| Subject: Worth the Wait- Ch. 10 |
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Grandma JAG
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Date Posted: 23:23:26 10/26/02 Sat
In reply to:
Grandma JAG
's message, "Worth the Wait" on 22:59:22 10/26/02 Sat
Chapter 10
20 April 2002
1000 hours
Somewhere in Virginia
Where is he taking me? thought Mac. She couldn’t see a thing through the blindfold. Her internal clock told her that it was 1003 hours, and she had a rehearsal in Annapolis at 1600. Not now, she thought. Not after I’ve worked so hard to get everything perfect.
He had snuck up behind her in the kitchen of her apartment and gently put a blindfold around her eyes. She didn’t protest, but instead let him lead her down to his car. They had been driving in silence for the past few minutes.
But where were they going? Mac struggled to peek out under the blindfold.
“Hey, no peeking!” teased Harm. “You promised!”
“Harm it’s now 1008 and we have to be at the Academy Chapel at 1600. Chaplain McMahon is barely squeezing our rehearsal in between the zillion weddings he has to perform today. And before that, we need to take all the decorations to the ‘O’ club for the reception. There’s just so much to do!”
“I’m well aware of all that, Mac. You’ve only been reminding me of it all week. Relax, we’re almost there. This won’t take long, I promise,” Harm could see how stressed she was. It wasn’t like her to stress about such things-- she was always so cool and calm under pressure. Then again, she’s marrying me, he chuckled to himself. That’s enough to cause someone a nervous breakdown!
“I sense that we’re going south, which is the opposite of where we need to be,” observed Mac.
“What? You mean that in addition to your impeccable sense of time, you can sense direction, too?” Harm couldn’t resist giving her a hard time. “You’re one incredible woman, you know that?”
“I landed you, didn’t I?” Mac teased back. She reached out to put her hand on his thigh, sending shivers down his spine. He couldn’t wait until tomorrow night!
“Okay, we’re here!” Harm brought the car to a stop. “Now wait here.” He got out of the car and ran over to the passenger side. Opening the door, he helped her out, still blindfolded, and guided her around to the sidewalk. “Okay, you can look now.”
As Harm removed her blindfold, Mac blinked to get used to the bright sunlight that almost blinded her. It took her a moment to realize that they were standing in front of their new house. At least she thought it was their house. It sure didn’t look like the last time she had seen it!
She walked slowly up the brick walkway, once overgrown with weeds, but now lined with yellow rosebushes. The newly planted grass looked like a green carpet, and the flower bed along the front had brightly colored irises, pansies, and other annuals. She looked up to see that the peeling paint on the trim had been scraped away and the house now sported new white shutters and trim. All the windows sparkled clean and had new screens on them.
As Harm led her inside, she gasped as she walked into the living room. All the ugly wallpaper had been stripped and the walls painted white. The hardwood floors throughout the house had been sanded and re-stained. Their new living room furniture that they had picked out two weeks ago had been delivered and looked inviting in front of the fireplace.
“Come on, you won’t believe the kitchen!” Harm said, excitedly. Mac walked into the kitchen and couldn’t believe the transformation that had taken place there. The hideous lime-green cabinets had been stripped and stained oak. The countertops had been replaced with a neutral color, and there was even new tile on the floor! In the nook was a new round oak table and chairs, a wedding gift from her mother and Uncle Matt. The table was already covered with Mac’s shower gifts and early wedding gifts. Mac didn’t even want to think about where she was going to put all this stuff!
“Next, the backyard!” Harm opened the French doors to reveal a gorgeous sight. All the overgrowth had been cleared to reveal a newly cut lawn, with ivy growing on the fence that outlined the yard. True to his word, Harm had cleared out a place for a flower garden, and along the side of the house he had already planned out his vegetable garden. And there, stacked against the side wall, was the wood for the deck.
“Hey, they were having a great sale that I couldn’t pass up!” Harm laughed, as Mac gave him that “can we afford it?” look. “I’ll start on it when we get back from our honeymoon. Come on, let’s go upstairs.”
The upstairs was pretty bare, except for the master bedroom. They had also picked out a bedroom set that had been delivered with the living room set. Harm put his arms around Mac as she faced away from him, looking at the bedroom.
“It’s just waiting for us to come back from our honeymoon,” he whispered in her ear. “Ready to begin our new life as a married couple.”
Mac turned to face her soon-to-be-husband, tears in her eyes. “Harm, it’s all so wonderful. So this is why you didn’t want me to come out while you were working.”
Harm smiled. “I wanted it to be a surprise. Besides, I knew that you were busy getting ready for the wedding.”
Mac shook her head as she asked, “How did you ever get it all done in less than a month?”
“I couldn’t have done it without Sturgis,” Harm replied. “Or Tiner, or Harriet..... even the Admiral came out one Saturday to help.”
“We have some wonderful friends, don’t we?” Mac said, wistfully. “We’ll have to have a barbecue and invite them all over to break in our new home.”
“Oh, that reminds me!” Harm said. “I met some of our new neighbors. Friendly folks---- just stopped by every now and then to see how things were coming. I think they were thrilled that someone was finally fixing up the place! Anyway, on one side of us is an older couple--- he’s retired Air Force, but I told him we wouldn’t hold that against him. On the other side is a young couple with two preschoolers--- twins, I think, or maybe a year apart. They’re hosting a block party the weekend after our honeymoon, so I told them to count us in! And then there’s......... Mac, are you okay?” Harm suddenly noticed that Mac was sitting down on the bed, sobbing.
“I-I-I don’t know, Harm. Maybe it’s just the wedding, the new house, meeting new neighbors---- it’s just so overwhelming....... and wonderful!” she quickly added when she saw the look of concern on Harm’s face. “Thank you..... Thank you for making all my dreams come true.”
Harm sat down next to her on the bed. “It’s you that has made all my dreams come true. Now we better get going if we’re going to ‘make it to the church on time!’”
1600 hours
Naval Academy Chapel
Annapolis, Maryland
After a quick lunch at Buddy’s Crabs and Ribs, one of Harm’s favorite places as a midshipman, Mac and Harm had stopped by the “O” club to drop off the table decorations for the reception. Mac went over the final details with the caterer, relieved to see that everything was in order. “We’ve done this a few times, ma’am,” the caterer said, tongue-in-cheek.
“Yes, and I can tell that you do your job very well,” Mac responded. “But this is the first, and only, wedding I’ve had,” she went on, taking a quick look at Harm, smiling. “I just want everything perfect.”
“And it will be, Mac,” Harm said, taking her arm. “Now let the man get back to work. We have a little time before we have to be at the chapel, so let’s walk around the grounds for a bit.”
Hand-in-hand, they walked around the Academy grounds, with Harm giving Mac a personalized tour. They saw his dorm, the buildings where he attended classes--- he could still remember every room and what class he had in it!---- the courtyard where they had formation, even the area where he had to pull extra duty as punishment for not following orders. “I was a little stubborn my plebe year,” Harm confessed. “But I soon got with the program.”
“Obviously,” Mac teased, proud of him none-the-less. “Now, let’s head over to the chapel. We’ve got eight minutes to get there.”
“Aye, aye, ma’am. Those are orders I don’t dare ignore!” Grabbing her around the waist, he picked her up and practically ran with her to the bottom of the chapel steps, much to the amusement of midshipmen walking through the campus.
Walking into the chapel, the others were already there waiting for them.
“You’re late, Commander,” Uncle Matt said, jokingly, as he walked up to shake Harm’s hand and give his niece a big hug.
“Harm had to show me around his old stomping grounds, Uncle Matt. And actually, we’re two minutes early!” Mac retorted.
“Well, let’s get on with it then,” prodded Chaplain McMahon. “I’ve got another wedding to do in 30 minutes, so we’ll talk through it quickly and have time for one run-through.”
Everyone took their places as the chaplain explained the procedure of the ceremony and where everyone was to be and when. Harm held tightly onto Mac’s hand as he listened intently to everything that was being said, as if he was in the ready room getting briefed for a mission. Mac looked at him, noticing the seriousness in his demeanor. She hoped he wasn’t getting nervous about this, or having second thoughts, or........ Just then Harm glanced down at her, squeezing her hand and giving her a reassuring smile, as if he could read her thoughts.
Later at the rehearsal dinner at the Castlebay Irish Pub, another one of Harm’s favorite places, Mac looked around at the sea of smiling faces that surrounded her. Her family and friends---- hers and Harm’s --- all there to wish them well as they started their life together. Her Uncle Matt, who had been so instrumental in her decision to join the Marines, released from prison because of Harm and the Admiral’s influence. Her mother, whom had abandoned her so many years ago and whom she hadn’t seen since her father’s death, and didn’t think she wanted to see ever again--- here at her wedding because Harm had found her and brought her here, to resolve the issues she and Mac had. They were now closer than they had ever been. Her “little sister” Chloe, who knew all along that she and Harm should be together. Her friend, Lynn, from college, who was always there, by e-mail anyway, whenever she needed someone to talk to. Bud and Harriet, who were her colleagues as well as dear friends, and the parents of her godson. Sturgis, Harm’s old friend from the Academy, whom she had first confided in about her feelings for Harm. Sergei, Harm’s “new” brother, whom she and Harm had found while in Russia looking for Harm’s dad. Harm’s mother, Trish, who was thrilled that Harm had finally found the girl of his dreams, and her husband, Frank, whom Mac had grown very fond of. It took a lot for him to try to fill the shoes of Harm’s father. And then there was Grandma Sarah, whose ring Mac was wearing, obviously ecstatic that her grandson was getting married. And Admiral Chegwidden, who had done so much for them both, especially approving the request that they be able to stay at JAG as husband and wife.
Mac was jolted out of her thoughts by the clinking of a knife against a glass. Sturgis was standing up to give a toast.
“I’ve known Harm for a long time,” Sturgis started, and then paused, chuckling. “And I don’t dare share the stories.......” Harm cleared his throat loudly, as everyone laughed. “Don’t worry, buddy, your secrets are safe with me,” Sturgis continued. “Seriously, I have seen Harm in many different kinds of situations and have admired him as a colleague and a friend. He loves the Navy, he loves flying tomcats, and he is a worthy adversary in the courtroom because he loves what he does. But of all the loves of his life, there has never been one so intense, and so long in coming, as Sarah MacKenzie. Mac, what you and Harm have is something special. You have built a strong friendship, and an even stronger professional partnership, so I know that your marriage will be the strongest relationship of all. May God bless you both in whatever He has in store for your future together.” At that, he raised his glass.
“Here, here!” cried out the Admiral as the others raised their glasses to toast the bride and groom.
Mac’s eyes glistened with tears of happiness. This time tomorrow, she would be Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Jr. Was this really happening?
21 April 2002
Mac’s Apartment
0900 hours
Mac’s eyes opened dreamily as she turned over in bed. Seeing her wedding dress hanging on the closet door, she suddenly remembered what day it was. My wedding day! she thought, as she jumped out of bed. She couldn’t believe that she had slept in so late when there was still so much to do! Actually, she couldn’t believe she had slept at all. But surprisingly enough, she felt very rested and relaxed. She was sitting on the bed, contemplating what she should do first, when the phone rang.
“Hey, ninja girl, whatcha doin’?” Harm’s voice sent a shiver down her spine, just like it always did.
“Oh, I was just thinking about fixing a big breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast.....” Mac teased.
“You’ll never fit into your dress if you eat all that,” Harm retorted. Then, realizing the look he was probably getting, he quickly backtracked. “You could probably eat a double order and it still wouldn’t add a pound to your beautiful figure.”
“Nice save, Commander,” Mac said, laughing. “Actually, I’m so excited, I don’t think I could eat a thing.”
“Well, eat something. I don’t want you to pass out on me at the altar. Especially before you get to the ‘I do’ part,” Harm said, half serious. “What are your plans for today?”
“Well, let’s see. Around 1627 I’m going to be pronounced Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Jr., but other than that, I have nothing planned.”
Harm grinned as he pictured Mac’s face as she was saying that. “Funny, but about the same time I plan on walking back down the aisle with the most beautiful woman in the world on my arm. It kills me not to be able to see you today, Mac. Must we be so traditional?”
“We’ve been traditional right up to this point, I don’t see any reason to stop now, Harm. Come on, just a few more hours, and then I won’t let you out of my sight. You’ll be so sick of having me around that you’ll beg for some time alone.”
“Never happen,” Harm insisted. “Okay, I guess I can make it a few more hours. I’m going to have brunch with my mom and Frank, and then we’re going to head up to Annapolis.”
“I’m going to finish packing, and then Bud and Harriet are picking me up at 1300. Uncle Matt and Mom will meet us there so she can help me get dressed. So I guess the next time you see me, I’ll be walking down the aisle on Uncle Matt’s arm,” Mac couldn’t wait to see the expression on Harm’s face when she walked down that aisle toward him.
“I won’t be able to take my eyes off you,” Harm said. “Remember--- eye contact,” recalling the scene from “Runaway Bride” they had both laughed over.
“Yes, eye contact, but don’t worry. This bride isn’t running anywhere except straight into your arms,” Mac replied, giggling. “I’ll see you later, sailor. I’ve got lots to do before Bud and Harriet get here.”
1317 hours
Mac’s Apartment
Mac paced back and forth at her front window. Where were Bud and Harriet? she wondered. It’s true that they were usually late, but today? Not on her wedding day! Just then she saw them drive up in their dark blue van. She went to gather up her suitcases and her dress as there was a knock at her door. Harriet and Bud, with little A.J., rushed in, very apologetic.
“Ma’am, I am so sorry we’re late! I had just dressed A.J., and then when I went to get dressed, he knocked over a whole jar of strawberry jam in his lap. So I had to give him a quick bath and then.......” Harriet stopped to get a breath.
Mac interrupted her with a hug. “It’s okay, Harriet. We have plenty of time. There shouldn’t be much traffic on a Sunday, and the wedding’s not until 1600, remember? Now, here, take my dress, and Bud, take my suitcases. I’ll take A.J.”
Mac took another quick look around. Boxes were piled up and marked. Bud and Harriet would take those over to the house tomorrow, along with the furniture she and Harm had decided to keep. Everything else she was going to sell at a garage sale when they got back. Harm was going to do the same, with Sturgis taking his stuff over. Combining two households hadn’t been as tough as she thought. Locking the door, she hurried down to the Roberts’s van, only to find Bud stopped and staring at a flat tire.
“Oh no!” Bud exclaimed. “How could this happen now? And here I am in my dress whites!”
“Bud, I’ve changed a tire before. Harriet and I can have this thing changed in no time!” Mac started to get the spare out of the back.
“No way, ma’am. You and Harriet just had expensive manicures done on Friday. I’m not going to risk the chance of a broken nail on my watch!” Bud started to remove his jacket.
“Bud, we don’t have time to argue about this. I won’t have you messing up your dress whites. I can handle a broken nail. Now----- that’s an order!” Mac didn’t relish the thought of breaking a nail now, but what else could she do?
“With all due respect, ma’am, I don’t want to disobey an order, but the Commander would never forgive me if I let you change a tire on your wedding day,” Bud insisted.
Mac was about to open her mouth with another argument, when a police car drove up. Two Georgetown police officers stepped out of the car. “Is there a problem here?” asked one of the officers.
“Yes, sir, we have a flat tire. We’re on our way up to Annapolis for this lady’s wedding, so I was just about to change the tire,” Bud explained.
“But you’re in your dress whites, Lt.,” responded the other officer. “Here, let us take over. We’ll have you on the road in no time.”
“Thank you, officers, we really appreciate it,” Harriet said, relieved that Bud wouldn’t get his uniform dirty. Sometimes he could be a real klutz, and she had already cleaned up enough messes today!
As the police officers changed the tire, one of them looked up at Mac. “You look familiar, ma’am,” he said, quizzically. “Are you in the military, also?”
“Yes, in the Marines,” Mac responded, trying to remember where she had seen him before. “I’m Lt. Col. Sarah MacKenzie.”
“The JAG lawyer, right?” the officer recognized her now. “Now, I remember. You were the one being stalked by one of the D.C. officers after the murder of your ex-boyfriend---- Danton, was it?”
“Dalton,” Mac corrected. “And you were one of the officers that investigated his murder. I remember now. You were very kind to me--- it-it was a difficult time for me.”
“Yes, I can imagine. You went through a lot. But your partner came down to the station with you, as I recall, and later saved you from the stalker. Commander Rabb, wasn’t it?” The police officer remembered how they had looked at each other in the police station. Were they more than just partners?
“Yes, that’s right,” Mac smiled as she remembered how protective Harm had been of her that night. “And that’s who I’m marrying today, if we can ever get on the road!”
“And so you will be, right....... about......... now!” said the officer, as he gave the jack one final twist. “There you go!”
Quickly, Harriet strapped A.J. into his car seat as Mac jumped into the back seat. Bud shook both officers’ hands and thanked them again, and soon they were on their way.
1525 hours
Academy Chapel
Annapolis, Maryland
Harm look in the mirror for the tenth time in the last five minutes to check and see if everything was straight. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, and a little too loudly, because Sturgis looked up from the magazine he was reading.
“Relax, Harm. Everything is perfect. Mac’s mom and Uncle Matt arrived a few minutes ago, and I’m sure the girls are getting all dressed and ready to go. Sergei is out talking to the chaplain about how to seat the guests, and your mom and Frank should be here momentarily. There’s nothing to do but wait.”
“But waiting is the one thing I’m not good at,” Harm managed a weak grin. “Where’s Bud? I haven’t seen him yet. Is he out talking to the chaplain, too?”
“I don’t know. I’ll go and check,” Sturgis calmly replied, although he realized he hadn’t seen Bud yet either. As Sturgis left, Trish and Frank hurried into the room.
“Oh, darling, you look so handsome! I’m so excited for you!” gushed his mother. “It’s going to be so hard to keep from crying.”
“Sorry we’re late,” Frank said, as he gave Harm a reassuring pat on the back. “I wish we had come up with you earlier like we had originally planned. The traffic was terrible!”
“On a Sunday?” Harm was surprised. “It wasn’t bad when Sturgis and I came up an hour ago.”
“Well, apparently there was a bad accident that created a back-up of several miles north of Washington,” Trish said, noticing the worried look on Harm’s face. “What’s wrong, Harm?”
Just then, Sturgis came into the room, with Sergei and the Admiral with him. “Harm, Bud is not anywhere to be found, and well------ Mac and Harriet aren’t here yet either.”
“Mac’s not here yet? But it’s 1530, the ceremony starts in 30 minutes!” Harm could feel panic setting in, more than he had ever felt before, even when his tomcat had been in trouble. But then he was trained for those situations, not this.
Uncle Matt and Mac’s mother walked in. “Now, now, son, I’m sure that they just got tangled up in the same mess that the rest of us were involved in,” Mac’s uncle said, reassuringly. “We just got here ourselves. We had to go around a terrible accident.”
“But Mac is never late! I know Bud and Harriet sometimes are late, but they were leaving in plenty of time. They should be here by now,” Harm couldn’t believe this was happening.
Chaplain McMahon walked in as everyone tried to console Harm. “The guests are starting to arrive. Sergei, why don’t you start seating them.”
The Admiral got up as well. “I’ll fill in for Bud until he gets here.” He patted Harm on the shoulder. “I’m sure they’re just tied up in traffic, Harm.”
“I’m sure you’re right, sir,” Harm answered, not totally convinced. Suddenly a horrible thought crossed his mind. “Uncle Matt, could you see what kind of vehicles were involved in the accident?”
“What was left of them,” Uncle Matt replied. “It looked like a silver Ford pickup and.......” he thought carefully as he continued, “...... a dark blue mini-van.”
Harm jumped up at the last words Uncle Matt had spoken. “A dark, blue mini-van.......... that’s the kind of car Bud and Harriet drive!” He sat down with his head in his hands and prayed silently, “Oh, God, not now. Not after I’ve waited so long to get my life right. Please, don’t let it be Mac...........”
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