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Date Posted: 09:22:02 12/29/16 Thu
Author: Lace
Subject: Fair winds and following seas 1/3 (The nine years after series, the early years)

This set in the early years of the nine years after series. You don't have to have read it, but it would be helpful. Espesially the looking back part 1 and 2.

Mistakes are mine


Fair winds and following seas

The moment had been … Mac couldn’t find one word to describe how she felt at the moment. She was on her side, in her… Fiancé? Well, Harm’s arms, and he was holding her, softly caressing her back as they rested after making love. Scratch that, making love sounded too sweet for what they had been doing. They had just had amazing sex. She didn’t have to wonder any more about his bedroom skills, because he had given her the most intense love making that she had ever experienced. Their breathing had calmed down a little while ago, he hadn’t said a word, just pulled her close and held her. She was beginning to think back to what they had agreed on before they stumbled into his bedroom. Maybe faith could keep us together forever, he had said. What did he mean by that? And she really had to go to the bathroom, but she really didn’t want to move. She had never been more comfortable. She fit perfectly into his arms.
“How are we going to do this?”
She really needed to use the bathroom she decided and started to move away from him. “Sorry…” She hurried to the bathroom, not even worrying about being totally naked.
When she came back, he turned to her and propped himself up on an elbow. “God you’re beautiful.”
She smiled as she moved under the thin sheet that was covering him and moved up his body until she found his mouth with hers. He was a great kisser. She lost all strain of thoughts as he placed one hand on her breast and moved the other down her body until… “Oh God,” she said and lost herself in him the second time that night.
A while later when her brain started working again, she was the happiest girl on the planet. This time they had made love. Slow, thoroughly lovemaking, leaving her feeling like she would never want to leave his side.
“You are really good at this.” She smiled as she turned to look at him.
He laughed softly. “Well, thank you, ma’am.” He kissed her deeply and pulled her on top of him. “I could do this forever.”
She nuzzled his nose with hers. “But you can’t.”
He looked confused.
“Because we’re leaving in ten hours.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “So, how are we going to do this?”
“You said something about letting fate decide?” She moved off him and sat up. “How?”
He looked thoughtful as he too sat up. “We can flip a coin?”
“That sounds crazy enough to work.” She reached for his hand.
“I could just retire, you know.”
“Me too.”
“It wouldn’t make sense for both of us to do it.” He released her hand and got out of bed, slipping on his boxers. “I can’t be naked when I talk to Bud.”
Mac looked confused as she watched him find his phone. “Sorry, Bud, are you busy? Good. Listen, can you meet me at McMurphy’s in an hour? Bring the JAG coin the Admiral gave you. And Harriet too. Well, Mac and I are getting married, and we need you to help us figure out who’s leaving the service. Not insane, I think, just sick of being without the woman I love. So, you’ll come? Great Bud. And Bud. Can you call Turner and Coates? And the General too. But don’t tell them what’s going on, okay? Thanks. See you soon.”
Mac slipped out of bed and started looking for her underwear and clothes.
“This is nice.”
She slipped on her panties and turned to Harm. “What?”
“Don’t put on any clothes on my behalf.”
She smiled cleverly and put her bra on. “I have to go home. I need a shower, and a dress.”
“Will you be ready in an hour?” He didn’t look so sure about that.
“I’m a Marine, Harm.”
He waited until her pants and sweater were on before he walked over to her. “Don’t change your mind.”
“I won’t if you won’t.” She kissed him and let him go. “See you soon.”
He turned and followed her downstairs, watched her walk to the front door. “I love you Mac.”
She smiled lovingly. “I love you too, Harm.”

Later that night
Harm let Mac walk into the apartment first, before he closed the door and watched as she put her purse on the kitchen counter. She looked beautiful in the red dress. She turned to him smilingly, and he flashed her a full-blown smile as he walked over to her. She had the most amazing lips, he thought as he leaned in and kissed her sweetly. He had done that a lot that evening.
“The General didn’t agree with our decision.”
“To hell with the General, I only care what you think.” Harm smiled and kissed her again. “I’m sorry you lost.”
She smiled cleverly. “I’m not.”
He looked questioningly at her. “You did seem surprisingly at ease when the coin landed in my favor.”
“Maybe I’m insane for doing this, but you know what?”
“What?”
“I love being a Marine, but I’m ready for a new chapter in the book of life. I’m ready to be with you.”
“And I’m ready to let go. I would have followed you to San Diego. I still will if that’s what you want.”
She cupped his face. “I want you. And I want a family. I want to try and make a baby with you.”
He looked into her eyes. “I will do whatever I have to, to make that happen for us.”
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, and Harm moved them over to the bedroom.

The next morning
Harm stretched lazily in bed and pulled the woman next to him closer. The last twelve hours had been intense, going from a proposal to making love for the first time, and then deciding who would stay in the service. He had won the coin toss, and been surprised when Mac had declared him the winner with a happy smile on her face. It took General Creswell two seconds to ask her if she was seriously going to turn down the assignment.
“Absolutely, sir,” Mac said firmly.
“I can find a way for you to stay in,” he had suggested.
“We can make it work,” Harm had chimed in.
“I appreciate that, sir, really, but I’m putting my career on hold for now,” Mac said and focused on Harm. “I have other priorities.”
Harm had reached into his pocket for the ring he wanted to give her. “Can I put this on your finger now?”
“Yes,” Mac said and held her hand out and smiled when Harm slipped it on. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Harm said and kissed her.
There was a round of congratulations, before the General raised his glass and proposed a toast. “I hope you know what you’re doing Colonel, and I wish you both good luck. However, I refuse to let you retire. Inactive reserves for now, and you can decide at a later point.”
“That sounds like a good idea, Mac,” Harm agreed.
Mac nodded. “Inactive reserves it is then.”
They had stayed for a while longer, then they had excused themselves. Harm had an early plane to catch the next morning and they still had a few decisions to make.

As Harm woke up, Mac wrapped in his arms, he had a feeling of happiness that he had never felt before. It was as though the missing piece in the puzzle that was his life had finally found its way to where it belonged.
“Morning,” Mac said and stretched. “You better get up and get ready. You have to be at the airport in one hour and ten minutes.”
“Don’t that clock ever rest?” he said as he sat up.
She laughed softly as she too sat up. “Not really. I have to be at JAG in an hour. The General cut my orders, but I still have to serve while I wait for my request to an inactive billet to be accepted.”
“I hope we get a court date within the next few weeks so that we can get a final answer in the Mattie situation. It should be strictly routine since her father isn’t contesting it, but we still need to wait for the court to rule before it’s official. I need to fly back for that.” He reached for her hand. “We never talked about our wedding.”
“No, we didn’t get around to that,” she said and blushed.
He leaned in and kissed her softly. “This feels abrupt.”
“That’s what we get for waiting until the last possible minute,” she whispered softly.
He cupped her face. “I don’t want you to have any regrets. If you’re not sure about giving up your career, we can make it work with both of us in the service.”
She moved to straddle his waste, moving her face close to his, her arms going around his neck. “I want to be where you are. I want a chance to be happy. And I want to try and conceive. I can’t do any of that away from you.”
He pulled her close, running his hands down her back. “I love you, Sarah. I want to give you everything you want. I want to make you happy.” If only there was a way to express how much he meant it. He had never been this open about his feeling before, and he found that it wasn’t as scary as he’d thought in the past.
She leaned in and kissed him deeply, he moved them around so that he was on top. “Damn it, I need to find a later plane,” he said between kisses. This made her giggle, which only made him fall more in love with her.
“As much as I’d love it if you stayed, I need to report to the General, and you need to report to your new command.”
He reluctantly let her go. “Shower with me.”
She smiled and followed him to the bathroom.

Later that day Mac was in the library researching a case when Lieutenant Vucovik approached her.
“There’s a rumor going around that you turned down your new assignment,” he said with wonder.
Mac put the book she’d been holding down on the conference table. “It’s true.”
Vucovik was about to reply when Bud and Sturgis walked through the door. “Morning Mac,” Sturgis said. “Did Harm get off okay?”
“Yes, he did,” she confirmed.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Bud wondered.
“I have no idea,” Mac admitted. “By the way, I have the keys to my apartment for Varese.”
“I can give them to her,” Sturgis looked hesitant. “Where are you going to live?”
“Harm’s apartment. He’s selling, but he’s putting it off until we know when I can join him in London,” Mac explained.
“So it’s really happening? You’re leaving the Marine Corps,” Sturgis said with wonder.
“As soon as my request to an inactive billet goes through I’m moving to London,” Mac confirmed as a few more staff members entered the conference room, then General Creswell entered too and the morning staff meeting started.

After work Mac visited Mattie at the hospital. Mattie was happy to see her.
“I can’t believe you and Harm are getting married!” Mattie more or less yelled when Mac walked through the door to her room.
Mac smiled and held her hand out to show her ring. “We are.”
“I knew you would get together, I just knew it!” Mattie continued with excitement. “It’s the best news since the Doctor told me that I will be fine again.”
“How are you doing? Mac wondered as she sat down by Mattie’s bed.
“The physiotherapy is murder. The Doctor is really pleased with my recovery, and I’m healing as I should after my surgery. My feet are working well, but my left hand is still weak,” Mattie said and hesitated. “Are you sure you really want me to live with you and Harm?”
Mac smiled and took Mattie’s hand. “Absolutely. We’re in this together.”
“Thanks,” Mattie looked relieved. “So, when’s the wedding?”
“I have no idea. We never found the time to discuss it,” Mac admitted. “There’s a lot of other things to think about. Finding a house in London. The Navy have found housing for Harm, but it’s not big enough for all of us to live in. That needs to be in order before our court date in two weeks. Not to mention that we need to organize your move, and you’ll need new therapist’s and Doctor’s over there.”
“I’m really making this difficult for you and Harm,” Mattie said with a sigh.
“We’re on top of things, so you just worry about your recovery and we’ll worry about everything else, okay? Mac said.
Mattie smiled. “Harm is really lucky to have you in his life. We both are. You’re the reason I got to live with him in the first place. And now you’re helping Harm to get custody of me again.”
“We’re not doing this just for you. Sure, our marriage will be helpful in convincing the court to let you live with us, but we’re doing this because we really love each other. You’re just an added bonus,” Mac said.
Mattie smiled. “Thank you for putting it that way.”
“You are really important to Harm, which makes you really important to me. I’ve always wanted a family, and now I have one,” Mac said.

One week later Mac was sitting in Harm’s apartment after waking up from a restless sleep. She was looking forward to Friday, which would be her last day at JAG and she would be picking Harm up at the airport. Their wedding was on Saturday, then they had a court date on Monday, and they would both be travelling to London on Tuesday.
During the quiet times alone in Harm’s empty apartment, surrounded by the few things she needed to cope, which was the coffee maker, clothes to wear and a bed, she found the time to process what was going on in her life. She went from feeling absolutely happy to full panic mode. She was leaving the one thing that had given her life meaning, to marry a man she had spent nine years dancing around a relationship with. Then she would pick up the phone and call him, and she’d hear his voice and know that she was doing the right thing, because picturing a life apart from him was just too painful to bear.
“Hi.”
She smiled as his voice came over the line. “Hi.”
“What are you doing?” he wondered as she heard people talking around him.
“Just sitting in bed, my only furniture, thinking about you. Where are you anyway?”
“Just leave it on my desk, Petty Officer. Sorry, Mac, now I’m alone. In bed you say? Wish I could be there too.”
“Yeah, what would you do then?” she wondered.
“I don’t think my office is the right place for dirty talk, baby,” he said and laughed.
She knew he was deliberately calling her that, because she had told him before that she hated to be called that. “I miss you.”
“Me too. I can’t wait until Friday. Can you pick me up?”
“Absolutely. I’ll be out of there in time to meet you.”
“Everything on route for Saturday?”
She smiled as she looked at her wedding gown that hung on the closet door in his bedroom. “Yes.”
“Hey, you’re not planning on not spending the night with me, are you?”
“I don’t believe in bad luck anymore.”
“Good, because I don’t think I can be in the same city as you without being with you.”
“That’s sweet.”
“And Mac?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t change your mind.”
“I won’t if you won’t.”
“There’s no way. I’m ready.”
“So am I.”
“I better go. I have a meeting. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
They hung up and Mac put the phone away. She smiled and got out of bed. Only four days left.

On Friday, there was a small gathering at the office arranged by the General in her honor. Her office was packed, and her internal clock told her it was time to pick up her soon to be husband.
“Excuse me, can I have your attention please.”
Everyone stopped their conversations and looked at her.
“I know you all think that I’m a little nuts for doing this, and you are probably right.” There was a round of laughter. “I’m doing what I want, what feels right. I will miss this place, I will miss putting on my uniform, but what I gain by doing this will give my life new meaning. I will be with the love of my life, and I will have a family. It’s been an honor serving with all of you. Thank you all.”
“Thank you, Colonel,” the General raised his glass. “It’s been an honor having you in my command, and I hope, when you’re ready again, that you’ll be back in uniform. Good luck.”
“Thank you, sir.” Mac looked around the room and smiled when Bud approached her.
“Permission to hug the Colonel?”
“Permission granted,” Mac said and hugged him.
Sturgis smiled as he too stole a hug. “It’s been an honor, Mac.”
“Right back at you.” Mac looked at Coates. “Good luck Jennifer.”
Jen smiled. “Thank you, ma’am.” They hugged.
“If you change your mind about London, Harm has a place waiting for you.” Mac said when she released the younger woman.
“I appreciate that, and I will definitely think about it.”
“That goes for you too, Bud.”
Bud smiled. “It’s tempting.”
Mac said her final goodbyes and left JAG. She felt light and energetic as she started the car and drove off. It was time to write a new chapter in the book that was her life.

Later that night, Harm’s apartment
Harm stretched lazily and pulled Mac closer. It had been a passionate hello at the airport a few hours earlier, then they had composed themselves and visited with Mattie.
Later in his apartment they had barely closed the door before the passion took over.
“We really should get some sleep. We have to get up in seven hours and ten seconds.”
Harm let out a groan. “I have to figure out a way to throw off that internal clock of yours.”
“Well, you kind of did a little while ago,” she admitted with a small laugh.
“Really?” he looked into her eyes. “Does sex always throw you off?”
“Nope, only with you.” She kissed him and tried to get out of bed, but he was holding her back.
“You’re just saying that,” he accused with a slight eyeroll.
She relaxed back into his arms. “I swear, it has never happened before. Not even when I was shot in the thigh all those years ago, and was under general anesthesia. Not the last time either when they removed the scar tissue due to my endometrioses. Daylight savings makes me think twice though.”
“How long does it take for you to set the time again?” he wondered.
“Not log. A minute maybe”
He looked thoughtful. “I really have to work harder the next time then, and maybe throw you off a while longer.”
She laughed softly and kissed him, then moved out of bed and went to the bathroom. As she got into bed with him she noticed that he looked thoughtful. “Are you thinking about how to throw my clock off?”
He smiled. “Just thinking that tomorrow when we go to bed it’ll be as Mr. and Mrs. Rabb.” He turned on his side and looked into her eyes. “Hey, Mac.”
She nodded. “Yeah?”
“I know there’s a lot to talk about for us. About the past, I mean, but do you think we can leave it all in the past and just focus on the future? Because I know that I love you, and I know that I can’t live without having you in my life, and I would really like us to grow old together.” He caressed her face softly. “And I know I haven’t been the best at expressing feelings in the past, but I would really like to do better with you.”
“I’m in this for the long haul, Harm. The past will always be a part of who we are, but I don’t want to dwell on it. You are my best friend, and I love you so much.” She leaned in and kissed him. When the kiss ended, she let him wrap his arms around her and she smiled when he whispered in her ear. “I love you, Sarah.”

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[> I like this! -- FJN, 11:35:51 12/29/16 Thu [1]

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[> Part 2/3 -- Lace, 14:16:12 12/31/16 Sat [1]

June 2005

The first week in London had been spent looking at housing for them, and to make sure they had the perfect medical team for Mattie. The latter being mostly Mac’s responsibility while Harm worked. In between Harm’s work and looking for housing they found the time to get to know each other as husband and wife. They had been friends for nine years, travelled together, worked together and spent time together as partners and friends, but they had never lived together before. It was a totally new territory for them both.
As the week ended they had found the perfect housing. The apartment Harm had been living in since he arrived in London wasn’t a home, it was more of a storage place. He hadn’t bothered unpacking much, and when Mac’s things had arrived he had just made the movers place it in the spare bedroom.
When Harm came into the apartment Friday after work he found Mac in the kitchen listening to music and cooking dinner. She didn’t hear him enter so she didn’t notice when he leaned on the doorframe and watched her, thinking that now he had the perfect view.
He was surprised when she stopped chopping carrots abruptly and turned. “You’re home!”
“How did you know? That music is so loud…” he lowered his voice when she turned down the volume. “…there’s no way you heard me come.”
She smiled cleverly. “I always know where you are.”
He laughed softly, remembering his words years ago, when they had arrived home after separate assignments on submarines. “What are you making?” he walked into the room and greeted her with a soft kiss. He stopped and looked at her funny, getting the most amazing feeling inside.
“What?” she questioned and studied him suspiciously.
He smiled. “I just had this really wonderful moment right now, kissing you hello. I’m really, very, happy. Why didn’t we do this years ago?”
Her faced cracked into a big smile. “Because we were too busy arguing.”
He laughed softly. “How was your day?”
“It was productive.” She started chopping carrots again. “We’re moving into the new house next week. I talked to some people, made the best arguments of my life and voila, we can move sooner than planned. And I met with Mattie’s Doctors and therapists, and they are ready to start up whenever she arrives. Her stateside Doctor thinks she’s ready to travel in two weeks’ time.”
“Wow, you’ve been busy,” Harm couldn’t help to be impressed. He knew Mac was resourceful, but in the week she’d been in London she’d been like a tornado. He was wondering if jetlag had the opposite effect on her.
“I just like to get organized,” she said with a shrug.
“Well. I’m impressed. Do you need me for something or should I just sit by and watch as you take over the world?” he asked teasingly.
“I have a few things for you to do,” she said as she put the carrots into the boiling water. “Change your clothes, set the table and maybe later you ca give me a massage…”
“Absolutely,” he leaned in and kissed her. “You are amazing.”
“Not really,” she smiled sweetly. “Just happy.”
He kissed her again, then he went to change. While he was in their bedroom changing, he started thinking about something that had been on his mind ever since they said I do one week ago. A honeymoon. Everything had happened so fast, and were still happening fast, so he hadn’t arranged anything special for her. He knew there wouldn’t be time to take her away right now, he had a new command, and there was so much to do with the new house and preparing for Mattie to join them.
“Babe?” he said as he walked into the kitchen.
“Didn’t we agree on no cute names?” she wondered as she steered the sauce and moved the carrots away from the stove before the water boiled over.
He smiled. “No, you said no cute names, I never agreed.”
“Babe, is a big no. Baby, is a big no. Love, is a big big nono,” she said and smiled when his face cracked into a horrified look. “And no trips down memory lane what Mic is concerned.”
He offered an amused look as he found plates from the closet. “I will definitely never call you love,” he promised.
“Good. And you don’t have to start calling me, Sarah, you know,” she said as she walked over to the table with the chicken.
“Well I do sometimes, but you’ve always been Mac to me. I’ll just save Sarah for special times,” he said and put knives and forks on the table.
She smiled. “So, what did you want to say?”
He looked confused.
“When you walked in here, calling me babe?” she clarified.
“Ah, yes. Things have been moving pretty fast, and it won’t exactly calm down the next few weeks, so a honeymoon is out of the question right now,” he hesitated. “I would want to do something special for you though.”
“It’s no problem, Harm,” she reassured.
“You gave up your career to marry me, and moving to London, helping me with Mattie, again,” he took her hand. “The least I should do is make sure you get a real honeymoon.”
“Harm, I did it because I love you, and because you mean more to me than a career. You’re my family, and now Mattie is too. We don’t need a honeymoon,” she leaned in and kissed him. “That’s all I need.”
“A kiss?” he questioned.
“A kiss, a hug, knowing that we’ll always be together, no matter what,” she clarified and kissed him again. “And sometimes I will want to kill you, but even then, I love you.”
He smiled. “I’ll do my best to make sure I keep the things that would make you want to kill me to a minimum. And I will kiss you a lot, hug you, and we’ll be together no matter what. That’s an easy promise to make.”
She looked into his eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” he said and smiled, before pulling her in for a hug. “This is nice. I like being married to you.”
She relaxed into his arms. “I like being married to you too.”

One week later Harm found Mac in their new bedroom looking thoughtfully at the dresser he’d helped her carry up earlier in the day before he went to work.
“Please tell me you haven’t been staring at that dresser all day?”
She turned with a sweet smile. “Nope, just the last thirty-nine seconds.”
He laughed and walked over to her and kissed her. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“We have a bed,” he said and looked surprised.
“I might have given the seller a hard time about not being able to deliver it until after the weekend,” she admitted.
“You gave him a little Marine speech, did you?” he said with laughter.
“Something like that, yes,” she looked around. “I’m glad we decided on new furniture for the bedroom. It makes it more ours.”
“It looks great,” he agreed and pulled her close. “Are we sleeping here tonight?”
She smiled cleverly. “I was thinking about it. It’s almost done, so… What do you think?”
He leaned in and kissed her, letting his hands find its way inside her shirt. She didn’t use much time catching on, and soon they were in bed, where they often ended up. They had been married for two weeks the next day, and when they weren’t moving, talking to Mattie, or he was at work, they were inseparable. Harm knew that making up for nine years in the first weeks they were married wouldn’t be possible, but it didn’t mean that they wouldn’t try.

The next day was spent in the house, Mac had wanted to get started on Mattie’s room, so Harm offered to unpack the living room while she made sure Mattie’s room was ready for when the girl would join them in a week. They had been in daily contact with Mattie and her Doctor, tracking all her progress as good as they could from so far away. Jennifer Coates visited Mattie every day, and she would report back to Harm and Mac about the progress. It was amazing how fast the girl was recovering. The surgery had been necessary to make sure she wouldn’t damage her spine while she was working her way through physiotherapy. As soon as Mattie was cleared to start working with the physiotherapist after her surgery, she was progressing very fast. She was walking on her own, the only thing leading anyone on to her accident was the use of her left hand. The Doctor was worried that Mattie was overdoing it, the physiotherapist unable to hold the girl back. It had resulted in a fall, which thankfully hadn’t hurt Mattie. It had however scared her enough that she started listening to the team around her.
“I’m fine, Harm. They won’t let me work out until sometime next week, because I’ve been overdoing it. I just want to be normal again.”
“Mattie, that fall this week could have damaged everything you’ve worked so hard to accomplish. I talked to your Doctor, and we agreed that if you don’t start listening, you have to postpone your travel,” Harm warned her.
“I know, we talked about it, and I will be a good girl,” Mattie said with badly hidden frustration.
“Mac’s working on your room now,” Harm said to try and steer the conversation to something joy able. “You can change it if you don’t like it, but we figured that arriving to a finished room would be better than just a bunch of boxes.”
“That sounds really great Harm.” Mattie got quiet.
“Mattie?”
“I hope I’m not messing up yours and Mac’s new life together,” Mattie finally said.
“Mattie, don’t you ever think that. We’ve talked about this, and you know how much we’re looking forward to having you here with us,” Harm said just as Mac walked into the living room.
“That was before you had spent two weeks alone. Maybe you feel like I’ll be in the way now,” Mattie pointed out.
“You won’t be in the way,” Harm reassured.
Mac took his hand. “Tell her that her room is ready for her, and so are we.”
“Mac says….”
“I heard her,” Mattie said. “I can’t wait until next weekend.”
“We’re looking forward to it too. We’ll be at the hospital sometime Friday around 1700, then the plane back leaves Saturday at 1200.”
“Are you sure you want to spend that much time in the air just to pick me up? I’m sure I can manage on my own,” Mattie said.
“We’re coming,” Harm said firmly.
“Okay, well Jenn’s here now, let’s talk later or something. Tell Mac… Tell her thanks, and that she’s a little bit crazy for taking me on like this.”
Harm laughed. “I’ll tell her. Bye Mattie.”
Harm put the phone away and turned to Mac. “Mattie said…”
“I heard it,” she said with a smile.
He leaned in and kissed her. “You really are crazy.”
“Crazy about you,” she said and kissed him again, letting her arms find their way around his neck. She was unbelievably happy.

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[> [> Very sweet. -- FJN, 21:11:04 01/02/17 Mon [1]

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[> Part 3/3 -- Lace, 14:44:03 01/04/17 Wed [1]

Mattie’s first week in London had gone by very fast. She had been overwhelmed by the way her room had been prepared for her. When she noticed the welcome home gift on her desk, a brand-new laptop, she didn’t know what to say. She had mentioned to Mac that her computer didn’t work properly anymore and she needed someone to look at it whenever she got out of the hospital. Her computer was old and had probably done what it could.
Her room was perfectly furnished, her clothes hung up and folded, her books on shelves, her pictures hung perfectly on the wall. It was like she had lived there all along, like she belonged.
During the first week Harm and Mac had taken her to meet her new Doctors and therapists, and they had together made plans for her continuing recovery. Mattie was pleased, they all seemed nice and seemed truly concerned with her recovery. She specially liked her physiotherapist, a young woman who always talked to her, not about her.
Harm and Mac had found a balance between their newlywed’s moments and spending time with Mattie, which seemed to work out for all of them. Harm noticed that Mattie had taken a liking to Mac, not surprising he thought.
Harm was slowly finding his place in his new command, although he truly missed both Coates and Bud. His XO was good at his job, but he didn’t seem to like the way his new commanding officer ran things, and made small comments about how they used to do it under Captain Garrison, the former Force Judge Advocate, Europe. Harm had it in the back of his mind that maybe a replacement would be a smart idea.
During their fourth week as a married couple, Harm noticed some changes in Mac. She had turned a little quieter, and pale, and she didn’t seem so interested in engaging in anything physical with him. He noticed tampons in their bathroom and he knew she had had her period. He hadn’t really thought about that part, of course he knew that women had their periods, but he had never thought of Mac having them before. It had never been part of their relationship before they married, since they had never been living together or even been a couple.
“Hey Mac, are you okay? Any pain?” he asked when he joined her on the couch after a lazy Saturday breakfast.
“Just uncomfortable,” she said with a shrug without taking her eyes off the book she was reading. “It’ll get better in a day or two.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do,” he said and remembered that Renee had to take painkillers when she had her period. “Don’t you take painkillers if your period is painful?”
“No, I never use painkillers,” she said and patted his knee. “Don’t worry, I’m a marine, I can take a little pain. I’ve lived with this since I was fourteen, so…”
He nodded and leaned back on the couch. “I never thought about this part with you. What do you do when you’re in the middle of the Afghan desert and you get your period?”
“I’m always prepared,” she said and looked at him funny. “Seriously, did it just occur to you that I’m a girl?”
He laughed. “Oh, I’ve noticed, believe me. Just learning that there’s more sides to you than my partner and best friend, that’s all. For example, I never knew that you baked.”
“I’ve offered you cookies when you’ve been over,” she pointed out.
“I never knew you baked them,” he reasoned. “And last week you baked bread. I never knew that you could bake bread. That’s something my grandma does.”
Mac laughed softly. “It’s healthier than what you buy. I know I’m into junk food, but I eat a lot of healthy stuff most of the time. I can cook, you know.”
“I know. Well, I know now. I always figured you were one of those modern women, not the housewife type,” he said and caressed her cheek.
“Will you get bored when you’ve figured out all my secrets?” she wondered.
“Bored? No way. I’m kind of relieved. I mean, marrying you could easily have ended with me tagging along on dangerous missions on the weekends,” he teased.
“Look who’s talking,” she said and rolled her eyes.
He laughed and leaned in and kissed her. “What do you want to do today?”
“Just read,” she said and offered an amused look. “I’m actually very boring, Harm. When I’m not off battling the many law books, or going with you on dangerous missions,” she added with a small laughter. “I actually read a lot, or work out. I clean dinosaur bones, go to museums, or watch documentaries.”
“I knew that about you. You love World War Two documentaries, and of course dinosaur documentaries. You’ve made me watch some with you over the years,” he reminded her.
“We have the World War Two documentaries in common,” she said and reached for his hand. “I prefer quiet nights at home over fancy dinners out. Although, I do love to dress up every now and then. My previous men have been disappointed when they found out that I walk around in old sweats and PJ’s when I’m home, and that I don’t sleep in sexy nightgowns.”
“Come on, who doesn’t love you in your PJ’s?” Harm wondered. “That’s my favorite look on you.”
“You’re kidding?” she nudged his shoulder.
“I’m not. You’re beautiful when you relax at home in your PJ’s, no make-up on, shoulders down and always eager to watch some silly movie that no one cares to watch and fall asleep right in the middle. I love our movie nights.”
She leaned in and kissed him. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love it when you wear sexy underwear too,” he said teasingly.
Mac nodded. “I’ll make sure I wear something sexy every now and then too,” she promised.
“You could wear nothing,” he suggested.
She laughed and kissed him again. “I love you.”
He sobered up and looked into her eyes. “I love you too.”

Monday morning after kissing Harm goodbye, Mac found Mattie still in her room trying to figure out what to wear for her therapy session. Mac saw that Mattie was struggling with something, but it wasn’t the clothes that really was bothering her.
“Is everything okay Mattie?”
Mattie hesitated as she reached for sweatpants and a t-shirt. “It’s been so nice being out of the hospital and in a real home again.”
“Are you dreading going back?” Mac wondered and stepped fully into the room.
Mattie nodded. “I guess I am. I know I have to, but I’m just so sick of Doctor’s.”
“I can understand that, but this time it’s just for an hour and we’ll go straight home again. No Doctor’s, just you and your physiotherapist. I promise you, you’ll feel like a normal teenager again pretty soon,” Mac promised.
Mattie smiled. “You’re right,” then she looked thoughtful again. “Mac, did Harm seem worried this morning?”
“He’s feeling a little bad about going to work instead of being with you for your appointment. It’s a little hard for him to let me take the responsibility of going with you. He’s a pilot, he likes to be in control,” Mac said and smiled.
“Doesn’t this feel like a setback for you? I mean, you’re a respected lawyer and Marine, and now you’re stuck with taking me back and forth between the rehab center and home. Won’t you be bored?” Mattie wondered.
“I feel like this is important. It’s not like I’m walking around feeling like I should be somewhere else, I’m very happy being right here with you and Harm. It was my decision to leave my career and follow Harm here, no one forced me,” Mac said and hesitated. “I grew up with an alcoholic and abusive father, my Mom ran off and left me with him after she’d had enough of his abuse. He never hit me, but he was verbally abusive. I started drinking too, and I turned into an alcoholic myself. I married too young with a pretty bad guy, thinking he was my ticket out of there. Then he went to prison, and I almost died in the same car accident that killed my friend. My Uncle cleaned me up, I went to boot camp, and the Marines became my home. I worked hard, I earned my way, made mistakes, worked harder the next time, and I’ve been proud to get to where I am. But through all my accomplishments, I missed one thing. I missed having a family, someone to love and who loved me back. The closest thing to a stable family I’ve had is Harm, and Bud and Harriet, the Admiral, Jennifer and Sturgis of course, but Harm has been my only constant and most trusted friend. I fell in love with him, and I want to be with him for the rest of my life. You have become a part of his family, and now we are a family. It’s all I’ve ever truly wanted.”
Mattie had listened with a serious expression on her face. “Wow, I didn’t know all that about your past. Now I understand how you could talk to my Dad and make him step aside so that I could be with Harm.”
Mac smiled. “I did that for Harm too, Mattie. He needed you just as much as you needed him.”
Mattie returned the smile. “I’m lucky to have him. And you.”
“And we are lucky to have you. You better hurry up. We have sixteen minutes and ten seconds before we need to be out the door,” Mac said.
Mattie looked confused. “How do you do that?”
“I have great timing,” Mac said cleverly and left the girl to change out of her PJs.

Later that night Harm found Mac in the kitchen preparing that night’s dinner.
“Hi beautiful,” he said and walked over and kissed her. “That was the best part of my day. Well, that and the kiss we shared this morning.”
She smiled. “That bad a day huh?”
“Just long, and I’m having trouble with Commander Blix. It’s going to be hard for me keeping him on my staff. I want to give him a chance, but the chemistry is just wrong,” Harm said thoughtfully.
“You need to talk Bud into joining you here, Harm,” Mac said as she had so many times before.
Harm let out a sigh. “He’s got Harriet holding the rains.”
“She’s protecting her husband, thinking that it’s safer to stay where he is. She’s holding him back, but she does it out of love.”
“I know, and I respect their decision. This could be his chance to reach full commander, but….” Harm let out another sigh. “It’s no point asking him again. Harriet made up his mind for him.”
Mac shook her head with amusement. “Is that how you see marriage?”
Harm laughed softly. “Well, their marriage anyway. How did it go today with Mattie?”
“It went great. She’s making progress, but Lisa is really good for her, making her understand how important it is to hurry slowly. They are a great team, and we should be happy that Lisa is Mattie’s physiotherapist.” Mac smiled and hugged Harm close. “And you need to trust that I can handle this.”
“I trust you completely, but it’s not fair that you carry the full burden. You’ve arranged everything by yourself, from the house, to Mattie’s move, and now you take care of the house and me, and Mattie. I just worry that you don’t focus enough on you. That you’ll be bored and regret everything.”
Mac pulled him in for a long, heated kiss, leaving Harm breathless and very aroused when it ended. “Wow, what was that for?”
“For being you. For worrying about how I feel. But please, don’t think that I’m not in this for selfish reasons too, because what I gain by being here is so much more than wat I give. I have you, I have a family, and that is all I’ve ever wanted.”
He smiled and kissed her softly. “You are amazing.”
“I’m happy, is what I am,” she said and wiggled her eyes “And later, tonight, I’ll show you how much I love being here with you.”
He forgot how to speak, for a second. “I can’t wait.”

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[> [> Thank you for offering a fresh look at our favorite couple...and Mattie. -- Loti, 02:00:36 01/06/17 Fri [1]

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[> [> Always a good read. Thanks. -- FJN, 15:55:06 01/10/17 Tue [1]

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[> [> Great! -- Cd, 23:33:48 09/21/17 Thu [1]

Great story! Thanks for posting.

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