So I was feeling much better today and thought I would update. Enjoy.

Maddy woke up, Mark already awake and reading his plex as Marina stared at the screen. It always amused them that her attention can be so easily caught.

She shifted and stretched, surprised that her baby wasn't waking her up. "Good Morning." One corner of his mouth tugged up before he turned to kiss her.

"I was thinking we could go outside the gates, have a picnic." He whispered against her lips. Nodding she stood and walked to the kitchen to start making food for them and putting it all in a basket. "You slept in your clothes?"

"I came in and found you two like that," she nodded at them as her husband and daughter sat side by side once more. "I didn't really think about it."

He nodded and stood up, taking his daughter with him. When he returned twenty minutes later, He had dressed his daughter in a pink dress, himself in jeans and a tee shirt. He held some clothes over his arm and offered them to her.

Smiling she took them and ran back to the bedroom while he cooked breakfast. She noted the dress he picked for her showed her legs perfectly, stopping just above her knees as she slipped into flats.

Eating breakfast as they got ready she had an idea. "We should invite Lucas and my family. Even Skye."

He nodded as he cleaned the dishes. Maddy walked to the door, opening it to breath in the morning air. Taking a step forward she felt something under foot.

Flowers, beautiful in all ranges of color, laid out for her. Picking them up, she read the card attached.

For the most beautiful woman in the world.

From the one who wishes to please.

They were from Mark, she was sure. He was the only one in her life who would go out of his way to make her the happiest girl alive.

She retreated back into the house and placed the beautiful plants in a vase before Mark grabbed the basket with one hand, and held his daughter in the crook of his other arm.

Locking the door behind them, they set off for the outside.

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They left and Robby waited until they were down the street before sneaking in through the window. Having put a bottle cap there a few days ago, when they had a window open and were playing music.

He smiled when Maddy had come out and found the flowers, feeling his heart beat rise as a grin fixed upon her face. He liked to see her smile now. Now that she was so much….well goddess like.

Time to finish what he started.

Slipping inside, letter in hand, he looked around one more time to make sure that no one saw him.

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Walking up the path she came to Skye's house, Maddy's brother having moved in with her. Knocking on the door, it was opened quickly by a disheveled older woman. She looked like she hadn't had a good night's sleep in a while.

"Is Miss Tate and Mr. Shannon here?" Mark asked as Mari stared at the woman. The woman smiled and stepped back calling out 'Bucket'.

"What's up Mom?" Skye asked as Josh followed her. She grinned at her friends and kissed Marina's forehead. "What are you up to?"

Explaining about their plans the two younger people ran to get ready to go. "Why don't you come along?" Maddy asked Mrs. Tate, she had heard of the woman and knew of her loses and sickness.

"I'd like that." A whisper of a smile lightened her features considerably. She invited them in and let them into the front room.

As soon as they were ready, they started to make their way towards the Shannon house. Finding her family plus Sam Marcos, Mari's godmother Wash, and Commander Taylor. They all made their way towards the gates. Now all they had to get was Lucas, which the Commander was offering to collect him.

Setting up blankets and laying out to enjoy the day. The men and Skye started a game of football, Sam being quarter back. For being a small boy, he ran faster than most of the others. Except for Mark, Mark had a Slasher heart on his side. Good thing he was on Sam's team.

Maddy, her mother, Wash and Mrs. Tate cheered as Skye got hold of the ball and ran, only to be caught by Josh and thrown over his shoulder. Skye laughed as he carried her, the ball still clutched in her hands.

Zoe helped Maddy with Mari, as Wash, Mrs. Tate and Elizabeth started a conversation about medical advances.

Lucas ran by and kissed Mrs. Tate's cheek, they obviously knew each other well. "I haven't seen you around dear." She older woman smiled wide at him as he grinned sheepishly back.

"I've been far too busy. Sorry Deborah." He whispered before nudging his father, nodding his head towards Wash.

"Not yet." He whispered and pulled Wash to her feet, walking to the base of the large tree that all the others sat under. Enjoying the shade, they watched her climb it before he followed. She smiled when they settled on a branch not to far above them before Lucas joined in the game.

As the day wore on, Maddy was content to watch over her child and the game, before calling them in for lunch. Each family having brought their own baskets.

Mark looked up at the couple in the tree, his wife's eyes on him. He grinned, loving the spark of light in her eyes as she took his hand. Rubbing her thumb over the simple gold wedding band that matched hers before he brought her knuckles to his lips.

The older man climbed down, followed by a glowing Washington. Their hands clasped, almost naturally, like that's how they should be.

Commander Taylor stood in front of all of them and started. "All of you here are some of my closest friends, all of whom we care about dearly."

Maddy could hear her father whisper, "Care my ass."

"And you should be the first to know about this."What did they need to know? Maddy's eye catching on the silver band now encircling the older woman's finger as she patted the older man's forearm.

Were they finally going to get married?

The older man wrapped his arm around the woman who held his heart before announcing, "Wash and I are having a baby."

Cheers were sent up and everyone either hugged Wash or patted the Commander's back. Even Lucas hugged them.

As Maddy finally got to the older woman, she hugged her tightly, "We really do have a messed up family." Repeating words that were spoken so long ago by the older woman.

Laughing she nodded her head, "I just hope my little one will be able to survive me and Nathaniel as parents."

"You'll make a wonderful, over protective mother. I promise." Maddy patted her shoulder before laying back.

They all laid back, eating lunch, before Mark took Mari and jogged around with her, she laughing happy and loud like only a child could as Lucas chased them.

Wash sat next to the commander, but he pulled her to him, by gently laying an arm over her strong, thin shoulder's.

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Maddy watched her husband clean up the mess they made as the entire group made their way to the colony, the sun setting over the ridge.

It took maybe twenty minutes, mostly because Mark kept stopping to kiss her, for they to get home.

Exhausted they placed Marina down for bed before slipping to their own.

As Maddy laid down in Mark's arms, she sighed. "Thank you," She kissed his cheek and he squeezed her gently, a content sigh escaping him.

"The picnic was a pretty good idea wasn't it?" Smiling wide they both laughed. Yes the day was crazy, but good, very good. "And that?"

He pointed at a tiny miniature tree on the table next to the door. How did she pass it without notice?

It was a bonsai tree, like the ones she told them all about on their first wedding night, back when he chose to get to know her before having a physical relationship with her.

"You spoil me rotten, the bonsai tree, the flower, that wonderful note." Mark shifted and she became fearfully by the worried look he gave her.

"I didn't get you flowers, this week, I got that for you, and There wasn't a note to the gift."

"But, then….who gave me the flowers on the table and the note?"

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