JAG Continues Book I: Striving for Settlement
Ch. 3 - Flaws
Part B
Harm walked into Mattie’s hospital room alone. “Hey, … how’s the cutest patient in here doing today?”
“Harm! … I’ve been better, but I guess I’m okay, considering,” Mattie answered.
“You’re looking pretty good.”
“Well, I’m happy that you’re here. So, they postponed your move to London?”
“No, … not exactly …” he answered.
“Harm, you didn’t give it up, did you? I told you to take the job. I don’t mind moving. Right now, I’d love to move anywhere as long as it’s out of this stupid hospital.”
“You need to be in this hospital right now. I know it’s hard, but be patient and …”
“You’re changing the subject,” she interrupted.
“Right. … I am still planning to move, just not to London anymore.”
“Where then?”
“San Diego.”
“Isn’t that where you said they were sending Mac?”
“Yes.”
“So, you’re going to be working with Mac in San Diego?”
“Uh, no. … Do you mind if I pull up a chair?” He gestured toward a seat over by the wall.
“Harm, there’s already a chair over here.” She looked at the seat beside her bed.
“I know, but I brought another visitor for you, and I don’t want to keep her waiting anymore.” He brought the second chair over next to the other. “I’ll be right back.”
A few moments later he returned, guiding Mac into the room with his hand on the small of her back.
“Mac!” Mattie’s eyes lit up with surprise.
“Hi, Mattie. How are you?” Mac went over and gave Mattie a light hug.
“Fine. What are you doing here?”
Mac took a deep breath. “As it turns out, I had some free time today, and Harm invited me to come along to see you.”
“I thought you were leaving for San Diego today?”
“Mac was,” Harm answered, “but her plans were changed as well.”
Mac poured some water in a cup, put in a straw, and held it out for Mattie. “You look thirsty.”
“Thanks.” Mattie drank while Mac and Harm sat down. Then Mattie continued, asking, “So what’s going on? Did they swap your assignments or something?”
“No,” Harm answered.
“So, Mac’s staying here?” Mattie asked.
“No, she’s still going to San Diego. Her move has just been postponed.”
“You’re both going to be stationed in San Diego then?”
Harm started, “Possibly, but …”
“What is this, twenty questions?” Mac asked, amused. “Harm, stop torturing her, and tell her already.”
“If she gives me a chance …” Harm began, almost whining.
“Okay Harm, just tell me.” Mattie was thankful that at least Mac seemed as impatient as she was for Harm to spit out what was going on.
Harm smiled and breathed in deeply. “Well, Mac and I were talking last night. And we realized that …”
Mattie’s eyes widened, “You two finally got together!!” she interrupted, when she saw Harm take Mac’s hand.
Harm gave up on his planned speech. “… Yeah. Mac and I finally admitted that we want to be together.”
“That’s great! So, … what does this mean?” She looked back and forth between them.
“It means,” said Mac, meeting the eyes of the man next to her, “that Harm and I are getting married.”
Mattie’s mouth just hung open for a few seconds. “Wow! When the two of you do finally decide something, there’s no in between, is there?”
“No,” they both answered together and laughed.
After a moment, Mattie’s smile dimmed. “So Harm, you’re giving up London?”
He answered, “Well, we didn’t want to be on different continents, and since neither of us wanted to give up our new billets, we let fate decide for us which place we would go.”
“Fate?” Mattie asked.
“Yes,” said Mac. With a hint of sarcasm, she explained, “We did the mature thing and tossed a coin for it.”
“So, Mac, … you won the coin toss?”
“Yes,” confirmed Mac hesitantly.
“But,” stressed Harm, “then we talked about it and decided that it really is the best option for all of us to be in San Diego.”
“Do you get to work as a captain in San Diego?”
“Probably not. I may have to find a new job when I get there. Mac and I won’t be able to be in the same chain of command, but I might still be able to find a naval position in California. They probably don’t have any openings for captains though.”
“Oh.” Mattie looked disappointed.
Mac sensed what Mattie was feeling. “Mattie, I wouldn’t let him do this if it isn’t what he wanted.”
Harm immediately spoke up. “Mac offered to go to London, but I insisted we go with the result of the coin toss. And I’m happy about it. I grew up in California, you know. … And if the Navy doesn’t come up with something for me, I know I can always get a job crop dusting,” he joked.
Mattie grinned at that. “You’ll never find a boss as nice as the one you had the last time you crop dusted.”
“That’s for sure.” Harm gave her one of his best smiles.
She returned the sentiment, albeit with a much weaker grin, but then became very serious. “So, Harm, … what happens now? … About me?”
“I’m still petitioning the courts for guardianship. Nothing’s changed, except that you’ll join us in San Diego, if that’s okay with you.”
Mattie nodded her head slightly.
Mac wanted to say something, without being too direct, to let Mattie know that Mac welcomed having her with them. “I’m looking forward to start house shopping with Harm, so if you have any requests about the kind of house, room, or location you’d like, let us know, okay?”
“Sure,” Mattie responded.
It was not the excited tone Mac was hoping for from Mattie. “Um … I think I’ll go to the cafeteria to get some coffee. Either of you want me to bring something back?” Mac asked.
“No, I’m fine.” Harm said. “But be warned that the coffee is questionable here.”
“I don’t know that I trust your judgment in coffee.” Mac smiled at Harm.
“Well, I know this stuff will definitely not be strong enough for you,” he replied, with a smirk.
“Guess I’ll find out. Mattie, anything?”
“I still don’t have much of an appetite,” Mattie answered.
“Something to drink then? Juice maybe?” Mac prodded.
“Yeah, okay.”
“Alright, I’ll be back in awhile.” Mac squeezed Harm’s shoulder lightly on her way out.
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To be continued in Flaws, Part C