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| Harm glanced over at his wife and children. They were all standing patiently in front of him as he prepared to go into his mother's room. Evelyn, 19 now, stood tall in her Navy uniform and gave him a small nod. She was planning on becoming a lawyer like her parents and was dating a civilian law student. 16 year old Serena just got her license and has started chauffeuring her sisters and little brother around. She also has a boyfriend, but Harm thinks it's just a phase. The twins are having boy problems of their own. At 14, they are the most popular girls in their grade. The boy Trisha likes wants to date Christiana and vice versa. Nicholas, his only son, is now 10 years old and the greatest soccer player Harm has ever seen. He plans to play on the US team one day. And of course, five year old Maddie. Or, as Harm sometimes liked to call her, Little Mac. Mac nodded at him and Harm turned to open the door. He walked over to Frank, who stood up to give his stepson a hug. "I'll leave the two of you alone," he said. "Thanks," Harm whispered. He moved over to take his mother's hand. "Hey, Mom." Trish's eyes opened slowly. She smiled weakly. "Harm..." "Yeah, Mom, it's me," Harm replied, bending down to give her a kiss on her forehead. "Sarah and the kids are here too." Harm swallowed around the lump in his throat as she attempted to talk. The doctor mentioned something about her brain being affected. "...see them?" "Sure, I'll be right back." Two minutes later, Mac entered with six solemn children. "Hi, Trish," she said. Each of them talked with her a bit, saying how much they loved her. When it was Maddie's turn, Mac picked her up and looked at her. "Honey, this your gramma." Maddie took her hand. "Get better, Gramma," Maddie said. "We have to know each other." She looked at her Mom. "I wanna give her a kiss." Evelyn noticed something on the heart monitor. "Mom, I think Dad and Frank should be in here." Mac nodded as Evelyn rushed out of the room. Frank entered, followed by a pale looking Evelyn. "What is it?" Mac asked in concern. "Dad. I don't know where he is." "Please go back out and look for him, Evie," she replied. The young woman nodded, and left the room again. Evelyn found him coming out of the restroom. "Dad!" "What is it?" His eyes widened. "Is she..." "No," Evelyn told him, shaking her head. "But I think... I think she will soon." Harm and Evelyn arrived in the room a minute too late. He looked up at Mac. She saw pain and sadness in his beautiful orbs. Harm shook his head in disbelief. She couldn't be gone! ***************** Later that day, Frank took the children out to show them some of their grandmother's favorite spots in La Jolla. He knew that Harm would need some time alone with Mac. Harm stood outside, facing the ocean. There was a cool breeze, but he failed to notice it. He was still trying to remember the last thing his mother had said to him before she got sick. Mac found him outside. She could tell he was shivering, even if he wasn't paying attention, so she brought out a blanket. "Harm," she said, holding out her hand. "Come sit with me." He obeyed and sat next to her on the porch swing. She wrapped the blanket around them. Mac pulled his head down so that it was on her lap. She jumped when Harm sat up immediately. "What is it?" she asked, worriedly. "Evie didn't get to say good bye because she was trying to find me," he said to her. Mac shook her head. "You don't need to worry about Evie. She was able to say good bye. They all were." "I'm glad," Harm replied, looking up at the sky. "She's with Dad now, I have to accept that." "Harm, you still have to grieve. I know how much it hurt you that you didn't get to say good bye yourself." Harm sighed and wiped the tears away. "I just don't know if she realized how much I loved her." Mac wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sure she did, Harm. All mothers know how much their kids love them. Even if they don't tell them." "I love you, Sarah," he whispered into her hair. "I love you too, Harm." |
