Father Time's Gift

“No. I have to go alone. They didn’t send me an invite to bring a date. I’m sorry.”

“Then why are you going,” Mac asks thinking she has caught him in a trap. His eyes are darting everywhere like he’s nervous.

“God this woman is frustrating!” Harm thinks to himself and prays that Ahmed would come back so that he could change the subject.


Right on cue… Ahmed appeared to fill their glasses. Then he walked away.

“So what are you going to do after the Roberts’ party,” Harm asks taking a bite of the hummus with some of the spicy pita chips.

“I guess I’ll just go home, make breakfast, and wait to watch the Rose Parade on the Home & Garden channel,” Mac says trying to make Harm feel bad.


Harm smirks where she can’t see it. So far it’s working. He hopes she doesn’t figure it all out. Harm’s mjadra comes and he eyes lentils, onions and rice. It does look good. Mac has her is shish taouk, which looked basically like marinated, grilled chicken kebab off the skewer, served with pilaf-type rice.

“Trust me, you won’t be alone tonight,” Harm says as he takes her hand.

He slips his right hand up to her cheek, caressing it before he pulls her face close. Softly his lips touch hers in a warm kiss.

“Ok,” Mac says a little dazed.

“Eat Marine,” Harm says noticing their time is quickly winding down.

“What time is it?”

“We need to leave here in about a half an hour to be on time.”


The two finish their food without rushing and still have a little time left. Harm finally called for the check, both deciding that they didn’t want dessert if they were going to snack at the Roberts’ party. Mac thought the servers walked a fine line of being attentive but a little annoying. They seemed to appear at the wrong time at times. It was nice they tried to make sure Harm and her were satisfied but, somehow the waitress ticked Mac off. Harm was a little shocked at how low the bill was for dinner.


Roberts Home
Somewhere in Wash. DC.
8:28pm.

“We’re almost late,” says Mac checking her inner clock, after taking a little nap on the way.

“Don’t worry, we’re here,” says Harm, “Looks like we aren’t the last ones to get here.”

Mac gets out of her seat, beats Harm to the door, and he locks up his SUV.

“You look fantastic now that I’ve found the words.”

“Thanks, you look quite handsome yourself.”

She rings the bell and Bud gets the door.

“Happy New Year’s Eve, Mac, Harm. Come on in,” Bud says, beaming.

“Thanks Bud, same to you,” says Mac.

“Mac, could you please excuse us for a moment. Harm, could I see you in the den? I’ve got something to show you from the Lt. Gardener case. I need you just for a minute.”

“Uh yeah sure,” he says sort of getting Bud’s hint, “I’ll be at the party in a minute Mac.”

“I’m going to go see if Harriet needs help.”

Once Mac was out of sight, Harm follows Bud into the den.

“It’s taken care of. Harriet made all the arrangements. She’ll come tap your shoulder twice when it’s 10:45,” Bud whispers.

“How did… Never mind, I know. Thanks for your help.”

“Your welcome.”


In fact the last two to arrive to the party were A.J. and the soon to be Mrs. Chegwidden. Harm made it to Sturgis to tell him about this supposed school friends private party before Mac could ambush him for details. Harriet, Bud, and Mikey had been great about keeping this secret from all the rest of their friends, and for that Harm was grateful. The party was a ton of fun. Charades was won in a tie between Team Tiner and Coates and Team Latham and Sturgis. Mac and Harm won at Trivial Pursuit 20th Anniversary Edition. They even had A.J., Meredith, Sturgis, Bobbie Latham, and Harm and Mac in a game of Twister. Bud hobbled around and took pictures of all the games and the party for their photo albums and for anyone that wanted copies. All though, they had to all promise not to “accidentally show up” at JAG.


Roberts Home
Somewhere in Wash. DC.
10:45pm.

Outside the Roberts’ residence a white van pulls up and tries to hide some in the snow. Someone hops out of the back and covers the tire tracks with a broom then climbs back in.

“Ok so now what Webb?”

“Now we wait for Rabb and MacKenzie to leave.”


Inside Harriet casually makes her way to the kitchen and finds Harm rinsing his glass.

“Oh, don’t worry about cleaning up, just get. It’s time.”

“Thanks Harriet. I’ll go out the back.”

Harriet comes bac the the party with another tray of food and winks at Bud. He knows that Harm has gone by her signal. It was casual so Mac couldn’t tell what was up because Harm didn’t say what time he had to leave the party to go to the other one.


Out in the van, Webb watches Harm’s SUV leave through binoculars. Harm doesn’t even notice the van as he peals out of the driveway with out making too much noise.

“There goes Rabb. The limo should be comby sby soon.”


Mac notices about 13 minutes have gone by and she hasn’t seen Harm. She finds Harriet near the piano.

“Where’s Harm,” she asks.

“Last I saw he was in the kitchen.”

“Thanks.”

Mac goes into the kitchen and he’s not there. Harriet goes to answer the door when she hears the bell.

“Can I help you?”

“I am here for a… Sarah MacKenzie.”

“Sure, hang on. Please come in and wait here. You know where you have to go?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Then I’ll get her.”

Harriet goes to get Mac and finds her a little upset that Harm is gone. He didn’t even say good night. She thought about calling his cell phone and giving him an earful that would make that sailor blush.

“Mac, there’s someone here for you,” Harriet says.

“Well, if you don’t mind I’m going to go home. I’m not feelwellwell.”

“Ok. Just see this guy first. He’s been out in the cold a while.”

Mac comes around the corner and sees this driver complete with a driver cap. He’s holding a large red double-headed rose and a white envelope.

“Sarah MacKenzie?”

“Yes.”

“This is for you,” the driver says as he hands her the rose and the white envelope.

Mac opens the envelope and pulls out this folded blue note. She holds it close so that she can read it alone.

“Come to me. Come to me Sarah Catherine MacKenzie. I’m waiting, Harmon Rabb, Jr.,” Mac reads to herself, her hand suddenly shaking.

“What’s going on Mac,” Sturgis asks, suddenly noticing Harm’s gone as well.

“I don’t know, but I have to go. Happy New Year’s to everyone, I’ll see you all on Thursday.”

“Bye Mac, same to you,” everyone says back in one form or another.

Harriet can see tears forming so she hands Mac a tissue as she puts on her scarf.

“Save this for me incase I forget it,” Mac says handing Harriet the note, and Harriet quickly slips it into her pocket.

“I will.”

“Good Luck, Mac,” Harriet says, giving her a wink as she guides her out the door.

Bud and Harriet and the entire party come out to watch Mac get in the white limo. It takes off down the driveway, red taillights beam against the snow-covered ground.

“Ok you two, what’s going on,” asks Sturgis seeing the bright smiles on Bud and Harriet’s faces.

“What,” says Bud with an even broader e.
e.

“Where’s Mac going at this time of night,” asks A.J. “And don’t make me turn it into an order.”

“Look, there’s a white van pulling in,” says Tiner.


“Oh goodie, they’re all on the porch,” says Webb.

“And that’s a problem why,” asks Agent March, “Oh I get it. You wanted a big entrance…”

“Exactly. Let’s go.”


Clayton Webb gets out of the van with Agent March. He calmly, yet slightly agitated, walks up to the porch.

“I am assuming you all want to know why I am here. That will come shortly, in the meantime. Mr. Roberts’ please lead me to your largest television.”

“Hello to you to Mr. Webb,” Bud says shortly.

“Look, I’m on a schedule here. If you all want to know where Mac and Harm have gone, I suggest you let me in and let Agent March here set up the audio and video link.”

“By all means, Mr. Webb,” says A.J. taking over.

They all shuffle inside and into the den where Bud’s big screen television sits. Agent Mastarstarts fiddling with the back to hook up both links. The television had been a gift from all the guys at JAG, so that they all could hang out and watch games on, especially the Super Bowl.

“So Mr. Webb, what is your part in this little game that is afoot,” Harriet asks.

“Mac is en route to the White House Rose Garden. Normally it’s closed, but through certain channels, of which will remain nameless, the President and First Lady have given clearance for a half hour.”

“He’s going to propose isn’t he,” asks Bobbie Latham.

“Yes Bobbie, my guess is on the spot where they met,” says A.J., “And where I told them, incidentally, to not to get too involved because they’d be working together. When I think back now that I know what I know and I could have saved us years of torment of watching those two get together, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Us too, A.J.” says Harriet.

“Now, Harm and of course Mac, doesn’t know we’ve set this up,” says Webb, “And for those of you that don’t know, we’ve also got Mac’s proposal on tape as well, just incase you wanted another copy instead of using the one you have.”

“We’re all set. Everyone find a seat for the Rabb Show,” says Agent Stacy March. Everyone scrambles while Sturgis and A.J. go for extra chairs.

“Look there’s Harm,” says Harriet, “He must have stopped to change.”

“Harm is wearing the exact same uniform that he met her in,” says Bud.

“He’s not wearing the new medals or new insignia he’s gotten either,” says A.J.


The White House Rose Garden
Washington, D.C.
11:35pm.

“God please don’t let her get stuck in traffic. Ok Marine, you’ve got five minutes to get here,” Harm says as he stands at the archway on the exact spot where he took Mac’s hand.

Suddenly the limo pulls up, you can see Harm’s face brighten, and it no longer matters that Mac is five minutes late. He figured it had to be security at the gate.


Mac is inside the car wondering why she’s at The White House Rose Garden, half an hour before midnight. She tries to look out the tinted window. She can barely make out H The The driver gets out and opens the door for Mac.

“What are you up to Flyboy,” she asks as she sees Harm standing in that spot. He raises his hands and calls out.

“Come to me Sarah.”

Her eyes began to well up at those words.

Mac crossed the pavement to stand in front of him in her coat and dress. She thanked god she was wearing light colored leggings under to keep her legs warm.

“Ok I’m here. Now what’s going on?”

Harm’s fleece-lined leather glove took her white driving gloved hand. The exact same hand he held in that long ago moment.

“I brought you here to this spot to tell you something and then ask you something special. I am wearing the same uniform and standing on the same spot where we met. I am standing here in this uniform because on that day I saw our future, flash so fast in front of me, like a sign that you had been sent to me for a reason. I believe that reason was to be my guiding light when I am in a storm.”

Mac’s tears began to softly flow as she remembered his crash the night of her rehearsal dinner.

“I want you to be my homing beacon, the one I can always find my way back to. I believe we are connected in some way, soul mates if you want to call it that. I never to to leave you again. I know that I want to love you for the rest of my life. I want to know what you’ll be doing for the rest of your life.”

“Loving you of course,” says Mac smiling and squeezing his hand a little tighter to emphasize her point.


Roberts Home
Somewhere in Wash. DC.
11:50pm.

Harriet, Meredith, Bobbi and Tiner were gushing, passing the Kleenex box around. Everyone’s eyes glued to the television screen. Clay thinking that Harm’s words is as lame as soap opera scripting.


The White House Rose Garden
Washington, D.C.
11:52pm.

“Now, Sarah, as these last few minutes of 2002 pass away, I want to usher the new year in right,” Harm says.

Then he slowly goes down on his right knee, while digging out the little navy blue box out of his pocket. He looks up into her shining eyes. Mac looks surprised to say the least. Her eyes almost too blurred with tears.

“Oh Harm,” Mac can barely say as her other hand is nervously shaking. Harm has a firm grip on it, making sure she knew he wasn’t going to let her go.

“Sarah Catherine MacKenzie, will you do me the honor of becoming my best friend, wife, companion, soul mate, lover, and partner for the rest of our lives together. I am asking you to be mine forever… I love you.”

Mac was totally shocked, not only by Harm’s words, but also by the ring as he opened the box. She was totally speechless as she looked at the beautiful 14kgold band with 3 D color princess cut diamonds, each stone 0.25 carats, in a channel setting. The diamonds looked small to any other person but to Mac, they were perfect.


Roberts Home
Somewhere in Wash. DC.
11:59 pm and 20 seconds.

By now everyone in the room was yelling at the big screen television.

“Say Yes Mac!” They all began to chant.

“God these two are the most frustrating people I have ever met,” says A.J.

“Aren’t you glad you got it together before they did,” asks Meredith as she looks down at her ring.

“Yes, but it didn’t take me more than 5 years to do it, thank god.”