Title: Rescue
Chapter 5
Bogota Colombia
When the party finally broke up, it was 4 o’clock in the morning. Harm and Mac were so exhausted; they collapsed onto the bed, fully clothed, and instantly fell into a deep sleep. They awoke side by side in almost the exact positions they’d fallen asleep in.
By mid afternoon, Harm and Mac had learned little more from the files, and were feeling a bit restless waiting for a phone call. Everyone was invited to dinner at Jack and Claudia’s this evening. Hopefully tonight wouldn’t end quite as late as last night.
Jack and Claudia’s apartment
1730
Jack and Claudia had a lovely apartment not far from Vilma and Francisco. When the door opened, Mac and Harm were struck by the lovely open living area, probably twice the size of the Franco’s.
Barely in the front door, “Hello, welcome. Quickly, follow me,” Claudia said, grabbing a free arm and dragging her two guests behind her. “You have to see this before the sun finishes setting.” Depositing Harm and Mac on the deck to watch the sunset, Claudia stepped back inside, winked at her sister in law, and returned to greet the rest of her arriving guests.
The building was nestled right up against the hillside. They had arrived just as the sun was beginning to set. The view was breathtaking. The mountains rose up to their left and behind them, while in contrast, the entire city was laid out in front of their feet.
Harm reached over to hold Mac’s hand. He was doing that a lot already on this trip. “Amazing how some place so beautiful can be filled with so much trouble.”
“Mmn,” was Mac’s only response. She was enjoying the view and the company way too much to waste any time in conversation.
Several of the neighbors had been invited to join them for dinner this evening. It was starting to look like this was going to be another late night. From practically the moment they arrived, the music had been softly playing. The conversations were all in English for their benefit. Since they hadn’t really expected so many people to be so fluent in English, this was one of the more pleasant surprises for which they were extremely grateful. Neither Harm nor Mac’s Spanish would have been considered strong enough to carry on all the varied conversations they’d been having.
The evening progressed much like the night before, good food, plenty to drink, not quite as much dancing, and of course, the couples all sitting or standing side by side. By midnight Mac was starting to feel a little tired. Noticing this, Vilma approached Harm and whispered in his ear, “the view at night is even more impressive, perhaps Mac would like some fresh air on the deck.”
Leaning on the railing, Mac took a deep breath. “I thought the sunset was breathtaking, but the city lit up at night is just as impressive, maybe more.”
“It is quite a sight…but you look tired.” Harm gently laid his hand over hers on the railing.
“Yeah, I am. I don’t understand how these people can do this every night and still work the next day.”
“I don’t think they do this every night under normal circumstances,” Harm smiled.
“I’m not so sure. They seem to have almost a routine down,” she added, slowly shaking her head.
Harm couldn’t help but chuckle. She had a point.
As beautiful as it was outside, Harm could tell Mac was feeling the chill. Stepping behind her, he wrapped his arms around her, keeping Mac’s arms warm in front of her. “Is that any better or do you want to go back inside?”
“Oh no, I want to stay here a little longer, and yes, it’s much better thank you.” Mac leaned comfortably against Harm’s broad chest. She most definitely did not want to go back inside now.
Her eyes focused in the distance. “It all looks so peaceful. It’s unbelievable that it’s anything BUT peaceful out there. Somewhere out there, past the city, through the jungle, are a bunch of tired, hungry, possibly hurt, and most likely terrified people.”
“I know, and we’ll get them back, one way or another.” Harm promised himself.
Mac turned around in his arms so she could see his face. “Do you really think we can make any difference? I feel like I’m at one long frat party.”
“Once we’re contacted things will start happening. I think they’re just trying to keep us distracted until it does. I suspect they have a lot of practice at keeping themselves from thinking about all the reality out there.” Harm raised his chin, pointing off in the distance.
Mac shivered again slightly.
Pulling her a little closer, Harm started rubbing his hands up and down her back to keep her warm. “Mac, you really need to go inside.”
Mac looked up at Harm to protest, but no words would come out. His deep green eyes had turned a dark shade of steel gray. They seemed to be looking right through her, straight to her very soul. Harm couldn’t stop touching her. He couldn’t move his eyes from her gaze. Her eyes were such a deep hypnotic brown. He knew they needed to separate. He knew they needed to go inside. He knew they were here to do a job. He knew a lot of things, but for this moment in time all he wanted to do was reach down and….
His lips covered hers ever so tenderly. She tilted her head up slightly deepening the kiss. As his lips danced with hers, she parted them giving him the invitation he needed. His tongue slipped past her lips and began its own dance with hers. Her arms were now tightly around his neck. His hands had gone from lightly caressing to desperately kneading her flesh. He couldn’t get close enough. Here, under the stars and the glowing city lights, it all seemed so perfect. They seemed so alone.
Some how they managed to remember they weren’t alone, and things weren’t even close to perfect. Whatever they were feeling, this was neither the time, nor the place to do something about it. Slowly, they pulled slightly apart.
Mac took a small step backwards. “I…I think I’m ready to go back inside.”
Harm extended his hand to her and silently escorted her back to the party.
Once again, Vilma and Francisco simply smiled at each other and nodded.
Around 2:30am Vilma saw that Mac was looking more than a little worn around the edges. Harm on the other hand, had fallen into a conversation with one of the neighbors about airplanes and ‘cats’. Wondering why a group of men would be conversing about felines, Vilma was pretty sure she had misunderstood something, but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
“And you did the entire restoration yourself? Amazing. Still you must miss flying your tomcats?” A silver haired neighbor was saying.
“As long as I get a chance to be in the air, I’m happy.” Harm responded as Vilma touched him lightly on the arm.
“Gentlemen, I hate to break this up but we ladies need our beauty sleep.”
Sitting next to Mac on the ride home, Harm couldn’t help but stare at her sleepy form. Her head was bobbing slightly as she tried to fight sleep. Tonight was going to be hard for him. His lips were still on fire from earlier. The memory of the kiss very much a reality. He’d already had several beers and knew it was going to take everything he had to keep his thoughts, and a few other things, under control. Their kiss had been so warm, so full of passion, he thought maybe even love. He wondered if it were at all possible she could want him as badly as he wanted her, and not just for tonight, but for the rest of his life.
As they entered the apartment, Vilma and Mac headed straight for the bedrooms. Francisco, God bless him, headed to the bar to pour himself a glass of wine.
“Would you like a nightcap, Hahrrmone?”
Harm was actually beginning to like the way they’d been pronouncing his name. He was also delighted to have an excuse not to crawl into bed with Mac just yet.
As the two gentlemen took seats in the living room, Francisco looked over at Harm. “You and Sarah are very close aren’t you?”
“We’ve been partners for almost 8 years.”
“There’s more to it than that my friend.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Love is only complicated if you make it so.”
“You and Vilma make love look very simple.”
“It is. People choose to be complicated, love is simple. Take you and Sarah, the two of you together take care of each other, she’s cold -you keep her warm, she’s tired -you let her rest, you’re restless- she helps you focus. It’s not work, it just happens. The love in your eyes is not the love of only best friends. How do you Americans say…soul mates.”
The two men sat quietly for a few moments.
“Harm, you prefer Harm?” Francisco noted Harm’s indifferent shrug. “I think you will discover if you spend your time finding ways to love Sarah, there will be fewer ‘complications’.”
Francisco stood up, shook Harm’s hand goodnight, and went off to his wife. Harm sat there for a moment. ‘Find ways to love her.’ Thinking of ways to love her wasn’t the problem. Boy, was that not the problem!
When Harm entered the room, Mac was already soundly asleep on the edge of the bed. Stripping down quickly, and crawling into his side of the bed, Harm kept as much distance between them as he could. He was more than thankful for the last glass of wine. It helped sleep come more easily.
Franco apartment
Dining Room Table
Lunch time, Several days later
“Did Vilma mention what time she and Francisco would be home?” Harm asked.
“No, she just said to go ahead and start lunch without them, they’d get here as soon as they could.”
“I was starting to wonder with all the lunches and dinners we’ve been to, if they really worked for a living.” Harm chuckled under his breath.
“It is amazing how many people they know. And so far, they all want to invite us somewhere. This is the first time we’ve had lunch at home since we got here.”
“You have to admit, Mac, we’ve had a wonderful time everywhere we’ve been. Good food, good conversation, plenty of laughter, and always music.”
“Yeah, I know. Everyone seems to have so much enthusiasm for life. Even I keep forgetting there are armed guards in the lobby and bulletproof cars in the garage. It’s as if there was no turmoil in the real world. What is it? We have music in DC. We have friends in DC. Why is it different here?”
“It’s not different, Mac.”
“Harm, when was the last time you saw Bud and Harriet outside of the office?” As Harm looked to the ceiling contemplating her question, Mac continued. “How about a ball game, or a few drinks with Sturgis? When was the last time you and I had dinner without a case being involved? Better yet, when was the last time you went out on a date, a REAL date?” As Harm sat there in continued silence, her eyes said, ‘I told you so.’
“MAAC. You know how busy things are.” Harm practically whined.
“Exactly, we always have an excuse why we can’t enjoy life. These people all have work, children, and responsibilities. I haven’t heard anyone make an excuse yet why they couldn’t do something. Haven’t you noticed?
“Okay, exactly what ARE you saying?” Harm questioned, as he took hold of the hand Mac had resting on the table and gave it a squeeze.
“I guess I’ve just been thinking maybe we make things too complicated,” she sighed. “I don’t know. Never mind. I think I’m just restless waiting for some news. What do you say we check out what’s for dessert?” She smiled.
“Sounds like a plan,” he replied, but he couldn’t help thinking she had a point, things were definitely different here. They were different here. Maybe Francisco was right.
Franco home
Two weeks later
0630
Harm and Mac awoke with a knock at their door.
Vilma poked her head into the bedroom. “You two better hurry up and get dressed, we’ve been contacted.”
Chapter 6
A/N: Colombia is almost three times the size of Montana
Franco Apartment
Living Room
0800
When Harm and Mac reached the living room, Francisco was looking at some papers. Vilma sat at his side watching him, her hand resting gently on his knee. You could see how worried she was about him. Neither one had said anything, but Harm and Mac both knew this couldn’t be easy for him after the loss of his brother. Four years ago Francisco’s brother, along with the brother’s business partner, chauffeur, and secretary, disappeared on their way to a business appointment on the outskirts of town. Ransom requests had never been made. They were never heard from again. Initially Vilma, Francisco, and their sons left the country to the safety of Miami. After 8 months, when they were sure the threat did not extend to their family, they returned to Bogota.
Harm and Mac sat down, side by side, on the couch across from Vilma and Francisco. Without thinking, Harm reached over for Mac’s hand, holding it firmly on his lap.
“We have received word.” Francisco stood up and handed a paper to Harm, then to Mac. “They have done their homework. Obviously the captors checked into who we are, and how much we’re worth. Fortunately they don’t seem to question that we are not a blood relation. Most likely they probably think Vilma and I are Godparents or something along those lines. They have asked for one million dollars. That is a lot of money in Colombian pesos, even for us.”
“Was there anything else, any more information?” Harm asked.
“No, just that photo and the short note.” Francisco replied.
“I have already contacted my father.” Vilma interjected. “We should be hearing from his friend very soon. He has been in Bogota for almost a week getting ready. He is one of the best. He will know how to handle this from here.”
Returning to the seat next to his wife, Francisco looked over at Harm, “Ransom is seldom paid for the amount originally demanded. They most likely calculated what they thought we would pay and then tripled that figure. How much money do you have access to?”
At this question Harm and Mac looked at each other blankly. They had assumed this information would be provided to them when they arrived, since it had not been mentioned before.
Harm spoke up “We weren’t given any information regarding access to ransom money. We thought you or Mono would know.”
“Then,” Francisco said, “I think it’s time we show you our place of business.” Placing his hands on his knees, displaying an instant change in mood, he stood up with a grin somewhat like the cat that just swallowed the canary.
Knowing full well why Francisco’s place of business would be important, they all grinned in agreement.
Children’s Learning Center of Bogota
1030 hours
Vilma and Francisco gave Mac and Harm a quick tour of the facilities. It was actually quite impressive. There was a small indoor pool and a gymnasium for working on gross motor skills. Nearby were several smaller playrooms where therapists worked on fine motor skills. An extensive computer room and miscellaneous classrooms for tutoring of older ages were on the second floor. Apparently they were set up to help not only the physically and academically challenged, but the exceptional as well. Once they were done viewing the offices on the third floor, they walked downstairs to the small refreshment stand in the lobby.
“As you know I have several errands to run for Francisco” Vilma intentionally explained loudly in front of everyone. “Rather then have you bored tagging along, Juan will drive you back to the house. Is that alright with you?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Harm smiled back.
It took everything in Mac not to smile like a Cheshire Cat when she saw Gunny. Even Harm’s eyes had that special twinkle.
Harm and Mac stood up and followed Gunny out to the parking lot. Once the armored SUV had driven some distance from the learning center, Gunny finally spoke. “Great to see you ma’am, sir.”
“Same here, Gunny,” they both chimed in.
“We need to get information on access to ransom money,” Mac explained. “We’ve had our first contact this morning. They’ve initially requested one million.”
“Yes ma’am. The Vice President has set up an account with Citibank. Apparently this is one of the few banks that you can access accounts both in the US and Colombia with ease. You will have full access to all the funds you need. The account papers and information are in a manila folder under my seat. The account currently has one million dollars available. I’ve been informed that there is more available if you need it. Also, recent intel confirms the Gentilles have not been moved again and are in good health under the circumstances.”
“We were sent a photo of them, but we don’t know how long ago it was taken. I guess they did look pretty good considering the situation,” Harm commented.
Mac bent over to retrieve the envelope. Feeling her weight tug at his arm, Harm let go of the hand he hadn’t realized he was holding. He surprised himself further to notice his now empty hand rested comfortably on Mac’s thigh. Straightening up in her seat, she folded the envelope and slipped it into her handbag. Without a second thought, she effortlessly placed her free hand back in Harm’s grasp. Casually, she nodded to Gunny in the rear view mirror letting him know she had the information.
Giving her one of his famous flyboy grins, Harm left their joined hands resting on her leg, gently giving her a reassuring squeeze. These small gestures of affection were now second nature to them. Watching Mac chat happily with Gunny about the city, Harm began to contemplate these changes in their behavior. Initially Mac would tense up when Harm put his arm around her, or held her hand. It wasn’t long before she was relaxed enough in their cover to wrap her arm around his waist, or reach for his hand as she had just done. He couldn’t help but wonder if this felt as real to her as it did to him. The casual touches, the soft caresses, they all came so naturally now, as if it had always been that way between them. He thought back to the kiss on the deck. That wasn’t acting. She had to feel everything he felt, just like on the admiral’s porch so long ago.
“Isn’t that right, sir?”
Startled to realize Gunny was talking to him, “Excuse me?”
“It’s a shame such a pleasant country, once so famous for it’s beautiful emeralds, is now known for drugs and terrorism?” Gunny repeated.
“Absolutely, Gunny, absolutely,” Harm agreed, now, giving the driver his full attention.
“Did you know Colombia is considered the kidnap capital of the world? The population is only a little bigger than the state of California, yet an average of eight people a day are kidnapped for ransom somewhere in this country.”
“Yeah, Gunny, unfortunately, I do,” Harm sighed.
Turning one last corner, Gunny pulled up in front of the Franco residence in time for lunch. In reality it was time to go over the recently received information with their new broker, Antonio Quintero.
Franco Apartment
Same afternoon
The additional information Mr. Quintero shared coincided with all the data they had been reading up on since their arrival. He seemed quite confident that this would be an easy transaction, as far as terrorist kidnappings went.
“First thing, we’re going to need to establish the Gentilles are still alive. Of course, we all know this already, but the guerillas do not know we know this. If I do not request some proof they are alive, it could raise suspicions.”
Walking across the room to get another egg roll from the lunch buffet Vilma had served, Antonio continued. “The contact this morning was a simple manila folder left with the doorman. It included little information. Mostly it just stated that in order to get Mr. and Mrs. Gentille back alive, they wanted to receive one million dollars. We can not presume when or how they will contact us again.”
The balance of the afternoon was spent working out the details, with Quintero telling them how he expected things to go. “One of the many reasons ransom negotiations take so long is that terrorists prey on the raw emotions of the family. The longer you sit waiting in anticipation for a word, a call, any proof your loved one is still alive, the more likely you are to pay more money. Time is on their side.”
Everyone in the room nodded their heads in understanding.
Antonio seemed to feel the next contact would be by phone. Although they weren’t expecting to be contacted too quickly, everyone felt it was best if he stayed close by, moving into the study. Now it was time again to just wait. The part Harm and Mac had dreaded at first, but had now become so accustomed to. The idle pleasures of a feigned personal relationship eased the passage of time. If either of them were to admit it, time spent waiting gave them the ability to indulge in the previously unexplored closeness of a couple, something they both treasured, knowing eventually it would have to be left behind.
Dinner had been a casual family event. The first really quiet night they’d had since they arrived. The boys stayed for dinner, but had plans afterwards. It surprised Harm and Mac how much of a social life the boys had, especially on a school night. Abel was 18 so it didn’t seem unusual that he would be going out with friends, but Alvaro was only 16, and Miguel was 14. Apparently training to enjoy life started at a young age in Colombia.
The balance of the evening had been spent chatting about all the people they had met and the things they had managed to see. It seemed strange going to bed at 11pm. Especially since Abel, the oldest boy wasn’t home yet.
With everyone retiring early, Mac and Harm followed Vilma and Francisco towards the bedrooms. Not surprisingly, neither of them was really tired. They’d gotten used to the late night, or was it early morning hours.
Pausing a moment, Harm looked at Mac, “I think I’ll just stay in the living room a bit and have a quick nightcap.”
“Okay, don’t stay up too late, this may be the only chance we get for a really good night’s sleep,” Mac commented as she reached for the knob on their bedroom door.
“I won’t,” he assured her. ‘Except, you need to be sleepy to have a good night’s sleep,’ he thought. ‘And, if you’re not sleepy, you certainly don’t want to be in bed next to a beautiful marine. A very sexy, beautiful marine.’ Shaking his head in an attempt to clear his mind of the vision of Sarah MacKenzie beside him in bed, Harm turned on his heel and headed for the bar.
Chapter 7
Guestroom
0025
After what seemed like hours of tossing and turning trying to get to sleep, Harm finally gave up. Looking at the clock, he realized he had only been in bed for 35 minutes. Restless, he sat up in bed and glanced over at Mac. He hadn’t known many women who were as beautiful asleep as they were awake. He wanted very much to lean over and brush the hair away from her face, to gently caress her beautiful bare shoulder. His lips longed to taste her delicate neck, but he knew better than to risk waking a sleeping marine.
She was wearing a very attractive burgundy nightgown. Harm had learned it was best not to look at her much when she was in her nightgown. He wasn’t sure how many times he could be forgiven for gawking like a teenager. He also wasn’t sure how long he could continue sharing a bed only for sleeping if he paid any attention to WHAT she was sleeping in. He took a deep breath, looking for something else in the room to focus on.
He needed to get out of bed. Knowing how close she was to him, and seeing how beautiful she looked was just killing him. Hopping out of bed, he went to the bathroom for a glass of water. Searching through his shaving kit for a couple of aspirins for a slight headache he’d been fighting all day, he didn’t hear when Mac came up behind him.
Putting her left hand on his right shoulder, he looked up at her reflection in the mirror. His heart caught in his throat, ‘Damn she has to be the most beautiful woman in the world.’
“Are you feeling okay?” she asked. He looked a little peaked.
“Just a little headache and a hard time sleeping.”
Mac stepped back to her left to let him pass just as he turned around to his left to leave, bumping right smack into her right breast. Without thinking, he glanced down at her very full breasts. From this proximity and height, he could see right down the valley of her breasts. He was close enough to see the nipples pressing against her satin gown, and Lord help him, no panties. Momentarily frozen at the sight of a totally bare Sarah MacKenzie beneath that invitingly thin nightgown, a jolt of excitement shot through him straight from both his heads to his toes. It took everything in him to move his eyes and shift left again. Unfortunately, Mac regained her composure and shifted to her right about the same time. Now they were face to face, pressed against each other in the confines of the small bathroom.
Harm could feel her breasts up against his bare chest and let out a soft grumble. His body’s instant reaction meant stepping away now would be very embarrassing. He didn’t dare look in her eyes, did he?
Flat against the wall, Mac was trying very hard to not hold her breath. She could feel Harm pressed against her. Her knees were starting to feel a little weak from the shock her whole body had just received as he brushed up against her.
Harm couldn’t resist looking in her eyes. The deep, dark pools of black drew him in. Before either of them could think clearly, Harm’s mouth came softly down on hers. Considering the passion that was burning in them, this was the softest, most tender, loving kiss either of them had ever experienced.
Harm pulled away from the kiss to look at Mac. The gentleman in him urged him to apologize, to step back. The man in him wanted this woman more than anything in the world.
“Sarah, I…. Uhhh…I’m….” ‘Oh what the hell’ flashed through his mind. He came in for another kiss with the fury of a tomcat coming in for a landing on a carrier. Mac threw her arms around his neck. The kiss was hard and passionate. Their tongues were dueling as if their very lives depended on it. Harm’s hands slowly moved around Mac’s waist. Her hips were so round and smooth. Every part of her was calling to him. He couldn’t touch enough of her. Their lips were on fire. They were on fire. The need to breathe finally became too powerful, he had to stop. Placing his forehead on hers, he took a deep breath, his hands resting gently on her six. “God, Sarah… I’ve never wanted anything, anyone, as much as I want… need you right now.”
Their chests were heaving with the need for air. Harm was just watching the rise and fall of Sarah’s perfect breasts.
Mac couldn’t believe what was happening, ‘he wants me, ME!’ Her knees felt like jelly. How she was still standing she didn’t know. Everything she had been waiting for was now right in front of her for the taking. Everything, except….
“Harm, as much as I want you, want … this, we can’t. Not now.”
Harm’s heart crashed to the floor. What had he done? ‘Stupid Rabb, she’s not a street corner whore. What were you thinking pouncing on her like that?’
Harm lifted his head, trying to avoid Mac’s eyes. He couldn’t bear to see anger or disdain in her eyes. He focused on a spot just over her shoulder. “Sarah, …Mac, I’m…”
“It’s Sarah.”
“Huh?” He looked her straight in the eyes.
“I like it when you call me Sarah,” she almost smiled.
Now confused, as well as scared, Harm continued. “Sarah, forgive me, I shouldn’t have…”
“No.” Still trying to get her breathing under control. Avoiding his eyes, she reached forward on either side of him, she took hold of his hands in each of hers.
Harm was struggling to clear his mind. Mac simply holding his hands was once again exciting every nerve ending in his body.
“I’m not saying I don’t want…this…us.” She squeezed his hands, and sighed. This might very well be the hardest thing she’d ever done. “I can’t think of anything I would like more than to share that bed over there, for more than just sleeping, and for more than one night.” There, she’d said it. She finally said what had been on her mind since the first night she stepped into the room. “What I’m saying, or at least what I’m trying to say is, there hasn’t been anyone, that is… a man in my life for some time now… I mean… I have no reason to use… to be on…birth control.”
She stopped looking at his hands and looked up into his eyes. Harm’s eyes dropped briefly to Mac’s stomach, then back up to her eyes. To Mac the momentary silence seemed interminable
“Would that be so bad?” He asked, his voice almost a whisper.
If Mac thought she was blown away by their sudden kiss, Harm’s response now, really threw her for a loop. Her jaw dropped as her mind struggled to find words.
“I …uh…wha…ah…well…Can we maybe discuss this sitting down? Preferably NOT in the bathroom.”
Harm chuckled softly. He bent over and slid his arm under her legs picking her up, and walked a few feet before depositing her on her side of the bed.
Climbing over her, Harm lied down beside her and drew her up close to him. She rested her head on his shoulder and laid her hand on his chest. Lightly kissing the top of her head, Harm took her hand in his and laid the entwined pair of hands back down on his heart. The two of them were now breathing easier, more in control.
“Would that be so bad, Sarah?”
Mac propped herself up on one elbow, and looked him in the eyes. “You’re serious!”
“Yeah.” He tried to read her eyes. “It can’t be a total surprise to you that I want you to be the mother of my children?”
Sarah thought a second. ‘Did he just say children, plural?’ Sitting up now, but leaving their clasped hands on his chest, Mac searched Harm’s face.
“I know you once offered to father my child, but I wasn’t really sure if it was something you would want to go through with.”
“Very much so.” Harm responded without any hesitation.
She looked at him another moment. She wasn’t used to this much honesty from Harm. She liked it. “Then no, no it wouldn’t be so bad.” Looking down she took a deep breath, then looked Harm back in the eyes. “It wouldn’t be bad at all, but I’d like to be a little selfish and enjoy just having you for a while first…Besides, I’d always sort of thought… hoped…that maybe…I mean…I’d rather...”
“That maybe a wedding would come before a baby?” Harm flashed his megawatt smile.
“Something like that,” she blushed.
Awed that he hadn’t blown his one opportunity with his Sarah, Harm paused to consider how to best say what was on his mind, “Would you…consider…I mean, do you think maybe some day we could…”
“Yeah, I think maybe we could.” Sarah lied back down against him, amused at how such a well- spoken lawyer could be so tongue-tied when it came to matters of the heart.
Harm smiled and squeezed her. “Maybe tomorrow I should ask Arcadio to give me a tour of the local drugstores.”
“Sounds good, sailor.” They came together again in a very tender kiss, knowing for now that it would have to be enough.
Chapter 8
The Next day was spent in a whirlwind of activity. Harm and Mac had forgotten that today was the day of the big birthday party.
The day started out with the manicurist arriving at the house by 9am and the masseuse by 10, a few more of the cultural perks. Vilma and Mac had a manicure, pedicure and massage. After lunch the two women went on to the hairdresser while Harm and Francisco had their turns with the masseuse. House calls were apparently very common. Service seemed to be a major focus for all types of businesses, Mac wasn’t at all surprised when they were offered a cup of coffee at the beauty salon, but she was flabbergasted to be offered a seat and coffee at the bank. Just as she had been startled to notice how many businesses had signs offering home delivery, from the pharmacy to the grocery store.
Harm accompanied Francisco to pick up a new tux Francisco had ordered for the party. Most of the day Harm had been wondering how to bring up the subject with Francisco about needing to buy condoms. For some silly reason he felt very uncomfortable, probably more so than when he was a teenager.
The problem almost resolved itself when on their way back to the house Francisco turned to Harm, “I need to make a quick stop here at the pharmacy. It will only be a minute, is there anything you might need?”
‘YES!’ Harm thought ‘Okay, calm down, I’m not a teenager, we’re not teenagers, just ask the man.’ “As a matter of fact there is.” Harm’s face flushed several different shades of pink before his mouth opened again. “I… well actually Mac and I…we, I mean I, I could use…”
Francisco had sensed his obvious discomfort but now the realization of what Harm wanted was beginning to dawn on him. “I think I understand.” Francisco smiled “It’s nice to see you and Sarah have worked out your ‘complications.’ Follow me and you can choose your preference.”
Harm and Francisco had been home only a few minutes when Vilma and Mac walked in. Harm was amazed at the two women. The ladies were both naturally very attractive women. He had always thought Mac was the most beautiful woman in the world, but the two creatures before him were absolutely stunning. He’d never seen Mac with so much makeup. She looked like she fell off the cover of a fashion magazine. Francisco smiled and whispered into Harm’s ear, “close your mouth or you’ll catch bees.”
Harm wrinkled his brow, turned to Francisco, and softly replied, “Flies.”
“Hmm?” Was all Francisco said, smiling at his wife.
“You’ll catch flies.” Harm expounded, still gaping at Mac in astonishment.
The ladies smiled, walking right past the men and into their rooms.
Everyone was ready to leave for the party by 8 o’clock. Mac was wearing a black knee length dress with a scoop neckline, showing just a hint of cleavage and some beadwork on the short sleeves. The dress fit as though it had been custom-made for her. It hugged her tiny waist and then rounded out at the curve of her soft hips. A sleek pair of black, sling-back heels made her already long legs appear even longer. Mac had never looked sexier, Harm thought. He held his bent arm out to her and together they followed Vilma and Francisco out the door.
The party was much like the events they had already been to. Laughter and music filled the air with plenty of food and dancing, only all of it on a much grander scale. The room was glowing with dim lights and candles. The tables were set with lovely arrangements of fresh colorful flowers. A rather large orchestra was playing a varied selection of Latin and modern rhythms. Most people were already dancing by the time they arrived. The food was outstanding. The hors d’oeuvres were almost orgasmic. Everyone was dressed to the nines. Even the younger teens were wearing tuxes and evening dresses. At times, the jewelry was almost blinding. Over the weeks Harm and Mac had met so many of Vilma and Francisco’s friends, they were easily engaged in various conversations throughout the large ballroom. They also had gotten used to dancing together since it was the norm at so many of the gatherings they had been to. Not only had they gotten used to it, they’d grown to love dancing together. At 11pm, Vilma had to practically drag Harm and Mac off the dance floor when dinner was finally served.
“Now this has to be a first for you, marine,” Harm commented following Mac to the table.
“What would that be?” she replied, glancing back at him as he pulled her chair out for her.
“You not wanting dinner,” he smiled, taking the seat next to her.
“I was enjoying myself,” she grinned, placing her napkin on her lap.
“Since when has having a good time ever stopped you from eating?” Harm leaned back slightly as the waiter placed a steaming plate of food in front of him.
“Maybe I’m not hungry for food?” Mac raised an eyebrow as she speared a roasted new potato the size of a large marble, placed it in her mouth, and very slowly slid the fork out from between her pursed lips.
Harm couldn’t help the grin that broke out across his face from ear to ear watching Mac’s oral mastery. “Make sure you leave room for dessert.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way, sailor,” she smiled back.
Club Guayacal
0130
After dinner, Harm and Mac danced to every ballad. Swaying to the music, wrapped in each other’s arms, was the closest thing to heaven on earth. Dancing, holding Mac, feeling her heart beat against his, felt like the most natural thing. Mac belonged in his arms. This much, Harm was finally sure of.
“Mac?”
Lifting her head from his shoulder, she stepped back slightly, “Yeah.”
“Will you miss this when we go home?”
“Dancing?”
“Yes, no, not just the dancing, the whole thing?”
“What do you mean?”
“In Washington our jobs take up most of our lives, as you previously pointed out so clearly. There’s little time for friends and family. Having fun seems to be almost an afterthought. These people leave their work behind at the end of the day and make time for living life with their friends and family as easily as we make the time to run to the grocery store for a quart of milk.”
“I agree, but most of the time, this doesn’t even seem real.”
“What about us, Mac, is that real?”
“I didn’t mean us. How could you ask such a thing? I meant all the rest of this.” Mac waved her arm across the splendor of the ballroom then put her hand back in Harm’s. “The only place I belong now is here in your arms, and I don’t ever want to lose that.”
“We won’t, not now.” He leaned in for a slow, light kiss that wouldn’t attract too much attention. Mac settled back into his shoulder as they continued to dance.
By the time the party had broken up at 4am, Harm and Mac were dead on their feet. After the last good-byes, and the drive home, it was another 45 minutes before Harm and Mac were finally alone in their room.
Kicking her shoes off, Mac watched them fly one at a time across the room. “I have never danced so much in my entire life! How the hell do these people do it?”
“Didn’t you see all those young kids? They start training for these parties while they’re still in diapers!”
Rubbing her eyes and yawning, “I don’t have the energy to even change, never mind take off all this makeup. Can you believe they wear all this stuff whenever there’s a party?”
“It is a bit much,” Harm nodded. “ But you are stunning, as a matter of fact a lot of those women looked much improved.”
Mac threw the nearest pillow at him.
Harm had kicked off his shoes, undone his tie, and a few buttons on his shirt. He smiled at Mac, patting the bed next to where he had laid down.
“You realize if you have anything other than sleep on your mind you are SO out of luck tonight.” She grinned, shaking her head as she walked closer to the bed settling down beside him.
“Mac, I’m almost 40 years old, I’ve been awake for 21 hours, dancing almost non stop for 8 of them, and I’ve lost count of how many drinks I’ve had. This is NOT the condition I want to be in the first time I make love to you.”
Snuggling a little closer, with her eyes already closed, she yawned, “That’s nice.”
The two of them immediately fell into a deep sleep.
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