Tuesday

It was 4pm when Dempsey finally ended the last report of that day. He had worked now almost 12 hours non stop and he was so exhausted that he hardly couldn't see anymore what he had typed. But Spikings wanted this report so badly that he had made some overtime to finish it. When he looked over to the desk in front of him, he really wished that Makepeace was here, but she wasn't. At least, not today.

Dempsey took a deep breath and entered Spikings office. The man himself wasn't there, having a meeting upstairs so he just put the report on the desk and went outside grabbing his jacket from the chair and yelled to nobody in particular: "I'm going home!"

Chas answered: "Till tomorrow Dempsey"

"See you Chas". He was glad to leave, going back to his family.

Sitting in the car, he realised how things had changed the last couple of years. Going home had become a whole new meaning for him now. Since he and Harry had finally admitted that they were in love with each other and after trying to hide their relationship for months, they had to go public with it when Harry found out that she was pregnant. That she was carrying his child. Dempsey remembered that or it has been just yesterday. They have had a 24 watch and they were sitting next to each other in her car when she turned over to him.

"James?"

"Yes, Princess"

"How do you think that they would react as we tell them that we are a couple?"

He had been surprised about that question.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we both were agree that we wouldn't go public with it before....."

"Before what?" he asked when she didn't finish her sign.

"Well, before we....eh....."

"We were both certain? Is that what you trying to say? But I thought we have had that behind us already. Or do you still have doubts about us?" he got a strange feeling in his stomach.

"No, that's not what I mean" she whispered.

" Just tell me what you mean. I'm not a mind reader!" What the hell was going on here?

When he looked at her, he saw tears in her eyes.

"Harry?" he asked softly. "What's eaten you? We promised each other that we won't have secrets anymore for each other. Just tell me...."

And then out of the blue she said: "James, I'm so scared"

"Scared? You? For what?"

"For my family. You know how they are. That they wanted that everything goes the proper way and now....." she really looked scared. Dempsey reached out his hand to hers but she rejected him. "No James, I have to do this alone".

"What do you have to do alone?"

"It's so hard to tell you but....." now he really got scared too.

"To tell me what? Harry? What's so hard to tell me?"

With a small voice she said: "I'm pregnant!"

The first moment Dempsey was so amazed that he couldn't say a word.

"You don't like it. I should have known it.". She started to cry.

"Pregnant? You? For how long?"

"2 and a half months" she whispered.

After the first shock, Dempsey got his voice back. Especially when he saw how hard it must have been for Harry to keep it a secret for him.

"Princess, why do you think I wouldn't be pleased with the news? I'm thrilled, really. I only never expected to become a father so soon, but we know the consequences about our relationship for both of us when we get public. We can't work together anymore. They won't permitted us to do so". When Dempsey saw Harry's reaction on his words and the tears that were rolling down of her cheek now without any control anymore, he really wanted to take her in his arms and hold her but sitting in a car during a 10 hours watch wasn't exactly the place to do so.

"I thought of that as well. I have to make a decision... will I keep the baby or not".

"What?" he yelled. "You can't be serious!"

"I won't force you into something James"

"Force me into what?"

"When I keep the baby, sorry I mean.... When we keep the baby.... My family wouldn't except it without.... "she hesitated for a moment. But Dempsey knew already what she wanted to say.

"You mean without a wedding, don't you?"

"Yes. But it's too soon".

"Too soon? Harry, we are together for more then 4 years now! Okay, not as partners in the real meaning of the word "partners" but I'm sure we know each other better then partners normally do. I love you, I don't say that much, you know me, I'm not so good in this short of things. If your family only accept that there will be an "us" and a baby when.... Harry look at me.... I had another place and other circumstances in mind when I would pop the question but......Harry will you please marry me?"

Harry looked at him in disbelief. She was almost certain that he had just said that to comfort her. But when she looked at him and saw the love and tenderness in his eyes, she realized that this wasn't a game, that he really meant it.

"But...."she started to argument.

"Harry, please. Just say yes or no. Don't be so rational for once, just think with your heart."

"Yes" she whispered and then she turned over to kiss him. It all started as just a little kiss but it became deeper during the time being. And just then someone knocked on the window of the car.

"He you two there!" With a shock they both came back to reality. Dempsey first. Trying to do nothing had happened when he turned the window down. With a voice, he didn't recognized as his he said: "What?"

"What are you two doing here? You are standing here for over 6 hours now. What's the meaning of this? Go away or I call the police!"

Dempsey started to smile. "We are the police!" showing the man his badge.

"Well, well, then you certain have nothing betters to do....." and he walked away.

Dempsey didn't look at Harry but when he heard her laugh, he started to laugh as well. "We really made a good impression, that's for sure"

At last the watch was not successful. Nobody turned up and they drove back to the office hours later when Chas called them back in.

That night nor Dempsey nor Makepeace got much sleep. They were laying in each others arms discussing how to deal with the new situation.

"We have to go to Spikings first" Makepeace suggested.

"Yeah, but I can't keep the feeling out of my mind that he already knows about us".

"How?" she looked at him for an answer on that question. "We have been so careful"

"That man seems to know everything that happens in the office. You'll see"

And indeed. The next morning they drove separated to the office, at least to give the impression that they both came from their own home, catching each other up at the parking place.

"Shell we bit the bullet directly or what?" they didn't really discuss that part last night.

"Well" Dempsey looked around. "Seems to me that the others are not here yet, just let's do it"

When they looked at each other, they knew they were both nervous. "At least we are in this together" Dempsey whispered in Makepeace ear.

"Wrong" she smiled. "We are with three!"

"Oh yeah, how could I forget".

Upstairs they went straight to Spikings office. Makepeace knocked and opened the door.

"Can we talk to you for a moment Sir" she asked.

"Come in" Dempsey wanted to let go Makepeace first but she whispered: "No you go first"

"After you, Sergeant".

"Coward!"

Spikings was a little surprised to see them both so early around and he was even more surprised about the fact that they both looked extremely different as usual.

"What's going on?" he turned the report he was reading aside to pay his full attention to the two who were standing in front of him. When neither of them said a word and only looked at each other he continued: "Well?"

"Eh" Dempsey tried. This was really something new Spikings thought. Dempsey who was obvious speechless.

"We have to tell you something" It was Makepeace who bitted the bullet at last. She was angry, Dempsey could see that.

"Go on girl"

"Well Sir, Dempsey and I we....." helpless she turned to Dempsey. "Don't let me do this alone" she whispered to him. And she was right. This had something to do with both of them. It wasn't fair to let her go through all this alone. He turned to Harry and took her hand into his.

"Boss, Harry and I are finally make it official.... we are getting married!" He had really no idea how to bring the news otherwise. He felt Harry's hand squeezing his and when he looked at her she smiled up at him.

But before Spikings could say anything she continued: "And to inform you about everything else. We hope to become the proud parents of a baby girl or boy in 7 months time!"

Spiking was speechless. He had seen the affection between the two people who were standing in his office now, growing and growing over the years and he had seen that they could along with each other better and better and hoped that one day.....but this was so soon, so unexpected and what had Makepeace said, that there was a baby on the way as well?

"Well" he finally said: "Congratulations. And when is the big day?"

"Oh eh. We don't figure that out yet" Dempsey got his words back now that the big thing was out of the way. "Perhaps over 2 months or so".

Later when they told the news to all the others they found themselves in the middle of a big party. It seemed like everybody was overwhelmed with joy. But after a while Makepeace slipped out of the office and went to the bathroom. When she looked into the mirror she saw herself having tears in her eyes. She felt joy and sadness at the same time. Now that she and Dempsey had made it official, her partnership with him would change. No sitting in a car together anymore for hours, with arguments about work and sharing long steakouts.... Spikings had offered her deskwork for the time that she was pregnant, but after that.... What was the next step? Becoming a housewife and mother? Always being afraid about Dempsey when he was out? Or what?

"Ah, here you are!" a voice said: "I was looking for you. What's wrong?" My god, he knew her so well.

"Nothing. Tired, I think"

"Shall I drive you home?" he offered.

"No thanks. I'm fine. Really".

Dempsey knew that that wasn't true, but he wouldn't argue with her.

2 months later they indeed got married. It was a sunny day and Harry was wearing a beautiful white dress. When her father gave her away to James he whispered to her: "I'm glad you finally thought with your heart sweetheart".

And exact 5 months later their beautiful baby daughter Michaela (Mich) was born. They had asked Spikings to be one of the godfathers and the man had been delighted with the fact.