Chapters 1-6 Chapters 7-11
Title: Love is in the Air
Chapter 7
As soon as the other Marines didn’t need him, Gunny walked over to where Beth was sitting on one of the cots. “Glad to see you taking it easy.” He sat down next to her.
“Mrs. Rabb seemed to think it was a good idea. Once I got over that naval stubborn streak, I decided she was right.”
“Were you having trouble breathing?” Gunny was a little startled by his overwhelming need to touch her, by how he wanted to run his hands down her sides and across her tummy, to simply make sure everything was really all right. Of course, he knew better than to try, but still, he wanted to more than anything else right now. He desperately felt the need for just a little reassurance.
“No, the captain gave me his handkerchief and ordered me not to stop or speak to anyone.”
A small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. That man really was one hell of an officer.
“How long do you think we’ll be here?” Beth mindlessly rubbed the side of her large belly.
“There’s no way of telling. Are you feeling okay?” Gunny misunderstood her light ministrations as a sign of discomfort.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just worried about all these people.”
Now wasn’t that typical Beth. Five months pregnant, with plenty of her own problems, and she was worried about all the other people in the room.
“I’m sure everyone will be fine.” Gunny patted her arm slightly. Under the circumstances, the small gesture didn’t seem out of line.
“I know.” Beth dropped her right hand momentarily on top of Gunny’s and squeezed lightly. A simple act of gratitude, but she was unaware of the impact it had on the stoic Marine. “Why won’t they just let us go home?”
“Security. Once the situation is under control, everyone exposed might need to have medical treatment.”
Beth pressed her lips and gave a short nod, wishing she could take hold of Gunny’s hand for a little security of her own.
Across the room Harm and Mac sat chatting quietly with their hands entwined tightly when Tracy walked over. With remarkable ease, she descended to the floor beside Harm more gracefully than either of them thought was humanly possible.
“Any idea what prompted this?” she asked in almost a whisper.
“A security sensor indicated nerve gas was released somewhere in the building.” Harm shrugged a shoulder and crinkled his mouth to one side. He wished he had more information for her.
“Then all we can do is wait.” It wasn’t really a question.
Harm knew what they needed now most of all was to distract themselves from the situation at hand. “I’m afraid so. Care to fill me in on this morning?”
“Well, sir, our brazen lothario appears to be nothing more than a foolish romantic.” She paused, hoping that would be enough, but the look on her CO’s face indicated he was clearly waiting for the rest of the story. “I’m afraid I let my guard down when I was distracted by a rather friendly tomcat.”
“A ploy?” Harm asked.
“I suspect it was a mere coincidence since none of the other reports mentioned a cat. I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been when he appeared behind me. Under normal circumstances I should have been able to apprehend him myself.”
“Normal circumstances?” Harm curled a curious brow.
“I think she means if he hadn’t distracted her with a kiss.” Mac squeezed his hand, hoping he wasn’t going to make this too difficult for Tracy. Mac could already see how awkward retelling the story was for her.
“That would be correct, ma’am.” As hard as she tried not to, Tracy knew her cheeks were undoubtedly turning a bright shade of red.
Harm looked over at his wife and back at Tracy. Surely, this guy couldn’t have had THAT much of an effect on the woman?
“Fortunately, after he thanked me and ran away, Gunny was able to apprehend him.”
“He thanked you?” Harm couldn’t believe the nerve of this guy.
“Apparently he’s from a rural town in Georgia. He explained that his grandmother would never forgive him if he didn’t remember his manners.” Tracy did her best to hide a grin. Harm on the other hand burst out laughing.
“And his ‘grandmother’ wouldn’t have minded his running around stealing kisses?”
“He didn’t expound on that,” she smiled.
“So, who is he?” Harm asked.
“Civilian. Overheard his sister and some friends talking about how hard it was to get the men to notice them if they didn’t look like an actress. That was all the inspiration he needed. Working at the commissary he got to eavesdrop on all the conversations. He had a pretty good idea of who was socially active and who was ‘lonely’, as he put it. Apparently, had he not overheard my comment to the kitty about not having a Valentine, I would not have been a suitable target.”
“Suitable target?”
“Mr. Perkins wouldn’t have wanted to ‘offend’ anyone.” Tracy bit back another laugh.
“How did we wind up with this guy in the first place?”
“His sister is stationed here. He took a year off from his studies and came to visit her. When she managed to get him a job at the commissary, he agreed to stay on longer.”
“Lucky us. So how old is he?”
“Twenty, sir.” Tracy wasn’t about to tell her CO that she felt this kid must have spent his entire high school career studying backseat maneuvers, because he really was one hell of a kisser.
Harm rubbed the side of his face, hiding a quiet chuckle, then looked back up at Tracy. “He’s not US military so we can’t hold him accountable. Is there anyone willing to press charges against him with the local authorities?”
“I’m afraid not, sir. Everyone agrees he was perfectly harmless, and considering his young age, they’re willing to write it off as youthful folly.”
“He won’t be allowed back on base. If he wants to remain in London with his sister he’ll have to prey on somebody else.” Harm wasn’t completely convinced this young man was as harmless as everyone seemed to think.
“His sister has already taken care of that. She’s arranged for him to go home to Grandma for a refresher course on southern manners.” This time Tracy chuckled out loud. Her experience with southern grandmothers led her to believe that he would have had an easier time of it in the brig.
Gunny had been recounting the story of the kissing bandit to Beth, fully aware that her attention was on the Rabbs and Commander Manetti across the room.
“I honestly didn’t expect her to stand there frozen when he finally kissed her. Fortunately, from where I stood, he didn’t have enough time to get a good lead on me.”
“It’s probably best he’s going home,” she mumbled, still staring at the Rabbs. “Have you noticed throughout that entire conversation they haven’t stopped holding hands?”
“No, but that doesn’t surprise me. This is a stressful situation. It makes sense they would lean on each other. Under the circumstances, holding hands is justifiable.”
“It’s sweet too.”
He wasn’t willing to agree to sweet, but he did agree they made a smart looking couple.
“They’d probably be wonderful parents,” Beth added softly.
“Yes, they already are.” Gunny thought back to all the stories he’d heard about the Rabbs and Mattie. Not many people could take on a teenager like that, especially after her accident.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Beth began rubbing her tummy again. “Do you think if they really can’t have children of their own, maybe they might want mine?”
Chapter 8
Gunny couldn’t seem to find any words. He’d known she hadn’t made up her mind regarding what to do about the baby. It had actually been the cause of some concern for him ever since New Year’s, when he’d realized she was still seriously considering giving the baby away. At this stage of their pregnancies his sisters would have already been overloaded with more baby paraphernalia than any single home could hold. In Beth’s case, she didn’t have a single item that could be considered even slightly baby related, nor did she have the room in that little apartment to hold it even if she did.
“What do you think?” she repeated.
“I think you’d be as good a mother as the colonel.” It didn’t exactly answer her question, but it was the truth.
Beth glanced down at her tummy before looking up at Gunny. “I wish that were true.”
“It is.” He could read the doubt in her eyes. “I’ve known the colonel a very long time and I think I’ve come to know you pretty well the last few months. You have just as much to offer a child as she does.”
“Maybe so, but she and Captain Rabb could afford things I’ll never be able to give this baby. It would be the best of both worlds. A life filled with love, nurturing, and a more than comfortable lifesty...le.” Beth froze pressing her hand more forcefully against her stomach.
“Is something wrong?” Gunny immediately noticed the odd look on her face.
“I’m not sure.” Waiting a few more seconds in silence, a small grin slowly spread across her face. “I think the baby’s kicking.” Without giving it a second thought she reached over, took hold of Gunny’s hand, and placed it on her side. Keeping her hand firmly on his, she waited again for another sensation. “There!” She grinned more brightly.
Gunny chuckled softly. “Yup. That was definitely a kick.”
Across the room, Tracy Manetti got up from her spot next to Harm and Mac.
“I can’t believe one little kiss could have completely disarmed someone as competent as Tracy.” Harm shook his head.
“I can.”
Harm raised a brow at her.
“I’m serious. I remember one little ole kiss on a dock in Norfolk that literally took my breath away. I’m not sure how I managed to find the words to say something.”
“That really was one hell of a kiss. Did you really think I was kissing Diane?”
“Weren’t you?”
“It might have been her memory that drew me to you, but the feelings that came to life inside me had nothing to do with any ghosts.” Harm stretched his fingers and then wrapped them more tightly around Mac’s hand.
“But you didn’t say a thing.” Mac shifted her weight for a better look at him.
“Part of me didn’t think you wanted to hear that. Another part of me didn’t want to admit it to myself.”
“When did that part finally admit it?”
“On the admiral’s porch. When you walked away, I had no idea how I was going to live with the ache of watching you marry another man.” Harm’s thumb brushed soothingly back and forth against her hand.
“Oh, Harm...” Mac didn’t know what to say. Why did so much go so wrong for so long? “We wasted so much time.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“So am I.” Mac put her other hand over their already clasped hands. “I guess that leaves us no choice but to double our efforts to make up for lost time.” A grin as wide as the English Channel slid across her face and the impish twinkle that appeared in her eyes could have lit all of London.
“Woman, you’re hell on a man’s restraint!” Harm had no idea how he had resisted the urge to pull her into his arms for as many years as he had, because at this moment it was taking every ounce of self-discipline he had, and then some, not to try and kiss her socks off.
Still smiling, Mac shifted back and rested her head against the wall behind her, noticing for the first time how cute Gunny and Beth looked all alone in their own little corner of the world. “What do you think they’re talking about?”
Harm looked up to see where Mac’s eyes were focused. “Could be anything. Maybe he’s telling her about the day’s escapades,” he chuckled.
“Don’t think so. He’s got his hand on her stomach.”
Harm turned to take a closer look. “You’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. Think they’ve gotten together?”
“No. Gunny’s convinced it’s a one way street.”
“Do you think it is?”
“Maaaac. If I were any judge of the female mind, do you really think I would have waited nine years to propose?”
“Good point,” she chuckled, squeezing his hand again. “Tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day. Maybe Cupid will inspire them.”
“Sir,” Corporal Milton interrupted. “There’s a call for you on the radio.”
Harm quickly moved over to where the Marines had set up a mini command post. “Rabb here.... I see..... yes.... well done. Thank you.” He handed the radio back to the sergeant. “We’ve got the all clear.”
Turning to face the rest of the room, Harm called for everyone’s attention. “I’ve just been informed that this little exercise has been a false alarm. We’ve got the all clear to return to the building.” Harm could hear the collective sigh of relief. “Any non-essential personnel can secure for the day. Dismissed.”
Mac walked up next to Harm’s side as the people slowly got up and started moving out the doorway. “Two hours and forty seven minutes, much better than I had feared.”
“Much,” Harm agreed. Just then he caught sight from the corner of his eye of Gunny helping Beth up from the cot. He honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt such relief. He had to chuckle to himself. From this distance, they looked like an old married couple. Gunny was trying to be helpful, and Beth was obviously insisting she didn’t need it. He couldn’t quite make out from their expressions what they might be saying, but he honestly hoped that Gunny wasn’t ignoring his advice.
“I think we should go to Clachan’s, get a nice hot meal, and continue this conversation,” Gunny reached out to help Beth up from where she’d been sitting. He wasn’t sure he could go on much longer and not say something about her plans to give up the baby.
“I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to go home and put my feet up.” She tugged her arm close against her.
“Fine. I’ll take you home, you can put your feet up, and I’ll fix you something to eat.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can fix my own food.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. Let me help, Beth. Please.” He meant so much more than just fixing her supper, but he couldn’t say that here and now.
Her chest deflated with a heavy sigh at the same time a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Who am I to argue with a Marine?”
Trying once again to offer his arm for support, Gunny gave up and followed her closely out the door and past their CO. “Sir, ma’am.”
“See to it that she gets home safely,” Harm replied. He was pretty sure that was already their intention, but just in case, it didn’t hurt to make it an order.
Mac nodded at the two as they walked past. She slipped her arm around Harm’s waist and started up the hall beside him. “You don’t think they’re going to need nine years to figure this out do you?”
“I certainly hope not.” Looking at the young couple’s back as they walked several feet ahead of him Harm turned to Mac. “Remind me I owe AJ a phone call.”
Chapter 9
Gunny followed Beth into her apartment. “Why don’t you lie down on the sofa, put your feet up, and get comfortable while I get you a cup of tea.”
“If I were going to lay down anywhere with the intention of being comfortable, that sofa wouldn’t be my first choice.” Beth plopped heavily in the uncomfortable easy chair, hooking her foot around the coffee table to draw it in as a footrest. That was getting harder and harder to do as her tummy grew larger. She might have to break down and invest in a real footstool.
Gunny made a mental note that he wasn’t the only one who thought her furniture was less than ideal. “Where do you keep the teabags?”
Beth could hear the cabinets opening and closing as Gunny searched unsuccessfully. “The thin cabinet between the stove and fridge.”
“Got it.” Gunny had already put the kettle on to boil and now placed three teabags in a nearby pot. Walking into the living room and taking a seat on the uncomfortable sofa, he noticed Beth glancing at the photo beside her. “It’ll take the water a few minutes to boil, then I’ll let the tea steep a bit.” He wondered what was going through her mind. Did she miss Greg? Wish he were here? Did she still love him?
Chuckling softly, Beth was oblivious to the serious thoughts running through Gunny’s mind. “Doesn’t take us Yanks long to learn how to make a proper cup of tea does it?”
Gunny chuckled. “If it were a proper cup of tea, I’d be using tea leaves, not teabags.”
“I stand corrected.” Her smile lingered as she let her head fall back against the chair. “We just barely got out of this one today, didn’t we?”
“Yeah,” Gunny noticed her rubbing her feet together and stretching her toes. “Here, let me.” Shifting over to sit on the coffee table, he picked her feet up and dropped them on his lap. Taking one foot in his hands, he began gently rubbing the balls of her feet before she could formally protest.
“Mm, you’re hired,” she murmured. Any thought of objecting to his actions disappeared faster than they had occurred to her. She could feel every ounce of the day’s tension slowly slipping away. When his thumb moved across an especially sore spot, she couldn’t control the low moan that escaped. “That feels so good,” she mumbled. For just an instant her mind flashed to what else he could do with those hands before she quickly put a lid on any thoughts like that. Gunny was a good friend, nothing more.
The low rumble of her tired voice and soft moans was having a much stronger influence on Gunny than he had anticipated. Shifting back slightly, he tried to adjust himself more comfortably, but it was no use. His body was reacting to the sultry tones of her voice and the soft feel of her skin. It never would have occurred to him that a woman’s foot could have such a sensual impact on him, but he didn’t dare stop now. She deserved a little pampering. He was just going to have to find a way to clamp down on his responses.
The sharp whistle of the kettle gave him just the distraction he needed. “Be right back.”
“Feel free to pick up where you left off,” Beth called to his back as he hurried into the kitchen.
A few minutes later Gunny had returned with two mugs of hot tea. “Here you go.”.
“Thanks.” She shifted her weight to sit up a little higher in the chair, accepting the proffered cup.
“I know it’s been a long day,” Gunny started. “But, I’d like to talk to you about something.”
“For another foot rub, you can talk to me about anything. Even income taxes,” she grinned over the rim of her teacup.
“I’d like to talk about the baby.” Gunny watched as Beth stiffened then scooted forward on the chair.
Rabb Flat
Same time
Harm came walking up the hall from Mattie’s room. The first thing he’d done when he and Mac got home was to give his daughter a long hug. He had been vividly reminded how precious life was, and how easily this wonderful life he finally found himself in could change.
Walking up behind Mac in the kitchen, he pulled her around into his arms for another hug. He’d hugged her several times since the ordeal had ended, but somehow neither of them could shake the sense of impending loss.
“That really was a close call,” Mac mumbled into his shoulder.
“Very.” Harm kissed the top of her head. He’d fought visions all afternoon of Mac in a wheelchair, suffering in pain like that witness years ago who had been victim to a nerve gas attack.
“Think this was what the red alert was all about, or was it really just a faulty sensor?”
“We should know more by morning.” Harm kissed her hair again. He wasn’t ready to let go of her yet, and she was in no hurry either. They both needed this simple comfort, the strength they could draw only from each other.
“What do you say we skip dinner and get some sleep?” Pulling back slightly, Mac looked up into Harm’s eyes.
“I’m not very hungry tonight.” Sliding his arm down her side and catching her hand in his, they walked slowly to their room.
Harm was already in bed when Mac crawled in beside him. Lying on her side against him, she draped her arm across his chest. Immediately, she felt warm and secure as Harm shifted just enough to be able to wrap both his arms around her, holding her close. Snuggling into his embrace, she moved one leg, bent at the knee, over his warm body, and rested it across his midsection, her ankle tucked around his strong leg.
With another quick kiss to her forehead, Harm closed his eyes. They drifted off into a restful sleep, finding perfect comfort in the tender warmth of each other’s arms.
Beth’s apartment
Bachelor Enlisted Quarters
“What about the baby?” Slowly she set her cup down on the corner of the coffee table.
“What if the Rabbs aren’t interested in adopting? Will you still want to give the baby away?”
Beth picked the cup up again and blew softly into the steaming liquid. She was stalling. “I honestly don’t know.” She took a short sip. “With the Rabbs I’d at least know the baby will have a good life. If they’re not interested, it goes back to being complicated. It’s not an easy decision.”
“No, it shouldn’t be. Do you want to know what I think?”
“What do you think?” Her tone was a sharper than usual, almost hostile.
“I think you haven’t made up your mind because you want to keep this baby and are afraid to admit it. I think you’re looking for reasons to give it away and you can’t find any good enough.”
“I’m afraid, Dr. Freud, you’ve overlooked a few very pertinent facts. All of which I believe I have already pointed out to you.” Beth stood up and walked across the room. “Take a look around.” She waved her arms. “I barely make enough money to support me. How do you suggest I stock up for the expense of a baby?” Beth didn’t give him time to answer. “And you know darn well there’s only one of me and no extended family to speak of. What do I do if I get deployed to someplace less comfortable, and I use the term loosely, than London? I won’t even go into how little I know about babies. No siblings, no nieces or nephews. Didn’t even baby-sit as a teenager. Good God, teenagers. What the hell am I going to do with a rebellious teenager if I’m stationed in Timbuktu?”
“Beth.” He rose from his seat and stepped up behind her. “You wouldn’t be the first parent on a budget. That’s why they invented baby showers. You also wouldn’t be the first single parent in the military. Lot’s of people have no extended family and they still manage. I don’t have any answers for the deployment problem, but I’m sure with the help of your friends we can come up with something, and plenty of first-time parents don’t have a clue about babies. They get to teenagers one very small step at a time.”
Beth stood frozen, her hands resting gently on the top of her tummy. The baby was squirming again. She’d gone from not feeling anything to feeling him wiggle about almost constantly in the last few hours. Somehow, it made everything seem so much more real, more urgent.
“Let me help, Beth.” Hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around her and set his hands down on hers. “I’m already an experienced uncle. You could think of me as a godfather. Give us a chance.”
“I...I can’t ask you to do that.” She pulled away from his grip.
“You’re not asking. I’m offering.” Gunny watched as she walked back to the chair and sat down.
“I...I don’t know.” A small grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. “If I say maybe, would that get me another foot rub and some food?”
In two strides, Gunny was by Beth’s side. Sitting down on the coffee table as he had been before, he grabbed her feet and lifted them onto his lap again. He tried not to get too enthused with her slightly more positive response, but he couldn’t stop the hopeful grin that spread across his face. “That would be affirmative.”
Chapter 10
JAG Headquarters
Harm’s office
Tuesday morning
Feeling inspired by the romantic, although misplaced, sentiments of the kissing bandit, Harm had taken it upon himself to make sure every female staff member had a single rose on their desk Tuesday morning.
“Sir,” Petty Officer James tapped lightly on Harm’s office door.
“Yes, Beth?”
“I just wanted to thank you. The rose was an appreciated gesture.”
“Me?” Harm raised his eyebrows in feigned innocence. Beth couldn’t resist a small smile.
“I’m afraid the florist called to see if you were happy with the delivery.”
“Busted.” Harm leaned back and smiled.
Beth nodded her head still smiling. “He also mentioned the arrangement for Mrs. Rabb would be delivered by 1100 hours.”
“Thank you, Beth, and ... let’s not share this information with anyone.”
“No, sir,” she smiled. Getting a rose from your boss wasn’t quite the same as getting a rose from a lover, but it was better than not getting any rose at all.
Rabb Flat
1015 hours
Mac set the nicely wrapped gift on Harm’s side of the bed. It had been incredibly difficult not to breakdown and give him his Valentine’s Day present this morning at breakfast. The only thing keeping her quiet was knowing Harm had to be at the office today, and she really wanted to spend time with him after they exchanged gifts.
Shifting the package up a little higher so it was propped against his pillow, Mac was ready to move it back down again, searching for the perfect spot to catch Harm’s attention, when the door bell rang.
“Delivery for Mrs. Rabb,” the soft-spoken young man announced after she’d opened the door.
Mac accepted the proffered flowers. “Just a minute.” Placing them temporarily on the side table by the door, she rummaged through her purse and pulled out a coin. “Thank you.” She handed the man a pound.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
They were the most beautiful arrangement of red roses she had ever seen. Of course, she was probably a little biased, but the flowers simply took her breath away. The wonderful aroma had her senses tingling. When she placed the large vase on the center of the coffee table, she noticed the small card. ‘A lifetime won’t be long enough to show you how very much I love you.’
London Headquarters
Beth’s desk
“The restaurants are going to be jam packed tonight. I talked to Jack at Clachan’s. He said he’d have two dinners waiting for me to pick up. If it’s okay with you, I thought I’d bring them over to your place after work.”
Beth hesitated a moment. After last night’s conversation, she wasn’t so sure she was up to another dinner visit. On the other hand, she wasn’t so sure she wanted to be alone on Valentine’s Day either.
“Sure.”
For a split second he had been afraid she was going to say no, that he had pushed her too far last night.
“We can ride home together,” she suggested.
“No, I have an errand to run first. I’ll meet you at your place. About 1900?”
“Oh, well... I don’t mind tagging along.”
“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. It won’t take me long. I’ll feel better knowing you’re getting some rest.”
“If you’re sure?” She wasn’t certain if she should make something out of this or not. It wasn’t unusual for them to accompany each other on errands after work, but she wasn’t going to make a mountain out of a molehill.
“I’m sure.” Nodding his head at her, Gunny turned on his heel and headed back to work.
The rest of the day seemed to drag on forever. When Beth finally walked through her front door, she was delighted to simply drop in the nearest chair. She was actually tempted to go lay down in bed and take a quick nap, but Gunny would be here in less than an hour and she didn’t want him to find her all groggy. Clicking on the TV, she leaned back in the chair, closing her eyes. A little catnap wouldn’t hurt.
Gunny shifted the dinner bag to his other hand and knocked on the door.
It took Beth a few minutes to react to the sound. Opening the door, she took a deep whiff. “Mm, smells wonderful. Corned beef and cabbage?”
“With Irish soda bread.” Gunny carried the bag over to the kitchen. “I’ve also got something else.” He turned back towards the door.
Beth watched closely as he opened the door, stepped outside, and then backed into the apartment pulling a large bulky item in front of him. It wasn’t till he cleared the doorway and moved around to push the door closed that she realized he’d dragged in a chair.
“What is this? I mean I know what it is, but why?” She was very confused.
“Consider this my first act as a godfather. You’ll need a comfortable chair when the baby comes. This is a rocker recliner. When you’re tired, you can put your feet up, and when the baby is tired, you can rock him to sleep. Not to mention it should come in handy now after long days at work.”
“How did you get it up here?” She was still stunned at this large piece of furniture sitting by her front door.
“Blair came with me. I wanted you to have it today.”
“Gunny...” She took a deep breath. “I can’t...”
“Beth, Please. I want you to have it.” Gunny looked at her hopefully.
“Oh, Gunny,” she sighed again.
“Here.” Gunny dragged the chair across the small apartment. Moving the couch over a bit, he maneuvered the chair into the corner by the window. “See? You can read by the light from the window, or watch TV, or just relax after a hard day. Come try it out. Sort of a test drive.”
Beth couldn’t resist the small smile. It did look awfully comfy. Slowly she made her away across the room. Easing into the large chair, she could tell immediately this was going to make a huge difference in her life. Before she realized it, she had pushed the chair back and was reclining comfortably with her feet up and her eyes closed.
Gunny watched her reaction as she sat down. Briefly her hands caressed the soft padding on the arms of the seat before she pulled the lever and pushed the chair into a reclining position. A wave of softness washed over her expression as she molded into the comfort, closing her eyes, and letting out a barely audible sigh of approval.
“You rest a little while, I’ll go warm up dinner. Be right back.”
Beth opened one eye, watching Gunny grin and turn around towards the kitchen. “Gunny.”
“Yeah?” He looked back at her.
“Thank you.” Closing her eyes, a smile tugged at one side of her mouth. Godfather.
Rabb Flat
“The table looks lovely.” Harm scanned the room. Mac had outdone herself. Everything was absolutely perfect.
“I told you it would be nicer to stay home than fight the restaurant crowds.”
“I didn’t doubt your wisdom for a moment.” Harm wrapped his arms loosely around his wife’s waist as she stood over the sink slicing the last bit of cucumber for the salad. “I just didn’t want to make you work today.”
“I wouldn’t call baking a little salmon ‘work’.” Mac tossed the last of the cucumber into the bowl and turned around to face Harm. “Shall I put the salmon in the oven, or do you want to see what I got you first?”
Harm leaned forward and lightly kissed Mac on the lips. “Actually, I’d like to see you open your gift first.” His hand slid around catching hers. Leading the way to the living room, he picked up his briefcase and sat down beside Mac on the sofa.
She watched closely as he pulled the small box from an interior zippered pouch, then set the bag on the floor by his feet.
“Remind me later to tell you the minstrel story that goes with this.” Harm held the neatly wrapped package out to her.
“Minstrels as in the men in your office yesterday?”
“Those would be the ones,” he smiled, watching her carefully peel apart the corners of the wrapping paper.
“Oh, Harm.” She stared at the delicate trinket, before pinching the clasp and opening the locket to expose the two small photos. “Ohhh...” she batted back the tiny droplets of water that threatened to fall.
“I’d hoped you’d like it.”
“Oh, Harm. It’s beautiful.” She flung herself at him, snaking her arms around his neck and drawing him into a tight clench.
“I love you,” he whispered into her hair.
Chapter 11
Mac let her hands slowly wind down away from his neck and down his chest. “Your gift is on the bed.”
Harm raised one suggestive brow. Mac chuckled, sliding her hand down along his arm and catching his hand in hers, she tugged at him to follow her.
He looked a moment at the flat package wrapped in bright paper. It was too thin to be lingerie, too square to be anything ... playful, or at least he thought it was.
“Are you going to analyze it to death with that x-ray vision of yours or are you going to open it?” Mac teased, nudging him towards the bed.
He moved closer to the bed with about as much gusto as a member of the bomb squad approaching an unknown apparatus. “I promise it won’t bite,” she smiled.
Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he smiled back at her, let go of her hand, and sat down to examine the gift more closely. Untying the ribbon, Harm pulled out the smaller narrow box taped to the larger package and began pulling at the bow.
“Uh-uh. Open the other one first.”
Staring at her curiously for a moment, he nodded and set the smaller thin box on the bed, then returned his attention to the gift Mac wanted him to unwrap first. Slipping his finger under the taped flap, he ripped the topside open. “I’m not as good at this as you.” Mac opened every gift with careful determination, dragging out every possible second of anticipation, and saving every piece of paper. He, on the other hand, grinning madly, gripped the now loose section of paper and tore it completely away from the package.
It took him a few seconds to recognize the faces staring back at him. “Oh, Mac. This is... wonderful.” He ran his finger over the first photo of he and his parents in the upper left-hand corner. As his eyes followed a trail from photo to photo, he swallowed back the lump in his throat.
Mac took a few steps closer and sat down beside him. “I had a hard time deciding on the photos, there were so many. Do you like it?”
“Oh, I really do.” Pulling the rest of the paper away he noticed for the first time how beautiful the frame was. “This is magnificent. Absolutely magnificent.”
“I thought we could hang it by your desk in the den. You know, when you’re working late.” Mac hadn’t realized she was nibbling on her lower lip, nervously waiting for his reaction.
“That’s a great idea.” His voice came out low, and quiet, almost reverent. “This is perfect, Mac. Thank you.” He leaned over, his lips barely touching hers with a tender gesture of love and thankfulness. There was no resisting the urge to scan over the treasured memories again. His eyes were drawn to each photograph over and over.
“Our life looks so simple this way.” His finger rested on the Harrods bear. “What’s this?”
“I cut it out from a Harrods ad.”
“Why?”
“I thought you might want to choose the picture that goes in the last frame.”
“Oh.” He looked back at the frame, still not sure why she hadn’t chosen the last photo herself, she’d done a wonderful job with all the others, or why she’d used a Harrods’ teddy bear.
Mac waited a few moments as he processed the meaning of everything before him. “Are you going to open the other gift?”
He’d been so engrossed in the memories and emotions brought to life in the two-dimensional layout he held before him, he’d completely forgotten about the smaller package. Setting the frame down carefully, he pulled the wrapping away from the second box. Opening the lid, he stared at the narrow plastic pen.
Watching him take the plastic tester out of the box and study it with confused determination, Mac knew the moment he realized what he was holding.
“Is this...” he stammered, suddenly recognizing what the blue lines meant on this rather odd pen.
“Mm hmm,” she nodded.
He glanced back at the plastic stick, then up at her. “Really?”
“Really,” she nodded again.
“When?”
“When what?”
“When did it happen?”
Mac chuckled quietly. “Well, I can’t be sure of the exact moment, but the doctor says I’m due around October 27th.”
Harm was totally stunned. “Wow, a baby.” He shook his head slowly, staring at the plastic stick. “A baby in October,” he repeated quietly, then practically shouted, “A baby in October.”
Before she had a chance to brace herself, Harm had stood up, pulled Mac into his arms and was spinning her wildly around the room.
“HEY!” she laughed loudly.
“Oh, Mac, I’m sorry. Did I make you dizzy? Hurt you? The baby?” He pulled away, loosening his hold on her, making sure she was steady on her feet.
“No, I’m fine,” she laughed again. “I just like breathing.”
“Oh, Mac. We did it!” He pulled her into another hug, this time not quite as forceful, but just as emotional.
“We did, didn’t we?” she murmured into his neck. “I love you.”
Pulling away to look into her eyes, his lips moved close to hers. “I love you too.”
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