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Father Time's Gift
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G through L › JAG
Rating:
Adult ++
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12
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Category:
G through L › JAG
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
12
Views:
5,271
Reviews:
0
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own JAG, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
FTG 2
“I want to propose to Mac on the spot where we met on New Year’s Eve.”
“Whoa son, that’s one big one.”
“I’m thinking of asking for him to throw in her Uncle Matt as a wedding gift for a couple days before and the day of our wedding.”
“You’re going to end up owing him big time, you know that.”
“Yeah, but I’d do anything for Mac.”
“That I do.”
Harm’s Loft Apartment
North of Union Station, Wash. D.C.
Tuesday, December 31, 2002
4:30 am.
The phone rings and Harm rolls over to get it.
“I don’t care what time it is Rabb, but you got your wishes granted and a surprise from the President and the First Lady. It seems you two have fans even though this is all against the regulations. You can thank me later. Good Night,” the line goes dead.
Harm half asleep barely registered in his head what Clayton Webb had just told him. He rolls back over and goes back to sleep. Suddenly he bolts out of bed when he filters the information from Clay. The President and First Lady? Had he asked for too much? Oh Mac would just love his surprise.
Roberts Home
Somewhere in Wash. DC.
10:00am.
Harriet busy with little A.J. on the counter, both planning a wonderful New Year’s Eve party.
“Mommy, may I haave those weenie things.”
“Which ones sweetie?”
“Those wones wif chweese.”
“Sure you can.”
Ever since Harriet let him stay up a half an hour later on New Year’s Eve one year, little A.J. discovered he had fallen in love with cocktail wieners, with the cheese filling. So now, every New Year’s Eve, Harriet and Bud let little A.J. stay up a half an hour later because it was a holiday, and so that he could have the cocktail wieners he likes. He’s still put to bed a little early so that the adult’s party can go on.
The phone rings and Harriet picks it up while she stirs cheesecake mix for little cherry cheesecake tarts. She delicately balances the receiver on her shoulder while she is stirring.
“Hello?”
“Good morning Harriet, happy New Year’s Eve.”
“Good morning Commander, the same to you. What can I do for you, sir?”
“It’s Harm Harriet. I forgot, what time is the party tonight?”
“We’re starting it a little later this year. 8:30 is about when you all can start arriving. I’ll start heating the hot foods at 8 so they’ll be ready when you all get here.”
“Great Harriet, now can I ask a small favor?”
“Sure,” Harriet says as she pours the cheesecake mixture into small graham cracker crusts.
“I need to steal Mac from the party tonight. Just for a while.”
“What’s going on?”
“I need you to do your best, hire a limo for me, and make sure Mac is in it by 11:00 tonight. After she gets in the car, tell the driver to take her to the White House Rose Garden. Make sure she doesn’t find out the destination. I am coming to the party but I’ll sneak out about 10:45. I’ll reimburse you for the costs. Don’t worry about her car. I’ll be bringing her to the party.”
“Ok, hold on let me get a pen.”
Little A.J runs in with a pen.
“How many times do I have to tell you not to run with things in your hand?”
“Sorry Mommy, is that Unca Harm?”
“Yes, I’ll let you talk to him in a minute.”
“Ok, I’ll make this short and sweet. 10:45 I leave. 11:00 Mac in limo to White House Rose Garden.”
“Ok got it. Anything else?”
“I can’t say yet. I’ll tell you later.”
“Ok then, here’s little A.J.
H
Harriet knew Harm was up to something. The White House Rose Garden? Wasn’t it closed in the winter? If not wouldn’t it be closed at 11:00pm? Bud walked in with Mikey Roberts, both carrying grocery bags from their last minute shopping trip for Harriet.
“Bud. The Commander’s up to something and it’s bothering me.”
“Now what?”
“He wants us to make sure Mac is in a limo at 11:00 tonight, heading for the White House Rose Garden.”
“Harriet, that’s where they met. He must be pulling major strings to get in there that late.”
“Oh I’m not worried about that. I want to know why he wants to meet her there that late.”
“It’s not our problem, so why worry,” says Bud as he puts the extra beer in the fridge.”
“Even I know he’s not going to hurt her or get into trouble on New Year’s Eve,” says Mikey.
“Maybe into trouble,” Harriet says as she finishes putting a spoon of 3 Comstock cherries on each of the small cheesecake tarts. Then handed the tray to Bud to put in the fridge.
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
11:00am.
Mac pulled out every outfit she had in her closet and put them on her bed. Now all she had to do was decide on which one that Harm would really go nuts over. An hour later her stomach grumbles, she still hadn’t decided on what to wear. Mac went into the kitchen and made herself a sandwich before going back to her room. Harriet would know what to do, so Mac picked up her portable and dialed the number.
“Morning, is Harriet there?”
“Oh hi Mac, yeah hold on,” said Mikey as he passes the phone to Harriet he mouths, “It’s Mac.”
“Hi Mac, what can I do for you?”
“I need help. I’m having trouble picking what to wear for the party tonight.”
“How about something black and short?”
“I wore black and short last year. I want to wear something that Harm can’t keep his hands off of.”
“In that case, that calls for a shopping trip. The mall should still be open. I’ll pick you up in half an hour,” Harriet said before hanging up. Mac felt a little relieved.
Roberts Home
Somewhere in Wash. DC.
12:30pm.
“What’s going on,” asks Bud.
“Fashion emergency. I’ll be back in a little bit. Could you watch A.J. for a while?”
“Sure, we’ll be out back playing with Uncle Mikey.”
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
3pm.
Several hours later, Mac had her dress. In the end, Harriet chose for her because she knew what Harm was up to and Mac didn’t. Harriet picked out a Tommy Bahama, Sand Dune Serenade Dress, in a butternut color, sleeveless with a boat neck, draped just below Mac’s knees, and a printed silk sheer georgette with spandex came with it. Mac is rather pleased with it as she looks at it hanging on the back of her bedroom door. A shower and dressing. Then, what to do with that hair spray? She laughs as she thinks about how Harm and everyone will react to her hair.
So like a trooper, she marches off into her bathroom to shower, dress, and then fix her hair. Now, two hours later she looks in the mirror. It wasn’t what she expected, but it looked perfect.
“Ok, my flyboy is due here in an 29 minutes and 30 seconds. Time for make up and last minute things that have to be done,” she reminded herself.
Minutes later, face beautiful, Mac checks her internal clock and her last minute checklist.
“19 minutes and 25 seconds until Harm gets to my door. Jingo is at Carol’s. The garbage has been taken out. Oh, I’ve got to get a handbag together,” and that is what brought the left over time to quickly pass.
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
6:00pm.
Harm pulls up to Mac’s place with the heater almost blazing hot. He crawls out of the comfort zone in the car and heads inside. He takes his time getting up to Mac’s even though he is a few minutes ahead of timec cac can somehow sense he is in the building, so she paces quietly near the door waiting for his hand to gently knock. Then she suddenly hears it and almost jumps for the doorknob, but she doesn’t want to be too anxious. She takes a couple deep breaths and opens the door.
“Hello Harm,” she says giving him a once over. He chose dark blue stingray boots, black jeans, a navy blue dress shirt, and a black blazer. He still wore his heavy parka due to the cold weather out.
“Hhii,” Harm stuttering, forced out.
Mac, looked so gorgeous, he was struck speechless. Almost like an angel, her hair, perfectly gold, glittery streaked, and her dress just fit in the right places. He smelled his favorite scent on her. She wore a citrine teardrop bracelet and teardrop earrings that Chloe had made one year at summer camp. Mac could tell he was lost somewhere in that flyboy brain of his so she grabbed her coat and handbag. She gently pushes him back out the door, makes sure she has her keys before locking, and shutting her door.
She takes Harm’s arm and leads him carefully out to his car. The cold finally made him snap to and he opened the door of his SUV for her. Mac made sure the dress wasn’t in the door before Harm shut it. He looked up and said a silent prayer.
“Thanks God and Dad for such a miracle woman.”
Then he quickly scrambled into the driver’s seat. He bucked in and hit the engine to get the heater back on.
“So where to for dinner,” Mac asks.
“The party starts at 8:30 so I was thinking of somewhere close to Bud and Harriet’s.”
“That’s fine, just feed me.”
“You got it Angel girl.”
“Ooh, I like the new nickname.”
“Well you do look like an angel and you’re my girl.”
“I want to hear that again.”
“What,” Harm asks as it dawns clear in his brain, “You’re my girl.”
Mac leans over and snuggles into his right arm. He lifts it up and over and lets her in closer to his side.
Mama Ayesha’s Restaurant
Somewhere near The Robert’s Place
6:58pm.
Harm pulls up to the Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine restaurant and helps Mac out of the SUV. He had picked this place out because he thought Mac might like it and they had Vegetarian special dishes. Mac takes Harm’s arm as they walk into the restaurant. The cheerily decorated dining room is interesting without being distracting, and peaceful without being soporific. The walls are sparsely adorned with magazine reviews of the restaurant, a portrait of Mama Ayesha, and a couple presidents. The hostess seats the two at a table and Mac notices the Arabic music playing in the background. It set the scene perfectly to find out what kind of plans Harm has for the rest of the evening. Just then a waitress comes up to take their order. Mac notices something shiny in her tongue and then the drool as she looks at Harm with goggle eyes as she might call them
“I am Adara and my partner is Ahmed. We will be available to get you anything you need.”
Mac tries to suppress a laugh as she reads the menu. Ahmed comes up next to her with a tray of water glasses. He sets two down and moves on.
“Could you give us a few more minutes,” Harm asks.
“As you wish.”
The waitress goes away and Mac just laughs lightly to herself.
“Ok what’s so funny Mac,” Harm asks, trying not to be irritated.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice her tongue.”
“Why, should I have?”
“Her name means virgin in Arabic and by the looks of that barbell in her tongue, I’d guess she wasn’t one for long.”
“Oh. Well we better get food before we’re late.”
“What’s wrong Harm? You seem a little agitated.”
“It’s nothing, so what does his name mean?”
“Oh Ahmed? Much praised. It’s one of the many names of the prophet Muhammad.”
Ahmed suddenly appears as if he heard Mac talking about him. He fills her half empty water glass, and then goes away. Adara comes back and pulls out her pad.
“Are you ready to order,” she says to Harm, practically ignoring Mac.
“We’ll start with the baba ghannouj and falafel. The warm hummus tinged with just the right amount of garlic and, with hot, fresh bread. Then we’ll have the tabbouleh. He’ll have the mjadra, and I’ll have the shish taouk. Tha”
”
The waitress took it all down and left. Harm looked on at Mac as she ordered their diner. His eyes surprised but not too angry. He did want to order his own food but Mac seemed to know better.
“Okay Mac, do you want to explain to me what I’m going to be eating and what that was all about?”
“Don’t worry, I ordered the chicken kabobs and I got you something without meat.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“She totally ignored me Harm. She’s been making eyes at you and she’s about 18 I’m guessing.”
“So,” Harm can tell she’s jealous, and just to confirm his point Mac changes the subject.
“Never mind… So, what plans have you got for the rest of tonight?”
Suddenly, Ahmed comes and brings the hummus and the bread. Then leaves just as fast as he came over.
“I’m going to see a man about a…”
Ahmed appears again, this time bringing the appetizers of baba ghannouj and falafel. Adara follows behind with the tabbouleh.
“You were saying?”
“I’m going to a private party.”
“Really? After Bud and Harriet’s?
“Oh yeah,” Harm can tell Mac wants to ask if he needs a date but she keeps tight lipped.
“I actually have to leave Bud and Harriet’s early to make it on time.”
“Oh. Well I could get a ride home, if you want,” Mac just lets herself down easy, still she wonders why he doesn’t just invite her to come along.
“I’ve already asked Harriet to take care of that.”
“Who are you going with,” Mac asks in a rush of cool jealous anger. Harm can tell she’s getting mad. How could he just dump her at a party and then leave for a private party? She begins to think she should have driven to the Roberts’ party herself.
“It’s a bunch of old school buddies of mine.”
“So is Sturgis going?”
“Whoa son, that’s one big one.”
“I’m thinking of asking for him to throw in her Uncle Matt as a wedding gift for a couple days before and the day of our wedding.”
“You’re going to end up owing him big time, you know that.”
“Yeah, but I’d do anything for Mac.”
“That I do.”
Harm’s Loft Apartment
North of Union Station, Wash. D.C.
Tuesday, December 31, 2002
4:30 am.
The phone rings and Harm rolls over to get it.
“I don’t care what time it is Rabb, but you got your wishes granted and a surprise from the President and the First Lady. It seems you two have fans even though this is all against the regulations. You can thank me later. Good Night,” the line goes dead.
Harm half asleep barely registered in his head what Clayton Webb had just told him. He rolls back over and goes back to sleep. Suddenly he bolts out of bed when he filters the information from Clay. The President and First Lady? Had he asked for too much? Oh Mac would just love his surprise.
Roberts Home
Somewhere in Wash. DC.
10:00am.
Harriet busy with little A.J. on the counter, both planning a wonderful New Year’s Eve party.
“Mommy, may I haave those weenie things.”
“Which ones sweetie?”
“Those wones wif chweese.”
“Sure you can.”
Ever since Harriet let him stay up a half an hour later on New Year’s Eve one year, little A.J. discovered he had fallen in love with cocktail wieners, with the cheese filling. So now, every New Year’s Eve, Harriet and Bud let little A.J. stay up a half an hour later because it was a holiday, and so that he could have the cocktail wieners he likes. He’s still put to bed a little early so that the adult’s party can go on.
The phone rings and Harriet picks it up while she stirs cheesecake mix for little cherry cheesecake tarts. She delicately balances the receiver on her shoulder while she is stirring.
“Hello?”
“Good morning Harriet, happy New Year’s Eve.”
“Good morning Commander, the same to you. What can I do for you, sir?”
“It’s Harm Harriet. I forgot, what time is the party tonight?”
“We’re starting it a little later this year. 8:30 is about when you all can start arriving. I’ll start heating the hot foods at 8 so they’ll be ready when you all get here.”
“Great Harriet, now can I ask a small favor?”
“Sure,” Harriet says as she pours the cheesecake mixture into small graham cracker crusts.
“I need to steal Mac from the party tonight. Just for a while.”
“What’s going on?”
“I need you to do your best, hire a limo for me, and make sure Mac is in it by 11:00 tonight. After she gets in the car, tell the driver to take her to the White House Rose Garden. Make sure she doesn’t find out the destination. I am coming to the party but I’ll sneak out about 10:45. I’ll reimburse you for the costs. Don’t worry about her car. I’ll be bringing her to the party.”
“Ok, hold on let me get a pen.”
Little A.J runs in with a pen.
“How many times do I have to tell you not to run with things in your hand?”
“Sorry Mommy, is that Unca Harm?”
“Yes, I’ll let you talk to him in a minute.”
“Ok, I’ll make this short and sweet. 10:45 I leave. 11:00 Mac in limo to White House Rose Garden.”
“Ok got it. Anything else?”
“I can’t say yet. I’ll tell you later.”
“Ok then, here’s little A.J.
H
Harriet knew Harm was up to something. The White House Rose Garden? Wasn’t it closed in the winter? If not wouldn’t it be closed at 11:00pm? Bud walked in with Mikey Roberts, both carrying grocery bags from their last minute shopping trip for Harriet.
“Bud. The Commander’s up to something and it’s bothering me.”
“Now what?”
“He wants us to make sure Mac is in a limo at 11:00 tonight, heading for the White House Rose Garden.”
“Harriet, that’s where they met. He must be pulling major strings to get in there that late.”
“Oh I’m not worried about that. I want to know why he wants to meet her there that late.”
“It’s not our problem, so why worry,” says Bud as he puts the extra beer in the fridge.”
“Even I know he’s not going to hurt her or get into trouble on New Year’s Eve,” says Mikey.
“Maybe into trouble,” Harriet says as she finishes putting a spoon of 3 Comstock cherries on each of the small cheesecake tarts. Then handed the tray to Bud to put in the fridge.
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
11:00am.
Mac pulled out every outfit she had in her closet and put them on her bed. Now all she had to do was decide on which one that Harm would really go nuts over. An hour later her stomach grumbles, she still hadn’t decided on what to wear. Mac went into the kitchen and made herself a sandwich before going back to her room. Harriet would know what to do, so Mac picked up her portable and dialed the number.
“Morning, is Harriet there?”
“Oh hi Mac, yeah hold on,” said Mikey as he passes the phone to Harriet he mouths, “It’s Mac.”
“Hi Mac, what can I do for you?”
“I need help. I’m having trouble picking what to wear for the party tonight.”
“How about something black and short?”
“I wore black and short last year. I want to wear something that Harm can’t keep his hands off of.”
“In that case, that calls for a shopping trip. The mall should still be open. I’ll pick you up in half an hour,” Harriet said before hanging up. Mac felt a little relieved.
Roberts Home
Somewhere in Wash. DC.
12:30pm.
“What’s going on,” asks Bud.
“Fashion emergency. I’ll be back in a little bit. Could you watch A.J. for a while?”
“Sure, we’ll be out back playing with Uncle Mikey.”
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
3pm.
Several hours later, Mac had her dress. In the end, Harriet chose for her because she knew what Harm was up to and Mac didn’t. Harriet picked out a Tommy Bahama, Sand Dune Serenade Dress, in a butternut color, sleeveless with a boat neck, draped just below Mac’s knees, and a printed silk sheer georgette with spandex came with it. Mac is rather pleased with it as she looks at it hanging on the back of her bedroom door. A shower and dressing. Then, what to do with that hair spray? She laughs as she thinks about how Harm and everyone will react to her hair.
So like a trooper, she marches off into her bathroom to shower, dress, and then fix her hair. Now, two hours later she looks in the mirror. It wasn’t what she expected, but it looked perfect.
“Ok, my flyboy is due here in an 29 minutes and 30 seconds. Time for make up and last minute things that have to be done,” she reminded herself.
Minutes later, face beautiful, Mac checks her internal clock and her last minute checklist.
“19 minutes and 25 seconds until Harm gets to my door. Jingo is at Carol’s. The garbage has been taken out. Oh, I’ve got to get a handbag together,” and that is what brought the left over time to quickly pass.
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
6:00pm.
Harm pulls up to Mac’s place with the heater almost blazing hot. He crawls out of the comfort zone in the car and heads inside. He takes his time getting up to Mac’s even though he is a few minutes ahead of timec cac can somehow sense he is in the building, so she paces quietly near the door waiting for his hand to gently knock. Then she suddenly hears it and almost jumps for the doorknob, but she doesn’t want to be too anxious. She takes a couple deep breaths and opens the door.
“Hello Harm,” she says giving him a once over. He chose dark blue stingray boots, black jeans, a navy blue dress shirt, and a black blazer. He still wore his heavy parka due to the cold weather out.
“Hhii,” Harm stuttering, forced out.
Mac, looked so gorgeous, he was struck speechless. Almost like an angel, her hair, perfectly gold, glittery streaked, and her dress just fit in the right places. He smelled his favorite scent on her. She wore a citrine teardrop bracelet and teardrop earrings that Chloe had made one year at summer camp. Mac could tell he was lost somewhere in that flyboy brain of his so she grabbed her coat and handbag. She gently pushes him back out the door, makes sure she has her keys before locking, and shutting her door.
She takes Harm’s arm and leads him carefully out to his car. The cold finally made him snap to and he opened the door of his SUV for her. Mac made sure the dress wasn’t in the door before Harm shut it. He looked up and said a silent prayer.
“Thanks God and Dad for such a miracle woman.”
Then he quickly scrambled into the driver’s seat. He bucked in and hit the engine to get the heater back on.
“So where to for dinner,” Mac asks.
“The party starts at 8:30 so I was thinking of somewhere close to Bud and Harriet’s.”
“That’s fine, just feed me.”
“You got it Angel girl.”
“Ooh, I like the new nickname.”
“Well you do look like an angel and you’re my girl.”
“I want to hear that again.”
“What,” Harm asks as it dawns clear in his brain, “You’re my girl.”
Mac leans over and snuggles into his right arm. He lifts it up and over and lets her in closer to his side.
Mama Ayesha’s Restaurant
Somewhere near The Robert’s Place
6:58pm.
Harm pulls up to the Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine restaurant and helps Mac out of the SUV. He had picked this place out because he thought Mac might like it and they had Vegetarian special dishes. Mac takes Harm’s arm as they walk into the restaurant. The cheerily decorated dining room is interesting without being distracting, and peaceful without being soporific. The walls are sparsely adorned with magazine reviews of the restaurant, a portrait of Mama Ayesha, and a couple presidents. The hostess seats the two at a table and Mac notices the Arabic music playing in the background. It set the scene perfectly to find out what kind of plans Harm has for the rest of the evening. Just then a waitress comes up to take their order. Mac notices something shiny in her tongue and then the drool as she looks at Harm with goggle eyes as she might call them
“I am Adara and my partner is Ahmed. We will be available to get you anything you need.”
Mac tries to suppress a laugh as she reads the menu. Ahmed comes up next to her with a tray of water glasses. He sets two down and moves on.
“Could you give us a few more minutes,” Harm asks.
“As you wish.”
The waitress goes away and Mac just laughs lightly to herself.
“Ok what’s so funny Mac,” Harm asks, trying not to be irritated.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice her tongue.”
“Why, should I have?”
“Her name means virgin in Arabic and by the looks of that barbell in her tongue, I’d guess she wasn’t one for long.”
“Oh. Well we better get food before we’re late.”
“What’s wrong Harm? You seem a little agitated.”
“It’s nothing, so what does his name mean?”
“Oh Ahmed? Much praised. It’s one of the many names of the prophet Muhammad.”
Ahmed suddenly appears as if he heard Mac talking about him. He fills her half empty water glass, and then goes away. Adara comes back and pulls out her pad.
“Are you ready to order,” she says to Harm, practically ignoring Mac.
“We’ll start with the baba ghannouj and falafel. The warm hummus tinged with just the right amount of garlic and, with hot, fresh bread. Then we’ll have the tabbouleh. He’ll have the mjadra, and I’ll have the shish taouk. Tha”
”
The waitress took it all down and left. Harm looked on at Mac as she ordered their diner. His eyes surprised but not too angry. He did want to order his own food but Mac seemed to know better.
“Okay Mac, do you want to explain to me what I’m going to be eating and what that was all about?”
“Don’t worry, I ordered the chicken kabobs and I got you something without meat.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“She totally ignored me Harm. She’s been making eyes at you and she’s about 18 I’m guessing.”
“So,” Harm can tell she’s jealous, and just to confirm his point Mac changes the subject.
“Never mind… So, what plans have you got for the rest of tonight?”
Suddenly, Ahmed comes and brings the hummus and the bread. Then leaves just as fast as he came over.
“I’m going to see a man about a…”
Ahmed appears again, this time bringing the appetizers of baba ghannouj and falafel. Adara follows behind with the tabbouleh.
“You were saying?”
“I’m going to a private party.”
“Really? After Bud and Harriet’s?
“Oh yeah,” Harm can tell Mac wants to ask if he needs a date but she keeps tight lipped.
“I actually have to leave Bud and Harriet’s early to make it on time.”
“Oh. Well I could get a ride home, if you want,” Mac just lets herself down easy, still she wonders why he doesn’t just invite her to come along.
“I’ve already asked Harriet to take care of that.”
“Who are you going with,” Mac asks in a rush of cool jealous anger. Harm can tell she’s getting mad. How could he just dump her at a party and then leave for a private party? She begins to think she should have driven to the Roberts’ party herself.
“It’s a bunch of old school buddies of mine.”
“So is Sturgis going?”