Rating: GS
Spoilers: Um...I don't know, but don't be surprised if I use any episode as reference.
Disclaimer: Not mine...never will be, but I wish I owned DJE.
Summary: Mac has a reunion to go to.
Note 1: I have to admit I was sort of inspired by the movie "The Wedding Date".
Note 2: I don't know any of Mac's relatives. We have never really been introduced to anybody besides her uncle and parents so just pretend.
Archive: Just ask, please.
AN: Here it is Emma! This chapter is dedicated to you. :-)
Local Restaurant
Mission Viejo, California
The day had gone without flaws, which was awkward since both Harm and Mac never had days where at least one thing or another seemed to test them. The swim at the hotel pool was fun and relieving. It was a much welcomed activity that they hardly seemed to enjoy on the east coast. They did laps, played Marco Polo, and even spent a few earth shattering seconds in each others arms as they pretended to sink each other. It was truly an exciting part of the day.
Maybe not as exciting as the one they were currently experiencing. The restaurant Harm had made reservations at was a beautiful two-story Chinese restaurant that gave off a strong romantic feeling. Which was exactly why Harm had chosen that one out of the many that he had asked about. It was perfect.
Mac was sitting across the table from Harm occasionally giving into the urge of stealing a glance at his handsome features. He had worn a black suit that fit him like a god. His blue shirt and tie setting of the perfect blue that his eyes possessed. His hair was spiked a bit and it made him look younger and even more handsome. Well, if that was possible.
She lifted her gaze up from her plate to look at him. Oops. Wrong move. She was caught. His baby blues meeting her brown ones.
Harm smiled. "You look beautiful, Mac."
Mac tried to hide the blush that was forming on her face. "Thank you, Harm."
"You always look beautiful. But tonight you look like a princess."
Now she was actually holding back the excitement that threatened to take over her being. "Um, I-I..."
Harm chuckled. "It was just a compliment Mac, not a death sentence."
She couldn't help but laugh at his remark. "Isn't it funny how we're skilled at speaking in front of a judge and if we wanted to, even the president, but we can't seem to tell each other what we are thinking or feeling?" She smiled sadly at him.
Harm simply stared in disbelief at what she had just told him. The painful truth showing its ugly face to Harm. It hurt him a lot to admit that she was right.
"I rest my case your honor." She chuckled.
They both silently agree to move onto another safer subject as they resumed their eating.
"You want to go dance after we finish eating?" Harm asked before taking another forkful of pasta.
"Um, I was actually hoping we could just walk around or something. If you don't mind."
"No. Not at all. We could do that if you want."
Chinese Garden
They had finished their dinners and not long after that they made their way to the back of the restaurant. They had learned of the garden by accident. Harm had originally planned to walk around outside, but the waitress suggested they take a walk in the back garden that pertained to the restaurant itself. It was a beautifully decorated garden. It had all the flowers you could name or think of, and some that you couldn't. It was not too big, but big enough to walk around and think about a lot of pleasant things, and unfortunately some not so pleasant memories as well.
They walked down the paved path that placed them right into the garden. Walls of leaves and small flowers lined the sides, engulfing them in a sweet aroma, the moon shinning down on them. They had walked for about five minutes...actually Mac would have said four minutes and fifty-five seconds, before Harm noticed Mac was rubbing the sides of her arms.
"Hey, you're cold." He took his hands out of his pant pockets and unbuttoned his coat.
"Yeah. I guess the weather is not warm enough at night for me to wear a thin shawl." She smiled up at him.
"Guess not. Here you go." He draped the coat over her shoulders like he had one time on the Admiral's porch. "Better now?"
She unconsciously inhaled the spicy smell of his cologne. "Yeah. I think it will be." She hugged the coat tighter around her body. His warmth still resided on it, making it easier for her not only to warm up physically, but emotionally as well.
"So tomorrow's the big day. Are you ready?" He asked as they turned into an area of the garden full of white and red roses. They were stunned by the sheer beauty that surrounded them. They stopped right where they were.
"Yeah it is. I think I am." She managed to whisper out of her while staring in awe at the small room-like part of the garden filled with roses. Her heart skipped a few beats. "Wow." was all she could say.
"Yeah. Wow." Harm stood rooted in place beside her. "This brings back many memories."
"Yes it does. Too many." She gazed away and continued walking.
Harm nearly jogged to catch up to her. Although his long legs didn't require him to take more than two strides. "What's wrong?" No answer. "Did I say something wrong?" Still nothing, her eyes were fixed on the ground that passed beneath her feet. "Mac?" She finally looked up to him and stopped abruptly causing Harm to nearly crash into her.
"Look, Harm. Let's just forget what I said ok. It was a mistake. I don't even know what I mean so just drop it." Her eyes frightened him. They showed a glare full of pain and the tears that lay unshed in them were evidence of her inner struggle.
"But Mac..."
"Harm...please."
He sighed heavily and dropped his gaze to her hand. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before capturing that hand in his. "Ok. I'll drop it. But promise me you'll let me know what you're feeling...eventually."
His words and his tone cut deep into her heart, but there was nothing she could do. She didn't want to let him see her weakness for him. The pain that she possessed was better off hidden in the recesses of her heart than left out to be seen by everyone, especially Harm. "I can't, Harm. But maybe someday I will tell you."
It wasn't what he was looking for, but it was better than her pushing him aside and closing him out like she had done so many times throughout the nine years they knew each other. "Ok." He dropped her hand and waited for her to start walking so he could follow beside her. "I didn't mean to ruin the evening Mac. I'm sorry."
"You didn't Harm. I had a great time tonight. Thank You."
They walked for about an hour after that before they decided to head to the hotel and get some sleep. They agreed that tomorrow would be a long day. Exciting, but long and maybe even nerve-wrecking.
Wednesday
At the Hotel
Mission Viejo, California
Something was chirping loudly, very loudly. It was an annoying sound that wouldn't end. Harm opened his eyes very reluctantly. His brain wouldn't let him go back to sleep after hearing that awful noise. It came slowly to him, but he realized that the high-pitched sound was coming from the alarm behind Mac.
"Mac. Hey wake up. It's time to get up." He touched her shoulder slightly to try to rouse her from her restful sleep.
Oh well, he had to turn off the alarm before he went deaf because he had a feeling Mac wouldn't care one bit judging from her sleeping form. He reached for the alarm. He streched his arm as far as he could without hurting Mac.
Mac sensed some movement and soon the sound was hurting her ears. It was the annoying alarm that was going off. She tried to turn over to turn it off, but her eyes came in contact with a strong arm streched in front of her and over to the night stand behind her.
She laid perfectly still. Not wanting to give Harm and indication that she was awake.
After some hard work, who knew it would be, he managed to turn the alarm off. He moved back to his place and caught Mac's eyes. He smiled.
"Were you awake this whole time?" Harm asked.
"Not really." She smirked.
"You're mean Mac. I was struggling to turn it off and you still let me."
"Eh...you needed a workout." They both chuckled. "Besides, I couldn't really move with half of your body pinning me down could I? Unless you would have liked to have been lying on the floor by now."
"Fine. You win. Let's get up. We need some breakfast and then we need to get ready for this reunion you have been invited to." He smiled.
"I have the shower first." She nearly jumped out of the bed and knocked him down when she rushed to get into the restroom before he did. Harm smiled.
They were ready to walk out of the hotel when Mac stopped Harm. "Hey hold on. Come here." She pulled on his hand.
"What?" Harm asked.
"Your tie isn't straight." She pulled him to her in front of the full-length mirror that was mounted on the wall.
His senses were going into overdrive as he felt her hands on his chest and around his neck. He had a feeling if it lasted a while longer he was going to pass out from the lack of oxygen. He looked down at Mac.
"There you go." She moved back and gazed up at him to find him looking down at her.
Harm cleared his throat and let a deep breath out. "Um...thanks." Time seemed to drag on forever and pass by quickly all at once. Neither wanted to be the first to move for fear that the moment would be shattered. "I-I think we better get going if we want to get there on time."
"Yeah. You're right. Come on." Harm offered his arm to her and she gladly looped her arm with him.
Aunt Lidia's Residence
Mission Viejo, California
They pulled up to the tan-colored two-story house with jaws wide open. They had seen nice houses before. Heck they'd seen beautiful houses before, but this one outdid all. It was a very fancy, very big, and very sophisticated house. You could tell her family was a little more that financially well. It was amazing.
Not two minuted later were they stepping out of the rental and being smothered by a middle-aged woman. "Sarah!" She ran to her and enveloped her in a hug. "You look exactly how you did when you were eighteen. I can't belive you were able to make it."
The two, rather Aunt Lidia, was so engrossed in welcoming Mac that she didn't even look at Harm. He stood there motionless and kind of umcomfortable. He wanted to step aside to give them a moment of privacy, but he was afraid to move and attract attention. He felt like an eavesdropper standing there witnessing a reunion between two people who hadn't seen each other in years. It was very awkward.
It wasn't until they had finished their very long hello's that Aunt Lidia turned to look at Harm. She dragged her gaze up to meet his eyes. She was relatively short so it seemed like a long gaze to both her and Harm.
Harm was about to introduce himself when Aunt Lidia jumped in. "Sarah MacKenzie, you didn't tell us you were married."
TBC...