Title: Glimpse of Tomorrow
Author: Karen
Disclaimers: The characters in this story are the property of Donald Bellisario, Belisaurius Productions, Paramount Pictures and Columbia Broadcasting Service Entertainment – this story is for non-profit entertainment of JAG fans only. No copyright infringement is intended or implied.
Notes:
A/N: This is a follow up to Whisper of Love. I hope it pleases. One of the readers who asked for this suggested the title to me.
I asked a fellow writer how you do stories once they are together and she said just write it how you'd like it to be. So after Chrismas of season nine this short series will diverge from the way they did it. This is one way I would have done it.
Glimpse of Tomorrow
Part One
Mid February
It hadn't taken Mattie long to settle in at her new school. The comfort of having her life in order for the first time in over a year allowed her to relax and make friends easily. Each day more of the carefree teenager returned to her personality. Harm couldn’t have been happier as he watched her become a fourteen year old again, although the ‘going on twenty-five’ part still shadowed the back of her eyes from time to time.
Grace Aviation had been left solely to her by her mother, and as her guardian Harm now took control of the business. First, he researched the debt load, and after consulting Mattie, made some changes so they could operate more efficiently. Next he hired a manager for a percentage of the profits instead of a salary, motivating the man to apply himself to achieving success. After the bills were paid, Mattie's share was placed in a trust fund to pay for her future education.
Within two weeks of starting school, she was approached by a group of girls who asked her to join their soccer team at the local rec center. Though of mixed background, the girls were a tenacious bunch. They had all experienced family difficulties and were used to fighting hard for what they wanted. They had immediately recognized Mattie as a kindred spirit.
Harm took time to discuss their living arrangement candidly with her. Mattie was old enough to recognize that privacy was essential for both of them, if their new family were to succeed and be approved when CPS sent their inspectors around for surprise visits.
The weekend after the dance, they'd gone shopping for bedroom furniture. Mattie expressed a desire for her own space instead of using Harms room, and preferred to take the far end of the living room. She suggested walling it off temporarily with several oriental screens they found in a local import store. That would give Harm time to add another bedroom, without damaging the existing apartment.
With her newfound sense of security she developed a nesting instinct and had taken four pastel screens decorated with embroidered images of mountains, lakes, and wading egrets, to create her own little niche. Harm bought her a laptop for her homework, and she spent hours on the pretty wrought iron daybed she'd chosen, nestled into a pile of pillows that had cost almost more than the bed.
Though Harm wasn't fond of her choice in music, nor she of his, they soon came to a truce and divided the time for playing music or quiet in the evenings. Strangely it turned out to be the gnarliest argument they had.
The fact that Harm didn't have a TV didn't bother Mattie much, she was an avid reader and had established a circle of friends at school that she spent a good amount of time emailing or chatting with online. Harm couldn't figure out what they had to talk about after being together all day, but one of the attorney’s at work had laughed at his dilemma and told him that it was a teenager thing and not to worry about it.
The following Saturday, Harm checked out the adjoining space on his floor. After moving some 'years old' junk, then sweeping the floors, he cleared a space large enough for the necessary addition to his apartment.
Enlisting Mikey Roberts help with drafting the plans, Harm applied for a building permit to add another bedroom and bathroom to his bachelor pad.
They had started by knocking a doorway into the wall that intersected the adjoining area, then moved into the unused space beyond to begin construction. Since Mattie had the privacy of her cozy screened enclosure, they began with her bathroom first and had it finished within three weeks.
Last week they completed the sheet rock in the bedroom area and punched out a good-sized hole for a window in the brick wall. Installing the window had been tricky, but they managed with the aid of both Bud and Sturgis. With Harm teetering precariously on a tall ladder outside, and But and Sturgis indulging in their usual battle of will inside, they had eventually installed it squarely and securely in the brick skin of the building.
The last of the work was to come this weekend, Harm had spent almost every evening for the last two weeks laying the flooring, and this weekend they would paint the room and get it ready for occupancy. The plan was to have Mattie moved into her new room by Sunday evening.
Mac was due to show up for dinner soon. She was bringing the paint she and Mattie had picked out while Harm was TDY earlier in the week. They would start painting after dinner and continue tomorrow until it was finished.
Mattie should have been home by now and Harm was becoming mildly concerned. The team wasn't that far away just in a neighboring city, but perhaps they were caught in weekend commute traffic, or they may have stopped for pizza. She was sure to turn up at any minute.
He no sooner formed that thought than the phone rang.
"Rabb," he answered the phone.
Mac came quietly through the door and watched as Harm's form stiffened. Slowly he turned to face her. The look on his face was difficult to read, the emotions playing in his eyes were too varied to sort without more information.
"Are you okay?" he asked into the hand piece with typical fatherly worry.
"No, no, it's okay. Use the credit card I gave you. As long as you're okay."
Another answer was apparent, and he nodded his understanding. As Mac drew near a look of near panic filled his features. She too, became worried over what he was hearing.
"Okay Mats, that's fine, take care and be careful." Slowly he replaced the phone and looked up at Mac.
"Harm what's wrong, is Mattie okay?" Her concern was growing.
"She's...uh...she's fine. Two of the girls on another team ran into each other during a play. They...uh...one of them has a broken ankle and the other has a mild concussion."
"But Mattie's okay?" Mac questioned again.
"Yeah, she's fine, but the final game was delayed. The coaches decided to postpone it until morning. Mattie won't be home tonight" he swallowed hard as he uttered these words.
The words hung in the air. 'Mattie won't be home tonight.' Such a simple phrase but so powerful. It was the moment they'd been waiting for, a time alone when Mattie was safe somewhere else. Suddenly they were like shy teenagers, uncertain what to do with the evening.
"She won't?" Mac asked, afraid to say more.
"No, I...I guess we should go ahead and eat" he suggested lamely.
“Oh, yeah, okay,” she agreed, lacking any idea of where this would go or how to get there. More than once in their history they’d messed up a moment that should have meant something.
Automatically they moved in tandem towards the efficient kitchen.
“What are we having?” she asked too brightly, trying to ignore the tension building in the room.
“Chicken salad with raspberry vinaigrette, and hot cheese bread,” he masked his own nervousness with a ‘too cheerful’ grin.
“Good…sounds good,” she responded enthusiastically to hide her discomfort, and started slicing the vegetables Harm indicated by the sink. He used the moment to regroup by turning away to dice the freshly roasted chicken.
End of one
Glimpse of Tomorrow
Part Two
The simple tasks of meal preparation gave them time to wander aimlessly through their own thoughts. Historically, this was not necessarily a safe place for either to be in an awkward situation. It had too often led to ill-conceived decisions in the past. One thing neither Harm nor Mac wanted was to lose what they were cautiously building between them.
So many overlying emotions rushed through them. She wondered if he was ready, he'd been so circumspect, so very courtly. Was he afraid of this step? When he asked her to dance that snowy night in December she’d felt the intense power of his desire despite the crowded room. It no longer mattered that the clarity of precise words would come later, the moment he’d reached for her hand and drew her to his side understanding had flooded her. She knew that some time soon she’d get those words.
He worried that he was pushing, that this would seem too hurried. He’d been away for months. When he asked, offered, she’d come to him willingly, but would she judge him to be a horny Neanderthal for even suggesting that they jump on this opportunity? Wincing, he shook his head distractedly to clear his mind’s unfortunate choice of words. The last thing he wanted was for Mac to think he just wanted to jump her at the first opportunity. He wanted to love her long and slow with all he had all he was, to give her all she deserved. But still, if they lost the moment was he passing up a chance to finally show her how much he loved her? He knew he could control himself if necessary, but what did she want?
What Mac was looking for was a sign that their relationship had been genuine so far, that they were truly committed to the path this time. The kisses said it was real, the electricity in the room as they prepared dinner was unmistakable, so why was she hesitating? Why was he? And was she because he was? How much more confusing could a relationship be? Were they ever going to get this right?
She finished the salad and brushed against him as she turned to put the rest of the vegetables away. Jumping slightly as though burned by the touch of him, she quickly covered with a mild distraction.
“Small kitchen for two cooks,” she mumbled, shocked by the power of that brief, accidental contact.
“Yeah,” he replied. Somewhat dazed he slowly returned to preparing the cheese bread.
The next few minutes found them both reaching towards the same cabinet at the same time. Their hands came together, his covering hers. The sparks were nearly visible but they both pulled back more slowly this time.
“Go on, Harm,” she backed away.
“No, you go first,” he stepped aside.
“No, it’s okay, I…was just going to set the table,” she excused.
“I was just getting a basket for the bread,” he explained raising his hands slightly.
“Go ahead,” she repeated, washing hers together nervously but not meeting his eyes.
“Tell you what,” he flashed his smile. “I’ll hand you the dishes you need, okay?”
“Okay,” she agreed, taking the plates and scurrying towards the dining table.
He quickly wrapped the hot bread in a napkin and placed it in the basket, then handed her glasses and silverware. She carefully walked around the other side of the island to get the dressing for the salad from the refrigerator while he mixed in the hot roasted chicken pieces.
A moment later they were seated opposite each other ready to enjoy their dinner, but the tension in the room was nearly visible. It radiated from both of them in waves. It was getting fearful now. They knew this could blow up on them, it had before, and neither wanted that solution. They just didn't know how to get past it.
Making an attempt to defuse the situation, Mac lightly commented on something work related.
“So, what do you think of the case Bud and Sturgis are working on?” she asked casually.
“The appeal?” Harm responded, clearly relieved to deflect their emotions for the moment. “The kid is guilty as sin.”
“Now how can you say that, Harm? You haven’t read the transcript of the original trial,” Mac protested.
“No, but I was the original investigator on the incident. I didn’t get to try it because something came up on a carrier, and the SecNav made Chegwidden take me off the case and send me out to the Med.”
They were soon caught up in a discussion of no consequence whatsoever except to give them both the breathing room to find their way to what they truly wanted. The smoldering looks he gave her from time to time during the meal let her know the current still ran deep under this surface charade. But he was letting her take the lead, to show him she was ready.
She knew her eyes reflected a deep awareness of the possibilities, but also the uncertainty she felt about his inaction. She wondered how he was reading those uncertainties. Surely, he wouldn't think she was opposed to furthering their relationship, but how could she tell him. Their time together was too new to just come right out and say ‘Harm take me to bed.’
Unless they deliberately touched each other, she feared tonight would be another wasted opportunity, but who was to go first? And how? They had forced the habit of skirting each other cautiously since she arrived this evening. How would they break that pattern?
They finished their meal and rose from the table, clearing the remains of dinner as carefully as they had set it. Reaching into the refrigerator to replace the salad dressing, "Well I guess maybe I ought to be going,” was Mac’s half hearted comment as she turned with the empty bowl to place it in the sink.
At that instant some other power took control. Harm turned from the sink to reach for more dishes and they collided full force. “No, please,” came from his lips as he reached to steady her.
If a script had been written for the moment, it couldn't have happened more perfectly. Almost losing her hold on the bowl, he grabbed it from her fingers and smoothly laid it on the counter. His other arm remained around her, his fingers splayed over her back.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to…” she started, not meaning a word of the apology.
“I’m not,” he captured her eyes.
“Me neither,” she admitted with shaky breath.
“We always need a kick from fate, don't we, Mac?” he asked, his other arm reaching to encircle her. She was in his arms now and only one thing could make him let go.
“Yeah, I guess so,” she admitted not losing his gaze and relaxing into his embrace.
“Do you want to stay?” he had to ask, he couldn’t assume.
“Here?” she questioned his arms that surrounded her.
“Here, and more,” his lips crept closer, and he drew her against his hard chest.
“Yes,” she whispered as her mouth disappeared under his.
He pulled her tightly against him, almost too tightly, as his full passion for her released into the kiss. His large hands spread over her back, then his arms returned to enfold her. His hands moved to play over her again, undecided whether he preferred holding her close, or stroking the planes and curves of her wonderful body. His lips delved deeper, parting hers and freeing the emotions she'd been holding so tightly in check.
“Mac?” he studied her eyes as he pulled back only far enough to whisper her name.
“Yes,” her lips moved against his. Molding her supple body to him, she gave her clear answer to this final question. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she leaned in for another kiss.
End of two
A/N: Small warning here, this isnt any worse than a night time soap but I am turning them loose. There isnt much plot here if you want to skip this chapter.
Glimpse of Tomorrow
Part Three
Neither of them resisted when the next kiss went farther than the last. Their hands searched desperately for bare skin to touch. Both had unintentionally dressed in a way that simplified their efforts. They'd planned to do more work on Mattie's room and their clothing was loose, comfortable, and easily removed. The breach made their need for absolute privacy imperative. It took only seconds for Harm to realize that the lights had to be turned off and the locks set.
As they ended the third kiss, his shirt had been unbuttoned and stripped from his massive shoulders. His undershirt was pushed halfway up his chest, and the top button of his Levis was undone. Her t-shirt was on the floor and the straps of her bra hung limply off her shoulders, waiting only for the catch to be released.
Not willing to release his hold, he wrapped one arm solidly around her waist. “The lights, Mac,” he indicated and guided her towards the door.
She simply nodded in response, her verbal skills lost in the fog of emotion.
In a few steps he had killed the lights and bolted the door. Mattie was safe for the night, and they were alone. Nothing was going to interrupt them now.
He leaned back against the door and spread his legs pulling her into him. Capturing her in another delicious kiss, his hands explored her bare back until his fingers found and released the clasp. Smiling into the kiss as the catch gave way, he felt her press against him more tightly, pushing his t-shirt high enough to bring their skin in contact.
Stopping only long enough to pull his t-shirt over his head, she immediately moved back to continue the kiss. Her bra got tangled in his shirt and the two items hit the floor together, as their bodies rushed back to the warmth of each other. Wanton desire tumbled seductively with the deeper feelings of their suppressed love. The mix was volatile. They were finally on exactly the same page, and they both wanted this to happen very much. Their passion created a spark from years of denial that exploded into the air around them. They clung fiercely to each other in the whirlwind that followed.
As the kiss ended they stopped to look at each other, their eyes mere inches apart, their bodies unwilling to lose contact. Their breathing was quick and ragged, their smiles of secret delight glowed in the dim light filtering in from outside. Smiles that told them this was perfect, that told them all was finally right with their world. They were about to become one forever.
It was as they both had known for years that it would be. Once they reached this point they would never separate again. It was a defining moment in their existence. No matter that barely controlled desire had finally brought them together tonight, they needed to give the moment its due importance.
She took a shaky step back, and her eyes traveled up his solid torso followed by the gentle touch of her fingertips, tracing every rippling muscle on his frame. Her hands brushed and caressed the smooth skin covering his shoulders, then continued down his massive arms coming to rest at his waist. Her eyes raised to his again and she stood quietly entranced, melting inside as his hands danced lightly over her skin. His touch was soft and feathery, unwavering in its appreciation of her beautiful body.
Slowly, they came together in another kiss that started like the first one that night in December. Instantly it flamed in intensity as it had before, and the firestorm consumed the last vestiges of their resistance. This time they didn't have to pull back, they didn't have to stop. They allowed the flames to build until they could stand it no more and he bent to scoop her into his arms.
Placing another deep kiss on her lips he pulled back to look into her eyes. “Shall we take this someplace comfortable?”
“Absolutely,” she replied kissing him again, teasing his lips with the tip of her tongue. If she didn't stop that he wasn't going to get very far with his good intentions this first time. He laid her on the bed and slipped down beside her. Reaching over her, he pulled the comforter across them and tangled his legs in hers. For the moment he would leave their jeans in place. He just wanted to kiss her, hold her, and slowly learn to love every inch of her, as he had told her at the dance.
Hours later, deep in the night, she awoke to find him looking at her.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Couldn't be more perfect,” he answered. “Is everything okay with you?” He worried that he had been too aggressive.
“Very okay.” She looked down at the edge of the sheet covering her. “I love the way you love me,” she admitted then glanced back up at him. “It feels so…right.”
“It is right Mac. I love you…try to give you…to show you the way I feel about you. I just hope I let you know all of how I feel.”
“Well, just in case I missed something could we do it again soon?” she teased with one side of her mouth turning up.
“I’ll try not to miss anything the next time,” he chuckled and gathered her into a close embrace. In the absolute comfort that comes from being with the person you were born to love they drifted back to sleep.
Early Morning
Mac stirred in Harms arms and he held her closer, automatically drawing her against him. He didn’t have to open his eyes to know it was Mac, nor did he have to come out of his sleepy fog to remember every moment of the previous night.
She reached up and gave him a long kiss on the side of his jaw then slipped from between the covers.
“Mac,” he moaned in protest.
“Sssshhh,” she whispered. “I’ll be right back.”
In a few short moments she was back in bed beside him cuddling close, the chill of early morning on her skin. He surrounded her with his warmth and soon found another type of warmth asserting itself.
More awake now, he pulled her into a deep kiss and her response told him she was eager for his suggestion. It was the most wonderful thing to wake up to someone and want to be with them again instead of hoping they would go home soon and leave you to think about why you were together. Did life have any way of getting better?
Mac couldn’t remember ever feeling so trusting of a partner, nor so excited by him at the same time. Harmon Rabb was all that he had ever promised to be. Working with him, knowing him as a friend, a buddy, and a sometimes almost something more, she had admired him for so long.
The man’s brain was astonishing in its collection of pure knowledge. His soul carried the utmost sympathy for the helpless and innocent as well as a dogged determination to see justice done to the guilty. His integrity was without question, and it didn’t hurt that he was drop dead handsome and had a body that just wouldn’t quit. He had long been the subject of her fantasies even when she should have been concentrating on someone else.
All of these things that made up the public person of Harmon Rabb were translated freely into his lovemaking. He gave her everything, made her needs and desires the most important, and in turn she fell under his spell and gave herself back to him completely, caring for him in return. It was like nothing they had ever experienced before. They had finally found the perfection they had so long coveted.
Making love in the early hours of the morning was as special and as joyous as last night’s lovemaking was uncontrolled and passionate.
End of three
A/N: Well Ive gone this far so I guess Ill have to wrap this up and tie it with a bow. The last part will show up in a week or so.
Glimpse of Tomorrow
Part Four
The sun barely lit the morning sky. She lay stretched out on top of him, gently rising and falling with his breath. Slowly, he rubbed his fingertips up and down, contentedly tracing the hollow of her spine. Sometimes dipping down to follow lines over her firm backside, they returned to tangle lightly in the hair at the back of her neck before continuing their lazy travels over her sleek body. She drowsily reveled in the feel of him beneath her, and the loving touch of his hands melted any need to move from this spot.
His fingers slowed to a stop but continued to rest on her back. “Mac,” he said sounding faintly distracted.
“What, Harm?” she raised her head slightly to look into his eyes. She saw a deep concern but no regret and relaxed slightly.
“Mac I...that is, I just wanted to say that I’ve never lost control like that …like last night, and then again this morning,” he began. Clearly there was something else on his mind.
“Nor have I, Harm,” she admitted, propping herself on her elbows. With one arm resting on the pillow on either side of his face, “But?...,” she asked, leaving the door open for him to expand on his thought.
“It’s just..., are you on anything?” he asked nervously.
“On anything? Like what, Harm?” She was puzzled.
“Protection, you know, birth control. Im afraid I’ve never done anything like that, Mac. I should have been careful for you. I just completely forgot to even think about it.” He was working himself into a bit of a fuss now.
“Oh, I see,” she was taken aback. Raising herself onto her hands, she started to pull away, but he held her close. “And that worries you? That I might…”
“No,” he interrupted quickly. “Not exactly, that is, I was worried about you. I mean how would you feel if you were….it was careless of me,” he concluded, a deep furrow across his brow. His eyes were trying to speak the words that his mouth was fumbling.
“Not especially careless, Harm,” she cocked her head slightly, studying the non-verbal message. “I could have said something if I thought it was a problem. But even if you decided you didn’t want me…”
“But I do,” he overspoke her again. “I do, I want you very much. Like I said, forever, Mac. I was just worried about you, how you would feel, it would be so sudden and all,” he tried to explain.
“Not really,” her eyes crinkled at the edges and she made a teasing reference to a long gone promise. “It seems to me it’s right on time. But to answer your question, I’d feel like the luckiest woman alive to have your baby, Harm.” She relaxed slightly and sank back down on her elbows, her face hovering close to his.
“Good,” he breathed a deep sigh of relief, then added hastily, “Not that I want it to happen this way, but if it did I wanted you to know its okay with me if it’s okay with you.”
“It’s okay, Harm,” she reassured his concern, noting that once again the basis of this conversation had taken place more with their eyes than with the awkwardness of mere words.
“Well then,” he grinned at her, drawing lazy circles on her lower back. “If it happens, you’ll have to marry me. You know that, don’t you?”
“Will I?” she taunted in return. “Why do you say that?”
“Because I wasn’t raised to be an unwed father, Mac,” he pronounced seriously.
“I see,” she considered this. “But I don’t just go around marrying anyone who makes me pregnant, Harm,” she replied with matching gravity.
“No one else better even think about making you pregnant,” he declared hotly, cupping her backside and thrusting her hips tightly against his.
“Oh, is that so?” She fought the warm sensation washing over her. “Then I guess I’d better marry you in that case, since I certainly would prefer your babies.”
He smiled in triumph and continued, they might as well take care of this now while they were on the subject. “Of course, there’s one other thing, if you aren’t pregnant you still have to marry me.”
“Really? Why is that?” Recognizing the significance of this conversation, they had couched it in playful terms and made it uniquely theirs, a story to keep in their hearts for eternity.
“Because I couldn’t possibly love someone this much and not be married to her. I should have told you so long ago, Mac,” his response was genuinely solemn now, and regret tinged his joy.
“Hush,” she laid a finger lightly on his lips. “We’re here now. Remember, we decided that what’s past is past. Let’s just go on from here.”
“Then you’ll marry me?” his twinkling smile returned turning the corners of his eyes and lips upwards.
“Yes, Harmon Rabb. I’ll marry you,” she answered, her whole face aglow with the deepest love.
“Good, now that that’s settled…” he replied. Rolling her beneath him, their kiss matched the passion of any kiss they’d shared so far.
When he finally pulled back, she caught her breath before asking. “Harm, are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?”
“Oh, Im thinking it, Mac,” he chuckled. “I just may not be able to do anything about it for a few more hours.”
“I won’t be far, sailor,” she promised with a sweet kiss. “But right now its 0704 and we have to get up.”
“Why now?” he nestled her more closely beneath him blocking her between his well-muscled legs and strong arms. “It’s too early, and it’s cold.” Certain activities may be delayed a while, but he had learned to love cuddling with her the last two months.
“Then we’ll turn on the heat and make some coffee,” she applied unwelcome logic. “If we don’t get some painting done, Mattie will figure out what we’ve been up to,” she explained.
“I have news for you, Mac. I doubt Mattie will miss a trick. She’ll know exactly what we’ve been up to,” he laughed softly. Mattie was young and innocent, but she wasn’t stupid.
“How do you figure, flyboy?” she questioned, still pinned to the mattress under his large frame.
“Well, if she doesn’t guess it from the extremely pleased look on your face, she’ll get it from mine,” he teased and kissed her again.
“You’re incorrigible, you know that don’t you?” she accused when he finished.
“Just another one of my many talents,” he raised his eyebrows and gave her a cocky stare. “But you’re right,” he relented. “I promised Mats she would have her bedroom by tomorrow night, so I guess we go to work.”
“Me first in the shower,” Mac called, squirming from under him and heading to the bathroom.
“No way Marine, were doing this together,” Harm was right on her heels.
They allowed themselves the luxury of an extended shower, and the playing around that bathing each other initiated before getting down to the business of home improvement.
Half an hour later
Mac made the coffee while Harm scrambled some eggs with cheese, insisting a good breakfast would give them the energy they needed to get the job done. He made her promise not to make the coffee so strong it walked to his cup, and she insisted that her half of the eggs be cooked until they bounced on her plate.
That compromise out of the way, they ate quickly, anxious to get started on Mattie’s room. They now had another good reason for securing her privacy and theirs. When they finished eating, Harm scrubbed the few dishes while she brought up the paint supplies from her car and prepared the brushes and rollers.
Walking up behind her in the additional room, he snaked his arms around her waist while she was painting the edges and corners of the wall. “We only paint until 1500,” he bargained and kissed her on the ear.
“Why Harm? We could go until 1800 then send out for Chinese or something,” she suggested, knowing that they needed at least two coats of paint and maybe three.
“Nope. 1500, no later. Then we go shopping,” he declared.
“Shopping? What for?” she laid down the paintbrush and turned, truly puzzled by his suggestion.
He still held her in the circle of his arms. “For something to put here,” he answered. Picking up her left hand, he indicated her ring finger. “You promised to marry me, and I want something there to remind you every minute of the day how much I want you for my wife, and how I will love you forever.”
She half turned her gaze away considering his absolute declaration. There could be no mistaking his words or his actions this time. Turning back to look at him, she realized he was completely committed. His look told her all she needed to know.
He nodded with gentle insistence and repeated “1500,” before kissing her cheek.
“1500 it is,” she agreed, smiling softly. She’d never had a happier moment in her life. It could have only been pillow talk this morning, but Harm was following through. He was letting her know just how serious that rather casual conversation really was.
“Good,” he released a deep sigh of relief and gave her another brief squeeze. A warm calm covered him as his soul recognized it had found and secured a permanent home. He let her slip from his arms and return to finish her painting, then he turned to pick up the paint roller to do his share.
End
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