Rating: CF
Disclaimer: Not mine...never will be, but I wish I owned DJE. The song "I Love You" is from Celine Dion's album "Falling Into You"
Spoilers: A little of "Standards of Conduct"
Summary: A good Christmas story about our two JAG lawyers.
AN: Sorry for any mistakes.
Archive: Just ask, please.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm realized that in just ten hours it would be that time of the year again. What would he get Mac? He had already given her earrings, perfume...what else could he give her?
* * * * * * * * * *
"Or maybe you were just afraid that I might want to up the time table."
"Now that never occurred to me...do you?"
"You wanna go back on your promise?"
"No!"
"Then why the sudden worry? It's over a year away."
* * * * * * * * * *
Harm came back from his thoughts when he heard Mac calling his name as if she were ready to bite his head off.
"Earth to Harm. Are you listening?"
"Uh...uh...sorry Mac I didn't hear you come in."
"Yeah, I can tell."
"Sorry. What were you saying?"
"I asked if you were ready for court. You know we have to be in at seventeen hundred today, right?"
"Oh, damn it...Mac...I forgot! There's so much going on with Christmas only ten hours away that my mind has been else where."
"Well, flyboy...I guess you can let me do the talking, that way we're sure to win."
She smiled at him and walked out of his office leaving him with a grin.
Robert's Residence
2100 EST
That day had gone well. Harm and Mac won their case, saved an innocent man from going to Leavenworth, but something was still wrong. Harm had bought Mac the usual, a set of fancy perfumes, but somehow Harm felt that it wasn't enough. He believed something was missing between them. Of course, he knew what it was, but what if she didn't want that? Maybe she wasn't ready for it. He had reminded her that the year would fast approach...indeed it had. The year had passed, five years were up, and now it was just left up for Mac to take. But would she want to? Harm had assured Mac the night of the Admiral's retirement that the offer would be there for her. That when ever she was ready all she had to do was say it. Everything was finally working. Neither of them had anybody, Mac's health problem was dealt with, and they were back to being the two friends they once were. Harm was sure that she was the one for him; she was the one who had his love, his heart, and maybe someday she would have his kids. But the real question was is she ready?
Harm stepped up to the door and rang the doorbell. His thoughts still running wild. He stood there waiting for the door to open. Nothing. `That's weird.' Harm thought. He opened the door himself and just as he stepped through the door, Mac was there to greet him. They nearly bumped into each other.
"Hey."
"Hi. Sorry I was in the kitchen."
"Ha-ha. And where are Bud and Harriet?" He looked around.
"They're getting ready still. They left me in charge." She smiled.
Harm chuckled. "Of course they did."
His marine was always the first one to arrive to anything because of her internal clock. It was only reasonable for Bud and Harriet to leave her in charge...she was the only one there.
Mac took a few steps toward him and greeted him with a huge hug. "Merry Christmas, Harm."
"Merry Christmas."
They embraced a little longer than normal. Neither could complain, though. It felt nice to hold each other in their arms. Unfortunately, kids had the worst timing. Just then, little AJ came running down the stairs.
"Uncle Harm! Uncle Harm!" Harm stepped out of Mac's embrace.
"Hey there buddy. Merry Christmas." He scooped the five year old into his arms. "Aah...you're getting too heavy for me buddy."
Little AJ teased. "Oooh Uncle Harm, Auntie Mac can carry me all day." The three of them giggled. Accepting defeat, Harm set him down and patted the happy guy on the head.
"Here buddy, knock yourself out." He handed him a huge box covered in air place wrapping paper.
"Whoa! Thank you uncle Harm."
"No problem kiddo. Now go on and play."
He turned to Mac and gave her his best flyboy grin. It melted her heart. "All day, huh? We'll see jarhead." He pictured her holding their kid and smiling.
"See what squid?"
"Never mind."
As if on cue, Harriet walked down the stairs to greet Harm. With one big hug and a "Merry Christmas", she led Harm to the living room. Mac followed behind them.
The living room looked nice and cozy. The Christmas tree was about seven feet tall and it was beautifully decorated with all kinds of ornaments. The fireplace was lit and it gave the room a warm feel to it. It was just the way they described it in Christmas stories. Lovely. It said family right away.
They sat around and on the couches and enjoyed themselves. Pretty soon they were wrapped in a conversation and laughter as they saw little AJ playing with his biplane that his uncle Harm had given him for Christmas. Now more than ever, Mac realized what a great father Harm would make. She looked over to him and smiled as she saw his blue eyes sparkle with the light from the fireplace.
The doorbell rang and Harriet and Bud rushed to greet their guests, leaving Harm and Mac to play with AJ. The three of them were laughing so hard that when the guests came in they didn't notice. Harm was on the floor being pinned by AJ.
"I win uncle Harm! You lose." The boy radiated with joy and happiness.
"Ahh...I know buddy, you beat me again. You're getting too good at this."
Mac couldn't help but laugh as both of them played on the floor. She was touched in seeing Harm being so affectionate and childish. It was great, her heart melted every time he smiled at her or little AJ.
"Wow, Harm, looks like little AJ can take your place as the undefeated king."
"You wanna talk Jarhead? Come over here so we can see who's undefeated."
"No way Harm! I'm not exactly dressed to kill."
"Oh...so that's your excuse?"
"How about we save this till I'm dressed for the occasion." She smiled.
"Haha...when is that going to be?"
"Shut up Harm."
Just then they realize that the guests were enjoying every minute of the scene that was playing out before them. They immediately composed themselves and embarrassed they walked over to greet the AJ's name sake, Sturgis and Verese.
"Don't let our presence spoil your fun Commander. As you were." He couldn't help but still use his CO tone. It was in his blood. Everybody smiled.
"Haha...no sir, I think we have had enough for tonight."
Later on they would gather around the table for dinner. "AJ, honey, you say grace ok sweeitie." Harriet said once everybody was seated.
"Ok." He smiled. "Thank you Jesus for the food. Thank you for the presents. Thank you for Santa Clause. Thank you for the elves who help him. Thank you for my mommy and my daddy. Thank you for their friends. Thank you for my uncle Harm and my auntie Mac. And thank you for my brother James. Oh men." Everyone chuckled and smiled at him.
"Amen." They all responded.
They began to eat and converse amongst themselves. Everything was perfect. Friends gathered during the most important time of the year. Friends that were no longer at JAG, friends that were still there, and the most important thing was that they were all family...
********TBC*********