Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: Don't own JAG or characters
Classification: Harm, Mac in there along with the others
PG
Summary: More of a family piece. Harm
finds himself in a new role as a surrogate parent for two young
children. Does have a Christmas twist at the end.
Thanks to Carolyn for beta reading.
JAG Headquarters November 1
Gunny passed down the hall to the conference room. "Excuse me Sirs, Ma'am. Commander Rabb, you have an emergency call."
Harm frowned as thoughts of his grandmother, mother and Frank ran through his mind. Shaking away those unfounded fears, he looked to Bud and Mac. "I guess we have put all the cards on the table. I believe it's up to you and your client to decide if he wants to accept these terms. If you'll excuse me."
"Commander Rabb," Harm stood in his office holding the phone to his ear.
"Commander, this is Lt. Lola Harris with family services at Miramar. I'm sorry to inform you that Commanders Gabe and Connie Matthews were killed last night in a car accident. You are listed as the emergency contact number."
Harm sank into his desk chair shocked. Gabe and Connie had attended the Academy with himself, Luke, Keeter, and Diane. They had celebrated and grieved together over the years.
"Commander, I need you to come and help finalize the arrangements."
"Of course, I'll try to get a flight out this evening." Harm slowly placed the phone on its receiver and sank into his desk chair.
"Harm, is everything all right?" Mac stood at his office door.
Harm did not respond immediately, but walked over to his bookshelf to retrieve a group photograph of himself and his academy friends laughing together. "Gabe and Connie were killed last night. They were old friends."
"Oh Harm, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?" Mac spoke sympathetically and walked over to place her hand against his back.
"I need to fly out to Miramar this evening. Do you think you could get a postponement on the Robbins' court-martial? I should be back in a few days. I need to see the Admiral." He laid the photo down and walked out of the office. Mac picked up the photo of a group of carefree midshipmen laughing together. She frowned as she realized that of the group, only Harm and Jack Keeter remained.
****** Miramar Nov. 2
Harm arrived at the family services building on base at Miramar and located Lt. Harris' office.
"Commander, I wish to extend my condolences on this tragic turn of events." She appeared very businesslike and proceeded to pull a file, "According to our records, you are listed as the legal guardian to the Matthews 2 children, Gabriel and Anna. If you will just sign these forms, I will be able to release the children into your care. We have also made arrangements with Arlington National Military Cemetery, where the Matthews wished to be buried."
Harm looked confused, "Wait, guardian? I don't understand."
"Commander, as you know Commander Gabe Matthews had no living relatives, and Commander Connie Matthews' parents died in the summer of 1999. The children have no living relatives. You are listed as the legal guardian, I assumed you knew."
"I haven't talked with Gabe and Connie in over a year. I guess it slipped my mind that her parents had died. I was stationed on the Patrick Henry during that time."
"Commander, someone needs to take custody of the children. If you are unable, then I have no choice but to turn them over to social services for foster care, until an adoption can be arranged."
"Foster care." Harm replied weakly.
"Anna, the baby, is 11 months old. It will not be difficult to arrange for her adoption, but Gabe is almost 6 years old. Older children are more difficult to place." She explained.
"You mean they may not be adopted into the same family?" Harm responded in dismay.
"Sir, I'm only being realistic." The Lt. looked over her glasses at the shell shocked officer before her.
"But how could you let that happen." Harm couldn't believe what was happening.
"I'm not the one letting this happen, Commander. You are."
Lt. Harris pulled a set of papers from her file, "If you'll just sign this release, I'll notify social services." Harm looked at the forms and pushed them back to Lt. Harris.
"Where are the children."
"They are in temporary daycare next door."
"Can I see them?"
"Of course and Commander...they haven't been told about their parents. We decided it would be best to let you handle the matter."
Harm visibly slumped in the chair. He hadn't seen little Gabe in two years and never laid eyes upon Anna. 'I guess its better I tell them considering the alternative.' He thought angrily, looking at the Navy bureaucrat that sat shuffling papers in front of him.
*******
The little boy sat alone on a swing on the playground as Harm approached.
"Gabe." Harm kneeled down in front of the little boy with blue eyes and dark brown hair and a serious expression.
"I'm Harm Rabb, a friend of your parents. I met you in Japan a couple of years ago." Harm smiled.
Gabe studied the man before him, "I've seen pictures of you with my Dad and Mom."
"That's right. We went to the Academy together."
"When are my Mom and Dad coming to get me and my sister?"
Harm shifted uncomfortably before continuing, "Gabe, last night when your Mom and Dad were driving home they had an accident and were hurt very badly." Harm spoke gently.
"Are they in the hospital?" Gabe began to look panicked.
"No, Gabe, your Mom and Dad died. They left instructions for me to take care of you and your sister if anything ever happened to them." Harm said sadly, as he touched Gabe's arm.
"NO! You're lying! My Mom and Dad are gonna pick us up!" Gabe jerked away and ran across the playground until he come to the fence, where he slid down, hugging his knees, rocking himself as he cried.
Harm swallowed back the grief he felt as he remembered being told the news about his own father. He walked over and sat next to Gabe and put his arm around him, "It's okay to cry." He said softly and pulled the little heartbroken boy into his arms as his own tears fell, grieving for another little boy's loss.
****
Harm completed the necessary paperwork and walked to the daycare to pick up Gabe and Anna. They would stay one last night at the Matthews' before leaving the next day for Washington.
Anna was a little doll with her mother's green eyes and dark curly hair. She was fretful from the moment Harm took her and Gabe to base housing.
Harm juggled Anna and their bags as he unlocked the door. Gabe darted in ahead looking in all the rooms.
"Gabe can you take this bag and show me your rooms." Harm knew Gabe was hoping his parents would walk into the house and his nightmare would be over. Harm wished it would happen too.
Harm managed to make a supper of mac and cheese and green beans that he found in the kitchen. He found several jars of baby food for Anna. Anna had pureed carrots and spinach all over her hands, face and in her hair by the time supper was finished. Harm looked at the sticky little girl wondering how that happened in such a short time.
"Momma would have wiped her hands before she made a mess." Gabe's comment was meant to attack.
"Well, I guess I'll do that next time. It's off to the bathtub for you young lady." Harm chose to overlook the comment.
Gabe stood at the bathroom door as Harm struggled with a crying Anna in the tub. He had more water on himself than Anna had and she was in the tub. "Momma doesn't use that soap when she washes Anna." Anna was crying inconsolably as Harm sighed and rinsed the soap from her face. 'Now he tells me' Harm bit back his frustration.
"I'm sorry sweetie. I'll do better next time. Your Mom was a smart lady." Harm pulled Anna into a towel and held her gently wiping her tearful eyes.
"Gabe you need to take a bath." Harm looked to the little boy who had his hands crossed in front of him.
"I don't want to!" Came a stubborn reply.
"Gabe, that wasn't a question. In the bathtub now." Harm responded firmly. 'Great a battle of wills.'
Gabe stood glaring at the man holding his sister. "I will tonight, but I won't tomorrow." He conceded as Harm let out a sign of relief when Gabe wasn't watching.
******
Harm paced up and down the hallway trying to quiet Anna's sobs when Gabe appeared in his PJs and a book.
"She wants her blanket."
"What blanket?" Harm was desperate.
"The pink one." Gabe said without emotion and headed towards his room.
Harm dug into the bag he brought from the daycare and found a rather worn soft pink blanket. 'Thank God.' Harm thought as he handed it to Anna who immediately quieted.
Gabe was in his bed telling himself a story about the book he held. He held a replica of a Tomcat in his arm. "You want me to read to you?" Harm stood with Anna in his arms at Gabe's door.
"My Dad reads to us at night. You are not my Dad." Gabe spit out.
"You're right, I could never be your dad." Harm replied hurting for the angry little boy.
"Anna may want you to read to her." Gabe called out as Harm turned to leave.
Harm smiled to himself and walked over to Gabe's bed. "Do you think she would like that one?"
"Yea, she likes this one. It has trains."
Harm eased on the edge of Gabe's bed and leaned back against the headboard with Anna on one side and Gabe on the other. "The Little Engine That Could." Harm nodded in approval and remembrance of the same story that had been read to him many years before.
Anna held the blanket close with one hand with her thumb in her mouth peacefully resting against Harm's chest as he read. Gabe tried to look disinterested but began to slowly move closer so he could see the pictures as Harm read softly.
Within twenty minutes both children were sound asleep. Harm carefully lifted Anna and covered Gabe placing the jet next to him. After placing Anna in her crib and covering her with a baby quilt, he made sure the pink blanket was next too her face.
Harm sank down into a recliner in the living room totally exhausted. He looked around the room seeing family pictures of happier days. 'Gabe, Connie, why me?'
****
Nov. 3
Harm, dressed in casual clothes, headed to the airport with the kids in tow. Anna held tightly to the pink blanket that Gabe referred to as her 'pinkie.' Gabe carried a backpack containing crayons and a drawing pad, but in his hand he carried the Tomcat his father had given him for his last birthday.
Harm collapsed into his seat on the plane, after securing Gabe and Anna's seat belts. He had a new admiration for parents who traveled with small children.
Two attractive female flight attendants observed the single handsome man struggle with the two young children. "There's another holiday dad. Divorces his wife and moves across the country, then sees his kids only on holidays and a week or two during the year." The blonde said, rather sarcastically, to her redhead coworker.
"Yea, you can tell he doesn't spend time with his kids. If he thinks that baby is going to sit in that seat." They both laughed. This was gong to be a long noisy flight with another crying baby.
Anna fulfilled the prophecy and began to cry as soon as the jet began to ascend to cruising altitude. Harm rocked and patted and walked. Twice he tried to get the attention of the flight attendants to try to obtain some juice for Anna, only to be ignored. 'Oh well, I guess we really didn't need juice anyway.' Harm thought. Fellow passengers glared and the flight attendants continued to be not just unhelpful, but almost rude. Deciding her diaper had to be changed, Harm grabbed the diaper bag and headed to the restroom.
"I almost feel sorry for the guy. He is cute." The redhead flight attendant smiled to her fellow coworker, as she pushed the refreshment cart down the aisle.
Gabe sat quietly drawing and coloring as the cart approached. "Would you like something to drink? We have juice." The blonde attendant offered with a warm smile.
"I'll have some apple juice, please."
"What would your Dad want to drink?" 'A double shot of bourbon.' The blonde attendant thought evilly.
"He's not my Dad. My Mom and Dad were killed. He's my Mom and Dad's friend. He doesn't have any kids." Gabe replied solemnly, his large blue eyes sadly looking at the young woman.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Do you think your friend would like some juice too?" The attendant offered sympathetically.
"I think he likes bottled water. My sister likes apple juice."
"I'll fix you right up!" She smiled and reached into her cart giving Gabe extra bags of crackers and cookies from first class.
"Thank you ma'am." Gabe said politely, melting the attendant's heart.
"I feel like such a heel. Those poor kids...No wonder that guy doesn't know what he's doing. He's taking care of those children all by himself...He's really cute and single." The blonde looked wistfully at the tall handsome man struggling with a tearful baby girl and sad little boy.
Harm eased back into his seat holding Anna who grabbed for the apple juice and immediately poured it down the front of Harm's shirt.
The two previously inattentive attendants jumped to assist. One took Anna while the other provided Harm with a towel. Harm repaired the damage the best he could while wondering about the sudden change of attitude by the attendants.
Anna in the meantime resumed her crying as the attendant tried to comfort her. Harm reached out to take her and was surprised that she reached out to him and promptly wrapped her left arm around his neck and began rubbing his hair while sucking her thumb with her free hand. She lay her head on his shoulder, as he patted her back, and slowly closed her eyes. "Women! I don't think I'll ever understand them." Harm muttered.
Gabe looked forlornly at Harm holding his sleeping sister and returned to his coloring...
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