Part 14
13:35
Sunday
23 June 2007
Somewhere over the Continental USA
Mac shifted in her sleep, settling her head more firmly against his shoulder. Harm smiled and placed a kiss on his wife’s hair. ‘His wife’…Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Junior…Sarah MacKenzie-Rabb, the name rippled through his mind and rolled silently off his tongue. She was finally his…for all eternity…forever…his Sarah. He wanted to tell everyone that after 11 years of waiting and wanting and wishing…that she was finally his! He reached for her hand and rubbed his thumb over her wedding band.
Lifting her hand to place a kiss on her finger, she stirred to nuzzle her face into his neck. Blinking her eyes, she whispered, “Harm?”
He placed a kiss on her cheek, “Sssh, go back to sleep, sweetheart.” She inhaled deeply and her breathing evened out once again. He smiled in satisfaction at her exhaustion; he’d worn her out last night. Of course, it didn’t help that she’d had to work right up until the wedding. Cresswell had insisted that her XO be prepped on all pending cases, meetings, and every other bit of minutia he could think of, before her departure Friday evening. He could have sworn that the JAG was paying them back for their retirement requests. Since he was already out, that left Mac to bare the brunt of the backlash.
She’d barely made it home for their rehearsal dinner. Thankful, the ceremony was simple and his mother and Evie had taken care of most of the wedding details. The last week had flown by. Somehow, he’d managed to move all their belonging, arrange for delivery of the new furniture, set-up service for the utilities, and organize and unpack the various boxes and essentials. They would be able to come home to ‘their’ house after the honeymoon. No more sharing with his folks. Not that he minded spending the last week with them, his mom and Frank had been great, but he wanted ‘his’ family to be in ‘his own’ home to start their new life.
The wedding yesterday had been perfect. The weather reports had predicted rain; but as if someone from above was smiling on them, the sun had shone with nary a cloud in the sky. Their vows were exchanged beneath a pergola perched high on the bluff overlooking the ocean outside his parents’ home. They both decided to wear white linen in keeping with the simple unpretentious ceremony. Mac had looked beautiful in a sleeveless linen dress, while he wore a short-sleeved shirt and linen trousers. She said it was as close as he could come to summer Naval attire without all the pomp and circumstance.
Mattie had served, as Mac’s maid-of-honor, and was dressed in periwinkle blue. Frank was his best man, a privilege he had gladly bestowed on the older man, who had served as his father in one form or fashion for over 25 years. When Mattie asked Mac, who was going to give her away, his Sarah had replied, ‘No one…I’ve been looking out for myself for 20 years. Who’s better qualified to give me away to the man that I love than me.’ She carried Ben in her arms down the aisle instead of flowers. Their son being the best wedding gift they could give each other. When it came time to exchange the rings, they had simply untied the satin bow on the baby’s linen sailor suit to remove the golden wedding bands. Even Ben had an integral role to play in his parents’ matrimonial festivities.
They kissed before the small crowd of well-wishers and enjoyed a light luncheon on the back terrace, before cutting the cake and escaping in a limousine for their wedding night celebration. The flights to the Bahamas had been timed such that, they would have had to spend their wedding night in the air. They opted for a celebration at the Ritz Carlton on Laguana Niguel before catching the Sunday morning flight to the Burnett cottage on the islands. Finally after an eternity of waiting, they were alone…no family or friends…just two lovers, a husband and wife, united to love and in love…no interruptions, no phone calls, no knocks at the door. He’d finally made her his in every way…loving her as he’d always dreamed and wanted.
He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, happy beyond his wildest imaginations and dreams. His last wakeful thought was that even winged in flight high above the heavens, he’d never felt this degree of rapture.
***
09:30
Monday
24 June 2007
The Burnett Cottage
The Bahama Islands
Harm hung up the phone after ordering a breakfast feast to be delivered to their private bedroom patio over looking the beach. Mac had been pleasantly surprised at the sight of the dwelling, he and his family euphemistically called their ‘cottage’ in the Bahamas. In all honesty, the cottage was more aptly termed a villa. The house contained several bedrooms and baths, formal living spaces, outdoor patios and rested on a beautiful private beach. They had a team of caregivers at their disposal for the week; people to attend to food preparation, chauffeuring, shopping, cleaning, and the like. The property also included a sailboat, which he intended to put to good use during their honeymoon vacation.
They had arrived late last evening and after a midnight snack, had retired to the master suite to enjoy other pleasurable activities. He grinned at the thought of said activities, if they kept this up…Mac would be in no shape to return to work the following week. At least, he had the advantage of being currently unemployed, as they looked for office space for the new law practice.
He had just finished talking with his mother, both Ben and Mattie were fairing well in their absence. Ben had taken an immediate liking to Evie, and the surrogate great grandmother was living up to her current role as spoiler and indulger. He shook his head; Ben might never want to come home.
He wandered back into the bedroom area of the master suite and sat down on the edge of the bed. Mac was still sound asleep much to his extraordinary delight. He had the advantage of being somewhere between London and San Diego time…perfect for their current jump of three time zones. Mac, on the other hand, was firmly on California time, minus several hours due to a ‘flyboy layover’ compliments of Airline Rabb. He grinned at the euphemism; he’d have to share that one with Mac…later, much later.
He rolled onto his side and watched his wife in sleep. She’d had the opportunity to study him at Christmas, now it was his turn to ‘investigate the wonder that was her’, as he’d so aptly commented on that holiday morn. He moved cautiously forward, trying not to shift the mattress. Resting his head on his hand, he ran a finger in a feather light caress down her bare skin. He was amazed at its softness. The sheet rested low on her back, exposing her sun-kissed skin. He drew lines to and fro, along her ribs and spine, enchanted by the goose bumps that appeared in his wake. He shifted closer still and placed a soft kiss on her shoulder; she shivered in response and turned her face toward him. Running his foot down the edge of the blanket, he lifted the bedding from her leg. His foot caressed her calf as each inch of skin was revealed. He smiled when her toes came into view; her nails were painted a deep red. He mused that he’d been right…red really was his favorite color on her. As his hand dipped under the sheet and trailed up her back, he changed his mind…bare skin was new his favorite color, with red a close second.
He brushed his fingers through her hair, tucking it behind her ear. The side of her face came into full view. Although she was relaxed in sleep, he could still detect the contentment and joy that lay hidden in the hint of a smile that tugged at the corners of lips. He laid his hand softly on her cheek and rubbed his thumb over her full lips. She pursed her mouth in response then smiled as she wrapped her hand around his, kissing his palm in return.
She tucked their joined hands under her chin and released a musical satisfied sigh, “Morning Sailor, have you finished your investigation of me, yet?”
He rolled onto his back, pulling her atop his chest, “Nope,” came the laughing reply, “…I’m just getting started. I figure it will take at least another 40 or 50 years before I fully map out all your wonders.”
She looked up and smiled, “Only 40 or 50, I was thinking at least 100 years or eternity, which ever comes last.” She ran her hand along his abdomen, “So, how’s Ben handling our absence?”
“How would I know,” he feigned ignorance.
She shook her head with a grunt, “Harm, I know you’ve already called home this morning. You’re worse than me when it comes to leaving him behind.”
He sighed at being found out, “He’s just fine. Evie’s spoiling him rotten…he may never want to come home.”
“Don’t worry, Daddy,” she reached up to smooth the worry lines, “…when we walk out of that terminal next Saturday, he’ll being throwing himself into your arms…he always does. Besides, I thought this week was supposed to be about you and me.”
He ran his fingers down her back and under the sheet, caressing her skin, “Oh don’t you worry Mrs. Rabb…there will be plenty of you and me this week.” At her happy sigh, he leaned down to kiss the top of her head, “I ordered breakfast to be served on our patio…it should be here in a few minutes.”
She frowned, “What time is it, anyway?”
He raised a brow, “You don’t know what time it is? I knew my kisses suspended your clock for an hour or two, but I haven’t kissed you since,” he contemplated the time, “…well, a few hours, anyways.”
She buried her face in his chest and muttered, “Apparently other activities have longer lasting effects.”
His smile grew to the full-blown cocky flyboy variety, “Oh this has definite potential.” He laughed, “How long a delay are we talking?”
She shrugged, but kept her face buried, “Don’t know…the last time I knew the time was before our wedding. Your Mom kept us apart after the rehearsal dinner, so I didn’t kiss you until the ceremony…since then, I have no idea.” She chanced a glance in his direction, “And you can wipe that egotistical grin right of your face, mister.”
His smile dimmed, but only slightly, “Well then, I guess my wedding gift to you is more appropriate than I imagined.” He sat up in bed, resting his back against the pillows and pulled her to his side. Reaching into the drawer of the nightstand, he withdrew an ornately wrapped box, “This is for you, sweetheart…thank you for becoming my wife.”
She took the gift and removed the wrappings. Opening the square box, she found a gold wristwatch with diamonds encircling the face. As she traced the smooth surface of the band, she whispered, “It’s beautiful, but you didn’t have to….”
He removed the watch from the case, “Yes, I did,” he turned it over to reveal the inscription on the back, “…I thought we should have a matching set.” The engraving matched the inscription she’d placed on his, ‘Love for all ETERNITY, Harm.’
She leaned up to place a kiss on his lips, “Thank you and I love you…for eternity.”
He whispered the words in return then fastened the watch around her wrist, “There…now you’re dressed for breakfast.”
She raised her brow and laughed, “Wearing only a watch?”
He grinned, “Works for me…I wouldn’t want you to be overdressed.”
She lifted the edge of the blanket and peered beneath, “Well, seeing as you’re wearing boxers, it would appear that you’re the one that’s overdressed.”
He wrinkled his nose and settled the sheet back in place, “Mere technicality.” Pulling her into his arms, he kissed the back of her neck, “So, you like the watch?”
“I love the watch…and apparently, I’m going to need it,” she reached for his hand and rubbed her finger over his wedding band.
“If I have anything to say about it…you’ll need that timepiece from now on. I guess the eternity has more than one meaning.”
She leaned more heavily into his embrace, still stroking the surface of his ring, “Harm, do you like your ring?”
He rested his chin on her shoulder, watching her movements, “I love my ring…why?”
She sighed, “I wasn’t sure you would like the inset diamonds.” She ran her finger over the channel cut in the gold, which housed three diamonds. “I know you usually like something simpler, but these have special meaning.”
“How so?” he whispered against her ear and felt her shiver in response.
“The three diamonds are for our three chances of fate…you know, three chances for a nickel. I wanted to remember that magical Christmas night when we both finally got it right.” She lifted his hand and placed a kiss on the ring.
He tipped her head back and whispered against her lips, “Your nickel trumped my dime of fate…I’ll never forget, Sarah,” before opening his mouth to deepen the kiss.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door, “Mr. Rabb, your breakfast is here…I was wondering if you’d like me to set it up on your patio?”
Harm winked at his bride, “Just a minute, James…I’ll be right there.” He got up from the bed and tossed a robe at Mac, before pulling on his own.
She grinned mischievously, “But, I thought I was adequately attired in my new watch?”
He shook his head, “For me, yes…but I have no intention of sharing your beauty with the chef.” He tugged on her hand, pulling her from the bed and wrapped her in the silk robe. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m famished. I worked up quite the appetite last night.”
Her stomach growled on command, “Right back at you, Sailor.”
***
They spent the day aboard the sailboat, riding the waves and sunbathing off the deck. Once aboard, she removed her cover-up with a flourish and a smile, to reveal a bright red swimsuit, the perfect match to her lacquered pedicure. His eyes danced with delight at her obvious selection of attire in deference to his desires. They applied sunscreen to one another with a teasing touch, interspersed with caresses of lips and words of love.
Dinner was enjoyed at one of the local restaurants, which specialized in fresh seafood, caught off the coast, and prepared according to local island cuisine and custom.
Returning to the cottage, they took an evening stroll along the beach. Hand in hand they chased the waves that advanced and retreated onto the shore. The night air was warm and humid, but the fragrant breeze carried the delicious scents of the island floral vegetation all around.
He pulled her down to sit in the sand, wedged between his legs and held firmly in the circle of his arms. Tipping her head back against his shoulder, she closed her eyes and relished in the touch of the wind as it fluttered through her hair. He smiled against her cheek and touched his lips to her skin in a softly spoken whisper of love. They rested against each other in silence, enjoying the moment of solitude, serenaded only by the sounds of nature, and bathed in the light of the moon and the stars.
After several minutes spent pondering paradise, he interrupted the quiet of the night, “Sarah, can I ask you a question?” She nodded her assent still leaning in relaxation against his wall of strength. “We can put off this discussion until after we’re home, but…I was wondering about….”
She stroked his hand, “Harm, what is it?”
“I was wondering what our options are in regard to your endometriosis and fertility treatments?” She tensed in his arms and he stumbled over his words, “I’m sorry…I should have waited. I don’t want this to ruin our vacation.”
She chewed on her lip to control the tears that threatened, “No…no, it’s OK. You know the chances are low that we’ll be able….”
He squeezed her arms, “I know, but we’re still going to try…right?”
She sighed, “Yes, but…I think we should hold off on pursuing fertility options right now.”
He frowned, “But I thought….”
She rolled her head to the side, so she could study his face, “Not forever…just for six months or so…to the end of the year.”
“Why?”
“Harm, I still have a commitment to the military to complete…that will take another two months, then we have to set up the new law practice. I don’t want our marriage or Ben to be short-changed, while our sole focus becomes the creation of another baby. If we take six months to settle into our lives, our family, the new house, and to start our new careers...that will take us through the holidays.” She stroked his cheek, “We let nature take its course for six months…then if we’re not pregnant, we contact a fertility specialist to pursue other options. What do you say, Sailor? Six months of fun and hard work,” a smile played at her lips, “…you said, practice makes perfect.” She leaned forward to kiss him, “I’m up for a lot of training…how about you?”
He stroked her cheek and smiled back, “You got it, Marine…six months, all fun…no pressure. What do you say, we head back to the cottage and have some of that fun?”
Her grin widened, “Let the games begin.” She stood and tugged on his hand, pulling him into a hug, “I love you, Sailor.”
“I love you, too…Sarah.”