Saturday January 14th

Harm had breakfast on the table by the time Mac walked into the kitchen. The previous night had been emotional for her, but when she fell asleep in Harm's arms she had slept soundly through the night. Talking to Rose had brought up so much from her own childhood, but after she had emptied her heart to her husband she felt so much better. It was strange how things she had forgotten about had come up again and taken her back to the old house she used to live in as a child.

"Good morning," she said as she went for the coffee pot.

"Morning. Are you coming to watch my game, Mom?" Matthew asked.

Mac filled her cup. "Absolutely," she walked over and sat down beside her husband.

Harm put his paper down and leaned in and kissed her softly. "Morning."

"I have plans with my friends, and then I'm meeting Tim. I'm invited for dinner at his place," Claire said.

"Will his Mom be there?" Harm wondered.

"Yes, we're making dinner for when she gets home from work," Claire rolled her eyes.

"When will you be home?" Mac wondered.

"We're watching a movie, so when that's finished," Claire responded with an exasperated look in her father's direction.

"Be home by 2330," Mac said with amusement.

"I will," Claire promised.

"What do you want to do today, Rose?" Mac wondered.

Rose looked around the table. "I don't know."

"After we're done at the ice rank, we can do something fun," Harm suggested.

"We have to pick up some more things for Rose," Mac reminded him. "She needs a backpack and a few more things."

"That remind me," Harm said and put the paper down. "Mom called to let me know that your grandma is allowed into the apartment, and she wondered if there was something you wanted?"

Rose nodded. "Mr. Bear."

"Does grandma know how Mr. Bear looks like?" Harm wondered.

Rose nodded again. "And I would like to have the red and blue photo album."

Harm reached for his phone. "I'll let Mom know," he said and started texting her. "Anything else? Clothes or toys?"

Rose shook her head. "My clothes were too small and I don't have anything else I want."

"If you remember something you can let us know by tomorrow. Your grandma has hired someone to clean up the place so that the landlord can find new tenants," Harm explained.

"There's nothing," Rose started to stand. "Can I be excused, please?"

"May I be excused," Mac said and smiled. "Sure. Be ready to go in fifteen minutes, okay?"

"Okay," Rose said and walked out of the kitchen.

"I have to find my stuff," Matthew stood, then turned to his Mom. "Where might that be?" he flashed her the identical smile of his father.

"You Rabb men sure know when to use that smile," she teased. "It's ready in your bag in the laundry room."

"Thanks Mom," Matthew said and was about to leave. "May I be excused?"

"Sure," Mac said.

Harm chuckled. "Admit it, that smile is hard to say no to."

"I have years of training," Mac teased.

"I better get going," Claire stood.

"Send me a text when you're safe at Tim's place," Mac said.

"I will do that," Claire smiled and walked over and hugged her mother, then her father. "Don't worry Dad, I'll be good."

"I'm not worried about you, it's the hormone you're dating I'm worried about," Harm said.

"He's a good guy, Dad. Besides, his Mom has more rules for him than you guys have for me," she said as she turned to leave. "Ruze xubi dâšte bâšid.

"Khoda hafez," Mac said.

Harm turned his focus on his wife. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," she shrugged. "Just needed to get out some emotions I guess. Thank you."

"Any time," he took her hand. "That's why I'm here."

Monday January 16th

Rose's first day of school went well. She had barely slept the night before, and she'd woken up twice with nightmares. Mac noticed that she hardly ate breakfast, and she didn't say much. Harm and Mac were impressed by their son. Matthew had been the best big brother when they got to school. He'd introduced Rose to his friends as his sister, and they could see the surprise in Rose's face, then her smile. After meeting with the principal, being showed around school, meeting her teachers and classmates, Mac and Harm decided that it was time for them to go.

When they went to pick the kids up from school Rose met them with a big smile, and Mac noticed that she said goodbye to two girls before walking over to them. Matthew had been playing basketball with his friends and reluctantly took his knapsack and walked over.

"How did it go, Rose?" Mac asked.

"It was okay. I really like Miss Delgado," Rose said with a shy smile.

"That's great, Rose," Harm said as they walked to the car.

"I got to know Tina and Sandra and Tina invited me over this weekend," Rose said.

"That sounds like fun," Mac said as they reached the car. "How was your day Matthew?"

"The same as always," Matthew shrugged as he opened the car door and got in.

Rose got in as well. "I like this school."

"That's wonderful to hear, Rose," Mac smiled as she too got into the car. Harm reached over and took her hand, squeezing it lightly. Another milestone had been passed. They shared a knowing smile and Harm let go of her hand and started the car.

Harm knocked on Matthew's bedroom door and peaked inside.

"Hey, Dad," Matthew looked up from the book he was reading. "I'm turning the light off in just a minute. I have to finish this chapter."

Harm smiled. "Good book?"

"Yup," Matthew confirmed.

"Listen," Harm walked over and sat down on the bed. "I wanted to let you know how proud of you I am. What you did today, for Rose, it meant a lot to her. She told your Mom that you introduced her as your sister."

Matthew shrugged. "Well, she kinda is my sister. I mean, not really, but Nathan, Claire and Mattie aren't really my siblings either, but they are, right? So, I figured Rose is too."

"They are your siblings," Harm ruffled his son's hair.

"Dad?" Matthew looked wondering. "Why did you and Mom decide to have so many kids?"

"Well, it wasn't planned really. Mattie was my ward before Mom and I decided to get married, and when her Dad couldn't take care of her we wanted to. When we found out we were expecting you, we didn't think about adoption, but then Nathan and Claire lost their Dad and they didn't have anyone else who could take care of them so we decided to make room for them too. It was never a problem to love all of you," Harm smiled warmly. "We have made a pretty good life together your Mom and me."

Matthew nodded. "I think so too."

Harm pulled his son in for a hug. "I love you, buddy."

"I love you too, Dad," Matthew said.

Harm released him and stood. "Mom will be up in a minute to say goodnight. She just had some laundry to do."

"Maybe you could talk to her about calling me baby," Matthew said with a slight eye roll. "I'm no baby."

Harm laughed softly. "You'll always be her baby."

"Even when I'm as old as you?" Matthew asked.

"Even then," Harm confirmed and winked at him before leaving his room.

"Dad?"

Harm turned to Claire's room and saw her standing in the doorway. "What's up sweetheart?"

"Can I go to a party on Friday?" she wondered.

"Where?" Harm questioned.

"A boy in my class. Tony. His Dad drives that Van with the naked lady on," Claire explained and hesitated. "I guess I didn't sell that huh?"

"No way, that guy is not running with the best crowd. Why would you want to go to a party like that?" Harm wondered.

"Because everyone is going. I'm not going to drink, and Tim will be there," Claire reasoned.

"No, I don't think that's a good idea," Harm said firmly.

"Figures," Claire slumped her shoulders and turned to head back into her room.

"Young lady, that's not the way to talk to your father," Harm followed her. "How serious are you and Tim anyway?"

"We're just friends for now," Claire said with a shrug.

"Your Mom thinks that we should trust you, and I agree, but for us to do that you have to play your part," Harm explained. "You're sixteen and you're turning into a young adult, you need to find your own way, but don't hurry too much to grow up."

"Don't worry Dad, I have it under control. I won't let a guy mess up my plans, no matter how brilliant he is. And you should really meet Tim's Mom, she's ten times stricter than you are. She won't let us be in his room without the door open," Claire said.

Harm smiled. "She's my kind of parent. I wouldn't have let you either, but your Mom, she's a hard woman to argue with."

Claire nodded knowingly. "Don't I know it."

"The point is that she trusts you, but you break her trust there'll be hell to pay," Harm warned.

"Oh yes, I know," Claire raised her eyes and nodded.

Harm smiled. "So, we have an understanding?"

"No party, yes I understand," Claire smiled. "Thanks for watching out for me, even though you really can be annoying sometimes."

Harm laughed softly. "It's all part of the job."

"What's part of the job?"

Harm turned and faces his wife. "Being annoying."

"Dad won't let me go to a party this weekend," Claire said.

"It's Tony in her class. His Dad drives that Van with the naked lady on," Harm said.

"I agree with Dad," Mac said and smiled. "Good call, honey."

"I feel so ganged up on," Claire smiled. "I better finish my English paper and go to sleep."

Mac hugged her daughter. "Good night, sweetie."

Harm hugged her too then followed Mac out of the room. "Matthew said to tell you to stop calling him baby."

Mac smiled as she headed for her son's room. He would always be her baby.