Archivist's Note:  This story is a sequel to Sarah's Rain, found on Ava's website.

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others.

Summary: The much-requested sequel to "Sarah's Rain": Mac and Admiral Boone get married!

Author's comments: I've never received so many requests for a sequel before! So here it is; I hope you enjoy it. Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text').

Tuesday, 24 December 2002

1905 EST

Chegwidden Residence

McLean, Virginia

"Sarah, we're here," Tom said gently, rousing Mac from her slumber.

"Hmm?" she murmured, moving her hand from across his chest and running it down the length of his thigh.

"Come on, Sweetheart, wake up," he urged. "We're at AJ's house." Tom eased her away from him. "Do you want to just go back home, Sarah?" She looked up at him with sleepy eyes. "We can, you know. We don't have to stay," he told her.

Mac sat back and shook her head lightly. "No. No, of course we'll stay."

"You're sure? You feel okay?"

"Mmm hmm. I'm fine," she replied. Tom didn't look convinced. "Really, Tom. I'm fine. I just needed a little nap. I got it. Now I'm raring to go," she smiled.

He nodded. "Uh huh." He obviously didn't believe her.

"Hey!" she jerked up suddenly. "We're 5 minutes late!"

"We're fashionably late," he corrected.

"I'm never late, Tom. Certainly not to the Admiral's."

"Well, I'm sure we're not the last ones here," he said as he got out of the car and walked around to her door.

"The lights are beautiful," Mac sighed as she looked around at the Christmas decorations.

Tom ignored her comment and continued expressing his concern for her well-being. "Maybe we shouldn't go to the service. We'll just head for home after dessert when everyone else goes to the church."

"And miss Chaplain Turner's Christmas Eve sermon?" replied Mac. "I don't think so."

"We'll see. I don't want you to be exhausted so that you don't enjoy tomorrow," Tom told her as he helped her from the car. "And you don't want to get sick now either. Remember what the doctor said about that. Any illness between now and the third, and he postpones the final round of chemo." Mac frowned as they reached the front door. "And you know what that means," he whispered in her ear as the door opened.

"Admiral Boone. Mac, good to see you again. Merry Christmas!" welcomed Commander Sturgis Turner.

"Merry Christmas, Commander. You have door duty tonight?" quipped Tom.

"Appears that way, Sir," Sturgis chuckled. "Come on in."

"Thank you, Sturgis," replied Mac. "Is everyone already here?" She looked around the living room and saw just about everyone from JAG Ops.

"Harm hasn't shown up yet."

"See? I told you we weren't the last ones," Tom grinned.

"Tom! Mac!" exclaimed Admiral AJ Chegwidden as he made his way to the door. "Good to see you. Merry Christmas! Come in, come in."

Mac stepped forward and hugged AJ, kissing him lightly on the cheek, surprising him. "Merry Christmas, Sir. Thank you for including us, Admiral."

"Including you?" he barked. "Of course I included you! You're just on medical leave, Mac. You're still part of the JAG family," he smiled. "You doing okay? Should you be out tonight?" he said softly for her ears alone. She smiled and nodded. AJ grinned and then turned to Tom, slapping him on the back. "So, you're already rubbing off on her, are you? Making her late?"

"Hey, it's only 5 minutes," Tom retorted. "The traffic was bad."

"Yeah, but Mac's never late. Not until you happened along," AJ continued his teasing.

"Mac was late?" Commander Harmon Rabb said as he walked up the front steps, his arm around his date for the evening.

"Not as late as you!" quipped Tom as he eased Mac's coat from her shoulders. Petty Officer Tiner walked up and offered to take the coats, so Tom handed off both Mac's and his own. "Thank you, Tiner."

"Merry Christmas, Harm," said Mac, interrupting the banter. "Hello, Caroline. Nice to see you again."

The young woman raised questioning eyes to Harm as he swallowed hard. Tom and AJ tried to hide their grins. They both recognized that this was a different blonde with Harm than at the Christmas ball last Friday. Obviously Mac didn't. Harm's face starting turning red as he tried to introduce his date. "Uh, Mac, this is... um..." he stammered.

The blonde shook her head. "Leanne? Leanne Wilson? Remember me?" she said in an annoyed voice.

"Of course... Of course I do. Leanne. I'm sorry..." Harm rattled. "Admirals, Mac, this is Leanne Wilson."

Mac stepped forward and reached her hand out to Leanne. "I am so sorry, Leanne. I've been out of pocket for the last few months, and I'm getting everything mixed up. People, places, times. I do apologize for mistaking you." Mac turned to Harm. "I am sorry, Harm. Truly. I hope I didn't cause a problem. I'm so sorry."

Harm and both Admirals knew that Mac was laying it on rather thick. But Harm was just glad she was putting the blame on herself... maybe Leanne wouldn't hold it against him later on. "That's okay, Mac. I'm just glad you're well enough to be here," Harm said.

Mac unwrapped the scarf from around her neck and removed her hat, handing both to Tiner as he stood waiting for them. "Thanks, Tiner," she whispered, ignoring the small gasp from Leanne.

"Good to see you again, Ma'am," Tiner answered softly.

Tom heard the blonde's gasp and quickly put his arm around Mac's waist. "Sweetheart, you should be sitting down. You know what the doctor said."

She smiled up at him. "I feel fine, Tom. I'm just a little... confused, I guess. Oh God... who is that with Sturgis?" she said just loud enough for Leanne to hear her, as Tom led her to the sofa.

"That's Bobbie, Sweetheart. Congresswoman Latham." They sat down and he nuzzled her neck. "You were good, Sarah. But I can't believe you thought that was the same girl as Friday night," he teased.

She shrugged her shoulders. "They all look the same after a while, Tom," Mac replied, suppressing a giggle.

Leanne said quietly to Harm, "What's wrong with her? Nothing contagious, I hope? Look at her head! She's practically bald!"

Harm shook his head. "She wouldn't be here if she was contagious, Leanne," he replied almost caustically. Then a little softer, "Cancer. She's had the surgery; now she's having chemo treatments. They've been pretty rough on her. She lost her hair in November."

AJ called everyone to the dinner table and they took their seats and enjoyed their meal. During dinner, most of the conversation centered around Christmases past. Each person sharing a memorable, and often funny, event.

Just as dessert was served, Mac excused herself and quickly headed for AJ's bathroom, his bedroom being closer than the guest room. As she was leaving the table, Tom, AJ, and Harm all stood, ready to go after her. But Harriett said, "Let me go. I think she needs a woman right now." Tom looked anxious. "It's okay, Admiral. Please. I'll go. If she needs you, I'll call you." Harriett was almost certain that Mac wasn't feeling ill... just melancholy.

She entered the Admiral's bedroom and closed the door behind her. She knocked on the bathroom door. "Mac? Mac, it's Harriett. Are you okay? May I come in?"

Mac was leaning against the door when Harriett knocked. "I'm fine, Harriett," she gulped. "I'll be right out."

"Mac, please. Let me in."

Mac grabbed a tissue and dried her eyes before she opened the door. "You have to go, too, hmm?" she tried to say lightly. But her attempt at humor fell flat as the tears welled up in her eyes again. "Oh, Harriett!" she cried as the tears spilled down her cheeks.

Harriett reached out and folded Mac into her arms. "It's okay, Mac. You go ahead and cry all you want to. We all need a good cry sometimes," she whispered, edging them over toward the Admiral's bed. When she felt it bump the back of her knees, she eased Mac down on the bed, still embracing her. "It was all those stories about children, wasn't it?" queried Harriett as they sat together.

Mac looked up and nodded. "I'll never have a child, Harriett. I'll never hold my baby in my arms. I'll never see a child with Tom's eyes looking back at me... and calling me 'Mommy'." Mac's tears flowed again. "I'll never have those memories of Christmas morning with my children."

"Oh, Mac, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." Harriett cooed to her as she held her best friend close.

"I can't do it, Harriett," Mac said after a couple of minutes.

"You can't do what, Mac?" Harriett asked, afraid that she already knew the answer.

"I can't marry Tom. I just can't. He deserves a woman. A real woman." Mac gulped. "A whole woman."

"Mac, you are a real woman. And Tom told you he doesn't care about having children," Harriett tried to reason with her.

"He only said that because he knows I can't have them. He had to say it."

"No, he didn't, Mac. He could have just been there for you during the surgery and then left. He didn't. He loves you, Mac. Anyone with eyes can see that just from how he looks at you! I don't think I've ever seen anyone look at a woman with such love. Ever!"

"Bud."

"Pardon me?"

"Bud looks at you that way," Mac said.

Harriett smiled. "Yes, he does, doesn't he..."

"How are you two doing, Harriett?"

"We're fine. Really. He's... learning to adjust to a new way of life. He'll get the new prosthesis in February. The doctor says that should be the 'real' one." Harriett chuckled. "And little AJ is having the time of his life with his Daddy home all the time. He loves it. And he loves playing gopher for him, too. He feels so important."

"But how are you two doing, Harriett? Together?" Mac asked gently.

Harriett smiled. "Much better. And I have you to thank for that, don't I?"

"Me?" Mac said innocently. "What do you mean? I didn't say anything to Bud."

"No. But you did say something to the Admiral. And he talked to Bud." Mac still looked innocent. "Oh, come on, I know it was you! I told you that day at the spa... and I happen to know that you had the Admiral over for dinner the next evening."

"Oh! You mean Admiral Chegwidden! And here I thought you were talking about Tom," Mac teased.

"Oh you! You're as bad as the Commander sometimes," she retorted.

Mac giggled. "You don't have to insult me."

Harriett joined in the giggling. "Now, now."

"So it helped, huh?" Mac asked, returning to the subject.

"Yes. The Admiral dropped by that Saturday and took Bud for a drive. When they got back, Bud was smiling. He hadn't smiled in a long time," she remembered. "Then the Admiral asked if he could take little AJ to the State Fair. Well, how was I supposed to say no to that? So they left and... well... Bud didn't even wait to get back to the bedroom. We did it right there on the living room floor!" she giggled again. "He never told me what the Admiral said to him, but I think I kinda figured it out. He told him that just because he was minus a leg, it didn't make him less than a man." Harriett looked tenderly at Mac. "Any more than your not being able to have a child makes you less than a woman."

Mac inhaled sharply at Harriett's words. She had succeeded in moving the subject away from her, and here Harriett moved it right back!

"Admiral Boone loves you, Mac. Don't back out on him now. You two are so good together," Harriett said softly.

Mac nodded. "I do love him so much, Harriett."

"So... you gonna tell me?"

"Tell you... what?" Mac asked, confused.

"Your wedding on Valentine's Day? You said it was even more romantic if I knew the reason you chose that date," Harriett reminded her.

"Oh," Mac blushed. "Well, umm..." she stammered.

"Oh, come on, Mac! You can tell me," Harriett prodded.

"We haven't been able to... make love... yet. Dr. Jamaleddeen said 6 weeks after my last round of chemo. Tom figured it out before he proposed last Friday... My last chemo is on 3 January. Six weeks after that is Valentine's Day. That's why he chose it for our wedding."

"Oh, my God! That is so romantic!" Harriett gushed, hugging her friend.

They heard a light knock on the door. "Everything all right in there?" Tom's voice came through the door.

The women got up from the bed and opened the door. "Everything's perfect," Mac said as she reached her arms around Tom's neck and kissed him.

Harriett's cell phone chose that moment to ring. Bud called to her. "Harriett, your purse is ringing!"

She scooted around the two lovebirds and answered her phone just before it switched to Voicemail. "Hello?" she said moving into the kitchen to take her call.

AJ rose from the table and said, "Well, I suppose we should be heading to the church. Wouldn't do for us to be late."

Tiner went to the guest room and retrieved the coats, handing them to their respective owners. When Harriett returned from the kitchen, she approached Tom and Mac. "I'm sorry. That was the babysitter. Little AJ is running a slight fever." Tom immediately put his arm protectively around Mac's shoulders. "I think it might be best if you... well..." Harriett stammered. "Oh, Mac, I so wanted you two to spend Christmas Day with us tomorrow!" Harriett's tears came quickly.

"It's okay, Harriett. Really. We'll do it next year," Mac said.

"You mean I'm not going to have to argue this with you?" asked a surprised Tom. "You're just going to agree to stay home?"

Mac smiled. "I don't want to risk my last round of chemo, Tom. I want it on the third. Not one day later," she said emphatically.

Tom grinned. "So do I, Sweetheart. So do I." He leaned down and kissed her soundly. "And I really think it would be best if we went on home now. There could easily be someone with a cold at the church," he reasoned.

"But I wanted to go to a Christmas Eve service," whined Mac.

"We'll watch the midnight mass on TV. How's that?"

"Not the same," she whimpered.

"I know, Sweetheart. I know," he cooed to her as he helped her with her coat. "Next year. We'll go next year... to any service you want, Darling."

Thursday, 2 January 2003

1545 EST

Bethesda Naval Hospital

Bethesda, Maryland

Mac sat on the edge of the hospital bed. "I'm so sick of this place," she whimpered.

Tom sat down next to her and took her in his arms. "It'll all be behind us soon, Sarah. Soon."

"And I'm sick of being weak. And tired. And... and... bald!" she complained.

"Sweetheart, I've been sick of being bald for years. You only have to put up with it for a few months," he teased, running his hand up her back through the gap in her hospital gown. Mac giggled beside herself.

"Well, that's what I like to hear. Laughter coming from my patients," Dr. Jamaleddeen said, entering Mac's room. "And how are you feeling this afternoon, Sarah?" he asked.

"Ready for this to be over," she sighed.

"And it should be. Soon. Assuming everything checks out today, we'll give you your final chemo tomorrow and hope for the best," he said in a positive way. "I should see the results from your blood work within the hour."

"But when will you know, Doctor?" asked Mac.

"When will we know if there's any more cancer, you mean?" he clarified.

"Yes," Mac nodded.

"You'll come back in a month, Sarah, and we'll do another scan. I'll want to see you every month for 6 months. And then we'll see. We may be able to stretch your scans out to 3 or even 6 months then. But we'll just have to wait and see about that, okay?" the doctor explained.

"That'll be fine, Doctor," Tom replied, cradling Mac in his arms.

"Now, I need to check your vitals, and I want to feel your abdomen, too. So, how about your laying back on the bed for me?" the doctor requested.

Tom got up, and Mac laid down on the bed. When the doctor finished his examination, he shook his head. "You've got a cold coming on, Sarah. That's not good."

"A cold?" Tom repeated.

"No! I'm perfectly fine. No cold. No sniffles. No sneezes. Not even so much as a runny nose!"

"Sarah, your lungs sound a bit congested."

"No, they're not. They can't be!" Mac argued.

"I think it would be best if we waited a few days before..."

"NO!" Mac yelled. "No, please! Doctor, I have to have it tomorrow. Please!" Mac's tears sprang from her eyes unbidden. "Please... please..." she begged.

"Sarah, a few days isn't going to make that much of a difference in your recovery. I'll see about rescheduling you for next week. You can go ahead and get dressed," the doctor said as he left her room.

"Sweetheart, it's okay," Tom tried to comfort her. "It's not that big a deal. We don't have to get married on Valentine's Day. It's actually a little hooky anyway, don't you think?"

"No! I don't think it's at all hooky! It's special, and it was supposed to be OUR day!" Mac sobbed. "I'm not sick. I'm not!" she cried, turning away from Tom.

"Sarah, if the doctor says we have to wait for the chemo, we have to wait. And if you want to still get married on Valentine's Day, then we will. We just won't be able to have sex until the next week, that's all. It's not a problem. We've waited this long; we can wait a week longer than we expected."

Mac didn't respond. Tom could see her body shaking, so he knew she was still sobbing, though silently. When he tried to take her in his arms, she pulled away. He was at a loss; he didn't know quite what to do. "Honey, you go ahead and dress. I'll go pull the car around and be right back to get you."

"No," she said quietly.

"What?"

"No. I'm not leaving. My chemo is tomorrow."

"Sweetheart, the doctor says you need to wait."

"I either have it tomorrow, or I don't have it again," she choked out.

"Don't do this, Sarah. Please, don't do this to me," Tom groaned. "I love you. And I don't want to lose you. The doctor knows what's best right now, Baby. And he wants you to wait." When Mac didn't reply, Tom left the room. "I'll be right back, Honey."

Mac didn't reply. She just started sobbing again. She hated being this way. It was so unlike her. She was strong. She was a Marine! But this illness had completely drained her. She had no strength left. No pride left. How could she ever go back to being the kick-ass Marine she once was? Everyone at JAG knew how weak she'd become. They'd seen it first hand at the Admiral's house... in October and again in December. 'Well, they won't see it again!' she decided.

Then she thought about Tom. He'd only *really* seen her in this weakened state. Would he still love her? Would he still want her if she got well? Really well? And back to her old self? 'Probably not. Only reason he fell for me to begin with was because of his old fiancé, Sally. If she'd died from a heart attack instead of the same cancer I had, he wouldn't have looked twice at me,' she decided. 'Why didn't I realize that before now?' she wondered. 'Because I love him, that's why. I didn't want to realize it.'

Mac rolled off the hospital bed and tore the gown from her body. She opened her duffle bag and pulled out the clothes that she'd worn earlier in the day. She pulled on her panties and corduroys and then donned her bra and sweater. She slipped her shoes and socks on her feet and then picked up the phone. As she was calling for a taxi, Tom and the doctor walked back in the room. Mac quickly hung up the receiver before the connection went through.

The doctor immediately took in Mac's change in deportment. "Sarah, Tom just explained to me why you're so insistent about having the chemo tomorrow. I'm sorry; I didn't realize you had something so special planned based on that date. I tell you what. Stay here tonight, and we'll plan on doing the chemo tomorrow as we originally said. But tomorrow morning, if your lungs are still the least bit congested or there's anything else wrong, we'll have to postpone. But there's a chance your lungs will be clear by tomorrow. Tom says you've been very careful and haven't been around illness at all. So maybe we'll be lucky."

Mac didn't respond. She just stared at the floor.

"Sweetheart?" Tom said gently. "How does that sound?"

"No," she replied. "I'm through with all this. No more. If the cancer isn't gone by now, it isn't going to be because of one more day of chemotherapy."

"Sarah, that isn't true," the doctor said.

"Sarah, please. Don't do this," Tom urged.

She looked up at him. "You don't love me, Tom. You're only here because of Sally." Mac ignored the pained expression on his face. "You don't even know me. You know a weak, sick woman who needed you. Well, I'm tired of being weak. I'm tired of being sick. And I'm tired of depending on someone else for everything. I want to be ME again." She reached down and picked up her duffle bag. "And I'm going to be. Starting right now. I'm going to be the tough, kick-ass Marine that I... that I..." Mac faltered as her tears welled up in her eyes. She dropped the duffle as her hand weakened and she could no longer hold the bag. "Damn!" she cried.

Tom walked up to her and took her hands in his. "Darling, listen to me. I do know you. I know the tough, kick-ass Marine you once were. And I know you'll be that again. And soon. Sarah, it can't be soon enough for me!" He noticed that she had a look of disbelief on her face. "You forget, my dear... you were the JAG officer who charged me with sexual discrimination years ago! Oh yes, I know the kick-ass Marine only too well!" he teased, causing Mac's lips to turn up ever so slightly into a smile." But I also know the sweet, vulnerable woman that you are. And you're that always, Sarah. Even when you're a tough, kick-ass Marine, you're still a woman. A beautiful woman. And I want you to be my woman. My wife."

"What about Sally?"

"Sweetheart, that was over 35 years ago. Sally's gone. Let her rest."

"You don't think of her when you look at me? When you touch me?"

Tom shook his head. "No, I don't."

"Tom, are you sure? Really sure?"

"Sarah, I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I love you; it's that simple."

Mac turned back to the doctor. "There won't be any congestion tomorrow, Doctor. I will have the chemo on the third. And I will be married on Valentine's Day. And I will make love with my husband that night. Is that clear?"

The doctor smiled his indulgence. "We'll know in the morning, Sarah."

"Is that clear, Commander?" she repeated, this time using his rank.

"Colonel, if you aren't..." the doctor began, but Tom interrupted.

"That'll be all, Commander. Dismissed." The doctor looked oddly at Tom, but when he saw Tom's face, he realized he was being given an "out". Tom turned back to Mac. "Let's get you back in that lovely hospital gown, shall we?"

Friday, 3 January 2003

0800 EST

Bethesda Naval Hospital

Bethesda, Maryland

Mac paced the room while Tom sat calmly on the edge of her bed. "When is he going to get here and start this stuff?" complained Mac.

"Sarah, your other treatments never started before 0900. You know that. Come on. Get back in your bed, and stop getting yourself so worked up."

The door swung open and Dr. Jamaleddeen entered the room. "Well, and how did everyone sleep last night?"

"Don't patronize me, Doctor. Are you going to okay the chemo today?" Mac barked.

He smiled. "Don't know the answer to that yet, Sarah. How about if you lie down and let me take a listen. Then I'll be able to tell you."

Mac was already climbing back in the bed before he finished talking. "Do it," she ordered.

Tom just shook his head. "She's in rare form this morning, Doc. Good luck!" They laughed together at Mac's expense.

Mac glared at the two men. "Now!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" agreed the doctor, grinning. He examined Mac again, as he had the prior afternoon. He listened to her lungs several times.

"Well?" Mac asked impatiently. The doctor shook his head. "No!" cried Mac, ready to burst into tears.

The doctor spoke as Mac cried out. "Don't hear a thing, Sarah."

"What?" she choked out.

"I don't hear a bit of congestion. What'd you do, order it to go away?" he teased.

"You mean...?"

The doctor smiled. "That's exactly what I mean, Sarah. We'll get the chemo started within the hour."

"Ohhh!" cried Mac as she burst into tears anyway. "Tom!" she reached her arms out and he quickly moved into them, then adjusted them so that he was pulling Mac into his arms.

"There now, Sweetheart. You see? Everything's going to be just fine," he soothed.

"Oh my God! I need a dress for the wedding! And... and... we need to decide where... and get invitations out... and..."

Tom laughed and hugged her tightly. "Sweetheart, do you want to plan our wedding today with a needle in your arm?"

Mac raised her eyes to his and smiled. "You'll have to write it all down," she ventured. "I won't be able to."

Monday, 20 January 2003

1330 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Mac thanked the taxi driver as he opened the car door for her and helped her out. "You're going to wait, right?" she asked him.

"Yes, Ma'am. I'll be right here when you're finished," he answered.

"Thank you." Mac walked up the steps and into the brick building. The Marine guard at the desk was new and didn't recognize her. But before he said anything to her, she spoke. "Good afternoon, Sergeant. I'm Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie. You're new to this posting, aren't you?" she asked, unbuttoning her coat.

He rose from his seat behind the desk and came to attention stance. "Ma'am! Yes, Ma'am!"

"As you were, Sergeant. I'm here to see Admiral Chegwidden."

"Let me just call upstairs for you, Ma'am, and be sure he's available," he said, picking up the receiver and dialing.

"That won't be necessary, Sergeant. I'll just go on up. I do need a visitor's badge though since I'm not in uniform today," she told him.

She pinned the badge on her blouse and made her way to the elevator. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a familiar face approach the guard's desk. Stepping back out of the elevator to look, she called out, "Tiner! Hello!"

Tiner turned to look and his face brightened. "Colonel MacKenzie! It's so good to see you here, Ma'am. How are you feeling?" Mac had removed her coat and was holding it over her arm. As she switched it to her other arm, Tiner reached out and took it from her. "Let me get that for you, Ma'am."

Mac smiled her appreciation. "Thank you, Tiner."

"May I escort you up to JAG Ops, Ma'am?" he asked quietly. "You look mighty tired. Should you really be out like this?"

"Yes, you may. And thank you for offering," she replied as they boarded the elevator. "And yes, I am very tired. And no, I probably shouldn't be out like this," she continued. "But I have something important to discuss with the Admiral, and I didn't want to do it on the phone."

The elevator doors opened, and Mac and Tiner headed for the JAG Ops bullpen. As soon as people saw Mac, they immediately gravitated to her. "Colonel!" "Mac!" "How are you?" "You should be home in bed!" the exclamations came fast and furious.

"Colonel?!" At the Admiral's bellow, the bullpen was silenced. Mac turned around and faced her CO, smiling. "What are you doing here? And how did you get here?"

"Hello, Admiral. I'm here to see you. And I came by taxi," Mac explained.

"To see me? Hell, Mac, all you had to do was call me."

"I wanted to talk to you in person, Sir."

"Then I could have come to you. Mac, you're not well enough to be out in this kind of weather," AJ argued.

"It's just cold, Sir. They changed the forecast this morning. No snow. No ice."

AJ shook his head. "All right, people, back to work!" He looked at Mac. "Okay, Mac. Let's go to my office."

Once inside his office with the door closed, AJ motioned for Mac to take a seat by the fireplace. "What's so important, you had to come all the way down here? And does Tom know you're here?"

Mac blushed. "No, Sir. Tom doesn't know. I told him I was coming. But he..." her words trailed off.

"He told you to stay home," AJ surmised.

"Yes, Sir."

"Okay, Mac. What's on your mind?"

"Admiral, I asked you back a couple of years ago... when I was engaged to Mic... to give me away."

AJ nodded. 'Uh oh.'

"I'd like to ask again, Sir. I would really like for you to..."

"Can't do it, Mac. I'm sorry," AJ interrupted her.

Mac's jaw dropped. "I beg your pardon?" she choked out.

"It would be a little awkward, I think. My escorting you down the aisle and then taking my place next to Tom and Harm."

"Oh no," she breathed. "Tom didn't tell me who... I just knew that he had asked two men..." she sighed. "Now what do I do?" she sighed. "I guess I can just walk down the aisle alone. I mean you don't have to have an escort. Right?"

"So I've heard. But I've never seen it done that way, Mac."

Mac tried to smile. "Well, thank you anyway, Sir. I won't keep you. I need to get on home." Mac stood up and walked to the door.

"Mac, have you talked to Tom about this?" AJ asked before she left his office.

"No, Sir."

"You should," he nodded. "After all, I have known you a lot longer than I've known him. I assumed when he asked me, that you already had someone else lined up to give you away. That's the only reason I agreed to stand up with him. If he knows you were expecting me to give you away, he'll probably choose someone else to stand up with him."

"I suppose," Mac said. She was sure she'd mentioned AJ's walking her down the aisle to Tom. They hadn't really discussed it, but she was positive that she'd said something about it.

Thursday, 23 January 2003

1000 EST

Valentino's of Georgetown

Washington, DC

Tom and Mac pulled up in front of the prestigious bridal salon. "Look, there's Harriett's van," Mac pointed across the street. "You can go on to work, Honey." She leaned over and kissed Tom.

"Why don't you make sure she's in there before I leave. I don't want to..." Tom's voice trailed off as he saw Harriett come out of the shop and wave at them.

"Here she is," said Mac, waving. Tom was out of the car and around to Mac's door, opening it for her and helping her out. "Thank you, Dear," she whispered saucily as she placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Hey! You think that's going to hold me over until tonight?" he complained. "I don't think so!" And with that, he gathered Mac into his arms and kissed her soundly. "Better. Much better," he teased as he released her.

"Mmm, let's just go back home and neck!" Mac giggled. "Actually, I was trying to behave myself. After all, you are in uniform."

"Oh yeah," Tom said looking around. "Oops," he whispered, seeing another uniform across the street.

Mac turned to Harriett. "Good morning, Harriett."

"Harriett, hello," added Tom.

Harriett was smiling brightly at them. "Good morning, Admiral. Mac. You ready to choose a wedding gown?" she gushed.

"Absolutely!" agreed Mac happily. "Let's get to it!" She kissed Tom goodbye again, and he watched the two women enter the shop before he headed for his office at the Pentagon. "Harriett, thank you so much for taking the time off to do this with me today. Tom really didn't want me out on the weekend; there's just so many more people..."

"I'm thrilled that you asked me, Mac. Really, I am. People have been so hesitant to ask me to do anything because of Bud. And I can't tell you how good it feels to be... well... needed, again... by someone other than just Bud and little AJ."

Mac and Harriett began looking at the dresses on the mannequins in the window and around the front of the store. "Well, Harriett, I'll be delighted with any and all help you can give me with this wedding!" Mac chirped. The two women giggled.

"Oh, Mac! Look at this one!" cried Harriett, pulling out an exquisite gown in antique satin.

"Oooh, it's gorgeous," cooed Mac as she lightly fingered the detail on the neckline.

"Good morning, ladies. I am Lucretia Valentino. I understand you require a bridal gown, Miss MacKenzie? And bridesmaid gowns, also, yes? They guessed the woman who addressed them to be about 45 years old. She wore her jet black hair up in a French twist secured by a pearl comb. Her silver suit was elegant, yet simple; tailored, but not business-like... and fit her like a glove.

"Yes, that's right," agreed Mac. "I'm Sarah MacKenzie," she said, extending her hand in greeting.

"Welcome to my salon," Lucretia said, shaking hands.

"And I'm Harriett Roberts," Harriett said, following suit and extending her hand.

"I am honored that you chose me to assist you. I am certain we will find exactly what you are looking for." She noticed the gown that Harriett had shown Mac earlier. "I see you have already found one of my nicest gowns. It is beautiful, is it not?"

"Oh it is," agreed both Harriett and Mac.

"But not quite what you have in mind, if I'm not mistaken," Lucretia added.

Mac looked surprised. "How did you know that?" she asked.

Lucretia laughed lightly. "Your expression when you saw the gown was one of excitement, but disappointment. I made a logical assumption."

Mac laughed. "You're good."

"So, why don't we go to my office and you can tell me what you have planned for your wedding. Then I will know better what to show you," suggested Lucretia.

Her office was large, much larger than Mac expected. There was a 3-way mirror with a platform on one wall, a mannequin dressed in a gorgeous wedding gown in the far corner, and a naked mannequin in the opposite corner. Next to that mannequin was a rack of fabric in different colors and textures. Her desk was large and covered in sketches of wedding gowns.

"This is amazing," mused Harriett. "I've never seen anything quite like this," she whispered to Mac. Mac just nodded, in awe.

"Now, Sarah. Tell me first about your husband-to-be. Describe him for me," requested Lucretia.

"Oh, I have a picture," Mac said, rummaging through her purse.

"No, no. A picture does not tell me who he is. I want you to describe him. It is much better, believe me."

Mac giggled nervously. She'd never described Tom to anyone before. "Well..." she hesitated. "He's tall. About 6'2". He's almost bald... but then, so am I," Mac giggled again.

"Mac, your hair will grow back. Just give it time," Harriett said quietly, reaching out to take her friend's hand. Mac squeezed it tightly, and Harriett realized just how hard this all was for her. She looked at Lucretia. "Perhaps if I describe him for you," she suggested.

Lucretia shook her head. "No, no. Only a bride can describe her husband as she sees him. And that is what I need to hear. How you see him. Not a camera. Not a friend. You." Lucretia came out from behind her desk and slid a chair up next to Mac. She laid her hand on top of Mac's & Harriett's. "And if you cry while you tell me, that tells me even more." Mac looked up at her, surprised. "I tell you what. Let me start. I will tell you what I know. Then you tell me the rest. Yes?"

Mac nodded. "Okay," she whispered.

"Your man is in the Navy. He is an Admiral and he works at the Pentagon. He will be wearing his Mess Dress uniform, which is very dark Navy blue... almost black. Yes?" Mac nodded. "He is 6'2", as you said. He has hazel eyes and a fringe of hair around the side and back, and is bald on top. He weighs about 180 pounds and is very well built... very strong. Yes?" Mac nodded again. "Now, my dear, you tell me about him."

"You already know about him," said Mac. "What more do you need to know?"

"Aaah, Sarah. I know only the outward appearance. How can I know what to show you if I do not know what makes him special to you?"

The proverbial light bulb went on in Mac's head, and she smiled brightly. "Tom is so wonderful. He takes care of me. He loves me. And he never asks for more than he knows I'm ready to give. He never has." Harriett smiled along with Lucretia as Mac realized this for the first time. "He really never has. I've never known a man like him..."

Mac's thoughts drifted back to that day in August when he found her in Bailey's Tavern. "He didn't tell anyone. He knew where I was, but he didn't tell anyone. He knew I wanted to be alone."

"When was this, Sarah?" asked Lucretia. "Share your story with me, would you please? Tell me how you met? How you fell in love?" Lucretia had a feeling that this was a very special relationship.

Mac began her tale. "It started back in May. I had a physical... pap smear, all that mess. The pap came back abnormal. So I had another one. It was the same. So they did a biopsy. Before the results came back, I was sent out to Afghanistan." She turned to Harriett. "It was two days after Bud's accident that I found out the results. I'd barely gotten in to my office Thursday morning when my phone rang. It was the doctor's office. He wanted to see me that day. He told me about the cancer and referred me to Dr. Jamaleddeen. He confirmed everything the next week. He scheduled me for surgery on June 12." Harriett looked up, surprised. Mac grinned. "I cancelled it."

"Mac!" Harriett cried.

"So he rescheduled it to the last week of June. I cancelled that one, too."

"Oh, my God! Mac, why? Why did you risk that?" Harriett's eyes welled with tears as she remembered how betrayed she felt all summer. Mac had never called her, never gone to see her. She couldn't understand why her best girlfriend was avoiding her. Now she knew. And she felt guilty. 'I should have called her. My God, she was in such pain and I only thought of myself! How selfish of me. I should have known Mac wasn't avoiding me because of Bud. She would never have done that. I should have know that!'

"I just couldn't, Harriett. I wasn't ready," Mac tried to explain. "I hadn't accepted that I'd never be able to have a child." Mac lowered her head and continued, "I kept thinking I'd wake up and it would all have been a horrible nightmare."

"So you rescheduled to August?" Harriett prodded.

Mac shook her head. "July, actually. And then early August. When I actually had the surgery on the 29th, I'd rescheduled it 4 times. That was my fifth surgery date. I think if I'd cancelled again, Dr. Jamaleddeen would have given up on me as a patient," she giggled nervously. "Actually, I tried to leave that morning. Tom wouldn't let me."

"So you were already dating then?" asked Lucretia.

"Oh, no!" Mac exclaimed. "No, actually, Tom and I didn't like each other much. Or at least, I didn't think he liked me. I'd had to serve charges against him, and prosecute. I lost, thank goodness. But still, I don't really think he had a very high opinion of me."

"Okay, so when did that change?"

"Well, it was the week before my surgery. Friday night. Everyone from the office was going to meet at McMurphy's for drinks. I didn't want to see anyone. I was feeling pretty low, and I just... well, I was pretty much keeping to myself."

"Oh, Mac, I'm so sorry. I wish I'd known..." Harriett gulped.

Mac just shook her head. "I was pretty rude to everyone all summer. Most people just kept their distance, which is what I wanted... I think. Well, that evening, I went to a bar up the street from McMurphy's. And it just happened that Tom went to the wrong bar first and found me there. I let him know that I wasn't in the mood to see anyone. I was rude. He left. And then he came back a couple of hours later. I was still sitting there. He asked if I was okay; I lied... I said yes. Then I went to leave... he followed me out and then told me that Harm was going to drop by and check on me."

"I remember his saying he was going to do that," agreed Harriett. "We were all concerned about you. No one knew where you were."

"Tom knew. He didn't tell anyone though. I asked him why... and he said he knew I wanted to be alone. If he said anything, Harm would have gone down there. So he kept his mouth shut." Lucretia nodded, taking it all in. "Anyway, I didn't want to go home then. I didn't want to see Harm that night. Tom invited me to join him for dinner."

"He asked you out on a date in that condition?" Harriett asked incredulously.

"No, no... not a date," she shook her head. "Just a way to avoid Harm, actually. It would just be two people having dinner. And that's what it was, too. I even took my own car. Followed him out to a little town in Maryland on the water... Shady Side. We had dinner and then went for a walk on the beach. I kinda lost it for a few minutes and cried. He held me. Gently. He didn't pry. He asked if he could help. I said no. So he just held me while I cried. Then we stayed at a little run-down motel for the night..." Mac looked up at Harriett's gasp. "No, Harriett. We each had our own room."

"Oh," she replied in a small voice.

"It was such a quiet place... the beach, I mean. I loved it. We went back for a day in September," she said dreamily. Then she looked up and continued. "On Wednesday evening of the next week, Tom called me at home... just to say hello, he said. I talked to him for a minute or so and then... well..." Mac hung her head. "I hung up on him."

Harriett grinned. You don't hang up on a man like Admiral Boone. "How long before he was at your door, Mac?" she asked.

"How did you know that?" Mac jerked her head up. Then she laughed at Harriett's expression. "Oh. I guess if I'd thought about it, I'd have expected him."

"Uh huh," Harriett agreed, giggling.

"Took him 10 minutes to get there," Mac grinned. "And I guess I sorta fell apart. He held me while I cried, and I felt so... safe... with him. I told him I was having surgery the next day, and he insisted on driving me there."

"How were you going to get there?" asked Harriett.

"Taxi," Mac said, lowering her eyes.

"Taxi!? Oh, Mac..."

"I didn't want anyone to know, Harriett. I hadn't even told the Admiral. He thought I was going on vacation. I hadn't asked for medical leave," Mac explained. "Well, anyway... Tom came back early the next morning and took me to Bethesda. And he stayed. All day. He was there for me. I tried to leave before the surgery, and he wouldn't let me. I cried, and he held me. And just before they took me up, he promised to take me dancing," Mac smiled as a tear slipped down her cheek. "Then he kissed me," she breathed. "I felt like I was on Cloud Nine."

Lucretia was getting a lot more than she expected. A lot more than she usually did from a bride. But then, it was obvious that Sarah was actually sharing with her friend, and Lucretia was just a bystander. So she held her tongue. She didn't want to intrude. But she was narrowing down the dresses she would show this bride. It would have to be a very special gown, indeed.

"What happened after the surgery, Mac?" Harriett asked, reaching up and wiping away the tear from Mac's cheek.

Mac smiled at her friend. "He was there when I woke up. Every time I woke up. He never left." Mac's eyes welled with tears as she remembered their conversation. "I told him what kind of surgery I had. And he told me it didn't matter... that my ability to reproduce wasn't what makes me a woman. He said it was my soul that did that. And he said it like he knew. Like he really knew it for a fact. There was no room to question him," she said in awe. "I found out later that he'd been engaged once." Harriett's head jerked up. "It was a long time ago... a very long time ago. She had cancer, same as me. And he lost her. She died."

"Oh, my God!" cried Harriett. "Is that why he never married... he never..."

Mac nodded her head. "He blamed himself. I can't tell you more than that; it's not my place. It was very hard on him. But he's never allowed himself to be close to a woman since. Until me," she sniffed. "He's mine now," she smiled.

"Go on," encouraged Harriett. "What happened next?"

"He was so supportive. So encouraging. So tender and sweet. We, um... didn't even realize it, I don't think, when he started calling me 'Sweetheart'. It just sort of happened. And it felt so good, like he really cared for me. And he does!" she said almost not believing it herself. "He helped me call the Admiral to tell him about the surgery, he insisted that I go to his house to recuperate, and he helped me call Harm and tell him. And as the days and weeks went by, we just... we..."

"You fell in love," Lucretia said, reminding them of her presence.

Mac nodded. "Yeah, we did," she smiled. "Completely."

"And your wedding will be at Annapolis?" Lucretia queried.

"No. We want a small wedding. Only 2 attendants each, and no flower girl or ring bearer. And I don't really want 3/4 of that huge chapel empty. So, we decided on the church that Tom's been attending in Laurel. Oakland Presbyterian."

"Oakland? Ah yes, I knew a couple who attended there," Lucretia said. "They both died... on 9/11," she added sadly. "Left an adorable young son behind."

Mac looked up. "Joel?"

Lucretia looked surprised. "Yes, that's his name. Do you know him?"

Mac nodded. "Well, not me, actually. But Tom does. He was quite close to Joel's family. In fact, Tom sees Joel as often as he can. He takes him places... like the zoo, the park, that kind of thing."

"That's very good of him. He sounds like a wonderful man, Sarah. I'm very happy for you." Lucretia stood up. "Now, if you will be good enough to come over to the mannequin, and help me select. I need to know which colors you like and look well on you. And then we will choose the fabric. Then the style. And once we have your gown selected, we will choose the bridesmaid dresses. Yes?"

Mac and Harriett rose and followed Lucretia to the corner of the room with the naked mannequin. Lucretia pulled out several pieces of fabric and draped each of them in turn over Mac's shoulder. She put a couple of them back on the rack, but held 3 of them out. Then she pulled some more pieces and draped them over Mac's arms. She put all but 2 of those back. "Okay, now let's move over here," Lucretia said, walking to the platform area by the mirrors. "Sarah, you step up here, please," she said motioning to the platform.

Mac giggled as she looked at Harriett. "Okay." Lucretia held out her hand to assist Mac in her step up to the platform.

"Now, my dear. Which color of those 3 do you like the best?"

"Are they different?" asked Mac, a bit confused.

"Oh! I am sorry. Let me get the lights." Lucretia reached behind the mirrors and flipped a switch. The platform was drenched in brightness.

"Oh, wow! What a difference!" exclaimed Harriett.

"I'll say. They looked like the same color before," agreed Mac. "Which one do I like better..." she pondered. "I think... this one," she said, touching it with her right hand.

"Very good choice," Lucretia commented. "They are all good colors for you, but I agree, this one is the best," she said, removing the other two colors. "Now, which texture do you like better?" she asked, indicating the two pieces on her arms.

Mac looked at them, felt them, and then looked at them in the mirror. "I don't know. I like them both."

Harriett said, "I like this one better," touching the piece of fabric on Mac's left arm. "Oh! Wow!" she exclaimed when she felt of it. "That's incredible!"

Lucretia smiled. "China silk. You have excellent taste, Harriett."

"What's the other one?" asked Mac.

"Antique satin."

"I can't decide. They're both wonderful," said Mac.

"That's fine, my dear," said Lucretia. We have a color and 2 fabrics. Oh! The church. Does it have a center aisle or split aisles?"

"Center," Mac answered.

"Very good. Center aisles are so much nicer for a wedding," Lucretia smiled. "And your escort is your father?" she asked.

Mac shook her head. "No. I'm walking down by myself."

"What?" cried Harriett. "I thought the Admiral was going to walk you down the aisle. What happened?"

"Tom already asked him to stand up with him," said Mac.

"Oh, Mac. Does he know you wanted the Admiral to give you away?"

Mac shook her head. "I don't know. I guess not. But it's not a big deal, Harriett, really. I can walk down the aisle by myself. I mean, you and Chloe will be in front of me. It'll be fine. Really," she tried to assure her friend... all the while, trying to assure herself, as well.

Lucretia took advantage of the lull in conversation. "I think I have it narrowed down to a reasonable number of gowns. Let's go take a look, shall we?" She extended her hand to Mac to help her off the platform and they went back to the main part of the shop. 'Poor girl. To have to walk the aisle alone. No woman should have to do that.'

Lucretia pulled several gowns out from the racks and put them on hooks at the center posts. Mac and Harriett "ooh'd and aah'd" over each and every gown. But when Lucretia pulled out the last one, their jaws fell open. "Oh, my God! It's perfect!!" squealed Mac.

"It's so... you!" agreed Harriett.

Lucretia smiled. This was her choice for her client, as well. She always pulled her choice last, just to give all the other gowns a fair chance, as it were. "You like this one?" she asked.

"Oh, yes! It's magnificent," Mac purred.

"And it's the China silk," whispered Harriett.

"Yes, it is," agreed Lucretia. "Shall we go back to my office and let you try it on?"

Mac didn't even answer. She just turned and headed for the office, stripping as she went. Harriett and Lucretia laughed as Harriett picked up Mac's blouse from the floor.

Lucretia lifted the gown over Mac's head and eased it gently down her body. She walked behind Mac and zipped up the dress. "It isn't often that a bride can actually see the gown correctly when she tries it. You are the perfect size for this one," Lucretia commented. She helped Mac up to the platform again. "What do you think?"

Mac's eyes welled with tears. "I love it. I really love it. It's so perfect!" she gulped. "But it's not right. I need to keep looking," she said softly.

Harriett was surprised. "Keep looking? Not right? Mac, what are you talking about? It's perfect, just like you said. It's gorgeous on you!"

Lucretia excused herself. "I will be right back. You stay there. Don't move," she ordered. She went back to the front room and returned with a headpiece and veil in her hands. She stepped up on the platform with Mac. "Can you squat just a little?" she asked. "You're so tall!" she teased as she placed the headpiece on Mac's bald head. Then she draped the veil down her back. She turned Mac back to the mirrors. Lucretia stepped down from the platform and said, "Now. What do you think?"

Mac gasped at her reflection. "You can't tell! You can't see that there's no hair. It doesn't look like I'm bald!" Her tears started to flow and Lucretia quickly handed her a hankie.

"Mustn't get tears on the silk yet, my dear," she warned.

"Oh! No, of course not," sniffed Mac, drying her eyes. "Oh Lucretia, this is just perfect. I can't believe it."

"You are most beautiful, Sarah. It isn't difficult to find a gown for such a beautiful woman."

Harriett beamed at Mac. "Mac, you are gorgeous! Admiral Boone isn't gonna know what hit him when he sees you in that gown!" She laughed. "Neither are Harm or Admiral Chegwidden for that matter!"

"Harriett!" Mac scolded her friend.

"Well, it's true!"

Sunday, 2 February 2003

1205 EST

Oakland Presbyterian Church

Laurel, Maryland

The morning worship service concluded, and Tom and Mac headed for the exit. They were due at Bud and Harriett's for lunch by 1330, and they were barely going to make it. But Mac had insisted that she wanted to attend church this week. She didn't really know why, she just felt the desire to go. So he had humored her.

As they reached the exit, Tom heard a voice calling, "Uncle CAG! Uncle CAG!" He turned around just as Joel flung himself at Tom's legs.

"Hey, Joel!" Tom greeted him, picking him up in his arms. "I didn't see you earlier. Where were you hiding?" he teased.

"I was in children's church today. It started a couple of weeks ago."

"Well, no wonder I haven't seen you around." Tom nodded to Mac and they moved aside to let others pass them on the way out.

Joel looked over Tom's shoulder at Mac. "She still living at your house?" he whispered loudly.

Tom smiled and nodded. "She sure is. She's gonna keep living there, too."

Joel frowned slightly. "Why?"

"Because I love her, Joel. We're going to get married."

"You are?" he asked, amazed.

"Yep."

"You still going to be my Uncle CAG?" Joel asked quietly.

"Of course I am! Why would that change?"

"She might not like me," Joel said, looking back at Mac.

"Oh, I bet she will like you. She already thinks you're a handsome little devil." Joel's eyes opened in surprise. Tom nodded. "Oh yeah. Told me that the first time she ever saw you."

"She did?"

"Yep."

"Could I say hello to her? Is it okay?"

"Of course it's okay, Joel." He set Joel on his feet and turned to Mac. "Sarah, Joel would like to meet you."

Mac smiled brilliantly and looked down at Joel. "I'd like that, too." She extended her hand to the little boy. "Hello, Joel. My name is Sarah."

"Hi," he said shyly and scooted back behind Tom's legs.

"Joel! Hey, buddy, what's the problem? You're not usually shy around beautiful women."

"Why is she bald, Uncle CAG?" he asked, taking Tom by surprise.

But Mac had a feeling that was why the boy was staring at her. She squatted down to his level and said, "I've been kinda sick, Joel. I had to take some medicine for a couple of months. And it made my hair fall out. But it's starting to grow back now. See?" She bent her head over so Joel could see the little stubs of hair. She looked at him again. "My hair is brown. When I was a little girl, it used to be blonde, like yours."

"You're gonna marry my Uncle CAG?" Joel asked her.

"Yes, I am."

"Why?"

"Because I love him," Mac answered.

"I love him, too."

Mac smiled. "I know you do, Joel. And he loves you, very much."

"When's the wedding?" he asked.

"On Valentine's Day," Mac smiled.

"Where?"

"Right here at the church."

"Can I come?"

"Of course you can come, Joel."

"What should I call you?" he asked.

"How about Aunt Sarah?"

He nodded. "Okay." Then he looked at the ground. "Aunt Sarah?"

"Yes, Joel?" Mac smiled, liking how her new name sounded from the boy's lips.

He looked up at her with puppy dog eyes. "Can I be the ring bearer?"

Sunday, 2 February 2003

1425 EST

Roberts Residence

Vienna, Virginia

"That is so precious!" cried Harriett as she passed the bowl of mashed potatoes to Harm. "And no, of course we won't be hurt if you have Joel as your ring bearer."

"I really hadn't intended on having children in the wedding at all, you know," explained Mac, handing the bowl of green beans to Tom. "I wanted to use little AJ, but I don't know any little-bitty girls. So I decided against it."

"Mac, it's okay, really," assured Harriett. She reached over and cut the roast beef in her son's plate. "I think AJ might be a little too young yet anyway."

Harm piped up as he took a bite of salad. "I was a ring bearer when I was 3," he nodded in agreement with Harriett. "I dropped the rings; they rolled under the pews, and people had to get down on their hands and knees to try and find them! My mother never has let me forget that."

Everyone at the table laughed at Harm's story. Harriett offered, "Harm, they're supposed to tie the rings to the pillow with the ribbons. Even an adult would have trouble keeping them on a pillow walking up an aisle otherwise."

"So, Harm, whatever happened to Caroline... oh no... umm, it was... Leanne?" queried Mac.

"She dumped me," Harm shrugged. "Just as well. I was about to dump her anyway."

"Harm, you really need to find yourself a good woman and settle down," Tom joked.

"What, like you? Took you how many years to finally bite the bullet?" Harm laughed.

"Yeah, well, I had plenty of opportunities," he threw back.

"And I haven't?"

"Not when they keep dumping you, Harm!" laughed Mac.

"Okay, okay! That's enough about my love life!" Harm whined.

"What love life?" teased Bud.

"What are you going to do about a flower girl though?" asked Harriett, feeling sorry for Harm and wanting to bring the subject back to Mac's wedding.

"Mmm, Harriett, these potatoes are delicious!" Bud said.

"I don't have one. I think we'll just have Joel as the ring bearer and no flower girl." Mac took a bite of roast beef and then turned to look at Harriett. "I can do that, right?" she asked, unsure.

"Sweetheart, you can do anything you want. It's our wedding," Tom assured her as he took another sip of iced tea.

Harriett smiled at her friend. "It's fine, Mac. Most of the time, if there's only one child in a wedding party, it's a flower girl. But there's nothing that says you can't just have a ring bearer."

"I think it'll be cute," agreed Bud.

"Just be sure to tie the rings on the pillow, Mac!" Harm added.

"How old is Joel?" asked Harriett.

Mac looked up, surprised. "I don't even know." She turned to Tom. "Do you know?"

Tom grinned. "I sure do. His coming along took one of my most steady pilots out of my squadron. He just turned 6."

"Why'd his father quit flying just because of a baby?" asked Harm.

Mac grinned. She knew the answer to this one. "What makes you think it was his father, Flyboy?"

Harm turned surprised eyes to Tom. "His mother?" he asked incredulously.

Tom nodded. "Wonderful woman, too. We all missed KitKat when she left the carrier."

"Wow," mumbled Harm.

"And you said Joel lost both of his parents?" asked Bud. Tom nodded again. "Poor little kid."

Wednesday, 12 February 2003

1535 EST

Reagan National Airport

Washington, DC

Mac waited at the bottom of the escalator, keeping a watchful eye out for Chloe. She hated that she couldn't meet her at the gate anymore, but she understood the tightened security. And Chloe was old enough now that she didn't need to have someone hold her hand in an airport. Mac looked up when she heard Chloe's voice. "Mac!!"

"Chloe!!" Mac called to her. "Oh, God, I'm so glad you could come!" she cried, pulling Chloe into her arms for a tight bear hug.

"Hey, what's this?" Chloe asked, seeing Mac's tears streaking down her face. "You never cried when I arrived before," she observed.

"Oh, don't mind me," Mac said. "I cry at the drop of a hat these days." As she said the word "hat", Mac reached up and patted her head, to be sure her own hat was on securely, hiding her bald head.

"So, where is he? When do I meet your Mr. Wonderful?" Chloe got right down to business.

"Tom's circling in the car so I wouldn't have to walk very far," Mac explained. "Let's get your bag, and get out of here!"

Chloe and Mac put their arms around each other's waists and proceeded to the baggage claim area. "So how are you really, Mac?" Chloe asked as they waited for the bags to appear on the carousel.

"I'm doing pretty well, Chloe. I'm finished with the chemo, and my strength is coming back. Slowly, but it's coming back."

"I wish I could've come down to help you some, Mac."

"I know, Chlo, but I really didn't want anyone to see me that way. I felt really..." Mac paused, searching for the right word. She sighed. "Awful. I just felt awful; I didn't want to see anyone. I hardly saw anyone but Tom through the whole ordeal. I mean, Harriett a couple of times, Harm once or twice..." Mac's tears welled up and spilled over again.

"It's okay, Mac. I understand," Chloe said hugging her big sister. "Really, it is," she reached up and wiped Mac's tears away. "Gosh, you really do cry easily now," she teased.

Mac slapped her hand away lightly. "Oh, you!"

"Here's one of my bags," said Chloe. She reached out and grabbed the large suitcase as it approached them on the carousel. "Oh, Mac, here comes my other one. It's that purple duffle. Can you grab it?"

"Sure," Mac said. She leaned over and reached the straps. She pulled and it wouldn't budge. She pulled again, and moved it about an inch.

"Yea, that's the one, Mac," Chloe said, thinking Mac must be checking the tag since she hadn't pulled it off yet.

Mac tried again; she was having to walk around the carousel now to follow the bag, but she hadn't let go of the straps. She pulled as hard as she could, and the bag only moved about 3 inches. "Damn," she muttered under her breath.

A man in uniform stepped forward and offered, "Can I get that for you, Ma'am?"

"Please," Mac replied, letting go and feeling totally helpless.

He reached down and easily picked up the bag. He held on to it and said, "Where to?"

Mac looked up and the same time he looked down into her face. "Gunny!" she cried.

"Colonel?" Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez set the bag down quickly and immediately came to attention stance. What he didn't expect was to find Mac's arms around him the next second.

"Oh, Gunny! You're home! It's so good to see you!" she realized he wasn't hugging her back, so she released him and looked up into his face. "How've you been?"

He relaxed his stance but couldn't figure out why Mac was acting so strangely. She was being so... emotional. "Doing just fine, Ma'am. Haven't heard much from anyone at JAG for the last 6 months or so though. How is everyone?" Then it dawned on him... 'Why couldn't she pick up that bag? It's not at all heavy... not even 20 pounds!'

"Mac?" Chloe came up beside her. "Everything okay?" she asked a little worriedly.

"Oh! Chloe, you remember Gunny," Mac smiled.

"Oh, yeah. Hi, Gunny. Been a long time," Chloe said.

"Chloe? As in your little sister, Chloe?" Gunny asked, a bit bewildered.

"The one and only," Chloe quipped.

"You've grown," he said.

"In all the right places," she teased and watched Gunny blush.

Chloe and Mac giggled. "Don't tease him like that, Chloe. It's not nice."

"The last I heard you were in Afghanistan. Did you come all the way home just for the wedding?" Chloe asked.

"Wedding?" Gunny repeated.

"Of course not, Chloe. You can't just come home from a war because someone's getting married," Mac said.

"Married?" Gunny asked. "Who's getting..." Then he saw the ring on Mac's hand. "Colonel! Oh, wow! That's great. So when's the big day?"

"Day after tomorrow," Mac smiled.

"That's great," he repeated. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you. Hey, do you have a ride home, Gunny?" Mac asked him.

He shook his head. "No, Ma'am. I'm just going to take a cab."

"Don't be silly. We'll drop you wherever you want to go," offered Mac. "And Gunny, I'm on leave for a while. The name is Mac... or Sarah."

"On leave, Ma'am?" he questioned. Mac nodded as she bent over to once again try to pick up Chloe's duffle bag. She lifted it off the ground, but then set it back down quickly swearing under her breath. "Let me get that, Colonel." Mac looked up at him sharply. He grinned. "Mac."

"Better," she said. "Thanks," she nodded at the duffle. "I'm not as strong as I used to be."

Gunny didn't know whether to say anything in response to that, so he chose to keep his mouth shut for now. He picked up the duffle, grabbed his own, and followed Mac and Chloe. "Excuse me, Chloe?" he said. "Isn't this one yours, too?" he asked as they passed her large suitcase.

"Oh! Yes, it is!" she giggled. Gunny put both duffels in one hand and picked up her large suitcase. "It's on wheels, Gunny. You don't have to carry it."

"Not a problem," Gunny replied, not setting it down.

"Wow, look at those muscles," Chloe whispered to Mac... loudly enough for Gunny to hear. He couldn't help it; he grinned beside himself.

As they reached the sidewalk, Tom was just reaching the loading area. Mac waved him down, and he pulled over. He popped the trunk and walked around to the sidewalk. "Leave it to you to find a Marine to help you with the bags," he teased, kissing Mac lightly on the cheek.

Gunny was taken aback seeing someone other than whom he expected. 'She's not marrying Commander Rabb?' Then Gunny saw the uniform Tom wore, set the bags down, and came to attention. Tom faced him and returned his salute. Mac noticed the confused look on Gunny's face. "Gunny," she said, "Have you met Admiral Boone?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Met the Admiral a couple of years ago at JAG, Colonel," Gunny replied crisply.

"Tom, this is Victor Galindez. He was at JAG for a while; ran the office. He's been in Afghanistan for the last year," Mac said, knowing from Tom's expression that he didn't remember Gunny.

"Glad you're home safe and sound, Gunnery Sergeant," Tom said professionally. He turned to look at Mac. "Ran the office, did you say?" She nodded. "Then this is AJ's Gunny?" Mac grinned. Tom looked back at Gunny. "I know one Admiral who is going to be delighted to see you! He made a comment only last week about the office not running smoothly since you left."

Gunny chuckled. "That's nice to hear, Sir."

"So Gunny, are you free on Friday afternoon?" Mac asked as Tom took Chloe's bags and put them in the trunk of the car. "Tom," Mac turned to him, "we're giving Gunny a ride, too." He nodded and put Gunny's duffle in the trunk, too.

"Depends on my orders, Ma'am. I'm billeted at Henderson Hall, and I have tomorrow off. I have to report on Friday morning," Gunny replied.

Mac frowned. "Well, the wedding is at 1600 in Laurel. I do hope you can make it." Her frown changed to a smile as she continued, "Admiral Chegwidden is securing practically the whole office at 1400 so everyone can come. It would be wonderful to have you there, too."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Gunny..." she scolded.

"Mac," he smiled.

Mac stepped forward and hugged him again. "I do hope you can come, Gunny. I'd really like to see you there." A tear streaked down her face, and she wiped it away quickly. "Chloe!" she turned to her little sister. "You hop in the back with Gunny." Tom opened the front door and handed Mac her seatbelt after she settled herself in the seat. "Thanks, Honey," she whispered.

When they arrived at the barracks at Henderson Hall, Tom and Gunny got out of the car. Tom popped the trunk and Gunny extracted his duffle. Tom said quietly, "You have plans tomorrow, Gunny?"

Gunny shook his head, "No, Sir."

"I have a job for you, if you're up to it," Tom whispered. Gunny nodded. Then Tom slipped Gunny his business card and said, "Call me on my cell at 1730. I'll explain then."

"Aye, Sir," Gunny replied quietly. "Admiral?"

"Yes?"

"Is the Colonel okay, Sir? She's so weak; so emotional... and she looks so... frail."

"She's been sick, Gunny. Cancer," he told him. "She's had surgery and gone through 3 rounds of chemo."

"Oh, God! No wonder she's so weak," Gunny gasped. "I'm sorry, Sir. I meant no disrespect."

Tom shook his head. "Of course you didn't. I know that. She's getting better now. She's a lot stronger than she was even a month ago. The doctor is very pleased with her progress. Otherwise we wouldn't be getting married on Friday."

Gunny nodded. Then he said louder for Mac to hear, "Thanks, again, for the lift, Admiral."

"Not a problem, Gunny. Hope to see you on Friday," Tom nodded and winked at him.

Friday, 14 February 2003

1430 EST

Oakland Presbyterian Church

Laurel, Maryland

Mac, Harriett, and Chloe were in the church parlor, dressing. They had spent most of the morning at the Crystal Beauty Salon & Spa. All 3 of them got manicures and had their makeup applied, and while Harriett and Chloe had their hair styled, Mac got a pedicure. When they arrived at the church, Harriett insisted that Mac rest for 30 minutes. "I know, I know... you've been being pampered all morning. But that can be tiring, too, Mac. And I promised Admiral Boone that I'd be sure you rested some during the day."

"Are you ever going to call him Tom?" giggled Mac.

Harriett gasped. "Of course not! He's an Admiral!"

While Mac sat in the plush recliner and closed her eyes, Harriett and Chloe slipped on their pantyhose and changed their bras. Then they donned their slips and helped each other with their gowns. They finally slipped on their shoes, and Harriett walked over to the recliner. She gently touched Mac's arm. "Mac?" she said softly. "You need to get dressed now."

Mac opened her eyes slowly. "Oh, is that time already?" she asked.

"It sure is," chirped Chloe. "Come on, get up, and let's get you dressed!"

Mac made quick work of her street clothes, and Harriett handed her her new white undergarments. "Here's your bra."

"That's not a bra," quipped Chloe. "That's a piece of gauze!" she laughed.

"Chloe, it has to be little or it'll show when I put the dress on," Mac defended her choice.

Chloe laughed. "Okay, okay." She handed Mac the new panties. "Wow, these are pretty."

"They match the bra, Chloe. I'm surprised you didn't call these gauze, too," Mac teased.

"If the shoe fits..." Chloe bantered back.

"Okay, you two, cut it out," Harriett interrupted, causing all 3 of them to laugh.

"Don't make me laugh! I'll ruin my makeup!" giggled Chloe.

Next Mac pulled her stockings on. "I wish I'd thought to wear this kind when I got married," said Harriett. Mac's stockings came to just above her knees. "Just be sure the Admiral doesn't pull your dress up too far when he takes the garter off!" Harriett reminded her.

Mac smiled. "Actually, we're not doing the garter thing."

"But why?" asked Chloe. "It's such fun!"

"I know it is, Sweetie, but the doctor doesn't want me wearing pantyhose yet. Or a garter belt either. Tom and I practiced his taking off a garter with this kind of stocking," she patted her legs, "and every time when he finished and I stood up, the stocking fell down my leg. So we just decided to skip that part."

"That's a shame," said Chloe.

"Yea, but it's not like that's the only odd thing we're doing in this wedding. No flower girl, just a ring bearer; I'm walking down the aisle alone; no big sit-down dinner at the reception."

"I wondered about that, Mac. Why no dinner?" asked Chloe.

Mac grinned. "I was concerned that I'd get too tired and not be able to... um..." she hesitated, remembering suddenly she was talking to a young teenager.

"Not be able to 'do it' later, huh?" Chloe finished for her.

Mac and Harriett looked at each other and laughed. "Yeah, that pretty much sums it up, Chlo! Well, that and the fact that it's Valentine's Day. Most of the couples would have plans for dinner; we didn't want to intrude on that." Mac stood up and looked around. "What am I missing?" she asked.

"Well, your dress, for one thing," Chloe laughed.

"The crinoline is next, Mac," Harriett said, holding it for Mac to step into. She pulled it up and hooked it at Mac's waist. "Okay, now the gown."

Harriett and Chloe held the gown for Mac as she slipped into it. Harriett buttoned the back and Chloe worked on the sleeves. When they finished, they stepped back and admired the gown. "Mac, that has to be the most gorgeous wedding gown I've ever seen!" said Chloe.

"Wait until you see it with the headpiece and veil," said Mac. "That covers up my head, and you can't even tell I'm bald," she smiled.

"But doesn't it cover up the dress?" asked Chloe.

"No, it's perfect for this gown, Chloe," said Harriett. "There's no front-cover veil, so it doesn't hide any of the beautiful lace appliqués on the front bodice."

"Doesn't hide your boobs either, huh, Mac?" Chloe said.

"Chloe! My breasts do not show. That would be tacky. You don't do that at a wedding."

"What's that kind of neckline called, anyway?" asked Chloe.

"It's an off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline," explained Harriett. "Not many women can get away with wearing something like this. But on Mac, it's perfect!"

"I've never seen off-the-shoulder have real sleeves before," commented Chloe.

"It's not uncommon for a wedding gown, really."

"I wasn't about to wear a sleeveless gown in February!" Mac said. "I'd freeze!"

Chloe approached Mac and felt of the appliqués on the bodice. "Mac, there are hundreds of little bitty pearls sewn on this!" she exclaimed.

Mac smiled and nodded. "Mmm hmm. Isn't it beautiful?"

Chloe agreed. "Yea, it is. I'll be right back. Potty break!"

"Be careful! Don't get your dress wet!" called Harriett.

There was a knock on the other door, and Harriett went to see who it was. "Mac, it's Joel. He wants to see you. Is that okay?" Harriett called back into the room.

"Joel? Of course!" Mac said happily. She watched the young boy enter the large room. "Hello, Joel," Mac said sweetly.

"Hi, Aunt Sarah. Gosh, you're pretty," he said.

"Thank you, Joel. You look quite handsome, yourself," she replied.

The little boy smiled. "Uncle CAG says I look dapper."

Mac laughed. "Yes, I suppose you do!" she agreed.

"Aunt Sarah?"

"Yes, Sweetie?"

"What's dapper?"

Mac smiled at the little boy. "Dapper is a good thing, Joel. It means you look sharp..." she hesitated, then remembered what the kids call it. "Cool, Joel. You look cool."

Joel brightened considerably. "Do I really?" Mac nodded and was going to reach down and hug him, when he backed away. "No hugs yet, Aunt Sarah. Uncle CAG said I'd wrinkle you."

Mac and Harriett laughed. "Well, those would be good wrinkles," said Mac. "Can't I have even a little bitty hug?" she asked as he stepped back even further.

Joel shook his head. "Uncle CAG said no."

Mac put on a sad face. "I really need a hug right now, Joel." He looked up, not knowing what to do. "How about if I hug you? Uncle CAG didn't tell me that I couldn't hug you," she reasoned.

"Well... okay," he agreed.

Mac reached down and hugged the little boy. "Mmmm! That's just what I needed," she said. "Thank you, Sweetie."

Joel said, "I'd better go back now. Uncle CAG told me not to stay too long."

"Are the men dressed yet?" asked Harriett.

Joel looked at her like she was crazy. "Of course they are. We all had clothes on when we got here!" He turned and ran to the door, slamming it on his way out.

Harriett and Mac giggled. "I meant, have they changed clothes yet!"

Chloe came back in the room, her face glowing. "What's got you looking so happy, Chlo?" asked Mac.

Chloe tried to hide her smile, but it just wasn't going to happen. Mac was going to be so happy... and she was happy because Mac would be happy. "Just saw some gorgeous guys out there, Mac. And I do mean gorgeous!" 'And one is gonna be such a surprise!'

Mac smiled. "Rather pleased with yourself that you're paired up with Harm, hmm?" she teased.

"I didn't even see Harm! He wasn't in the room with the other guys," Chloe retorted.

"Oh no! Please tell me he's not late," worried Mac.

"Don't worry about it, Mac," Harriett advised. Then seeing her friend's face take on a worried expression, she said, "Tell you what. I'll go make sure he's here. And make sure that all the men are dressed and ready. You stay put and don't worry!" Harriett quickly left the room and found the Sunday school room to which the men had been assigned. She knocked on the door. "It's Harriett!" she called.

AJ opened the door, looking magnificent in his Mess Dress. He smiled at Harriett's obvious expression of admiration. "Good afternoon, Harriett. You and Mac chose well. That gown is just lovely on both you and Chloe."

Harriett smiled. "Thank you, Admiral. You look... wonderful, Sir," she said, blushing as she looked up into his face.

"What can I do for you?" he asked, opening the door a bit more and allowing Harriett to enter the room.

She looked around. "Mac was a little antsy when Chloe just came back and said she didn't see Harm. Is he here?" She didn't see him either. But she did see... "Gunny!"

Gunny walked up to her. "Hello, Lieutenant. Good to see you again." Harriett hugged him. This time he didn't blush; he smiled. Harriett had always been an emotional woman. She'd hugged him when he left, too.

Harriett looked past him and saw another man standing there with Tom. A Marine. A bird Colonel. 'Hmm, I wonder who he is?' she thought.

"Hello, Harriett. Is Sarah doing okay? Has she rested at all today?" Tom asked in a concerned voice.

Harriett smiled. "She's doing fine, Admiral. She rested for about 30 minutes when we first got to the church. And our morning at the salon wasn't at all stressful or tiring. We had a good time; I think she's very relaxed." Just then Harm walked into the room. "Well, except for worrying that the Commander wasn't here yet," she teased.

"I was here! I've been here!" Harm defended himself. "I just had to go out to... um... help with something."

"Damn it, Harm! You'd better not have 'decorated' my car!" bellowed Tom. Harm just grinned. "Oh, God... What a mess that's going to be. And it'll freeze on there tonight and be hell to get off..."

"It'll make Sarah happy, Tom," the unrecognized man said softly. "She always talked about driving away in a 'Just Married' car. Didn't get to do that with the jerk she married as a child."

Harriett's smile exploded on her face when she realized who the man was. "Oh my God!" she squealed. "You're Uncle Matt!" Harriett practically threw herself in the man's arms, hugging him. "Oh, Mac is going to be SO happy!" The surprised Colonel steadied Harriett on her feet as she backed away, completely embarrassed by her outburst. "Oh, God... I'm so sorry, Colonel. I was just so excited... and happy for Mac... I'm so..." she rattled.

Colonel Matthew O'Hara chuckled. "Quite all right. I take it you must be Lieutenant Harriett Sims." Harriett nodded. "Nice to meet you, Harriett."

"Likewise, Sir," she smiled. "Well, I'd better get back to Mac. She'll start pacing here pretty soon if I don't let her know that Harm is here." She turned to leave, then turned back. "Colonel, when are you planning to let Mac know you're here?"

"Thought I'd surprise her just as she's ready to walk down the aisle," he replied.

"Oh, goodness. No, that will never do, Sir," Harriett said, surprising everyone. She looked around at their surprised faces and smiled. "Kindly remember that Mac doesn't really like surprises that well. Now, she'll love this one, but..."

"Oh, God," said Tom. "As emotional as she right now, she'll burst into tears when she sees him! Damn, I didn't think of that."

Harriett nodded. "I'd suggest you come back with me now and let her get the tears over with so we can repair her makeup before she has to walk down the aisle."

"Good idea, Harriett," agreed AJ. "I guess none of us thought about that."

Matt opened the door and he and Harriett started to leave. "20 minutes, gentlemen!" said Matt.

"We're ready," AJ said.

"More than ready," agreed Tom.

Gunny followed the two out the door and down the hall. Harriett turned to him. "Gunny?"

He nodded to her but didn't say anything. Matt looked at Gunny and back to Harriett. "The Gunnery Sergeant is my shadow while I'm here, Harriett. Tom and AJ pulled some pretty hefty strings to get me out of Leavenworth for this. But I still have to be guarded. I'm a prisoner, you know."

Harriett laid her hand on his arm. "Yes, Sir, I know. I'm sorry." She turned to Gunny. "But I'm glad it's Gunny who's guarding you. He's one of the family, Sir."

"That's quite obvious, Harriett," he nodded, looking at Gunny and smiling.

Harriett suggested he wait in the hall so she could prepare Mac for the surprise. Harriett walked inside and found Mac pacing the floor. "Mac, it's okay."

"Is he here? Where've you been? What took so long?" she rattled off the questions in rapid succession.

"1. Yes, Harm is here. He was outside when Chloe was there; that's why she didn't see him. But he's been here just as long as the others." Mac visibly relaxed some at Harriett's words. "2. I've been in the men's dressing room, talking to everyone. And 3. It took so long because I was visiting a bit with Gunny..."

"Gunny made it?!" Mac squealed. "Oh!!" she laughed. "I'm so glad!"

Chloe grabbed a Kleenex. "No tears! Not yet!" she teased as she dabbed at Mac's face.

Gunny and Matt heard Mac's exclamation outside in the hall. Gunny smiled broadly; it felt good to know the Colonel was that happy he made it to her wedding. It felt *really* good.

Matt whispered, "You care a lot for my niece, Gunny?"

Gunny nodded. "Yes, Sir. We all do, Colonel. She's a wonderful person."

"That she is, Son. That she is."

Harriett said, "Yes, Gunny made it. And he has someone with him."

"You mean a girl?" asked Mac, smiling. "He picked up a girl since Wednesday? My, that man works fast!" she giggled.

"No, not a girl. A man. A very important man," Harriett said. Mac looked at her quizzically. "A man who is very special to someone in this room." She smiled at Mac.

"You obviously mean me," Mac said, puzzled. "But who could you..." Mac's face took on a ray of hope. She shook her head. "No, that's not possible. Not even Tom could do that."

Harriett and Chloe smiled. "Not alone, maybe. But two Admirals conspiring for it?" Harriett nodded. "He's here, Mac. He's here to give you away."

"Uncle Matt?" Mac whispered, afraid to say it too loudly, for fear that she might wake up and this all be a dream. "Uncle Matt is here?"

Harriett opened the door and Matt stepped inside. "Yes, Baby. Uncle Matt is here," he said.

"Uncle Matt!" she shrieked and flew into his arms as she burst into tears. He picked her up and twirled her around. Then he set her down gently and pulled out his handkerchief. "I can't believe you're really here," she sniffed. "I'm so glad..."

"I'm glad, too, Sarah." He held the handkerchief to her nose like a child and said, "Blow." She obeyed. "Again." She did. "Good girl."

She looked into her uncle's face and smiled. "I love you so much, Uncle Matt," she laid her head against his shoulder.

"And I love you, Baby. I can't tell you how much I wish I'd been with you these last months."

Mac looked up at him. "I'm sorry, Uncle Matt. I just couldn't bring myself to... I'm sorry."

Matt smiled gently. "I'm glad you had Tom to help you through it."

"So am I." She looked down at her hands. "When did he tell you?"

"He didn't."

Mac looked up, surprised. "Then how did you...?"

Matt nodded toward the door, and Mac saw Gunny. "Gunny?"

"Gunny. Tom sent him to Leavenworth yesterday to bring me here. We got to talking about you, and he asked about your cancer." Mac gasped. "Needless to say, I didn't know about it."

"Oh, Uncle Matt, I'm so sorry," Mac whispered.

"It's okay, Baby. It was probably just as well. I might have done something stupid to try to get out and get to you," he said lightly. "Gunny told me what little he knew about it. AJ filled us in on the rest last night."

"Last night?"

Matt smiled. "You have a pretty incredible CO, Sarah. He insisted I stay in his guest room, not at the local lock-up. And the warden agreed. Which means, Gunny had to stay there, too."

Mac smiled. "So that's why the Admiral had to rush away last night after the rehearsal dinner. Yes, I do have an incredible CO, Uncle Matt. And an incredible fiancé. And incredible friends," she said looking at Gunny and then Harriett and Chloe.

Harriett took that opportunity to say, "Mac, we need to fix your makeup. You're on in just about 10 minutes."

Mac jerked back. "Eight minutes and 52 seconds!" She hurried to the mirror and dabbed at her face with a powder puff. "Harriett!" she cried in frustration.

Harriett came up behind her and turned Mac to face her. "Calm down; it's not that bad." She took the powder puff from Mac and set it back on the table. When she finished repairing Mac's makeup, she called to Chloe. "Time for the veil, Chloe."

Chloe brought it over. "Squat, Mac," she giggled. Mac obeyed, and Chloe and Harriett adjusted the piece to fit perfectly.

Mac turned back to the full-length mirror and smiled. "I love this gown. And the headpiece is so... perfect!"

"You look absolutely stunning, Sarah," her uncle said.

She turned around and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Uncle Matt."

"It's time," said Chloe.

They all left the parlor and made their way to the sanctuary. Joel was standing there, waiting for them.

The music changed, and the men walked in front of the first row of pews and faced the back of the church. "Here goes nothing!" said Chloe, starting her walk down the aisle.

Harriett was next... then Joel. And finally Mac, escorted by her Uncle Matt. Gunny stood to the side, watching. Smiling. As they made it to the front, he listened to the words. "Beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of two souls..."

Gunny's thoughts trailed off. He was happy for Mac. She really loved Admiral Boone, it was obvious. He'd been worried about her 2 years before when she was so close to marrying that Aussie. It was so obvious that she didn't love him. What could she have been thinking? But this man. Yes, she loved Boone. Gunny was delighted. He reigned his thoughts in to hear the minister ask, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

"I do," replied her uncle. Matt kissed her gently and placed her hand in Tom's. "Thank you for loving my girl." Tom and Mac smiled at Matt as he turned to walk back up the aisle. Gunny caught his eye and shook his head, pointing to the pew. Matt smiled broadly and took his seat in the front row of the bride's side.

Gunny didn't want to disrupt the service by walking down the aisle now. But he knew he was supposed to be closer to Matt. 'Damn, this is a difficult job,' Gunny thought to himself. 'It's not like the man is going to run. Geez.' Just then the minister asked everyone to bow in prayer. 'Perfect!' Gunny quickly made his way silently down the aisle and slid into the seat next to the other JAG staff... right behind Matt. He was lucky. No one was sitting on the end... almost as though they knew he'd need the spot.

The service continued without a hitch until it came time for the rings. The minister looked down at Joel. "May I have the rings, please?" he said.

Joel stepped forward proudly and lifted his pillow for the minister to untie the rings, just as he was instructed to do last night at rehearsal. The minister pulled one of the ribbons, but the ring didn't come loose. He pulled another ribbon, and it still didn't loosen. 'Uh oh,' thought Harm. 'These rings are gonna end up under the organ instead of the pews!'

"Umm, I'm sorry," whispered the minister. "I don't seem to be able to get the ribbons untied," he chuckled.

Joel looked up at him. "It's easy, Pastor. It's just a clove hitch knot," he told him. "I didn't want the rings to fall off like they did when Commander Rabb was a ring bearer. So I tied them on with a clove hitch knot."

Mac giggled and Tom grinned as Harm blushed. "And where'd you learn to tie that kind of a knot, Joel?" Mac whispered.

"Uncle CAG!" Joel replied proudly.

Tom chuckled at that. "Joel, I think you need to untie it for Pastor," he told him quietly. "Not everybody knows how to tie and untie a clove hitch."

"Okay. Here," he pushed the pillow into AJ's hands. "Admiral, you hold the pillow while I untie the knot, okay?" AJ grinned and nodded. Joel freed the rings and stepped back to hand them to the minister. "Here you go. And when you want to learn how to tie a knot, just ask me. Uncle CAG taught me lots of 'em," he said, bringing quite a few giggles and chuckles from the wedding party and the guests. He walked back to AJ and said, "May I have the pillow back now, please, Sir?" AJ handed the boy the pillow and Joel turned back to take his spot in the line as though nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

When the service concluded, Tom whisked Mac down the aisle and off to a side room off the vestibule. He kissed her soundly and she returned his kiss, deepening it with her tongue. "Well, Mrs. Boone? How are you feeling? You tired at all?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. "Here sit down," he pulled a chair out for Mac.

She sat gracefully. "I feel absolutely wonderful, Tom. Like I'm floating on a cloud. Cloud 9! I felt this way once before," she remembered. She looked up into her new husband's face. "It was the first time you kissed me. As they were wheeling me off to surgery."

"You were high," he teased her.

"I was scared to death," she said. "And you held my hand. You promised to take me dancing. And then you kissed me. I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven," she whispered.

They stayed in the little room until there was a knock on the door. "Church is empty... the arch is ready!" Harriett called to them.

Tom opened the door and Mac preceded him out of the little room. They appeared in the doorway of the church, and AJ cleared his throat, bringing all attention to the entry. He spoke loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, presenting for the first time in public, Admiral and Mrs. Thomas Boone!"

Tom and Mac walked down the front steps and under the arch of swords. As they reached the last pair, AJ flipped his sword down and swatted Mac on the rear. "Hoo yah!" he grinned.

"Oh!" Mac squealed. She knew it was coming, but it still surprised her. "Well at least he didn't say, 'Go Navy'," she giggled to Tom.

Friday, 14 February 2003

1645 EST

Oakland Presbyterian Church

Laurel, Maryland

Everyone moved downstairs to the fellowship hall for the short, informal reception. Mac had felt guilty about not having a dinner, but as people came up to her and wished her well, most everyone commented on how lovely the cake and punch reception was. And how nice it was that they would still be able to have their private, intimate Valentine's dinner later in the evening.

"So, where are you two going on your honeymoon?" asked Harm, his arm lightly draped around Chloe's shoulders. He was playing the role as her escort to the hilt, and Chloe was thrilled.

"None of your business, Rabb," quipped Tom. "I know you too well to let you know where we'll be!"

"Why, Tom? What would he do?" asked Chloe.

"You don't need to know; you're too young," Tom replied.

"I'll tell you later," winked Harm causing Chloe to giggle.

"Behave yourself, Mister," reprimanded Tom.

"Aye, Sir," Harm retorted, seeing a pretty young woman approaching them.

"Congratulations, Admiral. It was a lovely wedding, and your bride is... absolutely beautiful," Patty Krauss said to Tom.

"Thank you, Patty. I'll have to agree with you there. Sarah is beautiful," Tom smiled. "Patty, this is Sarah's little sister, Chloe," he introduced. "And Commander Harmon Rabb." He turned to Harm and Chloe. "Petty Officer Patty Krauss, my yeoman," he concluded.

Patty smiled in greeting, "Nice to meet you, Chloe. Commander."

"Likewise," replied Harm. Patty was pretty. 'A shame she's enlisted.'

"We were just going to get some cake. You want some?" Chloe asked Patty.

"I wish I could, Chloe, but I need to be going. I just need to speak to Mrs. Boone, and then scoot on home. My dad isn't feeling very well today, so I told him I'd come baby him some this weekend."

"Why doesn't your mom..." Chloe started. Then she realized it was none of her business.

But Patty replied, "My mother died a couple of years ago, Chloe. So Dad is by himself now. I like to spend as much time as I can with him, especially when he's not feeling well."

"Come on, Chlo. Let's get some more cake," Harm said, excusing themselves.

Patty turned and looked at Tom. "I wish I could find my Dad someone like your wife, Sir," she smiled.

Tom was staring at her. "I didn't know your mother died, Patty. I'm sorry."

She didn't want to put a damper on his day. If he wanted details, she'd tell him later. Not today. "Dr. Jamaleddeen is the best, Sir," she assured him quietly. "Mom's case was just too far along when she finally went to him. Your wife will be fine, Admiral. I just know it."

"She has to be," he whispered. "She just has to be."

"Permission to hug the Admiral?" she asked as her tears threatened to overflow. This caught him by surprise, especially when Patty didn't wait for his okay. She hugged him quickly and then went to speak to Mac.

As Patty was leaving the fellowship hall, she ran into Tiner. "Petty Officer Krauss, isn't it?" Tiner stopped her.

She smiled. "That's right. It's Patty. And you're... Petty Officer Tiner, right?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I'm Jason." She smiled at him. 'God, she's so pretty.' "It was a beautiful service," Tiner commented.

"Yes, it was. And Mrs. Boone is absolutely breathtaking," Patty replied.

"I'll say," Tiner almost drooled as he looked back at Mac again.

Patty grinned knowingly. "Well, I have to be off. Nice seeing you again... Jason."

"You have to leave already?" he asked.

She nodded. "I'm afraid so."

"Oh," he was obviously disappointed. "Well, let me walk you out to your car," he offered.

"That would be nice. Thank you," Patty replied.

But just as he took her arm, AJ called to him. "Tiner! Come here a minute."

Tiner looked at Patty in frustration. "I'm sorry. I have to..."

She smiled. "I know. He's your boss. Go on." And she walked to her car alone.

Tom looked around, trying to locate his bride. He saw her on the other side of the room, sitting in a large, comfortable chair. He smiled, noticing that Joel was standing right next to her, holding her hand. Tom made his way over to them. Before either saw him, he heard their conversation. Joel was saying, "Aunt Sarah, are you sure you don't want some more punch? I'll get it for you. You shouldn't get up. You should stay here and let me bring it to you. You look tired, and Uncle CAG says we mustn't let you get too tired."

"You know what I'd rather have, Joel?" Mac replied.

"What?"

"A big hug. You think I could have one of those now?" Joel looked perplexed. "It's okay if I get wrinkled now, Sweetie," Mac told him. "See? I'm already wrinkled," she smiled as she pointed to her skirt."

"You think it's okay now?" he whispered. Mac nodded, and Joel hugged her gently.

"Hey, what kind of hug is that?" complained Mac.

"An 'easy' hug," he explained. "Uncle CAG says I have to be easy when I hug you." He looked at Mac. "Aunt Sarah?"

"Yes, Joel?"

"Will you break? Is that why I have to hug you easy?" the child asked. Before Mac could reply, Joel continued. "My Mommy broke. So did Daddy." Tears formed in the boy's eyes.

Mac reached out and pulled him to her, hugging him tightly. "Oh, Sweetie! No, Aunt Sarah won't break," she cried. "You can hug me just as hard as you want to, Baby." Mac's tears streamed down her face. Joel pulled back a little and saw them. He reached his hand up and wiped them away.

"Mommy used to call me that," he said softly.

"I'm sorry, Joel. I didn't mean to call you by your Mommy's special name," Mac apologized.

"I liked it when you called me that," he confessed. "I liked it a lot."

Mac smiled then and looked up to see Tom standing in front of them. He had a handkerchief in his hands to give her. "Joel, I think I would like that glass of punch now. Is that okay?" Mac asked.

Joel jumped up from her lap, "Okay! Be right back!" And he ran off to the punch table.

"You okay, Sarah?" Tom asked, squatting down in front of her and dabbing her eyes with his handkerchief.

She nodded. "He is such a precious child, Tom."

"That he is."

By 1800, Mac and Tom had changed into casual clothes, Mac threw her bouquet and kissed her uncle goodbye. "I'm so glad you were here, Uncle Matt," she whispered.

"I am, too, Sarah. And doubly so that you have such a fine man in Tom. Treasure him, Baby," Matt answered her.

"I already do, Uncle Matt," she smiled.

Tom and Mac waved goodbye to their friends as they drove off in Tom's car, tin cans rattling behind them and shaving cream flying off in the wind.

"I wonder where they're going?" Harm mused.

"I never heard them say," offered Bud.

Harriett smiled. She had a pretty good idea.

Friday, 14 February 2003

1850 EST

The Shell Shack

Shady Side, Maryland

As Tom pulled into the parking lot, he turned to Mac. "Honey, are you really sure this is where you want to have dinner on our wedding night?" She nodded. "Well, at least I talked you into a B&B instead of the old dump of a motel," he chuckled.

He walked around the car and opened Mac's door, helping her from the seat. He leaned forward and kissed her lightly. "I love you, Mrs. Boone."

Mac smiled brightly. "And I love you, Husband of mine."

They put their arms around each other and walked to the entrance. Maggie saw them just before they reached the door. "They're here!" she called, and immediately music began to fill the air of the tiny restaurant. Maggie swung the door open for them. "Congratulations, Tom! Sarah!" she bubbled. "I have your table all ready for you." She led them through the dark room out to the deck.

"Isn't it a little chilly to eat outside, Maggie?" asked Tom.

Maggie smiled as she pulled the sliding doors open. "Not tonight it isn't," she motioned to the large chimineas that were burning and warming the whole deck.

"Maggie!" Tom exclaimed. "You've never had those things out here before."

She smiled. "I've never had someone have their wedding dinner here before either, Tom."

"That was Sarah's choice," he passed the blame.

Mac's eyes were full... again. She looked around the deck at all the changes Maggie had made. Their table was still there, and the same rickety chairs. But Maggie had put a tablecloth on the table and new cushions on the seats. There was even a candle on the table with flowers. And white helium balloons tied with ribbons all along the railing. "Oh, Maggie, this is just wonderful," Mac said as her tears overflowed.

"You like it?" Maggie asked, concerned that Mac was crying.

Tom chuckled and handed Mac his handkerchief. "She loves it," he nodded to Maggie.

"I'll have your beverages in just a minute," she said, scurrying off.

"Tom, I can't believe all this," Mac said. "She did this just for us?"

"That she did, Honey. And fast, too. I only called her yesterday afternoon to tell her we were coming tonight."

Friday, 14 February 2003

2115 EST

Snug Harbor Bed & Breakfast Inn

Shady Side, Maryland

"We'll take a walk on the beach tomorrow, Sweetheart. I don't want you to overdo it," Tom said gently as he pulled the car into the driveway of the B&B.

"You just want to get me in bed!" giggled Mac.

Tom didn't reply. He pulled the car into a parking space and got out. Mac realized he hadn't responded to her teasing comment, so when he opened her door, she didn't move. "You're not going to make love to me tonight, are you?" she said, almost too quietly for him to hear.

"Sarah, I think it would be best for you if we didn't. Tomorrow is soon enough, Sweetheart."

"No, it's not. Not for me," she cried. "You promised, Tom. That's why we chose today for the wedding."

"I know that, Honey, but I don't want to hurt you. Or risk your health. We'll have the rest of our lives, Sarah. One more night won't matter a year from now."

Mac climbed out of the car, but refused to put her arm around Tom... even though his was around her. They walked into the B&B and registered. The host was very cordial and showed them to their room without delay. Tom insisted that Mac lie down on the bed to rest while he went back down to get the bags. "I'll be right back, Sarah."

While Tom was gone, Mac buried her face in the pillow and sobbed. When she heard Tom coming down the hall, she grabbed her purse and ran to the bathroom, pulling the door closed behind her and locking it. Tom heard the lock snap into place as he entered the bedroom. He groaned. 'Now what do I do?' he wondered. He set the bags down and picked up the pillow from the bed. 'It's wet. She's been crying again. Oh Sarah, I'm just trying to do what's best for you!'

Mac sat on the commode in the bathroom and pulled her cell phone out from her purse. She dialed AJ's residence. She didn't know when her uncle was returning to Leavenworth, but she hoped it wasn't until tomorrow. "Chegwidden," she heard over the line.

"Admiral, it's Mac. Is my uncle there, by chance?" she spoke softly; she didn't want Tom to hear her.

"Mac? What the... No, he and Gunny are flying back to Kansas tonight." AJ heard Mac sniff. "Mac, are you okay? Is something wrong?"

"I'm fine, Admiral." He might have believed her, had she not hiccupped as she spoke.

"Mac. What's wrong? What's happened?" he asked, worry lacing his voice.

"He doesn't want me, Admiral," she breathed. "He doesn't... want... me," her tears flowed freely down her face now.

"Mac, of course he does. That man is head over heels in love with you," AJ said, but all he heard was a dial tone. AJ pondered what he should do. "I should call Tom, that's what I should do. Find out what the hell is the matter with him." Then he remembered that he didn't know where they were. He checked the caller ID, and saw that Mac had used her cell phone. Maybe Tom had his with him. He dialed the number.

Tom's cell phone was on vibrate, and he felt it ring. He pulled it out to turn it off, but when he saw AJ's number on the screen, he answered, "This better be important, AJ."

"You want to tell me why I just had a call from Mac saying you don't want her?" AJ asked gruffly.

"What? She called you?" Tom asked incredulously.

"No. She was calling for her uncle. He's not here, so I was all she had to talk to."

"Did she say that, AJ? That I don't want her?"

"That's what she said, Tom."

"AJ, she's exhausted. This day was way too much for her. I should never have agreed to the reception. And I certainly should have insisted on coming to the B&B earlier and skipping dinner. But Sarah wanted those things. So I agreed. I wanted her to be happy."

"But now you're not going to take her to bed?" AJ surmised.

"She's not strong enough, AJ. I'm afraid I'd hurt her."

"Tom, you chose today for a reason. You made her a promise."

"She's not strong enough, AJ," he repeated.

"Mac is a strong woman. She's been through a lot in the last year. And yes, she is much weaker physically and emotionally than she used to be. But you back out on this tonight, and you'll regret it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Tom.

"I know Mac, Tom. She may be weak and frail right now. But she has her wits about her. She's still the same strong-willed woman she always was... inside her head. You mess it up tonight, buddy... she'll leave you."

"She knows I'm only doing it because I love her," Tom argued.

"Doesn't matter, Tom. Too many men have played with her over the years. You break a promise to her on her wedding day? You can just call it quits. Find a way to make her happy tonight, Tom."

"And what if I hurt her, AJ? What then?" he spat. "I won't hurt Sarah!" he resolved.

"Tom, use your brain. Figure it out." AJ hung up and said to no one, "If I know Mac, she'll convince him." He chuckled. "Lucky man, that Tom."

While AJ and Tom were talking, Mac dialed the Roberts' residence. She knew they weren't going out for dinner tonight; Harriett had mentioned earlier that she was planning to cook a special meal for their Valentine's dinner. Mac just hoped she didn't interrupt them in the bedroom. "Hello?" Harriett answered.

"Harriett? It's Mac," she whispered. "Can you talk? Am I interrupting anything?"

"Mac? What on earth? Is something wrong? What's happened? You sound like you're crying," Harriett said urgently.

"Harriett, you told me last year that when Bud came home, you were both afraid to make love. That you were afraid you'd hurt him. Right?" she asked.

Harriett sighed to herself, 'Oh no.' She answered, "That's right, Mac."

"How did you get past it, Harriett?"

"The doctor convinced me that I wouldn't hurt him, Mac. But that didn't help Bud. He didn't want to do it because he didn't think I could possibly want him."

"Oh."

"So I seduced him," Harriett whispered.

"You what?! How?" asked Mac. Maybe she could do the same thing.

"Well, I started off by just telling him that I wanted to sleep in the same bed with him." Harriett giggled as she told her friend what she did to get her husband interested again after his accident.

Mac hung up. She stood up and looked in the mirror. "What a disaster," she sighed, looking at her reflection. She washed her face clean of makeup remembering that Tom said he liked her appearance better without makeup. She opened the bathroom door and saw Tom sitting on the edge of the bed, his back to her. "Tom?" she whispered.

He stood up and faced her. "Sarah, I love you. I just don't want to hurt you."

"And I love you, Tom. I don't want you to hurt me either." Tom smiled at her words. "But I do want to feel you next to me in bed tonight."

"I'm looking forward to that, Sweetheart," Tom grinned. "Very much so."

"Can we go to bed now then?" she asked.

"Absolutely." Tom was relieved. 'Maybe AJ was wrong.' Mac walked around the bed to him and began unbuttoning his shirt. She pulled it out of his pants and then unbuckled his belt. She let her fingers stroke him through the zipper as she lowered that. "Sweetheart, let me do that," he panted, feeling himself becoming aroused at her touch.

"Of course, Darling," she purred, turning around and kicking off her shoes. "Can you unzip me?" she asked. Tom obliged and Mac stepped back and began her own little strip-tease show. She wiggled her arms from the sleeves of her dress, making her breasts jiggle. She slowly lowered the dress over her hips and stepped out of it. She bent over to pick it up, and kept missing it... on purpose, of course... giving Tom a very nice view of her breasts peeking out of her very skimpy bra. She heard him grunt and smiled to herself. 'It's working!'

Tom began to worry. 'Oh God... she's going to strip all the way down. I know it. Am I strong enough not to take her if she's lying next to me naked?' He wondered if he should excuse himself to the bathroom.

Mac picked up the dress and turned to drape it over a nearby chair. She heard him groan this time. 'Gotta love that G string.' Then she sat in the chair and lowered her stockings. She tossed them over the back of the chair, too. When she stood, she reached to her breasts and unhooked the front clasp of her bra. She slowly eased the tiny scrap of fabric away from her breasts. She let the bra drop to the floor. "Wouldn't you like to help me with these?" she purred, pulling on the elastic of the G string. Tom stood mesmerized, watching his bride strip for him. When he didn't move, she pulled the panties down herself, exposing her to him. She stepped out of the panties and left them on the floor. She was worried at his expression. 'He forgot. He forgot there wouldn't be any hair. Oh God, He thinks I'm ugly.' Mac steeled herself. 'No. That's not it. That's not what he thinks. He loves you,' she insisted to herself.

'Oh, God! Oh, God!' Tom was breathing hard now... really hard. 'I sure am hard. As a rock. Oh, God! I should never have...' His thoughts were cut short when Mac walked up to him and put her fingers in the waistband of his boxers. She lowered them to his knees and let them fall to the floor.

"Mmm," she moaned. "Is that for me?" she asked as she ran her fingers lightly over his fully erect member. He nodded. "Let's go to bed, shall we?" He nodded again. It was quite obvious that all the blood normally in his brain was currently somewhere else. Mac took his hand and they sat on the bed. 'This is going to be easier than I expected.' She leaned into him, pressing her breasts against his chest, and kissed him thoroughly, running her hands up and down his bare chest. Tom kept his hands perfectly still. 'Hmm, maybe not so easy. He's still resisting me,' she realized. 'I guess I'll just have to keep going with Harriett's plan.'

Mac released Tom and laid back on the bed. "Comfy bed," she said lightly. Tom grunted in reply. "Could you pass me that extra pillow, please?" she requested. He reached over and grabbed it for her. "Thank you, Darling," Mac purred. "Good night, Sweetheart." She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek. 'Now for the heavy stuff,' she thought.

Tom was surprised. 'She's giving up that easily? I guess AJ was wrong. Or she's just that exhausted.' "Good night, Sarah." He reached over and pressed the light switch on the wall to turn out the light.

Mac had never done this in front of anyone before. Only in the privacy of her own home. But if it worked for Harriett, maybe it would work for her. She moved her left hand to the juncture of her thighs. "Mmm," she moaned as her fingers found her clitoris.

"You okay, Honey?" Tom asked in the dark.

"Yeah, fine. Sorry," she said, almost embarrassed. 'He's supposed to hear you, Mac... do it again.' She continued fingering herself and moved her right hand to her breast, playing with her nipple. "Oooh," she said a little louder this time.

"Sarah, what is it?" Tom asked, reaching over and turning on the light again. He looked back at Mac and saw her pleasuring herself. His jaw fell open. "Sarah?"

Mac turned her head so she could see him. She smiled. "I'd really rather you did this for me, you know," she said seductively... but she kept moving her hands on her body.

"Sarah, you're so weak..."

"It's all right. I understand," Mac turned her head to face the wall away from Tom. He could hear her sniffs and knew she was crying again. But she continued fingering herself and moved her left hand so she could insert a finger inside of herself.

"Sarah..." he groaned.

"Just don't watch if it bothers you, Tom. It's my wedding night, and I will have an orgasm," she said determinedly, trying to keep the weakness from her voice.

Tom couldn't stand it any longer. "Oh, Baby!" He pulled her into his arms and Mac willingly went, their mouths fusing together, tongues dueling for entry. He let her up for air. "I only want to protect you, Sarah. I love you so much. I don't want to risk anything happening to you."

"I'll stay in bed and sleep all day tomorrow if I have to, Tom. But please, please! Make love to me tonight," she begged. "We've had to wait so long. And the doctor said it was okay," she reminded him.

Tom laid her back on the bed and moved to hover over her. He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her again. Then he moved his mouth down her neck and nibbled on her ears. He stuck his tongue inside her left ear and she laughed. He sucked hard on her neck, knowing it would leave a mark. Mac gasped in pleasure and ran her hands down his back to his buttocks. She squeezed them and pushed down so that he lowered his abdomen to hers. She could feel his hardness on her stomach and she moaned in delight.

Tom moved down on the bed, trailing kisses along her body. He stopped at her breasts and suckled her right nipple for a while. Then, in fairness, he moved to the left nipple. He inched his way down her body until he reached her belly button. He dipped the end of his nose inside and wiggled it. Mac giggled. "That tickles!"

Tom inched his way down her abdomen. He rubbed his finger on her lightly. "Stubble. It's growing back, Honey."

Mac smiled at him. "I can keep it shaved if you'd prefer. Remember the nurse at the hospital said some couples like it better. You don't get a mouthful of hair this way."

"Whatever you're more comfortable with is fine with me, Sweetheart," Tom said just before he lowered his mouth to her. He flicked his tongue across her clit and then took it in his mouth and bit lightly.

"Ooooh, so good... so good," Mac moaned in delight. Tom moved a hand and inserted a finger inside of Mac. "Ooooh," she moaned again.

"More?" he asked.

"Yes... more... don't stop..." she breathed. Tom pulled his finger out and then inserted two inside of her. "Oh God... so good... I love you, Tom. So much..."

He continued his attentions on her clit as he moved his fingers in and out of her. Mac began to wiggle, trying not to thrust up into his face. It wasn't long before she shuddered her release, her knees slapping together of their own volition, catching Tom's head between them. "Oops," she said, her lower body still convulsing around his fingers. As she came down from her high, Tom moved beside her.

Mac rolled over and took his engorged penis in her hand. "Your turn, Darling."

"Won't take long, Sarah. He's been close several times already," Tom told her.

She smiled. "I know." Mac moved her hand and lowered her mouth over him.

"Oh, God!" he moaned. "Sarah!" Mac took as much of him in her mouth as she could without gagging. Then she scraped her teeth lightly along his shaft as she lifted her head off of him. "Baby, another one like that, and I'm there," he panted.

Mac didn't want that, though. She wanted him to come inside of her. Not inside her mouth. And she had him right where she wanted him now. His eyes were closed in ecstasy, so he wasn't watching her movements. She kept a hand on his shaft as she moved over him. Suddenly it dawned on him what she was doing. He opened his eyes and found his bride straddling him, ready to lower herself on his hard member. "Sarah, are you sure, Sweetheart?" he choked out.

"Very sure, Darling," Mac said as she sat down, taking him inside of her. "Oh, Tom, you feel so good. Oooh," she moaned happily. She looked down into his eyes and smiled. "I love you so much."

"Oh, Sarah," he whispered as he started to thrust up inside of her. She met his thrusts, and he exploded in her cavity. "Aaaauggh," he groaned as he felt his release.

Mac squeezed him as hard as she could before collapsing on his chest. "Oh, Tom. Thank you. Thank you for loving me." Mac rolled to his side and fell fast asleep.

Saturday, 15 February 2003

0730 EST

Snug Harbor Bed & Breakfast Inn

Shady Side, Maryland

Mac awoke slowly. She was sore, but she felt wonderful. Her left arm was tucked between her side and Tom's, and her right arm was thrown over his chest. Their legs were a mass of confusion, tangled among each other and the bed linens. She opened her eyes and looked up into his face. "Good morning, Sarah," he smiled at her.

"Mmm, yes it is. A very good morning, Darling."

"How do you feel?" he asked, trying to keep the worry out of his voice.

"I feel... perfect. Absolutely perfect," she sighed.

"You're not sore? You don't hurt?"

"I hurt a little, Tom. But it's not bad. And it was definitely worth it," Mac told him. "Thank you for trusting me... for loving me."

Tom smiled at his bride. "You ready to get up? Or should you stay in bed today?"

"I want to walk on the beach," Mac said.

"This early? Before breakfast?" he asked. Mac nodded. "Okay. Let's do it."

They rolled out of bed and dressed. They climbed in the car and Tom headed for the public beach access. "Umm, could we stop and get some coffee first?" he asked as a Burger King came into view.

Mac laughed. "I was just going to suggest that."

They got their coffee and headed to the beach. "Sarah, it's awfully cold to walk on the beach this morning. Are you sure you're up to it?" Tom asked, concern lacing his voice.

"I'm sure, Tom. You'll keep me warm," she giggled.

They walked hand-in-hand on the hard-packed, wet sand. "I love it here," Mac said, her words being whisked away by the wind.

Tom nodded his understanding. "I have a new reason for loving it here," he told her. "You." Tom pulled on Mac's hand and brought her around to face him. He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her soundly.

When they returned to the B&B an hour later, both of them were chilled to the bone. Their hostess saw them coming in and said, "Oh my! You two are frozen through! Come in here and warm yourselves by the fire while I get you some nice hot cocoa. Or would you prefer coffee or tea?"

"Cocoa would be lovely; thank you," said Mac. Tom nodded his agreement. They walked into the sitting room, and Tom pulled a couple of chairs closer to the fireplace. "Oooh, this is nice and warm," Mac purred, sitting down. "Feels wonderful," she said, removing her gloves and rubbing her hands together.

"You know, I think you have the right idea, wearing a scarf and a hat outside, Sarah. I'm going to have to find a nice warm hat," Tom added, as he took his seat.

Mac laughed. "I never needed one before."

"I don't usually either. Usually have my cover on. But if you want to walk on the beach in the middle of winter, I'm gonna need a warm hat!" he laughed.

Mac stood and walked behind Tom. She reached over him and hugged him, her hands reaching down his chest, almost to his groin. "Sarah..." he warned.

She giggled. "Let's take the cocoa up to our room," she suggested, hearing their hostess returning.

"I think I like that idea," agreed Tom.

"I know you'll like it," giggled Mac.

Monday, 17 February 2003

1445 EST

Boone Residence

Laurel, Maryland

Tom got the last of their bags from the trunk of the car and brought them inside while Mac was getting the mail from the box at the end of the driveway. "Anything good?" he yelled to her.

"Some more cards, it looks like," she smiled. "I can't believe how many cards we've received."

"You're well loved, Sarah."

"I don't know half of these people, Tom!" she laughed. "They're mostly from people at the church who know you!"

"You'll get to know them... that is, if you want to continue going there. We can always go somewhere else, if you'd rather," Tom offered.

"Absolutely not. Of course we'll keep going to Oakland. Everyone's been so kind and generous... and Joel is there," she reminded him.

Tom grinned. "I'm glad you want to stay. I kinda like it there."

Mac laid the mail on the dining room table, and Tom set their bags on the floor in the bedroom. "Now how do you expect me to unpack those with their being on the floor?" Mac teased her new husband.

"I thought you might want to lie down before we unpacked," he replied.

"Not really. I feel perfectly fine, Tom."

"Good!" he grinned, turning to her with a wolfish expression. "I didn't say rest or sleep, Sarah. I said lie down," he teased as he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down with him on the bed.

Mac burst into giggles as he tickled her mercilessly. She finally twisted around enough in his arms that she could reach his privates. She grabbed him and he yelped. "Hey! Be easy with those!"

Mac laughed all the more as they tore at each other's clothes, trying to strip the other first. Mac had Tom down to the new black bikini briefs she'd bought for him, decorated with red lips all over them. But Tom had her beat. He'd succeeded in removing Mac's sexy lace bra and was ripping the Velcro strap on her thong... just as the phone rang. "Ignore it," Tom said.

"It might be important," argued Mac, trying to get up.

"No one knows we're home, Sweetheart."

Mac giggled, "Oh, yeah!" She collapsed back on the bed with him. They'd told everyone they would be gone for at least a week on their honeymoon, knowing all along they were only going to stay in Shady Side for the weekend. Tom didn't want to overtax Mac, and with Dr. Jamaleddeen's full support behind her husband, Mac had finally acquiesced to a short honeymoon now... and a nice long wedding trip later in the year when she was stronger.

The answering machine picked up and they heard Mac's lilting voice... and kissing and moaning sounds in the background. "Hi! You've reached the home of Tom and Sarah Boone. We're honeymooning right now, so we can't take your call. Leave us a message, and we'll call you back when we come up for air!" Then there was a giggle and a load low groan before the beep.

Tom looked at Mac. "When did you do that?" he asked incredulously.

Mac giggled. "Just before I left for the church on Friday. You don't mind, do you?"

"You're fabulous! I love it! I wonder how many people have heard it? And how'd you get the kissing sounds in there? I recognize your giggle and groan at the end... but who was doing the kissing and moaning while you were talking?"

Mac blushed. "Umm, that was Harriett and Chloe."

"What?!" He couldn't quite imagine Harriett and Chloe kissing each other.

"Harriett was doing the moaning... she's good, huh? And Chloe was kissing her arm to make all those sounds.

Tom pulled Mac down and straddled her. "How about the missionary position this time, Sweetheart? We haven't done that one yet."

"Mmmm, yes!"

"You sure you're strong enough today?"

"Just don't collapse on me the way I do you and it'll be fine," she smiled, pulling his face down to hers.

The phone rang again just as Tom was ready to enter Mac. "Damn, I should have turned the volume off," Tom realized.

"What the hell kind of message is that?" the voice boomed over the speaker.

Mac giggled, "Oops!"

"What the hell does he want?" Tom groaned, hearing the SecNav's voice and then a click. Tom laughed. "He didn't leave a message!"

"I guess mine kinda floored him." Mac turned Tom's face back to hers. "Come on in, husband of mine," she whispered, lifting her abdomen and rubbing against his erection. "I want you," she purred.

"You have me, Baby," Tom said as he pressed her back down to the mattress and slid easily inside of her.

Easter Sunday, 20 April 2003

1045 EDT

Oakland Presbyterian Church

Laurel, Maryland

As Tom and Mac approached the steps to the church, Joel came bounding down them. "Uncle CAG! Aunt Sarah!" the boy exclaimed. "Guess what!?" Mac bent over and hugged Joel, planting a big wet kiss on his cheek. "Eeeewww!" he squealed. "Wet!"

Tom reach down and picked him up in his arms. "You'll like that when you get a little older, my man," he teased Joel. Joel shook his head. Tom and Mac had kept Joel overnight several times since their wedding, and they always enjoyed their time together.

"So, what's your exciting news, Sweetie?" asked Mac as they made their way up the steps.

"We're moving! We're moving!" Joel said excitedly.

Mac felt like someone punched her in the stomach. "Moving?" she croaked, trying to keep a smile on her face.

"Moving where?" asked Tom.

"Far, far away," Joel said. "To the desert."

"To Arizona?" Mac pressed.

"Uh uh," Joel answered, shaking his head. "To Egypt!"

"Egypt!?" bellowed Tom, causing everyone in the area to turn and look at them. "Why the he... heck are you moving to Egypt?" He knew that Joel wouldn't know the answer to that; it just came out. A natural question. He'd have to have a talk with Alicia about this.

Mac tried to be happy for Joel. He obviously was thrilled at the prospect of moving. She wondered, though, if he really understood what it meant... 'I doubt it.' "I've been to Egypt, Joel. They have camels there you can ride."

"That's what Uncle Mahshid said," Joel replied. "That's where his mom and dad are from, you know. Same as Moses. Moses was born in Egypt. He was a Jew, but he was born in Egypt," he said, proudly remembering his Sunday school lesson.

"Sweetie, it's time for church to start. We have to go in and sit down now," said Mac.

"Can I sit with you today, Uncle CAG? I don't want to go to children's church; I want to sit with you and Aunt Sarah. Please?" begged the little boy.

Tom nodded. "Of course you can, Joel." Tom set Joel back on the ground and the 3 walked into the sanctuary and took their seats. Mac sat in between her '2 men', as she called them. Joel tried to listen attentively to the sermon, but soon he was fast asleep, his head against Mac's breast. Tom found it difficult to concentrate on the sermon, too. He'd really grown close to the little boy, and it was going to hurt to lose him. Mac, too, wasn't able to listen; she put her arm around Joel and pulled him closer. Then she felt Tom's arm around her. She looked up into his face and knew he was hurting.

When the service was over, Mac woke Joel with a kiss on the top of his head. "Wake up, Sweetie," she cooed softly. "Time to go home now."

Joel woke up and fisted his eyes, as children do. "I want to go home with you, Aunt Sarah. Can I go home with you and Uncle CAG today? Please?" he begged again.

"We'll have to ask Aunt Alicia, Sweetie," Mac said.

The 3 made their way outside and Joel immediately spotted his aunt and uncle. "There they are! Aunt Alicia!! Can I go home with Uncle CAG and Aunt Sarah? Pleeeeease?" he yelled as he ran to her side.

Tom looked at Mac and said, "Well, I guess we should go talk to them."

"Why would they go to Egypt, Tom?" Mac queried.

"Don't know, Sarah. Let's go find out." Tom took Mac's hand in his and they made their way across the grass to Joel's family. "Alicia. Mahshid," Tom said in greeting, shaking their hands.

"Hello, Tom. Sarah," Mahshid said. Mac and Alicia smiled at each other. "I guess you've heard our news?"

"Why Egypt?" Tom asked bluntly.

"My company needs someone who knows the language and the culture. I grew up with both in my home, even though my parents raised us to be modern Americans. And the job is only temporary."

"Five years isn't what I call temporary, Mahshid," Alicia said. She didn't sound at all happy.

"Honey, they said 5 years at the outside. It'll probably be more like a year or 2. Believe me; I know these people. I've never seen even 1 overseas assignment last longer than 2 years," Mahshid placated his wife.

Alicia sighed. "I hope you're right."

"So do I," muttered Tom under his breath.

Mac squeezed his hand. "When do you leave?" she asked them.

"Next month."

Tuesday, 17 June 2003

1045 EDT

The Pentagon

Washington, DC

Tom closed his briefcase and reached for his cover. He walked out the door and spoke to his yeoman. "Patty, I'm on my way home. Try not to call, okay? I need a quiet day with Sarah."

"Admiral, is everything okay?" she asked. Admiral Boone seldom called her by her given name. Only when he was asking something of a personal nature, rather than business. She wondered about the call he just took.

"No, Patty. Things are not okay. I'll call you later and let you know if I'll be in tomorrow."

"Is there anything I can do, Sir?"

Tom shook his head. "Nothing," he said as he left his office and headed for home. He pulled into the driveway and turned off the ignition.

Mac was at the kitchen sink and saw Tom drive up. She dried her hands and met him at the door. "Honey, what's wrong? Are you ill?" she asked. He shook his head and tears were forming in his eyes. "Tom, you're scaring me. What is it? What's happened?" Tom shook his head and the tears immediately dried up. He took Mac in his arms and kissed her. "Oh, Tom! What is it? What's wrong?"

"I had a phone call this morning," he said softly. Mac looked at him questioningly. "From Egypt."

Mac gasped. "Oh, my God. What? What's happened? It's Joel! Something's happened to Joel!?"

"Joel is fine, Sweetheart. He's at the American Embassy in Cairo."

"What?! Why?"

"Mahshid took him there. He was concerned that if Joel stayed at the house with him, someone would take him."

"Tom, you're not making sense. Where's Alicia?" Mac prodded. Her tears were threatening now. "What's going on?"

"Come and sit down, Honey," Tom took her by the hand and pulled her to the sofa. They sat and he pulled her into his embrace. "The call I had was from Mahshid." Mac was shaking her head, not wanting to hear what she knew was coming. "Alicia's dead."

"No..."

"Sarah," Tom held her close. "There was an accident. Alicia was on her way to pick up Joel from school yesterday, and a child ran out in front of her car. Alicia swerved to avoid the child, but she lost control of the car and hit a tanker. The driver of the truck got out before it exploded, but Alicia didn't."

"Oh, my God. Tell me it wasn't right in front of the school. Tell me Joel didn't actually see it," she begged.

"No, Honey, he didn't. It was a few blocks away. They heard the explosion at the school; they saw the fireball. But they didn't see it happen."

"My poor little Joel," Mac sobbed. The she sat up as straight as a board. "What do you mean someone might take him from Mahshid?" she demanded.

"Mahshid said the locals have mentioned several times that Joel isn't being raised properly. That he's living in Egypt, and he should be raised as such."

"Where are they living?" Mac asked incredulously. "I thought they were in the city... in a..."

"Evidently, Mahshid's assignment was changed when he got there. They're in a village about 100 miles from Cairo. When Mahshid was told about Alicia yesterday, someone immediately suggested they take Joel as their own and raise him. Mahshid left for Cairo right away after that. He wanted to get Joel into the Embassy for protection."

"Tom, what's going to happen? Is he coming home? What?" Mac prodded.

"No, he doesn't feel that he can. His job is an important one, and he thinks he needs to stay at least until he completes his assignment."

"But Joel..."

"Joel can't stay. Mahshid called me because Alicia always told him if something happened to her, KitKat wanted Joel to come to me," Tom said softly.

"I don't understand," Mac whispered. "You mean Joel would come here while Mahshid is still in Egypt... and then he'd take him back when he comes home?"

"No, Sweetheart. If I agree to bring Joel into my home, it will be permanent. He'll become our son," Tom said this last gently, holding Mac's hands to his lips. "And only if you want it. I will not hurt you. I will not cause you pain," he shook his head.

"You mean... Joel... we could... adopt him?" Mac trembled.

Tom nodded. "If that's what you want, yes."

"But what about Joel? What does he want?"

"Someone to love him," Tom said softly.

"We love him," Mac whispered.

Tom nodded. "Yes, we do, Baby."

Friday, 20 June 2003

1150 EDT

Dulles International Airport

Washington, DC

Mac paced back and forth at the base of the escalators waiting for a glimpse of Tom and Joel. Tom had flown to Egypt to bring Joel home. Mac argued that she should also go, but Tom finally convinced her to stay home and redecorate one of the guest rooms for Joel. She had called Harm and Sturgis and convinced them to spend 2 of their evenings this week hanging wallpaper. She had called Harriett and convinced her to take a day off and go shopping for clothes, toys, and furniture.

And she had called AJ and convinced him to handle the adoption proceedings personally. She knew any one of the lawyers at JAG could do it, but she wanted the best. She didn't want anything to go wrong. And she also knew the judge might be just a little intimidated by 2 Admirals sitting at the table. Her fear was the cancer. The judge may not think it best for Joel to be adopted by a woman who might die from cancer in a year. He'd already lost 2 women in his life. Mac voiced her concerns to AJ, and he agreed with her. They decided to wait until she had her 1-year test before they filed for adoption. They'd just go for temporary custody now.

Mac remembered their conversation vividly. And she remembered the sleepless night she had after their talk. 'What if it does come back? What if they didn't get it all?'

Mac grunted. "Oooof!" She looked down to see what hit her. "Joel!!" she squealed, bending over and hugging him tightly.

"Hi, Aunt Sarah!" he giggled. "I surprised you, huh?"

"You sure did! I didn't see you come down the escalator," Mac replied.

"That's 'cause we took the elevator!" he giggled again. "We wanted to surprise you!"

"Well, it worked!" Mac laughed. "I was surprised." Mac stood up and Tom hugged her. "Welcome home, Honey. Was the flight okay?"

Tom nodded. "Joel here flirted with all the flight attendants, so I got anything I wanted," he teased.

"I did not!" Joel insisted.

"Let's go claim your bags and get something to eat!" Tom said to Joel, directing them toward the baggage claim area. "Where's the car, Sweetheart?"

Mac grinned. "At home."

"At home?" asked Joel. "We're gonna take a cab?"

"No, Sweetie, not a cab," Mac said.

"Who'd you con into picking us up, Sarah? Harm?" Mac shook her head. "Harriett?" She continued shaking her head. "I give up. Who?"

Mac looked a little sheepish. "Patty."

"Patty? Who's Pat... My yeoman?! Patty Krauss??" he bellowed, causing everyone in baggage claim to turn and stare at them. Mac nodded. "Who's minding my office?"

"She said not to worry about it, that she had it covered. So don't worry about it," Mac told him insistently. "Patty called me on Wednesday after you left to see if there was anything she could do to help. She really wanted to do something, Tom. And this was the one thing I hadn't asked anyone for yet."

"The one thing?" Tom repeated. "Uh oh..."

Mac laughed. "You'll be surprised!"

"Uncle CAG! Uncle CAG! Look! There's one of my bags!" cried Joel, running around the carousel to reach his duffle. "And look! Here come the other ones!"

Tom pulled all Joel's bags off the carousel and then his own duffle. "I think this is it," he said. They made their way out to the curb and waited for a couple of minutes. Mac saw Patty's Blazer and waved her over. As Patty climbed out, she came to attention stance in front of Tom. "As you were, Patty. And thank you for doing this."

She smiled. "I'm happy to be able to help in some small way, Admiral. You and Mrs. Boone are very special to me," she said quietly. Then she looked down at Joel. "Hello there, Joel."

"Hi!" he said. "You were at Uncle CAG's and Aunt Sarah's wedding, weren't you?" Patty nodded. "I remember you."

Patty smiled. "I remember you, too. You were the ring bearer. And such a handsome ring bearer, too." Joel blushed and ran around to help Tom load the bags in the back. "He's so cute," Patty said to Mac.

"Isn't he?" Mac agreed.

"He's going to love his new room, Mrs. Boone. You did an amazing job in just a few days."

"Patty, please. Call me Sarah."

Patty shook her head. "I'm sorry, Ma'am. No can do."

They all climbed in the vehicle, and Patty headed for Laurel. When they got everything unloaded, Patty said goodbye and started to leave. "Patty!" called Tom.

"Sir?"

"Thank you. For caring."

Patty smiled all the way back to Washington. She really liked her boss now. 'Amazing what love can do to a person,' she thought. 'Wonder if I've finally found someone to love me like that?'

Friday, 4 July 2003

2135 EDT

Roberts Residence

Vienna, Virginia

Joel and little AJ were having a wonderful time playing together. Even though Joel was a few years older than little AJ, he didn't mind playing the games the younger boy enjoyed. And now they were outside holding sparklers! "Wow!" Joel exclaimed. "I can't believe Aunt Sarah's letting me do this."

"Why do you call her Aunt Sarah?" asked little AJ as his sparkler fizzled out. "Her name is Auntie Mac."

"She told me to call her Aunt Sarah," Joel replied, watching his die out also.

"I call her Auntie Mac." Mac and Harriett smiled at each other, hearing the boys' conversation. They were only standing a few yards away.

"Can you keep a secret?" Joel whispered loudly. AJ nodded his head. "I'm gonna get adopted! And when I do, I'm gonna ask Aunt Sarah if I can call her Mama." Mac almost gasped at his words. She looked at Harriett and grabbed her hand to steady herself.

"Where is your Mommy?" little AJ asked.

"My Mommy died. So did my Daddy. And my Aunt Alicia. So Uncle CAG said that I'm gonna live with him and Aunt Sarah now until I'm grown up. And they're gonna be my new parents."

"Wo-oow," little AJ said, mimicking his father.

"Uncle CAG is an Admiral, you know," Joel said proudly.

"He is not!"

"Is so!"

"Is not!"

"Is so!"

"Boys! What are you arguing about?" called Bud from the patio.

Little AJ ran over to big AJ and climbed up in his lap. "Joel says that Uncle CAG is an Admiral. And I said he's not. You're the Admiral, Adm'l AJ!"

Joel sat on Tom's lap and said, "He is, too, an Admiral!"

"Is not!"

"Is so!"

"Boys, that's enough," said big AJ. "Yes, AJ," he addressed his young namesake, "Uncle CAG is an Admiral. I'm not the only Admiral. I'm the only Admiral AJ that I know of, but not the only Admiral."

"Oh," said little AJ. "Okay." He jumped down and ran off to the swing set. "Come on, Joel!"

The adults laughed as the boys ran off to play. "Friends again," laughed Bobbie.

"Look! The fireworks are starting!" Sturgis said as he saw the sky behind them light up with color.

Mac called, "Boys! Come, let's watch the fireworks!"

The boys came running back to the patio and laid down on the blanket Harriett spread. Tom sat down on the blanket and Mac scooted in between his legs, leaning back against his chest. "Mmm, I like this," he whispered in her ear.

Sturgis and Bobbie stayed in the lounge chair they were sharing, and Harriett settled herself in Bud's lap.

"Mind if we join you?" asked AJ of Tom and Mac. He sat in the same position as Tom and pulled Meredith into his embrace. "So, Mac. When are you coming back to JAG? Your medical leave is just about up," AJ reminded her.

"That will depend on whether we get to keep Joel, Sir," she replied quietly.

"How's that?" asked Sturgis. "Lots of mothers work."

Mac smiled. "True. But I want to be a stay-at-home mom. I want to be there when Joel comes home from school. I don't want him in after-school care."

Meredith nodded. "I agree whole-heartedly, Sarah. AJ can just find himself a new lawyer!" she giggled as he put his arms around her waist and tickled her.

Mac suddenly looked up. "Hey! What happened to Harm? He never showed."

Tom nuzzled her neck. "And that's a problem because...?" he teased.

Mac giggled. "It's not a problem, Honey... I just wonder where he is."

"Or who he's with?" joked AJ.

"Poor Harm. He does suffer the brunt of your jokes," said Meredith.

"Deserves 'em," quipped Bobbie.

"One of these days, you're going to have to tell me about your relationship with him," Sturgis grinned.

"I don't think so," Bobbie teased.

"That sounds like it's not something I'd want to hear anyway," he moaned as the other adults laughed.

"SHHHH!" came from the far end of the blanket. "We can't hear the fireworks!" complained Joel, causing the adults to laugh even more as the air was filled with the loud booms.

"Harriett, did you know the golf course did a fireworks show when you picked this house?" asked Mac.

She grinned. "No, and it sure was a surprise last year when they started going off!"

Thursday, 14 August 2003

1545 EDT

The Pentagon

Washington, DC

Patty knocked on Tom's door. "Enter!" he barked.

"Sir, you're going to be late," she said. "You wanted to leave by 1530, and it's already 1545."

"Damn! Why didn't you tell me?" he groused.

Patty sighed to herself. She'd already come in here 3 times trying to get him to leave. "Isn't that something I can do for you, Admiral?"

"No, damn it. You know what?" he looked up and threw his pen down. "The hell with this! This is not anything of importance! And my wife is! If the SecNav calls looking for this damned report, you tell him that I'll have it for him tomorrow by noon," Tom rattled off as he grabbed his cover.

"Your briefcase, Sir?" Patty asked.

"Nope. No work tonight," he grinned as he headed for the door.

"Happy anniversary, Admiral," she said before he left.

Tom turned back to face Patty and smiled. "Thank you, Patty."

Tom walked quickly through building and out to the parking lot... then he ran to his vehicle and headed for home. He really hoped that nothing had happened to change their plans for the night. Joel was supposed to be sleeping at a friend's house. And he was taking Mac to Shady Side for dinner. As run-down as the place was, Mac considered the Shell Shack "their" restaurant. So that's where he was taking her for their 6-month anniversary. Nothing else would do.

He pulled into the driveway and noticed that all the curtains were drawn... and the blinds were closed. The last time the house was so closed up was when she was in pain after her chemo treatments. "Oh, God!" Tom worried, hurrying up to the house. He unlocked the front door and walked inside, being as quiet as he could. If Mac was in pain, he didn't want to startle her or make noise that would bother her.

He immediately went to their bedroom. Not finding her there or in the bathroom, he moved to the other bedrooms. She was nowhere to be found. "Where are you, Sarah?" he mumbled.

"In the living room, Handsome," he heard her sultry voice call to him. "Come and find me." Tom grinned as he relaxed. She wasn't in pain. She was playing with him. "And when you do find me, I hope you have as few clothes on as I do."

Tom headed back toward the living room, shedding his uniform all the way. When he found Mac, she was lying on the sofa, stark naked. "Happy anniversary, Darling," she purred.

"Ooooh, Sarah," Tom groaned as he watched Mac spread her legs for him.

"Come to Mama," she teased.

Tom almost tripped as he hurriedly lowered his boxers. He lowered himself over Mac and whispered, "So much for Shady Side, hmm?"

"Oh, we're still going to Shady Side, Husband. We're just going to make whoopee before we go!" she giggled. Tom ran his fingers through Mac's hair. "I love it when you do that," she purred. "I missed my hair."

He smiled. "I know. That's why I do it. You have beautiful hair," he grinned.

"Not much of it yet, though."

"It's growing, Baby. It's growing."

Mac giggled. "Sure is," she reached down and stroked his length. "You're so good to me, Tom. What did I ever do to deserve you?" she whispered.

"Must have been something pretty awful," he teased in return.

"Wish I'd done it years ago if I could've had you then," she rasped as he moved his fingers to her clit. "Oh! Oh! Yes... just there... just like that... Oh, Tom!" she whined in ecstasy.

"You like that, Sweetheart?"

"Oh, yes... more... don't stop..."

"I'm not, Baby. I'll never stop loving you."

"I want you... inside of me... please, Tom..." she begged.

"Your wish is my command, Wife," he whispered in her ear. He moved his hand up to play with her nipples and he positioned his cock at her entrance. "You ready?"

"Oh.... SO ready..." Tom eased himself gently inside of her. "Harder, Tom. Please. I won't break. Harder."

"Okay, Sweetheart. But you have to promise to tell me if I hurt you."

"I will. I promise," she breathed.

Tom lifted up slightly and began pumping inside of her, thrusting himself in and pulling back. Mac grunted as he pushed inside of her each time. "Uh! Uh! Uh!"

"Are you breathing, Sarah?" he asked in concern.

Mac nodded. "Keep... going..." she panted. Tom did as she asked, and within a couple of minutes, his seed filled her.

Tom continued to move inside of her, knowing that she hadn't yet reached her climax. He moved his hand back to her clit, and flicked his finger across it. The second time his finger touched her, she jerked, and he felt her spasms. He let her ride it out, before he spoke. "And was it good for you?"

Mac laughed. "You know it was!"

"Joel is staying overnight at Pete's, right?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah. We get to do this again when we get back from dinner."

Tom grinned. "Good." They got up and he decided he should call Maggie and let her know they'd be a little later than he expected. The line rang busy. 'Damn.' They took a quick shower together and got dressed. Tom tried the restaurant again. Still busy. He decided to call his yeoman. She always wanted to do something for him and Mac. So he'd let her call.

"Admiral Boone's office; Petty Officer Krauss," her happy voice came over the line.

"Patty, it's me," he said. "Would you mind calling the Shell Shack and let them know that we're going to be late? We're just leaving the house now. I've called a couple of times, and the line's busy. Keep trying them until you reach them."

She didn't answer quickly. There was almost a hesitation in her voice. But she said, "Of course, Admiral."

"Everything okay?" he asked, not sure he really heard the hesitation.

"Everything's fine, Sir. I'll call the restaurant and let them know you'll be late, Admiral."

Tom heard another voice in the background over the phone and then Patty's again. "Late, huh? He and the Colonel must have gone at it before dinner."

"Shhh! He'll hear you."

"Have a good evening, Patty," Tom grinned as he hung up the phone. "Sounds like Patty's got a new boyfriend!" Tom said to Mac as she walked into the living room with her purse on her arm. He had the vague notion that he should recognize the man's voice. But when he saw his wife dressed in a sexy dress, cut to show off her ample bosom, all other thoughts left him.

Thursday, 28 August 2003

1335 EDT

Boone Residence

Laurel, Maryland

"Uncle CAG is home!" yelled Joel as he burst through the front door, dragging Tom behind him. "Aunt Sarah!!"

"Joel, you're inside the house now," Tom reminded him. "Use your 'inside voice', please."

"Sorry, Uncle CAG," Joel lowered his voice a couple of notches. "Aunt Sarah! Uncle CAG is home!" he called again, running through the house, trying to find her

Mac came out of the laundry room. "What are you doing home at this hour, Honey?" she asked a bit warily. The last time he'd come home this early was when he told her about Alicia.

Tom took her in his arms and kissed her. "I thought you might want to take a vacation over the holiday weekend. What do you say?" he asked.

"Oh boy! Oh boy! Where are we gonna go?" Joel jumped up and down in his excitement.

"Where would you like to go?" he asked the boy.

"I want to go see the planes!" Joel replied immediately. He loved visiting the Naval yard where the F14s were serviced.

"Honey, we can't go anywhere this weekend. We have the picnic over here on Monday, remember? Everyone's coming here."

"Oh, that's right," Tom said. "Well, we can still go see the planes, can't we?" he teased.

Mac laughed. "Of course we can." Joel was thrilled. He jumped up and down and begged to go tell his friend next door. When he left, Mac said, "Okay, now why are you really home early?"

Tom smiled and took her in his arms. "Dr. Jamaleddeen called with the results of your last test."

"He called you?" Mac was surprised.

"Yeah. I asked him to," Tom said. "I told him I wanted to be the one to tell you the good news."

"Is it, Tom?" she whispered. "Is it good news?"

He nodded. "Yeah, it is, Sarah. There's still no trace of cancer, Sweetheart. It's been a year. He says you can go to 6-month visits now."

Mac was ecstatic. She threw her arms around Tom's neck and kissed him all over his face and head and neck... she couldn't get enough of him. "Oh, Tom! I'm well! I'm well!" She ran to the phone and picked it up. "I have to call Harriett! And the Admiral! We can start the adoption process now!!"

"You still want to go through with the adoption?" Tom asked carefully.

Mac set the phone down and looked up at him, remembering Joel's words from July. "Definitely," she said emphatically. "I'm going to be his Mama."

Tom pulled her back in his arms and kissed her soundly. "I love you, Sarah."

Monday, 13 October 2003

1940 EDT

Chegwidden Residence

McLean, Virginia

The party celebrating the anniversary of the Navy's establishment in 1775 was in full swing when Tiner pulled up 40 minutes late. He climbed out of his car and opened the door for his date. "We don't have to go in if you'd rather not. We are awfully late, and they probably won't believe the story about a flat tire," he told her. He'd never brought a date to the Admiral's house before. But she'd insisted.

"Are you kidding? Look at you! I think it's rather obvious that you've been changing a tire. You're a mess!" she teased.

"Gee, thanks," Tiner quipped as he tried to brush off more of the dirt and grime.

"Come on, lover boy. Let's go in. I want to see the look on my boss' face when he sees us together. He thinks I'm a nun," she giggled.

Tiner groaned. "He's gonna kill me." They made their way to the front door and Tiner pressed the bell. "Are you sure?"

The front door swung open before she answered. "Tiner! You made it!" greeted Harriett. "Come on in. Oh my! What happened to you?" she asked, taking in his appearance.

"Flat tire, Ma'am," he grumbled.

Harriett laughed. "Tiner, that's supposed to be the excuse after the party, not before." Then she turned and looked at his date. "Don't I know you?" Harriett said, a bit puzzled. 'Incredible! She looks just like...'

"Shh! My boss doesn't know yet!"

The women giggled and Tiner groaned again. "He's gonna kill me. I know it."

"Oh, stop that!" she slapped his arm. "You go get cleaned up a bit like you said you wanted to... and I'll mingle a while. When you come back out, we'll go say hello to the Admiral."

"Admirals. Plural," Tiner replied. "They're both gonna kill me."

"Don't be silly, Jason. There's no reason in the world why we shouldn't be going out together."

Just as Tiner finished up in the guest bathroom and made his way back to the living room, Tom & Mac and AJ & Meredith came in from the back yard. "It's getting a mite chilly out there," said Meredith, rubbing her bare arms.

"Patty!" said Tom. "What brings you all the way out here? Something..." he paused, taking in her appearance. She wasn't in uniform. She was in a dress. A party dress. A sexy party dress. "Patty?" he said in bewilderment.

"Good evening, Admiral. Mrs. Boone. Nice to see you again, Ma'am." She turned to AJ. "Good evening, Admiral Chegwidden," she said politely.

"Hello, Patty," Mac smiled as Tiner walked up next to Patty and slipped his hand in hers.

"Good evening, Sirs," Tiner said nervously. He faced AJ and continued, "I'm sorry we're late, Admiral. I had a flat tire and I had to..."

"Not a problem, Tiner. Glad you came on anyway," AJ said graciously. He looked at Patty and smiled. "Patty. Welcome to my home."

"Thank you, Sir." Tiner moved his hand around her waist. Tom noticed immediately.

"When did all this start?" he barked.

Tiner dropped his arm to his side quickly and gulped, "At your wedding, actually, Admiral."

"What?" he bellowed.

"Tom, be civil," reprimanded Mac. "Tiner is a fine young man."

"He certainly is, Boone!" AJ said loudly. "And just what is wrong with my yeoman dating your yeoman, anyway?" he asked, getting right in Tom's face.

Tom backed down... a bit. He looked at Tiner. "Nothing, I guess. Better than Rabb dating her," he quipped, to which everyone laughed... everyone, that is, except Harm.

Thursday, 6 November 2003

0930 EST

Prince George's County Courthouse

Upper Marlboro, Maryland

The day dawned wet and dreary. At least it wasn't snowing... or sleeting, that would be worse. But why did it have to rain today? Mac wasn't really superstitious, but if she was... what an omen of doom. She was so nervous. She knew that AJ had filed all the necessary documents and that nothing was going to fall through the cracks on that end. But she had still quizzed him when they arrived at the Courthouse. Tom tried to calm her nerves. "Sweetheart, AJ knows what he's doing. That's why you asked him to handle this for us, remember? Because you wanted the best. Now stop annoying him and let him do his job."

Mac looked up at Tom sharply. But AJ diffused the situation quickly. "You're not annoying me, Mac. I know you're nervous. It's okay. I'd have to say it's normal." He decided to try and get her mind off the hearing. "So, Mac. Have you talked to Patty or Tiner? How are they getting along?"

Mac smiled. "They're doing great. I wouldn't be surprised if those two get married next spring."

"Married?" bellowed Tom. "They can't get married! She's just a baby!"

Mac and AJ laughed. "She's 23 years old, Tom. She's not a baby," Mac said.

"Aunt Sarah?" Joel said, pulling on her hand to get her attention.

"What is it, Sweetie?"

"Is the judge gonna be nice?" he asked innocently. Mac inhaled sharply, and Tom saw her eyes well with tears.

"Honey, why don't you take Joel downstairs and get something to eat?" he suggested. "There's that coffee shop on the second floor..."

"I'm not going anywhere," Mac stated flatly. "The judge specifically requested that Joel and I be present," she reminded him.

"Yeah, that bothers me," said AJ quietly. "Having the child there... most unusual."

The door to the courtroom opened and a guard propped the doors open. "You can go in now," he said.

Mac pulled Joel to her side and took his hand in hers as they walked in the room. She didn't even stop to think what she was doing, she just headed straight for the front. "Mac? Were you going to do this yourself?" teased AJ as she and Joel took seats at the table.

Mac looked up, surprised. "Oh!" She blushed slightly, took Joel's hand, and moved behind the railing.

AJ and Tom grinned. "Relax, Honey," Tom whispered as he kissed her lightly, just as a clap of thunder shook the floor.

The judge walked in the room and took his seat behind the large desk. "I understand we have an adoption hearing this morning?" he said, more to himself than the others. So no one answered him. He looked up to see the 2 Admirals standing behind the defense table and a woman and child standing behind the railing. "No one's here to dispute this?" he asked, looking over to the other side of the room and seeing no one. "Odd," he mumbled. The judge moved his papers around on his desk some and finally acknowledged the Admirals.

"Good morning, gentlemen. I'm Judge Markort, and I'll be reviewing your petition for adoption. Have a seat." They all sat down and waited for the judge to continue. "Admiral Chegwidden?"

AJ responded. "That would be me, your Honor. AJ Chegwidden."

The judge nodded. "You're the Judge Advocate General, aren't you?" he asked.

AJ replied, "Yes, Sir, that's correct."

"And you're handling this case yourself?"

AJ smiled inwardly; he knew the judge would ask this. "The couple are friends of mine, Sir. And Mrs. Boone is one of my lawyers at JAG."

"Currently on medical leave, I understand?"

"That is correct, your Honor."

"Cancer. Hmm. Tell me, Admiral. Why should I remand custody of a small boy who has already lost both his parents and his aunt to a woman who could die within the year?" the judge asked bluntly.

Mac stiffened in her seat and tears welled up in her eyes. She put her arm around Joel and pulled him close against her breast. Joel slipped his small hand inside of Mac's and squeezed it.

Tom wanted to turn around right then and take Mac out of the room, but he knew better. AJ had already warned him not to react if this subject came up. And they all knew it would. It was bound to. AJ was surprised, though, that the judge was so callous about it.

"Actually, your Honor, you could remand the boy's custody to a perfectly healthy woman today and she die in an accident tomorrow." Before the judge spoke again, AJ continued. "However, I do fully understand your concern for Joel, as do the Boones. Joel has, indeed, experienced more than his share of tragedy in his young life. That's the primary reason the Boones waited on the adoption until Mrs. Boone's 1-year tests returned."

"Oh?" asked the judge. "Do you have those results now?"

AJ moved out from behind the table and walked to the Judge's desk. "Yes, I do, your Honor. Mrs. Boone's 1-year test results came back completely clear. There is no sign of any cancer cells remaining in her body."

The judge actually smiled. "Good, good." He reviewed the medical report AJ had given him as AJ returned to his seat.

When all had been quiet in the courtroom for almost 5 minutes, save the rain pelting against the windows, Joel whispered loudly to Mac, "Aunt Sarah, did the judge fall asleep?"

She heard the judge chuckle under his breath. "No, Sweetie. He's reading the papers Uncle AJ gave him," Mac replied, kissing Joel on the forehead softly.

"I read faster than him," Joel observed. "When is he going to say you and Uncle CAG are my new parents?"

"Shh, Sweetie. The judge has a very important job to do," Mac tried to speak quietly so as not to disturb the judge, but the room was so still, her words carried to him. "We must be quiet while he studies the case." Joel frowned; he was scared, too, and Mac knew it. "It's okay, Joel. Whatever happens today, it'll be okay," she sniffed and put her arm around him.

He reached up and stroked her short hair. "Mommy had blonde hair. Uncle CAG used to call her his blonde KitKat," he giggled.

The judge visibly stiffened at the boy's words. "Admiral Boone. You, I believe, were the one who knew the boy's parents?"

Tom looked up. "Yes, Sir."

"How well did you know them?"

"I knew his mother extremely well, your Honor. I met his father several times."

"What do you mean by 'extremely well'?" the judge asked as another clap of thunder shook the room. Mac was getting more and more anxious.

Tom knew now what the judge was driving at. He was jumping to conclusions because of Joel's comment about his mother. "Lieutenant Commander Jacqueline Andrews was a pilot under my command. I knew all of my pilots very well in my capacity as the carrier air group commander."

"You have pet names for all of them, too, Admiral?" the judge smirked.

"Every pilot has a call sign. Andrews' call sign was KitKat."

Joel piped up before Mac realized he was going to say anything. "That's 'cause she loved KitKat candy bars! She ate them all the time!"

"Shh, Joel. Honey, we're not supposed to talk to the judge right now," Mac whispered urgently.

"Oh. I'm sorry, Aunt Sarah. I forgot." He leaned over and laid his head against her breast.

Tom continued where Joel left off. "The boy is right. She ate every KitKat bar she could get her hands on."

"And you, Admiral. Did you ever get your hands on the KitKat?" the judge asked pointedly.

"Only times I ever touched KitKat, you Honor, was when I walked her down the aisle at her wedding and gave her away," Tom said emphatically. "And then I hugged her goodbye when she left the carrier because she was carrying Joel."

The judge raised his eyebrow in surprise... as did AJ... and Mac. Tom turned around slightly to see Mac's expression. She was surprised, but pleased. He smiled at her and mouthed, "I love you."

"Didn't you know that, Aunt Sarah?" asked Joel quietly. Mac shook her head. "I did," he smiled. "Aunt Alicia told me."

"This boy has no more living relatives?" asked the judge, flipping through the papers on his desk.

AJ spoke. "No, your Honor. His aunt died in June. Her husband, Mahshid Abdun, is on an extended assignment in Egypt and wishes the Boones to have full and permanent custody of Joel."

"He doesn't want the boy?" the judge asked.

"He wants what's best for the boy, your Honor," AJ corrected. "Mr. Abdun loves Joel very much, and Joel loves his uncle. But Mr. Abdun believes that Joel would be better off here in the US and living with Tom and Sarah Boone as his new parents. His affidavit is there in the file, Sir."

The judge found the paper and read through it, as though for the first time. AJ knew better. He knew this guy had already read the entire file, probably several times. And he never complained when Joel spoke. 'That's what he's doing. He's listening to the boy,' AJ realized. And indeed, that's exactly what he was doing. The judge grunted as he read, then he shook his head, hoping it would stir some more conversation between the boy and Mac.

Mac's eyes welled with tears when she saw him shake his head. They were going to lose. She could feel it. He didn't like what he was reading. And it was probably all because of her. Her past. Her cancer. Joel saw a tear streak down Mac's face and he put his hands on her cheeks. "Don't cry, Aunt Sarah. I love you," he whispered in his loud, little boy way, and hugged her close.

Mac smiled. "I'm fine, Sweetie. I just got something in my eye," she lied, but moved her fingers to rub her eyes to prove the point.

"Aunt Sarah?"

"Hmm?"

"What will happen if the judge says you can't be my parents?"

Mac inhaled sharply and bit her lips together. "Let's not think about that, okay?" she tried to smile.

"I wish it would stop being so loud outside. I don't like thunder," Joel said.

"I don't either, Sweetie. But if it didn't rain, we wouldn't have rainbows," she tried to reason. She didn't want him to be afraid of thunderstorms the way she had been as a child. "I love rainbows. Don't you?"

He nodded. "Can I ask you something, Aunt Sarah?"

"Of course you can, Baby. Quietly, though. Whisper."

He nodded and continued to speak in his whisper voice. "If the judge says yes, I don't want to call you Aunt Sarah and Uncle CAG anymore." Mac looked down at him, love shining in her eyes such as the judge had rarely seen. "I want to call you Mama and Daddy." Mac sniffed. "Is that okay?"

Mac hugged him tightly. "Let's wait and see what the judge says, okay?"

"But is that okay?"

Mac nodded. "It's more than okay, Sweetie."

"I love you, Aunt Sarah."

"I love you, too, Joel."

The judge had heard and read enough. He was convinced. He looked up and said gently, "Joel, would you come up here for just a minute, please?"

Joel looked at Mac in confusion. "It's okay, Sweetie. Go ahead," Mac encouraged him.

Joel stepped out and walked up to the judge's desk. "Come around here and sit on my lap for a minute," the judge said. Joel did as he was told. "You understand what happened to your parents, Joel?"

"They died. They're heroes," he said proudly.

The judge smiled. "Yes, they are. And you understand what happened to your Aunt Alicia?"

"She died, too. She didn't want to hit the little girl who ran in front of her car. She's a hero, too," he told the judge.

"Joel, have you liked living with Uncle Tom and Aunt Sarah?"

"You mean Uncle CAG?" Joel corrected. The judge nodded. "Uh huh. A lot. They take me places and do fun things."

"Do you have rules at home?"

"Yes, Sir. Lots of rules. Uncle CAG is an Admiral, you know," he whispered as though that explained everything.

The judge chuckled. "Do you like Uncle CAG and Aunt Sarah a lot?"

Joel nodded. "I love them a lot, too." Joel looked deep into the judge's eyes. "Are you going to let them be my new parents?" he asked sweetly. Then he begged, "Pleeease?"

The judge whispered in Joel's ear and Joel smiled brightly. Then the judge opened his desk drawer and Joel reached inside of it and pulled something out. The next thing they knew, he was running back to Mac. She stood up as she saw him coming, and he hugged her legs. "I have a flower for you, Mama," Joel said brightly as he held a brilliant white rose out to her.

"Thank you, Sweetie..." Mac smiled, taking the flower from his hand. Then she looked shocked. "Mama? You called me Mama!" she almost squealed.

She looked up at the judge, as did AJ and Tom. He nodded. "Adoption approved. Congratulations on your new son, Admiral and Mrs. Boone." He slammed his gavel on the desk and said, "Case closed!"

"Oh, my God!" Mac exclaimed. "Tom!" Mac's tears burst forth as she cried in delight.

Tom quickly stepped over the railing and picked Joel up in his arms and hugged him. "Hello, Son!"

"Hello, Daddy!" Joel giggled. Then they both reached out and brought Mac into their hug.

AJ smiled at the happy family. 'Damn. I guess this means Mac won't be coming back to JAG.'

As they walked outside the courthouse they found that the rain had stopped. Joel looked up. "Look, Mama! A rainbow, just for you!"