The Gift ~ Part 2
2400 Zulu (1900 EST)
Harm's Apartment
Just North of Union Station
Another birthday, another year older. Harm didn't feel any older. But now he was going to be a father. Things had been strained between him and Mac since their trip to Georgia. It was his fault. He had invited her to his place for his birthday when they had gotten back but they hadn't spoken much at the office. Everyone else had been sharing concerned and curious looks since then, too. But he was still shocked and a bit upset with Mac. He really couldn't explain why. He loved her, he wanted her, he wanted their child, but it had been his turn to mull things over. So tonight was the night. Everything would be settled once and for all.
*
Mac was nervous. Harm had been distant since their trip to Georgia the week before. He’d issued the invitation for his birthday but had otherwise kept to himself. If he’d just given her a smile or a word - anything to counter his silence, she would have relaxed. As it was, her anxiety about him was exacerbating her morning sickness and she’d had been spending way too much time in the bathroom. She stood outside his door garnering her courage and finally knocked.
Through the door she heard his muffled response that he'd be right there. Thirty seconds later, the door swung inward and she sucked in her breath at the sight of him.
"Hi Mac," he said quietly as he stepped aside to allow her entry.
She shrugged her purse off her shoulder and set it on the bookshelf next to the door.
"I know I haven't been very cordial lately and I want to apologize." His eyes were a dark blue as they searched hers. "I was really surprised by your pregnancy and upset that you hadn't told me."
She opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her with a kiss. "No explanations necessary, but you need to understand that you had your time to come to terms with your condition and I needed mine.”
She nodded. Fair enough. It had been a shock for her, too.
"Are you hungry?" He looked now at her stomach. "Don't answer that. I guess you're eating for two now." His natural good nature was beginning to break through his protective defense. "I made some roast chicken, rice pilaf, and steamed veggies. How does that sound?"
"Delicious, although my appetite these days is not what it used to be," Mac said ruefully. “What you said about my stomach being like a cast iron skillet... Not so much right now.”
He finished setting the table. The candles had already been lit and illuminated the table with their soft glow. Harm led her to the table and held out her chair. He turned out all the lights leaving only the small circle of light at the table.
"What's this?" Mac asked, delighted, picking up a crystal champagne flute filled with frothy orange juice.
"I read that folic acid is very good for unborn babies." He smiled at her. "Now, eat."
Mac took a few bites of her food. Unfortunately, her earlier apprehension had jump-started her morning sickness and she felt a bit queasy. Harm ate heartily while she pushed the food around her plate.
He finally took notice of her full plate. "What's wrong?"
"I'm a bit nauseous, I guess. The food is wonderful Harm, really, but..."
"Morning, noon and night sickness?" he echoed her earlier description. "Do you need to use the bathroom?"
"I'm okay for now, thanks. I'll let you know." Mac moved to the couch. "I'm really sorry for ruining your dinner. It smells wonderful and looks delicious, but right now I just can't eat."
She pressed her fingers against her eyes to stay the tears. Man, she hated being so weepy, but her emotions had developed a mind of their own.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Harm was at her side in a heartbeat and put his arms around her. She began crying in earnest. Harm held her close.
Her crying jag lasted another few minutes and she wiped her eyes and looked at him. He was so handsome, so kind, and so passionate. She didn't know if she could bear to lose him, but if he asked her to marry him just because of the baby she would have to say no.
Her stomach lurched as the scent of his cologne surrounded her. She swallowed. "What are we going to do, Harm? The suspense is killing me. The stress of the last few weeks has really aggravated my morning sickness. I don't know how much longer I can take it."
"Aw, Mac. I'm sorry."
"I think there have been enough apologies for one day, thank you. Let's talk." She straightened up and another wave of his cologne washed over her. "Uh, oh." She clamped a hand over her mouth and ran to the bathroom. Normally, she loved the scent of his cologne. It had a certain effect on her - one that had gotten her into trouble in the first place. This time, however, its effect was completely opposite.
"Here, I brought you some cold water." The ice tinkled in the glass when he handed it to her.
His presence brought her some comfort. He’d been kind enough to wait several minutes before appearing, giving her the chance to empty her stomach in private.
"Feeling better now?"
Mac nodded and began to rise from her spot next to the commode. "I'm glad that your standards of cleanliness are far above those of most men," she said. She took his proffered hands and he pulled her to her feet.
"Uh, thanks, I think. What brought on that little spell?" he questioned, indicating the bathroom with a tilt of his head. He led her to his bed and pulled back the comforter. "Get in."
"Harm, I'm fine."
"Are you questioning my orders, Colonel?" He continued to hold back the blanket. "To bed with you. Part of this is my fault and I want to make up for it. Now, lie down.” His voice betrayed his remorse. "So, what caused your sprint for the toilet?"
"Umm..." She didn't want to hurt his feelings by telling him that he had. Well, at least his smell had.
"Out with it." He wasn't going to let her off the hook.
"Well, don't take this the wrong way, Harm, but you did."
"Me?"
She laughed at the surprised look on his face. "Your cologne actually. Under normal circumstances, I love the small of your cologne, but lately..." She crawled into his bed and got comfortable.
"I know, I know." He laughed and stripped his shirt off dropping it onto the floor.
"What are you doing?" Man, he looked good. Shapely pecs and a six-pack.
"I'm going to hop in the shower and eliminate the offending odor." He went into the bathroom and his jeans came flying out the doorway as the sound of water reached her ears.
Mac lay all cozy in Harm's bed. She could still smell him-the scent of him and his cologne wrapped up in his sheets. Since the smell was so muted, it didn't aggravate her as it did at full strength. His smell had always had a slightly intoxicating effect on her. An image of him sans jeans and tee shirt entered her mind. Add rivulets of warm water coursing down his very powerful body and Mac just moaned and rolled over.
Moments later, the shower turned off and she heard him enter the bedroom once again. She was afraid to look. She knew all too well what she'd see. The other side effect of this pregnancy was an increase in her desire for intimacy. Between the lingering smell in the sheets and the image of one naked commander, Mac suddenly felt overcome by her womanly needs.
It had been two months since the last time and she decided that it was worth the risk. She wanted Harm so bad she could practically taste him. Mac rolled back over and looked at Harm. He had a blue towel wrapped around his waist, which definitely accented the color of his eyes. Mac inhaled sharply.
"Mac. What's wrong?" Harm came over and sat on the edge of the bed and put a hand on her forehead to feel for a fever.
"Nothing exactly." His nearness and the light scent of soap added to her already aching need.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Harm?" She looked at him for a moment. "I umm…" She was unsure of how to proceed or if he would even be receptive to the whole idea.
"Would you lay down with me for a bit?" She decided to take a subtle approach and try to lead into things naturally. "I could stand to feel some strong arms around me."
"Let me just put something on."
"Don't bother on my account," she muttered. So much for subtleties. "Just come here."
"Mac, I don't know if this such a good idea right now. I mean we haven't talked yet or anything and…"
"And what, Harm?" She didn’t bother to hide the hurt.
"Mac, I want you, have no doubts about that what-so-ever. I've even got proof. But I don't want to do any thing that you might regret later. And I don't think right now is the right time for this. I'm sorry, Mac." He looked so sincere and she knew he was right, but oh, how she wanted him.
"There you go, apologizing again." She looked up into his face wondering if she could seduce him. Unfortunately, Harm could read her like a book.
"Forget it, Mac." Harm went over to the dresser and found some clean boxers and some sweats. He went back into the bathroom to change and came out a moment later. "Okay, let's talk." He sat down on the bed.
"Well, if we are going to talk then you need to put on a shirt and we need to go in the living room, other wise, I'll be distracted."
*
Several hours later, after much discussion, Harm and Mac decided that they needed to share the good news with the admiral. Harm had told Mac that he truly loved her and that he wasn't going to ask her to marry him yet since he knew that she'd think it just on account of the baby. They discussed prenatal care and the due date, which was in May. They sat snuggled on the sofa.
"Mac, can I ask you something?" He had taken her hand in his and was afraid to look her in the eyes. "Did you ever think of aborting my baby?"
"Oh, Harm, no." She forced his eyes to meet hers. "I never once considered that. Never. I couldn't have. This child is a part of you." His eyes were a bit shiny as he looked at this woman, the mother of his child. He kissed her long and hard and passionately, so relieved that his child had never been in danger.
He broke off the kiss unexpectedly. "Are you okay? Should we be doing this or should we even have sex?" That thought was horrible. If he were unable to bury himself in her for another seven months – and he would refrain if he had to - but he might spontaneously combust in the mean time.
"I'm fine and kissing is fine and so is intercourse." She looked at him with a smile.
"Thank goodness."
"My sentiments exactly. Harm, I'd better go. It's late and we have a date with the admiral in the morning." Mac got up off the couch and grabbed her purse and put on her jacket.
"Do you have to go?" He came up to her and looked into her eyes. "I want you to stay, Mac. I want you." His voice was low and the offer so very tempting but she forced herself to be sensible.
"Hey, you already put the kibosh on that. It’s late now. Bye, Harm. Sleep tight…" She gave him a quick kiss and opened the door. "…don't let the bed bugs bite." She closed the door and hurried out to her car before she changed her mind.
~*~
"Good morning, Tiner," Mac said the next morning as she crossed the bullpen. "Does the admiral have a few minutes this morning?"
"I surely do, Colonel. Won't you come in?"
Mac jumped as the admiral spoke from behind her on his way to his office. "Actually, Sir, I need to wait for Commander Rabb. Can you fit us in around 0730?" She felt a little uncomfortable under the admiral's intense scrutiny.
"Very well, Colonel. Do you mind telling me what this all about?" The look on his face told her he was not looking forward to the exchange.
"It's personal, Sir. I really need to have Commander Rabb present." Mac didn’t really like having to admit that in front of Petty Officer Tiner.
*
"Enter!" called Admiral Chegwidden in response to the knock at his door. He sat back in his chair as Colonel MacKenzie and Commander Rabb stepped into his office. They approached his desk and stood at attention. "At ease. Have a seat Colonel, Commander." He detected a very subtle difference between them today. "So, what's going on?" He looked from one to the other. They looked quickly at each other and back at the admiral.
"Well, Admiral, I umm…"
It couldn’t be good if the colonel was afraid to say what was on her mind. "Spit it out, Colonel.” I haven’t got all day.
"Sir, I'm going to have a baby." The look on her face practically dared him yell at her.
"Say what?" The admiral's voice rose an octave. "Is this some kind of joke?" Of course, it wasn't. He was fairly certain of the colonel's feelings regarding children. He glanced over at the commander who looked a bit smug. "And what do you have to do with this?" Although, he was pretty certain he knew.
"I'm the baby's father, Admiral," Commander Rabb replied with somewhat of a self-satisfied grin that he failed miserably in trying to conceal.
"I see." No surprise that he’d protect her honor. The questions was, "Are you sure, Commander? No offense, Colonel." He noticed her jerk of indignation at his last question. "I know that you and Commander Rabb have a very close friendship, recent attitudes notwithstanding, and I wouldn't put it past him to protect your honor, so to speak, by claiming to be the father."
"Yes, Admiral, it is definitely my child. You see, in August I took the Colonel to a baseball game and…"
Admiral Chegwidden flashed Harm a frown. "I don't need the play by play, Rabb. I know about the birds and the bees."
"Yes, Sir."
"Can I ask you two a question?" The admiral looked from one to the other.
"Yes, Sir."
"How the hell did this happen? You two are grown ups, you know what causes this kind of thing. Why the heck didn't you take precautions?" In his ranting, the admiral had gotten to his feet and was now looking out his window.
The commander spoke first. "With all due respect, Sir, does it really matter at this point?"
"No, Commander, I don't guess it does." The admiral turned to face them once again. "The question is what happens now?"
"We're not really sure at this point, Sir." It was the Colonel's turn to speak; she did so hesitantly. "We thought you had a right to know but we'd rather not share this with anyone else yet."
"Well, that's your prerogative, Colonel. My lips are sealed. Is there anything else?" Placing his hands on his desk, he leaned toward them.
"No, Sir," Mac replied.
"Alright then, dismissed."
Mac and Harm stood up at attention once again and said, "Yes, Sir." They turned in sync and left the admiral's office.
"Oh, by the way…" The admiral spoke up just as they reached the door. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, Sir," they replied.
*
"Whew." Mac sighed once they reached the sanctuary of her office. Thank goodness that was over.
"That didn't go too badly," said Harm.
"No, I suppose not. Now what?"
"I guess we get back to work. I have some depositions to write up. And you?" Harm stood and readied to head to his own office.
"Actually, I've got to run over to Bethesda to--"
"Are you all right?" Harm came around the desk to help her to her feet.
"As I was saying, Commander, I have to go to Bethesda to pick up an autopsy report," she continued somewhat smartly. "You know, Harm, you're going to have to chill out around me. You’ve practically ignored me for the past month and a half. If you start hovering and smothering, we're going to have to explain ourselves before we're ready."
She looked at him steadily for a moment before continuing. "You put me through the hard part already with your recent attitude. My life will be a whole lot easier now that you’re with me in this but..." She held up her hand to stall his interruption. "You still have to keep some distance and you can't let this interfere with your job or mine. Okay?" She eased the bluntness of her words with a smile.
"I'm sorry, Mac, you're right. But I'm so damned excited and I just want to tell everyone." His huge smile and his excitement warmed her heart. She never thought this day would be hers.
"Not yet, Harm. We agreed. Now, I've got to go. I'll talk to you later." She gathered up her briefcase and her purse. "Make some nasty remark when you leave."
"All right, I'll call you later." He opened the door, stepped out and said with a slight sneer, "Fine, Colonel, if that's the way want it." Harm turned and went to his office as Mac went toward the elevators trying to keep a straight face. It was going to be a difficult two months. December couldn’t get here soon enough.
2128 Zulu (1628 EST)
Bud & Harriet's Apartment
Rosslyn, Virginia
“The turkey was wonderful Harriet," Mac said as she helped Harriet put the leftovers into containers and load the dishwasher. "Thanks for inviting us."
"Well, thanks for helping me clean up this mess," Harriet replied waving a hand in the general direction of the counter. She looked over at Mac and studied her for a moment while Mac was busy scraping the plates. "Mac?"
"Hmm?" Mac looked at Harriet and caught the quizzical look on Harriet's face.
"Can I ask you a personal question?" Her hands stilled from drying the platter in her hand.
"Sure, Harriet. What's up?" Mac asked.
"Are you pregnant?" Harriet almost added 'ma'am' but caught herself in time.
Mac's jaw dropped and her eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t been expecting that question. Her uniform skirts and pants still fit - a little snugly - but they still fit. "Why would you think that?" She didn't want to give herself away too easily even though she was dying to talk to someone.
"Well, I've been there, done that, twice now. I think I'm fairly adept at diagnosing this condition. Besides, there are other clues that only a woman who has already been pregnant would notice,” she said, a sympathetic smile on her face.
Mac looked hesitantly toward the doorway leading to the living room where they could hear the low hum of men's voices and the excited babble of a toddler. She looked back at Harriet and nodded even as she held her finger up to her lips indicating to Harriet that she should keep her excitement quiet.
Harriet's eyes widened in surprise and she moved to hug Mac. "Oh, Mac," she whispered. "I’m so happy for you. When are you due?"
"Some time in May. But Harriet, you've got to keep it a secret. We weren't planning on telling the office until Christmas." Mac glanced toward the door as if expecting to find Harm and Bud eavesdropping.
"We?" Harriet repeated. "Mac, is Harm the father?"
Mac whipped her head around to look at her friend. "Why would you ask that that?"
Her brows rose. "I've seen the way he watches you. Well, your belly actually," Harriet replied. "And despite all those barbs and stinging comments you two pass back and forth in the office, I can tell there's no real anger behind them. Besides, Mac, who else would it be?"
As Harriet spoke, Mac put her hands over her burgeoning stomach. She looked at Harriet and flashed her a Cheshire cat grin. "It happened the very first time we…"
"It's true what they say about dress whites, isn't it?" Harriet laughed.
"Don't forget that Harm has gold wings, too, Harriet," Mac replied with a giggle. She was glad that she’d told someone. Especially someone who, as Harriet said, had been there, done that. "Remember, this is classified."
1137 Zulu (0637 EST)
Mac's apartment
Georgetown
"Damn." Mac attempted to zip up her uniform skirt. "These fit yesterday. Damn, damn." She lay face down on her bed hoping the pressure on her stomach would give her enough leeway to get the zipper up. It worked. However, she couldn't breathe and it her skirt was so tight she'd never make it through the day with out passing out. She unzipped the skirt and slipped out of it, tossing it on the bed.
Mac stalked over to the phone and punched in the number to JAG HQ. It rang and rang. She glanced at the clock and realized that Tiner wouldn’t be in until 0700. "Damn." She slammed the receiver down. Then she picked up the phone again and hit the speed dial button for Harm's place. It rang once, then twice.
"Rabb!" Mac frowned. He was just a wee too enthusiastic for this time of the day.
"At ease, Commander," Mac replied a little sternly.
"Mac, are you alright?" Concern laced his voice.
"I'm fine but my damn skirts don't fit anymore," she said.
Harm could hear her frustration. "What about your pants?" Harm asked trying to soothe her with his voice.
"I don't know about my damn pants." Mac raised her voice. "I have to be in court today. I have to have a skirt."
"What do you want me to do?" It’s not like he could whip up a skirt in the next thirty minutes. "When do you have to be in court?"
"I don't have to be in court until after lunch. Can you just please explain to the admiral that I'll be in late? I'll go to Clothing Sales as soon as they open at 0800 and be in as soon as I can."
"Sure, Mac. Anything else?"
"No," she replied and sighed. "Harm?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry."
*
At 0845, Harm saw Mac walk by his office. He had explained the situation to the admiral as soon as he had come in. The admiral was being unusually tolerant but Harm didn't want to borrow trouble.
He got up and made his way to Mac's office. He opened the door as she bid him to enter. "I thought you were going to buy a new skirt."
"I did." Confusion marred her brow for a moment. "Oh, you thought I was going to by a maternity skirt and smock."
"Well, yeah," Harm replied.
She set her fists on her hips. "If I had walked in here wearing a maternity smock, there would be no reason to tell our friends anything - the smock would speak for itself," Mac said, exasperation coloring her voice.
He knew it wasn’t really her. She’d complained a thousand times about her hormones making her crazy. If she wasn’t trying to drag him into bed, she was crying over Kleenex commercials, and if she wasn’t weeping, she was cleaning her apartment or his with a vengeance. Better to take it out on the apartments than on you, she’d once said.
He raised a brow, asking without words what she’d done.
"I just bought a regular skirt a couple sizes larger,” she explained.
He nodded. "Mac, I think we need to tell people sooner than we’d planned. Even I can see a difference in you now."
Mac’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "What do you mean, Harm?" Her voice took on a sharp edge.
'Oh, man.' Harm thought. "Uh, Mac... You know I think you're beautiful and I know that you're pregnant..."
"Spit it out, Harm." Her voice held a warning and she practically pinned him to the wall with her eyes.
"Mac, you look like you're putting on weight," he said. "I mean I know why, but everyone else will just assume you're porking up."
"Get out. Get out right now.”
Harm did an immediate about face and exited her office. Gunny, Lieutenant Singer, and Bud all must have heard Mac's outburst as all eyes were on him as he made his way back to his own office. He hoped he wasn't blushing and shrugged his shoulders as he passed.
Not thirty seconds later, Mac came barreling out of her office. She stopped to take in Gunny’s sympathetic look, Bud’s surprised expression, and Singer’s brow quirked in speculation. She held the smile that bloomed inside her. Harm was right. It was time.
"Gunny, please find everyone else and have them assemble here in the bull pen in five minutes." She moved to Harm’s door, rapped once, and then slipped inside.
"Can I help you, Colonel?" Harm kept his voice cool and neutral.
"Harm, I'm sorry." Mac stood before him. "I didn't mean to take your head off. I have no excuse. Please forgive me. These damned hormones are making me crazy."
"Go on, Colonel." Harm wasn't about to let her off the hook too easily, it seemed.
"Well, since you're the only one that knows, I have to try to act normal around everyone else and sometimes..." She watched as his features softened into a grin. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Of course, I am." His smile broadened considerably. "It's not everyday I get to see you grovel."
"Oh, you." She couldn't help but grin back. She reached out her hand to him. "Come on, We've got an announcement to make." She looked through the blinds to the bullpen and saw everyone gathered just as she had requested. As they exited Harm's office, everyone turned to look at them.
"Ah, everyone's here I see." Mac looked around at the assembled group and nodded to the admiral. "Well, first I would like to publicly apologize to Commander Rabb for my display of — uh — temper a few moments ago. And to you, Gunny, and Lieutenants Singer and Roberts for my actions unbecoming."
"No, problem, Ma'am," replied Singer. "The commander can bring out the worst in the best of us." A few snickers were heard from the group collectively.
Mac glanced at Harm. "Yes, well... The reason I asked Gunny to gather you all is because I have something I'd like to share with you all." Mac took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "You all may have noticed that I have been putting on a little weight lately...” She glanced around at her coworkers trying to gauge their reactions. "I am not, as the commander so eloquently put it, porking up." Everyone laughed outright at this. "I'm four months pregnant."
Silence. Everyone's jaw dropped.
"Congratulations, Ma'am." Lieutenant Roberts was the first to respond. "When are you due?"
"Wow, Colonel, that's really great," exclaimed Petty Officer Tiner.
"So, Colonel..." Singer's tone bordered on snide. "Who’s the lucky guy?"
"Well..." Mac didn't want to look at Harm. That would give it away for sure. She was fairly sure he wanted everyone to know but... It was taken out of her hands when Harm spoke up.
"Actually, Lieutenant, I'm the father of the colonel's baby." Harm gave her a look that meant business. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, Sir." Lieutenant Singer practically came to attention while the rest of the group turned to stare at the Commander.