Title: Rescue
Chapter 9
A/N: So far I have tried to keep the information about the guerillas and life in Colombia as accurate as possible. In this chapter I’ve taken a few literary liberties. The existence of the two main rebel groups and the paramilitary groups is not one of those liberties.
Late following morning
Harm and Mac’s room
Mac woke up and stretched like a lazy cat. She hadn’t slept in late since she was a teenager, and even back then it wasn’t that common. Harm was still sleeping soundly, one arm wrapped around her. Debating whether or not she should wake him up, Mac decided to sneak out from under him to tackle removing all the day old make up she was wearing and take a quick shower.
A few minutes later, Harm shifted a bit in bed. Starting to wake, he recognized the sound of the shower running. Looking up at the clock he thought, ‘Wow – I guess we’d better get a move on it.’ Poking his head out the door of their room, he could tell by the total silence of the house that he and Mac were probably the first ones awake. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes again, he headed back towards the bathroom.
Stopping momentarily at the bathroom door, he looked up as if he could see through the door to the other side. A wide grin slowly spread across his face.
Hearing the door open and close, Mac called out. “Harm, I’m almost done, you should have enough hot….” Before she could finish her sentence a very naked Harmon Rabb Jr. had stepped into the shower beside her.
“I thought you might need someone to wash your back,” he smiled.
Stunned, Mac just stood there, mouth open, staring into his sparkling green eyes. As if with a mind of it’s own, her right hand stretched outward giving Harm her back brush. Shifting places with Mac so the water was spraying on his back, Harm turned Mac around. He set the brush down on the tub and picked up the bar of soap. Lathering up his hands, he began covering Mac in suds.
Mac could barely hold her head up with the delicate caressing. Her limbs were turning to rubber.
When he was just about finished with his initial assault on her senses, Harm turned Mac back towards the water and rinsed the soap off with the same slow sensual caresses he had used to apply the cleansing suds.
Despite her nearly hypnotic state, realization dawned that this was all very one sided. With tremendous effort to move her heavy limb, Mac reached over around Harm for the bar of soap. Grabbing her hand, he kissed the palm and said, “There won’t be enough hot water for that.” Quickly, he washed up a few critical spots as Mac stood there in a heated daze. Rinsing off, he couldn’t resist leaning into her for just a small good morning kiss, suppressing the burning desire to ravage her where they stood.
As expected, the hot water was becoming very lukewarm. Harm turned the water off, and reached out for the towels. Stepping out before Mac, he held open a large bath sheet, and she slowly stepped into the towel. After delicately dabbing the drops from Mac’s toned body, Harm wrapped the large towel around her, and bent down for another soft kiss.
Mac stepped back, tucking a corner of the towel in front of her, and took the other towel from him. With a glint in her eye she said to him, “We’d better dry you off before you catch pneumonia, sailor.”
Gently she began to rub down Harm’s arms and back. As Mac slowly dried every inch of Harm’s dripping torso, they could hear the sound of human activity in the distance. Harm looked Mac in the eyes, his voice barely above a whisper, “It sounds like our hosts are up.”
“They’re making enough noise out there for an army,” she said, pressing up against him, wrapping her arms, and the smaller towel, around Harm’s waist.
Unable to resist the call of her soft skin any longer, he leaned over and kissing Mac’s neck, reveling in her sweet taste, he mumbled, “Do you suppose something important is happening?”
“I suppose… we should…check.” Mac finally managed to respond.
“Do we have to?” Nibbling now on the other side of her neck, he began moving slowly down her shoulder.
“Probably.” She leaned her shoulder closer to him, praying her rubber legs would hold her upright just a little longer.
“I don’t want to stop again.” Harm slid his hands around her waist as he continued kissing her bare shoulder.
“Me neither.” Mac raised her arms around Harm’s shoulders.
The echoed sound of knocking on the door forced them out of their amorous stupor.
Taking deep breaths, Harm threw on his robe, and moved reluctantly to open the bedroom door.
Vilma stood there sleepily, still clad in what was left of last night’s hair and makeup. “Sorry to disturb you, but Antonio needs us right away in the living room.”
“We’ll be right there.”
Everyone was gathered in the living room. Except for Antonio, the group were all still in their robes. As the maid brought them all coffee, Antonio began, “We still have not heard more of the ransom, but Mono has heard from his informant.”
Without realizing it, they had all moved to the edge of their seats. The sleepy haze that was so evident on Vilma’s and Francisco’s faces, was now replaced with sharp awareness. No signs were left of the passion that raged through Mac and Harm only moments ago, they were once again Commander and Colonel.
“It seems they have split up more of the French tourists. Several have been taken up into the jungle. Eight of the tourists, four couples including the Gentilles, were left in the village. The informer thinks the ones left behind are the ones with a ransom in the works. We have what appears to be an unusual break. Each couple has been left in the care of a host family. Only two guerilla soldiers have been left behind to supervise.”
“This doesn’t follow the pattern in our files,” Harm commented.
“No, not at all. Usually, locals try not to get involved. If they assist the guerrillas they are in risk of being murdered by the paramilitary. The paramilitary has become as big a problem as the guerillas. This vigilante group viciously murders anyone they believe to be aiding or sympathizing with the guerillas. Unfortunately, hearsay is enough evidence for them. Too many innocent people are slaughtered every day. People are as afraid of the paramilitary as they are of the guerillas.”
“So you’re saying this can work to our advantage?” Mac asked.
“Exactly. The locals do not want to be responsible for kidnapped foreigners for fear of the paramilitary. They do not dare rebel against the guerillas for fear of retaliation by the same guerillas. This puts us in an excellent position to take these captives ‘off the townspeople’s hands’ with their cooperation.”
Antonio continued, “We have put together a small rescue squad. For a fee sufficient enough to fund relocating to another village far enough away from guerilla retaliation, the host families have agreed to look the other way when we come into town.”
“Is there such a place?” Harm asked.
“Yes, they will go to Barranquilla in Atlantico. There, Mono will take charge of setting them up. As you know from your research, the guerilla group FARC controls this part of the country. If we relocate them to Atlantico on the northern coast where the ELN is in control, they should be safe.”
Harm and Mac noticed Francisco move his arm around his wife. Without the help of her father none of this would be possible. Harm winced recalling how he scoffed at the Vice President’s choice to trust only this man.
“The informant has agreed to drug the guerilla soldier’s food in exchange for asylum in the US. Your man ‘Gunny’ is arranging for this as we speak. We have received a detailed map of the village. Each of the prisoner’s locations has been clearly marked. Speed is very important – we don’t know how long the guerillas will leave the village so lightly guarded. If guerilla reinforcements arrive, our plan will be aborted.”
Antonio glanced up at his audience. “We leave in 30 minutes, Commander. Can you and the Colonel be ready?”
“Wait a minute” Francisco interjected. “I know Harm and Sarah are qualified military in the US, but I’m not so sure taking them through the jungle roads of Boyaca is the best of ideas.”
“We will not be on the roads, we will be dropped at this location here.” Antonio moved the map to show a spot to Harm and Mac. “From there we will move by foot to the village, attracting as little attention as possible. A vehicle will be waiting at the village to help bring the prisoners closer to the pick up point, since we do not believe they are in any condition to trek the entire way on foot. Not to mention, at that point time becomes our enemy.”
Francisco didn’t appear convinced of the sanity of this idea. He knew Harm and Mac were experienced military, but he was having a hard time thinking of them as anything other than his American houseguests whom he should be protecting.
Harm looked up at Francisco, “We’ve done this sort of thing before. Mac’s a marine.” Harm caught her grinning out of one side of her mouth. “This is what she is trained for. I survived the jungles of Vietnam at sixteen. We’ll follow Antonio’s orders carefully and won’t take any unnecessary chances. We’ll be back for dinner.” Harm patted Francisco on the shoulder as he and Mac turned back towards their room.
“Here.” Stretching out his arm, Antonio handed Harm two handguns. “You’ll be needing these.”
Chapter 10
30 minutes later
Harm and Mac stepped into the living room. Francisco stood up to wish them well, coming to a sudden stop when his eyes settled on Mac. His mind knew she was a Marine, but now, he believed it. Gone were the fashionably attractive outfits she had been wearing. Standing there in full camouflage with sidearms, Mac looked every bit the military soldier. Harm thanked Francisco and Vilma, as did Mac. “Remember, we’ll be home for dinner,” Harm smiled.
“God be with you” Vilma and Francisco chorused. “God be with you.”
Few Hours Later
Small Village in Colombia
The drop had gone off without a hitch. The squad consisted of four men in addition to Antonio. At first they had seemed somewhat apprehensive at the sight of Mac. None of them had ever worked with a woman before and they were none to happy to start now. Once the drop was complete, and it was clear to everyone that Mac was not in need of babysitting, Mac quickly became just another one of the guys.
The hike to the village was not nearly as long as Harm and Mac had anticipated. ‘So far so good,’ they thought. The squad positioned themselves around the perimeter of the village. Antonio called the informant by radio. The status of the sleeping guards was confirmed.
Antonio remained in his location just looking over the village. From his vantage point he could radio anyone in the rest of the squad at the slightest hint of a problem. Harm and Mac were going after the Gentilles. Three of the other men were dispersed to the other homes to retrieve the remaining six prisoners. The fourth man in the group was already positioning himself by the getaway vehicle.
As they had been promised, each of the four homes was found unlocked and empty, except for the prisoners. Mac and Harm rushed in the front door where the Gentilles were being held with guns drawn. Spotting the couple tied together on the floor of their prison with a horrific look of panic on their hollow faces, Mac quickly announced, “it’s okay, you’re dad sent us- but we need to book it.” In each of the other homes the French prisoners were also quickly untied and escorted to the getaway vehicle. Despite the minor communication challenges of convincing the French this was a rescue, not another march further into the jungle, it took less than 10 minutes until they were all safely in the vehicle and on their way down the road. Fifteen minutes later they were in the waiting chopper and flying over the hills.
Looking down, Antonio called over to Harm, pointing at something in the distance. “Looks like God was on our side.”
Following the direction Antonio was pointing in, Harm saw a convoy of vehicles coming down the same road they had just left. It was heading towards the village.
“Who is that?” Harm asked.
“That is the guerilla cavalry. I knew once this chopper was spotted landing, they’d know what was up and have reinforcements out.” Looking up at Harm, he now had a better understanding of the American expression ‘if looks could kill.’ “We didn’t see any need to worry you with small details,” Antonio commented matter of factly.
Harm just shook his head. This guy would have made a great CIA agent. He wondered if ‘small details’ was the Colombian way of saying ‘need to know.’ He looked over at Mac on the other side of the chopper trying to help the rescued Frenchmen. At least this time it all went according to plan. Maybe Antonio could give Webb a few pointers.
The eight French citizens were unceremoniously delivered to the French Embassy. Once inside, despite her weakened condition, Mrs. Gentille insisted on phoning her children, and then her father, before allowing the embassy physician to look her over. The Vice President said he would inform Admiral Chegwidden of the situation. Harm didn’t think the Vice President would ever stop saying thank you. It was quickly agreed by all, the Gentilles would be returning to France.
Vilma and Francisco’s Apartment
2010
Vilma and Francisco had spent the better part of the day pacing the apartment. They had considered going to the club for lunch, but they simply didn’t want to pretend all was well.
When the doorbell rang they both practically jumped out of their skins. It was a race to the front door. Vilma won. Flinging the door open, she threw herself at Harm and Mac still standing on the other side.
“Vilmita, at least let them inside, then you can strangle them,” Francisco said pulling his wife away from the door to let his friends in.
Despite their exhaustion, Harm and Mac were still on an adrenaline high. Vilma clapped her hands, “All right you two, off to the showers. Put on some decent clothes and dinner will be waiting.”
In their room Mac rummaged through her luggage. “You’d better go first, I think they’re expecting us back quickly.”
Harm pulled Mac close to him and settled a soft kiss on her lips. “You’re right. I wish you weren’t, but I’ll be right back.” He patted her six as he walked past her to the bathroom.
By the time Mac returned to the living room, Claudia and Jack had arrived. Hugs and congratulations went around the room when Vilma ordered everyone into the dining room. Harm and Francisco had been huddled in the opposite corner of the living room in soft-spoken conversation. ‘Odd,’ she thought. ‘Don’t be silly. It’s probably just war stories’, she told herself.
As usual the two older sons were out at some party or other. The youngest was expected back after dinner. Between school and their social lives, Harm and Mac had barely spent any time at all with the boys.
Gathered into the dining room, they enjoyed a quiet family dinner. The meal was absolutely delicious as usual. It was the dessert that had Mac’s mouth watering tonight. Some merrengon cake, typical of this part of the country, made with meringue like egg whites and various berries. Mac wasn’t sure which she loved more, this or the strawberries and cream. There was something about the thick cream here that tasted absolutely sinful. Vilma had made sure both were available tonight.
After dinner they moved into the living room. Amparo and Rodolfo arrived as Francisco opened a bottle of champagne. Harm had a glass to be polite. Francisco surprised Mac when he handed her a champagne glass with ginger ale. When Mac smiled at Francisco, he actually blushed at the sincere gratitude in her eyes. The music was playing and the laughter began to fill the room.
Not much time had passed when Francisco pulled Harm aside. A few minutes later Harm walked over to Mac, leaned into her, and whispered in her ear, “Come with me a minute, please.”
Harm extended his hand to her. Mac followed him down the front hall holding his hand. As they reached the door she couldn’t help wondering, what was Harm up to? When the door opened, three mariachis began to play. She looked over at Harm who was grinning from ear to ear like that proverbial Cheshire cat. She turned around and noticed the entire household had followed behind, even the maid. They were all standing in the hall, grinning as wide as Harm was.
After the first song for Mac was finished, everyone turned back towards the living room. The musicians, already playing a second tune, strolled into the house following the crowd. Mac was speechless. Harm put his arms around her waist pulling her back against his chest. Looking over her shoulder at everyone in the living room, he whispered into her ear, “I love you, here and everywhere.”
Mac could feel the tears fighting to come out. It took all her strength not to cry like a baby. She leaned back against Harm and whispered, “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
Harm turned her around to face him. “Dance with me?”
The couple started dancing in the hallway, oblivious to the smiles around the living room. Harm and Mac couldn’t stop staring into each other’s eyes. “I love you too, you know,” Mac smiled.
“I had hoped so.”
“Don’t ever doubt it.”
He gave her a very chaste kiss, unaware all eyes in the room were still on them.
By the time the Mariachis had left, Mac was sitting on the sofa snuggled up against Harm. Even though it was only 2340, Claudia and Jack excused themselves for the night. Amparo and Rodolfo followed their lead, bidding everyone a good night and pleasant dreams. Francisco and Vilma turned to Harm and Mac. “It’s been a long day.” Francisco said. “ I think we should call it an early night.”
After hugging each other good night, the success of the mission still charging the air, they each retired to their rooms.
A/N: Due to my lack of knowledge in military detail, I made the rescue scene short with no surprises. If you are interested in learning more about this type of situation, the movie Proof Of Life with Russell Crowe has an excellent director’s cut version on the dvd. It accurately explains in detail the guerilla problem in Colombia. The character Antonio Quintero is based on a real person who I am told is very much like the character Russell Crow portrayed.
Chapter 11
Harm and Mac’s room
2345
Closing the door behind them, Harm watched Mac as she crossed the room and collapsed on the bed.
“You know, after all we’ve been through today, I should be exhausted, but I’m not.” Mac lifted her head slightly towards Harm.
“You realize, now that this is over, we’ll probably receive our travel orders tomorrow? This could be our last night here.” Walking towards the bed, Harm tried to read Mac’s reaction.
“Did you mean what you said? About here and everywhere?” Mac asked softly, so softly Harm almost didn’t hear her.
“I meant every word. I love you, Sarah Mackenzie. I always have, I always will, no matter what continent we’re on.”
Mac chuckled at the thought that they were indeed on another continent. So like Rabb to bring that up. By now, Harm had kicked his shoes off and snuggled up next to Mac on the bed.
Mac turned slightly and rested her head on Harm’s chest. She had gotten very used to having him to snuggle up to in bed.
“Mac, I’ve been thinking.”
“Don’t do that, sailor. You might hurt yourself.”
“Funny, Mac,” Harm tried to glare at her but it was futile. He couldn’t help but break out in a grin. “I’d like to tell the admiral as soon as we get home that there’s been a change in our relationship. I want to be able to… date you openly, like we have been here.”
“It will mean some changes for us at work. It might even involve transfers.” Mac shifted slightly to see his eyes.
“I don’t care where we work, as long as I come home to you.” He tightened his grip on her.
Harm’s feelings were out in the open. Nothing was hidden anymore. No need for interpretation, no chance of miscommunications. They were finally both on the same page at the same time.
Mac leaned up slightly, Harm bent over a little closer, their eyes drawn to each other like magnets. They were frozen only inches apart from each other. Harm glanced at Mac’s lips just as her tongue slipped out to moisten them. ‘There should be a law against having such sexy lips,’ he thought.
Suddenly, they were wrapped in each other’s embrace. Their lips were locked in a searing kiss. Harm couldn’t get close enough to Mac. His hands roamed freely across her soft skin. One hand had made its way under her shirt, the other tangled in her silky hair.
Mac gripped Harm as tightly as she could, her hands running up and down his back, stopping only to dip her fingers in the waistband of his slacks. Every time she dipped into his waistband, Harm had to remind himself to breathe.
Feeling the need for oxygen, Harm broke the kiss and nibbled his way down her neck. Reaching for the hem of her shirt, he slowly slid the garment up. Mac paused her exploration of Harm, and lifted her arms to help with the removal. Laying her hands back down on Harm’s hard, flat stomach, she slowly began to roll his shirt up his expansive chest, dragging her fingers across his cool flesh. Lingering momentarily to twirl the soft hair that caressed his toned muscles. Finally, pulling the shirt over his head, she tossed it across the room.
They fondled, caressed, and kissed until the fire within them could stand no more. Having long ago disposed of the rest of their clothing, the two naked people were flesh to flesh. Harm stopped his oral assault on Mac, and looked into her dark eyes. “Mac I need you now, I have to know.” “Yes, Harm...PL.E…A.SE…Now...” She could barely get the words out.
“Oh, Sarah!” He had never felt anything like this. This was the joining of hearts and souls. They were truly bound as one. He could never live again without Sarah Mackenzie and he knew it.
Sarah knew it too. This was more than she had ever dreamed of, more than she could ever have imagined. She understood now, Harm was her other half. Without him she could never again be whole.
Totally satisfied and exhausted, they cuddled up against each other.
“I love you, Sarah”
“I love you, too.”
The two new lovers drifted off to sleep, for now.
Harm was the first to wake up. He stared down at Mac’s sleeping form. She had rolled over on her side, and he was spooned up beside her, amazed she was finally sharing his bed, in every way. Sensing his eyes on her, Mac began to stir. Soon she could feel more than his eyes on her.
Their hunger for each other was insatiable. Despite the intensity of the previous night, it still wasn’t enough. It would never be enough.
Hearing the rumble of Mac’s stomach, Harm chuckled.
“What is so funny, haven’t you ever been hungry? Especially after a work out like we’ve had.” Mac protested.
“Yes, I get hungry, and NO, I don’t usually have work outs like that. I don’t think I’ve ever…experienced anything even close to last night before in my life.” Harm flashed his flyboy grin.
“Me neither, thank you,” Mac let out a contented sigh.
“Thank you Sarah, thank you for loving me.”
“Always, sailor, always.” Her lips covered his in another gentle caress.
Once again Mac’s stomach grumbled loudly. Harm patted Mac’s rear end. “I think we’d better get up and get you fed.”
Still in their robes they wandered into the dining room for breakfast. Vilma and Francisco were just getting up to leave for the office.
“Good Morning, you two.” Vilma smiled. “We’re off to work, we’ll be back for lunch. Take the morning to relax, stay in bed if you want.” Vilma’s smile kept getting bigger and bigger – she had to know.
“I’m sure Juan will have news for you today. Ciao.” Vilma and Francisco scurried out the door. It wasn’t really clear if they were in such a hurry to get to work or in such a hurry to leave the lovebirds alone.
Pulling out a chair for Mac in the dining room, Harm paused to look out the window at the lovely view. “You know Mac, she’s right. We’ll most likely get our orders to go home today.”
“It’s probably not safe for us to be hanging around here too long,” Mac said, pouring Harm and herself a glass of juice.
“The Gentilles should be on their way home this morning, no matter what shape they’re in. They’ll be prime vengeance targets by now, sticking around would be suicide.” Harm stood there, still gazing somewhere in the distance.
Mac watched Harm looking out the window. “Penny for your thoughts?”
Coming back to the moment, Harm sat down in the chair next to Mac. Reaching over, he casually took her left hand in his, something he’d enjoyed doing over the last few weeks. “I don’t want this to end.”
Not exactly sure what ‘this’ Harm was referring to, “You really like it here, don’t you?” she said rather timidly.
“Well, yes, but I meant us.” Noticing a slight look of panic in Mac’s eyes, Harm quickly continued. “I don’t think I’ll be able to stand not having you near me all the time. Not being able to do this,” Harm held up their joined hands, “anytime I want because of regs. Or this,” he leaned over and kissed the tip of her nose.
Mac couldn’t help but giggle at that.
“What’s so funny, marine?”
“I love you, too.” A small smile replaced her panicked look. Her stomach was once again churning loudly.
“I know, I know. Hungry marine needs food.” Harm groaned.
Chapter 12
Saturday Night
Almost one week later
Jack and Claudia’s apt.
“We thought for sure you were going to have to leave on the next flight out.” Claudia’s English had really come a long way since Harm and Mac first arrived. “We were delighted when Vilma informed us your CO ordered you to stay on.”
“It was decided if we left too suddenly after the rescue, someone might suspect we were part of it and retaliate against you, or other Americans living here. Even though the odds of that were slim, it was too great a risk to take,” Harm explained.
“Whatever the reason, we’re so glad you could enjoy your last days in Colombia without the horror of terrorism hanging over your head.”
Mac and Harm turned to look at each other. Obviously they were both thinking the same thing. Every single person in this room, either had been, or knew someone whose life had been directly affected by the guerillas in one way or another. With armored cars, bodyguards, and all the other security trappings of day to day life in Colombia, how could anyone ever feel the horror of terrorism wasn’t hanging over them? Still, they all laughed and danced and carried on. They would not let terror win.
“It’s hard to believe we’ll be in DC again tomorrow.” Mac looked wistfully out the patio doors.
“And back to work at 0800 Monday morning,” Harm chimed in.
Just then Jack came over. “Excuse us a minute, I need my wife to help me explain something to Mrs. Botero. That woman may be beautiful, but when they came up with the cliché ‘not the sharpest knife in the drawer,’ they most definitely had her in mind.” He shook his head, obviously amused, escorting his wife to the other side of the room.
Harm took advantage of being momentarily alone to steer Mac towards the deck. The view tonight was as exquisite as it had been the first night they visited. Walking up to the railing hand in hand, Mac sighed at the sight before her. Harm pulled Mac around in front of him, her back to his chest, so he was looking over her shoulder at the view, his arms wrapped around her stomach. He loved holding her this way.
“Mac, I’ve been thinking.”
Mac leaned back a little more onto Harm.
“What about?”
“Well, I know we agreed we need to talk to the Admiral when we get back on Monday.” He paused a moment to kiss the top of her head. “Maybe we need to reconsider what we’re going to tell him.”
At this, Mac turned around to face Harm. Her first instincts were to panic that he was about to turn around and run like a Jackrabbit, but things were different now, they had to be. She took a deep breath, “And that would be…?”
“We have spent the better part of every day and night together since we left Washington. I’ve gotten used to you being the first thing I see every morning and the last thing I see at night. I’ve learned what it means to have found my other half. I can’t go back to Washington and just start dating. I need you in my life, all the way, all the time.”
Harm took Mac’s left hand in his, and reached into his jacket pocket. “Sarah MacKenzie, would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Sarah Rabb, my wife, and make my life whole?” Harm held the most beautiful ring in front of Macs left hand. The center stone was a 3-carat square cut emerald surrounded by small diamonds.
Mac looked up at Harm in stunned silence. Finally, she nodded her head yes as a single tear slipped down her cheek.
Harm slid the ring on her finger. “I know diamonds alone are the traditional engagement ring, but I wanted to give you something that would always remind you of the beauty of our love, and the beauty of this country where we first declared it.”
Vilma, Francisco, Jack, Claudia, and the rest of the guests all stood silently from the edge of the living room watching the proposal. As Harm bent down to kiss his new fiancée, sighs could be heard throughout the room. Several couples, who had merely been standing side by side, were now holding hands. Francisco leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek. “As always dear, you were right.”
When Mac moved her arms around Harm’s neck to deepen the kiss, the guests in the living room started to part like Moses had the Red Sea. A few coughs and ugghms were heard as the guests resumed their laughing and dancing, giving the young lovers a little privacy in the moonlight.
Only Francisco, Vilma, Jack and Claudia remained watching the couple. “I hope they are as happy as we have been all these years.” Vilma whispered.
Francisco kissed his wife softly on the lips, “They will be dear, they will be.”
Coming up for air, Mac took a short breath, “Harm.”
“Mmmn?” he answered nibbling on her ear.
“When did you get this ring?”
“Yesterday afternoon.” He nibbled a little more, eliciting a soft moan from Mac. “When I went out with Francisco to pick up the dry cleaning, we made a small detour.”
“So, Francisco knows about this?” she said trying to keep her wits about her.
“Mmn, and Vilma, and I guess probably Jack and Claudia,” Harm managed to get out between nibbles.
“And …that would also…. mean Amparo, and ….Harm?!” Mac suddenly stiffened.
“Mmn?” Harm had stopped nibbling on the one ear and was now working his way across her neck to her bare shoulder.
“How much do you want to bet we have an audience?” Mac said, relaxing again at Harm’s continued assault on her senses.
“Nah, why would anyone want to watch an old sailor propose to a marine?”
Chapter 13: Epilogue
Bogota Colombia
21 years later
2025
“I’m glad it’s finally safe enough to bring you kids to Colombia. It was a great idea of Aunt Vilma’s to have a joint anniversary party.” Mac commented walking toward the rail.
“So this is the famous porch that Dad proposed on?”
“It’s not a porch, it’s a deck,” Harm declared, as he sat down next to his son.
“Porch, deck same thing. Basically, all Dad needs for romance is wood planks underneath his feet.”
“Matt, don’t pick on your Dad,” Mac admonished her nineteen-year-old son.
“According to the stories you two tell, first it was Uncle AJ’s porch, and then it was here on Uncle Jack’s porch that everything really took off.”
“It’s a deck,” Harm repeated.
“Matt’s right mom.” Their middle child, seventeen year old Patricia, who went by Pat, agreed.
“Besides, you and Dad have spent every night for as long as I can remember sitting on the front porch, holding hands, and making out like a couple of teenagers,” Matt insisted.
“MATT.” Francie, the fifteen-year-old baby girl of the family huffed at her big brother. “They aren’t THAT bad. Well, not really, anyway.”
Several of Vilma and Francisco’s grandchildren were on the porch with the Rabbs, but it was Abel’s fifteen-year-old son, Ernesto, who spoke up. “Well, obviously this all means something to you, but does anyone care to bring the rest of us up to speed?”
“Sure.” Matt started. “I’ll try.”
“Better make it the Readers Digest version,” Pat scoffed.
Matt glared at his sister. “As I was about to say, Mom and Dad worked together for about 4 or 5 years when Mom got engaged to some Australian.”
“Mic Brumby,” Pat mumbled.
“You said you wanted the extra abridged version. Do YOU want to tell this?”
“No, go on.”
“Anyhow, Mom was going to marry this Australian when Dad got brave at her engagement party and made a pass at her on uncle AJ’s porch.”
“It wasn’t a pass,” Harm interjected.
“Whatever. Mom was still going to marry the Aussie until Dad’s plane crashed. She saved him with her sort of psychic powers, the wedding was postponed, the Aussie left, Dad’s girlfriend married a mortician, and then a couple of years later they got stranded together in…, was it Afghanistan? Yeah Afghanistan, then Dad rescued Mom in Paraguay. Did I mention Mom kept chasing Dad to Russia?"
By now Ernesto’s face was so contorted in confusion that Pat decided she needed to take over.
“What Matt is so eloquently trying to explain is: Dad and Mom worked together for years. They were really close and trusted each other in everything. Unfortunately for a lot of different reasons- mostly ludicrous ones- they never got together romantically, until they came here to Uncle Jack’s and Aunt Claudia’s. That was the first time Dad had REALLY kissed Mom since the night on the Admiral’s porch. They had been here to help rescue the Vice President’s daughter from terrorists. By the time the whole ordeal was over, the two of them couldn’t live without each other, and their last night in Bogota, Dad proposed here on Uncle Jacks porch.”
“With half the city watching,” Harm added. “And it’s a deck.”
The fogged look on Ernesto’s face was starting to clear.
“Married life must have been a pretty boring change?” Ernesto almost mumbled.
The three Rabb children snickered. Mac and Harm appropriately glared at their indiscreet offspring.
“I wouldn’t quite say that,” Francie started. “First, they had to tell the Admiral, Uncle AJ, that while under his command they had ‘advanced’ their relationship AND wanted to get married. From what I understand you could hear Uncle AJ barking all the way to the Pentagon.”
“You’d better skip a few parts, or we’ll be here all night,” Pat interrupted, even though she loved all the stories about her Mom and Dad.
Nodding at her sister, Francie went back to the story. “They wanted to get married in a hurry, and Gramma really wanted to see Dad married at Annapolis, so she talked Uncle AJ into pulling a few strings to get them the chapel at Annapolis in only two months. In return, Uncle AJ had to be the substitute lecturer for some seminar or other, leaving Mom in charge of JAG, even though she was a little distracted with the wedding. He claims Mom and Dad still owe him for that one, something about a female Commander at Annapolis that wouldn’t stop ogling him.” Pat couldn’t help but giggle at that thought. She really loved these stories.
“That’s right!” Matt said. “That’s when that nut case Palmer managed to blow up Mom’s car and took out half the JAG parking lot.”
“Right, and the thing that ticked everyone off the most was with only 5 days until the wedding, Mom’s wedding dress was in the car,” Pat reminded everyone.
“Isn’t that when Dad broke Webb’s nose again?” Francie asked.
“No, that was the time that Webb wanted Mom to do some interpreting in Baghdad while she was pregnant with Pat. It was Uncle AJ who broke Webb’s jaw over the wedding dress,” Matt answered.
The look of total confusion had completely returned to most of the faces of the Franco grandchildren.
Returning to the story, Francie continued. “Anyhow, they finally got that nut put away again the day before the wedding. The wedding went off without a hitch. The honeymoon worked out great too…until the flight home.”
“It wasn’t my fault,” Harm reminded them.
“We know,” his children replied in unison. “THESE THINGS HAPPEN.” They all responded a little too smugly.
Francie returned to her synopsis. “After the coast guard rescued everyone, Mom became a Judge, that Mic Brumby guy came back and tried to create a fuss, Dad decided to buy a fixer upper house, Mom got pregnant with Matt, Uncle Bud almost burned the house down trying to help Dad rewire the nursery…”
“Wait a minute,” Ernesto interrupted. “Wasn’t Brumby the Australian fiancé?” Apparently, he was actually following all this.
“Yeah, but he seemed to lose interest when mom threw up on his shoes,” Matt volunteered. “Go on Sis, you’re on a roll.”
“Thanks. Things were pretty quiet until Pat was born. Uncle AJ was threatening to retire. Some battle-ax named Krennick was up for the spot, so, Uncle AJ kept putting it off. Mom had a long labor with Matt so she wasn’t rushing when she went into labor with Pat. After only two hours, Mom’s contractions suddenly went from 30 minutes apart, to not being able to tell when one stopped and the next one started. Uncle AJ swears Mom and Dad owe him for that one, too. I guess Pat was the third baby born in his office, and Krennick or no Krennick, Uncle AJ retired that summer.”
“Uncle Bud still blames me for Krennick,” Pat sighed.
“Let’s see, at six years old Matt got lost at Kennedy airport, at three Pat got lost at Scarborough Fair, at two I had to go to the emergency room for sticking Dad’s screw driver in the electric socket. Mom almost sent Dad to the emergency room for letting me play with electricity.” The Rabb children all chuckled at that thought.
Taking a deep breath, Francie squinted one eye and looked upward recalling more of the family history.
Taking advantage of the pause in Francie’s ramblings, “I think I get the point.” Ernesto declared, raising his hands in defeat.
“We’ll tell you later about Matt’s learning to drive and Dad’s 4th DFC. That’s when Mom made him give up his wings.” Pat offered.
“PAT,” Harm warned.
“Well that’s how it looked to us,” she huffed.
“Never mind,” was all Harm said to his older daughter. Mac just looked at her husband and smiled.
Abel popped his head out the door, “Okay guys, food’s on the table, everyone inside.”
The crowd scrambled from their seats and moved inside with the precision of a Marine Corps marching band.
Harm got up from his chair and walked up behind his wife pulling her close so her back was leaning on his chest. Mac had been mostly watching the city below while her children gave the ‘abridged’ version of their life.
Wrapping his arms around her, and softly caressing her as he had done that first night so many years ago, Harm kissed the top of her head.
“It’s still such a beautiful view,” She whispered into the night air.
“Yes, it is,” Harm grinned looking down the front of his wife’s shirt.
Glancing up at Harm a moment, Mac lightly smacked his hand when she noticed where he was staring.
“It’s been a good life hasn’t it?” She said looking back over the city again.
“The best. I love you more now than I did that night 21 years ago. I didn’t think it possible.” Harm leaned over slightly to nibble on Mac’s neck.
“You’d better quit that before the kids accuse us of making out on the porch again,” she said, turning slightly intending to nudge him towards the doorway.
“It’s a deck,” he grinned.
Pulling her close, 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 it’s 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. There, under the stars and the glowing city lights, it all seemed so perfect. They seemed so alone.
Vilma came to the door to see what was taking Harm and Mac so long. She smiled to herself. Some things just never change.
BACK
HOME