TITLE: "Fatherhood III-Forever My Love" AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY/SPOILERS: From an old liaison comes a new love. An Annie Pendry story. [If you were an Annie fan likely you will not like the way we have interpreted her character] . Any JAG episode may or may not be referred to in this work. Neither Sergei nor Afghanistan plays a role here. Story begins in the summer of 2002. CLASSIFCATION/RATING: J/S/R/A PG for mild violence and language DISCLAIMER: JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount et al. No copyright infringement is intended with this work of fiction. FEEDBACK: Never expected let alone demanded. Always appreciated. We simply ask that the work and the effort be respected. Feedback addy is SSbpMN@aol.com. NOTE: All parts of this story and previous chapters, as well as much of our other works, are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories The message archives are open to all registered Yahoo users-no subbing required. Please ignore any notice of adult content you may see-there is no R nor NC17 content there. Other archives containing our stories: http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html [sadly, not always up and running] or BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} ********************** Previously in Fatherhood: Harm discovers he fathered a little girl by Annie Pendry, who, unable to handle the fact of Harm returning to her life—and Josh's, disappears from the Baltimore area. Left with his daughter and Josh to care for, Harm accepts Mac's help and from there, a love grows. Now it's time. . .time for Harm to make good on his promise, to make Mac his own. ================== "Fatherhood III-Forever My Love"--- TWO WEEKS LATER "I think we might be ready," Harm panted, looking at the pile of luggage at the front door of their house. "And no one suspects a thing," Mac giggled. "No one at JAG and certainly not Josh." She toyed with the ring and smiled up at him. "Have I mentioned how much I love you?" "Have I mentioned how much I've looked forward to this day, and how a couple weeks ago I wasn't sure it was going to happen?" He drew her into his embrace, his lips coming down onto hers for a long kiss. "Oh god Mikayla they're at it again," Josh groaned, coming in from outside, his sister on his shoulders. "Never mind," Harm ordered. "Give that to Mac and lets get this luggage into the van. We're burning daylight here." "I can't believe we're doing this," Josh grinned happily, picking up three of the bags after handing off Mikayla. "I mean mom used to say all the time we were going to go somewhere but we never did. Williamsburg and Busch Gardens and Virginia Beach. Wow. Oh and Norfolk and Oceana and. . ." "Move it," Harm ordered. "He's excited," Mac laughed when he had gone. "Not half as excited as I am. You're about to become Mrs. Harmon Rabb," he whispered. "Long as no one drops the ball, everything should go like clockwork." "Nothing ever goes like clockwork Commander" she smiled. "You should know better than that." "Well no matter what, in seventy-two hours you'll become Mrs. Rabb" he smiled as well. "I can't wait" she whispered. They had time for one last kiss before making their way to the SUV where Josh had already strapped Mikayla in. "So where are we going first?" Josh asked once they were on the highway. "Oceana. Or the Norfolk base." "Beach" Mikayla smiled from her car seat. "Wanna go to the beach." "Actually we're starting in Williamsburg" Harm informed them. "We'll spend a day there and then a day at Busch Gardens. And then we're going to Virginia Beach." "And Oceana right?" Josh prodded. "You are going to take me to see the jets right? Maybe I can get a ride in one?" "Not this trip" Harm smiled. "But one day." "This is so cool," Josh said happily. "I can't believe we're doing this. A real vacation." They arrived in Williamsburg just after it had opened and for the next several hours wandered through the many building on the Colonial Village. "Lunch time" Mac declared finally as Mikayla started to fuss. "Which way was the family restaurant Josh?" "By the visitor's center" Josh said as he studied the map of the large village. After a late lunch they toured more of the village until it closed, finally making it to their hotel. "I'm pooped," Josh said as he sank down on the bed. "Better get some rest then" Harm smiled. "Tomorrow is Busch Gardens." "You're riding the roller coasters with me right? Or is Mac?" "I may leave that to Harm" Mac smiled. "I'm not sure I'm ready for that." "Oh come on Mac" Josh smiled. "They've got a roller coaster that drops you 170 feet. Doesn't that sound cool." "Not to my stomach" she laughed. "It sounds too much like the last time I flew with Harm. And it wasn't fun. I think I'll hang out with Mikayla in kiddie land." ********** The next day was spent at Busch Gardens, Josh and Harm riding every roller coaster in the place at least once while Mac entertained Mikayla. "Having fun?" Harm asked between rides as he and Josh met up with Mac again. "Of course" she smiled. "I always wondered what a family vacation was like." "Never did this as a kid?" he asked softly. "Never. But that's okay. Seeing Josh and Mikayla enjoy themselves is all that matters now. And of course that in twenty-four hours I'm going to be Mrs. Harmon Rabb." "Yes you are" Harm whispered. "One more ride and then we'll grab lunch." "How can you eat and go on those rides?" Mac groaned. "My stomach hurts just thinking about it." "That's why you were never a fighter pilot my love" he grinned before kissing her forehead. They stayed at the park until both kids were exhausted, Harm carrying a spent Mikayla while Mac kept her arm around Josh. "Having fun so far?" she asked. "The best time ever" he smiled. He was asleep before they hit the Hampton Roads bridge tunnel to Virginia Beach and Mac looked back lovingly at the two children that now seemed just like her own. "I think they're having a good time," she said softly to Harm. "You think?" he smiled. "How about you?" "Wonderful" she smiled back. A short time later he pulled the SUV into the parking garage of the brand new Boardwalk Villa's hotel on Virginia Beach. "We're staying here?" Mac gasped. "Yes we are" he grinned. "You deserved something special for your honeymoon. We've got a nice two bedroom suite complete with kitchen and your own jetted tub." "Oh Harm" she whispered. "You didn't have to do this." "Yes I did" he smiled. **************** Mac woke with a smile the next morning, realizing that their wedding was just hours away. "Morning beautiful" he whispered as she looked over at him. "You know what today is right?" "Yes sir" she said softly. "The day I've dreamed of for years now." "You don't mind that we're just doing this alone do you?" he asked. "I mean, without telling everyone else and having them here?" "No this is perfect. Just us and Josh and Mikayla." As she spoke the door to their bedroom opened and Mikayla wandered in, her purple swimsuit already in place. "Wanna go to the beach," Mikayla said as she crawled onto Harm and Mac's bed. "How about some breakfast first?" Mac smiled. "Fruit loops," the little girl ordered and Harm groaned. "I'm raising a sugar junkie." "No she's a normal little girl. Surely you're not going to make her have sprouts in a lunch box while the other kids have Hostess Twinkies?" "Don't talk to me," he glared. "Harm don't forget you're giving me that surfing lesson later," Josh spoke up. "Whoa what wait. I didn't hear anything about a surfing lesson," Mac yelped. "And anyway, since when do you surf there Flyboy?" "Since I was a teenager once Mom became a Burnett and I spent time in LaJolla," he grinned. "I had shaggy blonde hair for three summers." "Oh no you did not," Mac chortled. "Note to self--call Mrs. Burnett for a picture." "Not if I get to her first," he grinned and ruffled Josh's hair. "OK Cowboy, a surfing lesson right after breakfast. Mac can learn too." "Oh no Mac cannot," she declared. "You'll have to settle for me being your beach bunny there Kahunna." "In a heartbeat," he smiled and touched his finger to the ring she wore. "And that reminds me, Josh don't make any plans for tonight." "Huh? I mean sir?" "Just don't. You're busy." "Yes sir, if you say so," he frowned. Once out on the part of the beach designated for surfers, Mac took one look at the boards Harm had rented and shook her head. "Mister you are going to break your neck. Truth now, how many times have you been hurt on one of those fool things?" "Never." That lasted as long as he could stand her glare. "OK, once the board bounced up from a wipe-out and hit me in the forehead. I was in the hospital for two days and needed fifteen stitches. Happy?" "No. Harm." "Relax. I won't do anything dangerous, and I certainly won't let anything happen to Josh." Four hours later, Harm had in fact made a passable surfer out of the boy whom he wanted to make his son. "Hey at least you stayed up those last couple times," Harm grinned as he collapsed onto to the blanket, dripping water on Mac who was curled up under their umbrella. "Your turn," he laughed and kissed her. "Soon as I get my breath. I'll hold you on. I know for a fact you're a good athlete and you've got good balance. In fact I double dog dare you." Her eyes narrowed at that. "That's low. You know no Marine is going to refuse a double dog dare." "Josh watch your sister" Harm ordered. "Don't let her out of your sight. You know how quickly she wanders off." "Yes sir" Josh nodded. "I'll go sit with her." He made his way to where the little girl was happily playing with her toys in the wet sand at the edge of the water. "She is having so much fun" Mac smiled as she looked over at them. "I'm so glad we included the kids on this." "Me too" Harm smiled. "You ready to learn how to surf?" They were both laughing hysterically by the time they returned to the sand an hour later. "You spent more time in the water than you did on the board" Harm laughed. "Okay so it's not as easy as it looks" she grinned. "But I tried. I deserve at least a kiss for that." "Yes you do," he said as he gave her a quick kiss. "And I should go play with Mikayla for a bit. She's going to think I'm ignoring her." "I'll join you" she said and minutes later the four sat together playing in the sand. "I should have brought my camera" Mac laughed as Harm helped Mikayla build her sandcastle. "Harmon Rabb, fighter pilot and lawyer extraordinare is playing in the sand." "Yeah but I'm a Dad first now" he smiled proudly. The day on the beach finally drew to a close and it was a weary group that headed back up to their suite. "We should see if we can get her to nap" Harm said as he carried his tired daughter. "Otherwise she's not going to be real fun tonight." Fortunately the hours in the sun had worn the little girl out and once Mac had changed her out of her bathing suit she fell asleep almost at once. Josh zoned in front of the large big screen TV, tired as well from the day. A few hours later they woke them and had a quick dinner at a nearby restaurant before heading back to the rooms to change for the ceremony. "This has been so wonderful" Mac sighed as they lay together in their room after dinner. "The kids are having so much fun." "I don't think Annie ever did anything like this for them" Harm sighed. "But I think this is making up for it." "Having us is making up for it." "And I'm glad it's going to be us" Harm said softly. "And you know of course that I'm not just marrying you because my kids need a mother. I love you so much Sarah Mackenzie." "Almost as much as I love you" Mac whispered as she leaned forward for a kiss. "And I think it's time to get ready." They helped Josh and Mikayla get ready, Josh giving them curious looks when they asked him to wear the pair of dress pants Mac had packed for him. "We doing somewhere special?" he asked. "A little" Harm smiled. "And on that note I need to get ready." Mac dressed Mikayla in a pink sundress and fixed her hair with ribbons before slipping into the plain cream colored long dress she'd found for the occasion. "Wow we really are going somewhere nice aren't we?" Josh asked when he saw Mikayla and Mac. "What's the occasion?" "You'll see" Mac assured him. "Oh and don't forget the camera." Harm emerged in his dress whites a moment later and Josh's eyes widened as he looked at Harm and Mac. "Okay what's going on you two?" he demanded. "Are we going to some military ball or something?" "No but you'll see" Harm grinned. "That's what you two keep saying" Josh groaned. "Come on mister" Harm smiled. "I promise it's something good." Chaplain James Forester from NAS Oceana was waiting in the lobby and at once he recognized the family approaching him. "You must be Commander Rabb" Chaplain Forester smiled. "Yes sir" Harm replied. "Are we ready?" "Just pick the spot Commander. I'm ready." Harm nodded and led his family out to the boardwalk. They made their way down to the edge of the water and Harm walked a few feet before finding the perfect spot between the large hotels to see the setting sun to the west. "This will do" Harm announced. "Do for what?" Josh asked. "Come on guys. What's going on?" "Mac and I are getting married" Harm told Josh with a wide smile. "No way" Josh gasped. "Honest. Mac's going to be our Mom for real." "If that's okay with you" Mac said softly. "More than okay" Josh said as he ran to her, giving her a long hug. "You're the best." "Well now that we have the seal of approval I think we're ready to get started" Harm smiled. With Josh at Harm's side and Mikayla next to Mac, they stood together facing the now brightly colored westward sky, the ocean waves lapping behind them. "You have a fine family Commander," the chaplain smiled. "Future Navy maybe?" "Yes sir," Josh spoke up at once. "Naval Academy and then flight school, with maybe an eye to the astronaut corps after some time on a carrier." "Josh the man didn't ask for your dissertation as to your future," Harm grinned. "Should we get on with this?" "Oh yeah," the boy breathed, looking back and forth from Harm to Mac. "In the presence of Almighty God this family comes to be joined," Forester intoned quietly. "Sarah Catherine Mackenzie to become the bride of Harmon David Rabb." He nodded to Mac and she lifted Harm's hands, pressing them against her chest, and giggling nervously. "I thought I knew exactly what I was going to say," she whispered, her dark eyes locked with his green ones. "Now I'm looking into your eyes and as usual I'm melting." She took a long breath and he squeezed her hands where they trembled. "Do you love me," he prompted with a gentle smile. "Oh yeah," she nodded and took another long breath and his cool stare gave her courage. That same cool stare she remembered from their first encounter. It had taken her breath away then, and it still had that power. "To love, to honor, to cherish, for as long as we both shall live," she whispered. "To give myself over to you. To place my trust in you. My partner, my best friend, my lover, and now my husband. For now and for always." "For now and for always," he rejoined. "I told you once you had gone further than any one I knew. I didn't know then how prophetic those words would be. I only knew that there was no one else on this planet who would have done what you did. My one in five billion." He nudged Josh for the ring. "With this ring, I make you my wife. For now and for always." Skilled hands slipped the ring onto her finger as Josh handed her the ring for Harm. "With this ring I make you my husband," she replied, doing the same. Without needing to be told, their lips meant in a long kiss, sealing the vows they had just made and the Reverend raised his hands in blessing. "May the face of the Lord shine on your union all the days of your life together. By the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia and with the blessing of God above, I now declare you to be joined in holy wedlock. What God has seen fit to so join, let no man deny." Harm and Mac let out a collective breath and kissed once more. Mikayla, sensing that it was over, laughed loudly and reached for her father and Josh was all smiles. "Chaplain we have a dinner waiting for us in a private room in the hotel and we would be honored if you would join us," Harm offered. "I'd be delighted, thank you." After they had eaten, with Mikayla getting restless, Josh took her onto the patio and watched her run in the sand, only to have Harm join him a few minutes later. "You got awful quiet there at the end," he said to the boy. "Something you want to talk about?" Josh shrugged uncomfortably. "I uh. . .well OK, all this is great. You and Mac are married, and Mikayla is your daughter but where does that leave me? I'm still Mom's son, and I still do love her kind of, but. . ." "But she's not really doing a good job with you," Harm finished for him. "And that's why I'm asking for custody of you. I'm hoping that the court will see fit to allow Mac to adopt you, but if not, you'll still live with us. After all, that's just legal BS anyway. Mac won't feel any different about you, you know that don't you?" "How can I already feel closer to her than I do to Mom?" he wailed softly. "What's wrong with me?" "You feel closer to her because Mac loves you" Harm said softly. "And there's nothing wrong with you feeling closer to Mac than your Mom. I know that your Mom hasn't been there for you." "It wasn't her fault totally" Josh sniffled. "She was okay before Dad died." "I know" Harm sighed. "And if your Dad were alive none of this would have happened. Your Mom probably would be a different person. She just couldn't handle everything without him." "I don't even remember much about him anymore," Josh said softly. "Well whenever you want to know anything about him you ask me" Harm smiled. "I can tell you all about your Dad." "Thanks Harm. You know I always wanted you to be my Dad after Dad died. You were so cool like he was." "I'm glad you feel that way" Harm laughed. "I hated my step dad at first." "I could never hate you" Josh smiled. "And I'm sure you'd like to spend some time alone with Mac. I'll watch Mikayla." "We'll have our time later" Harm assured him. "And this wedding isn't just about Mac and I. It's about all of us becoming a family." "You guys really mean that don't you?" Josh whispered. "Yes we do. Now what do you say we find my lovely wife and your soon to be mother and go take a walk on the boardwalk." Josh nodded eagerly and hand in hand they walked the boardwalk, Mikayla resting in Harm's arms. "Everything turned out perfect didn't it?" Mac sighed. "Yes it did" Harm agreed. "See I told you there was nothing to worry about." A pair of Tomcats flew overhead and Josh looked up excitedly, seeing only the afterburners in the dark night sky. "Harm do we get to go to Oceana tomorrow?" he asked. "You said we could." "I think I can arrange something" Harm smiled. "Can the girls bow out of that little adventure?" Mac asked. "I'm sure Mikayla and I would have a lot more fun on the beach than wandering around a hot tarmac looking at Tomcats." "Of course" Harm laughed. "We'll do a guys day out." "Cool" Josh said happily. "This is so great. I can't wait till we get home and I get to tell everyone what we did." ************* "You sure you'll be okay alone on the beach?" Harm asked as Mac and Mikayla gathered their supplies for a day in the sun. "Yes" Mac laughed. "In case you didn't notice they have cameras on the beach now. I think we're plenty safe now." "All right. And I know she'd be bored to tears at Oceana anyway." "As would I" Mac smiled. "But Josh is going to love you forever for this." "Yeah he's pretty excited" Harm smiled. "I bet he didn't sleep an hour last night waiting for this." "Harm you ready yet?" Josh called. "Come on." "We'll walk you down" Harm said as Mac gathered Mikayla in one arm and their beach bag in the other. "Okay sailor stay out of trouble" Mac said when they reached the lobby. "I'll try" he grinned. "But you know how I am when I get near a plane." "You gotta fly" she sighed. "Just be safe if you convince some crazy CO to let you. I'd like to be Mrs. Rabb for longer than twenty-four hours." "You're going to be Mrs. Rabb for a very long time" Harm whispered as he drew her into his arms as best he could while she held Mikayla. "And Mr. Rabb is going to be with you for just as long." "Good" she whispered. "Cause I love you very much." "Love you too" he said with a quick kiss. "We'll see you later." ================= A long morning on the sand and a Happy Meal put Mikayla away. Mac was just coming from having tucked her in when there was a whooping noise just outside their door and a second later it was flung open and Josh stormed through. "Oh my god oh my god oh my god," he screeched until Mac clamped a hand on his mouth, gesturing toward where Mikayla was sleeping. "Give me a break here," she begged. "She's worn me out. Mother in need of a nap here." "Sorry," he panted when she took her hand away. "Sorry, but guess what. Oh my god." "OK stop with the Lord's name and tell me," she urged, looking past him at Harm who had been trailing behind him by several feet. "I went up," he yelped, unable to hold it inside any longer. "Harm took me up in a Tomcat and it was the greatest thing I've ever done. Has to be greater than sex." "Not that I know what that is," he added hastily, "but it was just the best. We pulled four G's and I loved it and I've got to be a pilot now more than ever." "Harm is he serious?" Mac looked from the still-bouncing boy to Harm. "The XO was an old flight instructor of mine," Harm admitted with a sheepish grin. "They had a Tomcat needed a check ride and there wasn't any brass around so he let me take it." "OK I'm glad I didn't know about it then." She swallowed hard and looked at Josh, his eyes still shining. "You puke?" "No ma'am not once," he replied proudly. "Didn't even feel it. It was just the greatest. Hey can I be excused? I have to go call Kenny and tell him. His brother is a Hornet pilot and that's all he talks about doing. We're maybe going to room together at the academy." "Go just keep down the noise," Mac smiled and turned to Harm. "I'd say the two of you had yourselves quite a morning. Uh. . .OK you want to tell me if anything happened I'm going to hear about later and freak over?" "Textbook flight," Harm smiled. "Took him out over the water, we did a couple of loops, I checked what the man needed, which was working perfectly. Did a tower fly-by. I'm now on that guy's shit list. And then we landed. And to see the look on Josh's face was all worth it. He's his father's son." "No, he's you," Mac smiled and curled herself against him. "OK now that your adrenaline is up and pumping from that, why don't we make good use of it in the bedroom Sailor. Unless of course you're worn out?" "No way," he whispered, "though a quick shower will make me more lovable Mrs. Rabb." "Then by all means, let's shower" she grinned. "Have I mentioned how glad I am we got a suite with our own bedroom and bathroom?" he whispered as he led her to their room. "Not as glad as I am" she smiled. Two hours later they emerged from their room to find Josh and Mikayla lounging in front of the TV. "Okay guys, last night in town" Harm smiled. "So we better make the best of it." "Wanna play on the beach," Mikayla said as she jumped off the sofa and ran to her father. "You always want to play on the beach" Josh groaned. "You can play on the beach tomorrow before we leave" Harm assured the little girl. "Tonight we're going to have a little fun doing other stuff." "Can we go back to Oceana?" Josh asked. "No" Harm laughed. "You got your ride mister. That's going to have to last you until you get to flight school. We're going to have dinner and then maybe we'll stop and get some ice cream." "Ice Cream" Mikayla said happily. "I want ice cream." "Dinner first" Mac smiled. "Leave it to Dad to mention ice cream before she even has dinner." "Sorry" Harm smiled. "I forgot my sugar junkie doesn't like to eat real food." Dinner was accomplished at one of the local seafood places and then they hit the strip in search of the best ice cream parlor. "I know there's a custard place around here somewhere" Harm said as he they walked Atlantic Avenue. "Trust me it's worth the walk." "It better be" Mac groaned. "We've walked 10 blocks already." "We'll take the trolley back" Harm assured her. "But trust me it's worth it." They finally located the Kohr Brother's Custard stand and Mikayla squealed with delight when Harm handed her the vanilla chocolate twist. "Sugar high coming up" Mac laughed. "She's going to be wired all night long." They let her expend some of her energy on the beach as her and Josh ran and played in the sand. Harm and Mac walked slowly behind them, both smiling as they watched the two kids. "I bet they've never been this happy," Mac said softly. "You're probably right. And I'm so glad we did this. They needed this." "Yeah they did. I think we should make this a yearly occurrence Dad." "Dad" Harm smiled. "I still can't believe I'm a Dad. And you're my wife. It's like I'm in the middle of the best dream ever and I'm afraid I'm going to wake up and find it's just that." "No way sailor" she whispered. "It's very real. I'm very much your wife and those kids are officially going to be yours real soon." "Ours" he corrected. "Ours" she sighed. "And maybe one day we'll add another one to the bunch." "Of course. If we haven't already accomplished that on this trip" he grinned as he pulled her closer. "This has been so wonderful," she said softly. "Thank you. The best wedding and honeymoon ever. I'm sorry we have to go back." "So am I. The kids are having so much and so are we. But we were lucky enough to get this time off together as it was." "Harm we need to tell the Admiral we got married you know." "I know. And we will. But right now this is our last night here and all I want to do is enjoy it with you and them." He took off running, catching up with Josh and Mikayla. He grabbed Mikayla and swung her high into the air, the little girl laughing and smiling happily. They played for a while longer before finally starting back to the hotel. Mikayla made it half way before Harm had to carry her and by the time they reached the room she was fast asleep. "Night sweetie" Mac whispered as she tucked the little girl in. She turned to Josh and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead as well. "Night Josh." "Night Mac" he murmured. "Love you." "Love you too" Mac smiled. "Goodnight." "I always new you'd make a great mom," Harm smiled as he led her from the room. "Honestly Sarah I don't know when I've been happier." "I just hope the Admiral shares our enthusiasm," she smiled, taking his hand to lead him to their bedroom. "But that's not for worrying tonight. Did I wear you out earlier Sailor? You're not getting any younger." He raised his head high. "I can handle anything you can dish out." ================ TUESDAY MORNING JAG HQ "OK I do not believe what I'm seeing," AJ sighed, finding both together in the break room thirty minutes ahead of staff call. "Yes sir, not only are we early but we're ready to get to work," Harm laughed. "OK Commander what's got you in such a good mood?" AJ frowned. "And before you tell me, tell me if I'm going to need Pepto and/or Excedrin." "We just had a great weekend away with the kids sir," Mac spoke up, casually dropping her left hand more out of his view. "OK," he nodded. "And no word from their mother at all?" "No sir," Harm replied quietly. "I'm thinking she may be. . .well dead sir. I mean maybe she went off with someone she met a bar or something. I know that sounds outrageous that anyone could be that stupid but point of fact, you read about it in the paper all the time. An attractive woman is said to be last seen at such-and-such a place." "So where does that leave your custody?" "I'm filing for termination of her parental rights based on abandonment," he said quietly. "Custody first and then adoption of Josh. Then sir. . ." He stopped and looked to Mac, who nodded, at once reading his thoughts. "And then sir Mac will be adopting both of them as my wife." "Uh. . .OK I guess I expected that. Is there a time frame we're talking?" "Yes sir. About fifty-some hours ago," Harm smiled, reaching for Mac's hand with his own that bore the ring. "On the beach at sunset sir, with just Josh and Mikayla." "I. . .I wasn't invited," he stammered with a quick smile and then stepped forward to kiss Mac's cheek. "Congratulations to you both. Commander." He shook Harm's hand just as Bud and Harriet arrived. "What did we miss sir?" Harriet asked at once, "and if it's general news, Lieutenant Singer is right behind us." Sure enough a moment later Singer stuck her head through the door. "Am I missing a party?" "No but that's a great idea," Harriet laughed. "A reception for the Commander and Colonel." "Now why would we want to do that," she groused. "To celebrate their marriage Loren," Harriet told her gleefully. "Marriage" Singer laughed. "You're kidding right?" "No she's not" Mac smiled as she held up her hand. "Oh please. Admiral isn't there some rule against this." "Even if there was Lieutenant, it wouldn't be any of your concern" AJ smiled. "And I think a reception is a wonderful idea since none of us got invited to the wedding." "Did you go to the JP or something?" Singer asked. "Actually Lieutenant, we got married on the beach at sunset with our children" Harm answered. "Your children?" she smirked. "Oh yeah that's right, those little germ breeders that got us all sick that time. Count me out on the reception if they're going to be there." "No problem" Harriet replied as Singer walked away, adding a "we didn't want you there anyway" under her breath. "You guys really don't have to have a reception for us" Mac spoke up. "Of course we do" Harriet smiled. "Nothing big. And I'm sure the Admiral wouldn't mind if we used his place again." "Please nothing special" Mac begged. "How about a good old fashioned cook out then" AJ grinned. "Nothing fancy just a chance for us to get together to celebrate." "You don't mind having Josh and Mikayla do you?" Harm asked. "Hell no. I love having kids around. Don't pay attention to Lt. Singer. That's an order." "Yes sir" Harm smiled. "And honestly you don't have to do this." "Rabb we've been waiting six years for you two to get this right" AJ laughed. "I think this calls for a celebration." *************** AJ's Home McLean, Virginia Saturday Evening "Harm where's Mikayla?" Mac asked as she scanned the area for the little girl. "With her new best friend" Harm laughed as he pointed to where AJ stood holding her. "I think maybe I should go rescue him." "He doesn't seem to mind" Mac smiled. "Still" Harm said before heading over to AJ. Mikayla smiled gleefully at the sight of Harm, squirming from AJ's arms into Harm's. "Your daughter is a beautiful child Commander" AJ said as he watched her with Harm. "Thank you sir" Harm said proudly. "I hope she wasn't too much of a bother." "No way. I love kids. You and Mac enjoying yourselves tonight?" "Yes sir, very much" Harm nodded. "We really do appreciate this." Harriet had arranged for a small wedding cake and after dinner pushed Harm and Mac together on the deck where the cake waited. "Harriet I thought we were keeping this simple" Mac laughed. "Well I'm betting you didn't have cake" Harriet smiled. "And this is the reception so I couldn't not have a cake. And you two have to cut it just like you would at the wedding. Bud come over here and take some pictures." With Bud snapping pictures and the others looking on Harm and Mac carefully cut the first piece of cake. "Cake" Mikayla said happily as she hurried over to them. "I want cake." "I think we'd better give her a piece first" Mac smiled. "My sugar junkie" Harm sighed. "I've got a lot of work ahead of me with her." "Cake" little AJ squealed as he followed Mikayla. With Mikayla and little AJ happily munching on their pieces they cut another piece. "I wasn't expecting to do this" Harm grinned evilly. "Harm" Mac started only to be silenced by a piece of cake that Harm mushed against her face. Seconds later she retaliated, mushing another piece on his face. At the picnic table Mikayla and little AJ watched them before Mikayla suddenly picked up her piece of cake and pressed it against little AJ's cheek. He did the same and the two laughed and giggled as they smeared frosting all over each other. "Mikayla no" Mac groaned. "AJ Roberts" Harriet groaned as well. "What are you doing?" "Like them" AJ said as he pointed to Harm and Mac. "Nice move Dad" Mac laughed. "Teaching the kids how to smear cake all over each other." "Sorry" Harm said sheepishly. "I uh wasn't thinking they'd pay attention to us." "Harm they pay attention to everything you say and do" Harriet laughed. "Every bad word you say they'll repeat. And the worst possible moment." "Mikayla has started talking a lot more just in the past couple of weeks," Mac sighed. "Something to look forward to." She reaching for a napkin and began to clean off Harm's face, him following suit with her. "So now what happens Mr. Rabb?" AJ asked as he joined them. "Mrs. Rabb?" Mac blushed at that. "Sir, Colonel Mackenzie will due nicely for the office thanks. It will save a lot of confusion." "And as for what's next," Harm laughed and grabbed her around the middle. "Well we're hoping a new baby." Mac blushed even further as AJ raised his eyebrow. "I take it you guys are working on that?" "Pleading the fifth sir," Mac giggled, still violently red. "Hell I've had champagne, I don't need to do that," Harm laughed. "Yes sir, hoping and praying." "Well it's been a long while for me, but I think there's another element involved," their C.O. grinned. "What would that be sir?" Bud spoke up, and now it was AJ's turn to blush. As darkness gathered soft music was turned up on the stereo and there was dancing on the porch and in the rec room. "May I have the honor?" AJ asked Mac, "unless your husband objects that is?" "No sir. I know she'll be in good hands," Harm smiled. With grace born of years of attending formal events, AJ glided Mac onto the dance floor. "You do look happy Sarah." "Yes sir, very much thank you. I love being with Harm and I love those kids. Which reminds me, I hope Josh didn't bend your ear off talking about Oceana and his flight and. . ." "And flight school," AJ nodded. "Astronaut corps huh?" "Sorry sir. I'll speak to him." "Don't you dare. He's a great kid. Don't you curb that enthusiasm. The Navy needs kids like that, now more than ever." "Yes they do" Mac agreed. "And now that Harm's a part of his life, that dream can come true for him." "I know you two are going to be wonderful parents to those two children" AJ smiled. "And from the looks of it they've gotten pretty content with you and Harm." "Yes sir. In the back of my mind I keep wondering about Annie. What if she returns and wants them back?" "No judge in their right mind would give back custody to a woman who abandoned her children like Annie did" AJ scoffed. "One look at those kids and it's obvious where they belong." "Thank you sir. I hope that's the case." "You don't share the same belief that Harm does about her meeting up with the wrong people and likely being killed?" "It would make more sense than a woman leaving her children like that" Mac sighed. "I can't imagine how someone could just walk away from them like that." "I can't either" AJ nodded. "And likely that's the case. But at any rate, I don't think you have to concern yourself with that. Those kids know who there mother is now." "Sir, may I cut in with my lovely wife" Harm smiled as he approached them. AJ willing handed Mac to her husband and with a long sigh she laid her head against him. "Happy?" he asked softly. "Amazingly" she said with a quick glance up at him. "I'm almost afraid it's too good to be true. I have everything I ever wanted. A wonderful husband, two beautiful children and the perfect career." "You're missing the shoes" he teased. "Lots and lots of comfortable shoes." "I guess I need to go shopping" she smiled. "Seriously Harm. Nothing has ever worked out for me like this." "Well then I guess it was long overdue. Mac you deserve all this. You've been through so much and now you're finally happy. Why are questioning it?" "I shouldn't should I?" she sighed. "No you shouldn't" he said quietly. "I love you very much Sarah Rabb. This is our life now. And nothing is going to change it. If anything it's going to get better when we add the next Rabb to the bunch." "I'm looking forward to that" she smiled. "More than you can ever imagine." THE END Watch for the next Chapter of Fatherhood for the return of Annie.