AN: Not mine - and all that jazz.

Answered Prayers Part 3/3

Crawling into bed a little before two, after Frank insisted everyone needed sleep, Harm settled against Mac and sighed deeply.

"You okay?" she asked, running her hand under his tee.

"Yeah, just exhausted," he said with a sigh. "Mentally and physically."

"I know," she agreed, kissing his forehead. "How about you curl up with me and get some decent sleep for a change?"

Harm nodded before edging down in the bed. "I really wanted to have a talk with mom but Frank was right, it was time for bed. She was looking as tired as I felt."

"You'll have plenty of time to talk while we're here." Mac reminded him.

"I know, but I wanted to talk to her while she was ...a bit more..." he began but then stopped.

"Herself?" she offered and Harm nodded. "Just catch her later in the day and it will be fine. Anyway, I think she really wants to talk to you too."

Mac was just drifting off when she felt a peppering of kisses on her face.

"Harmmmm," she murmured trying to shift away.

"I was a very good boy tonight," he said proudly with a grin and Mac opened one eye.

"Were you just?" she replied quirking an eyebrow.

"Yep," he replied. "And you said something about coming..."

"And you said something about being exhausted..." she reminded him.

"Not for you...never for you."

It was a slow and easy love making session, both fatigued, both aware there were others in the house. Neither was in much of a rush and while pleasant, it wouldn't go down in history as the most memorable.

That was in stark contrast with the following morning when Mac awoke. Usually, she started the day with a run and she thought a run along the beach would make a lovely change from pounding the pavements back home. Then she thought that maybe she'd go downstairs and turn on the Christmas tree lights and see if Santa had been, just as she used to do when she was a child.

Pulling on her nightgown, then Harm's robe, Mac tiptoed downstairs; very excited about her first real family Christmas in forever. Switching on the tree lights, Mac was surprised by the number of gifts not there the night before. Figuring it was Frank, as Harm hadn't moved, she couldn't help but smile. After all he had been through this year; he had still focused on Christmas for his family.

Moving over to the sofa, Mac was surprised to find a few lumps in her Christmas sack. Trish had put out Harm's boyhood one, despite his protests, then had put out a brand new one with 'Sarah' on it just before Frank had sent everyone to bed. Mac had considered it a very kind gesture but hadn't expected to find anything in it. Dipping her hand in, Mac retrieved the smallest lump and found it was a ring box.

Both stunned and excited, Mac opened it to find the most beautiful sapphire and diamond encrusted setting. Slipping the ring from its velvet home, Mac's heartbeat accelerated wildly. She knew she was looking at an engagement ring, her engagement ring. Slowly she slipped it onto her left ring finger and grinned when she realised it was a perfect fit.

Glancing down at the sofa and the remaining lumps, Mac decided the only thing in the sack she wanted was Harm. As it was still early and the house still quiet she raced back upstairs.

"Mmmac," he murmured as she climbed on top of him.

"Merry Christmas, Harm," she whispered before kissing him tenderly.

"Merry Christmas to you too, sweetheart," he replied when he had the chance. "Thank you for being here with me this Christmas."

"Thank you for letting me," she replied, kissing along his jaw.

"All those years we spent Christmas together this is what I had hoped for...this sort of togetherness," he admitted, his hands stroking her back.

"Yeah, me too," she acknowledged. "Perhaps we should have just put a bed under the mistletoe and gotten on with it."

Harm laughed; he'd thought the same thing over the years. "Well, all that's in the past," he said, kissing along her collarbone. "From here on in we'll have every Christmas together."

"I like the sound of that," she replied, kissing down his chest.

"Where'd you disappear to?" he asked as he tried to pull her nightgown over her head.

"To see if Santa had been," she replied, reluctantly moving from him to allow her clothing to be removed.

"And had he?" Harm asked, catching sight of the ring on her finger.

"He had," Mac replied, showing him her new piece of jewellery.

"Well, well, well," Harm said taking her hand and inspecting it. "You must have been a very good girl to get something so special."

"I'd like to think I was," she replied, smiling at the ring.

"And is there a significance in the finger you've put it on?" he questioned seriously and Mac looked at him curiously.

"It's an engagement ring...isn't it?" she asked hesitantly.

"It looks like one," Harm observed, inspecting the ring closely. "So, does this mean you're engaged?" Mac nodded. "To whom?"

Mac slipped onto her side of the bed and sat cross legged, facing him. This wasn't how she expected things to go. Feeling a sudden chill, she wrapped the sheet around her.

"Oh," she said, shaking her head, a bit confused. "I thought...well, I figured it was from you...I mean who else would it have been from. Didn't you put it there?"

"I haven't been out of bed all night," he said, sitting up and leaning back against the bed head.

"Oh, then I guess it must have been from Santa," she said as she slipped off the ring.

"What are you doing?" he asked, watching her every move.

"Well, Santa Claus is already married, so if he left it for me, it's hardly an engagement ring," she replied as she climbed out of bed before swapping the sheet for her robe.

"Where are you going?" he asked as she neared the door.

"To put this back," she replied waving the ring. "Maybe this is just all an embarrassing dream..."

Springing out of bed, Harm made it to the door in two strides.

"Hang on," he said, taking the ring from her. "I think it looked pretty perfect where it was," he said as he tried to slip it onto her finger once more; she wouldn't let him.

"Yeah, except that you didn't give it to me, so it's really not..." she started but stopped when Harm started laughing. "What?"

"You're right, I didn't give it to you but it is from me," he said with a chuckle, still holding onto the ring.

"But you said you didn't put it there," she said, not seeing the humour at all.

"I didn't," he said wrapping his arms around her. "I asked Frank to do it for me."

"So, this whole exercise was what? Just designed to make me feel stupid? Ruin Christmas?" she challenged and for a moment Harm thought she was joking, that was until he saw the tears in her eyes.

"No, of course not, sweetheart," he said trying to pull her closer; he failed. "I was just playing with you."

"Well, it was a really mean thing to do," she replied, stepping away.

Harm grabbed her hand and tugged her gently back to him. "Mean?" he questioned and she nodded. "Well, I don't think it was any meaner than you preempting my surprise."

Mac looked up at him and saw the genuine disappointment on his face. "I had this whole speech that I've been practicing and then I wake up and you're already wearing it."

"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "If you still feel inclined to make your speech, I'll listen."

Smiling once more, Harm led Mac to the bed and asked her to sit, which she did. He grinned to himself before laughing.

"What's funny?" she asked watching as he tried to pull himself together.

"You know how when you have a big presentation to give, people tell you to imagine your audience naked..." he started before looking down at his own naked form.

Mac laughed: "Well, you always liked doing things a little differently to others."

"Let me get my robe," he said moving to the chair.

"I have no objections to what you're not wearing now," Mac said but he shook his head and pulled on his robe. "No, when we tell people of this historic moment, I do not want them to think of me sans clothing."

"And just who would we be telling?" she asked as he crossed back to her.

"Family...friends...children...grandchildren," he said before taking a deep breath.

"You're very optimistic there," she observed with a grin.

"Well, something tells me I already know the answer," he said feeling far more relaxed about this now.

"You know what my answer was before all this...perhaps I have changed my mind," she said in as serious a tone as she could muster.

"You haven't, have you?" he asked quickly.

"You'll have to ask to find out," she replied and he nodded.

Nodding and steeling himself with a deep breath, Harm popped the ring on the top of his own left ring finger.

"Mac...Sarah...Mac..." he started before shaking his head; he hadn't rehearsed the name part in all his practicing. "Mac," he started once more. "For a long time now, whenever I thought of my future, you were there. Whenever I dreamt of marriage you were always my wife. Whenever I dreamt of children, you were always their mother. I have become quite predictable; at least I believe so, because my answers all seem to be the same. Who is my best friend? You. Soul mate? You. Love of my life? You. Dream girl? You. You. You. Now, you might think this is all a bit rushed as we've only been together 'officially' for four months, but there is nothing rushed about it. All these thoughts, feelings, dreams, wishes did not start in the last four months...not even the last four years. Mac, you have been the one for me for so very long. There have been almighty obstacles in our way but, for better or worse, we kept finding our way around them and back to each other. I know, without a doubt, that you are the other half of me, the better half, and the reason for my existence. I want you and need you because you are my world, my absolute world. I cannot laugh, live or love if you are not alongside me. It has been a long journey to get from the Rose Garden to where we are today. Now, I am asking you the second most important question of my entire life..." He dropped to one knee in front of her and held out the ring. "Sarah MacKenzie, I love you so very much. Would you do me the absolute honour of becoming my wife?"

Taking her left hand in his, Harm held the ring between his right thumb and forefinger, both hands were trembling. "Please say 'yes'," he whispered when no answer came.

"Your second most important question?" she challenged, drawing her hand back slightly.

"My second most," he concurred with a nod.

"And what would be the most important question?" she asked, surprised this wasn't it.

"I believe I asked the most important question...or at least the most life-changing question...four months ago," he said confidently. One arched eyebrow from Mac and he continued quickly. "Four months ago I summoned up all my courage and asked the most beautiful woman in the world to let me into her life as something more than a friend. And to my utter delight ... and relief... she said yes."

"That was a very good answer," she said with a relieved smile. "I think it was a very important question too."

"Mac, without wanting to be pushy, I need to ask again...will you please marry me?" he said, his tone almost begging.

"Yes," she said in a breathless sigh and then watched as Harm slid the ring into position. Once in its rightful place, Harm kissed it before kissing her hand, wrist and working his way up to her mouth before standing up and kissing her tenderly.

Leaning down, Harm continued to kiss her until Mac edged back in the bed and laid down. Undoing the belt to his robe, Harm quickly followed suit but just as quickly Mac jumped up.

"Um...before we celebrate," Mac said tilting her head to the side. "I have something I'd like to say...if that's okay?"

"Of course, it's okay," Harm said sitting on the side of the bed. "Something you've been rehearsing?"

"Kind of," she replied stepping between his legs. "Okay," she said taking a breath as she looped her arms around his neck. "I love you so very much, Harm, and have done so for a long time now. You're right, we've only been 'officially' together four months but before that we had been the best of friends and the worst of enemies and sometimes even the worst of friends and the best of enemies. I don't know when it happened but I fell in love with you way back then and, most likely, I would have said yes to a proposal without us having been 'officially' together. When I was talking to your mother earlier she referred to herself as my mother-in-law and then, later on, questioned me as to why I didn't correct her. I told her it was because even though we hadn't discussed marriage, it was the only outcome for me...you were the only one for me. Harmon, there are not many things in this life that I am sure of...but I am sure of my love for you and your love for me. I know there will be many challenges in the years ahead. Without a doubt I know that we will have some huge arguments, after all, it's you and me. Unlike the past, however, I promise you that I won't run, won't hide and that making up will be incredible. I can't wait to be able to introduce you as my husband ... my love, my life, my everything."

It was all fun and excitement following the engagement and it made for an extra special Christmas Day. This was followed with several more days of high excitement until Harm figured he really needed to talk to his mom and still allow them more time in La Jolla in case things didn't go well. If that was the case, he really didn't want to leave soon after without having a chance to make things right. In the early afternoon, as he and Mac walked along the beach, he spoke of his plans to have the discussion after dinner and Mac had just nodded and held him a little tighter.

It wasn't just Harm making the plans and Trish had had a similar conversation with Frank and so it was that after dinner, Frank issued Mac with an invitation.

"Sarah, I am dying to try out the new ice cream parlour," he said, handing her a flyer. "It's a few blocks from here and open until late. Trish isn't really an ice-cream fan and I know Harm likes to pretend he only eats healthy. So, what's say you and I go and check it out...perhaps if it's to our liking we can convince the other two to come with us next time."

"Sounds like a wonderful plan," she said, squeezing Harm's leg under the table. "I'll just grab my jacket."

It didn't surprise her that Harm followed her upstairs and straight into her open arms.

"Obviously your mom wants to talk to you too," she said caressing his head.

"I can't believe I'm feeling this nervous," he said, inhaling the scent of her hair. "My heart feels like it's going to come out of my chest."

"Would it make it easier if I stayed?" she asked and he shook his head. "I didn't think so," she added kissing his head. "But I'll have my cell...call me if you need me, us, to come straight back."

"I will," he said nodding.

"And tonight I will be all yours...to hold you, kiss you, listen..." she said pulling back.

"Love me?" he questioned, pushing her hair back from her face.

"Whatever you need," she replied before kissing him briefly. "Okay," she continued stepping back. "This ice-cream is not going to eat itself."

Frank and Mac had been gone ten minutes before Harm could no longer stand the awkward silence and led his mother into the living room, sitting alongside her on the sofa. Taking her hand in his, he noticed it was trembling.

"You seem to be as nervous as I am, mom?" he said quietly as she squeezed his hand.

"I am definitely more nervous than I thought I would be," she admitted with a brief nod.

"What are you so nervous about?" he questioned, his eyes searching hers.

"Oh, that you'll hate me for the past and think I'm a basket case now... you know, the usual," she said, with a small, humourless chuckle.

"I have never, could never, hate you, mom!" he stated emphatically, grasping both her hands.

"Not now, but growing up..." she said before her voice faded.

"Not even then," he said. "There were times when I was very, very angry and other times when I hated the world, but never you...never," he implored.

"What about when Frank came into the picture? You can't say there wasn't animosity there," she said shaking her head.

"No, I can't," he admitted. "But it was Frank I hated...I still loved you, I was just very hurt and very angry."

"You know, I'm sorry that I wasn't a better mother to you," she said, swiping away a tear. "I'm sorry I couldn't find a way to get through to you...to appease your anger, to soothe your hurt."

"You did the best you could," he said, his own tears falling. "I wasn't the easiest, particularly as a teen."

"I know, believe me, I know," she said with a smile. "But I always thought if I tried harder, did better...maybe if Frank and I hadn't married..."

"Mom, you did your best...and I don't know if things would have been better or not if you hadn't married Frank, but, with the benefit of hindsight, I'm glad you did," he said, raising her hand and kissing it. "He is a wonderful man and has always been good to you, to us."

"Wow!" Trish said, sitting back a little. "I didn't think I'd ever hear you say such things."

"Well, I'm starting to see things a little differently these days," he said with a smile.

"Sarah is very good for you, Harmon," she said, patting his hand.

"That she is, mom, that she is," he agreed before taking a sip of water. "Mom," he started again nervously. "Mom...with all that has happened this year, to you, I have done a lot of thinking, and hoping, and praying..."

"Me too," Trish agreed, linking her fingers through his.

"And there are a few things I need to say...okay?" he asked, looking up at her.

"Okay," she said quietly, her nerves returning.

"I love you, mom. I know I don't say it often enough but I love you very, very much," he started, the lump in his throat compromising his voice.

"I love you too, son," she replied tearfully, squeezing his hand.

"I was blessed to have a mother like you, am blessed," he corrected himself, ignoring the tears rolling down his cheeks. "As difficult and obstreperous as I was, you never gave up on me, never, and for that I am eternally thankful. I am also very sorry that I hadn't told you that before," he added as he wiped away his mother's tears. "My whole life seemed to revolve around dad...missing him, searching for him, following in his footsteps, coming to terms with the news about him ... I just took it for granted that you would always be there...and you were. I am sorry I haven't been a better son, the son that you deserve. I threw myself into my career and while I thought about you often, I wasn't quick to pick up the phone and call you...and I am so sorry for that."

"Oh, Harm," was all Trish could manage through her sobs.

"When I originally made plans to come here for Christmas, I feared I was going to have to say goodbye to you...or at least to the you that I knew and loved...and it broke my heart," he cried. "I know I'm 41, mom, but I will never be ready to say goodbye to you."

Embracing each other warmly, they waited for the sobs to subside.

"Well, I am nowhere near ready to say goodbye to you either, Harmon," she said, pulling back and shaking her head. "Thank goodness the diagnosis was wrong and we get a second chance."

"Amen to that," Harm replied, leaning forward and kissing her cheek.

"Amen indeed."

After their very emotional discussion, Trish decided she would wind down with a bath while Harm decided to pound a few miles out along the beach. When the ice-cream connoisseurs returned they were a little concerned about the lack of noise but Mac saw a note on the table and smiled.

'Went well. Mom's in the bath, I've gone for a run.' Mac read it aloud and Frank smiled before heading up to check on his wife.

Mac headed back out and walked down to the beach, surprised and concerned to find her sailor lying on his back on the sand.

"Harm!" she said running over to him.

"I'm okay," he replied, looking over to her before grinning. "Just relaxing."

"Okay if I relax with you?" she asked and lay on her side next to him when he nodded. "How are you doing?"

"Well...very well," he said with a relieved smile. "It was very hard...very emotional...but I am so very glad I did it."

"Good, I'm glad," she said leaning down and kissing his head. "Did you go for a run?"

"Nope," he said with a contented sigh. "Intended too but came out and saw the first star and thought I'd just lie down and gaze up at the heavens."

"Okay..." she said slowly, a little concerned about him. "Did you make a wish on it?"

"Nope," he replied, turning on his side to face her. "I was saying thank you." He leaned forward and kissed her deeply.

"Thank you for what?" she questioned, still concerned about his wellbeing.

Harm looked at her. He was saying thank you for the reprieve with his mother's health. Thank you for the opportunity to tell her how he felt. Thank you for Mac being with him, for agreeing to marry him, for loving him. Thank you for a future which was looking a lot brighter than it had been not so long ago; a future filled with love and family.

"Thank you for what?" she repeated, stroking his cheek.

Leaning forward he kissed her before whispering, "For my answered prayers."