| Subject: Past Sins and Compassion, the Return, Part 2 |
Author:
Maximus
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Date Posted: 13:05:51 08/10/08 Sun
In reply to:
Maximus
's message, "Past Sins and Compassion, the Return" on 16:06:33 07/31/08 Thu
Title : Past Sins and Compassion, the Return (Part 2)
From part 1:
Mac turned and followed Jennifer thru the door and into the outer office. Jennifer quickly turned:
(Jen) He doesn’t know, does he?
(M) No. I have never told him.
(Jen) Well………………..good luck with lunch, ma’am.
Mac passed by the last office on her left and held out her hand for the other person to join her as they headed to payroll.
Past Sins and Compassion, the Return (Part 2)
Harm was a little nervous as he waited for the time to pass until the clock was to ring out 12:00. He was surprised at the
surge of male…………….…interest…….. his body had experienced being in the same room with her. It had been 5 years and he felt a little guilty having feelings like that with Harriet still so fresh on his mind and Mac now evidently a married woman.
He approached the elevators at 11:55 and took up a waiting position. He heard the door down the hall open and the sound of light running footsteps as he turned to see a 4 year old girl quickly approaching him. She stopped close by and all he could see were the expressive green/blue eyes staring back at him as he sensed Mac approaching behind her. He didn’t understand why but felt Déjà Vu filling him and the whole room.
(H) Are you two my guests for lunch?
(M) Yes we are and we are very hungry, aren’t we Katie?
(K) Yes we are mommy.
Jennifer approached and handed Harm a tan envelope without a word and returned to the inner office. He put the envelope in his coat pocket without further thought and opened the door.
(H) Well let’s go then.
All three rode down the elevator and out the door to Harm’s waiting Limo. The door was opened by the Marine Sergeant allowing everyone to enter and they were on their way.
Harm turned his attention again to the cute little girl named Katie. He couldn’t wait to gather every bit of information about Mac’s life and the little girl.
(H) How old are you Katie?
(K) 4 years old. (she held up 4 fingers).
Harm decided to go for broke because he wanted to know what kind of man had finally won the heart of Sarah MacKenzie.
(H) I imagine your mommy has taught you all the important things to say, hasn’t she?
(K) Yes. Mommy is a good mommy.
(H) I’m sure she is. Can you tell me what your whole name is?
(K) My name is Kathleen Alyce Rabb but mommy calls me Katie. Mommy showed me on my birt certificate.
Harm quickly punched the controls driving the Limo’s black privacy glass to the top. Mac was watching everything take place even without her input.
(H) If she showed you on your birt certificate, what is your daddy’s name?
(K) Harmooon Rabb Juuunioor.
(H) That’s odd. My name is Harmon Rabb Junior also.
(K) Mommy says daddys are special. Are you my daddy?
Harm quickly turned to Mac with that age old look that told her he needed her to help him out.
(M) Yes Katie, he is your daddy. Do you remember the pictures I showed you last night? Doesn’t he look like the man in the pictures?
Katie looked at Harm for a time as if she was looking into his very soul. She moved off of the car seat and crawled up onto his lap. She turned again to stare up into his face matching her eye color with his. She turned back to her mother and shook her head up and down. He brought a big arm around her and she settled back on his chest.
(H) Is this true Sarah?
(M) Yes sailor. You have batted 1000% with me. One time at bat, one child.
(H) Our only night together two days before Bud died?
(M) Yes. The one and only night our souls touched on a much higher plane than ever before. The night I shall forever be thankful to you for. You gave me a gift beyond all others. That was also the last time I have been with a man.
(H) Five years?
(M) Yes, but don’t look too astonished. I have worn out a few vibrators during that time.
Harm laughed and even Katie laughed after seeing her mother’s face light up with joy. Her mom had not had much to be happy about for a very long time.
(H) Sarah, please excuse me but I am having a Forest Gump moment right now. Remember when he said, “his name is Forest too?” Believe me, I could not be happier about Katie but knowing I have another daughter with you will take some getting used to.
Harm had a brain awakening and quickly pulled the envelope from his coat pocket and opened it to see the pictures of the 2 month, 6 month, 1 year, 2 year, 3 year and 4 year picture of the little girl, supposedly in a far off land, that he supports with an allotment of $ 200 every month. Those big green/blue eyes stare back at him in the pictures. He handed the pictures to Mac and looked at her for an explanation.
(M) You have been great about sending allotment child support payments every month to help me with her needs and care. I thought you knew and understood.
(H) I guess Miss Jennifer will have some explaining to do when I see her next. If Jennifer has known about Katie all along, how many others know?
(M) Only one now. Chegwidden knew although he was so disappointed with me, I don’t believe he ever said anything about it. The only other was Harriet.
(H) Harriet? My own wife knew you were pregnant by me, carried my baby, and when she was born?
(M) Yes. We talked about it all the time because she understood that the kind of love you and I shared at one time can never be completely extinguished. She loved you so much but was also willing to share parts of you with me. On special occasions she sent pictures and special things for Katie as I did for AJ, and Sarah. She made sure that Katie never went without if she thought I would not be able to buy whatever it was up in that hell hole.
Harm, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I am not trying to get you involved in any way. Now that I will be out from under the cloud I have had to live under for the past 5 years, I intend to make a very good living and take care of all of Katie’s needs. Thanks for all the things you have done for me in the past, especially my advancement to O-6. It will really help my retirement check.
(H) Mac, I want to be part of Katie’s life, if you will let me. For that matter, I want to be part of your life also.
(M) Why the change of attitude? I thought you hated me when I left.
(H) You made the change, not me.
(M) Not really. The story was true. I did do all those despicable things.
(H) But, you finally found the truth and made corrections. I had accepted that bad choices and imperfections in your earlier life might rise to the surface to haunt and trouble you some time. Your joining a cult and turning your back on God and the church troubled me much more. I didn’t even know about the General Davis thing until after you left.
(M) That is all past and forgotten. I was accepted back into the church after finding the truth. But Harm, …………I still don’t understood why you reacted so violently against what I believed at that time.
(H) It troubled me most because you, as a JAG, had full access to the CIA, Military, and IRS files and database on the nutcase that dreamed that whole religion thing up. He roamed the streets of Tampa Bay where MacDill is located and they had box after box of evidence that his church was a sham and just a big real estate tax scheme. The CIA files alone laid out what kind of a phony he and his cult were and how many people had died at his “church”. Frankly, I believe they were murdered. Normally, you were the one with the dispassionate plan but you sure screwed up my faith in you that time. I was angry with you for being stupid enough to believe such garbage.
(M) I admit it was not my finest hour. I have wished many times that I had not lived that chapter in my life. I found the truth when I researched the guy’s estate filings made after his death. He had made millions from the cult he had created. But Harm ………………….. what hurt the most was that you turned your back on me and I couldn’t believe that would ever happen in this lifetime.
(H) I am sorry that I did that but I believed strongly that the faith and religious beliefs of my future wife were very important to the very survival of our marriage. It is something I take very seriously even today.
The conversation was cut short as they arrived and disembarked at the Lucky Dream Palace. Harm bent down and whispered something to Katie and she shook her head yes. In one fluid motion Harm had Katie seated on his shoulders and she had his cover in her hands.
(H) Is this OK mom?
(M) Sure. She has needed you for a long time.
They walked into the restaurant kind of sideways so Katie would not bump her head on the door opening even though it was very high. They attracted attention because it was not every day that a child was carried in on the shoulders of a 2 star and followed by a beautiful Marine Colonel. They enjoyed lunch with Katie seated between them. They talked of many things as both could not believe how comfortable they were together.
(H) So where are you staying?
(M) Marriott on Cypress.
(H) Where is all your gear that was shipped here?
(M) A lot of it is in my rental car and the rest in the motel room.
(H) Since I want Katie to meet AJ, Sarah, and little Harm, why don’t you bring all your gear over and store it in my garage until you decide what you are going to do and what part of the country you are going to settle in.
(M) That sounds good but I don’t know where you live.
(H) Do you remember the house Harriet bought while Bud was on the ship? Do you remember you and me going there after she moved in?
(M) Not really.
(H) I will have my driver go there on our way back so you should be able to find your way back tomorrow.
(M) I feel like I am imposing on you, but……. I would like to get it out of my rental car since Katie’s youth seat is back there.
(H) Just say the word. I have room. In fact, why don’t you come by tonight for dinner and to meet the kids? AJ will be overjoyed to see his God-Mother and I want you to meet my other two. I have a meeting at 16:30 and should be home about 18:00. Hilda, the nanny, fixes dinner and expects me home at 18:00 so she can leave. I believe it is corned beef night.
(M) I hate to keep Katie out too late but corned beef sounds great. Have you turned into a meat eater on me?
(H) She can nap in the guest room if she needs to and yes, I eat more meat now. Come on, how about spending a couple hours with us?
(M) May I go on over if I am done for the day at 16:00?
(H) Sure. Let me get you a key. Just explain to Hilda who you are before barging in. She can be a rough old gal.
They finished the meal and were met by the car and driver when they walked out front. Harm gave instructions and away they went. The driver went to great pains to show Mac how to get on the right street and stopped by the front of the house so she would recognize it. They were back in the office at 13:50 so Mac could make her 14:00 debrief. Harm returned to work and prepared for his meeting with SECNAV.
Mac was finished with her debrief at 16:00 as she had guessed and made a pass by Jennifer’s desk to collect Katie. She found her in Harm’s office asleep, curled up on the couch closest to the watchful eye of her father. Mac roused her up and got her ready to leave. Harm gave her his house key and explained that he had given Hilda a heads up for her early arrival. Harm, Mac and Katie all walked out together as Harm entered the Limo to make the trip to the SECNAV.
Mac stood close to her rental car for an extended time watching Harm leave. She could feel the old fire burning a little hotter than she had anticipated. She had expected disappointment, hate, and distrust but had found open acceptance and even felt waves of interest, love, and need coming from him.
He was every bit the big stud she remembered and in spades at that. Harriet had changed him in so many good ways and the old walls she used to see no longer existed. She had evidently taught him about forgiveness, especially forgiveness of himself. Her mind kept screaming but she couldn’t help wondering if there might be the smallest of chances for her.
Mac’s return and retirement was the main topic of the SECNAV meeting. Harm explained how it was going to be quietly handled the way the SECNAV had requested. When SECNAV started to re-hash the old story about Mac, Harm reminded him that all of it was going to be irrelevant next week when she returned to being a civilian and a veteran. SECNAV noticed Harm’s determination and agreed it need not be ever discussed again.
Mac made the 2 mile trip to the house and carefully decided how she was going to handle introductions since Harm was not here to do it. She rang the door bell and was greeted by Hilda who ushered them into the family room. AJ was ecstatic to meet his God-Mother again and would not leave her side. He was 8 now and the daytime ruler of the house.
Little Sarah heard the commotion and made her way down the stairs very slowly since she had noticed another girl in the family room. Hilda noticed and asked her to come meet their guests. Little Sarah was reserved at first when Katie was introduced to her but came across the room to sit on the same couch. Mac talked and asked questions of Sarah to take the rough edge off of her discomfort. Mac found a reason to go to the kitchen but kept an eye out on the girls. After a few minutes they were talking and before Mac knew it, Katie was following Sarah up to her room to play. After AJ felt good that Auntie Mac was not going to leave right away he returned to what he was doing out in the yard.
Mac walked thru the house and could see Harriet everywhere she looked. Pictures, finger paintings, games everywhere spoke volumes about the happiness shared by this family before the recent and terrible tragedy. She understood that the essence of Harriet would inhabit this home for years to come but instead of being upset, she was at peace because she knew Harriet loved her like a sister even in the worst of times.
Mac started a room search and found two bathrooms and 4 bedrooms upstairs but no nursery. She returned downstairs and found the normal rooms, an empty guest bedroom, and Harm’s Master suite. She found Hilda checking on the bassinet and dressing table over close to Harm’s bed, complete with monitors, and brightly colored balloons hanging from the ceiling. Hilda apologized for the move her family was making knowing that she was going to leave Harm in a real crack. Mac was cordial and made Hilda feel at ease. Hilda left a fresh bottle of breast milk with Mac and left to start dinner.
Mac approached the bassinet slowly since she had not cared for an infant in a long time. Little Harm looked startled for a second when Mac came into his view. Mac looked him over completely and had no doubt he was fathered by Harm. He looked like he was going to be solid and large like his dad and his smiles were just as infectious.
Little Harm noticed the bottle and his involuntary responses started. Mac pulled the rocking chair close and lifted him out of his crib and to her bosom. After moving him into position, she slowly gave him the bottle. She rocked him as he fed and was very surprised when he let go of the bottle and started rooting around her breast. An electrical charge, she had not felt in years, shot thru her as if she had been hit by lightning. She vividly remembered breast feeding Katie as one of her greatest delights. She had let her feed thru her first two years because she felt the bonding experience was good for both of them.
Even though she tried to move Harm Jr back to the bottle, he let her know he wanted to feed from her. She finally wrapped him in a blanket to keep him concentrated on the bottle. As she stared at him, her mind started to think again about the possibilities.
After tending to little Harm for a while, she finally agreed to herself that she really didn’t have anything more important to do for the next couple of months while Harm looked and found another nanny. She decided she could at least help out for a little while and that way Harm could get to know his new daughter before she left.
Harm arrived home to some commotion from the children and he went looking for Mac. He found her, with her eyes closed, rocking his new son with all the peace he used to see when Harriet was with little Sarah when she was little. As if on autopilot, he removed little Harm from her arms and placed him in his bassinet. He pulled Mac up and into his arms for a warm embrace and a fantastic kiss like he used to give Harriet when he found her in that position.
Mac’s eyes not only popped open but became very large and wide as Harm realized what he had just done. He let her go immediately and started apologizing for being so direct and forward with her.
She looked at him as he stumbled all over himself trying to give her reasons why he had done such a thing and finally spoke:
(M) Now I know how very lucky Harriet was to be married to you. Thank you for giving me her reward. I vividly remember other kisses we have shared.
(H) Thank you for understanding ………but Mac…..….I need to be honest with you…………... the old fire is coming back to life.
(M) Not to change the subject completely, but……..if the nanny job is still open, I will take it for a couple months while you find a permanent replacement. I think you deserve some time to get to know Katie and for her to get to know you. What do you say?
TBC
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