May 23, 2009
US Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland
1500 local
Harm had just come to the realization that times had changed; this was the first time he had attended a graduation at his alma mater that he was not in uniform. It was definitely different to be here as a parent of graduating midshipman. Mattie Rabb, who'd decided before leaving California to attend the Naval Academy that she would change her last name to Rabb, was among the top of her class.
He saw familiar faces, former classmates and their spouses, a few former professors and people he'd served with during his twenty years with the Navy. This was not the first time he saw Annie Anson at a graduation, either, however, this time she was not the girlfriend of a graduate, but the mother of a graduate. He knew that Luke Pendry was looking down on this day and smiling, knowing that his son was following his dreams, despite strong opposition from his mother. If it weren't for his stepfather's intervention that made Annie realize she would lose her son if she persisted in her hostility to his dreams. Dreams he'd had before his father's death. Josh would tell Annie, in the years to come, that if she'd been less resistant to his dreams of attending the academy he very likely would have done what he could to be ready to leave her behind once he graduated from high school, and never see her again. He would have enlisted once he was of age.
The competitive nature of the Harm and Luke that had spurred them on during the Academy seemed to have followed to another generation as Mattie and Luke had spent the past four years competing for the best grades. The one thing that had not happened between the two midshipmen was a romantic relationship; they felt more like cousins to each other. This was due in part to Josh's feelings towards Harm as a father figure, therefore the very thought he'd 'see' Mattie in that way was a turn off to the young man. Even if the two weren't biologically related, he knew he could never feel that way. Because of their rankings in their class newly minted ensigns Rabb and Pendry had their choice of duty stations. They would be able to continue their competitive nature for at least another year as they were both headed for flight school. Here Mattie had a distinct advantage of Josh, as she'd spent most of her childhood around planes and had soloed as soon as she was legally old enough.
It seemed like most of the people who'd been with Harm during his time at JAG headquarters was here, with the exception of Kate Pike and his one-time partner, Meg Austin. Pike had recently left the military, and had retired to be with her significant other in Hawaii. Meg Austin had transferred out of JAG, as her computer skills were needed, and was currently living in London with her husband. She'd sent a lovely card to Mattie in honor of her accomplishment.
Harm wished that his grandmother would have lived to see Mattie graduate but Sarah Rabb died in 2007 peacefully in her sleep. Her death had been a shock to the family despite the fact she'd been in declining health for months.
Trish and Frank had both retired, and devoted many hours a week at the Cahill Center. As Harm expected his mother had developed an art program for the residents. Frank helped many of the adults with literacy issues to be proficient in reading. It was a subject dear to his heart since his own father had been unable to read due to dyslexia. Frank had figured out why his father had dropped out of school at sixteen, and it was one of the reasons he'd been so driven in his own career.
Sergei and his family had been able to make the trip to graduation, as he was currently stationed in Okinawa. He'd been selected to go through OCS and had just received a promotion to Captain. Sergei was now the father of five as Galina had given birth to twins, twice. Hana was now the older sister to Joshua and Katya who were three years old and Ivan and Jade who had been born Easter Sunday. They were quite the international family with parents born in Russia, Hana in the states, Josh and Katya in Germany and the younger in Japan. Because of his status as a POW in Chechnya the Corps had decided not to have him do any tours in Iraq or Afghanistan. One advantage to being a civilian, he could arrange his vacation times around Sergei's leaves. It hadn't worked out every year, but they'd gone to visit them even when Sergei's leaves were postponed or cancelled altogether.
Major General Creswell and his wife Dora was with his daughter Cami and his son-in-law, Lt. Commander Mike Roberts. Cami was in maternity whites, and by the looks of things was due just about any day. The group of four was winding its way through the crowd toward Harm.
Despite a rocky start to the Navy Bud's little brother found natural leadership qualities when his finally was out from his father's abusive influences. When an admiral had unintentionally seen some of Mike's artwork the artist he naturally was had been 'mined' by the Navy, and now had responsibilities far beyond his brother who was a full Commander had. His father, before his death, by the effects of his long-term alcoholism, in 2008, told Bud and Mike that he was proud of his boys, that they were both 'officers and gentlemen'. This was a comfort to both men.
Despite the fact that Harm had been retired from the Navy for several years, he found himself at attention when Creswell stopped to talk to them. Coming from the other direction, from the restrooms, was Mac who had taken the younger Rabb's to the restroom. Shaylee and Riley were not yet old enough to use the facilities without an adult present, but neither Harm nor Mac would allow them this freedom. Besides, she had to take the two youngest Rabb females to use the facilities. They wanted to go by themselves. However, Harm and Mac would not allow it, not in this size crowd. Miracle, their miracle child, as she came at seven and a half months and weighed only three and a half pounds turned out to be the only child Harm and Mac would have, biologically
Harm and Mac had eventually adopted three children, whose mother had been at the center and whose life had mirrored Mac's in many ways. Leyla had grown up in an abusive home, and married a man much like her father. Unlike her mother she'd realized she needed to break the cycle of dysfunction and she'd arrived at the recently opened facility seeking refuge. She was pregnant with twins and scared witless. She'd stayed at the center for the last months of her pregnancy, and had found a kindred spirit in Harm and Mac who did pro bono work the residents of the shelter.
Flashback
"I have had this dream that Karl will find me, and will kill me for leaving him, I am so afraid." She wasn't the first resident to tell Harm this, and unfortunately, not the last. "If anything happens to me, I want you and your wife to raise my children." Harm and Mac discussed this at length, mostly because Mac had given birth to Miracle six months before. Leyla, unlike many of the woman, was adamant; she didn't want her children to be raised by their father or his family. Leyla had left home after high school, and lost all contact with her parents and siblings. Harm and Mac agreed, and, in the hospital, she signed her will stating that the Rabb's were to have custody if anything happened to her. It was a good thing she did as her estranged husband found out where she was and confronted her shortly after the delivery. He'd waited at the hospital until she went into the garden and he stabbed her to death before anyone could stop him. He was convicted of murder and lost permanent custody of his children and his family was barred from any visitation. Harm and Mac took the children home, even if it meant for a lively home with four children under the age of five. Zachary and Harm developed a close bond, as Harm put it, out of necessity, as they were the only males in the household. Even the dogs and cats, though neutered, were female. Zara Ann, Zachary's younger twin, looked more like she could have been Mac's daughter than Miracle, who favored her grandmother Trish in looks.
End Flashback
Bud and Harriet had helped immensely, as they had four children very close in age as well. Despite the fact they were younger, they were the more experienced parents. They were a font of knowledge even after Bud left the Navy, reluctantly, after suffering a setback, one that no one saw coming. He'd developed an infection near the point of his amputation, and had nearly lost his life. He was given a medical discharge. About that time, his father-in-law Roland Sims, was contemplating retirement and asked Bud to take the reins of the company. After many discussions, they agreed to it and moved to Florida.
They were standing with Matt O'Hara, who had served his time for the theft of the Declaration of Independence and had moved to Tucson, where he'd maintained a residence most his adult life. Zachary had gone with his Uncle Matt, declaring that at four years old he was too old to go with mommy to the ladies restroom. Mac guided the group over to her husband and was slightly amused to see that despite the time out of the military her husband did some things, like coming to attention, without a thought.
"Colonel, I was hoping I would see you today, especially since Mattie is about to graduate." Creswell said, smiling enigmatically. "The promotion lists will come out on Monday, and I wanted to be the first to congratulate you. Brigadier General McKenzie-Rabb."
Sarah was stunned; she was sure that with the dings on her record, despite the fact that some had been cleared long ago. Despite his death, she was still upset with Clay for misplacing her divorce papers from Chris. Chris might still be alive if he'd received the papers. He wouldn't have gone to see her in DC. Well maybe he would have at least tried to get some money out of her. She had just plain been lucky that her Farrow fling had been after her transfer had come through.
Harm was not quite as stunned, he'd heard from AJ who'd heard it from a crony on the promotions board that she was on the list. She had decided that she'd retire when she had her twenty-five years in. They would stay in the San Diego area, as far as she knew, until her retirement, unless something happened to Creswell. She'd filled in as the acting JAG for him the year before when he'd recovered from surgery. After that time in DC, she prayed for the man's continuing good health on a daily basis. When she had her twenty-five years in, she planned to join Harm at the Cahill Center.
The Center had been able to expand, and rebuild after yet another San Diego wildfire, when Mac was the sole recipient of the Webb estate. Clay had been wealthier than either of them had imagined, and upon her death his mother Porter had decreed that everything go to the one person, he'd ever loved. Thankfully, her death had occurred before the housing crisis in 2008 as the estate sold for a mint. Mac was now a very rich woman in her own right. Both Harm and Mac didn't expect a dime from the man they had once considered a friend, the fact they were to receive the vast holdings of the Webb estate was something neither could have seen coming. Despite his antagonism toward the man, AJ was the one person from JAG who had seen the possibility Porter would honor that strange friendship her son once had with a Naval aviator turned attorney and the woman who was destined to be the aviator's life mate.
The end