Chapters 1-8 Chapters 9-16 Chapters 17-22 Chapters 23-26
Title: Impropriety
Chapter 23
“Excuse me, sir. Detective Russell has been trying to get a hold of you.” Bud handed Harm his cell phone. “Yours must have a dead battery. Just hit last call received.”
Harm stood and began pacing the short length of the porch.
“Detective Russell, Harmon Rabb here. Sorry about my phone.”
“I’m glad Novak was able to get a hold of you,” the detective responded. “I wanted you to know what’s going on.”
Harm walked over closer to where Mac was sitting.
“Healy and New Horizon sent Hatcher a $500 an hour suit. Needless to say it wasn’t in Mr. Healy’s best interest to convince Hatcher that 40 years behind bars was an unpleasant future.”
“Damn,” Harm let slip, shaking his head.
“Don’t give up the ship yet,” she almost giggled. “So to speak.” Angela Russell rarely had much opportunity to work with the Navy. She hadn’t meant to find her own comment so amusing.
“We haven’t officially charged him with anything yet, so he’ll stew in jail tonight. His bail hearing won’t be set until well into tomorrow afternoon. The lawyer may not have encouraged him to take a deal, but he heard the DA’s offer loud and clear. You’d be amazed what an impression your first night in jail can have on you. Especially if you consider it could be the first of forty more years.” Angela had been on the force for almost twenty years, she had learned how to read most of the perps that came through her doors. She couldn’t read them all, but she was never wrong about ones like Hatcher.
“Go home, try and get a good night’s sleep and for Pete’s sake, charge your battery,” she smiled.
“Thanks, detective. We’ll try.” Harm hung up the cell, totally unaware of answering for himself and Mac.
Harm quickly relayed the conversation to everyone on the porch.
Extending her arm to Harriet, who was still holding the tray, “I’m sorry Harriet, but I think I’m going to take a rain check on the coffee. Thanks again for the lovely dinner.” She kissed Harriet lightly on the cheek before turning to Bud and doing the same. It had been a good break, now she needed to get away, to go home.
“You guys sit down and enjoy your coffee, we’ll see ourselves out.” Harm opened the back door for Mac.
Harriet stood frozen on the porch watching the pair make their way through the house. “I hope this doesn’t drag on too much longer. I think this is taking a bigger toll on her than the Colonel’s willing to admit. Thank God she and the Commander seem to finally be working things out.” With one swift movement, she set the tray on the table and began pouring her husband and herself a cup of coffee.
Harm closed the car door once Mac was securely inside. Climbing into his side of the vehicle, “What do you say to my place and a couple of mugs of hot cocoa with whipped cream?”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d really like to go home.” Mac was trying not to let this get her down, but she really was tired of living under a microscope.
“What ever the lady wants.” Harm backed out of the driveway, offering Mac a reassuring smile.
Mac’s apartment
2020 hours
Harm had convinced Mac it was still early and they should rent a movie to help kill some time. They’d been watching Waking Ned Divine and drinking the hot chocolate as Harm had suggested. The heavy mood from earlier had slowly melted away with the help of the amusing Irish film.
By the time the film was over, Mac was comfortably cocooned against Harm. “That was just what the doctor ordered,” she smiled up at him.
“I have to admit, every time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, the movie surprised me with something totally different.” Harm let out a short chuckle. It really was the perfect film to lighten the mood they’d fallen into.
“I should probably get going. I doubt the Admiral is going to cut us any slack tomorrow morning.” Harm tried to shift, but Mac didn’t budge.
Hesitating for a minute at Mac’s resistance, Harm considered what would be the best course of action. Mac was snuggled up against his chest, his left arm draped around her, her left arm hugging him for dear life with her head resting just below the crook of his neck.
“Would this by chance be your way of saying I shouldn’t leave just yet?” Harm raised his eyebrows, tucking his chin in to better see the top of her head.
Lifting her head back as far as possible without releasing her hold, Mac looked up as best she could. “Maybe,” then dropped her head back down again.
Harm almost laughed, amused with her antics. “Shall I put on another movie then?”
Pulling herself away, Mac raised her head closer to his eye level. “I was thinking we might find a different source of entertainment.”
Harm’s heart leapt to his throat at the implications of what she might be saying. He didn’t dare say the wrong thing. If he’d misunderstood, Mac could easily cause him severe bodily injury.
If Harm was reading those dark eyes correctly, they were filled with the same desire that was quickly rising in him. He seriously considered backing away, now wasn’t a good time. They were under a lot of stress and needed time to build a relationship away from the shadow of this case.
Just as his mouth was about to engage and spew out all the crap that had been racing through his mind, the voice of reason took over. They’d been waiting nine years for the right time, was there such a thing as a good time? Stress is a way of life for them, and so what if they were under the shadow of a case, that’s what they do!
A small seed of doubt was beginning to take root in the pit of Mac’s stomach. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Maybe she had misunderstood what he said tonight on the porch. Was it too late to back peddle and settle on another movie?
Before his mind could come up with some other excuse, he recognized a familiar change in her gaze. It was the same pained look she’d given him on the ferry in Sydney. No, he wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
Harm reached out and pulled Mac up tightly against his chest with such force that all the air rushed from her lungs. He would never give her reason to doubt his love or want for her again. Pressing his hungry lips against hers, Harm reveled in the taste of Sarah MacKenzie.
Sure they had kissed before, it was something they’d indulged in more often since this case began, and even more so over the last week, but this was different. The need and desire within had collided like two opposing forces creating a title wave of passion that he wasn’t sure he could or wanted to control.
Mac heard him suck in a sharp breath as her fingers slid under his shirt and gently raked across his bare back. She could feel his hot ragged breath almost caressing her soft skin as she painfully waited for him to resume setting a trail of moist, sensual, kisses across her neck.
“Sarah.”
Oh, God. The sound of her given name only heightened the desire that was pooling heavily within her.
“I need to be sure. I have to hear you say you …you want this…me.” Harm placed a slow, moist kiss under the base of her ear.
“Ye…eess…” She was barely able to speak.
“Say it, Sarah. Tell me you’re sure.” Harm placed another wet hungry kiss along the edge of her jaw, and another on her neck, her collarbone. Her chest was heaving in anticipation as the kisses made their way closer to the exposed cleavage at the edge of her shirt. “Tell me you’re sure,” he repeated, breathing heavily.
“I’m …sure. Very sure.”
Chapter 24
Mac’s apartment
Next morning
Still wrapped snuggly in each other’s embrace, neither wanted to move to answer the obnoxious ringing of the telephone.
Pulling away from Harm as little as possible, Mac stretched her arm out and fumbled for the phone. “MacKenzie,” she managed to mumble before dropping the handset unceremoniously on Harm’s chest.
“Ooph,” he coughed.
“Sorry.” Hurriedly lifting the phone back to her ear. “Hello.”
“Colonel? This is Detective Russell. I’m sorry if I woke you. Commander Rabb’s cell isn’t working yet and there’s no answer at his home.”
Mac’s internal clock was totally out of whack. Lifting Harm’s arm she tried to read his watch. 0716.
“No problem. Any news?”
“We did it.” She grinned on the other end of the phone. “One night and he was scared shitless.”
Mac sat up straight in bed, clutching the sheet to her bare breasts.
“What happened.” Holding the phone away from her ear, she signaled for Harm to listen in.
“First thing this morning Hatcher asked to see the DA. He’s copping to invasion of privacy and accessory aggravated assault, both misdemeanors so he can serve his time here at CDF.” Angela could hear Mac’s disappointment over the phone.
“Colonel. He gave us a lot. There’s more to this than a simple blackmailing. Healy thinks he can overthrow the US military.” Angela waited for that to sink in.
"We’ve already got the warrants. ATF, the Virginia, Texas, and California State police are in on this now too. There will be simultaneous raids on Healy’s offices, homes and three training camps. He’s got plans in the works that would wreak havoc on Capital Hill and throughout Washington DC. This is big Colonel."
FBI Raid Control Center
1310 hours
Harm and Mac parked the Lexus around the back of the building. Casually walking in the rear entrance, the two lawyers dressed in business attire made their way upstairs.
The moment the elevator doors opened on the second floor, they were struck by the buzz of activity. They were immediately confronted by two large men in suits. It took only a few minutes to produce the required Identification and be escorted to the hub of the operation.
“I see you decided to join us,” Agent Novak announced from his position by the monitors.
Several monitors were set up across a table. Harm could make out the entrance of the New Horizons Corporate Headquarters across the street on the first monitor, the second monitor was obviously a hand held recorder of sorts being carried by one of the agents prepared to conduct the search across the street. The other monitors were similar set ups from the miscellaneous raid points across the country. From what they could see, Healy’s house could probably hold every building on the block.
“Your timing is holding up, raids are due to begin in less than 8 minutes.” Novak glanced at them briefly before returning his focus to the screens in front of them.
“Any indication they’re onto us?” Mac asked.
“Not from what we can tell. According to Detective Russell, they’ve set the arraignment for 3 o’clock. By the time Healy realizes they’ve been had, it will all be over.” Novak didn’t bother looking up from his screen this time.
Mac was standing ramrod straight, her eyes focused intently on the first two monitors. Harm resisted the urge to reach over and touch her. Mac was an excellent lawyer and marine, but the man in him wanted desperately to reach over and comfort the woman hiding behind the strong facade.
Looking at his watch, Novak spoke into his radio. “Base one, ready to go in 60.”
One by one, each of the raid locations called in. They were all set and ready to go. In less then a minute, the first crew across the street stormed the building in a rush. Announcing themselves to security in the main lobby, they brushed past everyone making their way to Healy’s office.
Hanging the phone up quickly, a short, stocky woman in her mid 40’s jumped up from behind her desk.
“Mr. Healy isn’t here,” she announced in a stern voice, as any good private secretary would when trying to protect her boss from unwanted visitors.
The lead agent reached for the door as another agent handed the secretary a piece of paper. Finding the door locked, he stepped back.
“Mr Healy always locks the door when he’s not in.” The words were barely out of her mouth when her eyes flew open at the sight of the agents breaking the doors open and flooding her boss’ office.
“What are you doing?!” she screeched.
As the agents began confiscating Healy and his secretary’s files, computers, and the contents of their desk drawers, the agent who had given her a copy of the warrant tapped the paper she was clenching in her hand. “Search warrant.”
Everyone was focusing intently on the events unfolding from the hand held camera when Harm just happened to look over at the monitor covering the front of the building. Glaring at the screen. “Mac where’s Healy’s picture?”
Mac reached across and picked up one of the files Novak had placed on the table. “Here, what is it?”
Glancing briefly at the photo inside the file, “That’s him!” Harm shouted as he turned and bolted out the door.
Without a second’s hesitation, Mac was two steps behind him racing down the stairs and out the front door of the building. Looking quickly to either side, Harm could see Healy slowly trying to inconspicuously make his way down the street.
Harm rushed across the street, cars on both sides screeching to a halt causing Healy to look up. Recognizing Harm immediately, Healy took off running down the alley with Harm and Mac maneuvering their way through the stopped cars, across the street and down the alley after him.
Turning the corner, Healy was trapped at the end of a dead end alley.
“Give it up, Healy. It’s over.” Harm stopped at the edge of the building, his hand stretched out stopping Mac behind him, his pistol pointing up in the other hand.
Pressing herself against the wall, behind Harm. Mac released the safety on her sidearm. “I’ll cover you.”
“Let’s hope you don’t have to. How many businessmen do you know who carry a weapon to the office?”
“How many businessmen do you know who plan to blow up the United States Congress?” Mac glared sarcastically.
“Point taken. I’ll go first, you cover me.”
Bullets flew from Healy’s direction as soon as Harm turned into the alley making his way behind the closest large dumpster.
Firing from the edge of the brick building. Mac paused to take aim as Healy popped up from behind some crates. Healy shot at Harm as he zagged from behind the dumpster getting closer to Healy before taking cover again behind some trash cans. Changing the clip on her weapon, Mac took aim again. Within minutes, Healy was feeling the desperation of a trapped rat. Showing himself more frequently in a frantic attempt to shoot it out, Healy stepped out from behind his cover just as Mac pulled the trigger.
Hitting him square in the kneecap, Healy dropped to the ground crumpled in pain.
Mac scurried down the alley, pausing at Harm’s side. “You okay?”
“Yeah, thanks. Nice shooting.”
“I wasn’t aiming for his knee,” Mac snorted, waiting for Harm to get up from behind the trash cans.
“Everybody Freeze!” Novak shouted from the mouth of the alley.
Harm rolled his eyes, brushing himself off, while the army of agents ran down the alley to Healy.
“Don’t you ever learn your lesson, Commander? You could have gotten yourselves killed.” Novak shook his head. Rabb was an arrogant hot dog years ago and as far as Novak was concerned, nothing had changed. “Stick around, we’re going to need statements from you.”
“You know where to find us.” Placing his hand on the small of Mac’s back, Harm turned away from Novak and made his way out the alley, walking past the scrambling agents and paramedics.
Chapter 25
Mac’s apartment
Georgetown
1545 hours
As soon as she was inside her front door, Mac leaned back heavily against the wall with a deep sigh.
“Hey, you okay?” Harm stepped up close to Mac, resting his hands on her shoulders, caressing them in slow circular motions.
“Yeah,” Mac shifted her weight and dropped her head against Harm’s shoulder, her arms limp at her side.
Harm’s arms snaked around her back, pulling her tightly against him. “It’s over, they’ve got him.”
Mac was still leaning limply against him. His hand began slowly stroking her hair.
“Mac?” Harm was starting to get concerned over her lack of sound or movement when she finally lifted her head.
“I’m okay. I just needed a second to let it all sink in, or maybe all rush out,” she half chuckled, pulling back to look at him.
Smiling brightly at her. “You sure?”
“Yeah, we got him, it’s over. The last laugh is probably on him, if it weren’t for him, there wouldn’t finally be an us.” Pulling one hand away from her shoulder and lightly kissing his hand, Mac tipped her cheek into Harm’s palm.
“I was hoping you’d feel that way. We didn’t exactly have any time to talk about what happened, I mean... last night.” Harm lightly kissed her forehead.
“We seem to do so much better when we don’t talk,” Mac blushed softly.
“Oh, yeess.” Harm leaned in, his lips closed firmly on hers. Words really were definitely overrated.
Admiral Chegwidden’s office
JAG Headquarters
Next day
“At ease people.” AJ took a seat behind his desk gesturing for the others to sit.
“As usual you’ve resolved this tragic issue expeditiously and managed to come out smelling like roses as well.” AJ’s eyes twinkled from withheld laughter.
“Thank you, sir,” the three chorused.
“Sir, do they know what they’ll be charging Healy with yet?” Bud asked.
“Blackmail and murder for starters. Other charges depend on what they find after they’ve waded through the mountains of confiscated material. ”
“Has he said anything, sir?” Harm asked.
“Just what you already know. He was convinced he could build a better, stronger military. Return this country to the days of the revolutionary war. He thought by blackmailing competent high ranking officers he could not only fund his program but seriously cripple the military by forcing their early retirement, then use his forces to take over.” AJ had felt there was something unusually sinister about this entire situation, but he had never imagined someone was trying to overthrow the US government.
“How close was he to implementing his plan to attack Washington and Congress?” Bud inquired.
“Too close,” AJ practically mumbled.
“So we were just a means of funding his little revolution?” Mac sighed
“Pretty much, yes. When he thought that Kensington was in his pocket, he tried to eliminate as much of the competition as possible. Everyone else was just a means to more money to pay for this elaborate plan.” AJ sat back in his chair letting out a short sigh.
“What about Edelhaus, sir?”
“Healy had nothing but disdain for US military officers, unless they were willing to join his side. When he couldn’t convince him to help train the troops, he decided to at least make some money from him.”
“What about the young man. Did Healy kill him?” Mac asked quietly.
“No, one of his body guards, Bilkman, Buckman, something like that. Apparently the kid was supposed to transfer the money from the briefcase into the lining of a coat Healy’s goon had checked in. When the kid saw how much money there was, he decided it was worth more than the hundred dollars they were paying him and he skimmed a grand off the top.” AJ shook his head at how greed could destroy good people.
“Sir, look.” Bud pointed to the TV screen.
Seeing Stuart Dunston from ZNN standing in front of the America’s New Horizon training camp in Virginia, AJ raised the volume.
“This is an excellent example of the implementation of the new inter-agency cooperation in the federal government. The ATF, FBI, DC police, California, Texas and Virginia State police as well as the United States Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps worked together seamlessly to bring these simultaneous raids to a successful end. I have been told, without the help of two dedicated officers, Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr. and Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie, who were willing to put their lives, and in this case their reputations, on the line, none of this would have been possible.” Stuart Dunston reported into the camera.
Having heard enough, AJ pressed the mute button on the remote control.
“Sir, will we be able to keep the names of all the blackmailed officers out of the media?” Harm asked.
“I believe so. We seem to have succeeded in putting the right spin on this story from the beginning. ‘Dot com militia plans second revolution.’” AJ rolled his eyes.
“When will we know more about Healy?” Mac questioned.
“You’ll know when I know, Colonel.”
“Aye, sir,” Mac nodded.
“In the meantime, I believe you all have plenty of work to do. That will be all.” AJ effectively dismissed his people returning his attention to the piles of paper in front of him.
Harm followed Mac to her office.
“We’ve got a few minutes before we’re due in court, want a cup of coffee?” Harm nodded towards the break room from her doorway.
“God YES!” Mac cried. She had missed her daily caffeine doses desperately since this entire escapade had begun. The thought of a fresh cup before court was almost as heavenly as being in Harm’s arms, almost.
It didn’t take Harm long to return with two steaming cups of almost fresh coffee. “I doubt it’s marine grade,” he smiled, taking the seat closest to her desk.
“As long as it’s not tea, I’m thrilled,” Mac grinned brightly.
“I’d have been back sooner but I had to wait for Petty Officers Jennings and Maroney to apologize for what I’m not supposed to know they were thinking.” Harm shook his head in amusement.
“We probably have Stuart Dunston to thank for that. His news reports should do a pretty good job of counteracting all the scuttlebutt these past couple of months.” Mac took a long sip of her hot coffee.
“We’re going to have to talk about what to tell everyone.” Harm set his cup down on Mac’s desk.
“Well, I don’t think here and now is a good time to discuss it. We need to get moving or we’ll be late for court. It’s unlikely being TV celebrities is going to have any influence on Admiral Morris.” Mac stood up gathering a few files into her briefcase.
“You’re right. Tonight, my place, I’ll even cook,” Harm smiled, his eyes twinkling in anticipation.
“Tonight.” Mac smiled back. They definitely needed to talk. No point in mentioning now that it hadn’t occurred to either of them to use any birth control the last two nights.
Chapter 26
Harm’s apartment
Near Union Station
As soon as Harm had come home, Detective Russell called him with an update. Much to Harm’s relief, the police had gone through all the videos and none were of Harm and Mac. Although there were still mounds of evidence to sort through, and it would be a while before they’d know all the charges that would be brought against Healy, they had already managed to choral and arrest several more people.
The man who had been following and photographing Mac and Harm outdoors had a talent for taking incriminating photos by fitting in anywhere on the spur of the moment. He wouldn’t be seeing daylight for a long time.
It turned out the man who had assaulted Harm was a surveillance expert sent to install hidden video cameras. If he hadn't taken the time to rummage through Harm's desk for additional blackmail material first, he probably would have succeeded. When Harm startled him by showing up unexpectedly, he abandoned the plan and high tailed it out of there, unintentionally leaving Harm’s apartment as Harm and Mac’s only safe haven.
Now, he and the first guy were singing like canaries and pointing fingers at each other. The goon who had killed the coat clerk at the restaurant had also been apprehended along with a long list of people involved in the conspiracies, as well as the blackmail. Healy definitely fit the cliché: ‘pride goeth before a fall.’ Russell assured Harm and Mac there would be no problem putting all these people away for a lot of years, thanks to Healy’s outstanding penchant for record keeping.
Harm had thrown together another one of his fast and easy pasta specialties. It had been a typical dinner. They chatted amicably about work, and what Detective Russell had reported, yet they avoided anything that fell even remotely into the category of ‘us’. Both were afraid finally having the much needed talk might ruin what had become so perfect without words.
The hardest thing for Harm was keeping a safe distance from Mac. They were normally somewhat affectionate, an arm on her waist, her hand on his shoulder, a kiss here and there. Despite having been pretending for nearly two months to be an item, and having admitted a week ago in his kitchen to wanting an us, in reality they had gone in an instant from being working partners to lovers, completely skipping the usual stepping stones along the way. They hadn’t really dated, or been allowed to behave as a normal couple. Today was the first time they were interacting alone together as a couple since crossing the line from friendship to lovers.
Even though the physical tenderness came naturally, and they both seemed to thrive on it, he didn’t want to over do it and scare her away. A possibility he knew was all too real. He wanted her so badly, to carry her off to the other room and devour every soft, delicious inch of her. How would he ever get enough of being with Sarah MacKenzie?
What Harm hadn’t realized was that Mac felt very much the same way. All she wanted from the moment she walked in the door, was to be wrapped in his arms, to feel his strong muscles ripple at her touch.
With the table cleared and the dishwasher loaded, Harm and Mac settled down on the sofa for the inevitable talk.
“How do you suggest we handle our relationship at the office?” Harm started. “In terms of telling people about us,” he clarified quickly. The last thing he needed was for Mac to misunderstand and think there was anything about them that he would want to hide or deny.
“Well, if you don’t mind. In light of all that’s gone on, and all the scuttlebutt we’re trying to overcome, I think it might be wise to keep the relationship strictly between us and our closest friends. No public announcements yet. Except maybe the Admiral. We owe him that much.” Mac took hold of Harm’s hand for a little reassurance.
“You may have a point, but we’re going to have to let the office in on it eventually.” Harm paused for a moment wondering how best to say what he was feeling.
“As far as I’m concerned, Mac, I don’t ever want to be with anyone else in my lifetime.” He knew he’d just laid his heart out on the table before her, but hiding how he felt all these years hadn’t done him any good. Maybe the truth would.
Mac couldn’t help the way the corners of her mouth began to curl up. No matter what they needed to work through, she knew now, everything would be just fine.
Encouraged by the bashful blush on Mac’s face.
“I was wondering. Since we still have a deal and all, and AJ’s birthday is this month. Do you think, maybe some day soon, we could try again? The baby I mean, for real.” Harm tried to read her eyes.
Well, now was probably as good a time as any to bring up their situation, Mac thought.
“That’s something else we probably want to talk about,” Mac smiled. Trying to hide her nervousness, she shifted and reached for a glass of water.
Harm mistook Mac’s hesitation to mean she’d reconsidered going through with the deal after all. Only this morning the reality of not using contraceptives had dawned on him while he was lost in thought on his way to work. A slight sense of loss settled in his stomach. Until now he’d clung briefly all day to the hope that just maybe she hadn’t been on anything and he wouldn’t have to give up on the idea of Mac having his baby.
Picking up his hot tea from the table, “I know this may sound a little silly.” Harm focused on the brew in his cup. “I realized on my way to the office this morning that I forgot to use a condom. I was somewhat... overzealous,” Harm smiled, more to himself than anyone since he was still looking down at his cup.
Mac stopped sipping her water, the lump rising in her chest settled heavily in her throat. Her eyes lifted to stare nervously at Harm, anxiously awaiting the rest of his sentence.
“I sort of thought, hoped actually, that maybe you weren’t on anything.” Harm finally looked up at Mac. “I know it’s ridiculous, we haven’t talked about it, we’re just getting started on you and me as an us, we’re probably not ready for a crowd yet. I just need to get used to the idea that there isn’t really a baby, our baby.”
Mac heaved a small sigh and leaned forward taking hold of Harm’s hand.
“I’m not on anything. I was waiting for a good time to mention it.” Mac pressed her lips together, almost nibbling on her lower lip. “I don’t think it’s anything critical, wrong time of the month and all. Besides, at my age, getting pregnant isn’t really that easy.” she half smiled before continuing. “None the less, it’s sort of sweet knowing that after this trial run, you still want to go ahead with our deal.” Mac squeezed Harm’s hand.
“I told you on the Roberts’ porch. I’m ready for a life with you Mac. I don’t care if we’ve only been together a few days. I’ve loved you for so many years. I feel like we have so much lost time to make up for. We should already have the house with the 2.5 children and the dog. When I remind myself you’re not really pregnant, we’re not really having a baby, my heart physically hurts,” Harm sighed. Maybe this was more honesty than the relationship could handle, but he was tired of playing games.
Mac couldn’t help the pool of tears that flooded to her eyes. Deep down she’d given up hope a long time ago that Harm would ever want a life with her. Even with the baby deal looming over them, she hadn’t dared hope he might take it seriously, despite what he’d said recently.
Concerned at the sudden rush of tears, Harm’s eyes opened wide. “Hey, I wasn’t supposed to make you cry.” He wiped the tears away with his thumbs before pulling her tightly into his embrace.
“Why am I always the only one crying?” Mac sniffled, a hint of a smile curling her lips.
“I don’t know, but I promise to do my best never to make you cry again.” Harm kissed the top of her head.
“Only happy tears,” she clarified.
“Okay, happy tears.” Pulling away from her a little. “Does this mean what I think it does? Are we both talking big house, white picket fences, dog, cat, kids, carpool, soccer games?”
“Maybe sooner than you think,” she grinned.
Harm sported a full blown flyboy smile. “I’d like that.” Kissing her lightly on the lips, once, twice, then again. “Do you think maybe, just in case, we could, practice some more on that deal?” Harm kissed her lightly again on the lips, then on her jaw, down her chin, under her ear.
“We’ve established …I’m not taking anything, do you …have something… here?” Mac managed to ask, her voice barely a whisper, her breathing already labored.
“Nope.” He worked a trail of kisses back up her neck, across her chin, “If we’re going to make up for lost time,” barely kissing and teasing her lower lip, “I figure we won’t need any.” Pulling her even more tightly against him, his hand cupped the back of her head as his lips continued taunting hers, finally deepening the kiss.
Scooping her up in his arms, he carried her up the stairs, briefly releasing the hold on her lips.
“Did you say 2.5 children?” Mac asked, nibbling lightly on his neck.
“Mmn, for starters.” Harm tried not to close his eyes, thankful the bed was only a few steps away.
“Then we’ll need LOTS of practice.” Mac smiled as Harm placed her softly on the bed.
“OH YES. For as long as we live.”
The End.
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