Author: Kim
Subject: HBX Challenge April--Our start

(AN)
Well, this the very first fanfic of someone who's still going to school so don't be too harsh - that doesn't mean you can't be critical mind you....

All I'm saying is: Christmas, Grams, Mic, Trish, start, brawl and sweet.

On to the story...

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Patricia Burnett looked in the mirror one last time to make sure her make up was perfect.

“Come on, Trish. We’ll be late; don’t forget we have to collect your mother in law.” Frank pleaded, his wife always did this when they were going out but he was smiling inwardly at how his wife was fussing on her make up when she would look beautiful in whatever she put on. Anyway, Christmas was round the corner and everyone wanted to look their best.

“Yes darling, I’m coming.” She said before closing the door. Both she and Frank were exited to spend the evening with Harm’s closest friends and colleagues – especially Mac

Trish almost hit the sealing when Harm called and told her he and Mac decided to give a romantic relationship a chance, though he made it very clear, they were just at the start and not to fuss too much on her so she would be scared away – mostly grams and they both reassured him that he didn’t have to worry about it.

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The admiral and his new girlfriend Elise, the Roberts, Gunny and Tiner with their girlfriends, Harm and Mac arrived together since Harm had to lead the way to the Californian restaurant.

“Darling!” Trish got up and hugged her son tight.

“Hey mom” he hugged her back before she stepped aside to introduce herself to the others “Frank” he shook the elder man’s hand.

“Good to see you Harm.” Frank smiled.

“Harmon!”

“Grams?!” the adorable woman nearly crushed his ribs as she embraced him.

“How are you? You could visit your old grams in a while you know.” She chided gently.

“I’m sorry grams, It’s just – “

“I know you’re busy, I’m quite used to that after knowing three Rabb generations – you must be Harmon’s gorgeous partner, right?”

“Yes” Mac said shyly “Good evening, Mrs. Rabb.”

“Call me grams dear, Mrs. Rabb makes me feel older than I already am.” Sarah Rabb chuckled as she enveloped Mac in a bear hug.

“Okay…grams.” Mac tried hesitatingly, surprised to find it somehow familiar.

“That’s it dear” grams was jumping in joy on the inside, she knew her grandson had something special with this young lady and if it was up to her, she would have this sweet girl as her daughter in law by this week. Harm had spoken to her about his beloved partner who had been through hell and back with him - even when he went in search of his father. Sarah knew how much Mac’s childhood made her suffer, she felt angry at those person who would inflict so hurt on her, it could still be seen in her soft brown eyes… she passed through so much.

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Mac sat between Harm and his grandma directly opposite her was Trish who sat between Harriet and Frank who was talking to the admiral.

“You okay?” whispered Harm after they decided what to eat “I hope they didn’t fuss on you, especially grams.”

“No, she’s adorable. I’ve just met her but it feels like I’ve known her for years.” She whispered back, smiling.

“Yeah, she kinda has that effect,” Harm grinned.

“So Mac, you taking care of my grandson? You know who to turn to if he gives you trouble.” Grams had that glint in her eyes

Harm rolled his eyes earning a chuckle from Sarah and Mac

“He’s good… for now” Mac smiled, always defending him.

Trish was observing the two lovebirds; she couldn’t wait till Harm took Mac as his wife so she could be a grandmother, she couldn’t wait to spoil her grandchild rotten and she wanted Mac to be the mother, Harm definitely agreed with her seeing how he looked at his soul mate.

“Don’t they look good together don’t they?” she whispered to her husband as he sipped his wine.

“Yes they do but it’s better if we let them choose their own pace, honey. We don’t want to scare away Mac, do we?” cautioned Frank, seeing the wheels turning in his wife’s mind.

“Yes you’re right, it’s just that-“

“I know, you want to be a grandma.” He smiled

Suddenly all eyes turned to the man who was approaching Mac from behind. Mac thought they were all staring at her when Bud made her a discreet sign to look back.

“Mic?”

“May I ask you for a dance, Sarah?” he asked extending his hand

Mac was tempted to slap him but she didn’t want to ruin the dinner so she accepted without a word, afraid she might say something she might later regret.

The men around the table tensed and didn’t take their eyes from the colonel just in case the aussy stepped the line, especially Harm while Frank made a sign to the security guard who was his friend to be prepared just in case they might need him. Tiner and Gunny were more than ready to use their new penknives.

The song came to an end and Mac didn’t think twice to start making her way towards the table but Mic grabbed her arm with such force she was sure she would have bruises.

“No Sarah, don’t go back there. Come with me.”

“Never, I’m finished with you – stop you’re hurting me!!”

Before Mic could even breathe, Harm’s fist met his nose while Tiner and Gunny went out to slit the aussy’s car tires in half, happy to use their new penknives for this cause.

Meanwhile, Mic was suffering a broken nose and a nice kick in the stomach.

“Don’t you dare look at her again, bastard!” hissed Harm as the admiral held him from strangling the man but he couldn’t help adding a line.

“You’d better say goodbye to your navy uniform, Brumby.” He threw in as the guard took the son of a bitch away.

“Calm down Harm, he’s not worth a damn.”

Harm took a few calming deep breaths before turning back to find that Mac was in his grandmother’s arms as the other women tried to comfort her, the worst was that she wasn’t showing any reaction to what happened and was probably upset with all fuss and people’s stare.

So he made his way to the table, determined to get her away from all of this. “Take her out for some fresh air, darling.”

“You read minds, grams.” He whispered back before taking Mac’s hand gently into his, leading her outside.

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The sea view somehow soothed Mac a bit apart from Harm’s arms around her to keep her warm.

“It’s ok baby, let out.” His tenderness destroyed the wall and tears started to fall freely.

“I’m sorry Harm, I’m so sorry… he took me by surprise and now I’ve ruined your mother’s dinner – and your grandmother’s – they must hate me now.” she wept in his chest.

“Hey now, sweetheart. It’s that bastard who started it in the first place and everybody knows you could have decked him easily but didn’t want to make a scene and I was more than happy to break Bugme’s nose.” He grinned, earning a tearful smile.

“You look beautiful when you smile.” He pecked her on the lips “Let go eat, no one wants an upset hungry marine, right?”

“Have you noticed we're beginning to think a lot alike?” she smiled collecting herself.

“That's something isn't it? How do you account for that?”

“Er...A rip in the time/space continuum” she said.

They chuckled as they made their way inside the restaurant again.

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End