SUNDAY, 20 AUGUST
1500 ZULU
HARM AND MAC’S RESIDENCE
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA

“Admiral, Sydney, I’m glad you could make it,” Mac said as she ushered the pair into the house.  “Everyone’s out back.”

“Mac, please call me AJ,” he insisted.  “And we’re glad to be here.  How are you feeling?”

“Ready to return to work tomorrow,” Mac replied with a laugh. 

“I can understand that,” Sydney said.  “How was the trip to Annapolis yesterday?”

“It was very productive.  I’ll fill you all in out back,” Mac said as she led them through the house, stopping in the kitchen.  “What would you like to drink?  We’ve got beer, sodas, water, tea and coffee.”

“I’ll take a beer,” AJ said.

“I’ll just have water,” Sydney said as Mac opened the fridge.  She pulled out the requested drinks and handed them to AJ and Sydney.  As she handed Sydney her bottled water, a glimmer on Sydney’s left hand caught Mac’s eye.

“Is that what I think it is?” Mac asked.

Sydney held out her hand to show off her ring, smiling widely.  “AJ proposed last night,” she said.  “We’re thinking about a wedding next summer.  I’ve always wanted to have an outdoor wedding.”

“Congratulations,” Mac said, hugging Sydney before turning to kiss AJ’s cheek.  “I’m very happy for both of you.”

“Thank you, Mac,” AJ said, putting his arm around Sydney’s shoulder.

“Mac, I was wondering if you would do me the honor of being my matron of honor?” Sydney asked.  “I consider you to be a very good friend and I can’t imagine anyone else I would rather have stand up for me.”

“Thank you,” Mac said, hugging Sydney again.  “I’d be very honored.  You’ve been a very good friend to me too the last few months and I appreciate that.  In fact, I wanted to ask you if you would be a bridesmaid at my wedding and stand in as kind of a ‘mother of the bride’ during the preparations.”

“I’m honored that you’re asking me,” Sydney said, tears in her eyes.  “Thank you.”

“Hey, are you okay?” Harm asked, coming into the kitchen from the back porch as Mac and Sydney pulled apart, wiping tears from their eyes.

“Fine,” Mac said, taking his hand.  “Sydney was just sharing some good news.”

“I asked Sydney to marry me last night,” AJ said, “and she accepted.”

“Congratulations, Sir, Sydney,” Harm said, shaking AJ’s hand then turning to hug Sydney.  “I know you two will be very happy together.”

“Thank you, Harm,” AJ said.  “And please, it’s AJ.  Especially since I’d like you to serve as my best man.”

“Well, Sir .... AJ, I’m honored that you would ask me,” Harm said.  “Thank you.”

“I have some more news,” AJ said.  “I had a meeting with the SecNav yesterday afternoon while you two were in Annapolis.  Commander, do you remember when you temporarily served as a military liaison to the House Armed Services Committee?”

“Yes, Sir,” Harm replied warily, feeling deep down that he knew where this was going.

“Well, to solve the problem of you and Mac serving in the same chain of command, it was suggested by Bobbi Latham that we revive that position on a permanent basis,” AJ said.  “The SecNav, after due consideration, agreed.  Now, I did invoke Admiral’s privilege and insist on a few conditions before I would sign off on it.”

“And those would be, Sir?” Mac asked, glancing at Harm with sympathy.  She knew he had not been very pleased with the way his first assignment as House military liaison had gone.

“The first would be that Harm would maintain his office at JAG and work out of there unless circumstances required his presence either at the Pentagon or on the Hill,” AJ informed them.  “Second, and most important, whenever Harm is not busy with the duties of his new position, then he would be ‘on loan’ to JAG to work as an investigator and trial counsel.”

Harm turned to Mac and asked, “What do you think?”

“It sounds like the best solution we could hope for under the circumstances,” she said, clasping his hand.  “I know you weren’t exactly happy with your last tour on the Hill, but at least you are aware of what the job entails.  You don’t have the stress of learning a new position.  Plus, you still do get to work as a lawyer at JAG.  It sounds like the best of both worlds.  The chain of command problem is solved, yet we still get to work together whenever possible.”

Harm nodded then turned back to AJ.  “I have to agree,” he said.  “It probably is the best possible solution for this situation.  So, I accept the position.  When would it start?”

“I figured you would,” AJ said.  “We all agreed that things would remain as is until after you return from your honeymoon.  That will give you a chance to wrap up any cases you currently are working on.  After you return, then we will work on integrating your workload on the Hill with any new cases you are assigned at JAG.”

“Thank you, Sir – I mean, AJ,” Mac said, smiling.  “It means a lot to both of us that you would work out something like this for us.”

“Well, from a command standpoint, we uphold regs but I don’t have to choose which one of my best attorneys that I am going to lose, nor do I break up the best team JAG has,” AJ explained. 

“Thank you, AJ,” Harm said.

"Good.  Now that we have settled that,” AJ said.  “why don’t we go join everyone else out back?  I believe we have a wedding to plan.”

The foursome stepped out onto the back porch.  Frank and Matt were manning the barbeque grill at one end of the porch while Trish looked on, offering cooking suggestions.  Jackie Mattoni and Harriet were keeping an eye on little AJ play with Jingo at the other end of the porch while watching their husbands toss a Frisbee with Alfred, Tiner and Gunny.  Carolyn and Loren, sitting on the porch steps, were also watching the game.

Loren said something to Carolyn, who turned and shot Mac a look as if to ask ‘Why did you invite her?’  Mac shrugged as she sat down on the step just behind them.

“You have a very nice house, Colonel,” Singer said politely, taking a sip of her bottled water.

“Thank you, Lauren,” Mac replied with a smile.  Louder, so that everyone could hear, she said, “Please, no ranks today.  Since everyone was kind enough to come here today to help us plan our wedding, I think we can dispense with protocol for the afternoon.”

Harm wandered over to the grill and asked, “How are we doing on food and supplies?”

“We could use some more sauce,” Matt said, holding up a nearly empty jar of barbeque sauce. 

“I think we could use some more chips, too,” Trish said.  “Also, last time I checked the fridge, bottled water was running low.  As hot as it is today, we could probably use some more.”

Mac, who was listening to the conversation, jumped in, “Harm, as long as you’re planning a run to the store, Carolyn made a good suggestion.  How about some frozen drink mix?  That would be perfect on a hot day like today.”

“Virgin frozen drinks, of course, out of respect for the mommies-to-be present,” Carolyn added.

“Anything else, ladies?” Harm asked with a sarcastic grin.

“Well, while you’re at it ....” Mac began sweetly.

“Don’t tell me,” he said with a sigh.  “Something with chocolate.”

“You got it,” she said, smiling. 

Little AJ, noticing that Harm was preparing to leave, toddled over and grabbed onto Harm’s leg.  He looked up and asked hopefully, “Go bye-bye?”

Harm swung the little boy up into his arms and rubbed his nose to AJ’s.  “You want to go bye-bye, huh?”  Harm asked.  “Let’s see what mommy has to say.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind taking him, Sir .... sorry, Harm?” Harriet asked.  At Harm’s nod, she signaled to her husband and motioned for him to join them.  “Bud, why don’t you give Harm the keys to the minivan?  He’s going to the store and AJ wants to go along.  That way he has the car seat for AJ.”

“How much do you need to get, Sir?” Bud asked.  “I could go with you to help out.”

“Okay,” Harm agreed.  “And please call me Harm, Bud.”

The men made their goodbyes and walked around the side of the house to the garage.  Watching them go, Carolyn commented to Mac, “Harm’s wonderful with little AJ.  He’s going to make a wonderful father.”

“He is, isn’t he?” Mac said wistfully. 

“By the way, what’s with the request for chocolate?” Carolyn asked.

“I need chocolate,” she replied.

“Cravings, huh?” Sydney teased, leaning against the porch railing.  “I remember when I was pregnant, I wanted ice cream all the time.”

“Ice cream seems like a normal enough craving,” Loren commented.

“Not in the middle of winter, it isn’t,” Sydney said dryly.

“At least Mac hasn’t gotten the urge to clean out the refrigerator at JAG because she thinks there are things growing inside,” AJ teased, causing Harriet’s face to go beet red.

“I’m never going to live that one down, am I, Sir?” she asked.

At Sydney’s questioning glance, Harriet explained, “When I was pregnant with AJ, I got this urge to clean.  One day, it was the fridge at JAG and I threw out everything, including the risotto the Admiral had brought for lunch that day.”

Everyone laughed, even Harriet after a moment, as she added, “At least I’ve been resisting the urge this time around.  This time my urge to clean has centered on messy desks.”

“I’m surprised Harm hasn’t tried to get you to straighten up my desk,” Mac said.  “He once compared it to a free fire zone.”

“Who says he hasn’t?” Harriet shot back as everyone laughed again.

Mac pressed a hand to her right side and suggested, “Maybe we should talk about something else.  It still hurts a little to laugh.”

“When do you go back to the doctor, Mac?” Sydney asked.

“Wednesday morning,” she replied.  “I have to go see Dr. Newman to check on how my wound is healing and Dr. Calder wants to see me also.  After everything that’s happened, we have discussed doing an amnio for peace of mind.”

“It will be okay,” Sydney said, patting her shoulder reassuringly.  “You and the babies have made it this far.  I’m sure everything will be fine."

Mac patted Sydney’s hand.  “Thanks,” she said.  “I just keep trying to tell myself that.”

After Harm, Bud and little AJ returned, everyone sat down to eat and discuss the wedding at the picnic tables that Harm and Frank had set up in the yard, while Mac pulled out the list she had started of things to do.

“These may help, too,” Harriet said, grabbing a couple of notebooks sitting next to her on the table and holding them out to Mac.  “Jackie and I both brought our wedding planners with us today.  They contain all the information on florists, musicians, things like that which were used at our weddings.  It should give you an idea where to start.”

“Thank you, Harriet, Jackie,” Mac said, accepting the books.  “I’m sure these will be a big help.”

“Why don’t you start, dear, by telling us about your trip yesterday?” Trish suggested.  “Did you settle on a time for the wedding?”

“As I’m sure you’ve all heard by now,” Mac began, “the wedding will be the morning of 30 September at the Academy chapel in Annapolis.  After taking into consideration several things, including the fact that there is also a home football game at Navy that day, we decided that the ceremony will begin at ten hundred hours with the reception beginning immediately afterwards at the O Club.”

“With the wedding being in the morning, were you planning on driving up that morning or staying overnight Friday?” Sydney asked.

“Since we will have the rehearsal Friday afternoon,” Mac replied, “we thought it would be best to go ahead and book rooms in Annapolis Friday night.  We got some information on local hotels, including several that will offer a discounted rate if we book a block of rooms, so if anyone wants to stay in Annapolis Friday night, please let Harm or I know so that we know how many rooms to book.”

“On second thought, Mac, why don’t you let me take care of that?” Harriet asked.  “As matron of honor, it’s my job to take care of the little stuff so you can concentrate on the big stuff.”

“Thank you,” Mac said gratefully.  “Okay, everyone, change of plans.  Anyone who wants to stay in Annapolis the night before the wedding, sign up with Harriet.  Harriet, you can go ahead and put down rooms for me and Harm, Uncle Matt and Harm’s parents.”

“I take it you mean separate rooms for you and Harm?” Sydney teased.

“Separate rooms,” she said with a sigh, shooting Sydney a ‘do I have to?’ look. 

Harm leaned over and whispered to Mac, “Doesn’t mean I can’t sneak in to see you, does it?”

“You know,” Carolyn said with a laugh, “we’d better make sure Harriet, as matron of honor, has plenty of money for Friday night.”

“Money for what?” Frank asked, mystified.

Mac, Carolyn and Harriet all laughed as Mac explained, “For bailing the groom, the best man and the Admiral out of jail.”  AJ shot them all a quelling look, while Harm and Bud looked embarrassed, but the women only laughed harder.

“I’m afraid to ask what this is about,” Matt commented.

“Good,” AJ said.  “Then don’t.”

“Speaking of wedding disasters, Mac,” Carolyn continued, doubling over with laughter.  “You might want to put a guard on Harm’s dress whites this time.”

Mac laughed even harder, clutching her side as she remembered the debacle with Harm’s dress whites before Bud and Harriet’s wedding.  Harm shot her a dirty look and nudged her, but she only laughed harder.

“It wasn’t that funny,” Harm complained.

“Yes, it was,” Carolyn managed through her own laughter.  “Especially that picture ....”

“That wasn’t me!”

“Let me guess,” Trish cut in.  “Something else we’re better off not asking about?”

“Yes!” Harm exclaimed.

Mac leaned around Harm and whispered to Trish, “I’ll tell you later,” earning her another dirty look from her fiancé.

“Let’s move on, people,” AJ cut in, using his best ‘command’ voice. 

“Maybe we should make a list of everything that went wrong before my wedding,” Harriet suggested with a laugh.  “Then we can take steps to avoid the same things happening this time.”

“Lieutenant,” AJ said in warning, shooting her a stern look while she tried to wipe the smile off her face.

“Speaking of dress whites,” Mac began, earning yet another look from Harm.  “No, I’m serious this time.  This wedding will technically be in the fall.  Whites will be out of season.”  She frowned at the thought of not getting to see Harm standing at the altar in his dress whites and gold wings.

“Well, local command does have the authority to decide when to implement the uniform regs,” AJ began as Mac shot him a hopeful look.  “I think that for the purposes of the wedding, we can declare whites to still be in season.”

Mac breathed a sigh of relief.  “Thank you,” she said gratefully.

“Now that we’ve settled what the men will wear, what about the women?” Sydney asked.

“I don’t know,” Mac admitted.  “It’s kind of hard to dress a bridal party where both the bride and matron of honor will be pregnant.”

“Why don’t you let me take care of that?” Trish suggested.  “I have some contacts with designers.  I’m sure I can find one who can accommodate you and Harriet.”

“We need to make sure whoever it is will be available for a last minute fitting,” Mac reminded her.  “Neither of us will look like we do now in six weeks’ time.”

“Done,” Trish promised.

“Trish, if you have problems,” AJ said, “let me know.  My daughter works for a fashion magazine.  She can probably suggest some designers, also.”

“Thank you, both of you,” Mac said.  “Now that we have that situation under control, let’s move on to the flowers.  We want roses, which will also be slightly out of season.”

“Why don’t you let me handle that, ma’am?” Gunny suggested. 

Mac smiled at him and nodded.  Gunny had all kinds of contacts for finding all kinds of things.  She had no doubt he could come up with roses for the wedding.

“Mac, why don’t you let Bobbi handle the flowers for the bride’s bouquet?” Harm whispered.

“You mean, like the flowers when you proposed?” she asked.

At Harm’s nod, she told Gunny, “You just need to worry about the flowers to decorate the chapel and reception hall.  We’ve got another source for the bride’s bouquet.”  Gunny nodded his acceptance.

“What about colors, dear?” Trish asked.

“I was thinking of something like a dusky rose,” Mac said.  “Gunny, I’ll get a color sample to give you so you can arrange for flowers in similar shades.  Also, Mom, I was thinking of a lighter shade for the bridesmaid dresses and a darker one for Harriet.  You should probably mention that to the designer so that he or she can have color samples for us to choose from.”

“How many attendants are you having?” Matt asked.

“Four,” Mac answered.  “Harriet is matron of honor and Sydney, Carolyn and Jackie have agreed to be bridesmaids.  On the groom’s side, we’ve got Bud as best man and AJ, Alan and Keeter, Harm’s Academy roommate, as groomsmen.”

“God, we haven’t seen Jack Keeter in years,” Frank said.  “Have you gotten a hold of him?”

“Clayton Webb is working on that,” Harm said.

“I just thought of something,” Mac exclaimed.  “What is Uncle Matt going to wear when he walks me down the aisle?”

“I can just wear a suit, Sarah,” Matt said.  “It’s not a problem.”

Harm realized what Mac was getting at.  “Why don’t I check on that?” he suggested.  “Your punishment didn’t include loss of rank, only a fine and prison time, so you may be authorized to wear your uniform.”

“I agree,” AJ concurred.  “We should be able to work something out on that point.”

“Okay,” Mac said, relieved.  “Next big item on the list is food for the reception.”

“I was wondering when you were going to get to the food,” Harm commented dryly.

“Why don’t you let me handle that, ma’am?” Loren suggested.  “Remember the friend I mentioned who works for the Joint Chiefs?  He coordinates the catering for all their events.  I can find out who he uses.”

Mac had to force herself to be polite.  She had not forgiven or forgotten Loren’s previous transgression, but she could hardly publicly turn down such a generous offer of help.  “Thank you,” she managed to say, forcing a smile, while Harm squeezed her hand under the table.  “That would be appreciated.”

“Not a problem, ma’am,” Lauren said sweetly, while more than one person at the table struggled not to roll their eyes.

“I guess she figured she could get further with honey than vinegar,” Carolyn whispered to Harriet.

By the time the food was gone, everyone had one or more tasks to handle and they all agreed to meet again the following weekend for a status report.  Mac leaned against Harm’s shoulder while everyone chatted around them.  “We’re so lucky to have such good friends.”

“That we are,” Harm agreed.

1900 ZULU
REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

“I wish we could stay longer,” Trish said as she and Frank prepared to board their private jet heading back to California.   “But we both need to get back to work.”

“Not a problem, Mom,” Mac said.  “You’ve done so much for us the last two weeks.  You two need to get back to your own lives.”

“Don’t forget that you are part of those lives,” Trish insisted.  “If you need anything, just call anytime.  And I’ll call you once I have a line on a designer for the dresses.”

Mac hugged the older woman, tears in her eyes.  “Thank you again for everything,” she said.  “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, dear,” Trish returned.  “Take care of my son and try to keep him out of trouble.”

“I try,” Mac replied as they broke apart and Trish turned to her son.

“And you take care of Mac and those babies,” she told him.   As Harm pulled her into his arms, she whispered, “Your father would be so proud of you.”

“I know, Mom,” he whispered back.

“Like Trish said,” Frank told Mac as they hugged.  “You call us anytime if you need anything.  Take care of Harm, yourself and our grandchildren.”

“I will, Frank,” Mac promised.  “Thank you for being here for us.”

“Yes, thank you, Frank,” Harm said as he offered a rare hug to his stepfather, while Trish and Mac watched misty-eyed.  “I’ll never forget everything you’ve done for me, for us.”

“You don’t have to thank me, son,” Frank said, his own eyes watering.  “I’d do anything for you.”

“I know that now,” Harm replied softly.  They pulled apart and Frank picked up their carry-on bags while Harm pulled Mac to his side, holding her tight as they watched his parents board their plane.

“Do you know how lucky you are to have had two fathers who loved you?” Mac asked quietly after Trish and Frank were gone.

“I do now,” Harm replied.  “I do now.”

2100 ZULU
AIR MOBILITY COMMAND TERMINAL
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, MARYLAND

Two hours later, Harm and Mac said another goodbye to family as Matt prepared to board a C-130 on the way to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, where he would be taken by helo back to Leavenworth.  Clayton Webb was present also, having decided to offer a personal escort.

“I love you, Sarah,” Matt said as he hugged her tightly.  “I look forward to seeing you again under far better circumstances.”

“I’ll be counting the hours until you return,” she promised as Matt pulled away and turned to Harm.

“I don’t have to tell you ....” Matt began.

“No, you don’t,” Harm interrupted.  “I’ll always take care of your niece.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Matt,” Mac said.  “He always has taken care of me before.”

“I know,” Matt said, shaking Harm’s hand.  “But as family, I’m entitled to make sure.”

“Goodbye, Matt,” Harm said as Clay stepped up to the group, having held back a polite distance while they said their goodbyes.  “We’ll see you at the end of September.”

“I look forward to it,” Matt said.  To Clay, he said, “I’m ready to go.”

“Okay,” Clay said.  Before they could head for the plane, Mac put a hand on Clay’s arm to stop him.

“Thank you, Clay,” she said, “for arranging this.  I’ll never forget it.”

Clay paused, a flip comment on the tip of his tongue.  Instead, he simply smiled and nodded as he and Matt turned to leave.

Part 4