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Date Posted: 07:18:06 01/16/17 Mon
Author: Lace
Subject: Part 25 (Nine years after...)

February 2016

Harm finished with the last coat of paint and looked around the room. He was satisfied he decided. After Mattie moved out to live with her boyfriend he had been thinking about what to do with the basement. It was in need of some renovation, and he and Mac had decided to do just that. Harm had gotten the idea to make a home entertainment room, and a home gym down there, and after running it by his wife and she’d agreed, he had started planning.
“Dad, dinner’s ready.”
Harm turned and found his youngest son looking at him from the stairway. “Great, I’ll be right up.”
Matthew walked all the way downstairs and looked around. “So, what’s the plan, Dad?”
Harm was struck by how big his son was becoming. Suddenly he was so self-sufficient, he never asked for help with anything, except for when he had misplaced something, which was often enough, and then he’d come running for his Mom, because she was the family’s organizer and knew everything.
“Well, I’ve put cables in the floors and painted, now I’ll get started on the new floor,” he smiled. “Huge flat screen TV, great surround sound,” he studied his son. “What do you think?”
Matthew smiled widely. “Cool, Dad.”
“Yeah, you’d like that?”
“I can have my friends over and watch movies,” Matthew said.
Harm put the paint away. “It’ll be fun.”
“Mom made fish,” Matthew said and made a grimace.
Harm laughed. “It’s good for us.”
“I guess,” Matthew didn’t look totally convinced.
“We better go eat,” Harm said and ruffled Matthew’s hair. “It’s great having Mom home again.”
Matthew smiled. “Yeah, she’s been gone forever.”
“Eleven days,” Harm said.
“You’ve been counting down the days,” Matthew teased.
Harm laughed. “One day, when you have a girlfriend, you’ll understand.”
“Yuck, girls are gross,” Matthew said and laughed.
Harm shook his head in amusement. “One day, you won’t think so. And besides, Mom’s not gross, she’s special and beautiful, and one day you’ll find a girl who make you all crazy and you’ll want to be with her all the time.”
Matthew looked doubtful. “No way I’ll find someone as great as Mom.”
Harm laughed. “Well, maybe not that great.”

Harm had been surprised when his oldest son came home unannounced during dinner that night. Nathan was in his first year at the Academy, and he was doing great. He had gone from being an angry and confused teenager with a lot of baggage, to a grown man taking responsibility for his actions. Harm was proud.
Mac found her husband and oldest son in the basement Saturday night, working on the new floors. She was happy to have Nathan home, even if it was only for a short weekend liberty.
“It’s 2245,” she said as she stepped fully into the room.
Harm and Nathan both looked up. “What do you think?” Harm wondered.
“It’s great,” she said and looked around.
“Did Claire come home yet?” Harm wondered as he stood.
“Nope,” Mac said and yawned. “I’m going to bed; can you wait up for her?”
“Sure,” Harm walked over and kissed her. “Tired after your travels?”
“Jetlag,” she said and smiled. “Good night.”
“Good night, Mom,” Nathan said.
“It’s great having you home, Nathan. Good night.”
Harm hugged her. “I’ll sit up and wait for Claire.”
“Thanks,” Mac said and kissed him softly before leaving them.
“I can wait up for Claire,” Nathan suggested. “I wanted to do some gaming anyway. Make sure Matthew haven’t trashed the attic.”
Harm laughed. “He’s keeping it so tidy, you’d think it was sacred ground.”
“The little brat is growing up,” Nathan laughed.
“I’ll take a shower and head to bed then,” Harm said and smiled. “Thanks for the help, son.”
“Any time,” Nathan said and hesitated. “To tell you the truth, I miss this. All of it. I love the Academy, but I miss being home with you guys.”
Harm nodded. “We miss you too.”

Mac looked to be asleep already when Harm entered their bedroom after looking in on Matthew. Harm took a quick shower and got ready for bed, before he joined her. She’d been to Okinawa for a Court Martial, and arrived home that morning.
“It’s only 2304, is Claire home?” Mac mumbled tiredly.
Harm laughed softly as he got comfortable in the bed. “No, Nathan is waiting up. Jetlag does nothing to that watch of yours.”
“Nope,” she said and snuggled close to him. “It’s great being home.”
“I missed you, baby,” Harm said and kissed her softly.
“Me too,” Mac said and relaxed into his arms, her breath evening out and she was fast asleep.
Harm soon fell asleep too.
An hour later
Harm and Mac opened the car doors and hurried out. There were several police cars parked outside and teenagers were leaving the house as Harm and Mac hurried inside.
“Mom, Dad!” Claire hurried to meet them.
“Are you okay?” Mac hugged her daughter close. “What happened?”
“Is this your daughter?” A police officer joined them.
“Yes. I’m Harmon Rabb, this is my wife Colonel Sarah Rabb. What’s going on here officer?”
“Rabb? You helped me when I was charged with drug smuggling. You were a commander then. You proved that it was my bunk mate who was the guilty one,” the officer smiled and offered his hand. “Ryan Coffin,” he introduced himself.”
“That was a long time ago,” Harm shook his hand.
“Your daughter stopped a rape tonight,” the officer said.
“You bitch, you broke my nose!”
They turned and saw two police officers leading a young man with a bleeding nose, his hands cuffed behind his back.”
“Get him out of here,” Coffin ordered and turned back to Harm, Mac and Claire. “Sorry about that. We had to send a girl to the hospital. She was drugged. Your daughter stopped that guy from raping her. Heroic, but possibly stupid. He’s a big guy, he could have really hurt you.”
“I can take care,” Claire said stubbornly.
“Is the girl okay?” Mac wanted to know.
“She’ll be fine once the drugs leave her system. I need Claire to come by the station tomorrow to give a statement, is that okay?”
“She’ll be there,” Harm promised.
“Around 9, if that’s okay?” Coffin asked.
“We’ll be there,” Mac said. “Can we take Claire home now?”
“Of course, ma’am,” Coffin said.

It was a quiet drive home, and when they got inside the house Claire was ready for the big blow out, when to her surprise her Dad wasn’t angry at all.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Harm asked.
“Totally,” Claire said and hesitated, looking from one parent to the other. “So, how much trouble am I in? I swear I was coming home when the night turned into a real party instead of a quiet slumber party.”
Harm and Mac shared a look, before they turned to their daughter. “Well, you stopped a rape, helped someone in need, called the police and us, you haven’t been drinking and as far as I can see you’re not hurt, so I guess you’re in no trouble with us,” Harm said.
“I’m just curious,” Mac said. “How did all of this happen?”
“I was offered a drink by that guy, but wouldn’t take it. A little while later I see him more or less carrying another girl upstairs. I thought it was weird because the girl seemed perfectly fine a little earlier when I talked to her, and she wasn’t drinking. I followed them and I caught the guy in bed with her, so I asked him to back off. He told me to get lost and I wouldn’t, so he came at me. I hit him, he came at me again so I hit him again, and kicked him in the… let’s just say that he wouldn’t have been able to do what he wanted after that…” Claire looked at her Mom who looked amused. “Well, what do you expect? You’ve thought me self-defense since I was six, and I kick box and do taekwondo. I’ve never had to use it before, but I knew what to do, and for that I’m thankful.”
Mac smiled and hugged her. “I’m proud of you. And no broken bones in your hand either.”
“You always said that the palm of your hand is much stronger than the knuckles,” Claire said.
“That’s my mini Marine,” Mac said and hugged her again.
Harm was amused. “Okay, if we’re done with the Semper Fiing, why don’t we go to sleep, we have to be at the station by 0900,” Harm said and hugged his daughter. “I’m proud of you. Even though, I won’t ever let you out of the house ever again.”
Claire smiled. “No problem, from now on I’m done with the world anyway.”

It was 0435 when Mac found her husband in the basement working on the floors. She cleared her throat, and he turned with an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“The bed was empty,” she complained.
He stood and walked over to her. “I couldn’t sleep. Too much drama.”
“I thought Nathan was a handful, but Claire…” Mac let out a sigh ”I guess it’s not her fault, she just tends to end up in situations.”
“And who does she remind you of?” he said with a little laughter.
Mac smiled and let him pull her in for a hug. “Taking after us I assume.”
Harm leaned in and kissed her sweetly at first, then his eyes darkened and met hers. They met in a passionate kiss.
“Bedroom,” Mac said when the need for air forced them apart.
Harm nodded and followed her.

Mac thought the house seemed more alive somehow when Nathan was home. There was music, Matthew and Claire were singing and playing guitar and piano, which they hadn’t really been doing a lot of since Nathan moved out. There was more laughter and joy, making her realize that Nathan always had a way of bringing out the best in people.
The night’s excitement had been pushed aside after Claire had given her statement to the police. She would have to take the stand in court sometime soon, but other than that she could move on from what had happened. She seemed okay, Mac thought, and hoped that she would be.
“I’m getting ready to leave,” Nathan said as he walked downstairs and into the living room with a packed bag.
“It was nice having you home,” Mac said and walked over to hug him. “Be a good boy.”
“I always am,” he said and flashed a big smile.
She ruffled his hair. “Most of the time.”
Nathan laughed. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, honey,” Mac said just as Claire joined them.
“Don’t leave,” she said and hugged him.
“I have to, but I promise to come home again soon. Maybe next weekend you can come see me? It’s better than partying and beating up bad guys,” he teased.
Claire rolled her eyes. “Okay, I can do that.”
“That’s a plan then,” Nathan looked around. “Where’s Matthew?”
“Right here,” Matthew said as he ran down the stairs. “Can I come with you?”
“You have to wait about eight years and you can go to the Academy too,” Nathan said and hugged him. “Don’t be a brat.”
“I won’t,” Matthew promised.
“Dad’s in the garage,” Mac said to Nathan. “Drive carefully, okay?”
Nathan snapped to attention. “Yes, ma’am.”
They watched as he left and Mac put her arms around Matthew and Claire. “It’s just us again then.”

Mac found her husband in the garage working on his Corvette. Matthew and Claire had gone to bed a while ago and Mac was starting to feel the toll of a sleepless night and wanted to go to bed too.
“Almost done?”
Harm smiled and closed the hood. “I am. The kids asleep?”
“A while ago. I’m going to bed too. I really need a good night’s sleep.”
“Me too,” he agreed as he walked over to her. “It was a nice weekend, exciting, but nice. I’m glad you’re home.”
“Me too,” she said and moved away from him when he tried to reach for her. “You need a shower.”
He laughed. “I thought you liked handy men.”
“I do, but after a shower,” she said and smiled as he gave his car one last look. “Am I disturbing your alone time with your precious car?”
“Nah, it’s fine, just looking forward to spring that’s all. You won’t let me take her out on the icy roads,” he complained.
“I like you better in the SUV in the winter,” she said sweetly. “It’s for your own good, you know. It’s safer.”
“I know,” he smiled. “You like her too, just admit it.”
“I like it, yes, but you won’t let me drive it,” she reminded him.
“I do, sometimes,” he said and turned the lights off and followed her out of the garage. “It’s just that you don’t drive a stick very well.”
“Are you insulting my driving?” she asked eyebrows raised.
“You drive just fine,” he offered a cute smile. “For a girl.”
She punched him in his arm and he winced as they stepped into their hallway. “Ouch, Mac.”
She waited for him to lock the door and turn to her before she ran a finger down his chest suggestively. “I thought you liked the way I could handle a stick?” she removed her finger just above his private area. “Oh well, I guess I won’t have to think about doing that any more…” she turned and walked away from him. “Good night.”
“Uhm, Mac?” he followed her. “Mac? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it…” he hurried up the stairs after her. “I love you.”

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Replies:

[> Good one...your stories always make me smile! -- FJN, 13:04:24 01/16/17 Mon [1]

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[> Just love this family. Thank you for keeping this going. -- MAG, 05:48:45 01/17/17 Tue [1]

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[> Thank you for keeping this going Cd -- Cd, 20:41:44 09/17/17 Sun [1]

Thank you for keeping this going Cd!

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