Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: I don't own JAG or it's characters. This is purely for
entertainment
Classification: H/M Humor
Category: Harm and Mac angst/romance
Summary: This is a continuation from 'When You're Not Trying' and
Necessary Adjustments' It's baby time!
PART 2
Two days after "the due date"
JAG HQ
"Tiner don't be so disappointed. You just missed winning the pool by a week." Gunny laughed.
"I always thought the Marines were the first on land.. .whatever." Tiner whined.
"Remember this baby has a sailor as a father, and he's an Airedale to boot." Gunny smiled.
***********
Harm yawned for the third time in staff meeting drawing the attention of the Admiral.
"Commander, if you find it so hard to stay awake in these meetings perhaps I could suggest a transfer to somewhere a little cooler like Iceland?" The Admiral was clearly not happy.
"I'm sorry Sir, but...well.." Harm was embarrassed and fought still another urge to yawn.
"I'm listening, Commander."
"Mac, Colonel McKenzie, had two nights of false labor. We were up until almost 0300 Tuesday and 0430 last night, Sir."
"I see," the Admiral's tone softened a little. "She's overdue as I recall."
"Two days, 9 hours and 30 minutes."
"You're beginning to sound like the Colonel." The Admiral smiled at his response.
"Let's just say, the Colonel keeps me current." Harm smiled in return.
"You have the Moore hearing this morning. Are you up to it?"
"Yes, Sir. It's not a complicated case."
"Dismissed."
*************
Courtroom JAG HQ
2 hours later
Harm had just begun to question a witness when Gunny eased in the courtroom and motioned for Harm.
"Sir, Colonel McKenzie called...she's in labor." He whispered. "Sir, she said to tell you she's sure...her water broke."
"How far apart are her contractions?"
"She said three minutes and pretty steady. She said for you to get your six over there now." Gunny grinned at the last part.
"Commander, I hate to interrupt you, but if you and the Gunnery Sergeant are finished, I would like to resume this hearing sometime today." Admiral Morris spoke sarcastically.
"Sir, permission to approach the bench."
"What now Commander?"
"Sir, Colonel McKenzie, my wife is in labor. I would like to request a postponement Sir." Harm's eyes were wide, and he looked as if he had one foot out the door already.
"Permission granted, and Commander? Good luck." The Admiral added with a smile.
"Court will be recessed until Monday 0900." Admiral Morris announced, as he brought the gavel down.
*************
Rabb residence
20 minutes later
Harm made it home in record time finding Mac sitting in the kitchen with her bag packed. "Hey sailor, you ready? This time it's for real." She had a look of amusement on her face as she observed Harm's demeanor. He looked as if he was trying hard not to appear panicked.
"Are you alright?...Did you call Dr. Nelson?...How far apart are your contractions?...Are you alright?"
"Slow down, yes, yes, 2 and 1/2 minutes and yes. We have plenty of time to reach the hospital."
And as usual Murphy's law took over.
"Harm, did you check the tire on the SUV? It was low." Mac had been driving Harm's SUV since she found out she was pregnant.
"It's not low. It's flat. I forgot. I'm sorry Mac. We'll have to take the Vette. I don't think we will have time for me to change the tire."
"Harm, it will take a tow truck to pull me out of that seat." Mac whined as Harm eased her into the low snug seat of her Corvette.
*************
30 minutes later
On the Beltway
"Traffic hasn't moved for over 30 minutes Harm. My contractions are beginning to really get my attention."
Harm turned on the radio. "Traffic is still backed up along the Beltway northbound due to an overturned 18 wheeler. It appears 20 or more vehicles were involved in the pile up, and so far no serious injuries have been reported. It looks like it will be several hours before this traffic jam will be history. So everyone out there better plan to take alternate routes. This is Stan Price reporting for 99.3"
"Oh great!" Harm didn't mean to say that aloud.
"Harm!" Mac cried out.
"It'll be OK. Let me call the hospital and talk with Dr. Nelson."
Harm nervously dial the number...
"If you are dialing from a touch tone phone, press 1 now. If not, hold the line."
Harm pressed one.
"If you know the extension to which you would like to be connected please enter the number now and then press the pound key."
"Mac, what is Dr. Nelson's extension?"
"321"
Harm pressed in the numbers and the pound key.
"You have entered an invalid number. Please try again" then the line when dead.
'The only invalid thing about this is the damn message system. I hate talking to a computer.' Harm thought as he redialed the number.
Harm repeated the sequence only this time waiting for an operator.. the phone rang and rang and rang.' No one's home. Great! A hospital with over 500 beds and thousands of employees, but no one to answer a stupid phone.' Harm's patience was stretched about as tight as Mac's belly.
Mac cried out with another contraction as Harm attempted to dial again while trying to time her contraction, which were now less than two minutes apart.
"If you would like to leave a message press 1, if the nurse can return you call tomorrow press 2, if the message is urgent...."
Harm quickly pressed 3. "...press 4"
"No, no, no."
"Senior citizen's services, no one is available to answer this call, you could leave a message at this time, and an operator will return you call as soon as possible."
"This is Harmon Rabb, Jr. By the time you return my call I will need your services!!"
"Harm! I need to get out of this car now!" Mac looked panicked.
Jumping out of the car, Harm ran around to the passenger door and opened it and assisted Mac to a standing position.
"Harm, this baby's not going to wait for us to get to the hospital."
Now?" his voice two octaves higher than usual.
"Yes." Another contraction hit hard causing Mac to lean heavily against the car as Harm steadied her. He scanned the surroundings and only saw a sea of vehicles going nowhere.
"Can we be of assistance, Monsieur?" Harm turned to see two men in work coveralls. "My name is Pierre, and this is my brother Jacque. We are plumbers." His accent was heavy, and his brother just stood with a silly grin on his face. "Jacque does not speak English very well."
My wife is in labor, and she's ready to have the baby now. I need somewhere for her to lie down." Harm was now using his military training to keep from totally loosing it.
"Use our van." Behind the Vette was a utility vehicle with the words Pierre's Plumbing written on the side.
"That will have to do, Sarah Honey. Let's move to the van where you can lie down."
"Hey, Commander!" Harm looked around to see an older couple calling from their 70's model Lincoln. 'Now what?'
"We have a couple of quilts. You look like you could use something for your wife to lie on."
Mac looked gratefully, "That would be so....oh...oh" another contraction hit. The older couple followed with the man continuing to chatter "I was in the Navy you know. Back in the 50's...things have sure changed. Is this your first? We have seven, 5 boys and 2 girls. Name's Chandler, Howard, wife's Mildred...."
"Thanks, could you just give the quilts to Pierre." Harm gestured while guiding Mac into the back of the van. Another contraction hit so hard that Mac could not walk or talk. Pierre quickly spread the quilt on the floor of the dirty van. Harm and Jacque gently eased Mac onto the floor and covered her with a second quilt.
"Harm, I'm scared." Mac squeezed his hand tightly as tears began to trickle down her face.
"Hey, we're together. We've always been good together." Harm said soothingly and gently stroked her face. He had to hold it together for Sarah and little Rabb...he just had to.
"Sarah, I couldn't get through to the hospital, so I'm going to call the Admiral. He's done this before, remember?" He said, his voice controlled and positive. "Jacque, could you hold her hand?" Jacque looked to his brother who quickly translated. "What would you have me to do, Monsieur?" Pierre asked Harm.
"Harm, just call me Harm."
"Tiner this is Commander Rabb. I need to speak with the Admiral. It's an emergency!" he practically screamed into the phone.
*****************
JAG HQ
Admiral Chegwidden's office
"Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt."
"Why, Tiner, did you? I told you no interruptions while I'm meeting with the SecNav."
"Sir," Tiner persisted.
"Tiner? Do you understand?"
"Sir, it's an emergency call from Commander Rabb. It sounds urgent."
The Admiral sucked in a deep breath and picked up the phone, "Commander, this better be an emergency!"
"Sir, Mac and I are stuck in a traffic jam on the Beltway. Sir, she's about to have the baby and I couldn't get through to her doctor or the hospital..."
"Just a minute, Harm, stay on the line."
The SecNav looked as if he had just passed a kidney stone as the Admiral turned to explain. "Sir, I need to I delay this meeting. It seems that Commander Rabb and Colonel McKenzie are experiencing an emergency."
"Hell, AJ, when is the Commander not part of some sort of crisis!?"
The Admiral raised an eyebrow and spoke very firmly, "Harm and Mac are stuck in a traffic jam on route to the hospital to have their baby. I believe that this constitutes an emergency and takes higher priority than this meeting. So if you will excuse me."
"AJ . . .of course. . .I have grandkids."
"I'm putting you on speakerphone, and the SecNav is here."
Sir, the contractions are about a minute apart and strong."
"Has she started trying to push?"
"No Sir"
"Harm where exactly are you?"
"We're in the back of a plumbing van. . .it's a long story. . .just a minute...Sarah..honey remember to breath. . .ok blow 1-2- 3. . .that's it."
Jacque's eyes became wide as Mac nearly squeezed his hand off. "Babe' venir n'importe quand?" Jacque looked painfully to his brother.
"Yes, any moment" Pierre responded excitedly.
"Commander, do you have anything to wrap the baby in? You'll also need shoelaces to tie the cord and something to cut it with."
"Pierre, find something to wrap the baby in." Harm directed.
"Who's Pierre?" The Admiral asked.
"A plumber, we're in his and his brother Jacque's van. I wish they were doctors." Harm sighed.
"I don't know." The SecNav cracked, "Have you ever tried to get a plumber come to your house?" the SecNac was suddenly interested in the course of events.
"Commander, see if you can get those guys to come by my house when your finished there. I have this leaking faucet that is driving me nuts."
Another strong contraction hit causing Sarah to cry out, and making Harm feel more helpless.
"With all due respect Sir. I'm kind of busy at the moment. And I really don't care about the state of your plumbing," 'or your mind,' Harm thought insolently.
"Harm, it hurts. . . I'm tired of this. . .I can't do this anymore."
"Sarah remember our classes? You need to stay focused. You need to find something to focus on rather than the pain. . .look. . .try focusing on my wings." Harm patted his wings on his chest.
"I DON'T WANT TO STARE AT THOSE DAMN GOLD WINGS. THAT'S WHAT GOT ME HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
"Okay, Admiral, I think she's in transition."
"I heard Commander, it's time to get her to push." The Admiral said with a smile. The SecNav had since moved to a chair out of the way. Other JAG staff had quietly entered the Admiral's quarters upon hearing of the situation. Bud, Harriet, Tiner, Gunny and Carolyn stood anxiously waiting.
"I find babe' couverture!" Pierre reappeared holding a soft baby blanket. "A couple in car share their babe' possession." Harm gave him a grateful look and took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.
"OK Marine, it's time to push at the end of this next contraction. Okay push, push!"
Jacque holding her hand repeated "Poussee`"
"Harm, I can't. It hurts..."
"Yes you can. you're a 'Jarhead kick ass Marine.. NOW PUSH!"
Jacque shot Pierre a look of confusion "Jarhead no comprendre."
"Kick ass Marine Jarhead is rendre cher, a term of endearment." Pierre translated to Jacque.
"OH" Jacque smiled in understanding and joined in, "Kick ass Jarhead, poussee`!"
"Harm, I'm going to kick some French ass if this baby doesn't get here soon!" Mac growled through her teeth.
"I see the head!" The phone that had been cradled on his shoulder now dropped to the floor with JAG HQ listening as the birth grew closer.
"Harm" Mac whimpered.
"Sarah, you're doing great. I can see our baby. It's time to push again. . okay. . .PUSH."
"The head's out." Harm placed his hands gently around the head to allow the next contraction to further push the shoulders out.
"Wait! Sarah don't push now." Harm ordered his face wet with sweat.
"What's wrong?" Sarah looked worriedly at her husband. Pierre and Jacque exchanged looks of alarm.
"The cord. . .it's around the neck. . .let me see. . .if I can just. . slip it. . .OK. Sarah it's okay to push. . .push!" A look of relief washed over everyone's faces while at JAG HQ a collective sigh of relief could be heard throughout the Admiral's office.
Harm was now held his perfectly beautiful son in his hands. He carefully turned him on his stomach and patted him gently. A strong cry rose from the infant's lungs. Tears begin to fall down his face as he wrapped his son carefully in the soft blanket and handed him to Pierre. "Beau babe` garcon cher`, Congratulations, Pe`re and Me`re." Pierre smiled. Harm then tied and cut the cord. He took their tiny new baby kissing him on the forehead as handed him to his mother.
He leaned over and kissed Sarah on the forehead holding the kiss and saying a prayer of thanksgiving. "Sarah, I love you. You are fantastique, Me`re."
"I love you. You aren't so bad yourself, Pe`re."
Back at JAG a loud applause could be heard almost to Norfolk. Harm could hear the commotion from his phone and picked it up, "WE HAVE A SON!"
As Harm held the phone to Sarah's ear,"SEMPER FI" could be heard from everyone at JAG. Mac could feel tears in her eyes as she cradled their precious baby son as he began to root.
"Hey Mom, I think someone's hungry. He's already taking after his mom." Harm was wearing a smile that just wouldn't go away.
I don't know Sailor. He kept me waiting, and then when he was ready I had to bow to his needs immediately...Reminds me of someone else I know." She smiled as her new son nuzzled close and began to suckle.
*************
Back at JAG headquarters
"Gunny, who won the pool?" Tiner asked as everyone cleared out of the Admiral's office.
"The Admiral"
How do you suppose he knew?"
"Quote-unquote. . .I'm betting this baby is going to be like his father. . call it a wish. . .Rabb needs to experience himself first hand."
THE END
Glossary of French
Monsieur...mister
Comprendre...Understand
Rendre cher...a term of endearment
Pe`re...Father
Me`re...Mother
Fantastique...Fantastic
Beau babe` garcon...beautiful baby boy
* NancyT's Stories * Please send Feedback! *
