Part 27

Dear Diary,

Harriet hadn’t said another word about the reason that I was so happy. While part of me wanted to tell everyone about AJ another part of me was enjoying the fact that I didn’t have to answer any questions. Of course, later that evening at the welcome home party for Harm and Renee, I was the one asking the questions…

Harriet and I decided to have the party for Renee and Harm at his old apartment. I had talked to them a week ago and heard the good news that they were coming back the week before Thanksgiving instead. Of course, I didn’t say anything about the party, since I wanted to surprise them.

“So, they don’t know a thing about the party, Mac?” asked Harriet as she put the last of the food in the oven.

“They don’t have a clue,” I said with a smile. “There had been enough surprises in my life lately. It’s time someone surprised them.” I sat down on next to Harriet on the couch as we waited for Harm and Renee to unlock the door.

Finally, we heard a key in the lock and happy “Surprise!” died quickly when we realized that Harm was carrying Renee. Over the threshold, I should say. They looked at us startled. At least we surprised them somewhat; of course, the diamond glinting on Renee’s finger startled us more.

“We decided to elope,” Harm explained with his flyboy smile as he put down his new bride.

Congratulations were passed around along with hugs and kisses. Soon the party was in full swing. The old adage of ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ certain held true that night. Several hours later, Renee and I started to gather up all the dishes and took them into the kitchen. Even though there wasn’t much added privacy in the kitchen we were able to talk.

“Mac, I wanted to ask you something.” I nodded. “Harm and I want to have a ‘real’ wedding up at his grandmother’s house and I was wondering if you could help me with the planning and such.”

“Of course. I’ll be glad to. Harriet and the Admiral might be able to help too.”

“The Admiral?” she asked incredulously.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have said that,” I mumbled as I turned back to the dishes. “Harriet mentioned once that he had helped her some with planning her wedding.”

“I’ll be sure to ask them too then. We want to wait until the spring when his Grandmother Sarah’s garden is in bloom. Harm always tells me how pretty her gardens are.”

“That will be nice. How big are you planning?”

“Not sure yet but we want to invite all of our friends and co-workers. Oh and also we weren’t planning on telling anyone that we’ve already eloped.”

“Really?” I asked wondering why.

“We thought that it would be nice to have our anniversary to ourselves. Of course, if some people find out, that’s okay,” Renee commented as she started drying the dishes.

“I was almost thinking that you were going to say that you were pregnant,” I said as dunked the pots in the soapy water.

“Oh, no. That isn’t going to happen anytime too soon. Even though we do want children at some point.”

I looked at Renee confused as to why they were going to wait if they wanted children as much as it sounded from the tone of her voice. She saw the confusion and after glancing at Harm quickly, Renee spoke quietly.

“Well, it seems that his back and leg weren’t the only thing hurt in the accident.”

“Oh,” I said a bit embarrassed.

“The doctor thinks that it might be psychological instead of physical. My philosophy is that Harm was raised thinking that a real man was a Navy aviator and since he is no long able to be in the Navy…” she shrugged. “The fact that I’ve been supporting him doesn’t help so we are looking forward to him starting his own firm.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Oh, that’s okay. I love Harm and he loves me. Things will eventually work out just fine,” she said as if it weren’t too important.

I had to be impressed by her and how she took all Harm’s injures in stride. She stood beside Harm when the doctors said that he would never even walk again but with her support he proved them wrong.

“I’m sorry that I thought bad about you for so long Renee.”

“That’s okay, Mac. I didn’t really give you a chance, did I?” I just smiled a bit. “Besides, you shouldn’t feel too sorry for me. I’ll tell you a little secret, Harm’s tongue still works just fine.” She smiled then turned to walk back to her new husband leaving me speechless.

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