Originally I was going to write this as a oneshot, with a scene for each month in the year that changes Mary's and Marshall's life. But I got to the third month and some 3,000 words and decided to make this a WIP with twelve chapters (one chapter per month). Hope everyone enjoys this, and the first chapter is a bit smutty, so reader be warned. Thanks for reading, and please review!

Disclaimer: Not mine!

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January

New Year's Eve was always a good holiday for Mary Shannon.

It was a good excuse to get drunk as hell, eat everything in sight, and just basically screw around. Unless she was working with a witness, she usually had a lot of fun on New Year's Eve.

This year was no exception.

Lying in the large, comfortable bed, Mary stretched languorously and relished the delicious discomfort that always proceeded great sex. A sheet was draped carelessly across her middle, leaving her breasts exposed to the cool night air.

A few inches away, her companion stirred in his sleep.

Rolling onto her side, she reached out and brushed Marshall's hair out of his eyes. While he slept, Mary could almost see the young, mischievous boy he had once been. His long, lean body was exposed to her greedy eyes, stirring desire and need inside her. With a wanton grin, Mary ran her hand over his broad, well-defined chest and watched him silently. As her hand moved slower and further down, his body began to react to her touch.

He finally stirred and smiled sleepily at her. "What are you up to, my little minx?"

"What does it look like?"

"Again? Already?"

Her response was a greedy kiss as she shifted her body over his and claimed him for her own once more.

The next morning, Marshall awoke early, half-expecting Mary to be long gone. To his surprise and delight, she was snuggled into his arms and seemed to be sleeping soundly. One long leg was draped over his, and her slender arm was firmly draped in place over his waist. Even in sleep, she seemed determined to keep him close.

Like I would ever go anywhere, he mused, sliding his hand over the small of her back.

The touch was enough to rouse her. She yawned and curled further into him. "Too early," she groaned into his chest.

"Sleep," he coaxed, easing himself away from her. "I'm going to make breakfast."

"Pancakes?" she asked hopefully, her eyes closing again.

"Whatever you want, sweetheart." Finally leaving the warmth of the bed, he grabbed his clothes from the previous night and pulled them on. Then he kissed Mary again and left her bedroom.

Heading down the hall, he heard noises coming from Norah's nursery. Grinning, he diverted his path and headed into the nursery. Norah was sitting up in her crib and cooing. When she saw him coming to her crib, she lit up and reached out for him, babbling happily.

"Good morning, little angel," he sang, sweeping Norah into his arms. He could see Mary in her beautiful little daughter, and he loved Norah so much that it made his heart hurt at times.

"You're such a beautiful girl." Laying her on the changing table, he quickly changed her dirty diaper and put a clean one on her. Then he found an adorable outfit for her to wear before he carried her out into the living room and set her in her playpen. Once Norah was situated, he headed into the kitchen to make pancakes for Mary.

An hour later, after feeding Norah and himself, Marshall took a plate of food into Mary's bedroom, along with a cup of black coffee. She was still sleeping, but she had rolled into his spot and buried her face in his pillow. He couldn't help grinning.

"Mare?"

Sitting down on the bed, he set her breakfast on the nightstand. Then he leaned over and kissed the back of her neck. "Mare…"

She stirred and groaned, mumbling into his pillow.

"I have your breakfast."

Finally she rolled onto her back, exposing her bare breasts to his warm eyes. He couldn't resist reaching out and cupping a firm breast in his large hand.

"Marshall, I'm starving," she complained, but she arched her back and stretched.

"Hmm…" His lips closed around her nipple, eliciting a quiet moan from her.

Her breakfast remained on the nightstand, untouched and eventually forgotten.

Marshall stayed the weekend at Mary's house where they enjoyed just being with each other. When Monday rolled around, they went back to work as though nothing had happened. They didn't know where things between them were going, but they were more than content to explore the possibilities while they tried to figure out the turn their relationship had taken.

Each morning they got up and took a shower together, and when they came home at night, they ate dinner and put Norah to bed before getting into bed themselves.

By Friday, Marshall knew this was what he wanted for the rest of his life, and he would do anything to make all of this permanent.

To Be Continued...