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| Timeline: "This Marine's not Worthy" and "A World Falling Apart". Mac is eight months pregnant with Evelyn. Dedication: This is dedicated to the men and women who fight to protect us all. God Bless America! *************** "Commander." Harm looked up from the paper work he was finishing. "Yeah, Bud?" "The Admiral would like to see you in his office," Bud replied. "What did I do now?" Harm asked, sighing to himself. "Thanks." Just then, his phone rang. "I'll get it, Sir. The Admiral is in a good mood, but we don't want you to break it by being late." Harm smiled. "No we do not," he said, heading to his CO's office. "Go right in, Sir," Petty Officer Tiner said. "Commander Rabb reporting as ordered, Sir!" Admiral Chegwidden stood up. "At ease, Commander. What's the status on the Barnhart case?" "Recessed until Monday morning, Sir. I just finished up the last of the paperwork that I need." "Good," Chegwidden nodded. "Then I want you to leave and I don't want to see your six back here until 0800 hours Monday morning. Is that understood, Commander?" "Yes, Sir!" Harm replied. "Dismissed!" "Aye, aye, Sir!" Harm turned to face the Admiral. "Oh, and Harm." "Sir?" "Have a nice holiday." Harm nodded. "You too, Sir." ************* Harm was whistling when he left Admiral Chegwidden's office. He had three glorious days off and he was going to spend every minute with his beautiful, and pregnant, Marine. "Sir, what time do the fireworks start?" "1000, Bud," Harm told him. "I expect you and Harriet to call me Harm the whole night. We won't be in uniform." Bud nodded. "Until then, Sir." Harm shook his head. Bud would always refer to him as Commander, even if he were ever promoted. It had taken him a year to stop calling Harm Lieutenant. Harm arrived home to find Mac reaching for something in the kitchen cabinet. He smiled at her and cleared his throat. "Need help?" "That would be nice," she replied with a smile. "I've been trying to reach the box of macaroni for about five minutes. I was getting ready to grab a chair." He grabbed the box and bent down to kiss his wife on the lips. "Then I'm glad I arrived here in time. God knows how I would have reacted to seeing you unconscious on the floor." "You're cute when you worry." "I know," he said, kissing her again. *********** The fireworks display about a block from their apartment so Harm found a spot on the roof of the building and saved it. Mac was preparing some sandwiches. She glanced at the clock. Harriet and Bud should be there soon. The couple arrived just as Mac packed Harm's veggie sandwich away. "Be right there!" she called, heading to the door. She didn't have to let them in as Harm was returning from the roof. He took the cheesecake from Harriet. "The only dessert I'll eat!" he said with a smile. "Hey!" Harriet laughed. "Don't worry, I made strawberry shortcake too, Sarah." Mac grinned. "Bud, you haven't been picking on it, have you?" she asked, taking it from him. "Of course not! My wife would kill me." "Not if I did first." Harm shook his head. "Are we ready to go?" Mac batted her eyes. "Just waiting for a tall, dark, and handsome Sailor to grab the cooler." ************ Mac sighed contentedly, leaning back on Harm as the fireworks started. She could feel the warmth of his body and his heart beating. Moving her hand to her stomach, Mac felt a swift kick from their daughter. She could hardly believe that a few months ago she had ran away, scared of what the future might bring. Now, she was excited and happy about it. Harm kissed the top of her head. If someone had told him six months ago that Mac would leave him, he never would have believed them. But, it happened and it was the most depressing time of his life. More so than the ramp strike. However, Mac returned (with a little coaxing from her CO) to be with him and she brought the most wonderful news. He placed his hands on top of hers, which rested on her stomach. "I love you," Harm whispered in her ear. Mac looked up at him. "I love you too." How long had he waited for this moment? He didn't know, but he would treasure it always and the life they were beginning together. |
