Title: A Slice of Life
Author: RD
Disclaimer: They still aren’t mine.
Rating: None
AN: This story is set about 2 years after Harm and Mac moved to London.

This is my response to the HBX May 06 challenge.

Her name was Rebel and she lived up to that name just fine. She had started out as the runt of the litter. While all her brothers and sisters were easily sold, her owner couldn't seem to give Rebel away. Since no one seemed to want her, and with no other choice, her owners took her to the pound. This was where Harm and Mac found her. She was sitting alone in a cage with the most defiant tilt to her head that they had ever seen in a puppy. Of course, Mac was immediately drawn to the determination in the puppy's stance. It was almost like she was thinking, “You lookin at me? Arf”

Harm wasn't so sure. When they had decided to get a puppy, he was thinking something along the lines of a Mastiff or a Golden Retriever. He wanted one that would grow up big and be able to protect his family. Mac was pregnant with their miracle child and he was suddenly struck with the need to protect. Mac secretly loved it, even though she went to great lengths to protest his attention. When he suggested getting a dog to keep her company during times that he had to work late or go out of town, she immediately agreed.

They had been in London for almost two years and Mac had made some good friends, but she was still a little uncomfortable being in their home alone late at night. When Harm's job took him away for a few nights at a time, she found it almost impossible to sleep. Now, at 5 months pregnant, she delighted in the idea of having a puppy underfoot. She didn't really have any particular breed in mind. She had enjoyed Jingo many years earlier and thought another dog like that would be nice. Now, as they stood before this defiant little puppy, she knew this one would be going home with them.

Harm had tried to move on to look at other dogs, but Mac just gave him “the look”, understood by men all over the world. Before he knew it, they had filled out all the necessary paperwork, paid for all the shots and were trying to get “Rebel” as Mac had decided to call her, into their SUV.

Rebel had decided from the moment she stepped out of the cage at the pound that she was going to be the boss of them. When they tried to put her in the travel cage, she got down low to the ground and barked. Harm picked her up, and try as she might, she couldn't get her head far enough around to bite his hand. Ok, so they won the first round, but the day was young. When they got her home, Mac made the mistake of opening up the door to the travel cage prior to taking it inside so Harm spent 30 minutes chasing Rebel around the yard trying to get her into the house. Mac watched and smiled from the living room window as time and time again, Harm would get within inches of grabbing Rebel and she would somehow dart from his grasp. He finally gave up and headed towards the front door. As soon as he opened it, Rebel ran inside. She stopped and looked back at him, then sauntered from room to room before finally settling down in front of the fire place.

She laid there, with her head on her paws and watched Harm and Mac. He had been fun to play with, so just maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Over the next few nights, Rebel decided to test her boundaries. She wanted to see if they would let her sleep in the bedroom with them. One hour of whining and pawing the door answered that question. They weren't as willing to share the bed, but she'd let that one go. They would, however, give her leftovers from dinner, and all she had to do was cock her head to one side. They were so easy. The biggest challenge was getting them used to her walking schedule. She wanted to be walked at 5AM, every morning, no matter what. Initially the task fell to Mac. She was usually up early anyway, and it allowed Harm to sleep in a little before his long day of work. She would walk Rebel around the block and wait for her to do her business. Rebel always took her own sweet time, so Mac knew it wasn't about bladder relief. It was about control.

In her 7th month, Mac's back was bothering her and her legs were swollen. Her doctor wanted her to take it easy and remain in bed as much as possible. That meant the task of walking Rebel, at 5AM, now fell to Harm. Mac felt bad that he was losing 2 hours of sleep, especially since she was the one who had picked out such a stubborn dog. After 3 weeks Harm looked like he was ready to collapse. She decided to try and do something about their puppy's stubborn streak once and for all. They were, after all, the masters, and it was time Rebel learned that. She got up early one morning and put Rebel out in the laundry room then climbed back in bed. She figured it was far enough away from their bedroom that with the door closed, they wouldn't hear her bark. She figured wrong. At exactly 5AM, Rebel started barking and whining a pawing at the laundry room door. Mac started to get back up, but Harm sat up on the edge of the bed and rubbed his face.

“I'm sorry Harm. I was hoping we wouldn't be able to hear her.”

“You're kidding right? I mean, we've both heard how loud she can bark.” He shook his head. “How can something so small make so much noise?”

“Well, at least this is good practice. Won't be long before Jr. here starts giving his lungs a workout.”

He smiled at that thought, then leaned over and gave Mac a kiss.

“Hey, you know, I could go let her outside and see if she'll just do her business without the walk.” Mac offered.

“We both know perfectly well the only thing that will accomplish is the neighbors calling the police.”

“Well, maybe I could..”

Harm's lips on hers stopped the flow of words. He smiled down at her. “Never mind Mac. Thanks for trying.”

She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in for a deeper kiss. “Are we even now?”

As they listened to the increasing sounds of one upset puppy, he raised up from her and smiled. “Not even close.” They both laughed and Harm got up to walk Rebel.

Three weeks later, Harm was awakened a little earlier than usual by the sounds of panting. “Rebel, be quiet. It's not time to get up yet.” The panting didn't stop, in fact it got louder. Harm sat up in bed and looked over to where Rebel was laying, fast asleep on her pillow. It was then that he realized the panting was coming from Mac.

She grabbed his arm and looked at him. “Harm, huh, huh, huh, it's time.” Without a word, Harm leaped from the bed and put on his clothes. He helped Mac on with her shoes and jacket, then helped her out to the SUV. At the hospital, the delivery went smoothly and 7 hours later they placed Braden Adam Rabb into his mother's arms. Mac could only stare down at the little miracle. He was absolutely perfect and he looked up at his mom with his daddy's big eyes. He looked at her like he had a secret and someday he would tell her what that secret was.

Harm sat on the side of the bed watching his wife and newborn son with tears in his eyes. Mac handed their son over to him and Braden nuzzled into the crook of his arm. Harm almost forgot to breathe, so taken was he by this gift. He looked at Mac and silently thanked her. The nurse came in to take Braden back to the nursery so Mac could get some rest. Harm knew he should run home and walk Rebel. It was way past her normal time and he figured she'd be going crazy. He expected to hear her as drove up, but the house was quiet. When he opened the front door, Rebel was sitting there with her leash in her mouth, just looking up at him. They had reached an understanding.

While they walked, Harm thought about how lucky he was. He had never been this happy in his life. He had a beautiful wife, a beautiful son and a stubborn puppy, and he loved them all. What more could he ever ask for, except maybe a full nights sleep? But then, sleep was overrated anyway.

The End.