Disclaimer: still not mine
Mac was still awake when Lily padded into the bedroom, dragging her pink floral case behind her.
"Daddy says I can sleep in here," she announced as she put the case by the wall.
"I think that's a good idea," Mac said with a smile. "And that way Colin can have your room."
"Yeah," Lily said with a nod. "Good thing it's not my princess bed," she said with a laugh.
"It is a good thing," Mac agreed, smiling at the thought of Colin folding himself into the pretty pink bed.
Changed for bed and teeth brushed, Lily climbed in from Harm's side of the bed and rested her head on her dad's pillow. Gently, Mac pushed Lily's hair back from her face and pressed a kiss on her forehead.
"I get why I can't stay," Lily said, looking up at her mom. "I don't like it but I get it."
"I don't like it either," Mac said, caressing her face. "But I'm glad you understand."
"How long before the baby comes?" Lily asked, rubbing Mac's tummy.
"About seven weeks," she answered, smiling at Lily's expression when the baby kicked her hand,
"It kicked me!" she said surprised. While she had felt him move before she hadn't actually been kicked.
"He kicked you," Mac repeated, emphasising the 'he'.
"It's a boy?" Lily questioned, pulling the covers back to look at Mac's belly as if that would confirm the gender.
"Yes, this is your baby brother," Mac said, covering Lily's hand with her own as it rested on her abdomen.
"That's cool," she said. "Makes us even."
"What do you mean?" Mac asked, although she knew she'd have two of each, she also knew that Lily considered Mattie to be a sibling, thus the count would be 3-2.
"Well, me, Rosie and Mattie are all girls and the baby, Harry and Colin are all boys. It's even," she announced.
Mac nodded; of course Colin, he had definitely become a part of the family.
"Daddy and I picked a name for this little one," she said quietly, looking at her daughter. "Would you like to know it?" Lily nodded. "It's Franklin Georg Harmon MacKenzie Rabb."
"Long name," Lily said, patting the bump.
"It is, but they're all good names," Mac agreed. "Franklin is after grandpa and Georg is after great grandpa, Grams' husband, and ..."
"Harmon is after daddy," she said and Mac nodded. "Can we call him Frankie for short?"
"We certainly can," Mac said and although that had already been the plan she saw no harm in letting Lily think it was her idea.
"Hello, Frankie," Lily said, kissing Mac's stomach. "Can't wait to see you."
"I'm sure he's eager to see you too," Mac said, raking her fingers through Lily's hair.
"Is he making your uterus sick?" she asked, moving around and settling herself back beside her mother. "Is that why you need lots of rest?"
"My uterus was already sick," Mac said wrapping her arms around Lily and holding her close. "And Frankie was very brave to try and make a home in there. Now, to give him the best chance to get here on time and healthy, I have to rest."
"Is that why you gave him daddy's name? Daddy's very brave too," she announced, closing her eyes and inhaling her father's scent.
"Daddy is very brave and so is Frankie," Mac said, closing her eyes too.
"And so am I," she said, before drifting off. Mac grinned, her little girl was right, she was a very brave child and her adventures had already proven that. She could only hope that Frankie didn't display his braveness in manners which would add more grey hairs to her head.
For the next few hours Mac drifted between sleep and wakefulness, snug and warm in her bed with Lily wrapped in her arms. Sometime near eleven, she felt Harm press a kiss to her forehead as he adjusted the covers for them.
"Mmm," Mac murmured, reaching out and taking his arm. "You coming to bed?"
"Yeah," he whispered, kissing her again. "Mom and dad are set in the study and Colin is in Lil's room."
"Good," she replied, rubbing Harm's arm.
"Do you need anything?" he asked, knowing she'd gone to bed without her hot chocolate or dessert.
"Um, yeah," she said, easing herself up in the bed. "I think I need a drink..."
"How about you give me ten to sort it out and come join me on the sofa?" he said, caressing her face.
"Sounds good to me," she replied and although she wanted to snuggle down again she didn't want to run the risk of falling asleep. Aside from the drink, she was in need of some quiet time in her husband's arms and given the busy household at the moment, she'd take that time anytime she could get it – even at 2300 hours.
Before long, Mac appeared in the living room as Harm placed two steaming mugs of hot chocolate next to a plate of muffins and cookies provided by Harriet.
"Yum," Mac said as she padded across.
"Me or the cookies?" Harm asked with a grin.
"The cookies of course," she sassed as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I should have known," he replied with a chuckle.
"Have I told you how much I love you lately?" she questioned, looking deep into his eyes.
"Nope," he replied, caressing her cheek.
"Well, I do," she said, pushing up on tiptoes to kiss him. "I love you so very much, Harmon."
"I love you too, Sarah," he whispered before returning her kiss.
Sighing dreamily, Mac let herself be led to the sofa and when she was settled, Harm handed her a mug and offered her a treat from the plate. She readily accepted both. For a while there was contented silence until Mac had finished her cookie and placed her half full cup back on the coffee table.
"You okay?" Harm asked as she rubbed her side.
"Yeah, Frankie is just sitting in an awkward spot," she replied, shifting around in an attempt to move her son.
"Anything I can do?" Harm asked, setting his mug down.
"No," she said with a sigh. "Just be ready to be my pillow when he's moved."
Five minutes later, Frankie had complied with his mother's wishes and had settled in a place which allowed her to be marginally more comfortable. With bubs in a better place, Mac got Harm to lie down on the sofa and wedged herself between him and the back of the sofa, her head on his shoulder and her legs entwined with his.
"This is nice," she said as her finger trailed up and down his chest.
"Yes, it is," he replied, kissing her head.
Little was said between the pair and Mac found herself drifting off once more.
"I can take you back to bed," Harm offered as he watched her eyes flutter closed once more.
"I'm more than comfortable right here," Mac whispered, not wanting to move from the exact position she was in, ever.
Before Harm could respond, Lily appeared rubbing her eyes and yawning.
"Is it morning?" she asked, before another yawn overtook her.
"No, Lily, it's midnight," Harm said as Lily walked towards them.
"Then why are we up?" she asked and Harm laughed.
"We're up because mommy needed a drink," he said. "Why are you up?"
"Because I was hungry and when I woke up and was alone I thought maybe it was breakfast," she said, edging her way to be sitting on the sofa with them.
"You're hungry because you didn't eat at dinner time," Mac said, reaching out to take her hand.
"Can I eat now?" she asked, squeezing her mother's hand.
"Maybe not Romano's," said Harm, "But what about some of Aunty Harriet's treats and a mug of hot chocolate, just like mommy and I had?"
"Ohh, yes please," Lily said quickly as she leant forward and grabbed a muffin.
"Can you do something to help me?" Harm asked Lily and she nodded eagerly. "While I get up to get your hot chocolate, can you lay here and be mommy's pillow?"
"Sure," she said with a grin, jumping up from the sofa to allow her daddy to get up.
When he was sure his girls were settled and comfortable, Harm took his empty mug to the kitchen to prepare Lily's drink, as he did, he couldn't help but smile, perhaps Mac's positive energy about this whole thing was starting to wear off on him.
Meanwhile on the sofa, Lily held her muffin with one hand while her other played through Mac's hair.
"This is nice," she said, taking another bite.
"Yes, it is," Mac said, ignoring the crumbs falling into her hair. It was a small price to pay for these precious moments with her eldest daughter.
The following morning, Harm stirred to the feeling he was being watched, and he was.
"Morning, Lil," he said as his daughter watched him.
"Good morning, daddy," she said as he kissed her forehead.
"Did you sleep well, baby?" he asked, caressing her face.
"Yes, I did. Did you?" she asked, noting that her father still didn't quite look like his old self.
"Yes, I did too," he replied.
Noise from elsewhere in the house told them they weren't the only ones up and before long the smell of breakfast cooking wafted through the open bedroom door.
"Do you think that's grandma and grandpa?" Harm asked as he yawned.
"Yep," Lily replied with a grin. "And I think they're making bacon."
That thought alone was enough to get Lily to climb out of bed over her father and head towards the wonderful aroma. Realising Lily's exit hadn't affected Mac, Harm slipped out of bed and followed Lily's path. Arriving in the kitchen, he was surprised to find it was Colin preparing breakfast with Harry on his hip. As he entered the room, he heard Colin explaining that he'd been to the grocery store that morning to buy the eggs and bacon as he knew Mac and Lily loved them.
"That was a very thoughtful thing to do," Harm said, making himself known.
"Well, I was up early and I felt like bacon myself, so it wasn't all that altruistic," he admitted, turning down the heat.
"And how long has this one been up?" Harm asked, taking his son from his future son-in-law.
"About half an hour," Colin replied. "He was crying when I got back so I went in and got him."
"Aww, Harry, what's up, little man?" he asked as he took in Harry's sleepy yet still tearful appearance.
"I think he must have rolled and bumped his bump," Colin said, "He was holding his head when I went in and there was fresh blood on the bandaid."
"Oh, you are in a state, aren't you, sweetheart?" he said, caressing his son's face. "Your boo-boo is still sore."
"Colin make better," Harry said, pointing to the new dinosaur bandaid on his forehead.
"Colin is a good man," Harm said, giving Colin a quick pat on the shoulder. "Did you want some breakfast, Harry?"
Harry shook his head.
"No?" Harm asked surprised, bacon was usually a sure thing. "What do you want?"
"Mommy," he replied and Harm smiled. Of course that's what the boy wanted – he was after all his father's son.
Knowing that his wife wouldn't mind the interruption, given that it meant time with her son, Harm carried Harry to their bedroom and slowly eased into his side of the bed before letting go of the boy and allowing him to move towards his mother. It didn't take long for Mac to stir and instinctively wrap an arm around her son.
"Hello, baby," she murmured, smiling when his chubby arm wrapped around her neck.
"Mommy," he said snuggling in closer and resting his head on her breast.
Mac's eyes opened slowly and she smiled again when she spied her husband watching them.
"Hey," she whispered, gazing at him.
"Hey, yourself," he replied. "Sorry about waking you but Harry needed a cuddle."
"That's okay," she replied, holding her boy closer. "Is he alright?"
"Right now he doesn't have a care in the world," Harm said with a smile.
"What about earlier?" she asked, knowing Harm wouldn't wake her for nothing.
"Colin said he was crying and he thinks he bumped his head again as there was fresh blood on the bandaid," Harm explained quietly.
"Aww, poor baby," Mac said, pressing a gentle kiss on his head. "I guess making him wear a helmet is a little over the top but I hate seeing him like this."
"I know," Harm agreed. "But it looks worse than it is, so that's something."
"Yeah," Mac said with a sigh before her thoughts went elsewhere. "Is that breakfast I smell?"
"Yes, Colin went out especially for bacon and eggs this morning," Harm explained. "Thought you and Lily might enjoy it."
"He's such a good boy," Mac said, loving Colin more and more.
"He is," Harm replied. "Now, your breakfast isn't cooking yet but you let me know when you're ready to get up and I'll make sure it's ready and waiting for you." He leant over and kissed her head.
"Well, I think about twenty minutes should do us, but you might want to come and check on us just in case we've fallen asleep," she said, looking down at her child.
"Twenty minutes it is," Harm replied, heading to the door.
Once he had departed, Mac readjusted both herself and Harry and spent the next few minutes just gazing at him, wondering if his brother would look just like him, and by virtue, like his daddy. Harry smiled widely when he realised he had his mother's undivided attention and blew her kisses.
"Mommy loves you very much, Harry," she said, dropping a kiss on his nose.
"Love mommy," Harry replied as he snuggled in closer, happy and content to be nestled in his mother's arms.
Little else was said as Mac spent her time gazing at him and raking her fingers through his hair, gaining immeasurable pleasure at the satisfied coos from her boy.
When Harm reappeared twenty three minutes later, Harry was in a much better humour and more than ready to have his breakfast so Harm scooped him up before helping Mac from the bed and guiding them to the kitchen.
"All my favourites," she said, scanning the kitchen and finding her husband and kids scattered about. "And the food's great too," she added.
Soon after, Colin left and Mac sat in an armchair with Rose on her knee. Rose was animatedly telling her about something Lily had done that morning and not for love or money could she work out what it was. So, she simply smiled and nodded at frequent intervals and when Rose had finished she had kissed her and hugged her tightly and that seemed to be enough for the child.
"Mommy," Lily said, coming in from the kitchen with the cordless phone in her hand. "Aunty Harriet's on the phone and wants to know if I can come over for lunch."
"And do you want to go for lunch?" Mac asked, covering the mouthpiece so Harriet wouldn't hear.
"Well, yes and no," she replied honestly. "Yes, I want to go and see Nikki and Michael and Aunty Harriet said she's making sausage rolls this morning and they're my favourites."
"Yes, they are," she said. "Why the no?"
"I don't want to be away from you," she admitted quietly.
"Well, I'm about to have a big nap so I'm not going to be good company until later this afternoon," Mac said. "So, maybe you could go there for a couple of hours and then come back when I'm awake."
"That sounds okay," Lily said. After a short pause she continued. "Do you want me to see if Aunty Harriet will let me bring home some sausage rolls for you too? They're much better than dad's."
Mac laughed.
It was Lily and the twins who disappeared to the Roberts' for lunch; Frank and Trish dropping them off before visiting an old friend of Frank's for lunch themselves, leaving Mac and Harm home alone.
"I have a greater appreciation for bed rest," Mac said climbing back into bed feeling exhausted but having done nothing but get up, eat and sit in the living room.
"Are you feeling alright?" Harm asked as he pulled the covers up around his wife.
"Yeah, just tired," she replied with a yawn.
"Want some company?" Harm asked as he closed the blinds.
"Thought you'd never ask," she replied with a grin.
Snuggled deep in Harm's arms, Mac sighed contentedly as her ran his fingers through her hair. There was little talk and as Mac lay there she began to think there was something she was forgetting. She ran through a list of things in her head and discounted every one of them. It wasn't until she had almost dropped off, it struck her.
"Shit!" she exclaimed, bolting upright before clutching her stomach as Frankie violently objected to being upended so suddenly.
"Mac? What is it? Are you alright?" Harm asked, already out of bed and turning on the light.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," she said, dropping back in bed.
"Are you in pain? Is it the baby?" he asked as he took her hand and caressed her face.
"No, no, nothing like that," she said, caressing his face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"What is it then?" he asked, his heart still racing.
"I just realised it's the twins' birthday next Friday, they'll be three and I forgot," she said, tears welling in her deep brown eyes. "How could I forget?"
"We've had a lot on our minds," Harm said gently. "And it's not as if we forgot completely. We still have a week."
"Yeah, but we haven't arranged anything. We haven't bought them presents and I can't even go shopping for them. I'm such a bad mother," she said as a tear ran unchecked down her cheek.
"No, no," Harm reassured her. "It's all okay. We can organise a small party for them on Friday and there's always shopping online. If we need anything, there's mom and dad or Harriet or I could go and someone could stay with you. See, it's alright."
"So, it's all alright?" Mac checked, starting to feel that things were back in control.
"It's all alright," Harm reassured her. "And you remember to take things easy otherwise Frankie will be having his birthday first."
Mac nodded and settled down once more; one drama easily resolved and now was time for sleep.
The weekend was a blur of visits with Mattie and Grams, cuddles with the kids and making necessary arrangements for their own care and that of the children in between lots of sleep and many more hours in bed.
After lunch on Sunday, when everything was sorted, it was time for everyone but Mac and Harm to depart and, to Harm's surprise, Mac was very good about it. Although her eyes were glassy, no tears fell; there were no long emotional goodbyes and no regrets. He only wished he was as strong as she was as he furtively wiped away a tear as his family disappeared down the road.
Without saying anything, Mac slipped her hand into Harm's and led him back into the house before sitting him on the sofa. Appearing a few minutes later with a coffee for him and tea for her, Mac sat down with him and rested her head on his shoulder.
"This is for the best," she whispered, not wanting to disturb the quietness of the house.
"Yeah, I know," he replied, trying to sound unaffected by the emotion swirling within him.
Mac pushed up and kissed his cheek. "I know you know."