April 2008

Mac walked down the stairs leading from the second floor and found her husband and children on the floor building Duplo blocks. She smiled and walked over and sat down on the floor by her husband's side.

"How was your run?" Harm wondered.

"Great," she took his hand and rested her head on his shoulder while watching the interaction between the kids. Moments like these were the most valuable.

"No, this way," Claire said and tried to explain to Matthew which way the blocks would fit on top of each other. Matthew followed her movement with large eyes, then he laughed and smashed his hand through the tower Claire had built for him.

Harm and Mac laughed. "Should we make lunch?" Harm wondered.

"Probably," Mac said, but didn't remove her head from his shoulder.

Harm decided that lunch could wait a little, so he moved his arm around her and she willingly moved into his embrace. He slipped his hand under her shirt and caressed her back softly. He loved spending time with his family like this. If anyone would have told him that he'd be married with four kids three years ago, he wouldn't have believed them. Matthew would be two in a couple of months, and he was so much fun. Nathan and Claire had just become theirs officially last week when the adoption came through. Mattie would be eighteen next week, and she'd be moving back to the states in the fall to attend college.

"I'm hungry," Nathan said.

"I better put food on the table," Harm reluctantly let go of Mac and stood. He smiled when Matthew walked over to his mother and hugged her. Mac wrapped her arms around him and smiled brightly. Harm loved her with the kids, she was so happy, and he liked to think that he too had something to do with her happiness.

"Should we help Daddy with lunch?" Mac asked Matthew and lifted him up in the air making him squeal with joy.

Harm went to the kitchen and started preparing sandwiches. He loved the weekends, especially when they didn't have to be anywhere. Usually the weekends were packed with things they had to do, like a soccer game with Nathan, a dance recital with Claire, playdates or something. This was one of the rare weekends when they had no plans, other than to hang out and spend time as a family.

Mattie walked into the kitchen. "I need food."

"Working on it," Harm assured her. "Still stressing about finals?"

"I know it's early still, but I just want to feel in control," she said and slumped down on a bar stool. "Nick wanted to do something tonight. Is that okay?"

"You don't have to ask," Harm smiled. "You'll be eighteen soon."

"I know you like to know what I do and where I am," Mattie said with a shrug.

"We do like that," Mac said as she joined them followed by Matthew on his car. "So, how is Nick? I haven't seen him in a while."

"Okay," Mattie shrugged again. "He's a little afraid of Dad."

Harm turned to her. "Good."

Mac smiled and sat down beside Mattie.

"We're just going to be friends anyway. I'm leaving soon and he's staying here, so no point in starting something. Besides, I'm not sure I would want to ruin our friendship," Mattie said.

Harm and Mac shared a look. "Sounds smart," Mac said as she lifted Matthew up. "Although, sometimes moving beyond friendship is a good idea." She hugged Matthew close and kissed his head.

Mattie smiled. "He's the perfect combination of the two of you. He's going to be such a heartbreaker when he grows up."

Mac nodded. "Probably."

Harm put sandwiches down in front of them and sat down. "How do you want to celebrate your birthday?"

"Just family," Mattie said and reached for Matthew. "No big deal."

"It's your eighteenth birthday, you should invite your friends," Mac said and watched with joy the interaction between Mattie and Matthew.

"I can invite a few friends, but I don't want a big party. I hate big parties," Mattie hugged Matthew close. "I just want to celebrate with you guys."

Nathan and Claire came running into the kitchen. "Is there food?"

Mac smiled. "Dig in."

"Can we have pizza tonight?" Claire wondered. "And a movie and popcorn?"

"Sure," Harm reached for a sandwich.

"And candy?" Nathan added.

Mac noticed Harm's raised eyebrows. "It is Saturday," she said pleadingly.

Harm smiled. "Sure, why not a total sugar rush while we're at it."

"I'm sorry I'll miss that," Mattie teased, knowing what a health freak her Dad was.

Harm looked around the table and smiled. He felt like the luckiest man alive.

Matthew was asleep and Mac, Nathan and Claire were enjoying their candy and popcorn and watching a movie. Harm had planted himself in the kitchen after tidying up after dinner with some work-related things, making sure he wouldn't be up to his head when he arrived at work on Monday morning. He tried to take the weekends off, but it wasn't always possible, and at the moment work was piling up. He had been short staffed for a while now, with Bud away and another senior attorney on sick leave due to an accident two weeks ago. Bud would be arriving back during the weekend, and along with him a junior officer that had gone with him to watch and learn. Harm enjoyed his work, although he still struggled with the mindless bureaucracy. He had been better at taking on cases himself, making sure he wouldn't get too bored, or as Mac would say; grumpy.

He finished looking over a report when Mac walked into the kitchen. "The film is over, and the kids are on their way to bed. Although, I fear they are a little too high to sleep yet."

Harm smiled. "Was the movie any good?"

"Not too bad," she put away the rest of the popcorn and walked over to him. "Want to watch a movie with me?"

He nodded. "Sure, but no chick flicks."

"I'm in the mood for something action," she said and leaned in and kissed him. "Although, romance is always nice."

He chuckled. "How about some action, and I'll hold your hand and kiss you when it gets scary."

"Sure," she kissed him again and turned to walk away. "But I bet you'll be scared first."

He stood and walked after her. "I don't scare so easily."

She turned and flashed him that smile that he loved and couldn't resist. "Come on, sailor."

He smiled. "Right behind you, beautiful."

They were halfway through the movie when the kissing became more interesting than the movie. Harm suggested that they could go to bed instead of finishing the movie. They hurried to secure the house for the night, then they headed for the bedroom.