The Colonel And The Captain

Just after getting their orders, and Mac and Harm deciding they were going to get married, the coin flipped, and the couple would find themselves in San Diego. Mac would be head of the Joint Legal Services Southwest. As she settled in and got her post up and running, something came up that she wasn't prepared for. Kids were in their future but not immediately and definitely not before marriage. Mac's chances of getting pregnant were slim, so there was no way she was going to terminate the pregnancy.

 

Once she hit the 16-week mark, she decided to finally tell her friends. She'd told Harm once she'd taken a test and confirmed it, and he was ecstatic. He was finally having a kid of their own. Mattie had come with them, and once Mac had told Harm, they then told Mattie. Mattie was over the moon to get to be a big sister. After telling Mattie, Harm called Trish and Frank to set up a dinner date. Mac had found some onesies online that said "Congrats Grandma and Grandpa" on them to give to the parents. There was silence in the room for a split second as the couple needed a moment to read the onesies. Moments later, Trish responds with a loud "No way!" And hugged the couple for what felt like an hour. Once they had told their family, they could finally tell their friends. They started first with Bud and Harriet. Harriet had thought they were calling with a date set for the wedding, but when the couple said, "Surprise! We're Pregnant!" The other side of the phone erupted in loud excitement.

 

"A baby? You guys, oh my!" Harriet smiled as her smile practically radiated over the phone.

 

Once having told Harriet and Bud, Harm called Sturgis and gave him the news. Everyone seemed to be thrilled that the couple would finally have their own child. However, it was the next call that Harm was the most excited about. He'd recently gotten back in touch with his buddy Jack Keeter from the academy. Picking up the phone, the couple sat on the couch and waited for him to answer.

 

"Hey! So good to hear your voice!" Keeter smiles over the phone.

 

"What's going on in your neck of the woods?"

 

"Well, two things. I'm finally getting married, but that's been put on hold; my fiancé and I are uh,-" Harm pauses.

 

"Spill it, Rabb!" Keeter chuckles.

 

"My fiancé Sarah MacKenzie and I are having a baby."

 

"What? No way! Congrats!"

 

Nine months later, a little baby girl is born.

 

Harper Mackenzie Rabb

May 18th 2006

6 pounds 7 oz

20inches

 

There had been plans to get married early on, but with the baby, the wedding kept getting put off. It was when Harper was born they decided to just give it some time. Let the baby get a little older so they can have a fun wedding with her involved and not have to deal with a crying newborn.

 

Morning of the wedding

August 15th 2007

Hotel Del Coronado

1000

 

Harriet had been in the bride's room of the hotel helping Mac. Trish was in her dress and had been on Harper duty with Mattie. Harriet and Mattie were bridesmaids, and Harper would be the flower girl. As Mac's dress was being tied up in the back, little Harper is making her rounds around the room.

 

"Sweet girl, you have so much energy." Mac chuckles, smiling as she watches her happy daughter.

 

"Trish, If she's a handful, I can always get you some help," Mac tells her future mother-in-law as she watches her.

 

"No, no, Mattie and I've got it. I'm letting her run around to get her energy out." Trish smiles, running after Harper and scooping her up. The little girl who had just turned 15 months with her dad's dashing blue eyes and the dark brown hair of her mother giggled loudly and gave her grandmother a large sloppy wet kiss.

 

Music had been playing in the background of their room when a bouncier happy song came on. Joy by Andy Grammer started playing, and Trish and Harper danced with Mattie as it played.

 

"I found joy, yeah, she opened up my eyes

And gave me wings and halo rings and taught me how to fly

Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh, I feel like a million lights."

 

Trish has the little girl on her hip and is rocking her back and forth as Mattie is dancing and reaching out to hold Harper's hand.

 

"I found joy in my life

And got me like, yeah-yeah-yeah, oh-oh-oh

I found joy in my life."

 

The music continues as they dance over to Mac as Harriet finishes tying up her dress.

 

"And got me like, yeah-yeah-yeah, oh-oh-oh

I found joy in my life."

 

The woman are dancing now and having a blast as they dance off some nerves. Mac had been super nervous but it was at this point she knew the day was going to be magical. She had no clue what was going on in the boy's room at the moment, but she didn't care. She was enjoying the dance session with her closest family and friends.

 

The wedding is about to start, and everyone is gathered, waiting just outside the wedding chapel of the hotel. People have taken their seats, and Harm and the minister are waiting up front. Unforgettable by Nat King Cole starts playing as Harper is sent down first; Mac has her on her hip and lets the photographer snap a picture of the two of them before gently setting her down and ushering her towards her father. The little girl toddles down the aisle, and when she spots her Grandfather, Frank, she sets off running. She happily giggles as her Grandfather scoops her up and spins her around. More pictures are being taken as the two share a kiss. Frank leaving a kiss on her cheek, while Harper leaves her famous wet sloppy kiss on her Grandfather. He holds her tight as he stands in the front row, and they await the bride.

 

"Hi, sweet pea." He smiles, nuzzling his face into hers as he hears the snap of the camera. Frank was in love. His son may not have the traditional life, but he had the most beautiful granddaughter and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, and he couldn't be happier.

 

Mattie is next as the song continues, and Harriet is after her. As she links arms with the man who was to walk her down the aisle and give her away, she smiles. Her Uncle Matt had made the trip and would walk her down the aisle. He had told her he wouldn't miss it for the world. Smiling back at her, they get their cue to start walking.

 

"Unforgettable

In every way

And forever more

That's how you'll stay

That's why, darling, it's incredible

That someone so unforgettable

Thinks that I am unforgettable too." The song sings as it plays throughout the chapel. Mac is being walked down the aisle as she looks up and locks eyes with Harm, her soon-to-be husband. She looks away for a second to look at Harper, who is resting on Franks's hip and smiling at her mother. Looking back at Harm, she mouths an 'I love you' to him just as she gets to the front, and Matt is giving her cheek a kiss.

 

"Thank you." She whispered to the man who was still arm and arm with her.

 

As Matt Let her go, Harm took Mac's hand and brought her towards him. They said their vows and their I Do's before Mac reached for Harper, and the three danced out of the chapel. As they went out, "Chapel Of Love" by The Dixie Cups played. Letting Harper rest on her hip, Mac gives Harm a kiss before then giving a kiss to her daughter. They had stopped at the back of the chapel for a few quick shots before walking out.

 

"We're married." Harm smiled, kissing both his girls again.

 

"Yeah, we are," Mac replies, smiling as she holds her daughter.

 

"Mommy is finally a Rabb." Her words are happy as they stand and wait for the traditional Military wedding ceremony. Everyone who has attended the wedding has made it out of the chapel, and the ushers are standing at attention with their swords. Keeter is head usher, and having joined him were a few of Harm's military friends, including Bud and Sturgis.

 

"Officers draw - swords!" Keeter calls, sliding his sword out of its sheath.

 

"Arch swords!" The swords are all put up and in an arch position.

 

"Blades to the wind!"

 

"Presenting for the first time in public, Captain and Mrs. Harmon Rabb Jr." Keeter says, watching the three of them as they walk under the arch. As they make it to the end, just as Harm had done to Harriet, Keeter playfully swats Mac and says, "Go Navy!"

 

"Return - swords!"

 

"Officers - dismissed!"

 

Once the swords are put away, everyone is headed towards the reception hall. Everything is beautifully decorated in a dark maroon and navy blue. Mac had wanted something different than a red, white, and blue for the military. As people checked the seating chart, figuring out where to sit, the family and close friends would go off to take photos.

 

The seating chart had consisted of different USS Naval ships. The USS Patrick Henry, Watertown, Constellation, Constitution, Bennington, and Blue Ridge, to name a few, and depending on where your name was on the chart was which ship you'd get to "board."

 

Going just outside the chapel they made it to a rose garden and posed for some pictures. Mac wanted one of the three of them but also one of just her and Harm. They also wanted one of the family, the three plus Mattie, Frank, Trish, and Uncle Matt. Harm had requested some of him and his best men and thought Mac would want some with her girls, including a bunch of just her and Harper and Harm and Harper.

 

Once photos were finished, they all went back towards the reception hall, and everyone but Harm, Mac, and Harper took their seats. As they waited, they heard the DJ start the music and announce their arrival.

 

"I'd now like to introduce to you, Captain and Mrs. Harmon Rabb Jr. and little miss Harper Mackenzie Rabb!" They come walking in, and Mac makes an audible gasp when she sees the decorated high chair. Harriet had secured one of the twin's high chairs and decorated it all pretty so Harper could have her own spot next to her parents.

 

"Look, sweet girl; someone gave you your own special seat!" She smiles, trying not to let the tear fall from her eye. With Trish still, on Harper duty, Mattie would sit next to Harm, and Trish and Frank would sit to the right of Harper, who sat next to Mac. Helping her daughter into her high chair, Mac smiles. She couldn't be happier. Mac had everything she ever wanted. Harm, comfortable shoes, and a child of her own.

 

As they got all situated, a light meal is being served, with a special meal made just for Harper. Having barely sat down. Knives are being clinked on glasses, and Harm leans over and kisses Mac. They would get interrupted a few more times as they ate to kiss, and on the third clink, Harm got up and gave his daughter a big smooch on the cheek. As they finished eating and speeches had finished, it was now time for the dancing. Harm and Mac had picked a less-than-traditional song for their first dance. As the two danced, Saved My Life by Andy Grammer played.

 

"I think you should know you saved my life."

 

The words are poignant to their story. Mac had had plenty of failed relationships before finally admitting she loved Harm, and he had saved her life. As that song faded out, Harm and Mac shared another kiss. The next song that would play Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder, would be a Harm and Harper song while Mac danced with her Uncle. The more so traditional father-daughter dance song.

 

Holding his daughter on his hip, Harm swayed back and forth to the music with his daughter. She loved being in her daddy's arms, and dancing with him was the best. After thanking her Uncle, Mac stood momentarily to gaze at Harm, who was happily dancing with their daughter.

 

"Beautiful!" She thought, hoping to capture this moment forever. She was for sure grateful they had hired a photographer so she could definitely have those moments on paper. Something she'd cherish.

 

Once Harm had finished dancing with Harper, he handed her off to Mac, and then they called up Mattie.

 

"Next, I'd like to bring Mattie Rabb up to the floor. Harm would like a dance with you."

 

The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra starts playing, and Harm is dancing with Mattie. He takes it easy as he knows this night is a big night for her and her recovery. They finish soon after, and Harm goes to stand with Mac, who was carefully rocking Harper, and Mattie goes back to work on her dinner.

 

"Next, I'd like to bring up Trish and Frank Burnett and the Roberts. Harm has requested you two couples for a dance."

 

As they walk up with slight shock on their faces, Still the One by Orleans starts playing.

 

"We've been together since way back when

Sometimes I never wanna see you again

But I want you to know, after all these years

You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear."

 

Harm and Mac had taken a seat and let Harper have some more of their dinner as the couple watched the two longer married couples dance. Once that song was over, the DJ invited everyone else to dance. At this point, everyone including the Robert's kids and the few other kids who had come would join them on the dance floor.

 

Living My Best Life by Ben Rector would play next as Mac gets up and takes Harper to the dance floor. She'd join AJ and his siblings, and Harper and them would dance. Letting the 15-month-old get down on the dance floor.

 

A few more songs play, and when Carried Me With You by Brandi Carlile starts, Harm goes to ask his mother for a dance.

 

"Picked this for you." Harm smiles as he holds his mother and lets her dance with him.

 

"It's beautiful, Harmon." She smiles, kissing her son on the cheek and letting her head rest on his shoulder as they swayed back and forth. As more songs played and the night started to move along, it was time to cut the cake. They had had a few toasts earlier from a few friends, and as they got ready to cut the cake, Harm and Mac would thank everyone for coming. As they cut the cake and started handing out the cupcakes, Mac looked over from their spot at the cake to see Trish carefully swaying back and forth. Harper had fallen asleep before her cupcake. The dancing must have worn her out.

 

"Look at her," Mac whispers to Harm as Mac swallowed her forkful of cake that Harm had placed in her mouth.

 

"I'm going to miss her while we are gone."

 

"Don't worry; she's in good hands with Nana and Papa." Harm replies, taking Mac's hand. They had finished their sharing of the cake and now were just standing up by the cake, watching their daughter.

 

"I know, but-" Mac tries not to cry.

 

"Can't she come with us?" Mac continues.

 

"Do you remember the last time we had a few days child-free?"

 

"Alright, alright, you have a point. Maybe we will bring back another one."

 

Harm's eyes go wide as he darts his eyes over at his wife.

 

"I'm kidding, well, half kidding."

 

"You better be! I need some time between my wedding anniversary and a child."

 

"You'll have nine months, sailor!" Mac chuckles, finally setting down her cake utensils and letting go of Harm. She wanted to go see her daughter.

 

"Will you be leaving soon?" Mac asks, as she pulls up to their table.

 

"Yeah, probably, Frank can stay, but us girls will go back to the room. I think we wore her out."

 

"I'd agree; it's way past her bedtime anyways."

 

It was then, as Mac was about to let Trish and Harper go, she realized she hadn't kept track of Bluffy, Harper's stuffed dog. Her eyes go big as she tries to remember the last time she saw the little grey and tan dog.

 

"What's the matter, dear?" Trish asks, seeing the concern and horror on Mac's face.

 

"You don't have Bluffy do you?"

 

"Her little dog? No, I do not."

 

Mac is trying to retrace her steps. The bride's room had been cleaned out, and all of its items had been put in Harriet's rental van to sort through later. She'd hoped that's where it was.

 

"Trish, I gotta find this dog; please don't leave till I do; I'd like you guys to get some sleep."

 

As she stands next to Trish, she looks around the room for Harriet; She sees Harm, who was back on the dance floor, but no Harriet. She panics as she then finally sees Bud. Quickly, well as quick as she can in a wedding dress and heels, she makes her way to Bud.

 

"Hey, you have the keys to the rental van you guys have? Harriet says everything from earlier before the wedding ended up there."

 

"Me? No. Harriet has those in her purse." Bud can sense panic in Mac's voice.

 

"Do you know where she went?"

 

"I think she took the kids to the bathroom; AJ had enough glasses of that sparkling stuff for the whole table."

 

"Thank you!" Mac happily sighs as she leaves Bud and goes for Harriet in the bathroom. She knew the little dog had to be in that car and didn't feel the need to get Harm.

 

"Harriet?" Mac calls as she swings open the door to the ladies room. She could hear noises and what sounded like a struggle to get a dress off.

 

"No, no! Nikki! Not on the dress!"

 

"In here!" Harriet calls as she's trying to help her daughter to the potty.

 

"I need the keys to the van, I-uh- Harper is asleep and about to go to bed, but I lost track of Bluffy." Mac sighs, hearing the door open behind her. It was Harm who had come to see what was going on and why his wife was missing.

 

"The keys are in my purse; give me a moment!" Harriet replies, as Mac lets Harm in the bathroom. It was just Harriet and the kids, and she wasn't worried for the minute he'd be in the bathroom.

 

***SAME TIME***

 

Back at the table, Trish is still rocking Harper, but she has started to wake up. The more she woke, the more scared she was. She was confused and didn't have Bluffy.

 

"Nana!" The girl cries.

 

"Bluffy…" The girl had called the dog Bluffy as she couldn't seem to get out puppy, and it stuck.

 

"I know, baby; Mommy is looking for Bluffy."

 

 

***BACK IN THE BATHROOM***

 

As Harriet is standing in the handicap stall, she's got an eye on her daughter, who was still struggling with the potty and searching in her purse for the keys. She finally finds them and tosses them to Mac over the door.

 

"It's in the parking lot."

 

"Thank you, Harriet!" She smiles

 

"Come with me, Harm; we need to find Bluffy."

 

Sneaking out, they make it to Harriet's rental and start searching the van. They make a complete mess, but Mac doesn't seem to care. Bluffy was their number one. Letting out a large, loud cry of relief, Mac finds the stuffed dog and starts to cry.

 

"Oh, thank GOD!" She hiccups as she holds tight to the little stuffed animal. Hanging the keys to Harm, she tells him to lock up and give the keys to either Bud or Harriet. Whoever he saw first. Picking up a little of her dress skirt, she tries to quickly make it back inside. Finding her daughter and her now mother-in-law, she can smile as she hands the toy to her daughter.

 

"Mama! Bluffy!" She cries, reaching for her mother. Taking her daughter from Trish, she gives her the toy, and hugs her tight.

 

"It's alright, my baby; let's go find daddy and get our goodnight kisses." Mac sighs and holds her daughter close as she goes to find Harm. He had given the keys to Bud and was coming back to find Mac.

 

"There's my girls!" He smiles, kissing his wife and then kissing his daughter.

 

"Goodnight, my sweet one." Harm smiles, giving her another kiss.

 

"Mommy and Daddy will see you in a few days; love you." He smiles at her as he runs a hand through her hair. Letting her go, he sees his mother in his peripherals and turns to wish her a goodnight as well. She takes Harper from Mac, and Mac is crying as she lets go of her daughter.

 

"Night baby, Mommy loves you." She says, kissing her and watching her and Bluffy go towards the hotel to go to bed. She had thanked Trish and now was getting tired herself. As the night moved along, it was time to wish the couple off. They would leave to a limo and get a red-eye flight to spend a few days in Hawaii. It wasn't long, but it was time to themselves. As they got ready to be waved off, Somewhere Only We Know by Keane began to play. Everyone is cheering as they get into the limo. They had bags already packed and had been picked up from their room so they could leave.

 

"Love you, Mrs. Rabb." Harm smiles, lovingly kissing his wife.

 

"Love you, Mr. Rabb."