February 2006
Harm and Mac's house
London, UK
Mac leaned against the doorframe and watched her husband while he worked. He looked tired, his face tense as he made notes on a notepad. He had been working long hours for weeks' now, the office stretched thin by the caseload he had to work more cases himself on top of all his other responsibilities.
"Why don't you take a break and read to the kids."
He looked up. "Hey," he said tiredly as he started to stand. "Are they already in bed?"
"Yeah, waiting for you," she smiled. "Why don't you take the weekend off. Maybe you should let everyone take a break. It'll be good for the office moral."
Harm hesitated.
"I'm just making a suggestion," Mac raised her hands in surrender. "Just looking out for you."
He eased up and smiled as he walked over to her. "You're right. I'll let everyone know that only the people on official duty will work the weekend." He put his hands on her rounded belly. "I'm sorry I haven't been much help around the house and with the kids, you should take a break this weekend and I'll run the household."
"I'm fine," Mac reassured with a sweet smile. "I had a checkup today."
"Shit, I totally forgot. I'm so sorry," he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I suck."
"Hey," she took his hand and stepped into his embrace. "Everything is perfectly fine with the baby."
"Good," he said and relaxed. "I'm sorry about the last couple of weeks." He leaned in and kissed her. "You're really doing great here with the kids. You're amazing."
They had been parents to Nathan and Claire for two months now. It was an adjustment for everyone to have two small kids in the house, but it was going surprisingly good.
"Thank you," Mac said as she took his hand and led him to Nathan and Claire's room. They peeked inside and found them in the top bunk waiting with a book.
"I don't think the bed will hold all of us so you guys better come down," Harm said with a warm smile as he let Mac's hand go and stepped into the room.
Nathan and Claire both laughed and climbed down. "This one," Nathan said and handed the book to Harm.
Mac smiled and left them, she walked by Mattie's room and looked inside. "Finished with your homework?"
"Yes finally," Mattie said as she looked up from the computer.
"Everything okay?" Mac wondered.
"Yeah, just tired. I'm finally caught up with everything at school after my accident, and my hand seems to be back to normal. It's just that I get so tired now," she looked frustrated. "I just want to be back to normal I guess."
Mac smiled. "I understand, but you have to give it time."
"I know," Mattie said with a sigh.
"Let me know if you need help with anything," Mac said.
"I will. Thank you. I'm so grateful for everything you and Harm do for me. I don't know how I'll ever repay you guys," Mattie said thoughtfully.
Mac smiled warmly. "It is what families do for each other. You are part of our family, Mattie. You'll always have a home here. I know your Dad wants you back, but that won't happen unless you want it."
"What if he petitions the court to have me back? Can they force me?" Mattie wondered.
"If he does, we'll make sure that you have the best representation, that you have a say in where you live," Mac reassured. "But Mattie, I'm sure your Dad won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. He wants what's best for you, you know. I more than anyone can understand why it's so hard for you to trust him, and I talked to him, and trust me when I say that he understands too."
"Thanks, Mac. You know, it's so great to have a Mom again. I didn't realize how badly I've missed my Mom until I moved in with you and Harm," Mattie admitted.
Mac felt her eyes water. "That's the first time you called me Mom. I'm so proud to have that role in your life." Mac walked over and gave Mattie a hug. "Thank you."
"I love you, Mom," Mattie said.
"I love you too, Mattie," Mac said and released her. "Good night."
Mattie smiled. "Night."
Harm found Mac on the couch with a book when he'd finished reading for Nathan and Claire. He smiled as he sat down beside her and put his arm around her. She put a hand on his thigh and smiled as she finished the chapter.
Putting the book down she turned to him. "Are they asleep?"
"Yeah," he said and pulled her into his arms. "They were pretty beat."
Mac smiled cleverly as she reached for an envelope on the coffee table. "Here."
Harm took the envelope from her. "Am I being fired?" he asked curiously.
"No, I think I'll keep you around for a while more," she teased.
Harm smiled. "Okay, so what is it then?" he opened the envelope and found ultrasound pictures. "Hey, it's mini us."
"Yeah," Mac looked clever as she leaned closer to him. "Do you want to know if it's a boy or a girl?"
"You know? Was she one hundred percent sure this time?" Earlier the fetus had been positioned so that the Doctor couldn't be one hundred percent sure, so they had decided that they didn't want her to guess.
"Yes, she was sure. So, do you want to know?" Mac wondered.
"Absolutely," he said.
"It's a boy," Mac said.
Harm studied the pictures. "Really? A boy huh? That could work."
"It's going to have to work," Mac said with laughter.
Harm laughed softly. "It's great. I can teach him to fly."
"Girls can fly," Mac pointed out.
"You're right," Harm said and kissed her. "Are you happy?"
"I'm having a baby, so yes I'm happy. I didn't care what it was, just as long as it's a healthy baby. But a boy will be perfectly fine," she said happily.
"Wow," Harm said as he moved her top out of the way and put his hands on her rounded belly. "It's amazing that it's a person in there. Hey buddy. It's Daddy." Harm kissed her belly then he looked at her. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said and smiled lovingly.
