Sarah's Rainbow - Part 2

Sunday, 2 February 2003
1205 EST
Oakland Presbyterian Church
Laurel, Maryland

The morning worship service concluded, and Tom and Mac headed for the exit.  They were due at Bud and Harriett's for lunch by 1330, and they were barely going to make it.  But Mac had insisted that she wanted to attend church this week.  She didn't really know why, she just felt the desire to go.  So he had humored her.  

As they reached the exit, Tom heard a voice calling, "Uncle CAG!  Uncle CAG!"  He turned around just as Joel flung himself at Tom's legs.  

"Hey, Joel!" Tom greeted him, picking him up in his arms.  "I didn't see you earlier.  Where were you hiding?" he teased.

"I was in children's church today.  It started a couple of weeks ago." 

"Well, no wonder I haven't seen you around."  Tom nodded to Mac and they moved aside to let others pass them on the way out.

Joel looked over Tom's shoulder at Mac.  "She still living at your house?" he whispered loudly.

Tom smiled and nodded.  "She sure is.  She's gonna keep living there, too."

Joel frowned slightly.  "Why?"

"Because I love her, Joel.  We're going to get married."

"You are?" he asked, amazed.

"Yep."

"You still going to be my Uncle CAG?" Joel asked quietly.

"Of course I am!  Why would that change?"

"She might not like me," Joel said, looking back at Mac.

"Oh, I bet she will like you.  She already thinks you're a handsome little devil."  Joel's eyes opened in surprise.  Tom nodded.  "Oh yeah.  Told me that the first time she ever saw you."

"She did?"

"Yep."

"Could I say hello to her?  Is it okay?"

"Of course it's okay, Joel."  He set Joel on his feet and turned to Mac.  "Sarah, Joel would like to meet you."

Mac smiled brilliantly and looked down at Joel.  "I'd like that, too."  She extended her hand to the little boy.  "Hello, Joel.  My name is Sarah."

"Hi," he said shyly and scooted back behind Tom's legs.

"Joel!  Hey, buddy, what's the problem?  You're not usually shy around beautiful women."

"Why is she bald, Uncle CAG?" he asked, taking Tom by surprise.  

But Mac had a feeling that was why the boy was staring at her.  She squatted down to his level and said, "I've been kinda sick, Joel. I had to take some medicine for a couple of months.  And it made my hair fall out.  But it's starting to grow back now.  See?"  She bent her head over so Joel could see the little stubs of hair.  She looked at him again.  "My hair is brown. When I was a little girl, it used to be blonde, like yours."

"You're gonna marry my Uncle CAG?" Joel asked her.

"Yes, I am."

"Why?"

"Because I love him," Mac answered.

"I love him, too."

Mac smiled.  "I know you do, Joel.  And he loves you, very much."

"When's the wedding?" he asked.

"On Valentine's Day," Mac smiled.

"Where?"

"Right here at the church."

"Can I come?"

"Of course you can come, Joel."

"What should I call you?" he asked.

"How about Aunt Sarah?"

He nodded.  "Okay."  Then he looked at the ground.  "Aunt Sarah?"

"Yes, Joel?" Mac smiled, liking how her new name sounded from the boy's lips.

He looked up at her with puppy dog eyes.  "Can I be the ring bearer?"

Sunday, 2 February 2003
1425 EST
Roberts Residence
Vienna, Virginia

"That is so precious!" cried Harriett as she passed the bowl of mashed potatoes to Harm. "And no, of course we won't be hurt if you have Joel as your ring bearer."

"I really hadn't intended on having children in the wedding at all, you know," explained Mac, handing the bowl of green beans to Tom. "I wanted to use little AJ, but I don't know any little-bitty girls. So I decided against it."

"Mac, it's okay, really," assured Harriett. She reached over and cut the roast beef in her son's plate. "I think AJ might be a little too young yet anyway."

Harm piped up as he took a bite of salad. "I was a ring bearer when I was 3," he nodded in agreement with Harriett. "I dropped the rings; they rolled under the pews, and people had to get down on their hands and knees to try and find them! My mother never has let me forget that."

Everyone at the table laughed at Harm's story. Harriett offered, "Harm, they're supposed to tie the rings to the pillow with the ribbons.  Even an adult would have trouble keeping them on a pillow walking up an aisle otherwise."

"So, Harm, whatever happened to Caroline... oh no... umm, it was... Leanne?" queried Mac.

"She dumped me," Harm shrugged. "Just as well. I was about to dump her anyway."

"Harm, you really need to find yourself a good woman and settle down," Tom joked.

"What, like you?  Took you how many years to finally bite the bullet?" Harm laughed.

"Yeah, well, I had plenty of opportunities," he threw back.

"And I haven't?"

"Not when they keep dumping you, Harm!" laughed Mac.

"Okay, okay!  That's enough about my love life!" Harm whined.

"What love life?" teased Bud.

"What are you going to do about a flower girl though?" asked Harriett, feeling sorry for Harm and wanting to bring the subject back to Mac's wedding. 

"Mmm, Harriett, these potatoes are delicious!" Bud said.

"I don't have one. I think we'll just have Joel as the ring bearer and no flower girl." Mac took a bite of roast beef and then turned to look at Harriett. "I can do that, right?" she asked, unsure.

"Sweetheart, you can do anything you want. It's our wedding," Tom assured her as he took another sip of iced tea.

Harriett smiled at her friend. "It's fine, Mac. Most of the time, if there's only one child in a wedding party, it's a flower girl. But there's nothing that says you can't just have a ring bearer."

"I think it'll be cute," agreed Bud.  

"Just be sure to tie the rings on the pillow, Mac!" Harm added.

"How old is Joel?" asked Harriett.

Mac looked up, surprised.  "I don't even know."  She turned to Tom.  "Do you know?"

Tom grinned.  "I sure do.  His coming along took one of my most steady pilots out of my squadron.  He just turned 6."

"Why'd his father quit flying just because of a baby?" asked Harm.

Mac grinned.  She knew the answer to this one.  "What makes you think it was his father, Flyboy?"

Harm turned surprised eyes to Tom.  "His mother?" he asked incredulously.

Tom nodded.  "Wonderful woman, too.  We all missed KitKat when she left the carrier."

"Wow," mumbled Harm.  

"And you said Joel lost both of his parents?" asked Bud.  Tom nodded again.  "Poor little kid."

Wednesday, 12 February 2003
1535 EST
Reagan National Airport
Washington, DC

Mac waited at the bottom of the escalator, keeping a watchful eye out for Chloe.  She hated that she couldn't meet her at the gate anymore, but she understood the tightened security.  And Chloe was old enough now that she didn't need to have someone hold her hand in an airport.  Mac looked up when she heard Chloe's voice.  "Mac!!"

"Chloe!!"  Mac called to her.  "Oh, God, I'm so glad you could come!" she cried, pulling Chloe into her arms for a tight bear hug.

"Hey, what's this?" Chloe asked, seeing Mac's tears streaking down her face.  "You never cried when I arrived before," she observed.

"Oh, don't mind me," Mac said.  "I cry at the drop of a hat these days."  As she said the word "hat", Mac reached up and patted her head, to be sure her own hat was on securely, hiding her bald head.  

"So, where is he?  When do I meet your Mr. Wonderful?" Chloe got right down to business.

"Tom's circling in the car so I wouldn't have to walk very far," Mac explained.  "Let's get your bag, and get out of here!"

Chloe and Mac put their arms around each other's waists and proceeded to the baggage claim area.  "So how are you really, Mac?" Chloe asked as they waited for the bags to appear on the carousel. 

"I'm doing pretty well, Chloe.  I'm finished with the chemo, and my strength is coming back.  Slowly, but it's coming back."

"I wish I could've come down to help you some, Mac."

"I know, Chlo, but I really didn't want anyone to see me that way.  I felt really..." Mac paused, searching for the right word.  She sighed.  "Awful.  I just felt awful; I didn't want to see anyone.  I hardly saw anyone but Tom through the whole ordeal. I mean, Harriett a couple of times, Harm once or twice..."  Mac's tears welled up and spilled over again.

"It's okay, Mac.  I understand," Chloe said hugging her big sister.  "Really, it is," she reached up and wiped Mac's tears away.  "Gosh, you really do cry easily now," she teased.

Mac slapped her hand away lightly.  "Oh, you!"

"Here's one of my bags," said Chloe.  She reached out and grabbed the large suitcase as it approached them on the carousel.  "Oh, Mac, here comes my other one.  It's that purple duffle.  Can you grab it?"

"Sure," Mac said.  She leaned over and reached the straps.  She pulled and it wouldn't budge.  She pulled again, and moved it about an inch.

"Yea, that's the one, Mac," Chloe said, thinking Mac must be checking the tag since she hadn't pulled it off yet.  

Mac tried again; she was having to walk around the carousel now to follow the bag, but she hadn't let go of the straps.  She pulled as hard as she could, and the bag only moved about 3 inches.  "Damn," she muttered under her breath.

A man in uniform stepped forward and offered, "Can I get that for you, Ma'am?"

"Please," Mac replied, letting go and feeling totally helpless.

He reached down and easily picked up the bag.  He held on to it and said, "Where to?"

Mac looked up and the same time he looked down into her face.  "Gunny!" she cried.

"Colonel?"  Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez set the bag down quickly and immediately came to attention stance.  What he didn't expect was to find Mac's arms around him the next second.  

"Oh, Gunny!  You're home!  It's so good to see you!" she realized he wasn't hugging her back, so she released him and looked up into his face.  "How've you been?"

He relaxed his stance but couldn't figure out why Mac was acting so strangely. She was being so... emotional.  "Doing just fine, Ma'am.  Haven't heard much from anyone at JAG for the last 6 months or so though.  How is everyone?"  Then it dawned on him... 'Why couldn't she pick up that bag?  It's not at all heavy... not even 20 pounds!'

"Mac?" Chloe came up beside her.  "Everything okay?" she asked a little worriedly.

"Oh!  Chloe, you remember Gunny," Mac smiled.

"Oh, yeah.  Hi, Gunny.  Been a long time," Chloe said.

"Chloe?  As in your little sister, Chloe?" Gunny asked, a bit bewildered.

"The one and only," Chloe quipped.  

"You've grown," he said.

"In all the right places," she teased and watched Gunny blush.

Chloe and Mac giggled.  "Don't tease him like that, Chloe.  It's not nice."

"The last I heard you were in Afghanistan.  Did you come all the way home just for the wedding?" Chloe asked.

"Wedding?" Gunny repeated.

"Of course not, Chloe.  You can't just come home from a war because someone's getting married," Mac said.

"Married?" Gunny asked.  "Who's getting..."  Then he saw the ring on Mac's hand.  "Colonel!  Oh, wow!  That's great.  So when's the big day?"

"Day after tomorrow," Mac smiled.

"That's great," he repeated.  "Congratulations!"

"Thank you. Hey, do you have a ride home, Gunny?" Mac asked him.

He shook his head.  "No, Ma'am.  I'm just going to take a cab."

"Don't be silly.  We'll drop you wherever you want to go," offered Mac.  "And Gunny, I'm on leave for a while.  The name is Mac... or Sarah."

"On leave, Ma'am?" he questioned.  Mac nodded as she bent over to once again try to pick up Chloe's duffle bag.  She lifted it off the ground, but then set it back down quickly swearing under her breath.  "Let me get that, Colonel."  Mac looked up at him sharply.  He grinned.  "Mac."

"Better," she said.  "Thanks," she nodded at the duffle.  "I'm not as strong as I used to be."

Gunny didn't know whether to say anything in response to that, so he chose to keep his mouth shut for now.  He picked up the duffle, grabbed his own, and followed Mac and Chloe.  "Excuse me, Chloe?" he said.  "Isn't this one yours, too?" he asked as they passed her large suitcase. 

"Oh!  Yes, it is!" she giggled.  Gunny put both duffels in one hand and picked up her large suitcase.  "It's on wheels, Gunny.  You don't have to carry it."

"Not a problem," Gunny replied, not setting it down.  

"Wow, look at those muscles," Chloe whispered to Mac... loudly enough for Gunny to hear.  He couldn't help it; he grinned beside himself.

As they reached the sidewalk, Tom was just reaching the loading area.  Mac waved him down, and he pulled over.  He popped the trunk and walked around to the sidewalk.  "Leave it to you to find a Marine to help you with the bags," he teased, kissing Mac lightly on the cheek.

Gunny was taken aback seeing someone other than whom he expected.  'She's not marrying Commander Rabb?'  Then Gunny saw the uniform Tom wore, set the bags down, and came to attention.  Tom faced him and returned his salute.  Mac noticed the confused look on Gunny's face.  "Gunny," she said, "Have you met Admiral Boone?"

"Yes, Ma'am.  Met the Admiral a couple of years ago at JAG, Colonel," Gunny replied crisply.

"Tom, this is Victor Galindez.  He was at JAG for a while; ran the office.  He's been in Afghanistan for the last year," Mac said, knowing from Tom's expression that he didn't remember Gunny.

"Glad you're home safe and sound, Gunnery Sergeant," Tom said professionally.  He turned to look at Mac.  "Ran the office, did you say?"  She nodded.  "Then this is AJ's Gunny?"  Mac grinned.  Tom looked back at Gunny.  "I know one Admiral who is going to be delighted to see you!  He made a comment only last week about the office not running smoothly since you left."

Gunny chuckled.  "That's nice to hear, Sir."

"So Gunny, are you free on Friday afternoon?" Mac asked as Tom took Chloe's bags and put them in the trunk of the car.  "Tom," Mac turned to him, "we're giving Gunny a ride, too."  He nodded and put Gunny's duffle in the trunk, too.

"Depends on my orders, Ma'am.  I'm billeted at Henderson Hall, and I have tomorrow off.  I have to report on Friday morning," Gunny replied.

Mac frowned.  "Well, the wedding is at 1600 in Laurel.  I do hope you can make it."  Her frown changed to a smile as she continued, "Admiral Chegwidden is securing practically the whole office at 1400 so everyone can come.  It would be wonderful to have you there, too."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Gunny..." she scolded.

"Mac," he smiled.

Mac stepped forward and hugged him again.  "I do hope you can come, Gunny.  I'd really like to see you there."  A tear streaked down her face, and she wiped it away quickly.  "Chloe!" she turned to her little sister.  "You hop in the back with Gunny."  Tom opened the front door and handed Mac her seatbelt after she settled herself in the seat.  "Thanks, Honey," she whispered.

When they arrived at the barracks at Henderson Hall, Tom and Gunny got out of the car.  Tom popped the trunk and Gunny extracted his duffle.  Tom said quietly, "You have plans tomorrow, Gunny?"  

Gunny shook his head, "No, Sir."

"I have a job for you, if you're up to it," Tom whispered.  Gunny nodded.  Then Tom slipped Gunny his business card and said, "Call me on my cell at 1730.  I'll explain then."

"Aye, Sir," Gunny replied quietly.  "Admiral?"

"Yes?"

"Is the Colonel okay, Sir?  She's so weak; so emotional... and she looks so... frail."

"She's been sick, Gunny. Cancer," he told him. "She's had surgery and gone through 3 rounds of chemo."

"Oh, God! No wonder she's so weak," Gunny gasped. "I'm sorry, Sir. I meant no disrespect."

Tom shook his head. "Of course you didn't. I know that. She's getting better now.  She's a lot stronger than she was even a month ago.  The doctor is very pleased with her progress.  Otherwise we wouldn't be getting married on Friday."  

Gunny nodded.  Then he said louder for Mac to hear, "Thanks, again, for the lift, Admiral."

"Not a problem, Gunny.  Hope to see you on Friday," Tom nodded and winked at him.

Friday, 14 February 2003
1430 EST
Oakland Presbyterian Church
Laurel, Maryland

Mac, Harriett, and Chloe were in the church parlor, dressing.  They had spent most of the morning at the Crystal Beauty Salon & Spa.  All 3 of them got manicures and had their makeup applied, and while Harriett and Chloe had their hair styled, Mac got a pedicure.  When they arrived at the church, Harriett insisted that Mac rest for 30 minutes.  "I know, I know... you've been being pampered all morning.  But that can be tiring, too, Mac.  And I promised Admiral Boone that I'd be sure you rested some during the day."

"Are you ever going to call him Tom?" giggled Mac.

Harriett gasped.  "Of course not!  He's an Admiral!"

While Mac sat in the plush recliner and closed her eyes, Harriett and Chloe slipped on their pantyhose and changed their bras.  Then they donned their slips and helped each other with their gowns.  They finally slipped on their shoes, and Harriett walked over to the recliner.  She gently touched Mac's arm.  "Mac?" she said softly.  "You need to get dressed now."

Mac opened her eyes slowly.  "Oh, is that time already?" she asked.

"It sure is," chirped Chloe. "Come on, get up, and let's get you dressed!"

Mac made quick work of her street clothes, and Harriett handed her her new white undergarments. "Here's your bra."

"That's not a bra," quipped Chloe. "That's a piece of gauze!" she laughed.

"Chloe, it has to be little or it'll show when I put the dress on," Mac defended her choice.

Chloe laughed. "Okay, okay." She handed Mac the new panties. "Wow, these are pretty."

"They match the bra, Chloe. I'm surprised you didn't call these gauze, too," Mac teased.

"If the shoe fits..." Chloe bantered back.

"Okay, you two, cut it out," Harriett interrupted, causing all 3 of them to laugh.

"Don't make me laugh! I'll ruin my makeup!" giggled Chloe.

Next Mac pulled her stockings on. "I wish I'd thought to wear this kind when I got married," said Harriett. Mac's stockings came to just above her knees. "Just be sure the Admiral doesn't pull your dress up too far when he takes the garter off!" Harriett reminded her.

Mac smiled. "Actually, we're not doing the garter thing."

"But why?" asked Chloe. "It's such fun!"

"I know it is, Sweetie, but the doctor doesn't want me wearing pantyhose yet. Or a garter belt either. Tom and I practiced his taking off a garter with this kind of stocking," she patted her legs, "and every time when he finished and I stood up, the stocking fell down my leg. So we just decided to skip that part."

"That's a shame," said Chloe.

"Yea, but it's not like that's the only odd thing we're doing in this wedding. No flower girl, just a ring bearer; I'm walking down the aisle alone; no big sit-down dinner at the reception."

"I wondered about that, Mac. Why no dinner?" asked Chloe.

Mac grinned. "I was concerned that I'd get too tired and not be able to... um..." she hesitated, remembering suddenly she was talking to a young teenager.

"Not be able to 'do it' later, huh?" Chloe finished for her.

Mac and Harriett looked at each other and laughed. "Yeah, that pretty much sums it up, Chlo!  Well, that and the fact that it's Valentine's Day.  Most of the couples would have plans for dinner; we didn't want to intrude on that."  Mac stood up and looked around. "What am I missing?" she asked.

"Well, your dress, for one thing," Chloe laughed.

"The crinoline is next, Mac," Harriett said, holding it for Mac to step into. She pulled it up and hooked it at Mac's waist. "Okay, now the gown."

Harriett and Chloe held the gown for Mac as she slipped into it. Harriett buttoned the back and Chloe worked on the sleeves. When they finished, they stepped back and admired the gown. "Mac, that has to be the most gorgeous wedding gown I've ever seen!" said Chloe.

"Wait until you see it with the headpiece and veil," said Mac. "That covers up my head, and you can't even tell I'm bald," she smiled.

"But doesn't it cover up the dress?" asked Chloe.

"No, it's perfect for this gown, Chloe," said Harriett. "There's no front-cover veil, so it doesn't hide any of the beautiful lace appliqués on the front bodice."

"Doesn't hide your boobs either, huh, Mac?" Chloe said.

"Chloe! My breasts do not show. That would be tacky. You don't do that at a wedding."

"What's that kind of neckline called, anyway?" asked Chloe.

"It's an off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline," explained Harriett. "Not many women can get away with wearing something like this. But on Mac, it's perfect!"

"I've never seen off-the-shoulder have real sleeves before," commented Chloe.

"It's not uncommon for a wedding gown, really."

"I wasn't about to wear a sleeveless gown in February!" Mac said. "I'd freeze!"

Chloe approached Mac and felt of the appliqués on the bodice. "Mac, there are hundreds of little bitty pearls sewn on this!" she exclaimed.

Mac smiled and nodded. "Mmm hmm. Isn't it beautiful?"

Chloe agreed.  "Yea, it is.  I'll be right back.  Potty break!"

"Be careful!  Don't get your dress wet!" called Harriett.

There was a knock on the other door, and Harriett went to see who it was. "Mac, it's Joel. He wants to see you. Is that okay?" Harriett called back into the room.

"Joel? Of course!" Mac said happily. She watched the young boy enter the large room. "Hello, Joel," Mac said sweetly.

"Hi, Aunt Sarah. Gosh, you're pretty," he said.

"Thank you, Joel. You look quite handsome, yourself," she replied.  

The little boy smiled.  "Uncle CAG says I look dapper."

Mac laughed.  "Yes, I suppose you do!" she agreed.

"Aunt Sarah?"

"Yes, Sweetie?"

"What's dapper?"

Mac smiled at the little boy.  "Dapper is a good thing, Joel.  It means you look sharp..." she hesitated, then remembered what the kids call it.  "Cool, Joel.  You look cool."

Joel brightened considerably.  "Do I really?" Mac nodded and was going to reach down and hug him, when he backed away.  "No hugs yet, Aunt Sarah.  Uncle CAG said I'd wrinkle you."

Mac and Harriett laughed.  "Well, those would be good wrinkles," said Mac.  "Can't I have even a little bitty hug?" she asked as he stepped back even further.

Joel shook his head.  "Uncle CAG said no."

Mac put on a sad face.  "I really need a hug right now, Joel."  He looked up, not knowing what to do.  "How about if I hug you?  Uncle CAG didn't tell me that I couldn't hug you," she reasoned.

"Well... okay," he agreed.  

Mac reached down and hugged the little boy.  "Mmmm!  That's just what I needed," she said. "Thank you, Sweetie."

Joel said, "I'd better go back now.  Uncle CAG told me not to stay too long."

"Are the men dressed yet?" asked Harriett.

Joel looked at her like she was crazy.  "Of course they are.  We all had clothes on when we got here!"  He turned and ran to the door, slamming it on his way out.

Harriett and Mac giggled.  "I meant, have they changed clothes yet!"

Chloe came back in the room, her face glowing.  "What's got you looking so happy, Chlo?" asked Mac.  

Chloe tried to hide her smile, but it just wasn't going to happen.  Mac was going to be so happy... and she was happy because Mac would be happy.  "Just saw some gorgeous guys out there, Mac.  And I do mean gorgeous!" 'And one is gonna be such a surprise!'

Mac smiled.  "Rather pleased with yourself that you're paired up with Harm, hmm?" she teased.

"I didn't even see Harm!  He wasn't in the room with the other guys," Chloe retorted.  

"Oh no!  Please tell me he's not late," worried Mac.

"Don't worry about it, Mac," Harriett advised.  Then seeing her friend's face take on a worried expression, she said, "Tell you what.  I'll go make sure he's here.  And make sure that all the men are dressed and ready.  You stay put and don't worry!"  Harriett quickly left the room and found the Sunday school room to which the men had been assigned.  She knocked on the door.  "It's Harriett!" she called.

AJ opened the door, looking magnificent in his Mess Dress.  He smiled at Harriett's obvious expression of admiration.  "Good afternoon, Harriett.  You and Mac chose well.  That gown is just lovely on both you and Chloe."

Harriett smiled.  "Thank you, Admiral.  You look... wonderful, Sir," she said, blushing as she looked up into his face.  

"What can I do for you?" he asked, opening the door a bit more and allowing Harriett to enter the room.

She looked around.  "Mac was a little antsy when Chloe just came back and said she didn't see Harm.  Is he here?"  She didn't see him either.  But she did see... "Gunny!"

Gunny walked up to her.  "Hello, Lieutenant.  Good to see you again."  Harriett hugged him.  This time he didn't blush; he smiled.  Harriett had always been an emotional woman.  She'd hugged him when he left, too. 

Harriett looked past him and saw another man standing there with Tom.  A Marine.  A bird Colonel. 'Hmm, I wonder who he is?' she thought.

"Hello, Harriett.  Is Sarah doing okay?  Has she rested at all today?" Tom asked in a concerned voice.

Harriett smiled.  "She's doing fine, Admiral.  She rested for about 30 minutes when we first got to the church.  And our morning at the salon wasn't at all stressful or tiring.  We had a good time; I think she's very relaxed."  Just then Harm walked into the room.  "Well, except for worrying that the Commander wasn't here yet," she teased.

"I was here!  I've been here!" Harm defended himself.  "I just had to go out to... um... help with something."

"Damn it, Harm!  You'd better not have 'decorated' my car!" bellowed Tom.  Harm just grinned.  "Oh, God... What a mess that's going to be. And it'll freeze on there tonight and be hell to get off..."

"It'll make Sarah happy, Tom," the unrecognized man said softly.  "She always talked about driving away in a 'Just Married' car.  Didn't get to do that with the jerk she married as a child."

Harriett's smile exploded on her face when she realized who the man was.  "Oh my God!" she squealed.  "You're Uncle Matt!"  Harriett practically threw herself in the man's arms, hugging him. "Oh, Mac is going to be SO happy!"  The surprised Colonel steadied Harriett on her feet as she backed away, completely embarrassed by her outburst.  "Oh, God... I'm so sorry, Colonel.  I was just so excited... and happy for Mac...  I'm so..." she rattled.

Colonel Matthew O'Hara chuckled.  "Quite all right.  I take it you must be Lieutenant Harriett Sims."  Harriett nodded.  "Nice to meet you, Harriett."

"Likewise, Sir," she smiled.  "Well, I'd better get back to Mac.  She'll start pacing here pretty soon if I don't let her know that Harm is here."  She turned to leave, then turned back.  "Colonel, when are you planning to let Mac know you're here?"

"Thought I'd surprise her just as she's ready to walk down the aisle," he replied.

"Oh, goodness.  No, that will never do, Sir," Harriett said, surprising everyone.  She looked around at their surprised faces and smiled.  "Kindly remember that Mac doesn't really like surprises that well.  Now, she'll love this one, but..."

"Oh, God," said Tom.  "As emotional as she right now, she'll burst into tears when she sees him!  Damn, I didn't think of that."

Harriett nodded.  "I'd suggest you come back with me now and let her get the tears over with so we can repair her makeup before she has to walk down the aisle."

"Good idea, Harriett," agreed AJ.  "I guess none of us thought about that."

Matt opened the door and he and Harriett started to leave.  "20 minutes, gentlemen!" said Matt.

"We're ready," AJ said.

"More than ready," agreed Tom.

Gunny followed the two out the door and down the hall.  Harriett turned to him.  "Gunny?"

He nodded to her but didn't say anything.  Matt looked at Gunny and back to Harriett.  "The Gunnery Sergeant is my shadow while I'm here, Harriett.  Tom and AJ pulled some pretty hefty strings to get me out of Leavenworth for this.  But I still have to be guarded.  I'm a prisoner, you know."

Harriett laid her hand on his arm.  "Yes, Sir, I know.  I'm sorry."  She turned to Gunny.  "But I'm glad it's Gunny who's guarding you.  He's one of the family, Sir."

"That's quite obvious, Harriett," he nodded, looking at Gunny and smiling.

Harriett suggested he wait in the hall so she could prepare Mac for the surprise.  Harriett walked inside and found Mac pacing the floor.  "Mac, it's okay."

"Is he here?  Where've you been?  What took so long?" she rattled off the questions in rapid succession.

"1. Yes, Harm is here.  He was outside when Chloe was there; that's why she didn't see him.  But he's been here just as long as the others."  Mac visibly relaxed some at Harriett's words.  "2. I've been in the men's dressing room, talking to everyone.  And 3. It took so long because I was visiting a bit with Gunny..."

"Gunny made it?!" Mac squealed.  "Oh!!" she laughed.  "I'm so glad!"

Chloe grabbed a Kleenex.  "No tears!  Not yet!" she teased as she dabbed at Mac's face.

Gunny and Matt heard Mac's exclamation outside in the hall.  Gunny smiled broadly; it felt good to know the Colonel was that happy he made it to her wedding.  It felt *really* good.

Matt whispered, "You care a lot for my niece, Gunny?"

Gunny nodded.  "Yes, Sir.  We all do, Colonel.  She's a wonderful person."

"That she is, Son.  That she is."

Harriett said, "Yes, Gunny made it.  And he has someone with him."

"You mean a girl?" asked Mac, smiling.  "He picked up a girl since Wednesday?  My, that man works fast!" she giggled.

"No, not a girl.  A man.  A very important man," Harriett said.  Mac looked at her quizzically.  "A man who is very special to someone in this room."  She smiled at Mac.  

"You obviously mean me," Mac said, puzzled.  "But who could you..."  Mac's face took on a ray of hope.  She shook her head.  "No, that's not possible.  Not even Tom could do that."

Harriett and Chloe smiled.  "Not alone, maybe.  But two Admirals conspiring for it?" Harriett nodded.  "He's here, Mac.  He's here to give you away."

"Uncle Matt?" Mac whispered, afraid to say it too loudly, for fear that she might wake up and this all be a dream.  "Uncle Matt is here?"

Harriett opened the door and Matt stepped inside.  "Yes, Baby.  Uncle Matt is here," he said.

"Uncle Matt!" she shrieked and flew into his arms as she burst into tears.  He picked her up and twirled her around.  Then he set her down gently and pulled out his handkerchief.  "I can't believe you're really here," she sniffed.  "I'm so glad..."

"I'm glad, too, Sarah."  He held the handkerchief to her nose like a child and said, "Blow."  She obeyed.  "Again."  She did.  "Good girl."

She looked into her uncle's face and smiled.  "I love you so much, Uncle Matt," she laid her head against his shoulder.

"And I love you, Baby.  I can't tell you how much I wish I'd been with you these last months."

Mac looked up at him.  "I'm sorry, Uncle Matt.  I just couldn't bring myself to... I'm sorry."

Matt smiled gently.  "I'm glad you had Tom to help you through it."

"So am I."  She looked down at her hands.  "When did he tell you?"

"He didn't."

Mac looked up, surprised.  "Then how did you...?"

Matt nodded toward the door, and Mac saw Gunny.  "Gunny?"

"Gunny.  Tom sent him to Leavenworth yesterday to bring me here.  We got to talking about you, and he asked about your cancer."  Mac gasped.  "Needless to say, I didn't know about it."  

"Oh, Uncle Matt, I'm so sorry," Mac whispered.

"It's okay, Baby.  It was probably just as well.  I might have done something stupid to try to get out and get to you," he said lightly.  "Gunny told me what little he knew about it.  AJ filled us in on the rest last night."

"Last night?"

Matt smiled.  "You have a pretty incredible CO, Sarah.  He insisted I stay in his guest room, not at the local lock-up.  And the warden agreed.  Which means, Gunny had to stay there, too."

Mac smiled.  "So that's why the Admiral had to rush away last night after the rehearsal dinner.  Yes, I do have an incredible CO, Uncle Matt.  And an incredible fiancé.  And incredible friends," she said looking at Gunny and then Harriett and Chloe.  

Harriett took that opportunity to say, "Mac, we need to fix your makeup.  You're on in just about 10 minutes."

Mac jerked back.  "Eight minutes and 52 seconds!"  She hurried to the mirror and dabbed at her face with a powder puff.  "Harriett!" she cried in frustration.

Harriett came up behind her and turned Mac to face her.  "Calm down; it's not that bad."  She took the powder puff from Mac and set it back on the table.  When she finished repairing Mac's makeup, she called to Chloe.  "Time for the veil, Chloe."

Chloe brought it over.  "Squat, Mac," she giggled.  Mac obeyed, and Chloe and Harriett adjusted the piece to fit perfectly. 

Mac turned back to the full-length mirror and smiled.  "I love this gown.  And the headpiece is so... perfect!"

"You look absolutely stunning, Sarah," her uncle said.

She turned around and kissed him on the cheek.  "Thank you, Uncle Matt."

"It's time," said Chloe.  

They all left the parlor and made their way to the sanctuary.  Joel was standing there, waiting for them.

The music changed, and the men walked in front of the first row of pews and faced the back of the church.  "Here goes nothing!" said Chloe, starting her walk down the aisle.

Harriett was next... then Joel.  And finally Mac, escorted by her Uncle Matt.  Gunny stood to the side, watching.  Smiling.  As they made it to the front, he listened to the words.  "Beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of two souls..."  

Gunny's thoughts trailed off.  He was happy for Mac.  She really loved Admiral Boone, it was obvious.  He'd been worried about her 2 years before when she was so close to marrying that Aussie.  It was so obvious that she didn't love him.  What could she have been thinking?  But this man.  Yes, she loved Boone.  Gunny was delighted.  He reigned his thoughts in to hear the minister ask, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

"I do," replied her uncle.  Matt kissed her gently and placed her hand in Tom's.  "Thank you for loving my girl."  Tom and Mac smiled at Matt as he turned to walk back up the aisle.  Gunny caught his eye and shook his head, pointing to the pew.  Matt smiled broadly and took his seat in the front row of the bride's side.

Gunny didn't want to disrupt the service by walking down the aisle now.  But he knew he was supposed to be closer to Matt.  'Damn, this is a difficult job,' Gunny thought to himself.  'It's not like the man is going to run.  Geez.'  Just then the minister asked everyone to bow in prayer.  'Perfect!'  Gunny quickly made his way silently down the aisle and slid into the seat next to the other JAG staff... right behind Matt.  He was lucky.  No one was sitting on the end... almost as though they knew he'd need the spot.

The service continued without a hitch until it came time for the rings.  The minister looked down at Joel.  "May I have the rings, please?" he said.  

Joel stepped forward proudly and lifted his pillow for the minister to untie the rings, just as he was instructed to do last night at rehearsal.  The minister pulled one of the ribbons, but the ring didn't come loose.  He pulled another ribbon, and it still didn't loosen.  'Uh oh,' thought Harm.  'These rings are gonna end up under the organ instead of the pews!'

"Umm, I'm sorry," whispered the minister.  "I don't seem to be able to get the ribbons untied," he chuckled.

Joel looked up at him.  "It's easy, Pastor.  It's just a clove hitch knot," he told him.  "I didn't want the rings to fall off like they did when Commander Rabb was a ring bearer.  So I tied them on with a clove hitch knot."

Mac giggled and Tom grinned as Harm blushed.  "And where'd you learn to tie that kind of a knot, Joel?" Mac whispered.

"Uncle CAG!" Joel replied proudly.

Tom chuckled at that.  "Joel, I think you need to untie it for Pastor," he told him quietly.  "Not everybody knows how to tie and untie a clove hitch."

"Okay.  Here," he pushed the pillow into AJ's hands.  "Admiral, you hold the pillow while I untie the knot, okay?"  AJ grinned and nodded.  Joel freed the rings and stepped back to hand them to the minister.  "Here you go.  And when you want to learn how to tie a knot, just ask me.  Uncle CAG taught me lots of 'em," he said, bringing quite a few giggles and chuckles from the wedding party and the guests.  He walked back to AJ and said, "May I have the pillow back now, please, Sir?"  AJ handed the boy the pillow and Joel turned back to take his spot in the line as though nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

When the service concluded, Tom whisked Mac down the aisle and off to a side room off the vestibule.  He kissed her soundly and she returned his kiss, deepening it with her tongue.  "Well, Mrs. Boone?  How are you feeling?  You tired at all?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.  "Here sit down," he pulled a chair out for Mac.  

She sat gracefully.  "I feel absolutely wonderful, Tom.  Like I'm floating on a cloud.  Cloud 9!  I felt this way once before," she remembered.  She looked up into her new husband's face.  "It was the first time you kissed me.  As they were wheeling me off to surgery."

"You were high," he teased her.

"I was scared to death," she said.  "And you held my hand.  You promised to take me dancing.  And then you kissed me.  I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven," she whispered. 

They stayed in the little room until there was a knock on the door.  "Church is empty... the arch is ready!" Harriett called to them.

Tom opened the door and Mac preceded him out of the little room.  They appeared in the doorway of the church, and AJ cleared his throat, bringing all attention to the entry.  He spoke loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, presenting for the first time in public, Admiral and Mrs. Thomas Boone!" 

Tom and Mac walked down the front steps and under the arch of swords.  As they reached the last pair, AJ flipped his sword down and swatted Mac on the rear.  "Hoo yah!" he grinned.

"Oh!" Mac squealed.  She knew it was coming, but it still surprised her.  "Well at least he didn't say, 'Go Navy'," she giggled to Tom.

Continue to Part 3