to find that the casserole she had stuck in the oven was just about ready. She put three of the new dishes on the breakfast bar along with the new silverware. “Lunch is ready,” she announced loudly.
She waited several minutes before calling out again. “Hey, you two, lunch is ready and if you don’t get down here this instant, I will be forced to come up after you.”
*
Harm and Mac broke their kiss at the sound of her commanding voice, but continued to gaze into each other’s eyes. They quickly attempted to get themselves back under control.
“We better get down there,” Mac said a little embarrassed about how far they almost went with Grams downstairs.
“Yeah,” Harm said huskily. He got up moaning, holding his back and reached down to help Mac get back on her feet.
“Hey, you okay?” she asked concerned that he may have hurt his back.
“I guess I’m a little too old for this rolling around on the floor thing.”
Mac gave him a sweet smile. “You’re not too old, Harm, but maybe we should keep away from the floor.”
Harm smiled back and they turned towards the door. Before they left the bedroom, Harm grabbed Mac’s hand and made her look at him. “We need to talk, Mac.”
She knew he was right. “We will, Harm, we will.”
*
They quickly ran down the stairs to find Grams waiting for them with her hands on her hips. “Well, it is so nice of you two to finally join me,” she barked.
Harm and Mac looked at each other grinning before looking back to Grams. That’s when she caught the ‘cat that swallowed the canary’-look on their faces and the fact that they were standing there with a slight blush on their cheeks that had nothing to do with the dark wine-red and pale apricot paint that was now covering the both of them in some very strategic places.
As Harm and Mac went off to wash up for lunch Grams smiled broadly at their retreating backs thinking, ’it’s about damn time.’
*
Harm’s Apartment
North of Union Station, DC
11:36 PM
He was extremely restless, having rolled over in his bed for what felt like the millionth time, still unable to claim the sleep he craved. Harm’s current state of unrest was causing him extreme frustration. He pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger while glancing at his nightstand, seeing that he had been trying to fall asleep without success for more than an hour now. He attempted to adjust the bed covers which were in complete disarray from his constant tossing and turning.
What had started as a bright and beautiful day turned into a dark and dreadful night. Harm turned once again onto his side, clamping his eyes shut. He listened to the sound of the rain pounding against the window from the powerful storm raging outside that promised to bring thunder and lightning before long. Often, when it rained, the sound of its pitter-pattering against his windows would lull him to sleep… not tonight.
Harm turned on his back and stared at the ceiling, noticing cracks and crevices
there that he had never seen before while he nervously tapped his fingertips on
his bare chest. He was wide awake, not from the storm that was raging outside,
but rather from the unsettling turmoil within. He couldn’t stop thinking about
Mac and how much he missed having her here… with him… in his arms. Her sweet,
unique scent still lingered on the sheets and filtered through the room, filling
his nostrils with a desire beyond anything he ever felt before. He needed to
feel her, to hear her breathing right there next to him. She was the balm that
had been soothing him to sleep. How could that be? They had only shared a few
nights together and he was missing her more than anything else in the world.
“This is useless,” Harm muttered and with a frustrated groan he sat up, ran his fingers through his hair, and turned on the table lamp along with the radio alarm clock that was on the nightstand. Maybe reading and listening to some music would get his mind of Mac. He opened the book to where he had left off and attempted to read.
For a while his plan worked until the lyrics from the song playing on the radio filtered through the room, reaching his ears, stirring his emotions once again.
Could taste your sweet kisses
Your arms open wide
This fever for you is just
burning me up inside
I drove all night to get to you
Is that alright
I drove all night
Crept in your room
Woke you from your sleep
To make love to you
Harm laid his head back against the pillows and closed his eyes with a groan, letting the words float through him as his mind wandered. His thoughts immediately went to the kisses they had shared that very afternoon. He remembered how good her full, luscious lips felt against his wanting mouth and how she had tasted absolutely delicious. He was tingling with excitement and his errant thoughts of her were burning him up inside. How had he survived so long without feeling her tender lips against his and her soft skin under his fingers? What he wouldn’t do to taste her again and feel her warmth. He was a thirsty man in need of life - sustaining water… Mac.
“Damn it, I am so pathetic,” Harm murmured, forcefully turning off the radio. A love song was the last thing he needed right now. Thinking about making love to her was simply too much for him to bear. He closed the book and put it back down on the nightstand, turning off the lamp. He sighed, rubbing his hands over his face before settling back down onto the bed.
He turned onto his side and closed his eyes. Maybe this time he would manage to abandon his thoughts of her, and get some much needed sleep… maybe.
*
Mac’s House
Rock Creek Park
Washington, DC
1:04 AM
A bolt of lightning lit up her bedroom before a loud crack of thunder disturbed the otherwise silent house. The storm had been raging outside for nearly an hour now and it appeared to be only the beginning of a very unsettling night. The sound of the howling wind and the pounding of the relentless rain permeated the walls of the house and the large trees outside swayed and danced as their branches cracked and croaked to its beat. Though the weather outside was foul, Mac felt warm and cozy inside. She always had a fondness for rough weather. It started when she was a child. She would welcome the vivid lightning and the loud rumbling thunder, especially on a particularly bad day. It was her escape mechanism, a cloak to make her feel invisible, especially to her own feelings.
Tonight was different, though. She wasn’t trying to hide or to forget… she was using the distraction of the storm to reflect on today’s wonderful events. She was remembering Harm, and because her thoughts were so intense, she couldn’t find sleep.
Mac was sitting on her mattress, legs crossed with the laptop on her thighs. She was beneath the skylight that yielded bright sunshine during the day and in the evening reflected a starry sky. Tonight was different as it was covered with raindrops. It was unusually cold for a May night and luckily, just before midnight, Mac had decided to retrieve some logs from the back porch and lit the fireplace, hoping to generate some warmth into the cold, still unfurnished room. The flames flickered and licked at the logs before completely engulfing the fireplace and setting it ablaze, filling the room with a warming amber radiance when the power suddenly went off.
The shimmering flames glistened and waltzed around the room, casting muted shadows on the walls while bathing Mac in a yellow-red glow as she stood in front of the blazing fireplace. She loved candles and thankfully she had bought a bunch of them in various scents and sizes and quickly started to light them - placing them around the room, which illuminated it a little more, enabling her to get more work done.
Work was her way of evading her thoughts about Harm and how much she missed being with him… in his arms… in his bed. For hours she laid on her mattress tossing and turning, unable to sleep as her thoughts were completely of Harm. Frustrated, she finally gave up and went in search of her laptop. She would try and work on a few more plans for the house along with what to do about her finances. She was looking at a long road with many bumps along the way, but she knew she could do it. After all, Sarah MacKenzie had endured much and had come a long way she would never think of giving up, or God forbid surrendering - most definitely not because of a stupid Aussie.
While they had all worked on the house that afternoon, she’d totally forgotten about her ex-fiancé and that felt so good. Even now, those particular thoughts were interrupted when a whimper from Jingo broke her train of thought. She looked where he was resting in front of the fireplace. He was basking in its warmth, with his front paws pillowing his face that was turned to the mattress as if he was standing guard over her.
“Hey, boy, what’s wrong? Is the thunderstorm bothering you?” Mac asked her loyal companion, only to get his best wounded puppy look and a simple quiet yip in response. Deep down, Mac knew his discomfort had nothing to do with the weather outside and everything to do with missing Harm and Grams. At her persistent stare, Jingo offered another sad whimper before laying his head back down. “I know, Jingo,” she said whispering sadly. “I miss them too.”
Suddenly a beep from her laptop drew her attention. She looked down at the screen in front of her and saw that the battery was nearly empty. Mac sighed. “Well, I can’t do any more so I guess it’s time to call it a night,” she murmured and turned off the laptop. She pulled the covers back and climbed off the mattress with the intention of blowing out the candles when the ringing of the doorbell echoed through the house, stopping her dead in her tracks.
Mac quickly turned her gaze to the doorway of her bedroom. “Who the hell can that be?” she wondered out loud as she looked down at Jingo, who was completely alert and on guard. He let out a loud ‘woof’ and quickly ran out of the bedroom and down the stairs to the living room, where he was pacing and barking in front of the door.
“It’s one o’clock in the morning for Pete’s sake,” the barefooted Mac grumbled as she groped her way down the stairs behind Jingo. She was shrouded by the eerie darkness, which served to keep her shielded from whoever was on the other side of the wooden door until she wanted to make her presence known.
A loud boom shook the walls, frightening Mac, causing her to jump. She shook her head, chuckling at how foolish she was behaving as she approached the door. “Get a grip, Marine. It’s only the thunderstorm for heaven’s sake.”
She took a deep breath before looking through the peephole, but saw no one. She let her eye wander over the proximity of the door, but the extreme darkness kept her from seeing anything. She listened intently, trying to hear if anyone was still out there, but to no avail. Other than the sounds of the storm, it was quiet as a mouse. She decided that whoever had been there was now long gone and opted to go back to bed. She was passing by the window, when a vivid flash of lightning illuminated her front porch, brightening it enough to see who was there. She gasped out loud at what she saw.
*
Mac put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, my God,” she whispered as she realized just who was standing behind the door. She quickly backed up and flung open the door. She was speechless as her eyes roamed over his body from head to toe; taking in every single inch of him before her eyes finally met his. Her heart began to pound erratically just as another clap of thunder penetrated the night.
Mac closed her eyes for a moment, thinking it was a dream. She counted to five and slowly re-opened her eyes. Another flash of lightning confirmed that she was neither dreaming nor hallucinating. He was really standing there, right in front of her, sporting his trademark smile. The rain was running down his hair and over his face, leaving him completely saturated, but he didn’t seem to mind. His wet clothes formed a second skin, clinging so tightly to his body that it left very little to her now over-active imagination.
Harm broke the silence between them. “Hi. I couldn’t sleep and decided to sneak out of the apartment,” he offered with his smile still in place. His eyes had not remained idle. They were feasting on her beauty. She was again wearing his white dress shirt. The long sleeves were still rolled up so as not to get in her way. ‘That sneaky jarhead,’ Harm thought smirking. It seemed that yet another article of his clothing had found its way into her wardrobe. ‘Just as well,’ he mused. He knew he would never be able to wear it again without thinking of her and totally embarrassing himself.
It was just the previous night when she wore it last. He remembered drooling over the way she looked then and now was no different. He didn’t need the moon to render it transparent… his imagination was doing that all on its own - and it was taking his breath away.
She was standing in front of him with her long supple legs totally exposed mid thigh. Her ample breasts shielded by only one fastened button. Harm had all he could do to suppress a groan, secretly wishing that the wind could blow through the door, making the skimpy fabric flutter and expose her exquisite body to him... the body that had invaded his dreams for so many years now.
Mac didn’t need to ask why he was unable to sleep, knowing it was the same reason she was still awake. She smiled coyly. “Want to stay?” she asked quietly, bringing him out of his wayward thoughts. Her eyes were again gazing over his soaked body until they reached the intense look in his eyes.
Harm’s smile turned into the most beautiful one Mac had ever seen on his face. “I thought you’d never ask. I would love to,” he whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
Mac didn’t say a word, letting her
actions do the talking as she opened the door wider, stepping back and never
breaking their gaze.
Harm stayed put, giving her a boyish grin. “I brought my pillow and blanket with me,” he admitted, gesturing with his thumb over his shoulder towards the car, looking a little embarrassed at having confessed that he’d already planned to stay the night. “Just let me go get them.”
“Don’t worry,” Mac replied smiling sweetly. “I have a pillow… and a huge snuggly blanket… and I love to share,” she replied, slowly taking another step backwards, eyes still on him.
Harm precariously took the much-anticipated step that would finally take him into the house. He closed the door behind him without turning around, not wanting to be the one to break their gaze. That was when Jingo made himself known, barking loudly and nudging Harm’s leg. Harm momentarily broke their connection to greet his newfound friend. “Hey, boy, are you having trouble sleeping too?”
Jingo responded with two large barks while wagging his tail profusely as if to say, ‘not anymore now that you’re here,’ before walking back up the stairs and disappearing behind the door of Mac’s bedroom.
Mac’s eyes were trained on Jingo until he disappeared out of view. “Guess he’s ready to get some shut-eye,” she chuckled, looking at Harm. “He missed you, you know.” Mac hesitated before whispering, “I missed you, too, Harm.”
Harm raised his right hand to Mac’s left cheek, rubbing it softly. “I missed you, too, Sarah. I spent a lot of time deliberating whether or not to come here tonight, especially in the middle of this raging thunderstorm. But as much as I tried, the pros always outweighed the cons.”
Mac placed her unhurt hand on top of Harm’s, turning her head slightly so that she could place a kiss on to his palm. She was having a difficult time trying to suppress the shiver she felt the minute his hand made contact with her skin, and it had nothing to do with the fact that his hands were cold and her body was warm. “I’m really glad you’re here,” she murmured, taking a good look at him. “Harm, how come you’re so wet? You obviously drove here and I really don’t think you took a walk before deciding to do so.”
Harm chuckled. “No, I didn’t take a walk. It’s not exactly weather for walking,” he replied shrugging. “After getting here, I thought you might be asleep, and I was unsure as to whether or not to disturb you this late. I walked around the house to look up at your bedroom window. When I saw a light flickering, I debated about knocking. I guess I stayed out in the rain a little too long.” To punctuate his statement, Harm quickly removed his shoes and socks as the water continued to flow down his body.
Mac smirked. “Come on, Sailor.” Still holding on to his hand, she started to lead them up the stairs and towards her bedroom. “You must be freezing. I’m sorry I can’t offer you a nice hot shower or a hot drink… you know, because of the power failure, but I lit the fireplace earlier and that should help to warm you up a little.”
Harm wasn’t the least bit cold, oh no… the minute his eyes caught site of her he was anything and everything but cold.
They’d just entered her bedroom, which was encased in a warm ambience from the glowing yellow-red flickering flames of the fireplace and filled with a sweet vanilla cinnamon scent from the scattered candles, when Harm tugged on her hand. It caused Mac to stop in her tracks and slowly turn around to look at him questioningly. “What’s wrong?”
Harm released her hand and ran his up her arm, rubbing it gently, all the while looking longingly into her big brown eyes. “Nothing’s wrong,” he whispered. “Absolutely nothing. And just so you know, I could never feel cold when I am looking at you.”
Mac could feel the warmth spreading over her entire body from the intensity of his gaze and the timbre in his voice, which seemed deeper and raspier than usual. Her entire body was on fire and trembling. She had heard that tone another time, but back then she couldn’t distinguish whether it was desire or flirting. But now, all she had to do was look into the blue-green depth of his magnificent eyes and there was no mistaking what she saw reflecting back at her.
Their eyes met, she shivered and her heart skipped a beat. It was all there, clearly visible in both their gazes. There was raw desire, feverish yearning, desperate craving, insatiable hunger and undeniable love radiating in their eyes. Mac took a deep breath as she closed the tiny gap between them. They were now standing toe to toe and they could feel the heat emanating from their bodies, surrounding them like a cocoon as their bodies collided.
Mac took the hem of his wet shirt in her unhurt hand and played with it nervously while Harm watched her. Unbeknownst to each other, both were remembering the very heated kiss they had shared just a few hours ago – in this very room. Suddenly Mac tugged at the hem, bringing Harm’s body even closer to hers. She expertly ran her hand upwards, caressing him through the shirt before stopping at the first button while looking deep into his eyes. “We don’t want you to get a cold.”
“No, we can’t have that,” Harm replied sighing. Her touch was light and dangerous, making him shake violently. Mac proceeded to undo the first button and let her soft fingertips skim his heated skin gently. His only response was a shaky hiss, as his pent up desire got stronger and stronger with each passing second. “Mac,” he called out huskily.
“You really shouldn’t say my name like that,” she whispered warningly, never breaking their gaze while she chewed on her lower lip and without any problems unbuttoned the second button, giving her better access to seductively run her hand over his bare skin.
“Mac,” he called out huskily again and again so close to her ear that she could feel his warm breath fan her skin.
The sound of his voice was driving her so crazy she could not longer concentrate on the buttons of his shirt. “Oh God… what the heck!” she shrieked breathlessly, closing her eyes. “Just kiss me, goddamn it!”
He didn’t need to be told twice. His mouth fused to hers, hot and demanding, making her sway against him. She clutched his shirt with her unhurt hand, trying to pull him even closer while he laid claim to her soft round breasts and delicate curves, making her moan.
Mac was more than a willing participant, as she proved by deepening the kiss. When she teased the seam between his lips, coaxing him to open for her, he willingly obliged. Their tongues immediately dueled with a passion that would no longer be denied. Harm’s hands roamed over her back before letting his right one slip underneath her shirt, where it started to draw slow lazy circles on her lower bare back.
Their kiss was broken by their need for air. Harm rested his forehead against Mac’s – their breathing now heavy and erratic. Mac licked her lips, determined to finish her task of unbuttoning his shirt, while Harm began pulling the collar of her shirt away from her shoulders, allowing him to nuzzle her bare neck with his nose. He inhaling her unique, sweet scent while placing soft butterfly kisses on every exposed inch of skin he could reach.
When the last of his buttons were undone, Harm quickly removed his soaked shirt, letting it drop with a wet ‘woosh’ on to the hardwood floor. Mac leaned in and placed hot, open-mouthed kisses on his chest while her hand moved slowly down his abdomen to his belt, unbuckling it without any problems.
Her nimble fingers then moved over his obvious arousal to the few buttons of his fly, making quick work of releasing them. His palms cupped both sides of her face, lowering his head to once again engage her mouth in a passionate kiss. Mac let out a guttural moan as their tongues clashed and began another dance.
Mac released his mouth and began her delicate kissing assault to his throat and neck while her unhurt hand made its way to his backside slipping inside his jeans to grasp his toned six. She pressed his solid body flush to hers. His arousal became more evident as she started to rub herself longingly against it, getting a deep groan from Harm at her ministrations.
“You’re killing me here, Mac,” Harm rasped out, cupping her buttocks in his hands and lifting her up a little to bring her even closer to his obvious desire for her. She slid her arms around his neck and placed her pliant lips against his. She kissed him with a hunger and desire that promised much, much more.
“Then I’ve accomplished my goal,” Mac replied huskily, as the need for air separated their mouths once again. With the help of her plastered hand, Mac was finally able to push his jeans over his hips and down his legs. Harm stepped out of the sodden pants that immediately formed a puddle on the wooden floor. He was now standing in front of Mac in nothing but his tented black Calvin Klein boxer-briefs.
Mac’s eyes devoured Harm hungrily. She started at his toes and ended at his eyes while Harm watched spellbound, his flyboy grin well in place. “Like what you see, Marine?”
“Well, certainly looks good, but you know the old saying, Sailor… ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’,” she responded saucily running her index finger down his chest.
Harm quickly grabbed her hand before it reached its obvious destination. “I think you’re a little overdressed, Jarhead.”
“And exactly what do you plan on doing about it, Squid?”
“I’ll show you,” Harm cooed as his mouth hungrily descended on hers, kissing her hard and needy as Mac’s lips immediately parted giving him access to her waiting mouth. Her fingers were running through his hair as she held his head in place while his tongue slipped into the warm recesses of her mouth. Their tongues were dueling, probing and seeking more.
Mac moaned loudly when Harm started to kiss and suck along her jaw and down her neck. She was so into his kisses that she never felt him open her shirt until he peeled it off of her and she felt his warm, moist lips against her exposed breast.
Harm was shocked to see that the shirt had been the only garment she was wearing. He looked at her naked form in total awe. She was even more gorgeous than he could have ever imagined. “You’re so beautiful, Sarah,” Harm breathed against her heated skin. Mac’s only response was a heated groan as he began to tease her with his warm tongue, sweet lips and nipping teeth. “So incredibly beautiful.”
While her plastered hand held fast to the back of Harm’s head, the other one was busy moving between their bodies, seeking out the evidence of his desire for her. Lightly, she ran her soft fingertips over his chest and abdomen, enjoying the feel of his hard muscles and chest hair underneath her roving fingers as she continued her journey downward.
Finally she reached her destination and slid her hand past the waistband of his boxer-briefs, closing it around him. Harm sucked in his breath through his teeth and immediately reached to stop its movement. “Be careful there, Jarhead, or this will be over before we even start,” he whispered hoarsely into her ear. Mac responded by kissing him in a way that let him know she had no intention of ending things before they had a chance to start.
With a last gentle squeeze and a sassy smile, she let go of him quickly and removed the offending garment from his body. Before she could respond, Harm had cupped her buttocks in his hands and lifted her up and against him so that she could wrap her legs around his waist. The intimate contact was so over-whelmingly stimulating, they both groaned.
“Harm.”
“Sarah.”
They had all they could do to stay standing as they looked dazedly into each other’s hooded eyes, anticipating and welcoming what was to come next.
It only took two quick steps for Harm to be standing in front of Mac’s mattress. Carefully he kneeled onto it and laid Mac down in the middle. She never let go of the back of his head, pulling him down to caress his now swollen lips with a kiss full of love and desire.
Harm struggled but managed to break their kiss, looking down at her with eyes full of desire and questions. Mac looked up at him perplexed and panting. He managed to catch his breath before speaking. “Is this going to be okay? ... I … I don’t have any… I didn’t plan on…,” he was trying desperately to explain that he hadn’t planned all this and therefore had no condoms. He knew that if they were going to stop… it had to be now, or he would never be able to.
“Ssshhh,” Mac placed her index finger against his lips to make him stop. “This is very okay, Harm,” came her husky reply. “I’m on the pill… and… I had all kinds of tests while I was at the hospital and everything was fine,” she concluded, tracing circles over his chest.
”Yeah… I was tested while I was on board the Seahawk, and I’m okay too,” Harm explained while his thumb expertly outlined her lips.
Mac looked at Harm and smiled, pulling his face towards hers. She licked her lips before placing them on his for a short but sweet kiss. “I want this, Harm. I want you. I want us… so very much. Please make love to me,” and let another kiss followed her pleading. “Please,” she whispered.
That was all it took to unleash the floodgates of his desire. His pulse immediately quickened as he let his tongue trace the line of the pulse on her neck and slowly lay back onto the bed, taking her with him. His tongue entered her mouth and their passion exploded. Hands roamed, rubbed and cradled, and before Mac was able to say anything Harm had moved on top of her, pressing her back to the bed and head to the pillow. “I love you, Sarah.”
Mac smiled lovingly up at him while he hovered above her. Her hands raked down his back and settled on his butt, giving him goose bumps as she pulled him even closer. “I love you too, Harm,” Mac replied with tears in her eyes. She had never felt so loved, adored or cherished in her whole life.
What followed was a never-ending story of love, passion, desire and tenderness. They took their time caressing; touching, kissing, pleasing, and exploring each other in every perceivable way… their passion had no boundaries.
It seemed like hours before their foreplay was finally sated by their tender and gentle lovemaking - an experience that transcended anything they had ever felt before. Their joining had not only been physical, it was spiritual and emotional as their hearts overflowed with an unfaltering love - making them one.
*
May 20, 2001
Mac’s House
Rock Creek Park
Washington, DC
7:40 AM
The thunderstorm was long gone and the early morning sun filtered through the wall of windows, bathing the entire bedroom in warm sunshine. Harm had been awake for over an hour just watching Mac sleep, admiring her beauty. Her head was nestled on his shoulder, her arm draped across his chest and her left leg crossed over his right one. He gently ran his hand along her arm all the way up to her shoulder and caressed it softly. He closed his eyes, inhaling her sweet scent. Harm was perfectly content to just lie there watching her. He was tired - after all, they hadn’t slept much. He was still remembering how they had shared their love passionately - several times. Even when the thunderstorm outside had calmed down, the wild storm within these four walls raged on. He smiled in spite of himself. ‘Not bad for a guy of my age… I never would have thought myself capable, but this is Mac,’ he mused. They had both been insatiable after all the years of pent up passion. Now, he was pleasantly reveling in the afterglow.
Mac woke slowing feeling the warmth of the sun and sensing she was being watched. She was so happy being in Harm’s loving arms that she refused to open her eyes just yet. She wanted to lie there, basking in the glow of the most wonderful night of her life. His stubbly chin tickled her shoulder as he kissed it gently. She re-played in her mind the events that had her feeling so euphoric and smiled. She had literally passed out totally exhausted from their ravenous lovemaking. ‘I still can’t believe he had all that stamina,’ she thought as she snuggled a little closer to the object of her happiness.
She felt Harm’s breath on her face and opened her eyes – warm, chocolate brown meeting dazzling blue-green. “Hi,” Mac said softly running her hand up and down his arm.
“Good morning,” Harm whispered, wrapping his arm firmly around her small waist, then placing a sweet kiss on the tip of her nose. “How was your first night in your new house?” he asked, looking like the cat that swallowed the canary.
“Hmmmm…,” Mac sighed. “It was like a dream come true. I wish we could stay like this forever. Just you and me.”
“Woof, woof,” suddenly echoed through the room as Jingo reared his head from the foot of the mattress.
“I don’t think Jingo likes being left out of the equation, Mac,” Harm stated with a laugh.
Mac snickered before lifting her head to look down at Jingo. “Oh, I’m sorry, Jingo. It’s okay, boy, I didn’t mean to exclude you.”
Jingo let out another bark of approval before returning to his sleeping position at the foot of the mattress. All was right in his doggy world.
Harm quickly pulled Mac back to him, placing sweet little wet kisses on her neck before moving up to her chin, and then settled firmly on her enticing lips. The kiss quickly turned passionate as tongues dueled and hands roamed, and they once again gave into their unquenchable passion and made love again.
*
They were completely sated, lying peacefully in each other’s arms when Mac’s stomach rumbled. Harm shook his head as he laughed out loud. “That reminds me. I left a note for Grams and told her that we would swing by this morning and pick her up on our way to breakfast. So… as much as I hate to say it, we better get a move on. I bet she’s already waiting and sitting on pins and needles.”
Mac laughed back as she sat up, patting her stomach as it gave another rumble. “Sounds great. I’m starving.”
“Yeah, yeah, what else is new?” Harm bantered.
“Well, Flyboy, my shower is new… at least for me. Feel like sharing?” Mac asked with a sexy come-hither look on her face as she held out her hand for him to take.
“Mmmaaaaccccc,” Harm whined playfully. “If we share the shower, we will be doing more than showering and then we will never get out of here.”
“What if I promise to keep my hands to myself and off your sexy body, Sailor?” Mac acquiesced batting her eyelashes playfully.
“Does that mean I have to keep my hands to myself, too?” Harm questioned, waggling his eyebrows.
“You are incorrigible. Come on, Sailor, let’s get the lead out and get cleaned up so we can go pick up Grams.”
With that they threw the covers off and headed to the bathroom with the promise to behave themselves while showering so that they wouldn’t keep Grams waiting.
It was the first promise they weren’t able to keep.
*
They drove back to Harm’s in companionable silence, each savoring their thoughts of what had transpired between them. Needing the physical contact, and as if on cue, they both reached out to hold the other’s hand at the same time. They gazed at each other and exchanged a quick smile.
Within minutes they were pulling up in front of Harm’s apartment. Before exiting, Harm raised Mac’s hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss to the back of it. Mac then raised her hand to caress his cheek tenderly. “Love you,” she whispered sweetly looking deep into his eyes.
“Love you, too,” he echoed before they exited the car and headed up to his loft holding hands.
*
Grams was sitting on the couch and reading the morning paper when they walked in. She looked up as they entered. “Good morning, you two,” she said cheerfully. “I was just about to send out the National Guard to look for you. What kept you? This old lady is getting quite hungry,” she quipped.
Harm and Mac shared a quick glance before they blushed, looking like they had just gotten caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
“Ah… uummm… there was a ton of traffic out there this morning,” Harm stammered.
“Yeah, Harmon, and I have a bridge for sale,” Grams answered, smiling at the two lovebirds standing in front of her. “And why are your clothes wet? You better get them off in a hurry. I hope you haven’t been in those wet things since last night, young man, because you will end up with a death of a cold.”
She looked at her grandson grinning from ear to ear, knowing full well that the clothes he was wearing had been sitting in a heap somewhere as they were not only wet, but also very wrinkled. “Go on now, go…,” she said, nudging him in the direction of his bedroom. “We can talk more about this later if you want,” she added with a laugh.
“Ah… no… that’s okay, Grams,” Harm quickly said, feeling himself blush again before heading off to his bedroom glad to be getting away from Grams scrutinizing yet happy gaze. He felt bad to leave Mac behind, but thought ‘she’s a Marine and can certainly handle anything Grams has to dish out.’
Mac watched Harm walk away and wished she could follow him, as she didn’t quite know what to say to Grams questioning gaze. She paced around the living room, looking down at her feet and was about to say something when Grams broke the silence.
“Sarah, I think you better get yourself a dryer soon. Wearing wet clothes sure doesn’t look like fun,” Grams said smirking. When Mac didn’t reply and looked even more nervous than before, it was Grams who continued. “It’s okay, Sarah,” she said getting up from the couch and walking over to where Mac was still pacing. She put a comforting hand on Mac’s shoulder before she spoke again. “I was young and in love once myself, and I know what people in love do. So please, you don’t have anything to explain or feel ashamed about.”
Mac looked at Gram’s with tears in her eyes.
Grams saw the tears and immediately became concerned. “Hey, what’s this all about?” Grams asked, wiping away the first tear that fell. “Why are you sad?”
“Oh, Grams,” Mac sighed. “I’m not sad. These are hap… happy tears,” she concluded with a little smile. “I have never been this happy in my entire life. I never thought it was possible for me to feel like this and I guess it scares me a little.” Then she let out a watery chuckle. “Geez, look at me. I’m supposed to be a Marine for heaven’s sake.”
“My dear girl,” Grams said, pulling Mac into a great big bear hug, before backing away enough to look into her eyes. “First of all, you’re a woman, a woman in love, and you deserve all the happiness life has to offer and so much more. And I know my grandson feels the same way and he will do everything in his power to ensure your happiness. So don’t be scared, welcome the feeling and embrace it.”
Mac thought about what Grams said and nodded. “Thanks Grams… for everything. Without you, I’m not sure if….”
“But I am sure, so no need to thank me. Now, dry those tears before my grandson thinks that I read you the riot act.” They looked at each other at that remark and laughed.
Harm heard their laughter as he came back into the living room after changing his clothes. “Hey, what are my two girls laughing about?” he asked, walking over to Mac, embracing her from behind. He and his grandmother exchanged an expressive look over Mac’s shoulder.
“Nothing much, Harm.” Mac answered. “Grams was just telling me one of her funny stories.”
“Oh no, not another one about me,” Harm uttered.
Grams and Mac shared a special look between them and smiled knowingly at each other.
“Okay, Harmon, you promised to feed me breakfast. At this rate we are going to be having lunch,” she joked. “Let’s get a move on, shall we?”
“Yes, Grams,” Harm stated, ushering his two ladies out the door and down to the car for the short ride to IHOP.
*
They were quickly seated in a booth, enjoying their coffee while they waited for their breakfast. The conversation was light and pleasant. Mac and Harm were seated on one side with Grams across from them, watching them intently. Harm had captured Mac’s hand under the table and put it in his lap, gently rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. Mac continued conversing even though her insides were turning to jelly at his delicate touch.
“So… tell me, did you two get much sleep last night?” Grams asked innocently with just a hint of mischief in her blue eyes.
Harm had just taken a large gulp of his coffee and what didn’t spew out he nearly choked on. Mac quickly rubbed his back as he started to cough uncontrollably. “Easy, Harm,” Mac comforted smiling.
Once he was back under control, he looked at his grandmother wide-eyed. “Grams?”
“What, dear?”
Mac contained her amusement to a slight snicker. She had all she could do to not laugh out loud at the looks on both their faces. Harm with his deer in the headlight look and Grams with a look of complete ‘gotcha’ satisfaction. ‘Harm could be such a prude,’ Mac couldn’t help but think to herself as her smile widened.
“Exactly what are you asking?” Harm asked shakily. He was so uncomfortable with this whole line of interrogation that he was actually squirming.
Mac couldn’t help but take pity on him and in an attempt at sympathy, she put her hand reassuringly on his thigh. Harm was so tense, the minute her hand landed on his thigh, he jerked, causing his knee to hit the underside of the table and everything on the table to rattle.
“Harm, what in the heck has you so jumpy?” Grams asked with just a glimmer of amusement in her voice. “I may be old, but I’m not stupid. Anyone looking at the two of you this morning can tell that you did not get a whole lot of sleep last night, and I’m not talking about any dark rings under your eyes,” she added with a twinkle. “Honestly, I couldn’t be happier. It’s about damn time the two of you finally figured it out. Now enough said. I don’t think you could handle any more of this particular conversation. Who would have thought that a six foot four, naval aviator would have such a hard time talking about s….”
“Ggggrrrraaaaammmms!”
“I was just going to say sleeping arrangements,” she said chuckling.
Harm snorted, giving her his ‘yeah, right’ look without daring to make any comments.
“Okay, okay,” Grams replied her hands up in front of her. “I’m done.” She looked over at Mac who was ready to burst from holding in her laughter. The look of total gratification on Grams face was her complete undoing and she let out the laughter she had been containing.
“Well, Mac, I’m glad you find this so amusing,” Harm chortled. “It does involve you as well, you know.” Then he leaned into her ear and whispered. “My grandmother knows we had sex last night.”
Mac slapped him on the arm. “Harmon Rabb, you are such a prude.”
“Am not!”
All three of them took a minute looked around and then laughed whole-heartedly.
The waitress smiled at the sound of their laugher, putting their breakfast down in front of them. They were all completely famished so the chatter ended as they dug into their meals with gusto.
Grams finished first and sat back relaxing before digging into her handbag to retrieve an envelope. She waited until Mac put down her fork, signaling that she had finished her meal. She then slid the envelope over to Mac.
Mac looked at Harm who shrugged his shoulders in response to her questioning gaze. She turned her gaze to Harm’s grandmother. “What’s this?” Mac asked bewildered.
Grams was sitting back in the booth contentedly with her hands in her lap. “Something for you. Open it, dear.”
Mac took the envelope hesitantly and opened it. What she saw inside took her breath away. “Oh my….” She quickly closed the envelope and slid it back towards Grams. “Thank you, Grams, but I can’t accept this,” Mac explained.
Grams intercepted the envelope before it reached her, pushing it back towards Mac. “Yes, you can… and you will.”
*
Mac was at a loss for words. She looked at Harm beseechingly for help. He recognized her discomfort and reached for the envelope. He opened it and looked at what was inside. He too was left speechless. “Wow.”
“Oh for Pete’s sake what is wrong with the two of you?” Grams asked, looking at their shocked faces. “Can’t someone do something nice for someone without all this… this… whatever the heck is going on here?” she asked.
Mac chewed on her lip nervously and then took another sip of her coffee as her mouth had gone totally dry. “Grams, it’s not that I don’t appreciate what you’re offering me, but I can’t take it. It’s much too generous of you.”
“Nonsense, child! It’s a gift for you to use in your new home. You are starting from scratch. So not knowing what to buy for you, I thought giving you the money was the best thing and you could buy what you want.”
Mac’s eyes filled with tears that threatened to fall and her throat constricted. She reached out for Harm who immediately put his arm around her shoulder comfortingly. “Grams, this is so much more than a housewarming gift.”
“Yes, it is.” Grams sensed her discomfort and felt bad that she had upset Mac. “I’m sorry, Sarah. I’ve made you uncomfortable. It was not my intention. I just wanted to help you get settled in your new home. That is what family does. We help each other.”
Mac and Harm were both overcome by her words. Harm reached out and placed his hand on top of Grams’ on the table, squeezing it gently. “I love you, Grams,” Harm said, totally overwhelmed by his grandmother’s action. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but where did you get this kind of money?” he asked her politely.
“It’s part of my little nest egg. You know… rainy day money.”
‘Family… she considers me family. I just met her and she considers me family. I am more family to her than my family ever was to me,’ Mac thought sadly.
“I called John Fowly yesterday,” Grams continued. “He’s the manager of my bank, my account adviser, and a dear friend of mine for years. I asked him if he could help me withdraw the money from my savings book and get it to Washington ASAP. This way I wouldn’t have to go to the branch office here and talk with a stranger who might not be so willing to pay out what I was asking for. The money arrived this morning via express courier. John thought that would be the fastest and safest way to get the money to DC. It’s amazing what can be done these days… even on a Sunday.”
Mac was able to find her voice again. “Grams, I cannot take money that you have obviously been saving up just in case of an emergency.”
“Honey, this IS an emergency. Anyway, I’ve reached this age, dear, without needing it. I think I will be okay. Besides, I kept a little just in case,” she said with a smile. “Please take it. You will make an old woman very happy.”
Mac looked at Harm who looked back lovingly, nodding his head in agreement. The tears Mac had been trying so hard to hold in slid down her cheek. Harm used his thumbs to wipe them away before kissing her sweetly.
“I don’t know what to say,” Mac confessed in a whisper.
“You don’t have to say anything, Sarah. Just take it as a gift from me to you. You really would make me very happy if you do that,” Grams replied, giving Mac a sweet smile.
Mac took a deep breath, trying to get her emotions under control again. “Thank you so much, Grams.” After taking another deep breath, Mac nodded. “But I want to consider it a loan, which I’ll pay back as soon as possible.”
Grams rolled her eyes sighing. Then she looked at her grandson, giving him a smile. “Is she always like this?”
Harm laughed and turned his gaze to Mac. “Always and then some,” he softly answered, leaning over to give Mac a little sweet kiss on her lips. “And I couldn’t love her any more for it.”
“I love you, too.”
Grams sighed once more, enjoying the obvious love between her grandson and his soulmate. “Okay, okay. I agree,” she said and Mac was already on her way to thank her, when Grams decided that she wasn’t done yet. “But only on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“I want you to have a fully furnished house. I don’t want to come visit and have to sit on a barstool and sleep on the floor. These old bones are not as accepting or forgiving as they used to be,” she concluded, rubbing her shoulder for emphasis.
“Agreed.”
“… and definitely a dryer,” she added smirking. “We don’t want to have my grandson running around in wet clothes any more than necessary, now do we?”
Harm groaned as a blush crept up his face, making both women laugh heartily. “A dryer will be the first item on my list, Grams. That’s a promise,” Mac swore grinning.
A short time later, they paid for breakfast and were walking out of the restaurant when Mac turned to Grams unable to contain her gratitude. “Thanks, Grams, and not just for the money, but for considering me part of your family. I have no words to express what I am feeling right now. There has only been one person who has ever cared about me or gave a damn what happened to me until I met Harm, and now… you.”
“You are more than welcome, child, and you will always be a part of this family. I care about you. Don’t ever forget that.”
Mac had never felt so wanted and whole in her entire lifetime except for when she was with her Uncle Matt. “Thank you,” was all she could say as her heart was totally full.
*
Back in the car, the mood was a little somber so Harm decided to cheer things up a bit. “What do you say we take a ride to the zoo? We can call Harriet and Bud and see if they will let us take AJ. After all, we did skip out of his birthday party early so it would be a great way to make it up to him. What do you think?”
“I think it is a wonderful idea,” Mac piped in glad for the distraction.
“Sounds like fun,” Gram’s offered.
“Well then… let’s do it.” Harm quickly flipped open his cell phone and punched three for the Roberts.
(“Roberts’ residence.”)
“Hey, Harriet, it’s Harm. How are you doing on this lovely day?”
(“Hi, Harm. I’m fine, thanks. Attempting to do a little housework while a certain little whirlwind is running around the rooms. How are you?”)
“I’m good, thanks. I’m calling because Grams, Mac, and I thought about going to the zoo today and we wanted to ask if it would be okay to take said little whirlwind with us.”
(Harriet chuckled. “Well, you just made my day. I would be thrilled to have him out of my hair for a little while, and I’m sure as soon as AJ hears that his Uncle Harm, Auntie Mac, and Granma – as the icing on the cake – want to take him to the zoo, he’ll freak out.”)
Before Harm had a chance to reply, he had to remove the phone from his ear as the shrill from the other side was so loud. His godson had obviously over-heard his mother’s conversation and was more than enthusiastic about going to the zoo with his godparents and his newly adopted grandmother.
Harm chuckled. “I guess I can take that as a yes.”
(Harriet laughed. “Absolutely. See you soon, okay?”)
“We’ll be there in a few. Bye for now,” Harm answered before turning off his cell phone. “Guess we have a date with the little whirlwind.”
*
They spent a few minutes at the Roberts chatting happily, yet briefly, as AJ was anxious to be on his way. They buckled him up in the backseat and with the promise to have him back in time for dinner, they were off for a day of fun.
The zoo wasn’t overly crowded so they were able to walk around and see all the animals up close, stopping to feed some of the tamer ones. AJ was having a wonderful time running to all the cages and talking to all the animals, many of who actually blabbered back much to AJ’s delight. The monkeys were his favorite.
For Grams, at times, it was hard to tell who the child was as all three of her companions were goofing around mimicking all the animals, jumping up and down, clapping their hands, and chasing each other happily making animal sounds.
Harm and Mac were enjoying themselves as much as AJ was. They would walk holding hands and stopped often to share a tender kiss or a warm hug. Their antics had not gone unnoticed by AJ who became quite curious. “Granma?” AJ whispered questioningly.
“Yes, dear?”
“Why Auntie Mac and Unca Harm make kissy face all time?”
Grandma Sarah had all she could do not to burst out laughing as AJ stood there making squishy fish faces when describing Harm and Mac’s affectionate actions. She thoughtfully addressed AJ’s question. “Well, you see, AJ, your Uncle Harm and your Auntie Mac like each other a whole lot, and when people have feelings for each other they like to show it.”
AJ looked up at Grams wide-eyed and slipped his hand into hers, swinging it while he spoke. “I like you and you like me, but we don’t do that.”
“This is true, sweetheart,” Grams replied, ruffling AJ’s blonde hair. “Let’s see if I can make it a little clearer,” she continued. “Does your tummy feel funny when we’re together… like you have butterflies in there?” Grams said, sticking her index finger into his little tummy, making AJ giggle.
“Nooooo…. only when I’m hungy,” AJ innocently responded.
Grams laughed. “Well, you see, little guy, they feel that way even when they’re not hungry.”
AJ mulled it over, squinting his eyes. Suddenly he burst into a big smile and his whole face lit up with pride at his assessment. “Oh…you mean like mommy and daddy. They always make kissy face,” he concluded with a satisfied smile as he ran to join Harm and Mac.
Grams smiled favorably at his retreating back, satisfied at the outcome. She had made especially sure to weigh her words before she spoke, not wanting to disturb his delicate psyche.
*
They’d just passed the polar bear reserve when Harm and Mac decided it was time for Grams to take a break. She had been quite the trooper keeping up with the three of them. Now it was time for her to take a little rest. There was an empty bench nearby so they headed over to sit for a while. “How about we ask Uncle Harm to go get us some ice cream?” Mac whispered into AJ’s ear.
AJ immediately started clapping his hands eagerly. “Yeah… Ice ceem.”
Harm laughed out loud. “Are you two conspiring over there?” he asked smiling broadly, rubbing the top of AJ’s blond head.
“Yup,” Mac replied happily. “We want ice cream, Sailor. And we want it quick.”
“V’ry qwick,” Little AJ added with a bright grin.
“Yeah, and it better be quicker than quick,” Grams added lastly, making Little AJ giggle in response.
“Okay, I can take a hint. I’ll be right back,” Harm bellowed as he took off towards the ice cream vendor.
Grams just sat there contentedly taking in the ‘family’ scene. She wondered what it would be like to have a great-grandchild and she hoped she wouldn’t have to wait too much longer as she certainly wasn’t getting any younger. She knew both Harm and Mac would be wonderful, loving parents.
“What is that mischievous smile about?” Mac asked, bringing Grams out of her thoughts.
Grams shrugged. “Oh, you know… just thinking about the future… and stuff.”
“Uh huh.”
Before Mac or Grams could say more, Harm returned with a tray of varied ice cream flavors. “Who wants what?” he asked, showing them what he had brought back. They all dove in for their favorites and ate heartily before resuming their fun-filled tour of the zoo.
*
As promised, they were back at the Roberts’ in plenty of time for dinner. Harriet had planned on an impromptu barbeque and invited them to stay for dinner to which they agreed. It was a beautiful evening to eat outdoors.
Bud had chicken cooking on the grill as well as burgers and hotdogs. Harriet had made a variety of salads to keep it light and simple, and to make sure she had something for Harm’s peculiar palate. Mac, along with Grams, offered to help Harriet in the kitchen while Harm took over the grilling so Bud could retrieve a couple of cold beers and a juice box for AJ, who was delighted to be spending more time with his godparents and his new Granma.
After dinner, a tired AJ came to sit on his uncle’s lap and Harm put his hand under his new monkey t-shirt that they had gotten at the zoo and started to tickle his belly relentlessly. “Help me, Auntie Mac, help me, peez!” AJ screamed, laughing hysterically as he tried to squirm out of his uncle’s lap.
Mac got up from where she had been sitting with Harriet and Grams, and walked over to her godson. “Is Uncle Harm bothering you?” she questioned, making her best pouty face for AJ’s benefit.
“Y… yea… yeah he… he… is,” AJ managed to croak out between laughs.
“Well then the Marines are here for the rescue,” Mac stated in her best Marine drill sergeant voice, as she threw herself on Harm, causing him to let go of his hold on little AJ who began jumping up and down clapping his little hands. “You did it, Auntie Mac, you did it! The M’reens won,” he shouted happily and the tiredness was for now forgotten.
“Oh, oh, looks like the Marines versus the Navy over there.” Grams laughed.
“Yeah, and I think the Marine is winning,” Harriet responded with a big smile.
Mac was on top of Harm and ready to spring into action when he gave her that ‘I don’t think you want to go there’ look, which she of course totally ignored. She reached for his sides and began her slow torture of tickling. Even with only one hand she succeeded. Harm held his breath and pretended not to be ticklish until it became too much and let out a huge belly laugh. “Okay, okay, Marine… you win… for now,” he finally relented, taking her hands away from his sides. He was liking the feel of her body rubbing all over his way too much to let it continue with an audience. “We will definitely continue this later on, Jarhead,” he whispered seductively into her ear.
“Is that a threat or a promise, Sailor?” Mac questioned softly with a sexy grin before removing herself from his lap.
AJ then reached out to touch Mac’s cast. “Can I put something on it?” he asked politely. Mac looked down hesitantly, fearing it would not be appropriate should she be cleared to go back to work.
Harm looked at Mac, sensing her dilemma immediately. He took an objective look at the cast and pointed to a place on the top edge of the cast that would be covered by her uniform sleeve should she return to work before the cast was removed. “Maybe Auntie Mac will let you put something up here,” he explained.
Mac looked down at the cast where Harm was pointing and then up into his beautiful eyes before setting her gaze on AJ. “I think that would be a perfect place,” she said to AJ, grabbing hold of his little hand.
Harm asked Bud for a waterproof crayon and gave it to AJ who took it and looked shyly at his uncle. “What do I draw?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders.
Harm thought for a minute and then whispered something into AJ’s ear. A bright smile came over little AJ’s face and he nodded appreciatively. He looked pensively at the cast before settling into his task. He liked his uncle’s idea, but he didn’t know how to do it and didn’t want to ask because he wanted to be a ‘big boy’ and do it all by himself. He frowned before the wheels started spinning in his head.
Harm and Mac watched him with a glimmer in their eyes. They both totally adored the little guy who always managed to bring joy and happiness into their lives.
Remembering their day at the zoo and what his Granma had told him, AJ suddenly grinned, knowing exactly what he wanted to do and how to solve his dilemma. He once again climbed onto his uncle’s lap and looked up at him. “Unca Harm?”
Harm looked down at his godson. “Yeah, kiddo.”
Little AJ moved even closer, holding his little chubby hands around his godfather’s ear so he could whisper into them. Then he stopped for a second and turned his attention to his godmother. “It’s secret, not listen,” he said, making sure that it sounded like an order.
Mac chuckled. “Aye, aye, Sir! Got it. I won’t listen, promise.” And just to amplify her promise, she placed her plastered hand above her heart.
“Good,” Little AJ said, content with his godmother’s promise. Then he turned back to Harm and started to whisper into his ear. “Unca Harm, can we draw it together. Then it’s from me and you. I know it makes Auntie Mac happy.”
“You know what, that’s a great idea.” Harm let Little AJ climb down his lap and moved behind him, placing his much larger hands on top of his godson’s to assist him.
Little AJ leaned against Mac’s thigh and held her hand, concentration etched all over his face as he began to draw with Harm’s help on the cast with the Red crayon. He was deeply engrossed in his mission, as evident by his tongue sticking out between his lips. “Don’t look yet,” he instructed his godmother as his tongue once again took its place prominently between his open lips.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Mac replied quickly averting her eyes from the cast.
“Okay, we done. You can look now,” AJ bellowed slightly holding up Mac’s arm. “It’s from me and Unca Harm.”
Mac looked down and saw a perfect heart with the words ‘luv u’ written underneath. She smiled warmly.
“You like, Auntie Mac?”
“Oh, AJ, that is absolutely beautiful. Thank you,” Mac replied with tears in her eyes.
AJ then looked up at his godfather who was beaming. “See, told you she love it.”
“Good job, little man.”
AJ ran off to find Harriet and Bud so he could show them what he had drawn while Harm and Mac shared a private, tender moment together without words. They looked down at her cast and Mac reverently outlined the heart with her forefinger before looking lovingly into Harm's eyes. At the moment, no words were forthcoming as a simple drawing had spoken tenfold.
*
Harm was awakened by a gentle kiss to his lips. He looked up with sleepy eyes to be met by Mac’s shining, chocolate brown ones. He smiled when he saw her attire. She was wearing the harbor blue, long sleeve shirt he had worn last night. He shook his head before asking, “are you going to confiscate all of my shirts, Marine?” he whispered, his voice still hoarse with sleep.
“What? You don’t like my attire, Sailor?” Mac quipped, turning around seductively in front of him modeling her outfit.
“On the contrary… I love it, but I prefer you in nothing at all. Why are you up so early anyway?” he murmured in his sexy, sleepy voice. “The sun isn’t even up yet. Come back to bed, Sarah, so we can cuddle a little bit longer.” With that said, he reached out for Mac, who sat back down next to him on the edge of the bed and began caressing her bare legs in an enticingly arousing manner.
“Oh no, you don’t, Squid,” she responded, loving the use of her given name. She took one of his hands into hers and entwined their fingers. She smiled before bending down and giving him another sweet kiss. “I’m sorry, but as much as I would like to crawl back into this bed with you, cuddling will have to wait until later. The world awaits and it’s time for you to get up and ready for the new day.”
“Are you kicking me out, Jarhead? What time is it anyway?”
“No, I’m not kicking you out and it’s o-five-hundred,” she replied, leaning down to kiss him again Eskimo style.
Harm rubbed his eyes groaning. “Oh man, Mac, it’s still the middle of the night, and if I remember correctly, we didn’t get very much sleep.”
“Oh, and who’s fault was that?” Mac teased.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, Marine, but I distinctly remember your hands being all over me.”
“Yeah, and as I recall… I was not the only octopus in this bed,” Mac chided as she reached out to tickle his sides.
“Okay, okay,” Harm conceded, taking her hands in his as he remembered every pleasant detail of their coupling. “I guess we both couldn’t get enough of each other.” He grinned sexily, raising his eyebrows.
Mac chuckled, ruffling his sleep-tousled hair. “Come on, sleepyhead, rise and shine. On the way back from the Roberts, you promised Grams to have breakfast with her before you went to work.” Mac got up from the bed quickly as Harm’s hand was once again on her thigh and inching higher and higher. Mac tugged at the blankets. “Let’s go, Squid,” she commanded in her most authoritative voice. “You know, Harm, last night when I let you in and all… well let’s just say I promised myself to have you back home on time this morning. And who knows, maybe you will even get there before she’s up and waiting for you… you know, Navy... on time for a change. Otherwise, you know darn well that she will know exactly where you spent the night, and she will never let you hear the end of it,” she added with a wink.
Harm sighed as he sat up slowly, smirking. The blankets were covering his legs up to his waist, leaving his chest bare, and Mac had all she could do to keep her distance. “You know, I think I’m getting too old for this.”
Mac was watching him intently, thinking he looked absolutely wonderful sitting there all disheveled. She raised her eyebrow, questioningly. “Do I dare ask for what exactly? Are we talking sneaking out of your apartment to spend the night with a girl, or just the part with the night and the girl… or better put… with this girl in particular?” Mac asked smiling mischievously.
Before she was able to react, Harm reached out, pulling her towards him, pinning a screeching Mac between the mattress and his awakening body. “For the record, the part with the night and this girl… I’m never too old, Jarhead, but I think that evidence is quite apparent,” he said smirking, muffling her response with his lips firmly planted on hers for a passionate kiss. “Now… good morning.”
“Good morning to you too,” she retorted slightly out of breath from their very heated kiss. Mac sighed, licking her lips. Life could be so good.
Harm grinned broadly, wiggling his eyebrows at her. “How much time do I have?”
“Hmmm… sadly, not enough to prove your statement, Sailor.”
“Too bad,” Harm sighed, crawling out of bed. He held out his hand for Mac to take, pulling her out of the bed. “Then I guess it has to wait for another time,” he whispered into her ear, running his tongue around it before kissing it gently.
“Yup, and I am going to hold you to it,” a tingling Mac quipped, swatting his bare six as he turned away from her.
“Guess I should take a quick shower.”
“You definitely better,” Mac replied, enjoying the view of his naked body.
Harm nodded to the bathroom door. “Feel like sharing?” he asked coyly, hands on his bare hips, daring her, tempting her, and without a doubt seducing her.
At first Mac didn’t answer, simply letting her ‘oh no, you don’t’-look speak for her. “Don’t even think about it,” she yelped. After yesterday morning, she knew that sharing a shower would never be a quick venture for them.
Harm shrugged chuckling. “Doesn’t hurt to ask.”
“You are incorrigible. Just go get into the shower, Sailor,” Mac ordered, shooing him with her hands. She knew if he stood there with that pose any longer, she could not be held responsible for her actions.
“I’m going, I’m going,” Harm said, holding his hands up in surrender as he made his way to the bathroom. Standing in the doorway, he stopped and turned around slowly. “Oh, ummm… Mac?” he uttered in that low raspy voice he saved just for her.
“Yeah?” Mac murmured still standing where he’d left her, enjoying the view.
Harm pointed at her, his eyes taking in every inch of her beautiful form. “I’m going to need that shirt, you know.”
“Oh… really?” Mac replied smirking. It was time to turn the tables. “You need this shirt,” she repeated to him. “Right now?” she added saucily as she slowly let her unhurt hand run over her breast before it reached the only fastened button. Mac made quick work of undoing it and in slow motion she let the shirt slide off her soft shoulders, down her silky arms and pool freely at her feet.
Harm gulped audibly as he watched her, giving him quite a show. She was now standing in front of the bed just as naked as him. He had all he could do not to throw caution to the wind and have his wicked way with her. Mac was definitely enjoying his reaction to her flamboyant actions. She sauntered her way to the closet door to retrieve her robe, feeling Harm’s eyes on her the entire time. She turned slowly and began to giggle. “Gotcha, Squid!”
Harm swiped at the sweat that had formed on his upper lip with the back of his hand. “Damn, Jarhead.” After that little display, Harm was totally flustered. “I need a cold shower… an ice cold one at that.” He then quickly disappeared behind the door of the bathroom, shutting it with a resounding slam.
Mac chuckled, knowing exactly how he felt. She picked up his shirt and gently shook it out, placing it on her bed. She consulted her inner clock and decided that they would have time to share a quick cup of coffee before welcoming the new day and its challenges.
*
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
9:05 AM
The conference room was quiet as Harm, Bud, Harriet, Mattoni, and Singer waited impatiently for the admiral to arrive. It was their usual Monday nine o’clock staff meeting, but they all knew there was nothing ‘usual’ about today.
“Good morning, people,” Admiral Chegwidden said, walking briskly to the head of the conference table, putting a stack of cases onto it in front of him. “I’m guessing you all have already heard in this morning’s news that Vice Admiral Williams is accused of murder, grievous bodily harm, and hit and run after instigating a police chase that resulted in a crash leaving three dead and four in serious condition,” he resounded, opening the file on top of the stack. “This morning, the police found him in his own home and arrested him. Initial blood tests confirm a high level of alcohol in his system.”
“Has he given a statement yet?” Harm asked.
AJ, who was both a friend and former roommate of Vice Admiral Jonathan Williams at the Academy, sighed. “He says he’s not guilty.” Admiral Chegwidden looked at the file in front of him before leaning back in his chair. “He admits to drinking heavily after a fight with his wife last night. But he swears he drank at home and never left the house, passing out on the couch in the living room.”
“Are there any witnesses who can corroborate his statement, Sir?” Lieutenant Singer asked. Her interest in this case was definitely high priority. From the moment she heard about it on the radio… she wanted it, and she was going to do everything in her power to get it. It was a major steppingstone on the road to her goal of becoming the next JAG, more precisely, the first female JAG.
“I’m afraid not, Lieutenant. His wife told the police she found him passed out drunk in their house and attributed it to their earlier fight. She was unable to confirm his statement of being there all night because she left shortly after their fight to stay at a friend’s.”
This time it was Bud who spoke up. “Sir, is there anyone to identify him as the hit-and-run driver?”
“No. The police officers who chased him were only able to identify the make of the car but not the license plate. They lost him at the train crossing, when he gunned it across the tracks right in front of the oncoming freight train. By the time the train passed, he was long gone.”
“I’m not sure I follow, Sir?” Harm looked around the room, noticing the same expression of surprise on everyone’s face. “They never came close enough to read the plate?”
“Oh no, Commander, they were close enough, but the plate was camouflaged somehow making it indecipherable.”
Bud frowned. “That’s odd. I mean, why would someone disguise the license plate on his car? Unless they were actually planning on doing something illegal. I don’t think someone would do it because they were driving under the influence of alcohol.”
“Maybe the camouflage had been in place before last night,” Mattoni retorted shrugging.
“Maybe,” Harm readily agreed, “but somehow something doesn’t add up, Sir. How were they able to identify him so quickly if they were unable to read the license plate in order to trace it?”
“They got a call from one of his neighbors. The woman had heard about the chase in the news and that the car involved was a Cobalt Blue BMW M Coupe. When she took her dog out for a walk… she saw the car described on the news, in his driveway with unmistakable damage to the front and left side of the vehicle.”
“That certainly doesn’t sound good,” Mattoni countered.
While they all sat around the conference table absorbing what had just been said, and before AJ could say anything else, Lieutenant Singer spoke what was on her mind. “Sir, I finished the Carlson case and I would very much like to work on this one.”
It took all their naval discipline for Bud, Mattoni, and Harm to contain themselves. Harm couldn’t resist and rolled his eyes, which did not go unnoticed by Mattoni and Bud who smiled in response.
“Well, Lieutenant…,” the Admiral offered, removing his glasses, throwing them on to the stack of folders before crossing his arms over his chest, as Singer smiled warmly - the “YES” written all over her face. “I’m really glad to hear that because I want you to assist Commander Rabb with the defense.”
Harm sat their stoically, cringing on the inside. ‘Oh, God, please… not Singer,’ he thought. The last thing he wanted to do was work with the ‘step on everyone on her way to the top’-lieutenant.
“But, Sir…,” Singer started only to be stopped short by the Admiral’s raised hand as he continued with his explanation.
“Mattoni, you and Lieutenant Roberts will prosecute. I’m sorry to keep this meeting short, but the SECNAV is waiting for my call. He wants this case solved ASAP, people. Vice Admiral Williams is at the top of the promotion list this year.” The Admiral then got up from his chair and handed out the papers. “Carry on,” he bellowed before leaving the room.
“Aye, Aye, Sir!” the group replied in unison.
As soon as the door thudded closed behind the Admiral, all eyes were on Singer who was quickly putting her papers together and about to storm out of the room.
“Lieutenant,” Harm called after her, making her stop midway. “Meet me in my office….” Harm took a quick glance at his watch. “… let’s say thirty minutes.”
“Yes, Sir,” Singer responded grimly, marching out the door.
“Looks like I might be interrupting her plans,” Harm snickered before looking at his colleagues. “Well, gentlemen, looks like we’ll see each other in the courtroom. Be prepared to lose, Mattoni,” Harm quipped.
Mattoni laughed. “Yeah, right, Rabb,” Mattoni answered back, slapping Harm on the shoulder. “As far as I can see, you’re already on the short end of the stick,” he joked, pointing at the door Singer had just exited.
“Oh, not to worry, Mattoni. I can handle her… ah the situation,” he quickly corrected. “It will be a piece of cake.”
“If you say so,” Mattoni replied walking to the door with a wide-eyed Bud in tow.
Harm groaned audibly, rubbing his hand over his face. “Is it Friday yet?” he asked into the silent room.
*
11:30 AM
“Colonel!” Bud called out happily when he saw Mac entering the bullpen from where he stood at the copy machine. “This is a pleasant surprise. It is so great to see you here.”
“Hey, Bud,” Mac answered smiling, walking towards him. “Thanks. I just had a visit with Little AJ. That poor little guy has really got it bad, huh?”
Bud sighed wearily. “Yes Ma’am. It was a pretty rough night with the vomiting and the incessant coughing. Thankfully, we were able to get the fever down. How was he when you saw him?” Bud asked still worried about his son.
“Don’t worry, Bud. He was exhausted, but he was doing much better. Harriet told us that the doctor thinks he got a case of the flu, but it wasn’t serious.”
“We certainly hope that’s all it is,” Bud answered, looking a little bewildered at Mac. “Ummm… Ma’am… us?”
Mac chuckled, squeezing his left shoulder. “Yeah, Bud. Your little man is a real charmer… even when he’s sick. He knows exactly how to wrap someone around his chubby, little finger. He will make one heck of a lawyer one day,” Mac added with a grin.
“He sure does.” Bud laughed fidgeting just a little as he rubbed his hand over his forehead. “What did he do this time?”
“Well, before I came here, I stopped by Harm’s to see if his grandmother needed anything. I no sooner got in the door when the phone rang… it was Harriet.”
“Harriet called Harm’s grandmother?” Bud asked nervously. “Oh, boy,” he concluded.
“Yup. It would seem that Little AJ was feeling lonely along with being sick. He repeatedly asked Harriet to call his ‘Granma’ so she could come over and read to him. He wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and the alternative to have Harriet read to him was not very well accepted.”
“Definitely sounds like my boy,” Bud confessed grinning. “I just hope Mrs. Rabb wasn’t rattled by it.”
“Are you kidding, Bud? She didn’t even let me finish my coffee; she insisted I get her to your apartment ASAP. She told me I could get another coffee later. When I left your home, AJ and Grams were already plotting a slumber party. AJ was in the process of figuring out how to get his parents to agree. I don’t think you are going to get out of this one, Bud,” Mac concluded with a huge smile.
“He really loves her, Colonel. I guess having a grandmother who is actually around is what AJ has really missed out on, and having Mrs. Rabb around fulfills that void for AJ. She is really a very special lady.”
Mac smiled warmly, knowing all too well how easily Grams had entered her own heart. “That she is, Bud. That she is. Now, Bud, where can I find her grandson? Maybe I can get him to have lunch with a Marine.”
“Oh, I don’t think you will have a problem with that, Colonel. He’s in his office working on the new case.” Bud motioned with his head in the direction of Harm’s office.
Mac raised her eyebrow. “New case… what new case?” Harm hadn’t mentioned anything about a new case. That’s when it dawned on her. “Vice Admiral Williams?” she questioned. “I heard about it on the morning news.”
“Yes, Ma’am. The Commander is defending the Vice Admiral.”
“Wow, guess he’s pretty busy then. Are you working with him on this one?”
Bud chuckled at first, but soon found it turning into an all out laugh. Mac looked at Bud questioningly. “Oh, I’m sorry, Ma’am,” Bud stammered as he calmed down. “The Commander didn’t get that lucky.”
“I’m sorry?”
Before Mac could ask him more about what he meant, Mattoni stepped up to them, giving Bud a little slap on his shoulder. “What’s so funny, Lieutenant? Hello, Colonel. It’s sure nice to see you around here. “
“I just told the Colonel that I’m not the one working with Commander Rabb on this new case.”
Now it was Mattoni’s turn to laugh out loud. “Nah.” He rubbed his chin. “Rabb didn’t get that lucky,” he concluded walking back to his office. “Oh, Bud, when you have a few, I would like to discuss something with you. Mac, I hope to see you around here more often. You’re truly missed, Colonel,” he said before adding ‘More than you know,’ under his breath.
“Thanks, Mattoni. That’s why I’m here actually. Wish me luck.”
“Good Luck,” Mattoni said grinning before disappearing into his office.
“Well, I guess I better go.”
“Sure, Bud. I’ll see you later,” Mac replied as she started making her way over to Harm’s office, still wondering what the heck was going on.
*
The blinds and the door of Harm’s office were closed, which told Mac he must be busy and in need of some privacy. She knocked on his door and waited until his mumbled ‘enter’ before she opened it. “Hey,” she said with a warm smile, immediately realizing that he was not the only one in his office. ‘Oh boy…now I get it,’ was all she could think, but outwardly responded with, “Hello, Lieutenant.”
“Colonel,” was Singer’s curt reply, her eyes flashing jealously at Mac.
Harm looked up from his papers the moment he’d heard her voice, giving her a bright smile of his own. It was clearly obvious to Mac that he was more than happy for the little interruption. “Hey, yourself. Now this is a pleasant surprise,” he said even though he knew he would see her in the office as she had planned on coming in to talk to the Admiral. However, Singer did not need to be privy to that little piece of information.
“Yeah, I thought I’d see if you were interested in stopping for some lunch. I brought some sandwiches from the deli on the corner,” she said, holding up a brown paper bag. “I got you a vegetarian… or are you too busy for lunch?” she asked.
“Actually, Colonel, we are very busy,” Lieutenant Singer replied sternly before Harm could say a word.
Harm looked at Singer with a raised eyebrow and an angry glare while Mac simply ignored her totally.
“Actually,” Harm stated, turning his gaze from Singer to Mac, “a little break sounds great right about now. Why don’t we meet in the garden in… let’s say… fifteen minutes?”
Mac smiled. “Okay, sounds good to me. Guess I better let you get back to work before you get in trouble,” she told him with a devious wink. “I think I’m going to see if the Admiral can spare a few minutes of his time and see me. See ya.” She then turned to look at the fuming Singer. “Lieutenant.”
“Colonel.”
“In a few, Mac,” Harm called after her as she closed the door behind her. He then turned his gaze to Singer who was sitting opposite him looking down at her papers, hoping she would not be on the receiving end of his wrath. Harm was bristling but decided to let it go for the time being. ‘Oh dear God, why isn’t it Friday yet?’ he pondered.
*
Mac proceeded towards the Admiral’s office when she saw Mattoni and Bud walking out of Mattoni’s office. Having seen her exiting Harm’s office, they immediately gave her that ‘told you so’-look along with a meaningful smile as she passed them.
She shook her head, grinning from ear to ear then chuckled. She really did feel sorry for Harm, knowing how difficult it was to work with Singer. She also knew that if anyone could keep Singer in line… it was her Harm. ‘My Harm, I like the sound of that,’ she thought happily as she continued to make her way to the Admiral’s office.
*
She was surprised not to see Tiner sitting at his desk as usual. ‘Guess he’s already gone to lunch,’ Mac thought, turning her gaze to the doorway of the Admiral’s office. Since the door was partially opened, she decided to step inside and look to see if he was available. She saw him sitting at his desk, brooding over some papers.
She knocked softly on the doorframe. “Sir?”
Admiral Chegwidden quickly looked up from the papers he was perusing and his grim face immediately turned into a smile at the sight of her. “Colonel, this is a pleasant surprise. Come on in,” he motioned to her, removing his glasses, putting them on top of the stack of papers as he walked around to stand in front of his desk.
“I hope this isn’t a bad time, Sir.” Mac replied as she closed the door behind her.
“No, of course not. Please sit down,” Admiral Chegwidden offered and pointed at one of the visitor chairs in front of his desk before he sat down on the other one. “How are you doing, Mac?”
Mac smiled thankfully at his use of her nickname, knowing that the beginning of this conversation was between two friends and not between the Colonel and her CO. “Thanks, Admiral. I’m doing much better now and slowly but surely everything seems to be getting back to normal.” Mac opened her purse, retrieving a piece of paper and gave it to him. “I actually found a house and have already moved in. This is my new address and phone number. By the end of the week you should be able to reach me at that number, but you can always reach me on my cell.”
“Well, it appears that you have certainly been busy, Mac.” The Admiral then looked down at the paper she had given him. “Rock Creek Park… very nice. I’m glad to see you found something so quick. I really can’t imagine what it’s like to loose everything and have to start from scratch,” he concluded with a frown, rubbing his hand over his balding head as he looked at her intently.
Mac had become a little uncomfortable at his scrutinizing gaze. Alarms were going off in her head, wondering if he was alluding to her former living arrangement with Harm. She shrugged before he spoke.
“If there is anything you need or if I can be of help with anything, please let me know. I hope you know that I would be happy to help you out in any way I can. So please do not hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you, Sir, but I’m pretty much settled in. It was difficult, yes, but all I lost were material things while...,” Mac stopped and inhaled deeply to compose herself, “some people lost their lives and now their family members are forced to go on without them.”
“Point taken,” the Admiral acknowledged picking up on her discomfort. “Do the police know yet what actually happened? I heard on the news yesterday that the explosion had not been accidental. It was set. Is that true?”
‘Damn it,’ Mac thought. She knew that sooner or later people would ask; her friends would want to know what the heck had happened. She didn’t want to lie to the people she considered ‘family’ but she had promised the authorities that she would be discreet as they wanted to keep the events of the upcoming trial out of the press for as long as possible. To tell them that Mic was somehow involved would be hard enough, but to say nothing. ”Yes, Sir, it’s true,” she confessed nipping on her lower lip, hoping that he wouldn’t push any further so that she wouldn’t feel as though she was withholding information.
Admiral Chegwidden nodded understandingly, accepting the little she had to say. “And how are you physically? Is everything healing well? You are out and about on your own, which tells me your eyes have mended.”
“Yes, Sir, both my back and eyes are healing without further complications. I’m going to have an x-ray later today and hopefully the news will be good about my arm as well.”
“I’m sure it will be, and before you know it you will be as good as new and back in action.”
Mac shifted nervously in her chair. “Well, actually that is why I’m here, Admiral. I would like to come back immediately. I know, I’m probably not cleared to take on any cases just yet, but maybe I could help out somehow… you know research and things like that.”
The Admiral smiled knowingly. “Cabin fever starting to get to you?”
Mac chuckled. “You could say that, Sir. I will have to go through some rehab soon, but I can still work several hours a day without any problems.”
“I’m sure you could,” AJ responded. “Alright, I’ll think about it, Colonel. With the new case we’ve just been handed, I’m sure we can use your expertise. Give me a little time to figure out the logistics and I will get back to you.”
“Yes, Sir, and thank you. I certainly appreciate any consideration you can give me, and I will wait to hear from you,” Mac said as they both got up from their chairs.
“Very well, you’ll hear from me soon.”
They then exchanged goodbyes and she exited the Admiral’s office. As soon as the door closed behind her, she couldn’t resist the smile that crept over her face. Any insecurity she had about her job had vanished in a heartbeat. She knew deep down that the Admiral would grant her request to be back on board immediately.
When Mac re-entered the bullpen she saw Lieutenant Singer standing at the fax machine and immediately let her eyes wander over to Harm’s office. The door and the blinds were both now open and his office was empty. She quickly checked her inner clock and knew exactly where he was. He was waiting for her in the garden. She instantly made her way out of the building to the nearby garden at JAG headquarters. She was anxious to see him and hoped that he would be alone this time.