May 2017

Claire knocked on her brother's room and peeked inside. He was busy with his technic Legos, halfway through to a plane of some sort. He was getting so big, it was hard to imagine the little baby he once was.

"What?" Matthew asked.

"Just wanted to hear if you would want to help make lunch? Mom and Dad will be getting home around lunch time, and I'm sure they'd be glad to sit down and eat when they arrive. And Aunt Cathy too," Claire walked over to his desk. "That looks hard."

"Nah, it's okay," Matthew put the half-done plane down. "I can help."

"Good," Claire smiled and turned to leave. "I'll let you know when it's time to start. Rose is walking Max."

"Okay," Matthew hesitated. "So why does adults want time alone anyway?"

Claire turned back. "Well, adults need time alone."

"To talk about adult stuff?" Matthew wondered.

"Yeah, that too, but also to be together as boyfriend and girlfriend," she smiled. "You'll understand when you get older."

"You mean sex, right?" Matthew shrugged. "I know about sex."

"You do? Well, I think Mom and Dad do that wherever they are, but sometimes they want to be just them, to talk and just hang out. You know how they always have the need to kiss and hug, well, they are just very affectionate," Claire chuckled. "I think it's kinda cute."

"I guess," Matthew shrugged again.

"You should talk to Dad about that, or Mom," Claire told her brother. "If you have questions and stuff."

Matthew wrinkled his forehead thoughtfully. "Yeah, I don't want to know stuff. I'm just a kid you know."

Claire nodded. "I know," she turned and walked out of his room.

Williamsburg

Harm sipped his coffee and moved the spatula around the pan. He felt relaxed and content for the first time in weeks. It had been busy at work as they were defending a client on murder charges. They had spent months building their case, doing their own investigation and making sure they were ready. On top of that they had a pretty big caseload at the office, and their schedule with the kids was busy as usual with all their activities and schoolwork. Also, Mac was on the PTA, and Harm had started coaching Matthew's basketball team.

"Morning."

He turned towards the bedroom door and saw Mac paddling towards him clad in his oversized shirt, her hair messy and rubbing her eyes. He smiled as he checked out her long slender legs. He was a lucky man. "Morning."

She walked up to him and stole his mug. "Squid coffee?" she asked as she sipped it.

"I think I managed to meet somewhere in the middle between my preference and yours," he teased and met her lips in a soft kiss.

"It's okay," she smiled and put the coffee on the counter before putting her arms around his neck. "For a squid."

He laughed softly as he wrapped her in an embrace. "I'm not sure I'm ready to get back to reality today."

"Me neither," she admitted. "But, we have to pick up Cathy at the airport so that we can be on our way tomorrow morning."

"I know," he kissed her softly, then let her go and turned back to saving the scrambled eggs from burning. "Sit down."

She took the coffee and did as he said. It had been his idea to get away for a weekend just the two of them. They were long overdue, with their busy schedules they hadn't had much time for just them. They were good at taking the time for a little romance and small gestures even when life was busy, but there was nothing like a weekend alone away from home. This time Harm had a client lend them his cabin a little outside Williamsburg. They had originally planned to check out some attractions, but had ended up staying mostly at the cabin alone.

"You are such a good husband," she offered a sweet smile as he put the plate down in front of her.

"I try," he kissed her cheek before sitting down beside her. "Dan said that we can borrow the cabin any time."

"It's a nice place, but we do have our own little getaway in Beallsville," she reminded him.

"Yes, but it's fun to explore new places, right?" he pointed out.

She offered an amused look. "We've been mostly inside."

He laughed softly. "I know, but it's been a long time since I've felt so worn, and time alone is something I've been craving."

"Me too," she agreed. "And I must say that I do look forward to spending a few days in Baltimore with Cathy and Harriet."

"You deserve it," he said and chewed thoughtfully. "It's been crazy."

"Pretty much, yeah," she agreed.

"Well, summer is coming, and we have our vacation to look forward to," he reminded her.

She smiled. "I look forward to every day with you, even when it's busy."

He reached for her hand. "Right back at you. I do however appreciate some downtime, especially after all the hard work we've put down preparing and during the trial. I think Bud is pretty beat too."

"Everyone did great work, we should be proud. And it'll bring more clients to the firm, and I know you don't want to defend every crook in town, but we do have to take on some cases where the client is possibly guilty. Bud was right when he wanted us to take on Mr. Moore, even though he probably did do it," she said with raised eyebrows.

"That's where we disagree, I don't think he is guilty," Harm pointed out.

"Well, he's off the hook now anyway. The state couldn't prove he killed his wife, so he's a free man," Mac took a bite of her food and noticed the look Harm was giving her. "What?"

"You really didn't like him, did you?" he wondered.

"I really didn't," she confirmed.

"Just because he's charming and sleazy, doesn't mean he's a killer," Harm reminded her.

"I'm not having this argument again," she smiled and stood to get coffee. "We better get moving in an hour or so, right?

"We do," he confirmed.

They finished breakfast and cleaned up the cabin, before enjoying the rest of their stay out on the porch.

"What?" Mac wondered after having him stare at her from his place on the porch swing.

He smiled. "You're just beautiful, that's all."

She smiled and pushed off the railing she was half sitting on and walked over to him. She leaned down and kissed him softly. "I love you."

"Not as much as I love you," he took her hand and dragged her closer.

"It's not a competition," she said laughingly as she sat down on his lap.

"If it was, I would win," he laughed softly and put his arms around her. "Let's just ignore the rest of the world and stay here."

She rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the touch of his hand up and down her back. "I'm all for that."

The ringing of Harm's phone interrupted them. He reluctantly reached into his pocket for it. "Our son," he said and answered. "Hi buddy. Lunch sounds great. Yeah, we're leaving now to pick up Cathy, then we'll be home. Is the house standing? She did huh? Okay, see you soon then. Bye."

"Did Claire make him tidy up his room again?" Mac asked.

"Yup, and he's making us lunch," Harm put his phone away and wrapped his arms around her again.

Mac let out a sigh and lifted her head to look at him. "He's getting so big."

"He is," he kissed her softly. "We better get going."

She reluctantly stood. "I like the idea of coming back here."

He smiled. "Then we better make sure we do."

Annapolis

Nathan smiled as he crossed the road and walked to the playground. He saw Eve sitting on a bench, while Sofia was playing nearby. He walked over to where Eve sat.

"Hi, beautiful," he sat down beside her.

"Hi," she happily accepted his kiss. "I've missed you."

"Me too," Nathan admitted and blushed slightly. "I was thinking about going home next weekend, and I'm telling my folks about us. I was thinking that we could both go home the weekend after that, and maybe Sofia too. I really want them to get to know you."

Eve hesitated. "Are you sure about this, Nathan? I don't want you to rush into something without thinking."

"I can make decisions Eve," Nathan let out a sigh. "I wish everyone didn't treat me like a little kid. My folks too."

"You do have a bright future ahead of you, Nathan," Eve took his hand. "I don't want to be an obstacle."

"Eve, we've been going out for six months. I love you, and I love Sofia. I know that we're young, but I can't imagine life without you," he leaned in and kissed her. "My mom and dad spent nine years ignoring how they felt about the other, they almost let their careers get in the way of their love. I don't want to miss out on love just because I have ambitions. I can be a good Naval officer and be in a serious relationship."

Eve smiled. "I love you too, Nathan. I've never met anyone like you."

"So it's okay that I tell them that I'm bringing my girl home?" he wondered.

"I love being your girl," she kissed him again. "Okay, I would love to meet your family."

Nathan smiled brightly. "Great."

"But," Eve hesitated. "I have ha daughter. How will they react to that?"

"I have no idea, but knowing my parent's they won't judge," Nathan reassured.

"Okay," Eve smiled.

The Rabb house

Harm walked to the kitchen while Mac showed Cathy to the guest room. The house seemed quiet, but he could smell something cooking so he figured they had lunch ready as promised.

"Dad!" Rose ran over and hugged him.

"Hi," he smiled and hugged Matthew too. "Did you guys behave for your sister?"

"We did," Matthew smiled. "We made lunch."

"They were great," Claire hugged her father.

"Smells great," Mac said as she too stepped into the kitchen. "Hi guys."

"Mom!" Rose hurried over and hugged her.

"It's good to be home," Mac hugged Matthew too, then Claire.

"Any hugs for me?" Cathy asked as she joined them.

"Hi," Claire hugged her. "You look good, Cathy."

"So do you, but you are all growing up too fast," Cathy complained teasingly.

They sat down to eat and catch up. As much as a weekend away had been good for them, both Harm and Mac were happy to be surrounded by their kids again.