TITLE: "Money Can't Buy Love " Chapter 2 AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: For all those who have ever dreamed of lottery riches. Be careful what you wish for. In this story, the events of Afghanistan have occurred but we will not deal with the Singer/Sergei/Lindsey story line. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/A/R [Harm-Mac] PG for language and mild violence. SPOILERS: In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to. FEEDBACK: If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for. Addy is ssbpmn@aol.com. Please however, we request you respect the work, and the effort that goes into writing it. NOTE: All parts of this story, as well as the majority 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 simply click through any notice of adult content you may see-there are no R nor NC17 stories there. Other archives containing our stories: http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag or BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} Much of our work is also featured at Http://www.capitalcitycollaborations.com ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From the Conclusion of Chapter 1--- "Commander I'm sorry about the lottery," Bud spoke again. Thinking he was talking about the lunch conversation the day before, Harm shook his head. "No need. Mac and I hit a little rough patch but we got over it. It's probably good for a relationship." When he realized the word he had used he almost blushed. "That is, if we had a relationship." "Of course sir. But what I was really referring to is that you didn't have the winning numbers." "Oh you know what, Mac and I got dinner and worked on her case and we didn't think about checking them." He reached for his wallet and drew out a square piece of paper, tossing it to Bud. "Sturgis, a favor please. The paper has the numbers. Can you read them off please." "I'm going to start eating in my car," Sturgis teased. "Yeah OK. "Bud they're 2, 17, 19, 29 and 32." "Thank you now lunch can proceed," Harm sighed. "And don't worry, I'll break the news to Mac." "Tell Mac what?" Mac herself asked as she breezed through the door. "The lottery results ma'am," Bud said slowly, not believing what he was seeing, staring at the paper. "Congratulations." "Hey another two bucks partner," she giggled. "Swimming pools, movie stars." "No ma'am. It's kind of more than that," Bud gasped. Harm raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Lieutenant, just get it over with. How much more?" "Well sir in round figures, about fifty-five million more." "Money Can't Buy Love" Ch. 2--- "Bud you are not remotely funny," Harm growled, reaching for the slip of paper only to have Bud's hand close over it. "Well he thinks he's a laugh a minute," Harriet sighed, punching his arm yet again. "Bud, tell them how much they won and hurry up. I want to eat in peace here." "Ma'am, sir, you have all the numbers here. I mean. . .you won. You guys were the ones who bought that one winning ticket." Carefully, almost reverently, he took his hand from the paper. Harm and Mac simply stared at each other, then at Bud and then at each other again. "This is not happening," Mac whispered, reaching for the ticket, feeling all eyes on her. Even Sturgis had stopped reading to watch the drama play out. "You want me to read the numbers again Mac?" he offered. "Not necessary. They're right here," she gasped, reality sinking in and she turned to Harm throwing her arms around him and kissing him soundly. "And this is why people who work together do not get involved. Because it takes their Commanding Officer's appetite away," AJ said from the doorway, observing the passion of the moment. "Excuse me sir with all due respect, they don't work for you any more," Bud piped up. "Since when," AJ roared and Harm and Mac jumped apart. "The lieutenant is slightly premature Admiral." Harm finally found his voice. "No one is talking resignation." "Well thank god for that. Now why did the subject come up in the first place?" "They won" Bud grinned. "They won the lottery. They won the whole big thing." "Cute Lieutenant," AJ groaned. "Don't we all have better things to do than stand around making the old man crazy." "Sir, I'm serious. They won." "Commander?" AJ demanded as he looked at Harm and Mac. "Tell me Lt. Roberts is joking." "No sir" Harm smiled as his arm made its way over Mac's shoulder. "My partner is holding the winning lottery ticket." "This isn't a joke?" AJ repeated. "No sir. Unless the newspaper is wrong." "Which it could be" Mac gasped, the smile suddenly fading from her face. "What if it's just a misprint? Maybe we didn't really win." "We can call the lottery hotline" Bud spoke up. "That will have the winning numbers." "I think we'd better verify this before we all get too excited," Sturgis added. "Harm bring that ticket to my office. We'll make some calls and see if you are holding the winning ticket." "Mac you coming with us?" Harm asked. "Yes because the suspense will kill me" she sighed. "Us too" Bud smiled. "Come on Harriet." "I guess we're all going to Commander Turner's office" AJ sighed. "Lead the way Commander." They all followed Sturgis to his office and after a moment of searching on the Internet found the number for the lottery results. He dialed the number and put the phone on speaker when he reached the winning numbers for the Mega Millions drawing. Everyone held their breaths as the computerized voice read off the numbers on the ticket in Harm's hand. "We won" Harm whispered as he looked at Mac. "We really won." She smiled widely and once again threw herself at him, his arms going around her at once. Moments later they were locked in another kiss, this time interrupted by the gasp of the others in the room. "I'm sure there's a logical explanation for this isn't there AJ?" the SecNav said as he looked in from the doorway. "Yes sir" AJ stammered. "A very logical explanation." "I would hope so. It's not everyday one sees two senior officers engaged in that kind of activity. Least of all under the watchful eye of their Commanding Officer." "Of course not sir. And this is not an everyday occurrence. The Commander and Colonel just found out they won the lottery." "Are they buying lunch for everyone?" the SecNav smirked. "You don't understand sir" AJ continued. "They won the whole jackpot. All fifty five million dollars of it." "Quite honestly AJ I would have thought you could have come up with a better story than that." "Mr. Secretary it is the truth" Harm spoke up as he finally released Mac. "This is the winning ticket. We just verified the numbers." "You won the lottery? Fifty five million dollars?" "Yes sir" Harm nodded. "Well the Colonel and I did. The ticket belonged to both of us." "Well Congratulations. I guess. I guess too this means we'll be expecting your resignations?" "We hadn't really thought about it sir" Mac spoke up. "I mean we didn't really expect to win." "You won fifty five million dollars and you're going to stay in the Navy?" the SecNav laughed. "Like I said sir, we hadn't really thought about it." "I'm sure once you think about it Colonel, it won't take long for you to decide. And now I hate to break up the party, but I did come over here for a reason. AJ, do you have a moment?" "Yes Mr. Secretary" AJ said as he hurried of the office. "You two won" Harriet exclaimed once the SecNav and AJ were gone. "You really won. We're standing in the room with millionaires." "Millionaires" Mac whispered as she looked at Harm. "We're really rich aren't we?" "You might say that" Harm smiled. "Several times over," Bud gasped in awe. "Wow. Sir ma'am I don't know what to say." "Try congratulations Moron," Harriet giggled and hugged Mac and then Harm in turn. "You guys aren't really staying in are you? I mean you should be buying a schooner and sailing around the world or something." "Well since it only just happened, I don't think we've made any such plans," Harm laughed. "And really it's not that much after taxes." "The hell it's not," Bud exploded and added sheepishly, "sir." "Well the first thing we're going to do is see some kind of financial lawyer," Harm said firmly, "and that means I don't want this getting out anywhere else for the time being. Right Mac?" "Uh. . .I'm deferring to you at this point. I'm in shock," she sighed, sinking into the nearest chair. "Well I'm sure there's all kinds of tax implications," Harm sighed. "Plus insurance, our arrangements as co-owners of the ticket and so forth." "I think I'm getting sick," Mac moaned, only half facetiously. "You know one million would have been amazing. This kind of money loses all meaning." Sturgis quickly punched some figures into the calculator on his desk. "OK looks like it's about one point two million per year after taxes, which of course that's just a shade over half a mill apiece for you guys. You should be able to live off that pretty well, added to what Uncle Sam pays you of course." "And since at this moment we want Uncle Sam to keep doing that, at this moment we'd better get back to work," Harm sighed, reaching for Mac's arm. She did not respond to his gentle tug and he knelt beside her at once, cupping her cheek in his palm. "Are you OK?" "I don't know," she whispered. "I'm happy and surprised and shocked and floored and. . .scared." Harm looked from her to the others in the room. "Uh guys. . .could I talk to Mac alone for a second. Sturgis I know it's your office but. . ." "Not a problem," Sturgis grinned, "and we do remember it's a confidence for right now." He ushered Harriet and Bud from the room and closed the door behind them. "OK what is it?" Harm asked gently, pulling up a chair and taking both of her hands onto his lap. "I mean I know what's happened. Why are you scared?" "Us." "I don't follow." "Harm, money does funny things to people. There's been a lot of studies about people who've won this kind of money and were miserable afterwards. You and I--we're just now actually making it start to come together with us. I don't want that to change." Harm felt the piece of paper that she still had clutched in her hand and gently pulled it from her. "If I thought that's what would happen. . .if I thought that winning this money was going to keep us from going all the way. . .then I'd say we should tear this up right now and tell the others it was all an elaborate hoax." "You'd do that?" she gasped. "You'd give up fifty five million dollars because of me?" "This may sound flip but I'd rather be poor and have you in my life than be rich and be alone. There's no amount of money that would make up for losing you." "You're serious aren't you?" she whispered. "Very. Money is not the main object to my life. If it was I would have hit Frank up a long time ago for some." "Harm we're talking fifty-five million dollars here." "Doesn't matter. If you think this ticket is going to destroy us then we'll just pretend this never happened." "I don't want it to destroy us. And I guess it won't if we don't let it." "That's the key. We don't let the money take over our lives. We use it to make our lives better but the money doesn't control us. Because at the end of the day we'll still be Harmon Rabb and Sarah Mackenzie. No amount of money can change who we are. Unless we let it." "We won't," she said softly. "At least I hope we don't." "Good. So we can keep our fifty-five million but if at any point I think it's ruining what we have, I'll sign over the remainder of the payments to charity. Which is where most of it is likely to go anywhere. I mean what are we each going to do with a half a million a year?" "After the first year, I have no clue" she smiled. "It's not like we're going to resign are we?" "What would we do if we did?" he asked. "Sail around the world" she laughed. "I don't know. I guess in all my lottery thoughts I never really seriously thought about what I'd do if I won." "And that's not something we need to figure out right away. But we will need to hire someone to handle things for us. Neither one of us is financial whizzes." "Oh yeah. We'll need an accountant and a financial advisor." "We're going to need to claim the prize" he sighed. "You know we can do it through a lawyer and no one will ever know we won it. That might not be a bad idea. Especially if we're considering not resigning." "Harm this is so complicated" she moaned. "I know. And you know what we don't have to make any decisions right away. We have plenty of time to claim it." "Why don't we do that?" she said softly. "At least give us a chance to digest all this and figure out what we want to do. It really is pretty overwhelming." "Yeah it is. And you have to go back to court." "Oh god I can't even think straight." "Pull it together Marine" Harm ordered. "We haven't turned in our resignations yet." "You're right. I'll have plenty of time to think about all this later. Right now I have to focus on what I'm doing." "Exactly. And meanwhile I'll put this little piece of paper away somewhere safe." "Harm tell me this is going to be a good thing for us" she said quietly. "That it's not going to be something we look back on and realize how much it messed up our lives." "It's going to be a good thing" he smiled as he took her into his arms. "Okay I need to go," she said after a moment in his arms. "As much as I'd like to stay like this duty calls." "Good luck. Tonight we'll have dinner and figure all this out." "Sounds great. You cooking?" "Of course. Name one place that cooks as well as Chez Rabb" he grinned. =============== HARM's APARTMENT 7PM "I don't believe we're not having champagne--well at least non alcoholic champagne," Mac laughed, lifting her water glass to toast with him. "Nah we don't want to let this change us," he laughed as well, soberly quickly as their glasses touched. "What do we drink to? Or silly question?" "We are drinking to us, and the future," he said firmly. "To a future that's what we make of it." She nodded silently, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight. The glasses clinked and they took the ceremonial drink of the bubbly San Pellegrino water and she giggled when the bubbles hit her nose. "So how was your afternoon? Your mind on the case, or the money," he teased. "My afternoon was horrible and resigning started to look good, until I thought about being home all day with nothing to do but open mail from people wanting money," she laughed. "Then the defense attorney made a rookie mistake and I nailed him. So that made it all OK." "Well mine wasn't as productive work-wise, but Sturgis did come in to my office and we talked a little. Did you know the man has money?" "Did he win a lottery too?" "Not hardly. But you know he's made good money all these years as an officer and hasn't spent much. But more he invests as a hobby, and he's got a guy here in DC he recommends. An investment counselor and financial expert who is also an attorney. He can fix up the things we need like trust funds and tax shelters." He laughed lightly and gave her hand a quick squeeze. "And leave us plenty to enjoy." She nodded thoughtfully and took a bite of her salad. "Kelcie and Sean." "Excuse me?" "Maybe give them a little help?" she pleaded. "If the financial mess straightened out, they could see their way to be together. And after all how much could we be talking? Maybe a fraction of a percent of the total." "I think so. Now I'll throw one to you. Our godson. A college fund in case he doesn't go the Academy route." "Done. I know your mom and Frank don't need any. And my mom." "What about her?" he asked gently. "No need to go there," she said firmly, her tone leaving no doubt of her seriousness. "Closed issue. We made a sort of peace, and it's a part of my past. Like Farrow and Chris and even Mic and Dalton." "Got it," he nodded. "And that brings me to something else we need to talk about. The Admiral called me in this afternoon. He'd like us to go public." Her eyes widened. "Is he talking relationship or lottery?" "Do we have a relationship?" he asked, his eyebrow at its zenith. "Harm I. . ." she began before she realized he was smiling broadly. "You damn right we do--we better have," she replied indignantly "We do. Of course we do," he soothed. "No public as in winning. It's a great human interest story he says." "And what was your answer?" "Of course I told him I couldn't speak for both of us and I'd have to talk to you tonight. But he's picturing us accepting the check in uniform, talking about what good stuff we're going to do with it and this type thing. We can think about it." "I hate the thought of all that publicity" she sighed. "It was bad enough when I ended up in People Magazine that time." "With Mic telling everyone you were engaged." "You had to remind me of that" she groaned. "Now I really don't want to do it." "Sorry. But this time we'll get all the facts straight." "And what are we going to say about us?" she asked. "That we're currently in a relationship" he said sheepishly. "That's the truth isn't it?" "I think so" she smiled. "You know once they run your picture you're going to have women all over town wanting you. You'll be every woman's dream. Tall, dark, handsome and rich." "I'm tall dark and handsome?" he laughed. "How come you never told me this before?" "Because I knew it would go to your head." "Well I can assure you even if women are beating a path to my door I'm not the least bit interested in any of them. I already have the woman I want with me. And what about you? Guys will be flocking all over you." "Not interested. And if we tell them we're involved that should get rid of most of the gold diggers." "Speaking of gold diggers you know everyone we ever knew in life will show up looking for money" he sighed. "Most of my past has already shown up to do that," Mac said softly. "I don't think anyone else will be doing that." "So do you want to do this?" he asked. "Go public I mean." "What about our careers?" she asked. "Are we staying in or are we resigning?" "Do you want to resign?" "Not really" she admitted. "It sounds wonderful but when you think about it, what would we do? Besides nothing." "Good cause I really didn't want to leave JAG either" Harm smiled. "And I wasn't looking forward to getting a new partner either." "No way sailor. You're stuck with me until the bitter end." "I hope so," he said softly. "Because I really like having you around." "You're not so bad yourself Commander" she smiled. "So I guess we're going to do this. We'll claim our prize ourselves and deal with the publicity." "Is that okay with you?" "I think so" she nodded. "All right. We can talk to the Admiral in the morning and let him know what we decided. I guess I should call Mom and maybe Grams and let them know so they don't read it in the newspaper or see it on TV." "Good point. You can do that while I clean up." "Mac I'd really like for you to meet both Mom and Grams one day soon" he said suddenly. "I want us to make plans to go out and see Mom and then take a weekend and visit Grams." "You want to clear that with the Admiral first?" she smiled. "We do still answer to him." "Of course. I'm sure he could spare us for a week. With Bud back we're fully staffed again. And a weekend is all we need to go see Grams." "I'd love to do both. And thank you." "Mac you're going to be a big part of my life from now on" he said softly. "And not just because we won the lottery together." "Thank you again," she whispered. "Thank you for that because I don't have a lot of security in that area and I may need to be reminded of that more than once." "Whenever you want," he replied, and before she could react further, he drew her to him, putting a gentle kiss on her lips. Gentle at first and more urgent a second later. It left them both panting for air when they had to part and he smiled and hooked a finger beneath her chin. "Whenever you feel that insecurity, you come to me for one of those. Understood?" She smiled softly. "Yeah I do, but what if we're in court and some beautiful civilian attorney is hitting on you." "Ask for a recess," he laughed and kissed her forehead before releasing her. There was silence for a minute and he looked up with a mischievous grin. "This beautiful civilian attorney, is she blonde or brunette?" =============== VIRGINIA LOTTERY OFFICE 2 Days later "Harm, Sarah good there you are." Samuel Caldwell motioned them to follow him into a small private room. "Sarah you look nervous." "Yeah I guess I am," she admitted, self consciously straightening her uniform skirt. "Don't be. It's very simple. You'll be handed the ceremonial check, and you guys can give the standard party line about not making any life changing decisions right now." "Yeah that's for sure," she breathed, her voice slightly tremulous and Harm's hand wrapped around hers. "They'll probably ask you about your relationship to each other now remember," Sam reminded them. "And we're just going to say co-workers," Harm told him. "Right. Lie to the press. Got it," Sam grinned and looked down to where their hands were joined. "You guys fool no one who's been around you two for more than five minutes but that's not my business. Remember that all the paperwork is well underway that we talked about. You right now only have to cash the check and enjoy." "I think we can do that," Harm smiled, letting go of her hand to wrap his arm around her shoulders as Sam walked out to see if the lottery officials were ready. "You OK? You've been on national TV with Johnnie Cochran. How bad can this be?" "Just don't leave my side please," she begged. He turned her face up to his and looked her directly in the eye. "Never. Ever." Sam opened the door and they could hear the lottery official step up to the microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen. Good morning. As you know there was one ticket sold which won the fifty-five million prize. It is a jointly owned ticket, held by two members of our armed services. Naval Commander Harmon D. Rabb Jr. and Marine Lieutenant Colonel Sarah C. Mackenzie. They are both here to claim their prize." With an encouraging hug, Harm moved his hand to her arm and they walked out, to the popping of flash photography and were guided into chairs, Harm pulling Mac's out for her. Sam rose and held up his hands for quiet. "My clients will take just a few questions please. You can understand this is all pretty much of a shock to them." "Colonel Mackenzie, you surely have plans for your half of the loot?" Mac laughed nervously. "The only thing concrete so far is a trip to California. First class--for the first time in my life." "Will this handsome Naval officer be accompanying you?" "I never leave home without him. Harm and I are best friends. Have been for a long time." "Mr. Rabb can you confirm that?" "You bet," he grinned. "My mom has a beach home and we've been invited to come spend some time with them. And we will be seated in first class as Mac says." "Sir would you care to expound a little on the nature of your relationship with the lovely lady?" "The lovely lady and I are friends," Harm smiled as best he could, his hand reaching for hers beneath the table. "We've worked together for a long time, and happened to have agreed to share any lottery winnings. A fact which still amazes me since I was a total skeptic and honestly had never bought a ticket before. Not even one of the scratch ones." "So ma'am there's not an extravaganza wedding in your future?" "No sir," Mac smiled, squirming just slightly. "And really, we haven't made any real definite money plans except to set up some legal things, and some helping out." With a nod from Sam, the official brought out the giant check, more pictures were taken and mercifully it was over. Sam led Harm and Mac back into the small room, closing the door firmly on the noise. "There that wasn't so bad," he nodded. "And you guys looked great. Probably did wonders for recruiting." "Well it did nothing for my nerves," Mac sighed. "But we did what our CO wanted so that's OK. It's done." "You guys going to work now?" "Yes we are," Harm said firmly. "And some normalcy will feel good thank you." Sam smiled but said nothing. Their lives would never be normal again but they would find that out soon enough. "I am so glad that is over" Mac sighed once they reached the car. "Me too. I didn't think they were going to get so personal." "Good think we had our answers ready for that one" Mac said with a small smile. "Course when all the single women hear we're just friends, your phone is going to be ringing off the hook." "Told you that doesn't matter to me. I may have said we were just friends but you know that's not the truth. I just didn't think the Admiral would like it if we told the whole world our real feelings." "Probably not a good idea" she laughed. "The SecNav would have had a stroke on the spot. He's probably still trying to figure out how to get rid of us after what he witnessed the other day." "Exactly. So we play it cool and no one has to know what's really going on for a while anyway." She nodded. "Sounds like a plan. And I can't wait to get away to see your Mom and Grams. I'm glad the Admiral gave us the time off." "I can't wait to fly first class" he grinned. "Finally enough leg room to stretch out." "Well I'm not sure there's that much space" she laughed. "But it should be better than being cramped in the small seats." "We need to find time to see Sean and Kelcie before we leave" he said suddenly. "That way he'll have one less thing standing in his way to happiness." "I can't wait to tell him what we want to do" she smiled. "And you know this is the thing I'm most excited about. Not about flying first class or any of that. But helping them out. They've had a rough time and they deserve a break." "Yeah I can't wait either. Guys like him barely make enough to cover their family while they serve their country. And then they get in debt like Sean and Marjorie and their lives just suddenly spiral out of control." "It's sad" she agreed. "But at least we can help them now." Two hours later they arrived at the JAG office's surprised to see the parking lot full of TV News Vans. "Great" Harm sighed. "I guess they saw the show." "Must be a slow news day. Otherwise two military officers winning the lottery wouldn't garner such a crowd." He nodded and a moment later took her hand as they headed towards the building, a frenzy of reporters suddenly coming at them. "Commander, Colonel do you have any comment about winning the lottery. Are you really planning on stay with JAG? Are you going to resign your commissions?" "Yes we won the lottery," Harm said as he and Mac stopped and turned to the reporters. "Yes we are planning on staying at JAG and no we are not planning on resigning. If you'll excuse us please." The guard at the door stopped the reporters and Harm and Mac were able to slip inside and into the elevator. "That was fun" she sighed. "Bad memories of the trial from hell." "Sorry. I didn't think they'd all be out there. Honestly there has to be more important news than us." The elevator doors opened and they stepped off into the bullpen, the JAG staff all stopping and looking at the newest celebrities. "You two looked wonderful on TV" Harriet gushed as she came up to them. "Congratulations." "Harriet we're trying to be low key about this" Mac smiled. "Tell me you guys didn't all sit here and watch us at the lottery offices." "Yes Colonel we did" AJ smiled as he joined them. "And here we were hoping for normalcy" Harm sighed. "Oh I've got a dose of normalcy for you" AJ continued. "Commander I just got a new stack of Defense Contracts for you to review before you head off to sunny California. Maybe you can talk the Colonel into helping you in between her administrative duties that she needs to take care of before she leaves." "How big a stack sir?" Harm dared to ask. "Enough to keep you pretty busy before you leave" AJ smiled before walking away. ============= 3PM ENROUTE TO PATUXENT RIVER "I didn't think we'd ever make our escape," Harm sighed. "On the other hand, it's kind of neat that the Admiral is walking on eggs around us. He knows we could say F everything." "Yeah but he probably also knows we don't want to do that," she sighed. "I don't think I could not work at something all day. On the other hand when I think of the uncertainty of the way things are in the world and you and me just really beginning to find. . .well us. . .then I start to wonder if. . .OK never mind. I'm just babbling on; rambling out loud and I need to stop before you declare me certifiable, have me committed and become caretaker of my half of the money." With that she slumped down in the seat and gave a long sigh. "You're cute when you get flustered," he laughed and reached over to give her hair an affectionate tussle. "But you did bring up something serious in that babble somewhere. With the world the way it is, there's no guarantee that one of us won't be ordered elsewhere. They could even get desperate enough to want me to fly again." "Harm no," came from her in a shocked gasp before she could stop it. "No is right," he said firmly and quietly, in that tone he used when he was being deadly serious. "You were right about us finding what's been escaping us all these years. I'm not leaving you. I'm not letting you leave me. Not without a fight. And now it's not a worry. If it comes to that, we can say we're in a selfish phase of our lives and we're looking out for each other." "I like how you think Flyboy," she sighed. "Thank you." "Feel better?" "Yeah. My stomach is starting to unknot a bit. Thanks." "Any time. Now you've got the directions to Sean's place?" "Yeah. This is funny. A man worrying about directions." ============ OAK HILL MOBILE HOME PARK "You're not serious," Harm gasped when they stopped in front of the small travel-type trailer. "Hey it's enough for him I'm sure," she smiled. "And Kelcie," she added as the door opened and the young woman appeared. "I don't even want to know," Harm groaned, remembering Sean was still married. "Harm don't think the worst," Mac admonished him. "It's not a crime for him to have guests." "Harm and Mac hi. . .I mean Colonel and Commander," she called and waved at the same time. "I was so happy when Sean said you were coming. He's in the shower. Come in. We just got in." "Not thinking the worse here," Harm groaned as he stepped out and came around for Mac. "Behave yourself." The trailer was old, of that there was no doubt, but the inside was spotless, with curtains on the windows and dishes neatly stacked in the drainer by the sink, and the smell of meat browning was permeating the small space. "I was real happy when Sean said you were coming," Kelcie smiled. "Does this look funny?" "No." From Mac. "Uh. . .yes somewhat." From Harm. "Sean has divorce papers on file," she smiled sheepishly. "But I'm not living here. Not yet. I still have my BEQ bunk." "OK let's not even go there." Harm held up his hand and before he could speak further, Sean emerged from the bathroom, towels around his neck and waist. "Whoa not decent here but glad to see you just the same," he yelped. "Excuse me. And I understand congratulations are in order." "You're kidding. You guys are getting married?" Kelcie gushed. "Lottery babe, lottery," Sean prompted from the bedroom. "Oh right sorry. I'm just a terrible romantic. Too many soap operas and Harlequin books," she giggled. "Yes congratulations. I don't know how you managed not to have a heart attack when you realized it." "It wasn't easy," Mac told her. "But we're trying to work through it all, which is what. . ." "OK I'm here now," Sean declared, now in sweats but still shirtless in the trailer warmed from the stove and the hot shower. Harm playfully covered Mac's eyes. "You know I can't compete with a guy twenty years younger." "You do OK Flyboy," she returned. "Sit down both of you. We need to talk." "Am I in trouble again?" Sean asked. "No. This isn't about your case" Harm replied. "It's about what we want to do for you." "Do for me?" Sean frowned. "You've already done more than I can ever thank you for. Course I was going to ask your opinion about my chances of getting custody of Alisha. The lawyer who filed the divorce papers for me isn't exactly the best of the bunch. But he's the best I can afford." "First off we'd be happy to help you with the custody case" Harm smiled. "I've done a few divorce and custody cases over the years and I'm sure we can work something out." "I can't pay you. I mean I could but it's not what normal lawyers would get." "You don't have to pay us" Mac assured him. "Even if we hadn't just won the lottery we wouldn't ask you for anything." "Thank you. I don't know what to say." "You're going to be even more speechless when we get finished" Harm grinned. "Mac and I would like to help you and Kelcie out." "Help us out how?" Kelcie asked. "We'd like to pay off all of your bills" Mac smiled. "So that you guys can start with a clean slate." "No way" Sean gasped. "You're kidding right?" "Actually we're quite serious" Harm smiled. "And we also want to give you a little to get started and some to set aside for Alisha." "Why are you doing this?" he asked. "I mean, you don't even know us that well." "No we don't" Harm agreed. "But we do know that a lot of your problems came from being in debt and we want to make sure you don't have to worry about that anymore. You're good people and if you had a fair chance we know you'd do just fine in life." "I can't let you do this" Sean said as he shook his head. "You don't know how much I owe." "Please" Mac smiled. "We want to do this. This is more money than we'll ever be able to spend anyway. And I'm sure we can afford whatever you owe." "You're really serious? You really want to help me?" "We do." "I don't know what to say. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. This is just incredible." "Well we hope you'll use this chance to get your life straightened out for good" Harm continued. "Not too many people get this chance you know." "I know sir" Sean nodded. "And I promise I won't let you down. I've been going to my counseling sessions like I'm supposed and I'm trying to do a good job. My CO was kind enough to give another chance and I'm doing the best I can to let him know I'm serious about my career in the Navy." "Well you're on the right track then. And this will help you stay on that track." "I can't believe you guys are doing this" Kelcie smiled. "I'm just in shock here." "Me too" Sean smiled. "I never expected this. Not in a hundred years." "Well we didn't plan to win the lottery either" Mac laughed. "But now that we have we want to share with others." "You're not staying in are you?" Kelcie asked. "For the moment we are" Harm answered. "We both decided we'd go crazy if we sat home all day anyway. That may change down the road but for now we're happy with being at JAG." "I can't even imagine that kind of money," Sean sighed. "Not when I have to parcel ours out- -Alisha's shoes, the electric company, gas for the car and so forth." "Well this should if you're careful be enough to clear up the back stuff and start fresh. Plus if you take custody, you won't have to worry about child support. Not that day care is any cheaper." "She wants to be with us--with me and Kelcie. Marjorie doesn't pay any attention to her, and there's another thing. According to Alisha, she's pregnant." "With your baby?" Mac gasped. "No. No ma'am," Sean shook his head. "I haven't slept with her in six months. The fighting we were doing turned me off that much. I stayed downstairs most nights--fell asleep with the TV on. No, the baby is Maitland's. Or some other poor slob's." "You'd submit to DNA I'm assuming? And don't unless you're sure," Harm said. "Yes sir. In a heartbeat. I want Alisha to come live with us. I guess I could give Marjorie visitation but I'd be afraid she'd run off with her." "Well as cozy as this place is, she can't come live with you here," Mac smiled, finishing the check she was writing. "This will be good by next week when the money is deposited in our account." "Ma'am no," Sean gasped at once. "I can't. . ." Mac shook her head and tucked the check under the sugar bowl on the table. "You just did. Now are you going to invite us to dinner or what." "Oh yeah. Long as you don't mind ground beef and gravy over rice," Kelcie smiled. "Sir, were you serious about being my lawyer?" Sean asked shyly. "I could fire the guy I got through Legal Affairs? I don't want anything but my child. That's not too much to ask." Harm nodded soberly. "Just know that if Marjorie fights you, custody fights are hard to make go the way of the dad. It won't be pretty." "I can take it if you can sir." "I've never backed away from a fight son," Harm grinned. =================== EN ROUTE BACK TO DC 2 Hours later "You're pretty quiet there Colonel. You OK?" "Oh just feeling kind of overwhelmed," she admitted. "And thinking about them. Kelcie and Sean. They're good people Harm. Good for each other and good for the Navy." "Yeah they are, and I'm glad we're helping them," he nodded. "What else?" "Well naturally I'm nervous about meeting your folks. I mean your mom is going to go-- Harmon you're rich. You can do a helluva lot better." Harm burst into such a peal of laughter he nearly drove into the oncoming lane of traffic and he reached for his hand as he straightened out the car. "I would love you if we were living in a cardboard box," he assured her. It was a long minute before she could breathe let alone speak, so long in fact that he was at once concerned, as concerned as he could be and still keep his mind on the road. "Mac you OK?" "Do you realize what you just said," she gasped, in shock over hearing him put his feelings into the exact words. "No what did I. . ." he murmured, keeping his eyes on the truck ahead of them. "You said you loved me." "Ah so I did," he smiled in realization. "I'm sorry. Was that out of line? Should I take it back?" "Not unless want to" she said softly. "I don't. Because I meant it when I said it. Even if I wasn't intending to say it like that to you the first time I said it." "So you meant it?" she smiled. "You ever doubted that?" he smiled. "Okay maybe I wasn't real good at getting my feelings across. But you have had my heart for a long long time Ms. Mackenzie." "Well you've had mine too" she whispered. "For longer than I can remember." "That's all I've ever wanted," he said softly. "And it's going to be so wonderful taking you to meet Mom and Frank. She's going to love you as much as I do." "I hope so. Honest Harm I'm real nervous about meeting them." "Mac you have no reason to be nervous. Besides Mom already feels like she knows you. She's heard about you for seven years now so it's not like you're a stranger to her." "But she probably thought you'd do better" Mac sighed. "Better than a Marine Colonel who can kick my six in the court room anytime she wants" Harm smiled. "Mac you are smart, beautiful and one of the warmest and kindest persons I've ever met. How could I do better?" "Well it's not like I've had my life together all the time" she countered. "Mac we all have stuff in our past. But it's the past. We don't dwell on that. I sure don't anyway." "I know and that's why I've always loved having you as a friend" she smiled. "You never held anything against me." "And neither have you. And I dont want to hear anymore about you not being good enough for me." "All right. Course I am sort of excited about flying out there first class" she giggled. "I'm just looking forward to being able to stretch out" he smiled. "But I'll make sure we make the most of it. How about a limo to the airport?" "Rabb you've lost it" she giggled even more. "No I'm serious. People do it all the time. And that way we don't have to leave one of our cars at the airport. It's probably cheaper than a week in the parking garage anyway." "Well it would be fun" she smiled. "Okay we'll do it. But just this time. I don't want the fact that we're millionaires to change us." "It won't" he promised. "But we are entitled to a few splurges once in a while." ****************** Two Days Later Mac's Apartment "Harm this is so unreal" Mac laughed as he stepped out of the limo. "Your car has arrived ma'am" he laughed. "Can I take your bags?" "Sir that's my job" the limo driver said as he hurried around to them. "Mac meet Cecil" Harm smiled. "He's going to get us to the airport." "Hi Cecil" Mac smiled. "Nice car you picked out Harm. I'm afraid to ask what this is costing us." "Not much more than a week or so in the parking garage at Dulles. So quit worrying about it." "Ma'am please let me get your bags" Cecil said as he took them from Mac. "And then I'll help you into the car." "Thanks Cecil but that part is my job" Harm said as he took Mac's hand. "Are you ready my lady?" "Yes I am" she giggled. "I still can't believe this is really happening." "Believe it" he whispered as he bent forward and dropped a quick kiss on her lips. "If it's not real, please don't wake me" she breathed. "Because this is every dream I've ever had come true." "Including me?" he smiled. "Oh yeah" she whispered. "You know I've always wondered what it would be like to make out in the back of a limo" he laughed. "And what makes you think you're going to find out today?" she teased. "Well I may just help myself to what I want," he smiled again. "Besides we're going to wake up and find ourselves on the Watertown or something. This all has been nothing but a dream." "You keep saying that," she laughed and snatched an envelope from the end table on her way out. "Confirmation that our first check has been deposited. It's very real Flyboy." "Well American Express will be glad to know that. They actually called me when I booked these tickets and the limo to make sure someone wasn't stealing my identity. I had to give them my mother's maiden name, which came out as Rabb instead of Novotny and for a second there I thought we were doomed." Once safely ensconced in the back seat, the limo whisked them to Dulles where they checked in through United's First Class line and boarded the aircraft shortly thereafter. "That was a totally strange experience," she whispered. "I've never done first class. And let me guess, there's a limo waiting to meet us in San Diego." "Actually yes, but Frank insisted that he'd meet us," Harm grinned, guiding her into the window seat of their row. "Oh I didn't need to hear that," she sighed, her voice quavering. "Will you relax. My mom is great, and Frank is a good guy." "You and him get along good don't you? I know you've said you didn't always." Harm gave a sheepish smile. "We do now, because I know that he's made her really happy all these years. But at first I was a snotty kid who saw him as the guy who convinced her there was no hope of my dad's ever coming back. Not real rational huh?" "Gee it's hard to imagine you having an irrational moment," she laughed. "What happened that made you think that?" "Mom had dad declared dead," he replied quietly. "The summer I was fourteen. I still clung to the hope. And it devastated me. We were still living with Grams then; and of course they married and we moved to California. I was the total envy of everyone in my high school. Going to a big house on the ocean. And it was the last thing in the world I wanted." "So you took it out on him," she prompted gently. "I did. And then I ran away two summers later--to Viet Nam and you know that story. Came back older and wiser. Shut my mouth, finished high school, went to the Academy, and well it gets pretty boring after that." "Harmon Rabb your life has never been dull or boring," she laughed and cupping her hand to the back of his head brought him to her for a gentle kiss. "Thanks," he sighed. "Anyway, Frank has been totally good for Mom. She was pretty stifled at Grams I guess. I see that looking back now. She didn't work, and just the farm and being a mother and doing church and PTA wasn't really enough for her. She got to San Diego, and realized she had a long dormant interest in art and ever since then she's been totally happy with the gallery. Plus they have an active social life with his and her business contacts, they travel a lot and well. . .anyway, bottom line is you'll like them and they'll love you. As I do. Except not quite the same thing." "You keep using that word" she smiled. "Love" he smiled back. "It's amazing how easy it is to say now. All these years I was afraid of saying it and now it just comes right out." "And I don't mind hearing it either." It wasn't long before the plane took off and she settled comfortably against him. "You don't mind do you?" she asked as she looked up at him. "Of course. Relax and get some rest if you want. We're going to have a busy time once we get out there." "Doing what?" she asked. "Oh you'll see" he grinned. "You didn't think we were just going to sit there every day and do nothing did you?" "I didn't know you were into playing tour guide" she laughed. "But I'm more than game for it. There's lots I've wanted to see in California." "Maybe we'll do a little shopping while we're out there. There's some really nice jewelry stores on Rodeo Drive." "Jewelry stores?" "Yeah. You know those places that sell diamonds and gold." "You're kidding right?" she whispered. "Actually I was pretty serious" he smiled. "But we'll take that one step at a time. I'm not going to push you into anything you're not ready for." "Are you?" "Ready for us?" he said softly. "Oh yeah. More than you ever imagined Marine." "You sure you're my Harm?" she smiled. "You look just like him but you sure don't sound like him." "I am your Harm. And I hope to be your Harm for a very long time." "Okay if this is a dream, please dont wake me" she sighed as she closed her eyes and leaned her head against his chest. "Because this is even better than the money." "Yeah it is isn't it?" he smiled as he gently stroked her hair. "But flying first class isn't too bad either" she smiled without opening her eyes. Several hours later she nervously followed him off the plane and she gave him a smile of gratitude when he took her hand. "It's going to be fine" he assured her. "There's no reason for you to be nervous." "No reason except I'm meeting your step Dad and then your Mom" she sighed. "Both of whom are going to love you so stop it. And there's Frank. And look Mom's with him." "I thought just Frank was coming" she murmured nervously as he led her to the couple waiting with wide smiles. "Harm" Trish Burnett exclaimed as she caught sight of her son. She quickly made up the distance between them and a moment later Mac watched wistfully as Harm hugged his Mom. "Hi Mom" he said as he let go of her. "I didn't know you were coming." "And miss a ride in the limo" Trish laughed. "Besides I wanted to give you a proper welcome. And the young lady with you." "Mom this is Sarah Mackenzie" Harm smiled as he gently pulled Mac forward. "It's very nice to meet you" Mac said softly. "Likewise" Trish smiled. "And I'm so happy to have you here with Harm. I've been waiting all these years to meet the woman he talks endlessly about." "And that was before" Harm laughed. "And this is Frank." "Nice to meet you Sarah" Frank smiled. "And as Trish said we're very happy to have you with us." "Thanks. I'm beginning to like being here already" Mac smiled. "Let's go find our bags and the limo" Harm said as he reached for her hand. "Just the limo. The driver was going to pick up the bags for you. He's probably already got them and is back waiting for us." "Now that's service" Mac laughed. "You know Flyboy I could get real used to this." "No reason you shouldn't," he laughed. "Uh. . .we are rich remember." "No. I keep forgetting," she admitted. "It's all too unreal. And when I do remember I feel some parts of a life I liked slipping away. On the other hand, you kind of came into my life at the same time." "Uh not quite," he corrected. "I've been in your life and you in mine for a very long time. I was just too stupid to bring it about." "You two are cute," Trish smiled. "Let's move out shall we." Harm slipped his arm around Mac's waist as they walked, following Frank and Trish to the Valet Parking. "You're so stiff and then when I do feel you relax you're trembling," he whispered. "Honey it's fine. And believe me, if for one second I thought it wasn't going to be I wouldn't have made you come." "I promise to try," she smiled wanly, remembering Harm's embrace of his mother and how genuinely glad they were to see each other. "No necking in the rear seat. It's a company car," Frank laughed when the car was brought around. "In fact Mac just sit back and relax. Harm says other than the installation you've never been to this part of California--well you're in for a view then. We'll take the coast highway. Harm give her the good side. You know you want to see the planes anyway." "I'm not a little kid any more," he protested with a sheepish grin, and words he had to eat a few minutes later as once they cleared the area around the airport, a four-man formation from the NAS zipped over head and Harm craned his neck to see. "Right," Mac smiled, only to draw her breath in sharply as the blue waters of the Pacific spread out before her. She made no further sound, only squeezing Harm's hand now and then as they made the half-hour drive and turned off the highway toward the water and the big houses that backed almost to the water's edge. "You actually live in one of these places," she gasped as the large homes sped past. "And love it," Frank admitted. "And this would be us." The stone house rose in front of them and Mac again gasped. "It's beautiful." "It's home," Trish nodded. "And because we entertain business people it's pretty much of a necessity, but we try to keep the formal area apart and closed off and most of the house a homey area. After all I expect to have grandchildren visiting and I want them to be able to run through with sandy feet and wet swimsuits eating a cookie." "Mom do you have a timetable for that?" "Uh actually yeah I did, but it's been blown to hell," she sighed. "Honestly Harmon you know you could have. . .well never mind--lecture postponed." "Harm will give you the dime tour later," Frank told her as they walked inside. "For now I'm sure you want to take a minute to breathe and maybe walk out side in the ocean air." "I do yes please," Mac whispered, still in awe of her surroundings. "Harm I had Rosa fix up the guest suite with the two bedrooms and the balcony," Trish spoke up. "I'm sure you guys can sort out your own sleeping arrangements." "We can handle it thanks," Harm grinned and Mac blushed as he led her up the steps. "She thinks we're sleeping together," she whispered. "Because she knows me and knows I normally would have had you in my bed a long time ago. What she doesn't know is how I am with you. And only with you." His arm went around her waist and he pulled her into a quick tight hug. She was silent as she followed him into the guest suite, gasping lightly when she saw the elegance. "Harm it's like a hotel. Better than a hotel in fact." "Mom has good taste. What can I say," he laughed and threw open the French balcony doors, letting in a blast of ocean air. "Come out here honey." "OK this is just too beautiful to even consider going back to DC," she whispered. "I know. I love the ocean," he agreed, wrapping his arms around her once again, this time resting his chin on her shoulder. "Harm how are you with me?" she asked, her voice barely audible and she trembled slightly as she awaited his answer. "You know" he stammered. "It was always different with you." "Why?" "Because I guess I always knew I loved you" he whispered. "And that one day I'd want to make you my wife." "There you go again" she laughed nervously. "Mac I'm serious about this. I'm not just saying this." "You want to get married. To me." "Yes to you" he smiled. "You're the one I love. No one else. And it's not like we just met and we don't know each other." "You sound like you want to do this right away?" she whispered. "Well I can't think of anywhere more perfect than here to get married. Overlooking the ocean on a nearby cliff sounds like a wonderful spot to me. Unless of course you'd rather wait and have the whole big wedding thing back in DC." "You'd do that?" "I would do anything you want" he said softly. "Because I want to do whatever is going to make you happy." "All I need to make me happy is you. I don't need ten bridesmaids and a twelve course dinner." "Then maybe tomorrow we can do some shopping and then we can see about getting married." "You're really serious about this aren't you?" she whispered. "It might have taken me a while to get with the program, but now that I am, yeah I'm real serious." "And this isn't just about the money." "What did I tell you before?" he asked gently. "Because I'm quite sure we had a conversation like this before." "That you'd give away all the money if you felt it would come between us" she whispered. "And I meant it. I don't love you because we won the lottery together. I have always loved you. I just couldn't ever get the courage to tell you. And of course my timing is bad and now you think that I only want to marry you because of the money. But that's not the case. I would give away all the money if you think that's the only reason I want to marry you." "Sorry. I shouldn't doubt you. You told me that before and I want to believe you. But sometimes my insecurities get the best of me." "They shouldn't" he smiled. "But I'll work on that. Because I never want you to feel insecure about me or us ever again." "You are too good to me" she sighed as she leaned against him. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve you." They stayed that way for a few minutes before she lifted her head and looked out at the ocean. "It really is beautiful here. I could get real used to this." "You know we don't have to go back" he smiled. "We could always stay here." "We said we weren't going to let the money change us" she countered. "Resigning and becoming beach bums is changing us." "Who said we had to resign. We can always work on transferring out here. And get ourselves a place like this." "Harm we can't.." she started and then stopped. "I keep forgetting we can afford this." "Oh yeah" he smiled. "And then some." "It's so unreal sometimes. But I really don't want this to change us Harm. I mean this is nice but we really don't need anything this big." "So we find a smaller place but still overlooking the ocean. You have to admit the view is spectacular from up here." "It is. But are we really ready to leave DC and come out here. All our friends are there." "It's nothing we have to decide today. Or tomorrow for that matter. And I think maybe a little nap is in order before we go to dinner. I'm sure you're exhausted." "Might not be a bad idea" she sighed as she allowed him to lead her back inside. "I don't know why I'm so tired, except that there's been so much going on I haven't been sleeping all that well," she admitted, eyeing the big bed just inside the balcony from where she would be able to hear the waves crashing. "Come on. You'll enjoy the evening a lot more if you get some rest," he told her, reaching for the back of her shirt to help her off with it. Stripped of most clothes in a few seconds she smiled gratefully when he pulled back the bedcovers and she slid in, taking a moment to stretch and luxuriate on the Egyptian cotton sheets. "You're coming aren't you?" she called. "Unless of course you want to go be with Frank and your mom." "They have each other. I have you," he grinned, dropping his own clothes and following her in. "Just relax Colonel Millionairess. You're in my care here." With that he stroked her hair as she relaxed against him, letting her body fit to his, and in ten short minutes she was asleep. Once he was sure she was resting comfortably, he carefully extracted himself from her, their earlier conversation much on his mind. His thoughts took him to the balcony and he stood for a long while, listening to her even breathing from behind him and the sound of the waves in front. The sun was getting low over the ocean and he gave a long sigh of contentment. Contentment that lasted only a few moments before his mind began to turn. He knew what he wanted. . .no what he needed. . .to do. Remembering his days as a much younger man in that house, he was sorely tempted to throw his leg over the balcony rail and drop to the soft sand below. With visions of a broken ankle or a permanently sore back haunting him, he discarded that idea and simply walked through the house to find Frank and Trish having a drink on the deck. "Where's Mac? Is she OK?" Trish asked at once. "Yeah I tucked her in and the waves put her to sleep," Harm smiled. "Harmon did you get that woman pregnant," Trish laughed, but with a definite serious tone. "No ma'am. Something I haven't gotten around to yet," he smiled. "But definitely in the offing. Which thank you that leads me to something I wanted to ask you two please. Do you know of a jeweler or a diamond broker?" "You have something in mind son?" Frank asked, a knowing grin on his face. "Yes sir. Very much so." "Well I know Tony Valenti pretty well. He can get you just about anything you need." "Including a guy in cement shoes sunk in the ocean," Trish moaned. "Frank, the boy doesn't want a diamond that's on hot sheets in six states. Harm what would you think of my grandmother's ring?" "I don't. . .I don't know. Your grandmother? On your mother's side?" "Yes. Her name was Abigail Slater. She was born in 1885 on a homestead in the Dakotas. When she was sixteen she decided she had had enough of the prairie and came to San Francisco, where a man about ten years her senior, who was the only son from a family who had made their money in Nevada silver mining, fell in love with her. He gave her this ring, which even in dollars of that day was a lot. I had it appraised out at $8,000 for insurance." Harm's mouth dropped open. "Mom I. . .it's not like I couldn't afford one. I mean. . .wow, an antique ring. What does it look like?" Trish smiled and motioned him to follow her. "Not even your father knew about this. He bought me one from Sears that we were still making payments on when. . .when he left us in fact. Gamma wanted my daughter to have it. Which of course was one of those things on the agenda for when you dad got back. Which we never obviously got to. There's a lesson there Harmon." "Yes ma'am," he nodded soberly, watching as she pulled a tissue-wrapped square from her bottom drawer. "Oh wow. It's. . .it's exquisite. And you know that's one of the few times in my life that I've said that word. Those are emeralds aren't they?" "Well they're not pieces of glass," she smiled. "Would you like to ask the woman you so obviously adore to be your wife, and put your money where your mouth is with the ring?" "Oh yeah" Harm nodded. "Tonight. I'll take her somewhere special and then I'll propose." "Harm I'm so happy for you" Trish smiled. "Now come on and tell me what you and Mac's plans are now that you've got all this money." "Quite frankly Mom nothing has changed as far as we're concerned. We're still planning on staying at JAG. Course depending upon how much she likes it out here maybe we'll work on a transfer." "I can't tell you that I wouldn't love that," she said as they got comfortable in the living room. "My son and his wife and hopefully some grandchildren nearby would be wonderful." "One step at a time" Harm laughed. "Let's make sure she wants to marry me." "I don't think there's any doubt to that. She loves you and you love her. I just hope this money doesn't cause you other problems." "Like what?" "Like people you haven't seen for years showing up. You know how it is. And everyone saw you two on the news. Even out here." "Well fortunately most of the men in Mac's past are dead. With the exception of Brumby but he's in Australia so I don't think he's showing up. But I have thought about that." "Hopefully that won't happen. But just beware. Frank knew a couple who'd won not even half of what you guys did and they're lives were turned upside down." "I know. And of course Mac is still a little insecure about us." "Because you waited until you'd won the lottery together to tell her how you feel?" Trish asked. "Bingo. She knows I love her but she has this insecurity that tells her I'm only doing it because I want to protect my share of the money. I even told her once that I'd give it all away if I had to prove to her that's not the case." "Would you?" "In a heartbeat Mom" Harm nodded. "I love her. I don't want to ever lose her." "You won't" Trish smiled. "Because she loves you just as much." *************** "Harm how come we're not having dinner with Trish and Frank?" Mac frowned as Harm headed to the restaurant. "I felt a little funny leaving them there when we just arrived." "They knew we wanted to be alone" he smiled. "And don't worry we'll spend some time with them. But tonight is for us." "Us" she sighed. "I have to get used to that. It's almost harder to get used to than the money." "You mean you thought you'd win the lottery before we'd get together?" he laughed. "Well come on. We weren't exactly moving at warp speed towards a real relationship. And I was getting closer every week on the lottery." "I may have been slow before but not any more. I promise." Dinner was at a seaside restaurant and Mac let out a long sigh as they watched the sunset in the ocean from their table. "It's so beautiful here. I think I could really get used to this." "You think you could get used to me too?" he asked. "I am used to you" she laughed. "What's that supposed to mean?" "It means could you get used to having me for the rest of your life" he whispered as he pulled out the small box. "I want to marry you Sarah Mackenzie. Will you be my wife?" "Harm" she gasped as he opened the box and lifted out the ring. "Oh my God." "It was Mom's grandmother's ring. She wanted me to have it since she never had a daughter to give it to. If you don't like it, I can go to the jewelry store and get something a little more modern." "I love it" she whispered. "It's spectacular. And it's from your family. That means more to me than anything no matter the size." "So will you wear it?" he asked. "Will you be my wife?" "You really want to marry me?" she whispered. "I love you Sarah and yes I want to marry you." "Then the answer is yes" she sniffled. "I will marry you." He stood up and knelt in front of her, slowly sliding the ring into place on her finger before placing a gentle kiss on her lips. To their surprise the restaurant suddenly erupted into applause and he sheepishly looked around. "Sorry" he whispered as she turned red. "I didn't know the whole place would be watching." "Maybe some Hollywood type is here and you'll be offered a job," she giggled, blushing harder while she admired the ring in the candlelight. "Harm it's beautiful and what you did just now is beyond beautiful. I didn't know you had it in you Sailor." "It's been there all along," he grinned. "I just was afraid to let it out. And let me remind you, this has nothing to do with the money. Even with just half of it, that's more than I could spend in a lifetime. No this is about us, about you and me, and about a promise I made a long while ago that had to do with you and me and a baby." "I want that so much. All of it," she replied, growing tearful. "You'll have it. That's another promise." The food was perfection and afterwards there was dancing on the deck overlooking the ocean. She melded into his arms, letting him glide her easily around the floor. "When was the last time we danced?" he mused. "It's more recent than the NATO Ball that time isn't it? Which reminds me by the way, this time I sure as hell don't think of it as dancing with my sister, not that I did back then either." "The last time we danced was at Surface Warfare," she smiled, her chin resting on his shoulder. "I don't recall that," he frowned. "Oh sure you do. I was sitting with Mic and Renee at our table, and you came back from the restroom. You didn't go to your chair so obviously you were going to ask Renee to dance, except instead you held your hand to me. Is any of that getting familiar there?" "Oh yeah. I paid for that later." "I can imagine. You didn't get any that night," she giggled. "It was just another in a string of fights we had over you. You were the one touchy subject between us. Only the Navy and my duties ranked up there with you as a subject to fight over." "Well she felt threatened by me I'm sure," she sighed. "And not without good reason," Harm grinned. "But she's part of my past now. A very distant past part. I want to focus on you and me, and maybe on how beautiful the water is with the sunset color skies." "Whoa you have turned into a real romantic in your middle age." "Well just being happy makes me like that," he admitted. "You know speaking of Renee, she wanted me to come out to Hollywood and practice." "You a Hollywood lawyer? Like representing actors?" "Yeah that was her idea," he sighed. "I told her the hell I would. I'm wasn't going to leave the Navy to become some civilian attorney for an already over-paid actor who needs his contract re-worked so that his no-talent wife can be on his show." "You wouldn't?" she giggled. "No I wouldn't. And if we ever did leave the Navy, well it sure wouldn't be to represent people like that." "What would you like to do?" she asked seriously. "I don't know" he shrugged. "I mean the Navy's been my life for so long I'm not sure what I'd want to do. Except spend the rest of my life with you having lots and lots of babies." "Just how many babies is lots and lots?" she smiled. "As many as you can handle. It's not like we can't afford them." "I'll get back to you on how many I can handle" she laughed. "But it sounds like a wonderful plan." "Does it really?" "Yeah it does. You and me and a big house full of kids. It's everything I've ever dreamt of." Her words ended with a yawn and he led her back to their table. "I think it's time to take my lady home," he said softly. "Did you have a good time tonight?" "Wonderful" she sighed happily. "Thank you. I've never been so happy in my life." "It's going to be this way from now on Sarah" he promised. ***************** Two Days Later "So what would you like to do today?" Harm asked as he dropped down in the lounger next to Mac. "Or is this your duty station for the day?" "My duty station for the day" she smiled. "With the exception of taking a dip in the ocean with my favorite sailor." "I think that can be arranged. Besides you need a day to relax. I've been dragging you all over town for the past two days." "You know I could get really used to this" she sighed. "Not working or the sun?" he laughed. "Both. But that doesn't mean we're going to quit tomorrow." Two hours later they'd just returned from a swim in the ocean when Trish walked out onto the deck, a troubled look on her face. "Mom is something wrong?" Harm asked. "There's someone here to see Mac" Trish said slowly. "She says her name is Deanne. And that she's Mac mother." THE END Chapter 3 will follow.