| Subject: Full Circle C5/6 |
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fananicfan
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Date Posted: 16:18:45 08/18/07 Sat
In reply to:
fananicfan
's message, "Full Circle...Next in the series" on 17:55:08 08/16/07 Thu
Chapter Five – San Diego Bound
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006
BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA
The Blacksburg Hotel
Morning
I wake to the pressure of her lips on mine. I don't open my eyes, but I bring my hand up to place it on the back of her head to hold her lips to mine for as long as possible. Before I get my hand in place, she's deepening the kiss, and my body is tingling. The kiss is slow and long, and, I think, promising, but when our lips part, I open my eyes to see that she's dressed for the day.
"You wake me up like that and you're dressed?" Her eyes dart away from mine before she utters anything.
"When I was taking my shower this morning, I thought you might have gotten the impression that I didn't want you last night. You looked so sexy sleeping there that I wanted to kiss you and let you know that it isn't true. I do want you. This trip was a wonderful idea, but it fell at a bad time of the month."
I think that I'm starting to understand 'woman code.' She isn't talking about monthly reports being due or anything like that. She's letting me know that it's her time of the month. She sees the recognition of her meaning come over my face, but before anymore can be said, there's someone speaking from the connecting doorway.
"Harm, my suit's almost dry, so I don't think I should swim this morning. I didn't think about it when I told you that I'd give you a rematch, but I don't want to pack a wet suit."
"Yeah, packing wet swim suits isn't a good idea. I'll take a rain check. I'll be in San Diego for the JAG conference. I've got some things to take care of, but I'll try to get there by this weekend, and we can race then."
"Cool," Mattie says and turns to go back into her room.
After Mattie leaves, I feel a slap on my arm. "You're going to be in San Diego for the JAG conference and you're just now mentioning it?" Mac asks.
"Hey, you were pretty chilly to me last night. I wasn't sure that you'd be interested, but after that kiss this morning, I'm hoping that it means that I won't have to make hotel reservations," I answer teasingly.
"I don't know,” she says, slowly dragging out the syllables while she’s thinking. “How long have you known that you were attending the conference?"
"When Cresswell came to inspect the new offices in Naples last Monday, he dropped an envelope on my desk. My topic for the conference, the rules of engagement from a lawyer/aviator's standpoint, with travel documents and other items related to it were inside."
"Almost a week? It would serve you right if I made you stay in a hotel...but I miss you too much to hold it against you, so no hotel for you. You'll have a place to stay."
I give her a big smile. "You think you'll like having me around for the week?" I inquire tenatively.
"It'll be different having you around, but yeah, I think I'll like it," Mac replies with a sheepish grin.
"What if I could stay longer? Would that be okay?"
"If the committee decides in our favor on Tuesday, before they'll let us finalize the adoption and really make Tyler our son, they'll want to know that you've been to visit him as much as you possibly could. So, though I'd love to have the time with you, I think you should save your leave time for when we can all be together."
"I was hoping to have the perfect moment to tell you about the other item in the envelope, but I waited a lot of years for the perfect moment to tell you that I loved you and it never came, so I ended up just blurting it out. Maybe some people just don't get those fairy tale type moments," I offer before I continue, "but I have some life changing news to tell you." I look into her eyes and take her hands in mine. "We were miles apart and then we were together for such short periods of time before the miles separated us again, but now we've come full circle. We're going to be together again. I have a new duty station assignment. I have orders to San Diego."
"So if we get Tyler, we're going to be a real family?" Mac gasps in disbelief.
"Looks that way," I answer with a sheepish grin.
"Wait, did you tell Ms. LeMoine? This will help our case," Mac says excitedly.
"Yes, I faxed her when I got the orders in my hand. I was going to call you, but I wanted to see the expression on your face when you found out that we're going to finally get the chance to live together as husband and wife."
"What's your new assignment?" she asks with a big smile on her face.
"I'll be the JAG assigned to the regional NCIS office. I report for duty on April 17th."
Tyler's awake, and his voice saying 'good morning' to Mattie in the other room prompts me to suggest, "I don't think we should tell him. If the committie doesn't let Tyler live with us, it'll be harder for him if he knows that we're all together without him. If the committee approves our application, we can tell him then."
The look on Mac's face is a combination of disbelief and excitement, and I stop to let her have a moment to let it sink in, but it occurs to me that I haven't thought about when to tell Mattie. "One more thing, I'd like to tell Mattie myself, if you don't mind. I'll pull her aside sometime before I have to send you two off to the airport today."
She nods her understanding and agreement as her body starts to lean forward and our faces get closer to each other. Our lips are about to meet when we hear a seven year old ball of energy entering the room.
"I'm hungry."
Mac and I keep eye contact for just a moment in a silent apology that our kiss was interrupted before we turn our attention to the little boy who's now next to the bed.
Mac stands and moves around to Tyler. "I'm hungry, too. Let's go see if Mattie's hungry while Harm gets dressed."
Afternoon
Since the mini van was big enough for everyone to return to the airport in one vehicle, Tyler and I said our goodbyes to Mac and Mattie at the hotel. My mother had hugs for Tyler and me, and Tyler had a hug for grandpa before the San Diego bound family left the hotel.
I'd asked Mattie to help me take her and Mac's things to the car, but with them having only the one carry on bag, she knew that I wanted to discuss something. She brought up Paul's name, not me, and somehow that seemed like as good a lead in as any, so I droppped my news on her. "We don't need to talk about Paul right now." She looked relieved. "We'll have plenty of time to talk about him when I'm there. Since I'll be living there, I'll even have a chance to meet him." Mattie went pale for a moment, but she regained her color pretty quickly and said that it would be good to have me around.
With everyone else on the way to the airport, I was in charge of getting Tyler back to the Potter home. I was glad that I was given the job because, when I'd had the chance to talk briefly with Ms. LeMoine yesterday at the party, she'd suggested that I meet with her this afternoon when I returned Tyler. She was going to come by to ask Tyler a few questions about his night with us while it was still fresh in his mind, and she'd answer my questions about Tuesday's hearing then, too.
Ms. LeMoine is patient and starts by explaining the committee's purpose and makeup. “The committee meets to make initial placement decisions for children under the age of ten, who aren't really emotionally ready to help in the decision making, but the child is usually asked a few questions to make them feel that they do have some say if they're old enough. The committee is made up of three people who aren't connected to the case: a psychologist, a supervisor from social services, and a teacher. They read reports from those involved, such as myself, and letters from the prospective parents, but they don't meet with anyone. In Tyler’s case, he's considered old enough to have some input, but he won't speak directly to the committee. He’ll sit in a room and be asked questions by the psychologist, who's best qualified to read his body language, while the other two members watch from another room.”
Next, she explains what happens after the decision is made. “They’ll call me after they’ve reached a decision. They inform me so that I can see that Tyler is told in a way that's the least stressful to him. The committee meets all day and reviews more than one case, so I may hear from them late on Tuesday or it may be even Wednesday. They’ll notify you of their decision by overnight mail that will go out on Wednesday morning, so you should receive it by Thursday afternoon.”
Ms. LeMoine informs me of the ways to appeal the decision if they say no. I listen, but ‘no’ really isn’t what we’re expecting after I faxed over my letter this past week. Next, she tells me about the procedure when they say “yes.”
“I’ll be responsible for telling Tyler. I'll probably tell him Friday afternoon so that, with help from Mrs. Potter, I'll be able to make a quick assessment of how he’s handling the idea of moving or address any of his concerns that may come up while he's still in an ‘emotionally safe’ place, in this case, the Potter home. If he reacts the way I suspect...” she continues “...I'll be giving the go ahead for a court date during the following week. That's when you and your wife will need to make an appearance to take physical custody of Tyler. If I ask for a court date by midweek, I'd say, by the second week of April, we'd get a hearing date, and you could have Tyler in California by Easter.
After meeting with Ms. LeMoine, I know the procedure if the committee gives their consent for Tyler to move to San Diego. I'd hoped that, after the hearing on Tuesday, I'd get to take him with me, but, of course, it isn't that easy.
I head back to the hotel, wondering what date Easter falls on. At the hotel, I find that Easter Sunday falls on April 16th this year. I’ll use that date as a reference. That means that, if everything goes the way it should, we have less than three weeks to get his room ready.
The Blacksburg Hotel
Evening
I'll be checking out of the hotel in the morning to get on the road. I've made the trip to San Diego from Washington a few times in the past, but not recently. By leaving from Blacksburg, I've shaved off about three hours from a Washington departure. I’ve looked up road conditions and weather forecasts on the internet to help make the trip easier.
It should be about a thirty-six hour drive, plus a couple of hours for food and gas stops along the way, so I've rounded the travel time up to forty hours. The conference starts on Monday, so I have to be there by then, but I'm hoping to be there before the weekend. I’ve set a goal to travel ten hours a day.
I'm traveling pretty light. I shipped some clothes to my parents’ home before I left Naples, so a stop there for more of my clothes will be necessary after I get into town. I did have the foresight to bring a uniform with me in case the box that I shipped doesn't arrive in time for the conference.
I go to sleep with a peaceful feeling that, by week's end, I'll be in San Diego, sleeping in bed with my wife once again.
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2006
Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas
When I started out this morning, I was filled with the excitement of a road trip like a child and I managed to stay on the road for twelve hours and push past my original planned stop at Memphis, Tennessee to stop in Little Rock, Arkansas.
I've already picked up a postcards in Tennessee and Arkansas for Tyler. I may have to wait until San Diego to mail them, but I plan to pick one up in every state that I travel through.
I open my laptop to see what impact on time my pushing on to Little Rock had on my four day plan before calling it a night.
TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2006
Hotel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico
I started out at six this morning and stayed on the road for a little less than twelve hours. Last night, I'd picked Amarillo, Texas as the place to stop tonight, but once behind the wheel, I pushed further. It may be because I'm gaining time traveling west or perhaps I’m just excited to get to San Diego, but the trip is going better than I thought it would.
I did try to push myself too hard tonight by making it through to Albuquerque, but my eyes got tired and I had to stop before reaching that destination. I didn't make many stops during the day, either. When I did stop for gas, I tried to pick one of those trucker travel stations so that I could get gas, postcards and food at the same time. Today, I picked up postcards from Oklahoma and Texas. I'll get one for New Mexico tomorrow.
I'm on the laptop again before turning in because, the way I figure it, I've been on the road for twelve hours a day for two days, so a twelve or thirteen hour day tomorrow should put me in San Diego.
I don't get to the directions before I notice that I've got mail. I see a new email from Mac. The ‘subject line’ reads: TYLER. I click quickly to open her email. The email has no greeting and no closing. The text area reads: Ms. Lemoine called. She said that official notice from the committee should be here on Thursday, but she believes that we'll be able to pick him up sometime around Easter!
I quickly email her back to tell her how happy I am to get the news.
After sending her email, I move to the maps icon to type in the information to see if my time estimates are correct. Can I make San Diego tomorrow?
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2006
BURNETT RESIDENCE, LA JOLLA, CA
I tossed and turned most of last night, so I got on the road a little before five this morning. Once again, I made all-purpose stops. I got postcards from New Mexico and Arizona today. I want to get Tyler a postcard of the California coast where he'll be living instead of the dessert areas that I traveled through to get here.
I gained another hour today, so it's about 1800 when I pull up to my parents’ home. I want to see if my box has arrived and verify the directions that I have from here to the condo. I see the car that Mac's been using in the drive, and it occurs to me that it's Wednesday and she's here for dinner.
Because I hadn't slept well last night, I was feeling a little drained, but now that I'm a few steps from Mac, I’m rejuvenated. I'm out of the car in a couple of moments and headed up the sidewalk.
I decide not to knock if the door's unlocked. Thankfully, the door is unlocked and I go inside. From where I hear voices coming, they're at the back of the house. I'm moving in their direction when, suddenly, the voices are gone. I don’t panic because I know the layout of the house. The sudden loss of voices means that they’re on the back deck and they’ve closed the sliding glass door.
I reach the patio door and slide it open. I step out on the deck and see the four of them standing on the deck, looking out over the ocean.
"I hope there's enough dinner for one more. I'm starving," I say to get their attention.
Everyone turns and stares for a moment, but Mac speaks first, "You look tired, too. Do you need a place to stay as well?"
"Do you know of a nice place?"
"Yes, and it isn't too far from here."
No one's moved while Mac and I have been having our little exchange, but with a lull in the conversation, they begin to move towards me.
Frank approaches me first and extends his hand. "Glad to see you. Can I get you something to drink...tea, lemonade or beer?"
"Iced tea.”
"Coming up."
Frank leaves, and my mother walks up to me. "Darling, Mac said that you needed to be here for a conference next week, but we weren’t expecting you so soon.” She gives me a hug. “I'm going to go check on dinner."
"I'll help you, Grandma," Mattie says before she gives me a little squeeze around the waist and follows my mother into the house.
"They've left us alone out here," Mac says as I close the distance between us.
Our lips meet in a searing kiss and, when the kiss is broken, I'm not as interested in dinner as I was before.
During dinner, Mac teasingly asks, "You said you had somethings to do before you came out for the conference. Did you get your lecture finished or did you come out early to get me to help you with it?"
"For your information, I had notes from the shipboard rules of engagement class that we gave several years ago and I elaborated on them to complete my lecture."
"If you weren't working on the lecture, what did you have to do?"
"After the general's inspection, I got some time off as a reward. So I thought I'd use the extra time off to bring my car out to San Diego to stop those storage fees like we discussed and spend a few days relaxing before the conference."
"You drove all that way here?" I nod my head once in answer. "Well, no wonder you're tired. You drove all that way in just three days?" Mac asks again as if she doesn't quite believe me.
Once again, I nod my head to answer, but I add, "I was in a hurry to get home."
She just shakes her head as if she thinks I'm crazy.
The questions have made us so focused on each other that we've inadvertenly elimated the others from the conversation, but Mattie corrects that by changing the topic to something important to her. "In two weeks, I have an appointment to take my road test for my license."
My answer is simple. "I'm moving here in time to witness you getting your license. That's pretty cool...and scary," I tease her.
My mother cuts off any further exchange between Mattie and me by asking, "Harm, did I hear correctly? You're moving here?"
After I confirm that she heard correctly, she hugs me and tells me how delighted she is that she'll not only get to enjoy having my family around, but her son, too. Frank takes the news of my new residence in stride like he always does.
Mattie's become quiet during the conversation with my mother. I don't have time to ask Mattie about it before Mac asks me to help clear the table. Mac doesn't really want my help with the dishes. Instead, she wants to talk to me about Mattie. Mac informs me that, on the plane back, Mattie was happy that I was moving here, but her attitude on the subject was different after school on Monday. I've been at this 'woman code' translating for only a short time, so Mac has to spell it out for me. "Mattie, isn't sure how you living at home and her having a boyfriend is going to go."
After clearing the dishes, we thank my parents for dinner, and it's time to go to our home. I was hoping to talk to Mattie and ease her mind on the ride from my parents' home to the condo, but Mattie opts to ride with Mac, and I follow their car.
When Mattie chooses to ride with Mac, it suddenly occurs to me that a lot of big changes are going to take place all at once, changes that are going to impact all of us. The longest that Mac and I have actually lived together was during the week of our honeymoon, which isn't exactly the normal day in and day out living together that we're going to be doing now. That's going to be quite an adjustment in itself. Then there's Mattie. She and Mac have worked out living together quite well, but it wasn't all smooth sailing to reach that stage, and now she's going to have to adjust to having a full time dad around. Even when I was her guardian in DC, we usually saw each other only for breakfast, dinner, when I helped her with her homework and on weekends. Now we're also adding Tyler to our family. He's going to have the most adjustments to make. He'll have to adjust to a whole new family, a new place to live and a new school.
At the condo, Mac comments about how tired I look for the second time tonight. “You look so tired. I think getting some sleep should be your first priority. The place isn't that big, so we can skip the grand tour. You can check it out tomorrow."
“A good night's sleep would be a welcome change of pace." Besides, I am tired and I'd like to be alone with Mac and, if my wife’s in the mood, I want to make love to her before we sleep.
When we get to our room, I'm happy to see that Mac and I are on the same page tonight. She and I come together to kiss, and I'm not sure which one of us makes the first move, but clothes are discarded at a feverish pace with a sense of urgency caused by our separation, and soon we're in bed, rolling around and exploring each other in ways that we haven't been able to do in months.
After our joining, we cuddle together. I don’t hear any complaints about my performance. She simply snuggles close to me, but I know that our union was rushed. Tomorrow night, I owe her a night of the slow lovemaking that she deserves. I'm enjoying the warmth of her body against mine. As my eyelids close, heavy from the need to sleep, I silently say a little prayer. Please, God, let all of this work out so that we can all be happy.
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