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Date Posted: 08:42:57 12/10/07 Mon
Author: .
Subject: Epilogue
In reply to: . 's message, "Part 2" on 08:41:17 12/10/07 Mon

Expectations Realized

Epilogue

George Washington University Law School
May 18, 2008

“Other family groups might be larger than ours, but none could possibly be prouder,” Harm remarked to Mac as they waited in the stands. Actually, they were a goodly number: Bud anchored the aisle – the better to take pictures. Next to him were the Sims, visibly and volubly proud of their daughter’s success.

“Probably because of the job offers she got,” Mac grinned wickedly. “The salaries and the signing bonuses offered definitely impressed Lydia.”

At the other end of the row were Chloe, Mike Roberts and Big Bud. Harm and Mac had the middle seats, the kids arrayed on either side: AJ, nine years old that week; Jimmy was 4 ¾ and 3 ½ year old Mara – named for ‘MacKenzie-Rabb’ – born Christmas Eve 2004, was on Mac’s lap.

And on his lap, half asleep in the sun, her face nearly hidden by a wide-brimmed straw hat that matched Mac’s and Mara’s, was their daughter Elena Kaia Mackenzie-Rabb.

Elena’s birth mother was a friend of Galina’s, an Aeroflot pilot Harm and Mac had met several times in New York City when they flew up to meet Sergei and Galina. No one knew for sure, but Galina suspected that her father had been a Cuban or African student who’d come to Moscow to study at what used to be called Lumumba University. Totally unbeknownst to them, Nina named them guardians of her infant daughter, making out her Will the day she brought Elena home from the hospital. When she was killed in a horrific auto accident when Elena was barely three weeks old, Sergei and Galina’s frantic call had brought Harm and Mac to Moscow and the baby girl who was now their own. The private international adoption had taken nearly two years to come to fruition, although Elena had been with them the whole time. She had just turned three. “Wrapped around his little finger.” “Apple of his eye.” Every cliché in the book fit and Harm loved it – he was the proudest of proud daddies.

Harm marveled at the events of the last three and a half years, culminating in Chloe’s graduation from the University of Georgia the previous weekend and Harriet’s today.

Flashback.

November 2004

No, they hadn’t flipped a coin to decide whether to take the three San Diego or the three DC/Northern VA billets. After just a few minutes discussion of the pros and cons they were all convinced the DC/VA billets were best for everyone. Mac was the most hesitant, thinking that Harm would regret not taking the XO billet and that he wouldn’t like being a judge.

“No, I’m sure I don’t want to be an XO or a CO or the JAG. This is perfect, I’ve always felt the one thing I didn’t do well was that TAD as a judge – I want this chance to do it right.”

Fingering the small pouch that had been wearing a hole in his pocket for months, Harm took a deep breath. It might not be the most romantic, but his dearest friends – his ‘family of the heart’ - were here. It was actually perfect.

“Cresswell has no idea, but he’s done us all a tremendous favor. Whatever his reasons, AJ didn’t help us professionally keeping us here so long. None of us made the move to ask for orders because we liked working together. Cresswell’s just forced the inevitable.”

“He’s done us a tremendous personal good thing too. Mac, we love each other. We’re practically living together, but we’ve been careful so as not to be separated at work. This is perfect. Detach the day before Thanksgiving and let’s get married Thanksgiving Day. As the three stared at him in shock, he took the pouch with its ruby and sapphire ring from his pocket.

A broad grin spreading across her lovely face, lighting it with happiness, Mac spoke solemnly, “Marry me, flyboy?”

As all four erupted in laughter, Harm slid the ring onto her finger and pulled her into his arms.

End flashback.

He was enjoying his military judge tour far more than he’d thought he would, relishing the chance to see justice done – at least most of the time – and to continue to mentor, from the bench, a whole new generation of Navy and Marine Corps judge advocates. Mac was also completing a successful tour as CO of the H&S Battalion at Quantico. They’d both been selected for promotion to 0-6 in zone. Even before they knew about Elena, they’d bought a house a block away from Harriet and Bud’s and the two sets of children were growing up together.

Bud had gotten his LLM with emphasis in Health Care law at George Washington U.’s Law School in December 2005 and was completing his payback tour as SJA at Bethesda. He was already being recruited to stand up a Department of Legal Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences on the Bethesda campus.

Soon, all three would have to talk to their detailers about follow-on tours or make the decision to retire (Harm and Mac) or get out (Bud).

The Dean’s voice rang out, drawing their attention to the stage. “Graduating with highest honors ….”

As each graduate walked across the stage they applauded politely, until the name they’d been waiting for was announced:

‘Harriet Beaumont Sims.’

“Mommmieee!” Three voices shouted in unison and the crowd applauded wildly.

Holding Mac’s hand tightly, Elena rubbing her nose into his chest, Harm smiled happily. Expect good things at work. Their fortune had indeed come true, and in turn had brought more than they’d ever dreamed possible - their fortunes were overflowing.

The end.

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