October 2006

Harm waited in the living room for his wife. Their bags were at his feet, packed with what they needed for one night away. Trish and Frank walked from the kitchen, Claire and Nathan following close behind.

"Isn't your dinner reservation in an hour?" Trish asked.

Harm nodded. "Yes, and I was hoping that we'd have time to check in at the hotel before dinner."

Finally, Mac walked downstairs, she looked amazing in a short black dress, high heels, her hair loose around her shoulders. She was carrying Matthew in her arms.

"You look amazing," Harm said and checked his watch. "We better hurry up."

Mac reluctantly handed Matthew over to Trish, and he smuggled into the crook of her neck and relaxed completely. "I need a big hug. You guys be good, okay?"

Nathan and Claire both hugged her. "We'll be good," they both promised.

"I love you guys," Mac said and hugged them again. "Okay, I'm ready." She cast a longing look on her baby. "If there's any trouble call me, I'll be here in a flash."

"It'll be fine," Trish said. "Enjoy your night off. It's well deserved."

Harm took Mac's hand in one of his and their bags in the other. "Bye everyone," he said and dragged Mac to the hallway. "It'll be fine."

"I know," she said hesitantly as she reached for her coat.

Harm put the bags down and helped her. "You look so beautiful."

"Thank you," she leaned in and kissed him.

An hour later they were waiting for the food to arrive. Harm had found a romantic restaurant and made the reservation two weeks ago, knowing that his Mom and stepfather would be in town. It took him a few days to convince Mac to stay at a hotel for one night, their first night away alone since they had Matthew.

"I'm sorry," Mac said after checking her phone for the tent time.

Harm reached for her hand. "Hey, I understand."

"This was a good idea, but I find it hard to relax. He's so little," she said.

"He is, but he has Mom, Frank and Mattie to take care of him. You pumped enough milk to stay away for days so he's got food. Everything will be perfectly fine. We'll get to sleep the whole night, and we can sleep in tomorrow. We need that." He smiled and kissed her hand.

"I know. I will relax and enjoy the night," she said and took a calming breath. "How was your day?"

They ended up having a wonderful dinner, then they ended up on the dancefloor for a few slow tunes. Mac finally relaxed and enjoyed herself.

"You were right, we needed this," she said as he opened the hotel room door and let her enter before him.

He followed her inside and closed the door. "Think how rested we'll be tomorrow."

She removed her coat and threw it on a chair then walked towards him. "Who said we'd be sleeping?" she said and put her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss.

Harm was quick to catch on and soon the room was filled with sounds of pleasure. It was time to reconnect as a couple.

When Harm woke up alone the next morning. He sat up in bed and saw Mac sitting in a chair with the breast pump.

"Morning," Harm said with a smile.

"Morning," she said and smiled warmly. "I woke up feeling like they were about to explode. I don't want to get inflammation."

Harm nodded and lay back down, he checked his phone and found a message from his Mom, letting him know that everything was going great. He read it out loud to Mac.

"Aww, my baby," she said as she finished emptying the second breast. She hurried to dispose of the milk and clean up the pump before she joined him in bed.

Harm moved closer to her and tugged on the robe. "You're a little overdressed."

She laughed softly. "Aren't you gonna feed me?"

"There will be breakfast in…" he checked his watch. "fifteen minutes. What should we do until room service gets here?" he wiggled his eyebrows.

Mac leaned in and kissed him softly. "Thank you for caring about our relationship. This was a very good idea. I love you."

He caressed her face softly. "I love you too, Sarah."

"You are surprisingly good at this relationship thing," she teased.

"You had doubts about my relationship skills?" he asked and pretended to be hurt.

"Well, I've seen you with women before, and you have come off as a bit of a commitment phobic," she pointed out.

He laughed. "I guess you're right," he sobered up. "It's different when it is with you. I've never been in a relationship with my best friend before. There's a lot to lose if it doesn't work out. When I'm serious about something, I'm really serious about it."

"Good. We've created a very special thing you and me, Harmon. I love our life." She leaned in and kissed him softly.

Three hours later Harm opened the door at home, letting Mac walk in first. She barely had time to take off her shoes and coat before Nathan and Claire came running into her arms.

"Mommy!" Claire yelled.

"Oh my babies," Mac said and hugged them close. "Did you guys have a good time with grandma and grandpa?"

"Yes, we had pancakes for breakfast," Nathan said as he released his mother and hugged his father. "Dad, did you and Mom have a good time?"

"We sure did," Harm said just as Claire jumped into his arms. "But we missed you guys."

Just then they heard crying from the living room and Mac hurried in there. Harm and the kids followed behind.

"Oh, my little sweet pea," Mac said as she walked over to the cradle and reached for her son. "Mommy's home."

"He just woke up. He's probably hungry," Trish said and watched with joy the love between mother and child.

"I'll just go feed him," Mac said and headed upstairs to the nursery.

"You look well rested," Frank said to Harm.

Harm smiled. "I am. Thank you for taking care of the household."

"Any time," Trish said with a loving smile.

Harm put their bags away in their bedroom before he went in search of his wife. He found her in the nursery, Matthew was on the changing table with Mac talking to him in that soft voice he loved so much. Matthew was laughing and waving his arms, obviously pleased to have his mother back.

"We did good making him," Harm said as he walked up behind her and put his hand on the small of her back.

"We did," she agreed and lifted their son up. "You're such a special boy."

Harm reached for Matthew and took him into his arms. "Hi, buddy. Daddy is home."

Mac watched the love in Harm's eyes and she put her hand on his cheek. "I always knew you'd be great at this."

"Really?" he asked surprised.

"Yeah," she smiled lovingly. "Do you think I'd make that baby deal with you if I didn't?"

He smiled brightly. "We did good on that deal, didn't we?"

Mac laughed softly. "We sure did."

Harm kissed Matthew's head. "We better go down and spend some time with Nathan and Claire."

"Yeah, we should," Mac agreed and followed him out of the room.