Because You Loved MeAuthor: Rorie The song, "I Will Be Here," sung and written by Steven Curtis Chapman, belongs to Sparrow Records. It is available on his More to this Life album, as well as on the Live Adventure and Greatest Hits albums. The song, "Because You Loved Me," sung by Céline Dion, written by Diane Warren, belongs to Realsongs and Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. It is available on Céline's Falling Into You album, as well as the soundtrack to the film, Up Close and Personal. The music, "The Portrait," from the movie, Titanic, composed by James Horner, belongs to Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. NO copyright infringement intended. Summary: Mac and Harm's wedding (with elements from my dream wedding). HOTEL SUITE "Hold still, Sarah, it's hard to do this with you moving around." Harm's mother, Trish, said to her future daughter-in-law, as she tried to fasten some white rosebuds into Mac's hair, which she had let grow out and Trish had pulled up into an elegant up-do for her wedding. "I'm sorry, Trish, I'm just nervous, I guess." "A nervous Marine, that's something you don't see everyday." Harriet said, as she walked into the room, carrying Mac's bouquet and shoes. "Don't push it, Harriet..." "Yes, Ma'am." Harriet replied, sarcastically. Just then there was a knock on the door, "I'll get it, Sarah." Harriet said, having dispensed with the formality of rank for her best friend's wedding day. A couple of minutes later, "Auntie Sarah! You're so bootifull, like an angel." Bridget Webb, 3-year-old daughter of Clayton and Lucy Webb, exclaimed. Mac held out her arms to the little girl, who launched herself into them. "You, too, Bridget-bear... you're going to be the prettiest flower girl ever." "Do you think Uncle Harm will think so, too?" "Of course, and the Admiral and everyone else, as well." Bridget squirmed out of Mac's embrace and beamed. "Mommy, did you hear that? Auntie Sarah says I'm the prettiest." "Yes, Baby, I heard." Lucy Webb said as she and Harriet walked into the room. ************ "OK. I'm finished... you can look now." Trish said, as she stood up to admire her handiwork. "Oh, Trish, it's beautiful!" Mac said with tears in her eyes as she finally got the first glimpse of herself in the mirror. Harriet and Lucy readily agreed. "Is it time to go, yet?" Bridget asked, impatiently. "I want everybody to see me in my new flower girl dress, 'specially A.J." "Pretty soon, Bridget-bear, pretty soon." Mac assured the little girl, who then ran out into the living room. "Can I come in?" "Grandma Sarah! Of course, you can." The first Sarah Rabb came into the room and gave her new granddaughter-to-be a hug, carefully, as to not mess up her appearance. "What are you doing here? We thought you were going to meet us at the chapel." "What and miss out on this time? Not a chance... I never had a daughter or granddaughter to help with the preparations before her wedding. So I wanted to be here with you." Grandma Rabb said with tears in her eyes. "Come on, you two, quit it... before we all have to redo our makeup because we're crying." Trish said, as she, too, had tears in her eyes. "Trish, dear, can I have a few moments alone with Sarah, please?" "Of course, Mother." Trish left the room. "Sarah, I know that I can't take the place of your mother. I know it hurt you when she left... but I think of you as a granddaughter, have since the very first time that stubborn grandson of mine brought you home to see me..." Mac hugged the older woman tightly. "I think of you as family, too." "I just wanted to tell you that I'm glad he took my advice..." Mac stared blankly, "What advice, Grandma Sarah?" "I told Harm to follow his heart... I asked what it said to him when he thought of you and living his life without you in it. He said he couldn't imagine going through life without you, he wanted to tell you, but then you left JAG with Dalton Lowne. It nearly killed Harm to see you with Lowne, but he never said anything to you because he loves you so much that he would do anything to see you happy... even give you up. Finally, my boy has followed his heart, and I'm glad you were the one in it." The two women held each other tightly and cried, until a small voice said, "Auntie Sarah, can we go yet?" "Oh, Bridget-bear, of course... we only have 15 minutes, 16 seconds until I'm supposed to meet your Uncle Harm at the altar!" CHAPEL ANTEROOM "Son, I'm only going to say this once," Mac's Uncle Matt O'Hara said, "If you don't do everything in your power to make my Sarah happy, I'm going to show up on your doorstep and kick your six from here to kingdom come... Understand?" "Roger that, Sir... I love Sarah, and I would give my life for her happiness." "In that case, welcome to the family, Harm. There isn't anyone I would rather see Sarah with than you. I've known that this day would come ever since the time you two came to get me in Red Rock Mesa. Sarah's Rose Garden Sailor..." "Sirs, it's time..." Bud said, putting his head in the door. "Is she here yet?" Harm asked. "Yes, Sir," Bud answered with a smile, "They just arrived... one word: Wow!" "Watch it, Bud, that's my wife you're talking about!" Harm joked. "Yes, Sir." The men left the anteroom, Harm and Bud, the best man, to take their places at the front of the church, and Matt to go to where he, along with Adm. A.J. Chegwidden, would be waiting to escort Mac down the aisle. CHAPEL Mac stood nervously in the back of the chapel waiting for the music to begin so she could begin her life as Harm's wife. Harriet, who was the matron-of-honor, put her hand on Mac's arm and smiled to reassure her nervous friend. "Mom, is it time yet?" Bridget asked Lucy, who was also a bride's maid, in a stage whisper. "Bridget, not until the music starts... I'll tell you when." "A.J.!" Harriet snapped at her four-year-old son, "Stop messing with your tie, you'll ruin it before the wedding even starts." "But, Mom, it hurts my neck." "A.J., settle down... after the pictures, we'll take it off, OK?" "Okay, Mom..." he sighed. Finally, the strains of "The Portrait" from the movie, Titanic, began. Mac smiled as she remembered that cold, January evening when she and Harm, along with Bud and Harriet went to see the movie. At the end of the movie, both she and Harriet were crying hard, she looked over at Harm, and could see tears on his cheeks. It surprised her... it was the first time she admitted to herself that she thought of Harm as more than just a partner. She didn't think of him as a possible life partner, or even, as a short-term romance, yet, but he definitely wasn't just a partner to her.... They chose this music instead of the traditional Mendelssohn, after she admitted to Harm her feelings, as a remembrance of where it all began in her mind... the possibility of something more. Lucy Webb began her walk down the aisle to the altar, followed by A.J. Roberts, trying very hard not to drop the rings off of his satin pillow, then her daughter, strewing rose petals all along the way. Harriet turned and smiled at Mac, "It's time, Sarah!" Then she, too, began to walk towards the front of the chapel. Uncle Matt stepped to Mac's left, while Adm. Chegwidden stepped to her right. Both men leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "Major, you look beautiful, positively beaming. Thank you for asking me to be such an important part of your day." "No, thank you, Admiral... if it weren't for you, this day would have never come." "Come on, Sarah, let's get you married." Uncle Matt said with tears in his eyes. "Aye-aye, Sir." she responded with matching tears. The three of them began their walk down the aisle. As they went, Mac could see everyone stand and turn to look at her. On the groom's side, sat Trish and Frank, Grandma Sarah, and other members of Harm's family. On her side, sat no relatives. They didn't come... her mother had remarried, and didn't think she could make it to her eldest child's wedding. Her father wasn't invited. Uncle Matt was the only family there for her. No, the only blood relative... Sarah looked around the room at her friends--her family. There were Bud and Harriet up at the altar, along with Clay and Lucy. There were A.J. Roberts and Bridget Webb, the children she thought of as her nephew and niece. In the pews were Harm's family who accepted her as a member of their family from day one, long before the engagement. There was Mike Roberts, Bud's brother, PO Tiner was there. Congresswoman Bobbie Latham, whom Mac didn't always see eye-to-eye with, but had grown to like as a friend, smiled at her. There was Carolyn Chegwidden, née Imes, who had resigned her commission when she realized that she had fallen hard for the Admiral and that the feelings were reciprocated. Francesca Swanson, the Admiral's daughter who had horrified him by marrying a Marine, stood with her husband, who was holding their sleeping infant son. No, my family is here...the family that counts... And, of course, there was Harm... He stood at the front of the chapel watching his bride come towards him. He flashed his patented "flyboy" grin at her... her heart did a somersault in her chest. Finally, it seemed like ages, they reached the front. Harm stepped down to meet her, Uncle Matt placed her hand on Harm's left arm, and beamed at his niece. "Who gives this woman to be married?" the chaplain asked solemnly. "I do!" Matt and A.J. answered in unison, before they retreated to their places in the pews. Harm led his bride back to their places at the altar. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered today in the sight of God and man to join this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony..." CHAPEL "I do!" Mac answered with a brilliant smile on her face. "Before the exchanging of the rings, the bride and groom have a song that expresses how they feel about each other. It is to be sung by Lucy Webb..." The chaplain motioned Lucy over to where a microphone had been set up. "When Sarah asked me to sing this for them, I was thrilled. I feel that it perfectly expresses what I see between Sarah and Harm. It's called 'I Will Be Here.'" The music started and Lucy began to sing in a beautiful, clear alto voice: "Tomorrow
mornin' if you wake up and the sun does not appear I will be here Harm looked at Mac and just nodded. She knew that he was saying the things in the song to her, she returned the nod. "Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up and the future isn't clear I will be here I will be true to the
promise I have made to you Harm mouthed the words of the last two lines to Mac. Her eyes shone with love and tears... she was so happy. "I, I will be
here As the song finished, Lucy stepped back to her place at the altar... she looked around the chapel... there wasn't a dry eye in the place. "Thank you." Mac whispered to her friend. "May I have the rings?" the chaplain asked. Bud hurried to take the rings from his son, who had still managed to not drop them. He handed them to the chaplain, who held them up. "The rings are an unending circle of gold. This symbolizes the unending nature of true love... not what the world sees as love, but the kind that comes from Heaven... the kind that is a gift between two people. The kind of love that lasts through whatever comes, not a superficial love that ends when the road becomes too rough and difficulties plague. When the ring is placed on the finger, it serves a visible symbol and reminder. Not only to the wearer, but also to those around. Harmon, take Sarah's left hand and place the ring on her finger," he gave the ring to Harm, who placed it on the fourth finger of Mac's left hand. "Repeat after me, 'With this ring, I thee wed...'" "With this ring, I thee wed..." Harm repeated. "And heretofore pledge my troth..." "And heretofore pledge my troth..." "All my worldly possessions, my body, I bequeath to you..." "All my worldly possessions, my body, I bequeath to you..." "This promise I make, till death doth part us." "This promise I make, till death doth part us." "Sarah, place this ring on Harmon's finger, and repeat after me, 'With this ring, I thee wed...'" ***************** "By the power invested in me by Almighty God and the state of Maryland, I now pronounce that they are husband and wife! Harmon, you may know kiss your bride!" Harm didn't have to be told twice... he pulled Sarah to him and gave her a kiss that seemed to go on forever. They didn't hear the applause and cheers of all of their friends behind them. They were lost in a world of their own. At least until Bud tapped Harm on the shoulder and reminded him that they were in the church. Harm finally let Mac go... she struggled to catch her breath... it took a while. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present for the first time, Lt. Cdr. and Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Jr.!" the chaplain said as the music, "The Portrait," began again for their first walk together as husband and wife, amid much applause. As they were being introduced by the chaplain, Mac noticed Bud, Uncle Matt, the Admiral, Francesca's husband, and several of Harm's pilot pals slip out the front door. The traditional 'arch of sabers' was being formed. Just thinking about caused her backside to tense up and a hundred ways to disarm a man to float through her mind. But then again, she knew she was going to get even, she had a plan that involved Uncle Matt and a certain cocky naval aviator/lawyer... HOTEL BALLROOM Harriet stood watch at the door, "They're coming!" she called over her shoulder, excitedly. As the happy couple pulled open the door to the ballroom, Bud signaled the band... "From the Halls of Montezuma...," followed by "Anchors Away," was played. The crowd burst into enthusiastic applause. Bud stepped over to Harm and Mac, "Sir, Ma'am, this way, please." He led them to the head table. They sat in the center two seats with Uncle Matt next to Mac, and the Admiral next to Harm. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd please find your seats. I'd like to start with a toast to the bride and groom." The guests all found their seats, where a glass of champagne sat at each. They each raised a glass, "I've known Cmdr. Rabb and Maj. MacKenzie for several years now. I have been privileged to work with them and to call them my friends. I have also been privileged to watch the growth and development of their relationship, from partners, to best friends, to so much more, to where we are today. If anyone can make a marriage last, it's the Commander and the Major. I am honored to be here today, and can't wait to see what the future holds for this couple. I have never seen two people more suited to each other, except Harriet and I, of course, and I have no doubt that their 'partnership' will continue to grow for many years. Here's wishing you two the very best that life has to offer... Congratulations!" Bud lifted his glass and took a sip, as did everyone else. Next, Uncle Matt stood, "Sarah, I have always thought of you as my daughter, more than my niece. I have watched you grow from the scared teenager you once were to the strong Marine and, now, beautiful bride you are. You make me so proud..." he said with tears in his eyes, "Harm, I have only known you a few years, but I know this is right... have known it since Red Rock Mesa. Just remember what I told you before the ceremony. Welcome to the family, and the Corps, Son." Matt raised his glass... Now it was the admiral's turn. "Three words... 'It's about time!'" the crowd laughed. "Seriously, I have seen this day coming from the beginning. You two didn't take my advice when I told you not to get too close because you'd be working together. Good thing, too. Here's to your new partnership, especially since the old one has just been dissolved. May this one be as successful as the last... Congratulations, Commander and Mrs. Rabb..." the Admiral raised his glass... Harm stood up, "Thank you, Bud, Col. O'Hara, Admiral, for your kind words. And thank all of you for coming... now enough of this talk... let's party!" "Yes, Sir. I'd like to have the bride and groom in the middle of the floor for their first dance as husband and wife. They've chosen a special song..." the band leader said. As the music began, Harm led his wife to center floor and began to dance: "For all those
times you stood by me You were my
strength when I was weak Mac thought about those words... Harm had stood by her through her murder trial, Article 32 hearing, and Admiral's mast. He was the one who saw her through Dalton's murder and her stalking. He was her strength that time in the Appalachians when she was shot by the poacher, he was her eyes that time on the Watertowne when Hodges blinded her with ammonia. He had seen the worst in her, but chose to only see the best. He had faith in her, when she didn't have any in herself. She could honestly say that she was everything she was today because of Harm's love for her. "You gave me
wings and made me fly You were my
strength when I was weak Harm thought about the words... he had always felt like he was touching the sky when Sarah touched his hand... she never told him that his star of finding his father was out of reach... she stood by him when he was accused of murder, she went with his to Russia to find his father, she stopped him when he wanted to kill Diane's murderer. She was his voice that time on the Watertowne when Hodges had smacked him in the larynx...she had lifted him up onto the helicopter in Red Rock Mesa on their very first mission. He was truly blessed because *his* Sarah loved him. "You were always
there for me As the chorus was played two more times, the couple friends and family reflected on how the words to this song perfectly reflected the relationship between Harm and Mac. They truly had made each other's world a better place. "I'm everything I am because you *love* me." Sarah sang softly to her husband as the last line of the song played. HOTEL BALLROOM "Can we sit this one out, Harm? My feet are killing me!" Mac complained. "Of course, Darling..." "Say that again." Mac requested as Harm led her back to their table to sit. "Say what?" "That last part." "Darling, Sweetheart, Beloved, *My* Jarhead, *My* Sarah!" Mac just smiled as she leaned up to kiss her new husband passionately. *** At the end of the next song, the couple was interrupted by the Admiral. "Sir?" "At ease, Commander. I just wanted to request the next dance with your wife. If that's all right with you, that is?" "Go right ahead... Sarah?" "I'd be honored, Sir." she replied as the Admiral led her back onto the dance floor as the music began again. Harm watched his bride and the Admiral while they danced. Obviously, A.J. had said something funny because Mac threw her head back and laughed before looking back at the Admiral. Suddenly, Harm's attention was caught by a group in the corner of the floor. There was a woman who from the back looked exactly like Mac. She was standing with a tall, blonde man and two teenagers. He was puzzled as he made his way over to them. As he reached the group, the woman turned, Harm gasped... it was like looking at an older version of his Sarah. "You must be Harm," the woman said, extending her hand to him. "I'm Lillian Harper, Sarah's mother." "Pleased to meet you, Ma'am." Harm managed to choke out. "We didn't think you were able to make it today." "I didn't think that I would, either. I didn't make it to the ceremony. However, I thought about it... Sarah's my daughter, my first-born, I decided that no matter what our relationship was like in the past, I needed to be here for her today. I hope she will be able to understand that." "I don't know, she was pretty upset when you refused her invitation. To her it was just another in a long series of rejections she had suffered from you." "I know... and I don't think that I can ever make it up to her... but I'd like to try. Would you help me? She obviously loves and trusts you more than anyone else." "Of course, I'll try." He looked over at the other members of Lillian's group... "Oh, I'm sorry... Let me introduce you to the other members of your new family. Harm, this is my husband, Scott Harper, and these are our children, Stephanie and Jillie." "I'm pleased to meet you all." Harm replied as he shook hands with each of them in turn. "Mother...?!" Harm hadn't heard the music stop or the approach of his bride, so intent was he on the conversation with his mother-in-law. "Sarah..." Lillian answered, "I hope you don't mind that we came after all." "No, Mother, I'm glad you came." she said awkwardly. "It means a lot to me." She gave Harm a significant look that he correctly interpreted as meaning she wanted to speak to her mother alone. "Stephanie," he addressed the older of Lillian's two daughters, "Would you like to dance with me?" "I'd love to." his new sister-in-law answered with a giggle. Scott, too, caught the look between Harm and Mac, "Jillie, how about it? Want to dance with your old man?" The two men led the girls onto the dance floor to give Sarah and Lillian some time together. ************** Harm couldn't help himself, he kept glancing over to where his wife and her mother were intent on their conversation. He wished he knew what was being said. He knew how hurt Mac had been when her mother walked out and left her with an abusive father. He also knew how hurt she had been when she finally found her mother again to invite her to the wedding, and her mother refused. He hoped that this was the beginning of a time of healing for Mac and her mother. Maybe they could forge a new relationship, not a perfect one, but a relationship, none the less. "Harm?" Stephanie said. "What? Oh, Stephanie. I'm sorry, I guess I was somewhere else just then." "I know where you were. You were watching Sarah and Mom. Do you think that Sarah will be able to forgive Mom? and that Mom will be able to be a part of Sarah's life? I know she wants to... she doesn't know that I sometimes hear her crying at night about Sarah." Stephanie said with a serious look on her face. "I hope so, Little sister, I hope so." HOTEL BALLROOM Their dance over, Harm led Stephanie over to introduce her to the other guests. Sarah and Lillian were still talking intently. He could see the expression on Mac's face, but not her mother's. And the look on Mac's face wasn't very encouraging. Finally, Mac and her mother came over to join the group. Mac did the appropriate introductions before Harm rescued her by leading her back onto the dance floor. "I can see from your eyes that this didn't go so well..." "That's an understatement... she doesn't seem to see how much it hurt when she left me with an abusive father... she doesn't seem to see that she is partly to blame for me becoming an alcoholic... she doesn't seem to think she did anything wrong." "I'm sorry, Sarah.... Are you going to try to establish a relationship with her?" "I want to... I want to have a family... I want a mother and sisters... but I don't know if I can be a part of her life. I mean she didn't even want to come to my wedding at first, I wasn't important enough in her life." tears were running down her face. Harm reached up and wiped them away and then kissed her softly. "Whatever you decide, I'm there for you... you have a family... we'll do whatever it is together." "Thank you... I love you, Sailor." *************** 0200 ZULU The party was still in full swing, Harm sat next to Mac who was trying unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. He laughed, "Past your bedtime, Marine?" "What? Oh, yes, it's been a long day." "Tell me about it... Happy?" "Do you even have to ask? This has been the happiest day of my life." "It's only the first of many... I promised your uncle that I would do everything in my power to make you happy... and I intend to keep that promise, Sarah." "Well, Flyboy, what would make me happy right now is if you and I could go UA and get started on our honeymoon." "Aye-aye, Ma'am." he said as he gave her a mock salute. "I'll see what I can do." Harm got up and went in search of his best man. He found Bud dancing with a slightly tipsy Bobbie Latham. "Bobbie, if you'd excuse us, I need to borrow Lt. Roberts." "Of course, Harm, whatever you want, it's your party." she smiled as she walked off. "Bud, Mac's a little tired and she wants to get out of here. Think you can arrange it?" "Yes, sir." Bud replied as he went over to the band leader to take the microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please! The bride and groom are ready to leave... but first the formalities. Major, if you'd please come up here." Mac made her way to where Bud and Harm were waiting. "Ma'am, it's time to throw the bouquet." to the crowd, "Would all of the single women come up so the Major can throw the bouquet..." There was a scramble... Mac tossed the bouquet over her shoulder... straight into Bobbie Latham's arms.... "Okay, now the unmarried guys... it's your turn." Bud said. He turned to Harm, motioned for Mac to sit on the chair that was placed there specifically for this purpose. Harm knelt down on one knee... a voice from the crowd yelled, "Hey, Harm, I thought you already proposed." Harm laughed, then he raised the hem of Sarah's wedding dress so that her knees were exposed, cat calls erupted from the crowd. The same voice yelled, "Well, Harm, I guess we know why you married her." Harm slowly removed the silk garter from his bride's leg. She was quickly turning a lovely shade of red... Harm stood up and tossed the garter over his shoulder toward the crowd of single guys...it was caught by LCDR Jack Keeter, the owner of the voice and one of Harm's oldest friends, having roomed with him at the Academy. The band struck up another song... the two recipients of the traditional symbols of being the next couple to get married danced together. ******* Harriet followed Mac upstairs to the hotel suite they had used earlier to help her change into something a little more suitable for traveling in. "So where are you two going on your honeymoon, Sarah?" "I have no idea, Harm won't tell me and I can't get it out of Trish or Grandma Sarah, either." "Well, wherever you're going, I'm sure it'll be romantic..." "That you can count on..." "If you can manage to keep the groom out of trouble." Harriet finished for her. The two women burst into laughter. A few moments later, they finally managed to get their giggles under control enough for Sarah to finish dressing. "You get going... I'll come back and clean up this mess later." Harriet said. The two women went back downstairs. *********** Everyone was lined up by the doors waiting to wish the happy couple well one last time before they left on their honeymoon. All of the guests shook hands with the groom and shook hands or kissed the bride. However, one person wasn't there... Sarah looked around for her mother... Harm followed her gaze and noticed the look of pain flit across his new wife's face, he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and whispered, "Together." They exited the building in a hail of bird seed... Harriet decided it was better for the birds than rice. About ten minutes later, driving down the highway, Mac finally asked where they were headed. "I'll tell you, Marine, if you'll tell me where I could find a certain tattoo!" "Green light, Sailor..." Mac said with a laugh. THE END |
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