Author: usmgrad
Subject: June 2008 HBX Challenge - I'm Not Ready Yet

HBX June 2008 Challenge - I'm Not Ready Yet
Author - usmgrad

A glimpse of "My Rabb family" many years in the future.


The room was full of excitement, but Harm was having a difficult time joining in the merriment. Where did the years go? It seemed like it was only yesterday . . .

A laughter caught Harm's attention. He looked across the room and saw his daughter reach for her mother's hand. Only Harm didn’t see a grown woman, he saw a scared little girl of five holding tight to her mom's hand on the first day of kindergarten.

Emily stood and smoothed her dress making sure it lay just right. Harm didn’t see a blushing bride, he saw a teenager getting ready for her first date.

Looking into the mirror and checking her veil one more time Emily smiled. In the reflection Harm saw a broken hearted teenager crying because her boyfriend had just broken up with her.

The bridal party posed for one last picture. Harm didn't see the bride and her attendants; he saw a high school graduate in cut offs and tee shirt saying goodbye as she left home for college.

Harm closed his eyes, to clear his mind and whispered to no one in particular. "Why am I doing this?"

"Because it's the right thing to do" came a reply from his wife who was now standing by his side. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know. This is harder than I thought it would be."

"You didn't think she would stay your little girl forever did you?"

"No, I've stopped trying to stop her from growing up."

"Then what is it?"

"I want more time. I'm not ready yet."

Mac patted her husband's arm and kissed his cheek. She understood.


The bridal party was in place outside the church just as the music started. Each one entered the church on cue until only Harm and Emily were left.

"Daddy, you're not going to cry are you?"

"Of course not," he said as the tears pooled in his eyes.

"We better get going" pointing to the front of the church "he's probably getting nervous you won't show." Harm said with a slight laugh.

"He can wait a minute, it will teach him patience." Emily said with a wink.

Harm looked at his beautiful daughter, all grown up. He needed to ask, just to settle his heart. "Do you love him?"

"With all my heart."

Harm nodded his head, "And he loves you?"

"Yes." Taking her father's hand Emily reassured him, "I will always be your little girl; no one can ever take that away."

"I love you Emily." Harm placed a kiss on her check and whispered "Be happy."

"I am Daddy" Emily squeezed his hand, "I love you too."

Harm took his daughter's arm and did the hardest thing he had ever done; he walked his little girl down the aisle and gave her away.



A/N - I must admit these lines were difficult until one night it just came to me. The inspiration for this story comes from my daughters. After two weddings in 2 months (in 2002) my third and last daughter is now planning a November wedding.

I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. After 2 girls and no boys, the first thing my husband said was "I have 3 weddings to pay for!" So if I lean toward wedding stories for the next few months you'll know why! (BTW a son finally arrived 2 years later)

Thanks for reading!