Part 15

18:15

Wednesday

8 August 2007

The Rabb Home

La Jolla, California

Harm was busy cutting up vegetables for the salad when Mac stormed in from the garage. Ben and Mattie both looked toward the back hall to assess the commotion. Harm grimaced at the slam of the door and dumped some more cheerios on the tray of Ben’s highchair to quiet the toddler. Mattie maneuvered her wheelchair toward the front of the house, hoping to miss the confrontation.

As she rounded the back hall and entered the kitchen, Mac tossed her brief case and keys onto the utility desk in the corner. Kicking off her pumps, she headed toward the refrigerator and grabbed a mineral water from the top shelf.

Harm studied her behavior; she’d yet to utter a word of welcome or a cry of anger. He dumped the vegetables into a salad bowl, tossing them with the dressing. As he turned to remove the chicken from the oven, he pensively asked, “Hey sweetheart, how was your day?”

She slammed the refrigerator door and glared, “Lousy, how about yours?” Ben’s lip quivered as the first of the tears began to fall. She turned toward the toddler, “I’m sorry, baby…Mama didn’t mean to yell.” She lifted him from the seat and cuddled him to her chest.

Harm threw a wary smile, “So ah, what happened today? Was there a problem at work?”

She lowered her voice, “More than a problem…when’s dinner going to be ready?”

He set the chicken on the counter to rest and placed the French bread into the oven to warm, “Probably another 20 minutes or so.” He reached for her arm, “You want to talk about the office?”

She pulled away and walked toward the family room, “No, not right now…and why’s dinner so late tonight? I still have work to do?”

He sighed; they hadn’t had a disagreement yet…he supposed they were due. “I ah…I got tied up with the renovations at the office. I can fix a quick appetizer if you’re hungry?”

“Don’t bother,” came the terse reply. She set Ben down on the family room rug and walked back into the kitchen.

He tried to halt her progress, “Mac, maybe if you tell me what’s wrong, I can help.”

She pushed past him, muttering, “How could you help…you’re already out?”

“Mac…”

“No Harm, I said not now!”

Mattie wheeled back through with a load of clothes, “Mac, what time is it? I need to pick my Dad up at the airport by 8:30?”

She responded without thinking or glancing at her watch, “It’s 5:53…and I don’t like you driving by yourself to the airport at night. Do you want me to ride along?”

Mattie hurried through the kitchen toward the garage, “No that’s OK, Mac. I’m picking Dad up out front, then we’re going to go somewhere for dinner. He’s going to spend the night at a hotel, before we leave tomorrow.”

“Mattie, you know Tom can stay here tonight,” she offered.

Mattie smiled back, “I know…but he doesn’t want to be in the way. I think he feels a little funny staying with you and Harm. Besides we’re all still getting together for breakfast tomorrow morning, right?”

“Sure sweetie, can’t wait…we wouldn’t miss your send off.”

Mattie yelled, “Thanks Mac,” as she rolled through the garage door.

Harm watched his wife deflate when the door closed behind their teenaged daughter. He sighed internally…ah, so their daughter leaving the nest to return to college was one of the problems. This was the first time Mac had to live through the loss, temporary as it was, of one of their kids. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in close, “Sweetheart, I know it’s hard to let go, but she’ll be back. It’s just college…not forever.” She melted into his embrace as the tears began to fall. “Mac, what’s going on? I know this involves more than just Mattie.”

She released a shuddering breath and pulled away, “I need to go change out of my uniform.”

He shook his head in frustration, “I’ll have dinner on the table when you come back.”

“Fine,” was yelled back from the front hall.

They ate dinner in relative silence. She picked at her food, rearranging more of it on her plate than made it to her mouth. Finally she softly spoke, “I have to go D.C. tomorrow…my flight leaves late afternoon out of San Diego.”

He looked back puzzled, “But I thought this was your last week, why are you going to D.C.?”

She threw up her hands, “’Thought’ is right…some of us don’t get to retire when we planned.” She pushed back from the table and fled to their bedroom.

He scrubbed his fingers through his hair and muttered, “Oh boy…come on, Ben let’s get you ready for bed.”

***

After changing the baby into pajamas and rocking him to sleep, he returned to clean up the kitchen and load the dishwasher. Tasks complete, he retired to the family room with a cup of coffee. Something was definitely not proceeding according to plan.

The six weeks since their marriage had been hectic. True to Mac’s predictions, Ben had hurdled himself into their arms upon their return. They celebrated his first birthday in grand style the following day, deciding the flexibility of a weekend trumped the actual birth date of July 2nd. The court proceeding to finalize his adoption occurred 5 days later, Benjamin Carter Rabb was finally their son according to the law. Of course, in their minds that transformation had occurred some four months prior.

Mac had returned to her duties at JLS, while he’d gone real estate hunting for an office building. He’d happened upon an old Victorian house that had previously been remodeled for office space. He’d fallen in love with the potential for the property and signed a contract of purchase almost immediately. With only minimal renovations required, he opted to perform the work himself, enlisting a decorator to help with design options. The three future partners decided the pretentious custom of naming a law firm after the lawyers, defeated the purpose of catering to the needs of their small vulnerable clients. Thus the ‘Noah’s Ark Child Advocacy Firm’ was born. The project had proved to be exhausting, but the official opening was slated for the first of September. Mac was supposed to tour the new office with him tomorrow, although the theatrics of this evening might serve to alter those plans.

He set his mug aside and reached for the phone. Some old retired, but still connected, colleagues just might have the inside information needed to shed the light on Mac’s current mood. Placing the first call, he waited for the commanding voice to answer the phone.

***

Twenty minutes later, he was in possession of the required info and headed tentatively toward their bedroom with a peace offering in hand. Knocking on the bathroom door, he asked, “Mac, you in there?”

“Yeah,” came the soft reply.

“Mind if I come in?”

He heard a sniffle, “Sure.”

His voice reflected a smile, “You’re not going to launch any missiles at my head are you?”

He paused until he heard a soft chuckle, followed by, “You can come in, Sailor. I promise not to launch an attack.” He peeked his head around the door in a reconnaissance maneuver, she laughed, “The coast is clear, I promise not to lob anymore insults or unreasonable requests.”

He grinned, “Can’t be too careful when you’re married to a marine.” He watched her demeanor fall as she sunk further into the water. He quickly entered the bathroom and set his tray of goodies aside, “Sweetheart, we need to talk. Mind if I get comfortable?” He pointed to the hot tub, “That is why we bought the house, right? The huge hot tub, big enough to share?”

“Sure,” she leaned forward and watched while he removed his clothing. Sliding into the water behind her, he pulled her into his arms and felt her sigh in relief against his chest. She closed her eyes and tucked his arms around her waist, “Where’s Ben?”

He placed a kiss on her glistening shoulder, “I tucked him into bed…he was out like a light. We had a busy day at the office, today. You should see that kid swing a hammer…luckily it was of the Fisher-Price variety.” She laughed at his joke and he relaxed further into the water, “That’s better…I’m glad to see my wife has returned; I wasn’t sure who that woman was in the kitchen earlier.” He began to massage her shoulders and neck. Her head fell forward as the tension in the muscles started to melt away. When he thought she might have fallen asleep, he whispered, “Mac…are you still with me?”

“Only for forever,” came the soft reply. She laid her head back on his shoulder and smiled for the first time all night. “I’m sorry about earlier, Harm. I shouldn’t take work related issues out on you.”

He wiped away a tear as it escaped from her lash, “It’s OK, sweetheart…that’s what I’m here for. Now before we get into any heavy discussions, I just need to check out one thing, first.” At her questioning look, he captured her lips in a deep soul-searching kiss. When he pulled back to look in her eyes, he asked, “What time is it?”

She frowned somewhat dazed, “I don’t know…I don’t have my watch and there’s no clock in here.”

He smiled a flyboy grin and whistled, “Ssswwhh, I thought I’d lost my touch.” When her eyebrows climbed, he laughed, “When Mattie asked you for the time earlier, you didn’t need to check a clock…you just knew. By the way, your internal clock was functioning accurate as ever; I checked my watch.”

She shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know…maybe it only works when I’m mad, because I haven’t been able to tell time since our wedding.”

His smile grew cockier, “I’m glad I still have it…I like keeping you off balance…it tends to even the score. Besides,” he waggled his brows, “…it buys us a few extra minutes in bed every morning. I don’t need a marine precision timepiece interrupting our morning greetings.”

She rolled her eyes, “Whatever, I’ve yet to figure out this evening the score thing…I don’t see what I have over you.”

“Do you think I’m going to let you in on the effects of your secret arsenal? A husband has to have some defenses.” He reached for the mesh sponge and squeezed out a generous dollop of her bath gel, running the netting over her arms and back, he began to tease away the layers of issues responsible for her earlier foul mood. “I say we start with the easiest discussion…Mattie.”

She slumped forward as her face fell, “Harm, I’m not ready for her to leave yet. We just started living together as a family. I don’t want to lose one of my kids.”

He used his palm to pour water over her back, rinsing away the soap, “I know it’s hard to let go, Mac. I’ve been down this road before; but she’s not leaving forever, she’ll be home in a few months for Christmas. We have to let her grow-up. It’s just that it’s hardest the first time you watch them walk away.”

“I guess,” she ran her hand down his leg, “…but can you promise me that Ben will never grow-up.”

He chuckled, “You know I can’t…they eventually all grow-up.”

She pouted, “Well, I don’t have to like it.”

He kissed the back of her head, “No you don’t…we just have to survive it. Besides, they’ll eventually give us grandkids.”

She sat up and glared, “I am NOT ready to be someone’s grandmother.”

He waggled his brow, “I’ll second that…you don’t look like any grandmother I’ve ever seen.” He pointed toward the shampoo on the side of the tub, “Do you want me to wash your hair?”

She smiled, “That’d be nice.”

He tipped her head back and began to pour water over her russet locks, “Now, on to the work related issues.” When she started to tense, he leaned over and kissed her nose, “Relax, I’ve got you.” When she finally leaned back against his arms, he added shampoo and began to massage her scalp. She sighed at the comforting sensation, “I ah…I called some old friends this evening.” She cracked open one eye, “I talked to Tom Boone and AJ about what’s going on in Washington.”

When she started to sit up, he held on tight, “Harm, I don’t….”

“Hey, it doesn’t hurt to have some inside information. Now settle back here and let me tell you what I found out.” When she leaned back again, he rinsed the suds from her hair and added conditioner. He leaned forward and whispered, “Close your eyes, relax and just listen. Apparently the SecNav is in trouble with the Administration…they want him out. In turn, he’s trying to parlay political support from the other side to keep his job. As a concession to his new backers, the SecNav agreed to keep certain female officers in positions of power…your name is key on that short list. Some very influential people in Washington would like you to go all the way to the JAG…you’re not just strong, successful and capable…you’re also a woman…key ingredients to the other side. They would like to shake-up the military…make it more gender neutral, especially in key command positions.”

“But Harm, I don’t want….”

“Sssssh, I know, and it’s not going to work. AJ and Tom expect the SecNav to be bounced in the next month or so. They think if you can just hold on for another couple of months, you’ll be able to retire before the end of the year.” He reclined her body further into the water to rinse out the conditioner. Running his finger through the wet strands, he pushed the hair away from her face and helped her to sit back up. Once he had her back in his arms, he reached over the side of the tub and grabbed the first of the peace offerings, “Here, I thought you might like this.” He handed her a champagne flute and grabbed a second for himself. At her questioning look, he explained, “It’s sparkling grape juice…I thought you could use something to cool off.”

“Thanks,” she leaned her head back against his shoulder and sighed, “Harm, I hate all this political nonsense, that’s part of the reason we both wanted to get out. Plus, we’re supposed to be opening our law office next month.”

“Don’t worry about that…it’s going to take a few months to get established and build up our client base. Howie and I can handle things to the end of year. You just concentrate on your responsibilities at JLS. It’s all going to work out, sweetheart. As for your trip tomorrow, we can still have breakfast with Mattie and Tom before they leave to drive cross-country. After breakfast, you and I can head to the new office…I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the renovations I’ve made, then Ben and I can take you to the airport in the afternoon.”

She turned her face into his neck, “That means I have to leave both of my kids and you in the same day. Do you know how hard that’s going to be?”

He kissed her forehead, “I do…I did it for six months, remember?”

She nodded, “Yeah, and it wasn’t easy.”

“No it wasn’t, but we survived. Now, is there anything else we need to talk about?”

She pulled her head back and smirked, “Yes, can you kill Vukovic for me?”

He laughed, “Well, seems we’ve had this discussion before, and if I remember correctly…I did volunteer to help take care of him…and to never reveal the location of the body. What did he do this time?”

“Harm, I caught him…” she tried to sit up.

He pulled her back to his chest, “Where do you think you’re going?”

“But I….”

He smiled and held her tighter, “You’re right where you need to be. Now, tell me what that moron did this time?”

She picked up his hand and brought it to her lips, placing a kiss on his palm, “It’s OK, I can handle it. I just can’t believe Cresswell blew me off. Let’s forget about work and just enjoy being here together.”

“I agree…but just so you know, Cresswell’s been under the gun with the SecNav, too. Apparently the slimy Lt. Weasel, as you so aptly call him, has some friends in high places. Those friends have put pressure on the SecNav, who in turn pressured Cresswell…well, let’s just say the Lieutenant’s days are numbered once the SecNav’s out. Cresswell isn’t any happier about this political nonsense than you are, so how about we cut him a break. We both realize the job of JAG isn’t an easy one…it certainly isn’t one either of us wants to take on.”

She turned her head and raised her brow, “Wow, you really were a busy little beaver tonight. You learned more in 30 minutes, then I’ve been able to figure out in 6 months.”

“Connections, my dear…it helps to be friends with high-ranking admirals. Now, if there are no further problems to be ironed out,” he reached over the side of the tub, “…I have another treat for you.”

She craned her neck to follow his hand, “Oh yeah…what’s that?” He grinned and lifted a battle ship over her head. She laughed, “A boat, Harm? I thought those were for you and Ben to play with at bath time.”

He cleared his throat and glared, “It’s not a boat…it’s a destroyer. And I’ll have you know, girls can play in the bathtub, too.”

Her smile took on a lecherous quality, “Oh, I intend to play in the tub…but why do I need a boat, when I already have a sailor?”

When her fingers began to snake their way up his thigh, he fixed her with a stare, “Behave Marine, or you won’t get your surprise.” He lowered the ship into the water and grinned victorious when her eyes grew to the size of saucers. He rested his chin on her shoulder and whispered, “I told you it was fun to play with ships in the tub.”

“But where did you….”

He reached out to snatch a chocolate covered strawberry from the bowl perched in the middle of the destroyer. Bringing the berry to her lips, he murmured, “I made them myself…I thought you could use a special pick me up.”

She took a bite of the chocolate confection and closed her eyes to savor the sweet treat. Swallowing with ecstasy, she groaned, “Sailor, you’re the absolute best.”

He whispered into her ear, “And don’t you forget it,” before his lips worked their way down her neck.

***

11:15

Thursday

9 August 2007

The Noah’s Ark Child Advocacy Firm

San Diego, California

Harm jumped out of the SUV and ran around to the passenger side. He retrieved Ben from his car seat then helped Mac from the car. As they started up the walk, Ben raised his arms in the air, “Up, up…fwy.” Harm lifted the boy to his shoulders and Ben extended his arms, as Daddy twirled in circles making ‘vroom’ noises. Ben giggled in delight.

When he stumbled to a stop, Mac grasped his arm, “You OK there, flyboy?”

Steadying himself in place, he smiled, “Sure thing, Marine. Those ‘G’s’ will get you every time.”

She grinned, “They never got to you in an F-14.”

He pulled Ben from his shoulders and back into his arms. Turning to her with smug grin, “Mac, an F-14 is a well-tuned technical marvel…my little aviator here is into the Daddy Training Model; the balance is a bit off.”

She laughed, “Well, you just make sure our little aviator doesn’t get more than 6 or 7 feet off the ground until he’s a few years older.”

“Hey Ben,” he prompted, “…you want to show Mama what we’ve been doing here?”

Ben jabbered up a storm, throwing out vowels and constants in random order, in an unintelligible directive. Finally the toddler pointed toward the building and barked, “Bang…Bang,” as he made a pounding motion with his hand.

Harm chuckled at Mac, “See, I told you the kid was a whiz with a hammer.” He extended a hand and Mac grabbed hold, intertwining their fingers. “Come on, Marine…let me show you what we’ve done. As they walked up the stairs and unto the porch, he unlocked the door and stepped aside. “Go ahead, sweetheart…I can’t wait to see what you think.”

She walked into the main reception area, which had 14-foot ceilings, and stopped in awe, “Oh Harm, this is fabulous. I can’t believe…how did….”

He leaned over her shoulder, “So you like it?”

“I love it. I can’t wait until we’re working here together, full time. The kids are going to…oh Harm, it’s amazing.”

He pointed to the murals on the walls, “Mom did the painting. I can’t believe how lifelike everything is.”

Mac walked around the room studying the details, touching the walls, the furniture. The theme of the room was Noah’s Ark in keeping with their name. The walls displayed multiple species of animals, trees, vegetation, and water in the form of ponds and waterfalls. Standing out from the wall was a 3-dimensional re-creation of an ark. The wide gangplank door opened to the ground forming an elaborate slide. Stairs, snaked their way up two sides of the structure, giving way to window shaped openings that served as entrances to the ark. Around the room were child-sized tables and chairs, a small jungle gym and large 6 to 8-foot stuffed animals in the shape of gorillas, lions and giraffe.

She turned to him with glistening eyes, “Harm, I can’t believe you did all this.” Throwing her arms around his neck, she pulled his face down to hers, “Thank you.” She placed a kiss on his lips, “I can’t believe how great this is going to be.”

He kissed her back, “If this is the response to the reception area, just wait until you see the next surprise.” He placed an arm around her waist and motioned with his head, “Come on.”

He led her from room to room. There was one formal office for meetings with adult clientele, but the remainder of the space was designed with children in mind. He directed her to the back of the house where he’d kept the full working kitchen. When she asked about the need for a kitchen, he winked and said, “You’ll see.”

Taking her hand, he pulled her down a back hall and into a room that connected with both their offices. As he opened the door, her eyes widened in wonder, “What’s this space for? I don’t understand why we need….”

He pushed her into the room and put Ben down on the floor. “Mac, this is a nursery-playroom so we can keep Ben with us. Actually all of our kids can stay here during the day. Since Howie’s wife is going to manage the business end of things, they need childcare for their three kids…plus, our other staff may have children. Howie and I thought we could hire a licensed childcare provider; but as it turns out, the former owners of the building had the same idea. They released the woman who used to provide daycare for them. She’s a wonderful middle-aged woman with years of experience and excellent references. We’ve already offered her the job.” When Mac remained stunned and speechless, he turned her around in his arms, “Sweetheart, this way we won’t have to be away from our kids all day. We’ve waited so long to have them that I don’t want to miss out on any part of their lives. Shoot, I already missed out on the first 10 months of Ben’s. What do you say? Are you willing to give it a try?”

She nodded her head as she tried to control her tears. He pulled her in for a hug until she regained composure. When she could breath normally, she reached up to caress his cheek, “Thank you…I love the idea of having our children with us. You’re right, I don’t want to miss out on any of this anymore.” She stared into his eyes, “How did I ever survive without you…how did I ever think I could move on when you left?”

He leaned his forehead against hers, “I don’t know…I ask myself that question in reverse, everyday. I’m just glad we finally figured it out and got it right.” He leaned in to kiss her.

They we’re interrupted by the miniature cheering section, “Kissy…Kissy…me.”

The adults laughed as they retrieved their first miracle. “You want to share too, Ben?” Harm lifted him overhead and brought him in for a loud exuberant kiss. Ben giggled and returned the favor with an equally loud, but oh so wet and messy sweet baby variety.