Part 12

10:30

Thursday

5 April 2007

FJA Office

London

He was doing it again. He shook his head in frustration and turned the picture frames, face down on his desk. He’d never had trouble concentrating before, but somehow those pictures of Mac and the baby reached out to him, drawing him into their dreamy reality. Picking up a pen, he tried to concentrate on the documents in front of him, reading and rereading the same paragraph over and over. His hand snaked out to touch the frame. Freezing in place, he chided himself at his complete lack of self-control. Counting to ten, he gave up the fight and righted the pictures once again. He ran his finger over the shiny surface of Benjamin’s face and then laughed out loud. He had it bad…he had become the very same hopeless sap that he’d teased countless others about.

He picked up a frame containing the latest picture of Ben. It was a ridiculous studio portrait with his ‘little man’ perched atop a large green frog. Ben was holding on for dear life and laughing merrily at the camera.

He set the photo back in its rightful spot and snatched up the next frame. Mac had a portrait taken of her and the baby. She was casually dressed in jeans and a white cotton oxford with bare feet. Ben was wearing denim overall shorts and nothing else. The photographer had caught the pair laughing in delight as Mac lifted the baby over her head. Harm bit his bottom lip and wished away his soul to be in that picture with the rest of his family.

His intercom buzzed to life, “Captain, I have an overnight package just delivered for you.”

He set the picture aside, “Thanks, Alice…you can bring it in.”

The door opened a second later, as the petty officer dropped the box onto his desk. “Sir, an Admiral Chegwidden just called. He said he was in town for a brief layover and hoped to meet with you in about an hour. I can move your 11:00 appointment with Commander Newman to this afternoon, if you’d like?”

Harm nodded to his yeoman, “That would be great, Alice…Dismissed.” As she turned to leave, he added, “Let me know when AJ…ah, Admiral Chegwidden arrives.”

“Yes Sir.”

As soon as the door closed, he picked up the package from his desk, smiling immediately at the return address. Grabbing a letter opener, he tore into the box and grinned at the contents. The note on top simply said, ‘Thought you might be ready to start a new book. See ya soon. Love, Mac and Ben.’ He reached back into the box and withdrew the next book in the Winnie the Pooh series. Inside the cover was a new DVD.

Mac had purchased a DVD camcorder for both of them. She used hers to send frequent videos of Ben’s latest antics and achievements. His had served an entirely different purpose. Despite daily phone calls, she thought Ben would feel more connected to Dada if he could see his face, as well as hear his voice. So Mac had suggested that Harm talk to Ben through the video. In addition, he had decided it would be fun to share bedtime stories with his son…the Winnie the Pooh books had served just that purpose. Initially, he felt a little silly reading to an empty room; but with Mac’s encouragement, he became more animated…adding voices and sound effects to highlight each of the fictional characters.

He placed the book on his desk and walked over to the television set in the corner of his office. Cuing up the DVD player, he hit the play button and settled into an adjacent chair to watch. As the video came into focus, he saw Ben sitting on the rug playing with his stuffed Piglet and Pooh Bear. Mac appeared before her TV and hit play on her own DVD recorder. Harm’s face appeared on the screen, calling Ben’s name. Mac called out to their munchkin and pointed to the TV, “Benjamin, who’s that?”

The baby looked up and squealed, bouncing up and down on his bottom, “Dada…Dada...Dadadadada.” He tucked a leg under his body and drew up an all fours, then rocked back and forth on his hands and knees.”

Harm grinned at the new trick displayed on the video, “That’s my big boy. Come to Daddy.”

Ben reached out a hand toward the TV and jabbered, “Dada…bye-bye.” He then rocked forward and propelled his body, crawling toward the screen. Harm’s eyes widened in amazement at the feat. Crawling right up to the front of the TV, Ben reached up to grab hold and pulled himself to a stand. He patted the screen over Harm’s face, happily babbling on, “Dada…Dada…Dada.”

He watched another 20 minutes until the scene changed, then hit stop. He would need to wait until he was home to watch the rest. Scrubbing his fingers through his hair, he sighed and muttered to himself, “Two more days…they’ll be here in two more days.” He walked back to his desk; he needed to get some work done, if he had any hope of spending time with his loved ones this weekend.

Ten minutes later, he was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Enter,” was his barked response.

The door opened to reveal AJ, dressed in casual clothes and smiling brightly in welcome. “Harm, it good to see you.”

Harm jumped up from his desk and walked to the door, extended his hand, “Sir, it’s good to see you too. What brings you through London?”

AJ frowned in that commanding way that made Harm stand a little straighter. “Harm, I’m retired now. Let’s dispense with formality…it’s AJ.”

Harm nodded back with a smile, “Alright AJ…what brings you here? I can’t imagine London is a normal layover on the way to Italy.”

AJ laughed, “Guess Mac told you about Marcella and me. So, how are things here in London…enjoying your command?”

Harm sobered, “Not exactly, but then I expect you already know that.”

AJ nodded, “So, I’ve heard.” He gestured toward a chair, “Mind if we sit down and talk?”

They both took a seat in front of Harm’s desk. “So, the SecNav send you my way?”

AJ shrugged, “Something like that. What’s going on, son? I thought for sure you’d stick it out all the way to the JAG?”

Harm looked away, “Other things come along. I’m not interested in pandering to politicians.”

AJ raised a brow at that, “I hear you there…can’t say I disagree, and I lived through it.” He reclined back into the chair, “So, you’re getting out? Have any plans?”

Harm’s expression brightened as he reached out to retrieve a picture frame. Handing it to AJ, he smiled, “Only the same ones I’ve been waiting for, for ten and a half years.”

AJ took the frame and studied the picture of Mac and Ben, “So, you two are finally getting it right?” He shook his head, “I knew you two were headed in that direction clear back in that rose garden. How it took you ten years to figure it out is beyond me…I’ve never seen two people dance around each other so long.” He handed the frame back, “So, who’s the baby…I didn’t think…well, back at your promotion party…ah,” he scratched his head, “…ah, when I saw Mac, she wasn’t….”

Harm laughed at the flustered attempt to sort things out. “That’s Benjamin Carter Rabb…our son.” As AJ’s eyebrows rose to his absent hairline, Harm grinned triumphantly, “He was Mac’s godson, but his parents were killed in a car accident two months ago.” He shrugged, “So, now he’s ours.”

AJ pursed his lips, “Wow, so you’re starting with a ready-made family. You OK with that?”

Harm ran a finger over the picture, “I couldn’t be more OK with it, if I’d planned it myself. He’s absolutely amazing, AJ. I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love so hard and so fast in my life…well, except for Mac. Besides, with Mac’s health problems, we may not be able to have any of our own.”

AJ sat up straight, “Mac’s sick?”

Harm shook his head, “Nothing serious, it’s just that…she has a…” he was unsure how much to share.

AJ waved him off, “Don’t worry about it…as long as she’s going to be OK, that’s all that’s important. So you’re a father now? How’s that feel?”

Harm beamed, “Incredible…I just wish I could be there with them right now. Actually, they coming for a visit in a couple of days…any chance you’ll be around?”

“Nah, I’m only in town for a few hours. I’ll have to catch you stateside. Any idea on the wedding date?”

Harm placed the picture back on his desk, “End of June sometime…we plan to firm up the date this weekend. It’s going to be a small private affair, outside at my folk’s house. We’d be happy to have you attend.”

“I just might.” AJ looked around the office, “So, any way I can talk you into staying in the Navy?”

“I’ve made my choice,” he declared firmly.

AJ leaned forward, “Are you sure about that? When you came back after that CIA nightmare, I thought for sure you were a lifer.”

Harm stood and motioned for AJ to follow him, “AJ, if the last few years have taught me nothing else…it’s that…if I keep chasing my past, my future’s going to walk right out that door. I’m tired of putting off what I really want,” he hit the play button on the recorder. The playful images and happy sounds of Benjamin and Mac filled the room. He pointed to the screen, “That’s what it’s all about now, AJ…they’re all I need to make me happy. The Navy doesn’t even come close.”

AJ clamped a hand on the younger man’s shoulder, “You’re right, son…and I’m glad you figured it out a whole lot sooner than I did. Don’t let anyone talk you out of that piece of heaven…there’s nothing that can compete with what you have there.” At Harm’s questioning gaze, AJ grinned, “I said the SecNav sent me…I didn’t say I agreed with him. Good luck, Harm. Give my best to Mac and the baby, and stay in touch…I can’t wait to see what the next generation of Rabbs is up to.”

“We will, Sir…don’t be a stranger, Mac would love to see you again.” He escorted AJ to the door, “We’ll make sure you get that wedding invitation.”

***

He managed to rein it in for the next four hours, and accomplish what seemed like a week’s worth of work. Rubbing a hand over his tired eyes, he glanced at his watch. Already 16:30, he shifted the files to the side and contemplated calling Mac, then remembered she was in the middle of a meeting in D.C. Resting his head against the back of the chair, he wondered how Ben was fairing in the chaos of the Roberts’ household. So they could travel directly to London from D.C., Mac had taken Ben along to Washington. Harriet had offered to baby-sit with the caveat, ‘Who’ll notice one more when we already have four.’ He chuckled, Ben was probably overwhelmed by the four ‘whirling hurricanes’; a term that aptly described Bud and Harriet’s kids.

The ringing of his cell phone roused him from his thoughts, “Rabb.”

“Hey Sailor, ready for some company?”

Suddenly revitalized, he grinned, “Hey sweetheart. I can’t tell you how ready I am. I spent half my morning staring at the pictures on my desk…I’ve decided I’m a hopeless sap.”

She laughed, “We miss you too, Harm.”

“So you’re still coming? No delays or anything?” He heard Benjamin jabbering in the background, and his heart ached at the sense of longing.

“Well…”

He deflated, “Oh Mac…I don’t think I’ll survive…”

“Hold on, Sailor…Ben wants to tell you something.”

He tried to suppress his disappointment, “Hey little man, what’cha doing? Daddy misses you.” A knock at his door interrupted the conversation. “Hang on, Mac…I just need to….” His mouth dropped open at the sight of his visitors, “Mac, how…” was voiced into the phone.

She smiled at his expression, “You can hang up now, Harm. You don’t need the phone, when we can talk in person.” She came around his desk and stopped before her still stunned and speechless fiancÈ.

Benjamin lunged toward Harm. Screeching in loud voice, “Dada…Dada,” he threw his chubby arms around Harm’s neck in a stranglehold.

Harm closed his eyes and held on tight. AJ was right; this was heaven and he didn’t intend to ever let go.

Mac stood back smiling at her of guys. After several moments, Harm opened his eyes and extended an arm in invitation. She stepped into his embrace and fell willingly into his kiss. As she tried to pull away, his lips followed hers for a second more dazzling kiss. When they parted to catch their breath, she gasped, “Harm, you’re in the office…what if someone comes in.”

He shook his head, “I don’t care…I’ve missed you, both of you.”

She reached up to caress his cheek, “We’ve missed you, too. That’s why we stole away early from D.C.” He nuzzled his cheek against hers and refused to release her from his embrace. “Harm? Sweetheart, is something wrong?”

He whispered into her ear, “No, everything is perfectly, wonderfully right.” With a deep sigh, he finally let her go and collapsed into his office chair with Benjamin still hanging on for dear life.

She leaned back on the top of his desk and studied his face. “Harm, what’s going on? I’ve never seen you this…” she waved her hands at a loss for words.

He ran his hand up her leg and then grabbed her hand. “AJ stopped by today.” Ben turned his face toward Harm and placed a slobbery open-mouth kiss on his cheek.

At Harm’s wary expression, she chuckled, “That’s one of his new tricks…they’re supposed to be kisses.” She wiggled a finger in his direction, “Just wait until he gets you with his mouth full of food…those are even messier.”

He turned to place a kiss on Ben cheek in return, “I can’t wait. I want to see all of his new ticks. I can’t believe how much I’ve missed already.” An expression of sadness and regret overshadowed his handsome face.

She grew more concerned, “Harm, something’s going on…what is it?”

He shook his head, “Nothing really…I’m just being,” he shrugged. “Did I tell you AJ stopped by? The SecNav sent him….”

Her hand flew to her mouth, “Oh no, he’s not going to let you go in June is he? The Navy’s going to delay your retirement?”

He tugged on her hand to pull her closer, “No, no…it’s nothing like that. Relax…I’m still getting out when we planned.” When she released a breath of relief, he continued, “The SecNav did send AJ to talk me out of retiring, but I told him…my future was more important than the Navy.” He lifted her hand to place a kiss on her palm, “And you and the baby are my future. You know what’s funny? AJ agreed with me. He said he was glad I’d figured everything out a lot sooner than he did, and that I should hold on tight to my piece of heaven.”

Mac grinned, “I have a feeling that’s not exactly what the SecNav had in mind, when he sent AJ to talk to you.”

“No…in fact, AJ’s exact words were, ‘I said the SecNav sent me…I didn’t say I agreed with him,’” Harm parroted in an Admiral tone of voice.

She stroked his cheek, “So, you’re retirement is still a go…and we showed up early. Why the sober expression, Sailor? You’re not having second thoughts about leaving the military, are you?”

“No! It’s just been one of those days. I spent the majority of the morning trying to convince myself, I could survive the next two days until you arrived. AJ appeared out of the blue, at the request of the SecNav. And finally, you and Ben showed-up two days early. I guess I’m just a little overwhelmed.”

She pointed her thumb toward the door, “I guess Ben and I could leave and come back on Saturday as planned.”

He placed an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side, “Oh no, you don’t…you’re not going anywhere. How did you happen to get away early, anyways?”

“I guess everyone wanted a jump start on their holiday weekend. I’ve never seen a room full of officers agree on legal matters so quickly, even Cresswell was impressed.” She sighed in exasperation, “You won’t believe who he’s sending to San Diego as Bernice’s replacement.” At his expectant look, she threw up her hands, “Vukovic…I managed to avoid that low-life, lying scum for two years. Why do I have to put up with him now?”

Harm laughed, “Tell me how you really feel. Sweetheart, it’s only for four months then he can’t bother you anymore. Besides, it’s been two years…maybe he’s changed. I heard they paired him with Sturgis, if anyone could make the lieutenant toe the line…it’s Sturgis.”

She picked at her nail, “I don’t know about that. If the leering insubordinate looks, he threw my way the last few days, are any indication…I’d say he’s the same old slimy lecherous weasel.”

That got Harm’s hackles roused, “If he tries anything with you, he’ll have to deal with me.”

She smiled at her fiery protector, reaching up to caress his cheek, “You really are my knight in dress blues, aren’t you?” She leaned in for a quick kiss, and winked, “It’s OK…I’m sure I can handle him. After all, I can always feed his as…” she glanced toward Ben and amended, “…ah, six to the crabs.”

He leaned in smiling against her lips, “That’s my Marine…he’ll never know what hit him. Besides, I’ll never tell where we hid the body.” His smile faded as he kissed her slow and sweet.

Ben pulled back to study his parents and then squealing with delight, placed a loud wet smacking kiss of his own on Dada’s cheek. Harm reached up and wiped away the slobber to Mac’s utter enjoyment. Throwing her a glare, he held the baby up face-to-face, “Benjamin, my son…we have got to work on your kissing technique. The girls will never….”

Mac cleared her voice, “Harm, do you really want to lecture our son on his kissing prowess, because I have no intention of allowing him to utilize it any time soon.”

He returned a sheepish look, “I ah…I guess not. What do you say we get out of here?” He glanced around the room, “Where’s all your stuff? How’d you get here, anyways?”

She reached for the baby, but Ben buried his face in Harm’s neck and held on tight. She shook her head; clearly she was going to be second choice for the next few days. “We took a cab, Harm. Our luggage and other odds and ends are with Alice.” She waltzed through the door, “Is Mattie still coming?”

He shifted Ben in his arms, “Yeah, her plane gets in on Saturday. She’s really excited to meet her little brother.” He closed the door on the way out, but circled back to grab the Winnie the Pooh book. “I think we’re going to need this.” His eyes grew wide with excitement, “I actually get to read to Ben in person, tonight.”

“Coming flyboy?”

“Right behind you, Marine.” He threw his own leer her way, muttering, “And oh, what a fabulous sight it is.”

***

21:30

Thursday

5 April 2007

Harm’s Flat

London

Mac walked into the bedroom to find Harm and Ben sprawled out on the bed. Ben was lying on his stomach, sound asleep, while Harm hovered at his side watching every breath. “What are you doing, Harm?” she whispered.

He never took his eyes off the baby, “He finally conked out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with that much energy before.”

She began unpacking their luggage, “He slept most of the flight over…plus this is when he usually takes a nap at home. We should set up the portable crib. I don’t want him to roll off the bed…he likes to move around in his sleep.”

Harm rolled onto his side and propped his head in his hand. “We can move him later. I just want to lay here with him for awhile.” He reached out to push a lock of dark hair off Ben’s forehead. The baby snuggled a little closer to his Daddy’s side. Harm smiled and ran his finger lightly over Ben’s chubby cheek and down to his lips. The baby instinctively sucked harder on the thumb in his mouth. Leaning over to kiss the soft cheek, he whispered, “He’s so perfect, Mac. It’s like he was made for us...he even has your eyes and my hair,” he fingered the cowlick that made the baby’s soft hair stick up in front.

She came over and sat on the bed next to the baby, “I noticed that,” she reached out to run her fingers through Harm’s cowlick, “…think we’ll have to cut his hair like yours.”

Harm laid his head on the bed next to Ben’s, “He can wear it any way he wants,” he paused for a moment in reflection, “…except long…no long hair on our sons. Our daughter can wear it long.”

She laid down on the bed and turned toward Harm, with the baby sandwiched between them, “So, you’re planning on having at least three? I noticed you said sons and daughter.”

He rested a hand on the cute little diaper clad bottom, “Sounds good to me…I’ll take as many as we can have.” He saw the saddened expression take over her face. “Mac, I didn’t mean….”

Her eyes glistened, “I know…it’s just that we may never have any of our own.” She laid her hand on the baby’s back and rubbed it in gentle circles.

He placed his hand on top hers, “Mac, our children will always be our own whether we give birth to them or not. Can you tell me you would love Ben more if you’d carried him for nine months?”

She looked up and met his eyes with determination, “Of course not…I love Ben because of who he is not where he came from.”

He smiled back, “Exactly…that’s exactly how I feel about both Mattie and Ben. So it doesn’t matter whether they have our genetic make-up, we’ll love them no matter what. And yes, I would like to have at least a couple more…but only one daughter.” At her confused expression, he continued with a grin, “It takes a lot of work to keep hormonal teenage boys away; I don’t think I can handle doing it more than once. I’d rather be the father of the boys…that way, I can keep them in line.”

She grinned in challenge, “Oh yeah, by teaching them kissing techniques?”

He rolled his eyes, “Rookie mistake…it won’t happen again.

She pondered aloud, “I think you might be right about only one girl.” He raised a brow encouraging her to continue. “Harm, if we have a daughter, she’ll have you wrapped around her little finger. She’ll get whatever she wants just by batting her eyes.”

“Probably,” he leaned in to kiss her, “…especially if she looks like you.”

Benjamin stirred in his sleep and Harm gently patted his back to settle him again. When he looked back toward her, his expression had sobered, “Mac, tell me about Ben’s first parents?”

She propped her head on her hand, “Bernice and Dan…they were really special people. I met Bernice when I was stationed in Bosnia. She was assigned as my legal assist. I guess she decided she liked the law, because she applied to law school a couple of years later. She was subsequently assigned to Pearl, which is where she met Dan. He had just finished six months sea duty.” She turned to him with a huge grin, “I did mention that Bernice was a marine and Dan was Navy, right?”

Harm chuckled, “No, but that makes our getting Ben that much more appropriate.”

“Anyway, they got married a year later and started trying to have kids, right away. They weren’t too concerned for the first couple of years, because Dan was at sea six months at a time. When Bernice got transferred to San Diego under my command, they started looking into infertility options. She was started on an oral medication of some kind and was able to get pregnant within a few months. Actually she found out she was pregnant on Halloween.” She grinned, “You won’t believe how she told Dan. She asked him what he wanted for Halloween…a trick…or a treat…then she handed him the positive pregnancy test. The pregnancy progressed without problems, and Dan was supposed to return to port two weeks before Bernice’s due date. His carrier got delayed due to mechanical problems and he missed the delivery.”

Harm frowned, “That’s why I wouldn’t want to fly again…I couldn’t imagine missing my child’s birth. It must be amazing to see them take their first breath, to count all their fingers and toes, to hold them in your arms that first time.”

Mac stroked a finger over Ben’s cheek, “Yeah, it really was. Since, Dan couldn’t be there, Bernice asked me to step in. Harm, it was so incredible. I think part of the reason, Bernice and I got so close again, was because of the infertility issues. You know…kind of like kindred spirits. I think that was also why they asked me to be Ben’s godmother. If something happened to them, they wanted Ben to go to someone who really understood what an amazing gift he is.”

Harm reached up to caress her cheek, “He is a gift…and we’ll never let him forget how much he’s loved and treasured by all four of his parents.” He rested his hand on the baby’s back once again, as the shadow of his earlier melancholy mood returned.

“Harm? What’s wrong, you’ve been in a weird mood, off and on, all evening?”

“It just that,” he rolled to his back and stared at the ceiling, “…I’ve missed most of his life. I mean, we didn’t get him until he was 7 months old…and since then, I’ve hardly been around. When I watched that DVD today and saw him crawling and standing for the first time, I realized how much I’ve missed out on. By the time I get home, he’ll be almost a year old.”

“Would you rather I not send so many videos and pictures. I thought you would enjoy them, but if they just upset you.”

“No,” he declared and then lowered is voice, “…no, I want to see every ‘first time.’ I just hate missing the first year of my son’s life.”

“Harm,” she reached for his hand, “…he knows who you are…we’ve made sure that he has that connection to you. Shoot, he threw himself into your arms today and didn’t vacate that position until he fell asleep. I know you want to be with us all the time, but we have to be patient. In two months, you’ll be home and you’ll never have to be away from him ever again.”

“I guess,” he yawned, “…it’s just that I waited a really long time for all of this, and I don’t want to wait any longer.”

“I understand…believe me I understand, I was the one there waiting right along with you.” She tugged on his hand, “Now give me a goodnight kiss and get some sleep, Sailor…I think you’re starting to get punchy.”

He closed his eyes and yawned, “Love you, Mac.”

“I love you too, Harm…and so does Ben.”

***

11:00

Saturday

7 April 2007

Harm’s Flat

London

“Mac, what the heck is taupe?”

She stuck her head around the corner, “It’s a color, Harm. If you’ll wait a minute, I’ll come in there and explain it all to you. Just let me finish changing Ben and get him settled for a nap. By the way, what time does Mattie’s flight get in?”

“Um 14:00, I think…I’ll need to head to the airport by 12:30.”

She walked through the room with Ben nestled on her shoulder. “Don’t you mean, ‘we’ need to head out?”

He yelled back, “Mac, if Ben’s napping, I don’t want to wake him. I can pick-up Mattie and bring her back home.”

She walked back into the room and sat next to him on the sofa, “Harm, I don’t want Mattie to think, we didn’t want to be there to welcome her home. I worry that she’ll think we’re replacing her with Ben.”

“It’s OK…I already told her it would probably just be me at the airport. I’d rather Ben take a good nap and be happy later on, then go to the crowded airport and be crabby all night. His schedule has been thrown for a loop as it is.”

She snuggled into his side, “We’ll see…if he’s awake, we all go. Now, let me explain these samples.”

“Mac, why do we have to repaint the house? I thought the white was a nice neutral color…you know, goes with anything?”

She took the sample book from his hands, “Harm, the house has some amazing architectural details, but you don’t really notice them because everything’s the same color. Plus the white makes the rooms feel cold. I want to paint the walls one color and the trim work, columns, etc. a second.” She pulled out paint samples, “This is the taupe color for the walls and I want to paint the trim a pearl white.”

He flipped through the cards, “Can’t we just wait until I get home to decide?”

“No Harm, I want to get everything painted before we move in. So unless you want to spend your first couple of weeks home, painting and remodeling, instead of say…oh, I don’t know…going on your honeymoon! I say we get professional painters in to do all the work in the next month.”

He rolled his eyes, “Those are my choices? Painting or honeymooning? Gee, I don’t know,” he held up a hand, “…painting the house or,” he held up his other hand, “…spending a week alone with my beautiful wife on an island paradise. I say let the painters have at it.”

She grinned mischievously, “I thought you’d see it my way. And who says, we’re going to be alone on that island paradise? I thought for sure you’d want to take Ben along?”

He pushed her backwards onto the couch and covered her body with his, leering hungrily, “Not a chance, sweetheart. Except for Christmas, we haven’t been alone for one minute since we got engaged. I love my son, but he is not coming along on our honeymoon. Grandma, Grandpa, Evie and Mattie will spoil him rotten in our absence.” He moved his face closer to hers, “For one week you are all mine…and trust me, you won’t have the time or the inclination to miss anyone at home.”

She placed her hand on the back of his head, pulling his closer. “Promise?”

He hovered just above her lips, “Absolutely…and I don’t make promises I don’t intend to keep.” He kissed her lips then worked his way down her neck.

“Kitchen Appliances!”

He pulled back, “What?!!!”

She smiled and flipped a page in the sample book that had fallen to the floor. “Kitchen appliances…I thought you might want to upgrade to some of the high-end European models.”

He stared at her, “Mac, I’m kissing you and you want to discuss kitchen appliances?”

Her smile grew, “I thought you would enjoy cooking in a gourmet kitchen. Evie suggested Thermador or Viking, but….”

As he dipped back in to feast on her neck, his eyes caught sight of the brochure for the commercial grade Viking cooktop. He paused mid dip, “Incredible! If I let you paint the house taupe…can I have that?” he pointed to the picture.

She laughed, “You flyboys are all a like…show you a new toy and you’re easily distracted. Did you see the picture of the Thermador double convection oven?”

He grinned, “I love it when you talk kitchenware…how about refrigerators?”

“Don’t need one, already have a built-in Sub-Zero…but there is an interesting Bosch dishwasher available.”

He rubbed his cheek against hers, “You really have gotten into this cooking thing.”

She ran her foot down his calf, “Yep, think of all the possibilities…cooking together can be so….”

He kissed her ear, whispering, “Absolutely.”

“Now about furniture?!”

He threw his head back and laughed, “Mac, this book is so NOT going on our honeymoon, either!”