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.
"To Make You Feel My Love" written by Bob Dylan.
Thanks to Carolyn for beta reading.
PART 2
Gabe looked around Harm's apartment while Harm eased a sleeping Anna onto is bed.
"Where am I going to sleep?" Gabe walked around the apartment seeing only one large bed.
"I thought you and Anna could sleep on my bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa until something else can be arranged."
"What are we going to eat for dinner?"
"Do you like pizza?"
"Cheese pizza."
"Okay, I'll order a pizza tonight and tomorrow we'll go to the grocery and get some things you like." Harm had tried to develop a rapport with the somber child, only to fail again as Gabe sat at the table and began to draw.
***********
Nov 4
The loud bolt of thunder vibrated through the building. Anna woke up screaming in fright. Gabe also frightened, scrambled out of the bed and jumped onto Harm, who sat up disoriented by the unfamiliar sounds in his apartment. Gabe clinging to him, and Anna's screams promptly brought him back to reality as another loud thunder bolt struck.
With Gabe hanging onto him, Harm moved rapidly to his bedroom, banging his toe on the step in his haste. "Damn."
A frightened little voice responded, "Momma says you shouldn't say bad words."
Picking up Anna, "Your Mom was right. I'm sorry." Harm sat on the bed, trying to quiet Anna and rubbing his painful toe.
Lighting flashed, followed by another loud crash of thunder sending Gabe onto the bed, grabbing tighter to Harm than before, "Hey, it's just raining." Harm said soothingly.
Neither child seemed to be ready to settle down as the storm continued. To distract them, Harm turned on his CD player to some soothing music. The gentle lyrics began to play, and he climbed into his bed pulling Gabe and Anna with him. Gabe was tucked close lying on his shoulder while Anna lay on his chest.
He started softly singing along...
"When the rain is blowing in your face and the whole world is on your case I would offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love."
Harm patted Anna's back as her crying slowly stopped, and she put her thumb in her mouth and nuzzled against Harm's chest with her 'pinkie blanket' next to both of them.
"When the evening shadows and stars appear and there is
no one to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million
years to make you feel my love."
Harm could feel Gabe begin to relax and his breathing even out, as Harm gently rubbed his shoulder.
"I know you haven't made your mind up yet but I would
never do you wrong.
I've known it from the moment that we
met
No doubt in my mind where you belong."
Gabe turned towards Harm, his arm wrapping around his waist and holding on as he fell asleep.
"I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue I'd go crawling
down the avenue
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on the rolling sea
Down the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing like me yet."
Harm slid slowly down under the covers, careful not to disturb the sleeping duo.
"Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
I could make you happy make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love."
He turned the CD player off using the remote and closed his eyes wrapped in small arms and legs. The rain continued to fall in a steady rhythm, and the thunder moved into the distance as the storm passed....
*****
Nov 4
The next morning Harm awoke in his bed with Gabe's arm and leg draped over his and Anna on top of him. Carefully, Harm moved each limb and eased out of the bed. He smiled as Anna's thumb found her mouth, and Gabe snuggled further under the covers.
Harm had to finish the funeral arrangements and go by JAG headquarters. He also needed to contact an attorney that could help arrange private adoptions. These kids needed a family and a real home.
*******
The elevator doors opened and the tall Commander strolled through the bullpen with a toddler and little boy in tow. Seeing the Gunny, Harm signaled him to follow him into his office, as many curious gazes followed.
"Gunny, could you do me a huge favor and watch them while I talk with the Admiral. This is Gabe and Anna." Harm handed Anna over to Gunny. Her face contorted into a large frown followed by a pitiful sobbing. Harm reached into a bag and handed Gunny a pink baby blanket.
"Gabe, this is Gunny Galindez, I will be back in a few minutes." Harm rushed away leaving a startled Gunnery Sergeant.
*******
"Commander, I didn't expect to see you back today." The Admiral looked over the edge of his glasses.
"The funeral will be at Arlington tomorrow, and I need to ask for addition personal leave time." Harm stood at attention.
"At ease. Harm, you know everyone's caseloads are already overloaded. I'm sorry, but I can't grant leave after the funeral." The Admiral was about to dismiss Harm when they were interrupted by a knock at the door followed by Gunny, holding a hysterical toddler and a very serious looking little boy trailing closely behind.
"Sorry Sir, but I couldn't get her to stop." Gunny looked distressed.
The Admiral's mouth dropped open, speechless, as Harm took the crying child, whose sobs ceased as soon as Harm held her.
"Commander...what else do you have to tell me?" The Admiral leaned back in his chair looking at the group before him.
"Gabe, can you go help Gunny sharpen some pencils for my desk." Harm gave Gunny a pleading look.
"Come on Gabe, I could use some help." Gunny lead the little boy out of the office and closed the door behind.
"Sir, when I arrived at Miramar and spoke with family services, I discovered I was listed as legal guardian for the Matthews' children. They have no living relatives. If I didn't take them, they would have been placed in foster care until they were adopted. I was told that they would probably be separated, so I brought them back with me. I'm going to talk with an attorney this afternoon who arranges private adoptions." Harm explained.
"You're planning on adopting them?" The Admiral's eyebrows were raised in surprise.
"No Sir, I plan to keep them until they can be adopted by a family. I'm not exactly what... I mean I think they need a mother and a father. I just want to make sure that happens." Harm explained awkwardly.
"You had me worried for a little while. Commander, do you realize what you are going to be dealing with? Arranging an adoption could take months or longer." The Admiral's concern was apparent.
"Yes, Sir, but what choice did I have. Gabe and Connie trusted me to take care of their children." Harm replied firmly.
The Admiral studied the man before him, knowing Harm would go to the end of the earth to fulfill an obligation. "How much leave time do you need?"
*****
Same day
JAG Headquarters
Mac and Bud entered the bullpen, immediately noticing the little boy Gunny had sharpening pencils.
"Gunny, he's so cute. Whose little boy is this?" Mac crooned.
"I believe he's Commander Rabb's." Gunny replied matter-of- factly.
Mac and Bud shared an amused shocked expression, which was reinforced when Harm stepped out of the Admiral's office, holding a baby girl with dark hair and green eyes.
*******
Harm, Mac and Bud sat at the playground table of a McDonald's, watching Gabe climb through the maze. Mac had tried to coax Anna into her lap, only to fail as the little girl continued to cling to Harm.
"So they are going to be staying with you until you find a suitable family to adopt them?" Mac watched Harm feed Anna a piece of soft fruit. Even though they were at McDonald's, Harm had insisted on stopping at the market to get them something 'healthy' to eat.
"That's the plan. I haven't said anything to Gabe yet. Tomorrow's the funeral, and I just want to get that behind us first." Harm sadly watched Gabe play with some other children. He seemed carefree at the moment. Mac reached over and patted his hand reassuringly, as if she had read his mind.
"Is there is anything Harriet and I can do? Harriet knows several good day care centers that we checked out for AJ. There is also the base daycare. That's where AJ goes when Harriet is on duty." Bud still found it hard to believe that he was sharing childcare tips with Commander Rabb.
"I guess I will need to get with her on that. The Admiral gave me extended leave, but I know this isn't the best time for me to be out."
********
Commanders Gabe and Connie Matthews had been stationed in Japan before Miramar and most of their friends were scattered around the world, so their funeral services would be held at Arlington as graveside services only.
The Admiral, Mac, Bud and Harriet attended to support Harm. Harm had debated about taking the children, but Gabe insisted he wanted to go. "Anna needs to go, one day she'll want to know if she went, and I will tell her she went, too." Gabe explained in almost an adult fashion.
Unable to argue with the logic, Harm carried Anna dressed in a navy sailor dress while Gabe wore a navy blazer and khaki pants. Harm gave Anna to Mac as he bent down to adjust Gabe's tie. "Your Mom and Dad would be proud to see how nice you look." Mac told Gabe.
"Harm said we were going to say good-bye to my Momma and Daddy today." Gabe looked solemnly at Mac, who swallowed back her tears. "Yes, you are."
Harm sat holding Anna in his lap, while Gabe sat on his right, before the two caskets draped with American flags.
The Chaplain spoke words of comfort and hope and closed with a prayer. The flags were folded and presented to Harm, who gestured for them to be given to Gabe. Gabe held them as if they would break. The sharp sounds of the military gun salute startled Anna, who began to cry. Harm held her and reached down to hold Gabe's hand as the sounds were repeated.
As the small crowd disassembled, Harm walked with Gabe closer to his parents' caskets. Gabe reached up and touched the cool steel. "Good-bye Momma and Daddy. I love you. I'll try to be good and take care of Anna." His little voice quivered. Harm kneeled so he was eye level with Gabe.
"Gabe, your mom and dad are in heaven, but this can be a place to come and talk to them whenever you need to, okay?" Harm spoke gently. Gabe fought back the tears as he looked at Harm, who opened his arms to hold him only to have Gabe turn away and walk towards the cars, holding the flags tightly against his chest.
"He needs time." Mac appeared at Harm's side.
Harm nodded and gathered Anna into a more comfortable position. "Yea, it took me 30 years." Harm murmured softly.
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