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Title: Gold Wings and Dress Whites: Parts 26 to 29
Author: Anaika Skywalker
Author’s Email: lindsay30@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Rating: 13
Summery: An old friend of Harm’s comes back into his life and old feelings resurface between them.
Disclaimer: I don’t own JAG; I just like to spread my wings occasionally.
Author’s Note: I’ve never written a Jag story until this one. As you may of guessed by my penname what I usually do write, but despite this I thought I’d give it a go, as I love JAG too. After all you do know what they say about gold wings and dress whites, if you don’t then it’s time to watch the pilot episode of JAG again. And I really wish they’d put season eight on here in Australia. Well enough of my ramblings, please review and let me know if I’m on the right track.
Author’s Extra Note: After getting only two reviews for this story, I decided to go back and do a little rewriting, to fix up a few things and make a few changers hopefully for the better. I’d also to thank everyone at dresswhites.net for all the information on Harm, knowing when, and what he’s been up to since leaving high school has helped me fit Sera into this story - my sincere thanks. - A/S
Chapter Twenty-six: To say a little pray
Rabb Residence
MacLean, Virginia
Harm pulled into the driveway of his home, shutting the engine off he pulled the keys out and hurried inside.
His mother was waiting. “Has there been any word?”
“He was found, unconscious but alive, Mac’s with him at the moment,” he answered her.
Trish hugged her son. “Thank God for that,” she whispered. “Frank and Corey are both asleep, I’ll tell them in the morning.”
“Where are Sera and the twins?”
“In the nursery, she hasn’t left their side since she came home.”
“I’ll talk to her,” Harm said, and then kissed his mother’s head. “Go to bed Mum, get some rest.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
She nodded and headed for the spare room, thanking God along the way she had her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren with her and Frank that night.
Taking a deep breath, Harm left it out slowly and walked towards the nursery. The twins were fourteen days old, it wasn’t supposed to be a day of pain and anguish, but September 11th had turned into that. The whole country, the whole world had been given a rude awakening to the horrors of terrorism.
Walking into the nursery he saw his wife in the dim light sitting between the two cots hugging her knees to her chest, their children asleep. She’d been taking the twins to Norfolk to visit the squadron, Trish had gone with her and they’d heard on the radio what had happened. Sera had quickly been recalled to duty, leaving Trish to take the twins home and wait, just as every man, woman and child was doing. Unknown to Sera though, Matt had been at the Pentagon when it had been hit. It wasn’t until she’d been in the air that she remembered it was his day to go. It hit her suddenly he brother could be dead. Pushing it to the back of her mind she’d gone on with her duty, for him. Matt would never give up and neither would she.
Harm went further into the nursery, kneeling down in front of his wife, who still wore her flight suite, having obviously come straight from the base. “They found him honey, he’s fine.”
Tears streamed down her face, as she comprehended what he’d said. “He’s all right?”
“He’s fine babe, Mac’s with him.”
She released her hold on her legs and hugged her husband instead, crying softly in relief as he held her.
Harm held her, rubbing her back. God he wanted to fall apart too, but he needed to be strong for Sera. His turn would come, but not right now. Now he had to be strong. “Mac is pregnant. She told me while we were waiting,” he said softly. “She hadn’t even told Matt at the time,” he heard her sob’s subsiding. “I told her Matt was too stubborn to die, that he would be around to see his child born and grow up. I promised her.”
“And you always keep your promises.” Sera whispered.
“I do,” he kissed her forehead. “I love you Sera.”
“I love you too, Harm.”
“Come on sweetheart, lets get you to bed,” he stood and helped her up, guiding her out of the nursery.
After taking a shower together, Harm went and locked up and turned out the lights before joining his wife in their bed. They lay there holding each other. Sera fell asleep in his arms, exhausted.
As he held her, tears slid down his cheeks. He didn’t know what he would of done if he’d lost her or the twins, if they were no longer in his life. God all those people, fathers, mothers, brother, sisters. So many people had lost their lives.
“Harm,” Sera woke seeing the tears. She wiped them away and kissed his lips gently. “It’s okay babe, it’s okay.” She whispered. “We’ll be okay.”
He just hoped she was right, but mostly he just hoped not only the people effected would recover but the world also.
********************
Admiral Chegwidden stood in the doorway of the hospital room; silently thanking God his officer was alive to hear he was going to become a father. Thanking God Sarah Mackenzie-Mitchell had her husband back, alive.
Sydney Weldon came up beside him. “AJ?”
He ushered her out of the room and closing the door. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course I’d come AJ,” she hugged him. “Are you all right?”
Nodding he held her tight. “Mac is pregnant, she’s tell Matt now.”
“Oh AJ,” she saw the worry in his eyes. “It’s not over, is it?”
“No, this is only the start.”
Inside the room, Matt was hugging his wife. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” she said, tears in her eyes.
“God, Sarah, don’t cry,” he insisted. “Have you told Emily?”
“No, only the Admiral and Harm know.”
He caressed her cheek. “Our baby.”
She nodded smiling despite her fears. “Our baby,” she laid her head on his chest, feeling him stroke her hair. She had almost lost him, lost the father of her child, the man she loved with all her heart and soul.
“I love you Sarah,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” she told him.
In the waiting room, the Admiral and Sydney saw Admiral Mitchell, his wife and ex-wife coming down the hall.
“Admiral how is my son?” Ryan asked him.
“A concussion, and two broken ribs,” AJ answered. “Apparently a young Corporal pushed him out of the way.”
“Thank God.”
“Mac is in with him at the moment.”
“Thank you for staying AJ,” Rebecca said.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
She smiled warmly. “Thank you anyway.”
“Yes AJ, thank you,” Ryan agreed.
“Has anyone let Sera know or Sam and Shawn?” Tiffany asked concerned.
“Harm went home a few minutes ago, I spoke to Shawn, she and her husband are both on duty tonight. She said she’d go and ring Sam.” AJ answered.
“You must be exhausted, Admiral,” she noted. “Why don’t you head home?”
“Yes AJ,” Ryan decided. “We’ll stay.”
He nodded, seeing Sydney thought it was a good idea too. “Tell Mac not to come in for a few days.”
“I will. Thanks again AJ.”
“Matt is a part of my family too, Ryan, both he and Mac are.”
“I know.”
“Come on AJ,” Sydney urged.
They bided them good night and left the hospital, Sydney followed AJ back to his place. Inside he sat down, resting his head in his hands.
She sat next to him. “Would you like something to eat?”
“No,” he looked up; sitting back he drew her into his arms. “I just want to hold you.”
“We can do that,” she said gently. “For as long as you like.”
At that point he considered forever, but even that didn’t seem like a possibility. So he’d take tonight and tomorrow night, and any other night she’d give him - as long as they were together.
**********
Snow lightly fell, chilling the air, not that anyone really noticed. Most were there to honor someone, to visit a brother, father or husband, a love one lost to ravishes of war. At one part of the wall a family stood together, three in Naval uniform, supporting heavy coats. A teenager stood beside them, wearing a heavy coat also, the small bundle in his arms was rugged up against the cold, as was the small bundle in his mother’s arms.
Harmon Rabb put his arm around his wife and son. Not only was it Christmas Eve, but it was their wedding anniversary. So much had happened in one year, to them and to the world. He reached out with his other hand and brushed his fingers over the gold lettering that made his father’s name. “Merry Christmas Dad.”
Sergei Rabb reached out and touched them also. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
Sera Rabb did the same after resettling her son. “Merry Christmas Dad.”
Corey Rabb, settled his baby sister and touched the lettering too. “Merry Christmas Grandpa from the twins and I.”
“We should be going,” Harm said at last and they all agreed walking away from the wall, the snow crunching beneath their shoes.
Sera felt a shiver ran up her spin and stopped glancing back, seeing no one behind them.
Harm stopped also. “What’s wrong?”
She smiled and shook her head. “Nothing,” she dismissed and continued with him. Little Harm now asleep snuggled against her, secure in her arms, her husband’s hand on the middle of her back. She had a feeling another Rabb had just wished them a Merry Christmas in his own way.
At the SUV, Harm took his daughter from his son; Corey and Sergei had come in the Jeep. “Drive carefully, we’ll see you at the Admiral’s.”
“You too brother.” Sergei insisted.
“We will,” he assured putting Katherine, the eldest of the twins by two minutes, in her car seat. Her brother was asleep in his seat. Harm climbed into the warm of the SUV, starting it up and putting his seat belt on.
Sera, was already to go. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” he gave her a smile and backed the car out, waiting until Corey had done the same with the Jeep and drove behind them.
The rest of the JAG staff was already at the Admiral’s when they arrived; they knew that by the number of cars. Sergei took one of baby bags for Sera, she carried her son and Harm had their daughter in his arms, both were now asleep. Corey had the other baby bag.
The Admiral opened the door, letting them in. “About time you showed up.”
“Sorry sir, the roads were busy tonight.” Harm apologized.
“No need to be sorry, you have to take it easy with these two on board,” he reassured. “Come and put them down on my bed, let them sleep.”
“Thank you sir.” Sera said, smiling warmly.
He took the baby bags from Corey and Sergei and showed them to the main bedroom, putting the bathroom light on before closing the door so only a little light shown through, keeping the room dim.
Sera lay her son on the bed, then took her daughter from her husband and laid her beside her brother. Arranging the pillows around them so if they rolled over they wouldn’t fall off the bed. Placing a gentle kiss on each of their foreheads, she got up and followed the Admiral and Harm out, leaving the baby bag’s by the door. They rejoined everyone in the living room.
Matt gave his sister a hug. “Hi sweetheart.”
“Hi Mattie.”
“You look tied, are the twins keeping you up?”
“No, early meetings and long days,” she answered, and than smiled. “I’m fine.”
“Okay.”
Harm was talking with Mac and Harriet. “Where’s little AJ?” he asked the Lieutenant.
“In the spare room asleep, he was determine to stay up to see his Uncle Harm and Aunt Sera, but in the end exhaustion won out,” she mused.
“We’ll stop by tomorrow and play with him.”
“Thank you sir, he’s missing his daddy.”
Mac put a hand on the younger woman’s arm. “Just like his mummy.”
“Yes Ma’am,” she admitted.
Sera and Matt joined them, going to their respective spouses.
The Admiral called everyone together as drinks were past around. “I’d like to say a few words,” he began; Sydney took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “We’ve been through so much this year, challengers within work and within our personnel lives. I feel privileged to have you all here tonight to share Christmas Eve with Sydney and I.”
Sera glanced at her watch, then over at the door. They were late.
Harm saw her doing it. “What’s up?” He whispered as the Admiral continued.
“The CAG is late.”
“He’ll get here.”
She glanced back again, smiling. “You were right,” she mused. “Admiral may I interrupt?”
“Go a head, Sera.”
“Thank you sir,” she moved to stand next to him. “Harm and I thought since it was Christmas, it wasn’t fair that Harriet and little AJ should have to spend it alone. So we decided to do something about that.”
The door opened and two Naval officers came in. Only one though was the person Harriet Sims-Roberts wanted to see.
“Bud,” she squealed and rushed over to him, nearly jumping into his arms.
He held her tightly against him as Keeter patted him on the back and went over to the others.
“Nice work, Angel,” the Admiral said quietly.
“Thank you sir. You could say for Harriet, Santa came early this year.”
He chuckled softly. “He did indeed.”
**********
Sarah Mackenzie-Mitchell stood in her husband’s arms watching the twins being feed, Matt had his hands on his wife’s slightly swollen stomach where they’re child grew within her.
Emily had been watching with fascination as Harm gave baby Katherine her bottle from where she sat in Sergei’s arms, now she was asleep her head on his thigh. Baby Harm was nearly asleep in his mother’s arms as he drank his bottle.
Sergei and Emily were seated on the floor near the Christmas tree; he’d cleared up all the wrapping paper from the presents before the little girl had come to sit with him in his arms.
Corey and Chloe was seated on the other side of the tree, even with their time apart since the wedding, they’d picked up where they’d left off. They’d even brought each other presents.
“Are you glad you came?” Matt asked softly in his wife’s ear.
“Yes, are you?”
“Mmm, come for a walk,” he urged and they slipped out of the room. Grabbing their coats they went outside, walking hand in hand. “Do you know if they’ve made a decision yet?”
She shook her head. “Harm hasn’t said anything.”
“It’s a good career move,” Matt noted.
“It is,” she agreed. “Just as the job offer at 29 Palms is.”
“True.”
“We need to tell the Admiral our decision soon.”
“I know,” he slipped his arm around her. “Doing it now would be a good time, with Emily being young, the baby coming.”
They stopped and stood in each other’s arms. “It sounds like you wouldn’t mind the move,” she mused.
“Well we both be stationed together, you running the JAG office,”
“You being the Pentagon’s representative,” she added. “Doing the odd trip back to the Pentagon.”
“Which we can survive, we’re Marine’s.”
She laughed. “That we can,” she agreed. “So I guess we’re going to 29 Palms.”
“I guess we are.” He tipped her chin up and kissed her. “Lets get back into the warm.”
“Good idea.”
Back inside the conversation was centered on career moves also.
“So have you and Sera made a decision, brother?” Sergei asked Harm.
He nodded. “We have,” he was gentle patting his daughters back, she was at the crock of his shoulder, a cloth nappy over his shoulder encase she brought anything up. Sera, was doing the same with baby Harm.
“And?”
“And we think it would be a could time to do it, while the twins are small.”
“And I can go back to a squadron later on.” Sera noted. “Not that I’ll really be coming out of the loop, I’ll have to remain qualified for what I’ll be doing and occasionally I’ll be spending time on carriers anyway.”
“What about Zapper?” he asked
“David has agreed to the posting too, as has Meg. They’re looking forward to the move.”
“You could be having Mum as an instructor, Uncle Sergei,” Corey smirked.
“I would be honored,” Sergei remarked.
“Thank you Sergei,” she said grinning.
“You are welcome sister dear.”
Mac and Matt re-entered the room, they sat together near Harm and Sera. “We have an announcement?” he revealed.
“We’re excepting a transfer to 29 Palms in San Diego.” Mac declared. “I’ll be heading up JAG there and Matt will be the Pentagon representative.”
Harm and Sera glanced at each other, then back at the couple. “I guess we’re not the only ones leaving than.” Harm stated.
“You decided?” it was a rhetorical question but one Matt had to ask.
“We did. Pensacola is a good posting for both of us,” Sera answered. “Harm can sort out JAG and I get to shape the next generation of aviators.”
“And you can go back to a carrier later,” Mac stated.
“I can, I’ll remain qualified,” she agreed. “And I get to be with the twins, see them grow up.”
“I guess next Christmas is going to be very different.” Chloe said matter-of-factly.
Corey gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “We’ll still get to see each other on the holidays and we can also email each other.”
“I know,” she said softly.
Sera moved to get up. “I think it’s time to put these two down for their nap.”
Harm stood with her and they carried the twins into the nursery, managing to change their diapers without waking them before settling them in their cots. They stood together in the doorway, Harm holding his wife in his arms. “Are you sure about this?” He asked her quietly. “It’s a big step for you?”
“And you. You’ll be running the JAG office.”
“I can do that, I’m concerned about you. You’re an aviator, Sera, it’s what you love.”
She turned in his arms. “I love you, the twins and Corey more. Just having them with us has shown me that,” she said sincerely.
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. “I love you too, babe. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Harm.”
**********
Chapter Twenty-eight: Fall Circle Part 1: Returning Home
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Washington DC
5th November 2003
*********
The Navy Captain strolled into the JAG officers with a casual easy that said he could have been doing it for years and had for a number of them. These officers weren’t unfamiliar at all to him; he knew ever part of them. Thankfully no one he knew was in ops as he past through, even the Admiral’s yeoman wasn’t the same Petty Officer. The young woman got quickly to her feet.
Which made him smile. “At ease Petty Officer, Admiral Chegwidden is expecting me. Captain Rabb.”
“Yes sir, he said to go straight on in.”
“Thank you Petty Officer?”
“Coasts, Sir. Petty Officer Jennifer Coasts.”
Harm gave her a warm smile. “Nice to meet you Coasts,” he said then went over to the door, knocking before going in. Closing it when he was.
Admiral AJ Chegwidden smiled and got up, going around his desk to shake the Captain’s hand. “It’s good to see you again, Captain.”
“It’s good to be here sir.”
“Sit, please,” AJ insisted and gestured to the two chairs near the fireplace and they sat. “How long has it been, son?”
“Nearly two years, sir,” Harm told him.
“And Sera, last I heard your wife was reassigned to carrier duty?”
“Yes sir, aboard the USS Ticonderoga. She’s now a full Commander and squadron leader. Three months after we arrived at Pensacola, they had her retrained on the Super Hornet. A month after that they asked her to form the Ach Angels, which she did, a month after that she was retraining them and having them ready to deploy. As soon as the Ticonderoga was ready to ship out they were aboard her for her maiden voyage, Sera is the only squadron leader to have two Marine aviators under her command. I’d say in the whole time she was at Pensacola, Sera spend only a month in a classroom teaching. The Ach Angels became her priority and at least now with them being stationed at Norfolk when not deployed things will be easier.”
AJ nodded. “And Corey?”
“Corey is at Annapolis, he and Chloe have agreed to wait until after he graduates to get married. She’s studying at the Collage nearby and if they still feel the same about each other in four years, well then Sera and I won’t stand in their way. Her father feels the same way, so do Mac and Matt,” Harm answered, continuing with a smile. “Of course the twins miss their mother and brother, but love being spoilt by their grandparents.”
“They’d be two now?”
“Yes sir.”
“I’m sorry I missed you on the weekend, did you get settled back into your house all right?”
Harm nodded. “I’m glad we decided not to sell it now,”
“So am I, you were good neighbors.”
“Yes sir.”
AJ sat back in his chair. “It doesn’t see that long ago you and Sera were planning your wedding. Now look at you both. Are you happy son?”
“Very sir,” Harm agreed. “The twins and I miss Sera, but in the end a part of her would have been missing if she’d stayed in the classroom. She loves to fly and I won’t stop her, nor would she stop me, it’s that part of us that brought us together and keeps us together.”
“So when is she due home?” the Admiral asked, knowing that tone of voice.
“End of the week sir,”
He laughed. “I’m going to enjoy having you back Captain, though from what the SecNav explained about this new position you’ll be coming and going.”
“Yes sir. As Regional Fleet JAG, I’ll be visiting all the JAG officers and all deployed JAG lawyers,” Harm enlightened. “Of course I still get to keep my hours and carrier quals up, at least until they deem me unfit to fly any more.”
The two men laughed. A knock on the door stopped it though. “Enter!” the Admiral ordered.
The door opened and Petty Officer Coasts came in. “Sir I have Commander Roberts on line one,”
Getting up, AJ noticed Coasts didn’t move from her position at the door. Picking up the phone, he took the call. “Yes Commander.”
“It’s a girl sir!” an excited Bud Roberts exclaimed. “Seven pounds exactly.”
“Congratulations Bud, give Harriet our best.”
“I will sir, she’ll be home tomorrow if you’d like to come over.”
“I’ll do that and I’ll have everyone inform here.”
“Thank you sir. Oh and sir, has Captain Rabb arrived?”
“He has Commander, I’ll let him know.”
“Thank you sir. I’ve got to go, goodbye sir,” he said quickly and then was gone.
AJ chuckled and hung up. “Petty Officer Coasts you can inform everyone that Lieutenant Commander Sims had a baby girl, seven pounds. They’ll be home tomorrow.”
“Yes sir,” she said excitedly.
“Oh and Coasts, find out who one the bet?”
“Yes sir,” she said and hurried out.
Harm raised an eyebrow. “Bet sir?”
“There was a pool going around the office to when Harriet would have her baby, I can’t remember what I put down, but I have a feeling I won,” AJ announced and rejoined him. “Bud wanted you to know also.”
“I’m surprised he even remembered I was coming today,”
“He knew. Bud doesn’t miss much that’s going on in this office,” the Admiral informed. “He’s a damn fine lawyer, you and Mac taught him well.”
“Mac said the same thing last time I spoke to her, she said she had him at 29 Palms on a case and within minutes of his arrival he had her whole office jumping,” Harm said cheerfully. “He’s not the same young officer he was.”
“No he’s not, still none of us are.” AJ declared. “A lot changed after you and Mac left. Singer went out to the Seahawk, Tiner decided to do his law degree. The Gunny went back to active service and is now a Lieutenant, Captain Sturgis is commanding a submarine, the Charlton.”
“And you sir, how is Meredith?” Harm asked. Not long after he and Sera had left AJ had broken up with Dr. Walden and Bud had informed him in a email last year he’d meet a Shakespearean professor, they’d gotten married a few months later. Neither Harm nor Sera had been able to be there, but Bud had sent them a video of the wedding and they’d spoke on the phone once or twice.
“Meredith is just fine, she’d love to meet you and the twins in person. In fact she told me to invite you to dinner, and she said not to take no for an answer.”
“I’d love to sir. Once Sera is home, I’ll sure she’ll want to have you both over.”
“We’ll be there,” he glanced at his watch. “Now Captain, I believe we have a meeting with the SecNav.”
“We do sir,” Harm agreed as he stood with the Admiral. Leaving the office together, he noticed as AJ was giving Coasts last minutes instructions, a lot about JAG ops had changed but a lot had remained the same also.
AJ came up beside him. “Missed it, didn’t you Captain?”
“Yes sir, I did,” he admitted. “Still I wouldn’t have given up the opportunities I’ve had sir.”
“They’ve taken you far, Harm.”
He nodded. “They also brought me home sir.”
“They did indeed,” the Admiral agreed. He patted him on the back and they walked out together. One day Harm Rabb would take over as JAG and when that day came, AJ knew those under his command would be in the best of hands.
**********
What was suppose to be a quiet Thanksgiving had turned into a large party, one Sera Rabb and Meredith Chegwidden had planed to perfection, just like a military operation. The two women had become friends very quickly, which worried their husbands a great deal. Their biggest surprise had been the arrival of Mac, Matt, Emily and one-year-old David. Corey and Chloe had come from Annapolis, Sergei was there; he had been assigned to the Ticonderoga and was one of the Arc Angels under his sister-in-laws command and was also on leave. Some of the squadron had been able to show up – Lt. Commander Elisabeth Hawks, Lt. Commander Cassie Ross, and Lt. Commander Mark Taylor (his wife Vicky and daughter Amy also came). Lt. Colonel Tom Harrison arrived just after Lt. Commander David Smith and his wife and son. Harriet, Bud, little AJ and baby Sara Roberts were the last to arrive.
Sera spotted her husband disappearing into the kitchen; she excused herself and went after him. “Harm, is everything all right?”
“Yeah,” he drew her into his arms. “I just needed a breather. Our Thanksgiving has turned into a reunion.”
“They’re all family,” she noted. “One way or another.”
“I know,” he kissed her forehead. “Are you glad you’re back?”
“Very,” she rose up on her toes and kissed him. “I know you are, Captain Rabb.”
“Well I have you around again, Commander Rabb,” he smirked and kissed her again. “Do you think they’d miss us for a few minutes.”
“I think they would, besides I don’t wont a few minutes. I won’t a lot longer,” she purred.
He groaned. “How much longer,”
“Forever,” she mused, “But tonight I’ll take a few hours.”
“It’s a deal,” he agreed. “On both counts.”
“I can wait,”
“So can I.”
She kissed him again, long and sensual. “Come on Captain, we have guests.”
“Lead on, Angel,” he insisted taking her hand.
She did, taking him back to the party.
“Sera,” Mac called her over. She was standing with Meredith, Beth, Cassie and Meg. “What happened to your Novel being made into a film?”
“It comes out at on the 1st of December,” she revealed. “They got an actor who looks a lot like Harm to play the part, David James Elliott. Michael, who they joked must have been a long lost brother because of the two names, plays his best friend.”
“So did you get to met him, David James Elliott?” Meg asked. “He is so cute in that law show.”
“I did, I also took him for a joy ride in a Tomcat. He loved it.”
“She has an autographed photo of him on the inside of her locker on the Tyco,” Beth joked.
“So do you,” Cassie remarked, and they all laughed.
Harm came up behind his wife, embracing her. “Gossiping ladies?”
“Of course,” Meredith agreed.
Sera lent back in his arms. “Should we tell them, we were invited to the première of ‘Ramp Strike’?”
“I wouldn’t,” he smirked.
“You’re kidding? You got invited to the actually première?” Meg exclaimed.
“By the star himself,” Sera teased.
The four women were dumbstruck. “Can we come,” they all asked together.
Both Harm and Sera laughed. “It’s a good thing he arranged for extra seats,” she declared.
“A very good thing,” he agreed.
**********
Lieutenant Corey Rabb smiled at his wife and gave her hand a gentle squeeze as they entered the JAG office; he’d been stationed at Norfolk now for a month after finishing another deployment at sea. Chloe was glad he was home; she’d rang him days after he’d deployed and told him he was going to be a father. He hadn’t stopped smiling for a week. His nine-year-old siblings were excited about having a baby cousin, his mum had complained about being too young to be a grandmother – she was only thirty-seven that year and now CAG aboard the USS Ticonderoga. His dad was now JAG and an Admiral to boot. His Aunt Mac had become a Judge and his Uncle Matt was still at the Pentagon, running the place his dad had joked. Captain Bud Roberts had taken over as Regional Fleet JAG, his wife also now a Captain, was running the Public Affairs office in Washington.
Lieutenant Commander Jason Tiner acknowledged them. “Afternoon Lieutenant Rabb, Mrs. Rabb.”
“Commander, we have an appointment to see the Admiral.”
“Your Aunt and Uncle are with him,” he informed.
“Well that takes care of seeing them later,” Chloe mused.
Jason ached an eyebrow. “Is everything all right?”
“Just fine Commander, excuse us,” Corey insisted and lead his wife towards the Admiral’s office.
Petty Officer Andrea Neil smiled as they approached. “Good afternoon Lieutenant, the Admiral is expecting you, go on in.”
“Thanks Andy,”
She blushed shyly, which made Chloe chuckle softly. Her husband always had that affect on women; it was that flyboy grin he’d inherited off his father.
They walked into the office, closing the door when they were inside. Being hugged by his father and Uncle and Aunt.
Matt patted his nephew on the back. “How are you Lieutenant?”
“Fine sir.”
Harm perched on the end of his desk. “What have you been feeding your wife Corey, she looks ready to explode,” he teased.
“I am ready to explode, Dad,” Chloe exclaimed. “And it’s from nothing he feed me.”
He shook his head chuckling. “Sit down sweetheart.”
She did with a little help from her husband. “Thank you.”
“Now Mr. Rabb,” Harm said addressing his son. “Why the urgency?”
“Well, we thought you’d like to know a small fact about your grandchildren.”
Matt caught it first. “Grandchildren?” He looked at them both. “As in twins?”
“Triplets actually,” Chloe revealed.
“Triplets?” Mac repeated stunned.
“And you’re only telling us now?” their Uncle exclaimed.
Corey noticed his father wasn’t as shocked as the others. “Dad?”
He shrugged. “I had a feeling, after all I spend a lot of time with your Aunt Sam when she was pregnant with your brother and sister.”
Mac arched an eyebrow, grinning. “So how long have you two known?”
“Since Chloe was nine weeks,” he told her. “It wasn’t an easy secret to keep.”
“I bet, so do you know if they’re boys or girls?”
“Two girls and a boy,” Chloe told her ‘big sister’ who was also her Aunty by marriage.
“Congratulations sweetheart,”
“Thank you Aunt Mac,” she teased.
They all gave her a hug while she remained sitting.
Matt slapped Corey on the back. “Way to go kid,” he smirked.
“Thanks Uncle Matt.”
“So have you guys thought of names?” Harm inquired.
“Well,” Corey hesitated for a moment. “I’d like to call our son Christopher and Chloe thought of Sara and Lysandra for the girls.”
“They sound perfect, Core,” his father told him gently.
“Thanks Dad.”
“Come on, we’ll go get some lunch,”
“Good idea, I’m starving,” Chloe declared making them all laugh.
“You’re always hungry, honey,” Corey teased.
“Well it’s half your fault I’m in this condition,” she reminded.
“I know and I enjoyed every minute,” he smirked, grinning that flyboy grin of his.
“He’s his father’s son all right,” Matt declared keeping a straight face.
“Oh yeah,” Mac agreed laughing.
“So when are you going to tell your mother?” Harm asked his son as they left the office.
“We rang her before we came here,” he smirked. “I’m surprise you couldn’t hear her and Uncle Sergei from here.”
“I wondered what that noise was,” he mocked and addressed his yeoman. “We’re going to lunch, Andy.”
“Aye sir. Don’t forget you have an appointment with the SecNav this afternoon,” she reminded. “Fourteen hundred.”
“I won’t,”
“How is Uncle AJ?” Corey asked him.
“Enjoying pushing me around,” Harm told him, and they laughed.
AJ Chegwidden had been offered the position of SecNav two years ago, leaving JAG to Harm, now he was getting his own back.
“It’s revenge Harm, you should be use to it by now.” Mac teased him.
“I know,”
Chuckling Mac patted him on the back. “Don’t worry flyboy, I’ll protect you.”
“Thank you Ninja-girl.”
“You’re welcome.”
Corey laughed; it was just like old times.
**********
Captain Sera Rabb smiled as her husband as he entered the hospital room. “About time you go here, Hammer.”
“Sorry, I had to get out of several meetings,” he grinned sheepishly.
“We forgive you Dad,” Corey told him from where he sat with his wife on the bed. In his arms was their son Christopher, Chloe held their daughter Sara, while daughter Lysandra was being held by Sera.
Harmon and his sister Katherine, or Katie as she was known rushed in behind their father. Both were the imagers of their parents, when Harm and Sera had been their children’s age. They went closer.
“They’re so cute, Corey.” Katie exclaimed quietly.
“Thanks little sister.”
“Can I hold her, Chloe?” Harmon asked referring to the baby in his mother’s arms.
“Sure kiddo.”
Sera stood and let her son sit down before putting the newborn in his arms. “There you go, honey,” she said then went over to her husband.
He slipped his arm around her. “Hi grandma.”
“Don’t you start, grandpa,” she teased.
“Yes Ma’am,” he chuckled.
Behind them the door to the room opened and Samantha, her husband Michael and their eight year-old twin daughters entered the room. Both Caitlin and Deanna hurried over to Harmon and Katie to look at the baby in his arms.
“Congratulations, Chloe, Corey,” Samantha said and carefully giving them a hug.
“Thanks Aunt Sam,”
“He looks like you, Corey,” Michael noted studying the newborn.
“He’s a Rabb,” Corey said proudly.
“Another Squid!” Mac sighed as she, Matt, eight year-old David and four year-old Harmony came into the room. “We’re being over run.”
“Easy honey, we’re also out numbered,” her husband reminded.
“You sure are mum,” sixteen year-old Emily Mitchell exclaimed as she entered the room. Despite having Marines for parents, she wore a t-shirt that had NAVY written in big black letters. She grinned. “Congrats Chloe, Corey.”
“Thanks Em,” Corey said. “Would you like to hold Chris?”
“Yeah,” she hurried over to him and confidently took the newborn from his arms. “Hey little squid.”
Matt looked to his brother-in-law. “It’s all your fault,”
Harm smiled his flyboy grin. “I know,” he smirked and they all laughed.
They stayed as long as the hospital staff would let them, finally they were asked to leave so Chloe and the triplets could get some rest, even Corey was told to go home and get some sleep.
Sera and Harm drove home, Harmon going with his mother and Katie with her father. At the house the twins were the first out of the cars. An identical plan inside their heads that neither needed to confer with the other about.
“Mum can we go over and tell Uncle AJ and Aunt Meredith about the triplets?” Harmon asked.
“Sure honey, don’t be long though,”
“We won’t,” they called in unison as they ran off in the direction of the Chegwidden house.
Harm embraced his wife, chuckling. “AJ might think he’s getting revenge on me as SecNav, but I think I still have one over him, or should I say two.”
Sera agreed. “They can twist him around their little fingers,”
“Like you twist me?” He asked teasing.
She kissed him. “Yes,” she slipped her arms around his neck. “I love you Harmon Rabb, Jr.”
“And I love you, Sera Rabb,” Harm whispered, then swung her up into his arms, hearing her giggle. “Come on sweetheart, I’d say we have a good hour before AJ and Meredith kick the twins out.”
Laughing Sera didn’t tell him differently as he carried her inside. They’d come so far in their lives and their careers and there was so much they hadn’t done, but they would. And they wouldn’t change any part of either. They were together.
Fall Circle.
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