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Date Posted: 21:12:10 12/12/13 Thu
Author: usmgrad
Subject: 2010 - Home for the Holidays, part 2

Title - Home for the Holidays, part 2

Author - usmgrad

Disclaimer - JAG and its characters are the property of CBS Television, Paramount Studios and Bellisarius Productions. All rights reserved. No monetary gain will be realized from this story and no copyright infringement is intended.


Twenty years later-

“Hello, anyone home?”

“Elizabeth?” Came a voice from the back of the house; followed by a surprised and confused mother.

“What are you doing here?”

Liz shook her head and thought ‘my how soon they forget’. “I live here? This is still the Rabb house right, Harmon and Sarah Rabb. Last time I checked my driver’s license I was still Elizabeth Anne Rabb.”

“Very funny.” Mac embraced her daughter and then gave her a good smack on the six for teasing her mother.

Stepping back and wiping her hands on the kitchen towel, Mac waited for an explanation, “What happened, is everything alright? We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

“Where’s Dad?

“At the store.”

“Oh, well . . .” great she was going to have to tell them separately. Maybe it is for the best, like when she was twelve, divide and conquer.

“Well, we left early and here we are!” Elizabeth had a big smile on her face. Her mother saw right through the quick snow job.

“We? You got a mouse in your pocket?” Mac was smiling, but she had already noticed a young man standing just outside the front door trying very hard not to be noticed.

“No mouse.” Turning around toward the young man, “I told you she won’t bite. It’s my Dad you have to watch out for.” Grabbing her friend’s hand she dragged him into the house.

“Mom, this is Michael. Michael, this is my mother, Sarah MacKenzie Rabb.”

Mac shook the young man’s offered hand, “It’s nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you.” Elizabeth had only been writing to her parents about him for the last four months.

“Ma’am” was all he could get out, and it was a squeaked ma’am at that.

“Mom, I invited Michael to spend the holidays with us.” Another big smile appeared on Liz’s face.

“Oh?” Mac was taken by surprise.

Looking at Michael, Mac asked the obvious question, “You aren’t spending the holidays with your family?”

“No ma’am, they uh, we don’t get together at Christmas.”

“Not even your parents?”

“My mom died when I was young and my Dad, well he’s in Europe on a business trip.”

Touching Michael’s arm, Mac offered a little bit of comfort. “I am sorry.” Then turning toward her daughter, “Elizabeth you should have said something, your Dad and I are spending our anniversary in San Francisco.”

“Mom and Dad’s anniversary is December 31st.” Liz informed Michael.

Michael understood the implication, no male friend in their house with their daughter while they were gone. “I can always stay at a hotel, they were closing the dorms and Liz thought . . . .”

Now Mac was embarrassed, Michael thought she was kicking him out, at the holidays. “No, Michael you are most certainly welcome to stay” (looking at Liz) “in the guest room. Mattie’s coming with her husband and her two boys the day after Christmas and staying through the third. Things might get a little bit crowded though.”

“Not a problem Ma’am. But I don’t want to impose.”

“I told you Michael it’s not an imposition.”

Liz breathed a sign of relief, one down, one to go.

“I was just about to have tea, would you like to join me?” Mac extended the invitation to both.

“Only if we can have peppermint sticks in it.” Liz loved her mother’s tea and peppermint, especially during the holidays.

Mother and daughter headed down the hall arm in arm toward the back of the house while Michael followed. As they entered what turned out to be an open kitchen living area, Mac headed toward the kitchen but Liz stopped dead in her tracks. Michael almost ran into her.

“Oh Mom, it’s the most beautiful tree we’ve ever had.”

There in the corner of the den was a large, fresh cut, evergreen tree, filled with lights just waiting to be loaded with ornaments and candy canes.

Mac shook her head, “Elizabeth Ann, you say that every year.”

Walking toward the tree to get a closer look, Liz answered her mother. “That’s because it’s true every year.”

After putting the kettle on for tea Mac entered the den and stood next to her daughter, lightly touching her long brown hair. “He missed you this year.”

Liz leaned into her mother, “I missed him too.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Mac noticed Michael looking uncomfortable so she explained the little exchanged between mother and daughter.

“Every year since her first Christmas, Harm, my husband and Liz have always picked out the tree. At first it was a short trip to the tree lot. Then as she got older it took all day at a tree farm. One year, I think she was six, she wanted to plant a tree in the backyard so she could grow her own Christmas tree.”

“But Dad won’t let me.” Liz pouted, remembering how disappointed she had been.

Mac reminded her daughter, “Everything turned out for the best, (looking at Michael) we moved that summer. You see Michael, for the longest time Christmas was a holiday that didn’t hold happy memories for my husband. After Liz was born the bad memories were slowly replaced with pleasant ones.”

Liz grabbed Michael’s hand, “come here, I want to show you something.”

Michael excused himself from Mac’s company and went with Liz just as the tea kettle started to whistle. Mac retreated to the kitchen to make the tea, leaving the two college kids standing in front of the tree.

“Each ornament on the tree is special. The first year Mom bought two ornaments, this one (pointing to a handmade embroidered candy cane) and . . .” Liz looked in the open a box and pulled out another embroidered ornament, “this one. That’s how mom told dad she was pregnant with me.”

Liz moved to a spot on the tree close to her parents ornament and hung hers.

“Here’s the tea.” Mac set the tray down and passed out the mugs.

Liz took the offered mug and looked at the ornaments already on the tree.

“When I was little, Mom and Dad traveled a lot. They always came back with something special that could be put on the tree.”

(Pointing at the ornaments already on the tree) There’s a Pinocchio from Italy, a nutcracker from Germany, a Buddha from Japan, and Big Ben from England.”

Michael took a step back from the tree. “Uh Liz, there’s a snake in the tree.”

“That’s Fred.” Liz replied matter of factly.

“Fred?”

“Fred is from Mexico. My dad had to go down there to ‘rescue’ Uncle Jack one year, I think I was seven. When Dad came home he claimed Fred had somehow snuck into his suitcase. I got to keep Fred but he never seemed to stay in my room. He would show up in the darnedest places, like in Mom’s bath or in Dad’s vette. He liked the refrigerator and freezer, especially when we had company. Anyhow, shortly after Fred hid in the turkey, at Thanksgiving, scaring the crap out of my grandparents, he mysteriously disappeared. Since then he reappears every year in the Christmas tree and disappears when Christmas is over.”

Mac stepped in to issue a warning to her mischievous, college freshman daughter, “And that’s where he’s staying this year, safe, secure and high in the Christmas tree, where no little hands or big hands for that matter can reach him!”

“Yes ma’am.” Liz smiled and saluted, she had been dually warned.

“What about the rest of these ornaments?” Michael tried to get them back to what he thought would be a safe subject.

“There’s a gavel. Mom got that when she became a judge, I was two. And the yellow bi- plane is a miniature of my Dad’s plane, Sarah. He got that when I was three.”

Michael was on the opposite side of the tree from the two women, “Liz, I thought you told me your dad was Navy.”

“He was, see this, it’s the Naval Academy emblem. I got this for him when he retired, I was nine.”

“Then who was the Marine?” Pointing to the Marine Corp emblem hanging on the tree.

Proudly Elizabeth pointed to her mom, “My mother, Colonel Sarah MacKenzie Rabb retired. Dad gave her that when she retired after twenty-five years, I was six. I remember he told her once a Marine, always a Marine, and she cried.”

“I did not cry young lady, Marines don’t cry.”

The front door opened and closed, then a booming voice entered the den, “Mac, whose car is that out front”

“Daddy!” Lizzy shrieked, jumped up and hugged her father.

Taken by surprise, Harm spoke before thinking, “What are you doing here?”

Pulling back from hugging her dad, Liz, enunciating every word and speaking a little louder than normal played with her father, “I live here. I’m your daughter, Elizabeth Ann Rabb.”

Harm pretended to chastise his daughter, “I know who you are young lady and I’m not deaf. We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

“I can leave and come back tomorrow.” Liz wasn’t done playing.

“No you can’t.” Hugging his daughter again, whispered “I've missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too Daddy.”

“Harm, Liz brought a guest.”

Liz loosened her hold on her dad. ‘Here goes nothing’ Liz thought.

“Daddy this is Michael.”

There was a very brief look between husband and wife, Lizzy saw it and rolled her eyes. Even after twenty years of marriage they still connected in a way most would never understand. In that brief moment she knew her dad had asked ‘was this “the” Michael and where was the key to the gun locker?’ Her mother reply was short and sweet ‘yes and no you can’t have it.’

Harm held out his hand, “Welcome Michael.”

Michael took it. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief, round one and no causalities.

Liz, ready for round two, swallowed, took a deep breath and continued, “He’s staying with us for the holiday.” Before Harm could say a word, Liz continued “in the guest room.”

Michael, feeling very uncomfortable decided to try being useful, “Sir, are there more groceries in the car, I’ll be glad to help.”

“No this was all, just needed to get flour, and food coloring.”

“For chrismas cookies!” Liz was glad to changed the subject.

“Every year we make cookies to add to the tree on Christmas Eve and every Christmas morning the cookies are always gone. I was eight before I figured out the connection between the missing cookies and Dad’s need to run an extra mile every day in January.”

Everyone laughed.

Harm responded as he put the grocery bag in the kitchen, “Well this year Santa isn’t eating them all.”

Liz smiled, “That’s right Dad, the reindeer get some too. Come help decorate the tree.”

Just then the phone rang.

“As soon as I answer the phone, you go ahead, your mom and I have a head start on you anyhow.” Harm left the room to answer the phone. Mac, Liz and Michael returned to the tree.

Liz went straight for the box she had pulled the first ornament out of and began to unwrap another. It was a pink bicycle.

“For my first bike, I was five. After Dad took my training wheels off it took me two days to convince him I didn’t need him to hold on anymore. The first time he let go I hit the curb bounced off the bike and scrapped my knees and elbows. It was two weeks before he let me try again.”

Michael decided it was best if he ‘helped’ by unwrapped the ornaments for Liz. “Uh Liz I think this one’s broken.”

Liz looked and laughed. “No it’s not.”

The ornament was a princess wearing a pretty pink dress, but someone had “doctored” it. The princess now had a cast on one arm, a black eye and was wearing cleats.

“I was daddy’s princess. He wanted me to do all the girly things, dance, gymnastics, piano lessons. That was fine until I turned eleven. Dad didn’t want to admit it but his little girl had turned into a tom boy. One day there was a group of neighbor kids playing football on an empty lot. I convinced them to let me play. I was doing fine until Dad came home, saw me and hollered. I was distracted, the touchdown I was going to make turned in to a tackle with me on the bottom of the pile. By the time everyone got off I had a black eye and my arm was hanging in at an “unnatural” angle. A quick trip to the hospital and I was in a cast.”

Mac started laughing at the memory, “I don’t know who was more upset, Liz because she couldn’t play football for six weeks or Harm because Liz came home with a Marine green cast on her arm.”

“The important thing is Dad realized I was no longer his little princess. I played softball that spring and started running and swimming that summer. AND I was the star receiver the next year in the neighborhood football games.”

Mac put a few more of her and Harm’s ornaments on the tree, shells from their second honeymoon in the Caribbean, lava rock from a trip to Hawaii, and a special White house ornament given to them by the President. While Liz added ornaments she had made in school and the traditional class picture ornament, one for each of her elementary schools year.

Mac stood back and commented, “The tree sure is looking good.”

Michael looked over the tree and noticed there was something for every year of Elizabeth’s life but one. “There’s not anything for when you were fourteen.”

Elizabeth's happy expression turned sad, tears formed in her eyes. Michael wasn’t sure what he had said but wished he hadn’t said it.

“We didn’t have Christmas that year.” Liz said, then turned and ran in to the back yard crying.

“Lizzy, I’m sorry. (turning to Mac) I didn’t mean to upset her.”

Mac patted Michael’s hand. “It’s not you Michael, it’s just. . .”

Harm entered the room interrupting what Mac was about to say, “Well that took longer than I expected. (looking around) Where’s Elizabeth?”

Mac pointed to the back yard. “Michael asked about Liz’s fourteenth Christmas.”

“Damn.” Harm rarely cussed, but this was one of the times he did.

Mac hugged her husband. “It’s alright, she just needs her daddy right now.”

“But . . .” Harm was torn between the sadness in his wife’s voice and the tears he knew his daughter was shedding.

“No buts, I’m fine, you go to your daughter.”

Harm joined his daughter in the backyard, she melted into his arms.

Back inside Michael, still not knowing what was going on apologized, “I’m really sorry.”

“You had no way of knowing, come sit down and let me tell you another Rabb story. The year Elizabeth turned fourteen, Harm was in Japan working with the Navy on a special project. Even when Harm retired the Navy won’t let him go. Anyhow, it was late fall and it looked like he’d be gone over the holidays, so we decided that Liz and I would join him in the Orient. On one of our shopping excursion to prepare for our upcoming trip we were in a car accident. Elizabeth wasn’t hurt but I was seriously injured. I spent three weeks in intensive care in a coma.”

Mac paused, looked at her husband and daughter, took a deep breath and continued. “They weren’t sure I was going to make it. Even when I woke it was touch and go. It was several weeks before they knew how badly my back had been injured. That holiday season and most of January was spent at the hospital.”

“Harm and Elizabeth have always had a special bond, from the moment she was born. They are so much alike, they both love flying, sports, even bringing home strays. They are both driven by their emotions. That’s why he’s out there and I’m in here. He can reach her on a level I’ve never been able to obtain.”

Michael observed the pair as they quietly spoke outside, then watched Mac, watching the father and daughter.

“I think you’re wrong. I don’t mean to over step my bounds but Elizabeth is a lot like you.”

Mac was surprised at the statement from someone who had known her for less than an hour.

Michael continued, “When I first met Elizabeth I noticed she was never around on Saturdays. After a few weeks I asked her about it. Instead of telling me she simply said be ready at 0900, I’ll pick you up. I was ready but had no idea where we were going. We ended up at the local Y. On the way there Liz told me something you once told her, to always help whenever she could. You never know when something you do might make a difference in someone else’s life. The Y had a mentoring program that met on Saturdays. Elizabeth went every week.”

“And then there was our final government project. We were to do a mock trial. The professor asked for volunteers before assigning the parts. Elizabeth volunteered to be the judge. At the end of the trial, the professor told her she was one of the best judges he had ever had. Liz told him she had a good role model.”

Liz had never written home about any of what Michael had told her. Liz’s letters were always none specific, ‘things are great’, ‘weather is fine’, ‘did good at the swim meet’, ‘send money’.

“I don’t know what to say, thank you Michael.”

Mac stood up and walked over to the tree, trying not to shed the tears that formed.

At that same moment Liz and Harm reentered the den. Liz went immediately to her mom and hugged her.

“I love you Mom.”

“I love you too sweetheart.”

Michael quietly excused himself, taking the opportunity to get their bags from the car and allowing Elizabeth time with her parents without an audience,

“Are you alright?”

Liz assured her mom she was fine, but didn’t release her hold on her mother to quickly.

After a few moments, Mac noticed Michael had returned and satisfied that all was well with her daughter, Mac announced, “The tree isn’t finished yet, I haven’t seen my favorite ornament.”

“That’s because I burned it.” Liz didn’t have to ask which ornament her mom was referring to, she knew.

Harm looked in the last box and came out with a tattered circle ornament. “No you didn’t its right here.”

“Dad you promised.” Pouting Lizzy was a sight to be hold.

Harm clarified the situation for all in the room. “No, I never promised to burn it. I promised to take care of it and I did. I put it in this box.”

The ornament in question was a picture of Liz with both her front teeth missing. It was one of those pictures moms and dads always have around to embarrass their children with.

“Okay, now that you’ve totally embarrassed me, can we get finish the tree?”

Elizabeth watched as her parents place the last ornament on the tree. Her Dad, ever the romantic, grabbed something out a box and held it over her Mom’s head. Liz smiled, it was mistletoe that had to be at least 100 years old because he pulled that same piece out every Christmas and her Mom always acted surprise. Elizabeth laughed as her dad grabbed her Mom and kissed her. After a few moments, Liz responded to the scene with the traditional “get a room!”

This is what Christmas was about, friends and family coming together, lots of laughter, and lots of memories. As Elizabeth thought about some of the invitations she had received for the Christmas holiday, skiing in Colorado, backpacking in Mexico she knew she had made the right choice.

It was good to be home for the holidays.

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Replies:

[> This was such a wonderful story. Thanks for reposting it -- Beth, 23:55:56 12/12/13 Thu [1]


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[> LOVED this! Thank you -- Christmassy and so 'them'! -- mj, 05:54:54 12/13/13 Fri [1]


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[> just a lovely xmas story loved it -- Bev uk, 08:21:34 12/13/13 Fri [1]


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[> Love this Christmas story, a very sentimental Rabb family, thanks usmgrad! -- JoyZ, 11:16:34 12/13/13 Fri [1]


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