Author: doc, apologizing for being verbose

'Between a Rock and a Hard Place' -- Part 1d


Part 1d

At 15:00 on the dot, Harm found Mattie and his wife sitting on the front porch waiting for him to drive up.

“There’s my girls!” he waved as he exited the car. “Hey Mats, did you two have fun today?”

“Yep, it was the greatest! Mac got to watch my new routine on Smokey, and we took a walk down by the lake!” Mattie bubbled with pride.

“How ‘bout you, Mac…you have a good time?” he eyed her with concern.

Mac’s face lit up, “I had a wonderful time…best I’ve had in years.” She squeezed Mattie’s hand and leaned over to place a kiss on her curly head.

“You two have a chance to eat lunch?” he paused beside the passenger door.

We had some tea and cookies…does that count?” Mattie responded with a challenging grin.

“No!” Harm frowned, “…I thought I taught you two better nutritional habits than that.” He lifted a large basket from the car, “Good thing I brought along sustenance. Anyone up for a picnic?”

“Ah, I think I’ll pass,” Mattie shrugged, “…I’m kinda tired, but you and Mac can go.”

“How ‘bout it, sweetheart…up for a picnic?”

“Sure,” she smiled, “…although, I think I’m as worn out as Mattie.”

He reached for her hand and gave it a tug, pulling her up from the rocking chair. Looking back at Mattie, “Sure you don’t wanna come?”

“Nah, I really do need to take a nap…you two have fun,” she covertly tossed a wink in his direction.

“Get some rest,” he leaned over to place a kiss atop her head.

“Will do…you two try not to get into any trouble,” she giggled then turned to Mac, “...see ya next weekend?”

“You bet,” Mac leaned in for a hug, “…I love you.”

“Love you guys, too.” She waved, “Thanks for coming to visit…and for all the other ‘stuff’.”

Harm winked, “Love ya, kiddo.”

He reached for Mac’s hand, and led her toward the road. “Come on, Marine…I imagine you’re starved.”

She leaned her head onto his shoulder, “Where are we going?”

“I thought we’d hike down to the park area by the lake if you up to it. Sure you’re not too tired?”

“No, that sounds good.”

They walked along a spell in silence, before veering off on the path that led toward the lake. Ducking under an arch of billowing trees, they came to a clearing by the water.

“How ‘bout over there,” Harm pointed to a huge oak tree ablaze in fall color.

“Looks good to me,” she took the blanket he offered and shook it out under the tree. The blanket caught and whipped in the breeze before fluttering to the ground. She smoothed out the wrinkles and dropped into the center of the comfortable old woolen quilt. He settled beside her and set the picnic basket off to the side.

“How was your visit?” he treaded lightly.

She graced him with a beautiful smile, “It was wonderful, but I suspect you already know that.”

“I hoped,” he shrugged, “…but it’s good to hear you and Mattie are back on…stable ground.”

“Getting there…now, what did you bring to feed me, Sailor? I’m starved!”

They enjoyed a peaceful lunch, as Mac related the events of the afternoon. By the time they finished, she was rubbing her face to conceal the yawns.

“Tired sweetheart?”

“Yeah, a little. You know how draining an emotional discussion can be,” she knuckled a finger into her eye.

Harm pushed their plates aside, and leaned back against the knurled trunk of the old oak tree. Patting the ground between his legs, he crooked a finger, “How about relaxing with your old hubbie for a while…I make a pretty good pillow I’m told.”

“Don’t we need to get back?”

“Nah, we’ve got time…let’s enjoy the fall scenery for a bit before we head back to the car.”

She settled between his legs and leaned back against his chest with a contented sigh. Arms wrapped around her, he rested his chin on her head.

“Comfy?”

“Mmmm…yeah, this is nice. If I fall asleep, do you promise to carry me to the car?”

He chuckled, “Something tells me, you’re gonna be too excited to sleep.”

“Whaaat?” her voice slurred already near slumber.

“I have a surprise for you,” his voice held a singsong lilt.

“More surprises?” she chuckled softly. “A girl can only take so much fun in one day.”

“I think you’ll like this one,” he slid a 5x7 photograph into her hands.

Her eyes popped open with rapt fascination, as she ran a finger over the glossy surface, “Is this…um, I mean…is she…” her voice caught in her throat.

“Yes,” he whispered against her ear, “…she’s finally here.”

“When,” she stared mesmerized at the sweet baby face alit with a giggling smile, “…when was she…um, when…born?”

He smiled against her cheek amused at the inarticulate stuttering of his usually lucid wife, “September 25th…she’s just six weeks old.”

“She’s beautiful,” tears threatened in her voice, “…is sheee,” she swallowed back the cry, “…is she really ours? This time, we get to keep her?”

“Yes, she’s really ours. That’s our baby girl…our Lily,” he kissed her cheek.

“Lily…Elise…Rabb,” she reverently whispered the name, drawing out each syllable, afraid the mere mention of their child might erase the dream.

“I love the sound of that,” his voice shook with deep emotion, “…Lily Elise Rabb. I can’t believe after this time,” a tear trailed down his cheek, “…our daughter. Oh Mac, our daughter!”

“Our second daughter,” she gently corrected while caressing his cheek. “When do we get her?”

“Well, how about now?” he slid the plane tickets into her hand.

“Now?” She turned in his embrace, “What do you mean now?!”

“I mean we fly out on Monday,” he beamed with pride at the unexpected surprise. “The adoption agency wants us in China for legal proceedings on Wednesday.” She stared at him with mouth agape. “If all goes well,” he tapped her nose, “…we should be able to bring our daughter home within the week.”

“Monday? But…but…how?”

“Apparently your diplomatic connections came in handy,” he smiled when her mouth silently opened and closed in rapid succession like a fish. While he was known to be flustered for words on occasion, she could usually recited a dispassionate plan with perfect fluency.

“ But…but…we have so much to do! We’re…we’re not ready…we don’t have anything for a baby.” Her hands started to fly at a frenzied pace, “We need diapers, bottles, a car seat, clothes.” She looked up with panic, “We don’t even have a crib!”

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he tried to calm her movements.

“No! No, it’s not! We have so much to do! Why are we just sitting here?” She tried to pull out of his arms, “Harm, come on…we have to get going!”

“Mac!”

“Harm, now…we have to…”

He wrapped his arms around her, and tumbled them down to the ground. They ended up on their sides facing each other.

“Harm, we have to go!”

“No,” he grasped her frantic hand, “…we have to celebrate our good news.”

“But…” she wiggled in his grasp.

He rolled atop her, trapping her beneath a wall of considerable warmth. When she finally quit struggling and stared back at him mouth agape, he smiled, “You okay now?”

“Ah…yes, but…”

“No buts, it’s under control…I promise,” he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Now, take a deep breath,” he moved his face closer to hers, “…close your eyes,” he kissed her closed lids, “…and let it sink in. Savor the wonder for a moment.” His voice was dazed and wistful, “Sweetheart, she’s finally ours…we’re the parents of a baby girl!”

He felt the tears slide down her temple, “This is really happening…after all this time?”

“Yes,” he whispered.

“I’m not gonna wake up from a dream?”

“I promise…this dream is never going to end,” his voice exuded tearful joy. “Now open your eyes.”

She gazed into his, “Thank you…thank you for making this happen.” Tears glazed her eyes bright and shiny, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he kissed her once, “…and I wanna thank you for sticking it out…for not giving up on us…any of us.”

“I couldn’t,” her fingers stroked the nape of his neck before threading into his hair, “…no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make myself leave. That night, all I could do was sit there in the dark arguing with myself.”

“I have to admit…I’m awfully glad your closing arguments were rusty and your summation fizzled that night.”

She giggled at his silliness, “Just kiss me, Sailor.”

“Yes Ma’am,” he happily obliged.

When they pulled back panting, she swatted his backside, “Now, can we go home?”

“Nope,” he grinned unrepentantly.

“But Harm, we have things to do!”

“All taken care of,” his grin grew to full flyboy wattage.

“What are talking you about?” she sighed in mild frustration.

His tongue peaked out, “What do ya think I was doing this afternoon?” When her eyes widened in question, he preened, “Bud and I painted the nursery…walls and trim. The baby furniture is all assembled and sitting in the middle of the room, awaiting your direction.”

“Wha…”

“Oh, and the bedding and curtains are washed and pressed…thanks to Harriet,” he positively beamed.

Her eyes flashed with tears, “You picked it out without me?”

“Of course not,” he soothed, “…you remember when we wandered into that baby boutique a few months back?”

She nodded, “Yeah, I didn’t wanna buy anything…I was afraid to jinx fate.”

“Well, I happen to be a very observant husband,” pride shone through in his smile. “I took note of all the things you loved, then went back the following day and ordered all the furniture and bedding.”

“You mean…”

“Yep, the convertible cherry sleigh bed, dresser, bedside tables, even that overstuffed chenille rocker you sunk into with a dreamy smile. I had it all delivered one weekend while you were out of town on Embassy business and stored it up in the attic.”

Tears dropped from eyes sliding down her temples and into her hair. He scooped her up in his arms, and rolled her onto his chest. “Hey, what’s this all about…did I do something wrong?”

“No…”

Large hands rubbed soothing circles over her back, “Then why all the tears?”

“Haapppy tears,” she cried burying her face in his neck.

“In that case, I’m kind of afraid to show you the next surprise.” She stared at him with disbelief. Reaching into the picnic basket, he pulled out a blanket.

Unfolding the soft pink roll, she chuckled, “Blankie Bear?”

“Yeah,” he shrugged, “…I thought Lily needed something soft and cuddly for the plane trip home. That’s the one you liked best, right?”

“Yeaaah,” her voice quaked with tears, “…but I think she already has something soft and cuddly to curl up with.” She caressed his cheek, “She has her wonderful daddy.”

“And her mom,” he hugged her close, giving her time to collect herself. When she began to shiver in the cool temperatures of the setting autumn sun, he kissed her head. “Ready to head home, sweetheart?”

“Yes,” she rolled off and extended a hand to help him up. He groaned at the effort and helped her collect their things. Hand-in-hand they slowly ambled down the path away from the lake.

As they neared the car, he squeezed her hand, “You up for a quick stop at one of those baby stores?” At her questioning look, he continued, “Lily’s gonna need a special outfit to wear home.”

“She’s gonna need a lot more than that…we may be shopping all night!” She was suddenly giddy with excitement at the possibilities.

“Actually…”

“What?” her shoulders slumped.

“Up for another surprise?” he cringed.

Her hand subconsciously rubbed her chest, “I’m afraid to ask…I’m not sure how much more I can take.”

“Um, this afternoon…uh, Harriet picked up some stuff…”

“Oh,” she sounded disappointed.

“Was that bad?”

“Noooo, it’s just that…I wanted to…” she dug her toe into the dirt.

“Oh sweetheart, don’t worry,” he hurried to cut her off, “…Harriet just picked up a few things. Some diapers and a few sleepers…oh, and some of those t-shirt thingies…”

“You mean onesies?” she laughed.

“Yeah, some of those with the cutest tiny pink rosebuds, but the rest of the baby stuff we can pick out ourselves…well, except for what you get at the baby shower…”

“Baby shower?” she gasped from the whiplash of events.

“Ooops,” he nervously grimaced, “…guess I ruined that surprise.” He chewed his lip, “Tomorrow afternoon…Harriet’s?”

She stopped in the middle of the drive and squinted her eyes tight. Completely overwhelmed, she tried desperately to absorb all the news without whirling dangerously out of orbit. He paused beside her, resting a soothing hand on her back.

“Sweetheart? Are you all right…I mean, if you don’t want the shower.” She shook her head. “Harriet didn’t mean to interfere. It’s just…after everything we’ve been through; our friends wanna share in our joy. Do you want me to tell her no? Or maybe she could reschedule for a few weeks down the road.”

“No, it’s okay…I just need a chance…” she inhaled to ease the skittering sensation of being out of control.

“I know…I got the certified letter yesterday and my head is still spinning. If it hadn’t been for Mattie’s help today, I never would’ve been able to surprise you,” he chimed in.

“Oh,” her expression fell, “…so that’s why Mattie wanted me all to herself today.”

“No!” he shouted. “No Mac, Mattie wanted to talk to you two weeks ago, but you were tied up with that Iraqi reception and had to cancel. Sweetheart, Mattie meant everything she said today. It just so happened that she was also an accomplice in the Lily surprise.” He grinned, “By the way, she can’t wait to meet her baby sister. I e-mailed her a photo last night.”

“So, it’s finally all coming together… one big happy family…after all these years?” Eyes wide in wonder, she dared to hope, all the while reaching for the stars.

“Of course! I promised you didn’t I? And I never break a prom…” he barely had time to drop the picnic basket before she collided with his chest. Arms wrapped around tight, he spun her in the air. Heads thrown back, they giggled with unbridled mirth.

Whispered “I love you’s” caught the wind on feathered wings, and wafted up on high dancing gaily among the celestial bodies of stars and moons. The sweet fulfillment of a destined love long denied but never quenched sang an unending tune.

A young woman staring from a window high smiled in the evening dusk. With thanks of praise to the heavens above, she whispered satisfaction in a plan well done, “That’s certainly one way to bridge a divide.” She giggled with delight.

A hope lived on…

The End

Whew, now I think I need to go back to fluff…these emotional pieces ring the life out of me. I’m thinking, maybe a little Rabb family for the Thanksgiving holiday? We’ll see…

I hope no one was offended in the telling of this tale. Criticism is welcome, as long as it is nicely phrased!