Soaring Free
1525 Local "Mine's in my pocket. Where's yours?" His low voice whispered through the hair near her ear and sent a shiver down her spine. She touched her wedding band, currently nestled between her breasts on a long gold chain and hidden from view by her neckline. "Right here," she smiled. "I couldn't bear to take it off – even for a couple of days." His hand settled on her hip and she leaned against him with a sigh of happiness, enjoying the rare moment of quiet. Their reception was in full swing, and they were surrounded by friends and family who'd come from all over the world to share in their happiness. Mac watched Trish, awed by her abilities as hostess and mother of the groom. The older woman flitted quietly hither and yon among the many guests, making sure all felt welcome. She and Frank had been a godsend for Mac, who'd found herself nearly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and affection. Even now, Frank was entertaining Mike Roberts and a group of his friends over by the punch bowl. Beside her, Harm chuckled suddenly, and she looked
at him curiously. "What's so "Not funny really, it's just… Did you ever think this many people would come?" Mac smiled. "No actually, I didn't. Thank God we went with a buffet instead of a sit down meal. We'd never have enough places for everyone to sit." Harm had been watching the ebb and flow of people while they talked. "Speaking of unexpected attendees," he said suddenly. "There's somebody I want you to meet." Before she could answer him, he'd grabbed her hand and was pulling her toward a small knot of people a few feet away. The group parted at their arrival, and Mac found herself face to face with a leggy blonde woman whose eyes sparkled with life. "I never expected to see you here, Meg," Harm said, giving her a friendly hug. "Are you kidding, Harm? Do you honestly think I'd miss the chance to meet the woman who could calf rope you?" Harm laughed and turned to Mac. "Mac, I'd like you to meet Lieutenant Meg Austin. She was my partner at JAG the year before you got there." Meg shook Mac's hand and smiled, but she directed her words to Harm. "It's Lieutenant Commander now, Harm. I've moved up in the world." She turned back to Mac. "You've put up with him for nine years? It seems like you should be eligible for some type of medal or something." "Hey!" Harm pretended to be indignant. "We were a great team!" "Great at getting into trouble, you mean," Meg's eyes twinkled merrily. Mac laughed. "He's still pretty good at that." "Speak for yourself, Marine." Harm slipped his arm around her waist and smiled. "Seems to me you're just as good at it as I am." "Harm." Meg sounded vaguely appalled. "You've corrupted a United States Marine?" "Excuse me," he said, "but I seem to remember quite a few scrapes that Mac's gotten into all by herself." "Only because I had such an excellent teacher," Mac grinned. Meg laughed. "I believe it." Harm rolled his eyes. "I should've known it'd be a bad idea to get the two of you together." "On the contrary," said Mac. "I bet the two of us have all kinds of interesting stories we could share." "Did he ever tell you about the time we thwarted a brig break?" Meg asked with a mischievous smile. "Oh?" Mac's eyebrows arched. "Do tell." "You know what?" Harm said suddenly. "I just saw Sergei and Alex come in. I think I'll go say hello." The women laughed. "Ducking fire, Commander?" Meg asked. Harm winked at Mac. "Let's just say I'm taking cover." He dropped a kiss on Mac's temple and wandered off, leaving her grinning at his back. "You two are good together," Meg said when Mac turned back to her. "It's taken a long time, but I think we are, too." "He's a good man," said Meg. "But then, I'm sure you know that." "He's the best," Mac answered sincerely. "It hasn't always been easy, but I'd go to hell and back for him." "I'm happy for you both. You make a beautiful couple." "Thank you." Mac's spotted Admiral Chegwidden moving through the crowd a few feet away. "I'm sorry, Meg. I see somebody I need to talk to. Will you excuse me?" "Of course," Meg said. "And congratulations." "Thank you." Mac smiled at the other woman one more time and then made her way through the crowd to where she'd seen AJ. "So," she said, coming up behind him. "What's this I hear about your new fortune telling career, Admiral?" He turned to her with a wide smile. "There's the bride now." He pulled her into a hug, and Mac smiled happily against his chest. Next to Harm, this man was more important to her than anybody else - with the possible exception of her wayward uncle. He released her, and she straightened to see a look of apology in his eyes. "I'm sorry I missed the rehearsal last night." "Don't worry about it," she said, "I knew you couldn't help it." She turned to his companion. "It's so good to see you again, Francesca. Have you been keeping your father out of trouble?" Francesca kissed Mac on both cheeks European style, and smiled. "Colonel, you are positively glowing," she said. "I do not think I have ever seen a more beautiful bride." She cast a rueful look at her father. "This one, though." She shook her head. "You would not imagine how much trouble he was when his team won the pennant last fall." Mac laughed. "Do tell." "All right, ladies. That's just about enough of that," AJ broke in, causing both women to burst into delighted laughter. "Mac, if you expect me to be there to give you away tonight, you'd better remember your place." "But Admiral," Mac said, all innocence. "I only want to hear about your life since you left the Navy." He snorted. "I haven't been gone so long that I've forgotten how you think, Colonel. I still know when to cut off that devious mind at the pass." Mac sighed melodramatically. "If you insist..." "I do." Francesca smiled at Mac. "Do you see what I have to put up with? All the time he is like this." AJ rocked back on his heels, arms folded across his chest. "So Mac," he said. "Tell me about life at JAG since I've been gone." Mac dipped her head in amused acknowledgement of the pointed change of subject, but let him off the hook, and for the next several minutes they talked about JAG. Mac was impressed at the number of people Francesca remembered after only having met them a couple of times. Like father, like daughter, she thought. Mind like a steel trap. She glanced across the room to where Harm was talking to Sergei and Alex Volkonov. She and Harm had been disappointed that Sergei hadn't been able to bring Galina, but she was pregnant with their first child, and hadn't wanted to take the risk. Mac understood exactly how the other woman felt. If she were ever lucky enough to be pregnant with Harm's child, she'd guard it with her own life. "Colonel?" The unfamiliar voice brought her out of her reverie, and she turned to see a member of the staff waiting politely for her attention. "Yes?" "Excuse me, Ma'am, but you have a telephone call." "Here?" Mac was puzzled. Everybody she knew was already here. Who could be calling? "Yes, Ma'am." "Where?" "Right through there, ma'am. You'll find the phone on a table in the small alcove just to the left of the entry way." "Thank you." Mac turned to A.J. and Francesca. "I'm sorry, but if you'll excuse me?" "Of course," the admiral answered for both of them. “I want to have a word with Admiral Boone anyway.” Mac hurried across the room, oblivious to the fact that Harm watched her go, a pleased little half smile on his face. ******** As Sergei and Alex wandered off to the buffet table, Harm noticed Mac out of the corner of his eye. She was leaving the room, presumably to take the phone call he'd arranged for her. In a way, he wished he could see her face when she realized who was on the other end of the line, but he resisted the temptation and glanced at his watch. He'd give them… five minutes to talk, and then he'd go check on her. That was about how long he could stand to be without her today anyway. “Hi, Harm.” At the sound of a soft, feminine voice, Harm turned and grinned. “Kate.” She hesitated a moment, then stepped closer and gave him a quick hug. “So, you two finally figured it out, huh?” Harm shook his head and sighed. “How many times are we going to have to hear that tonight?” Kate laughed. “Nine years is a long time. For two otherwise intelligent people, you both seemed oblivious to the chemistry between you. Everyone else on the planet only needed about five seconds to see that there was something there.” Harm smiled ruefully. “Five seconds. That’s about how long it took the admiral to size things up and tell us not to get involved with each other when we first met.” Kate’s eyes went wide. “He told you that?” “Yes. And considering how many headaches we caused for him over the years, it was one order he probably never expected us to obey.” Movement across the room caught his eye, and he watched as the waiter who'd escorted Mac from the room returned to his duties at the buffet table. With an effort, he resisted the urge to check his watch. Sometimes he really wished he had Mac's sense of time. Kate, perceptive as ever, caught the direction of his gaze and correctly guessed his thoughts. “You really love her," she said almost wistfully. He turned back to her and simply smiled. “With all that I am.” Kate studied him for a moment, then nodded, satisfied. “Good.” Impulsively, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I really am happy for you, Harm.” She looped her arm through his and grinned up at him. “Now, Sailor. Buy a girl a drink?” Harm laughed. "It's an open bar, Kate." "Even better," she grinned. "I can get you drunk and have my way with you." Harm shook his head at her in amusement. There'd been a time when he'd thought maybe he and Kate would be a couple, but she'd been wiser than he. She'd recognized where Harm's heart lay long before he'd been willing to acknowledge it, and she'd been smart enough not to get involved in what would surely have been a doomed relationship. On their way over to get their drinks, they stopped a couple of times to chat with mutual acquaintances, and soon Harm snuck another peek at his watch. "Got a date?" Kate teased. Harm grinned. "Sort of. Will you excuse me? There's something I need to take care of." Kate sighed theatrically. "That's right. Leave me here all by myself, abandoned, alone, helpless…" Harm laughed outright. "You're a lot of things, Kate, but I'd never call you helpless, not by a long shot." She grinned. "Get out of here. You're making me blush." He hugged her one more time, whispered a quick "I'm glad you came," into her ear, and headed off to find Mac. ***** Mac picked up the handset, curious to discover who could be calling her at her wedding reception. "This is Colonel MacKenzie." "Sarah?" "Uncle Matt?" Mac dropped into a nearby chair, her knees suddenly weak with surprised delight. "Got it in one, Sweetheart." His familiar voice brought tears to her eyes. She missed him so much. "How are you, Uncle Matt?" "I'm doing fine, Mac." His voice was gruff, and she heard the emotion behind it. "Getting enough to eat? Sleeping okay? How's your health?" The questions tripped over each other in her haste to get them out, and she stumbled to a vaguely embarrassed stop. He chuckled. "Yes, yes, and fine. Slow down. You're going to tie that tongue of yours in knots." She laughed. "I can't help it, Uncle Matt. There's just so much I want to know." "I understand," he said, "but I didn't call to talk about me." "I didn't know they'd let you make calls at all," Mac said. "I think your fiancé pulled a few strings," he answered. "And I'm glad he did." "I am too," she said softly, making a mental note to thank him properly later on. "So tell me. Is he really the same man you brought to me at gunpoint nearly ten years ago?" Mac laughed. "That would be him." "Handsome son of a gun, if memory serves. Does he treat you right?" A note of protectiveness had come into his voice, and Mac couldn't help being amused. The man was in Leavenworth, for God's sake. If something did go wrong, what did he think he was going to be able to do about it? Still, the sentiment was sweet, and she answered accordingly, a smile in her voice. "He's my hero, Uncle Matt." "Oh? And here I thought I was your hero." Mac laughed. "You both are." "Are you happy, sweetheart?" "Happier than I've ever been in my life." She twined the telephone cord around her finger, covering the bare spot on the third finger of her left hand. She felt the warmth of her ring against her chest and smiled. She'd need to remember to give it to Harm before the ceremony. On the other end of the line, she heard her uncle's pleased sigh. "I'm glad, Mac. Your happiness is all I've ever really wanted." "Uncle Matt?" "Hmm?" "I never really got a chance to thank you." "For what?" "For what you did for me all those years ago. You saved my life." "No I didn't. All I did was to give you the time and space you needed to save your own life." "And the love." He brushed the comment aside. "I'm just glad to know you made something of yourself, Mac. You overcame your history and made your life a success. It's all the thanks I've ever needed." Mac heard a murmur of conversation in the background, and then her uncle's voice again. "I'm sorry, Mac. They're telling me my time's up." She felt the sting of tears behind her eyes and tightened her grip on the phone as though to maintain the connection by force of will alone. "I miss you, Uncle Matt." He struggled to control his voice, but Mac heard the catch in it when he answered her. "I miss you too, honey. Be happy." "I will be. And Uncle Matt?" "Hmm?" "I love you." "I love you too. Take care." He didn't say goodbye, but then, he'd never liked goodbyes. "You too." There was a soft click, and he was gone. Mac sat there for a long time, the phone dangling forgotten in her hand. "Hey," Harm's low voice washed over her, and she dragged her tear-filled eyes up to his. In one long stride he was by her side, and he pulled her up and into his arms. "I'm sorry, Mac. I never meant to make you unhappy." "Oh Harm… You didn't." He looked down at her with the hint of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth. "Oh?" She shook her head. "These aren't sad tears, they're happy ones." He tilted his head at her. "How, exactly, do you tell the difference?" In answer, Mac pulled his head down to hers. Several mutually enjoyable minutes passed before she dragged herself away. God. The man was an addiction. "Wow," Harm said when he'd caught his breath. "I think I see what you mean." He snagged his handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed the remaining tears from her cheeks. Mac traced the line of his jaw with one finger. "Harm?" she said. "What?" "Thank you." He hugged her tightly, his answer rumbling from somewhere delightfully close to her left ear. "You're welcome." He stepped back and held out a hand to her. "Ready to rejoin our guests before they come looking for us?" he asked. She placed her hand in his and smiled. "Lead on." When they reentered the banquet hall, Mac spotted Chloe and Mattie giggling over something near the buffet table. She made a beeline in their direction, certain they were concocting trouble, leaving Harm behind to mingle with the other guests. He watched as Mac approached the two girls who, on seeing the incoming adult, blushed guiltily and pretended to be deeply involved in serious discussion. He wondered what might have caused that particular reaction, and then shoved the thought out of his mind. There were some things about adolescents that he suspected he was better off not knowing. "I'm impressed," said a voice at his shoulder. "Somebody's finally managed to tame you." “You made it!” Harm enveloped Beth O’Neill in a warm hug. “I wasn’t sure you’d be able to come. Spook business and all that.” She laughed. “Wouldn’t miss this for the world. When we were flying together, I knew there was someone back home who occupied your thoughts, even if you wouldn’t tell me who it was. Glad to see you worked things out.” Harm looked across the room and unerringly found his wife. As if sensing his gaze, she looked up from her conversation with Bobbi Latham and smiled at him before returning her attention to the congresswoman. Chloe and Mattie had disappeared, and he wondered absently if he should be concerned. Deciding they couldn’t get into too much trouble at a wedding reception, he turned back to Beth. “We’re still… working things out," he said. "But at least now we’re doing it together.” His former flying partner nodded knowingly. Then her eyes widened. “Oh! I have a message for you.” “Oh?” She hesitated. “From Clayton Webb.” He couldn’t help the dark look that crossed his face. “What? Did he die again?” Beth winced. “No. He just… He wanted me to tell you congratulations. And he’s… sorry… things didn’t work out better. That’s all.” She held up her hands. “Hey, don’t kill the messenger.” Harm shook his head and smiled ruefully. “No, it’s okay. Thanks.” With some effort, he pushed thoughts of Clayton Webb to the back of his mind and smiled at his friend. “So,” he continued, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Seeing anyone?” His reward was a broad smile and a very un-agent-like giggle.
Mac started slightly, dragging her gaze from her husband's conversation with Beth O'Neill. She started to decline the offer automatically, and then blinked in recognition. "Gunny!" He grinned and fired off a lopsided two fingered salute. "Hello, Ma'am." "I can't believe you made it!" "I wasn't about to miss your wedding on account of some two bit terrorist." "How did you manage to get leave?" "I'm a Marine, Ma'am. Where there's a will, there's always a way." She looked at him suspiciously. "You didn't do anything unlawful, did you?" He placed his hands on his heart, sighing theatrically. "Your distrust wounds me, Ma'am." Mac laughed. "Permission to hug the bride?" "It's an order, Gunny." She opened her arms to him and felt his wrap around her for a quick hug before he stepped back. "So you two finally got it together, huh?" He grinned. "You know… for a Marine, you sure took your time about accomplishing this mission." Mac rolled her eyes. "I've lost count of how many times people have said things like that to me tonight, Gunny." He laughed. "I expect you'll hear it a lot more, too." Mac nodded ruefully. "I'm sure you're right." "Where is the commander, anyway?" Mac didn't need to look in order to answer. "Two o’clock. He's talking to some of the people he worked with in the CIA." She'd glimpsed Catherine Gale joining Harm and Beth O'Neill just before Gunny had surprised her. He glanced in the direction she'd indicated and lifted an eyebrow at her with a low whistle. "What?" "That's impressive. You didn't even have to look." Mac shrugged a little self-consciously. "I always know where he is, Gunny." He observed her critically for a few seconds. "I hope that someday I can be that lucky," he said finally. "What do you mean?" "Just that what you and Commander Rabb have is really special. Not many people are as lucky." Mac smiled softly. "It hasn't been easy though, Gunny – not by a long shot." "Nothing worth having ever is," he answered. Mac nodded. What she and Harm had was definitely worth every ounce of heartache and pain it had cost, and she'd do it all again in an instant if it was asked of her. “Hi, Colonel.” Mac turned, and a peal of happy laughter erupted. “Tiner!” She enveloped the young man in a warm hug. “How have you been?” Tiner blushed. “Um, just fine, Ma’am. I’m enjoying law school. I miss everyone at JAG, though.” He and Gunny exchanged handshakes, sizing each other up without missing a beat. Mac grinned inwardly, wondering if the two men would ever stop being so competitive. She smiled. “We miss you, too. I’m sure the admiral does, as well. He's around here someplace. You should say hello.” "I will," he said. "Have you met General Cresswell yet? I'm sure he'd like to meet you. After all, your name comes up with surprising regularity at the office." Tiner winced. “From what I've heard, I have a feeling General Cresswell would eat me alive. Admiral Chegwidden was a little more… forgiving.” Mac choked on the mineral water she was in the process of swallowing. After a moment of frantic coughing, she was able to breathe again. “Tiner, we all left so many strips of hide in the admiral’s office it’s amazing any of us can still sit.” The mischievous gleam in Tiner’s eye belied the earnestness of his reply. “That’s different, Ma’am. JAG was a family, and the admiral was, well, like our dad. Even when he was ripping us a new one, we still knew he cared.” Mac smiled and patted his arm. “The general cares, Tiner. But you’re right, it’s different.” She looked across the room, seeking her husband’s gaze. They exchanged another smile, and then Mac focused on Tiner once again. “It’s all very different.” Tiner glanced across to where Mac’s attention had been drawn and smiled. “Change can be good, Ma’am.” She nodded. “Yes, it can be.” They were quiet for a moment, and then Tiner, rather adorably, scuffed a toe on the floor like a child and blushed. “And Ma’am?” Uh oh. Mac had a feeling she knew what was coming. “Yes?” “It’s about time, Ma’am.” Gunny laughed aloud, and Mac rolled her eyes. A long-suffering sigh was her only reply. ******** In a rare moment of solitude, Harm leaned against a pillar and watched Mac across the room, where she was now talking to Gunny and Tiner. The younger men were vying for her attention, and he grinned in amusement. Some things never changed. “So, you finally pulled it off.” Harm whirled around and nearly came to attention out of sheer habit. “Admiral!” AJ grinned and shook his head. “Not Admiral anymore, son. Didn’t mean to startle you.” They stood there in companionable silence, observing the woman who had finally latched a tailhook onto her flyboy. “She’s amazing, AJ.” The thought was voiced with reverent wonder. Harm wasn’t even aware he’d said it until AJ chuckled. “Always knew that, Harm. Just didn’t know how long it would take for you to appreciate it.” Harm absently stuck his hand into his pants pocket, where his wedding ring lay hidden. The gold was smooth and warm as his fingers curled around it. “We had some growing up to do, AJ. And we’re not done yet. But at least now we’re raising each other.” AJ smiled at the analogy. “Glad you two made it out of diapers and past the terrible twos. I swear, sometimes the urge to send you both to time out was overwhelming.” Harm laughed. “Or maybe just give us a good belt to the bottom. We were a handful, I know.” A.J. snorted. "A handful?" he said. "More like a dump truck." The two men shared a companionable smile, and watched Mac as she finished her conversation with Gunny and Tiner and began to make her way over to them. "She's a beautiful woman," said AJ. "Yes Sir, she is," Harm said. "And I'm a lucky man." AJ looked at him seriously. "As long as you remember that, you'll be okay, son." Mac reached them and slid her arm around Harm's waist, tilting her head up to receive his kiss. Afterwards, she smiled at AJ. "What are you two up to over here?" "Just watching the world go by," Harm smiled. The ringing of dinnerware on champagne glasses effectively silenced what had been a dull roar of festive conversation. Bud climbed the short steps to the small stage and smoothed the front of his dress whites, silently and eternally grateful that no disaster had thus far marred the pristine uniform. “If I could have everybody's attention,” he called out, and waited for everyone to turn and face the stage. "Command Rabb? Colonel MacKenzie? Would you come up here?" Harm and Mac exchanged a grin and made their way forward to stand beside Bud. “As Commander – soon to be Captain – Rabb’s best man, it’s my job to say a few words in honor of the happy couple.” At mention of the promotion, applause broke out, which dissolved into laughter when Jack Keeter bellowed, “Captain Rabb? Is the Navy that desperate?” “They let you in, Jack!” Mac replied with a grin. An ear-splitting whistle cut through the laughter, and everyone turned to see AJ Chegwidden smiling sheepishly. “Carry on, Commander Roberts.” Bud lifted his glass. “Thank you, Admiral.” A thoughtful look crossed his face, and he smiled. “I was going to have a speech prepared, but nothing I could come up with seemed to fit. There’s so much to say about the commander and the colonel…” His voice trailed off as he caught a rather intimidating glare from Mac, and he cleared his throat. “Sorry. Harm and Mac.” Scattered chuckles met this, as those who knew Bud knew how hard it was to address two of his closest friends by name and not rank. Bud waited until the room was quiet again, and then continued his toast. “Love is a journey marked by hills, valleys, turns, and the occasional blind curve. In Harm and Mac’s case, it was also marked by gunfire, plane crashes, terrorists, nuclear missiles, and an occasional ball of fire.” Laughter again broke out, and Harm and Mac had the grace to blush. “These last nine years, the one constant in the universe has been Harm and Mac. When they were together, things were never dull. When they were apart… Well, we knew to stay out of their way.” He grinned. “And now, finally, they’re together for good. An old saying the commander… er, Harm, told me a few days ago has been running through my head, and I offer it now, as it’s a simple, yet elegant way to express how I feel.” He held his glass aloft again, and everyone joined suit. “Harm, Mac… Fair winds and following seas.” Their friends and family all applauded. Then, before Harm and Mac could even begin to formulate a reply, a fork clinked loudly against a glass three times. As one, the crowd turned to face the couple, and in one terrifying instant, Harm and Mac knew what was coming. They braced themselves for the inevitable onslaught. “IT’S ABOUT TIME!!!” The crowd dissolved in laughter, and Harm and Mac exchanged an amused glance. Without missing a beat, Harm scooped Mac into his arms, kissing her thoroughly and extensively – much to the crowd's (and Mac's) delight. When they finally came up for air, they were the beneficiaries of a standing ovation. Grinning happily, they bowed for their audience just as a waiter wheeled in a large wedding cake. There were oohs and aahs from the assembled guests, and Harm smiled at Mac. "I think we'd better cut and serve that." Harm said, nodding at the towering confection. "Our guests are getting restless." "Nooo… You think?" Mac grinned up at him and he chuckled. He took her hand and led her over to the cake table, winking at her as he handed her the knife. "You do know how to handle one of these, don't you?" Mac laughed. "Would you like a demonstration?" He raised his hands in self-defense. "No, that's okay. I trust you." He dipped his head to kiss her, and they heard the photographer snap yet another picture. In later years, their children would see the photo of them wrapped in each other's arms and wonder to themselves if the cake had ever gotten served at all. Finally, Harm raised his head, smiling down into her eyes. Behind them, the crowd had started to chant. "Cake Cake Cake Cake…" Mac held the knife, and Harm settled his hand on top of hers. He smiled, kissed her one more time, and together, they sliced into the cake. Applause erupted around them, and they laughed. Who would have known that such a simple act could inspire such excitement? A few minutes later, Harm and Mac were again mingling with their guests. Conversations had resumed around the room, and the overall atmosphere was festive. The band was playing again, and people had started dancing. Nobody showed any interest in bringing the festivities to a close. Mac was talking to Trish when Harriet approached and touched her lightly on the elbow. "It's time, Ma'am." The words sent her pulse into high gear, and she located Harm where he was talking with Skates on the other side of the room, sending him a brief nod. She watched him excuse himself from the conversation and toward her before turning back to her friend. "I'll meet you there, Harriet. I need to speak to Harm first." "I'll lay your dress out for you, then. See you in a few minutes." Mac gave her friend a hug. "Thanks, Harriet." "You bet." The other woman smiled at her and departed just as Harm arrived at her side. "Time to change?" he asked. She nodded. "Can we step outside for a second? I need to give you something." A few minutes later they stood alone, and Mac inhaled a deep breath of the warm spring air. "What a beautiful day." "It sure is," Harm agreed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wedding band. "Is this what you're looking for?" "Sure is." She lifted the gold chain from around her own neck and handed it to him. "And here's mine. Take good care of it." She smiled at him, and received a tender kiss in reply. "You know I will, Mac, just as I intend to take good care of you." "And I you." She reached to straighten his collar, and he caught her hand in his. "I love you, Mac." "I love you, too." "Are you ready for this?" She nodded. "Beyond ready." "Me, too." He kissed her knuckles, and gave her a gentle push on her way. "You'd better get going," he said. "You wouldn't want to be late for your own wedding." "Seems to me," she said with a smile, "I was two days early." He grinned. "Go, Mrs. Rabb. Let's get this show on the road." Mac laughed and turned away. Harriet was waiting for her with her wedding gown, and in a little while, she'd be walking down the aisle. 7:00 Local Paige was right on time. Punctuality had never been her strong suit until she'd become a military wife. Now, she sometimes felt like she lived her entire life by the clock. She wondered if that would fade now that Terry was gone, but shook off the thought. Terry's memorial service had been held just a few hours ago at Arlington, and she'd left Audrey with her mother and driven back here immediately after. She was exhausted and depressed, but determined to do this last thing for her husband. Tears came to her eyes as she thought of him. The pain of his loss was still fresh, and she doubted she'd be able to think of him without feeling his absence in her soul. The only thing that had held her together since his accident had been Audrey. Dear sweet little Audrey – so young that she'd probably only ever have shadows of memories of her father – a man who'd called her princess and thrown her shrieking into the air, only to catch her again and nuzzle her tummy, throwing her into fits of giggles. Paige shook her head sharply, scattering the painful thoughts to the corners of her mind. She had a job to do, and she was damned if she was going to let anything get in the way of getting it done. She pulled open the door of the main building with more force than necessary, striding inside at a brisk pace. "Jack?" She called. "Here." He came toward her from the shadows, his face haggard from lack of sleep, his pace slow. She moved quickly over to him. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine. It's just a bit of a headache." She looked at him suspiciously. "Have you been drinking?" "No!" His tone was defensive and did absolutely nothing to ease Paige's state of mind. "Jack. You can't fly if you've got a hangover." "Damn it, woman! I said I'm fine! Now, do you want to do this or not?" Paige observed him carefully as he moved away from her and over to the desk. He seemed steady on his feet, even if he was a bit slow, and when he sat down in that blasted chair of his, he actually managed to keep it from dumping him on the floor. She knew from long observation that it took pretty good reflexes to maintain one's balance in the rickety thing, and when he accomplished it without mishap, she decided that maybe he was okay to fly after all. She shook her head sadly and moved across to the desk, watching him as he sorted through an assortment of keys. "Terry would have thanked you for this," she said quietly. Jack snorted at her without looking up. "He would have thanked me for getting him killed? I doubt it." "That isn't what I mean." She took a deep breath, maintaining a tight grip on her patience. "He would have appreciated you taking me up today." "I don't exactly have a lot of choice in the matter, do I?" Suddenly Paige was angry. She was the one who'd lost her husband, who'd watched his doomed plane perform its horrible death spiral. She was the one left alone to raise a child who was too young to even understand the concept of death, much less deal with its emotional impact. And she was the one who, not even ten days ago, had watched her beloved husband climb into his plane for the last time, never to return. "You know what, Jack? Forget it." She turned her back on him, ignoring the thump and the grunt of pain that erupted from somewhere behind her, and strode toward the door. "Paige! Wait!" She glanced around in time to see him limping after her. "Don't go. I'll take you. I just had to find the damn keys." She turned back and walked over to him, fighting the anger that threatened to erupt in an explosion of grief and pain. "Damn you, Jack Stone." He halted at the venom in her voice, baffled unease crossing his features. She walked slowly toward him, fighting the urge to dump him on his ass right where he stood. She was sick of his self-pity. "Terry was your friend, but he was my husband. He was everything to me – my life, my heart, the other half of my soul. If anyone should be drinking themselves into a hole over this it's me. So what if you made a mistake? We all make mistakes sometimes. We all screw up. Get over yourself, Jack. Dump the martyr complex and get on with your life. It's what Terry would've wanted." She turned her back on him and left, walking through the door without looking back. She'd nearly reached her car when she heard him calling after her. She almost didn't look back, almost didn't stop, but at the last minute she thought about Terry and slowly turned back around. She didn't move toward him, merely waiting with her arms folded until he caught up to her. "Paige," he said, when he was finally close enough for her to hear him without his having to shout. "I'm sorry." "I don't want your apologies. I want you to take me up in that plane," she nodded toward the small craft sitting on the airstrip, "so that I can satisfy my husband's final request." She turned back to him, "But if you can't – or won't – do it, I'll find somebody else. You aren't the only shop in town, after all." Jack sighed heavily. "Look. I just…" He trailed off, as though he couldn't find the words to say what was on his mind. "I'll take you up. It's the least I can do." "No." Jack gave her an exasperated look. "I thought it was what you wanted." "It is what I want, but not this way. My husband isn't your obligation or your duty. He was your friend. If you're going to do this, it has to be because you want to do it for him – not because you feel guilty." "God, woman. Are you always this hard to please?" She allowed a small smile to tilt the corners of her mouth. "Absolutely." Jack turned and stared out across the airfield for a few seconds. Then he looked back at her and took a deep breath. "Let's do this thing." "For Terry?" He nodded. "For Terry." She considered him for a moment, gauging the sincerity of his words. Then, with a slight dip of the chin, she turned and started toward the plane. ******** Mac stared at her image in the mirror, stunned by her own appearance. The woman who looked back at her didn't look like the same woman she'd grown accustomed to seeing every day. This woman was beautiful, her eyes bright, her cheeks flushed, and with a smile on her face that wouldn't seem to turn itself off no matter how hard she tried. Their mountain wedding had been special, and wonderful, and magical, and she would always treasure that day as her true anniversary. But today… Today would see them married in front of all of their friends and family, and somehow that fact gave it a special significance that had her pulse racing and her palms damp. "Ma'am?" Harriet asked. "Are you okay?" Mac turned to her friend. The two of them were alone in the room. Harriet, Chloe, and Mattie were to be her attendants for the ceremony, but the younger girls had abandoned the women to scout for boys. They'd be back when Chaplain Turner sent them to tell Mac it was time to begin. "I'm better than okay, Harriet." Mac heard the catch in her voice grinned ruefully. "Is this what it was like for you?" "Well," Harriet said thoughtfully. "Do you have butterflies in your stomach? Do you feel like your heart's about to jump right out of your chest and go galloping in circles around the room? Are your palms damp and your knees weak?" Mac smiled. "Yes to all those things." Harriet nodded matter-of-factly. "Yep. I'd say that's exactly how I felt." "Then I guess there's hope for me yet." Harriet nodded seriously. "You and Harm … I've never seen anything like what the two of you have. It's always been there, even when you both tried to deny it. There's this connection between you that's almost tangible." Mac nodded. "I know. It's wonderful and a little bit scary at the same time. I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to him, Harriet." "Nothing's going to happen to him except that you're going to walk down that aisle, give him a big smile, and promise yourself to him for the rest of your life." Harriet brushed away a tear of her own, and Mac hugged her. "You're a good friend, Harriet. Bless you." "My pleasure, Ma'am." Mac rolled her eyes. "You'd think that today, of all days, you'd be able to call me Mac." Harriet just grinned at her. There was a knock at the door and it opened to admit Chloe and Mattie, bright eyed and giggling. "Mac! You should see. There's this boy…" Mattie swatted the younger girl playfully. "Not
now, Chloe. It's time for the At Mattie's words, Mac paled. Finally, after nine years of confusion, misdirection, almost theres and not quite theres, it was going to happen. There was a knock at the door, and Chloe opened it. Organ music chased AJ inside and swirled around the room. His dark suit sported a single rose in the lapel, and he stood tall, strong, and confident just inside the door. "Are you ready, Mac?" She smiled at him. "Yes." Harriet and the younger girls led the way. Mac took one last look in the mirror, lowered her veil over her eyes, and followed her former CO out the door. ******** 7:30 pm Local Paige blinked tears from her eyes. They'd been in the air for nearly thirty minutes, and the sun was rapidly dropping behind the horizon. She looked around, nodded, and tapped Jack on the shoulder. He nodded, but didn't turn around. Carefully, she unscrewed the lid of the ceramic urn she'd been holding on her lap. "I love you Terry," she said softly. "I will always love you." With two hands, she lifted the urn over the edge of the cockpit and tipped it slowly onto its side. She watched as the ashes spilled out – slowly at first, and then faster as she tilted the jar further. Turning her head, she watched the trail of ashes as it streamed out behind them and then slowly drifted toward the ground. When the jar was finally empty, she set it back in her lap, screwed the lid back on, and tapped Jack's shoulder one more time. He banked the plane, turning back toward home, and Paige said her final goodbyes to the wind. Behind them, Terry's ashes drifted lazily on the wind currents - one final flight for a man who'd loved flight more than life itself. ******** 1930 Local Mac waited quietly, her hand resting in the crook of AJ's arm, while the music swelled over them and her attendants started down the aisle. Mattie went first, followed by Chloe, and then Harriet. She looked over at AJ, and he smiled reassuringly at her. "Are you ready?" he asked quietly. She nodded, and
they moved to the head of the aisle. Most of the lights in the small chapel had
been dimmed, but at the end of every pew a single white candle flickered
brightly in a tall stand, bathing the room in a golden glow. Mac's eyes skipped
quickly down the rows of people until they locked on Harm. He wore his dress
whites; gold wings sparkling, brass buttons and medals reflecting the
candlelight in a million points of fire. She was dimly aware of AJ laying his
hand on top of hers where it rested in the crook of his arm, but she had eyes
only for Harm. He stood quietly, waiting for her, and as the processional
started, she nodded, smiled, and went to meet her destiny. ***** The End *****
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