Harry and Ruth went upstairs, checking on Jamie who was asleep in a cot in their room. He was sound asleep. Ruth looked out of their bedroom window over the city, thinking about something.

"What is it?" Harry asked wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Just remembering the honeymoon you never took me on," Ruth said, teasing him.

"We were busy with Jamie if you remember," Harry said.

"I know. I'm enjoying the warm breeze that you never get in London." Harry kissed the back of her neck.

"I have to tell you something," Harry said. "Amir works for the Iranian secret service."

"Oh," Ruth said. "So that's it."

"What do you mean?" he asked, turning her around in his arms.

"He was wonderfully polite but I got the feeling he was expecting me to hate him," Ruth said.

"Catherine said he isn't involved in anything against the UK," Harry said.

"Stop right now," Ruth said sternly. "Do not go looking into him because if your daughter found out she wouldn't forgive you."

"I know, but I'm worried."

"Why do you think it's a non religious ceremony tomorrow?" Ruth asked. "Trust your daughter, and trust him."

"I don't even know him," Harry said.

"Do you really think its easy for him to marry an Englishwoman? I can imagine how they treat him at work, can't you? Would you let him near anything UK related if you were his boss?"

"Fine, I won't have a nose around," he agreed reluctantly. Ruth smiled broadly.

"Good, that's the right decision," Ruth said. She kissed him deeply as they melted together in the warm night. "Catherine was brave to tell you that."

"I know," Harry said. "Its why I kept my reaction tightly wrapped. I don't want to disappoint her."

"I love you," Ruth said simply. She kissed him again.

"Mama." Ruth broke away from Harry reluctantly and looked over the cot. Once Jamie had seen her he seemed happier and his eyes slowly flickered shut.

"I love that he calls me that," she admitted. "I know I'm not, but I love it."

"I love it too," Harry said. They both got into bed and Ruth took up her familiar place in his arms, their legs tangled as her head rested on his chest.

"So does Catherine hate her wicked stepmother?" she asked, only half teasing.

"She thinks you're far too good for me and we were both wondering what you see in me actually," he said as she laughed into his chest. "Seriously." She could tell he actually wanted an answer so she thought about it while her fingers traced over some of the scars on his chest.

"Well, firstly you are an honourable man," Ruth started. "You have integrity and even if it doesn't always come across I know you do the best for people you care about, and your family. You might not see it but I find you very attractive. And the way you looked at me on the grid for all those years… it stopped my heart every time you got that little glint in your eye. Even now, when we've been together for eighteen months or more, you still look at me like I'm the only woman for you, and even with your dubious history that makes me feel so lucky."

"God I love you," he said. "I have a wonderful, if slightly unconventional family."

"Mm," Ruth said kissing him happily. And that was how they spent the rest of the night, wrapped together, Jamie sleeping soundly in his cot.

In the morning Ruth got up early and took Jamie downstairs, not to disturb either Harry or the bride to be who were both asleep. Ruth concentrated on feeding Jamie and by the time he'd smeared his food all around his mouth she heard someone coming into the kitchen. She wiped her child's mouth before turning to see who it was.

"Catherine, I didn't disturb you did I?" Ruth asked anxiously.

"No I couldn't sleep well anyway. I heard someone get up and thought I should make my presence known." Catherine had a slightly nervous look on her face but she was smiling.

"Your dads still asleep and I didn't want him crying and waking everyone," Ruth said, in explanation. Catherine smiled at Jamie as he turned to Ruth

"Da?"

"Da's asleep," Ruth said to Jamie, smiling at him. Jamie tilted his head and looked at Catherine with wonder on his face, seeming over his shyness now. Catherine leaned over him and smiled.

"Hi little boy," she said, now that he seemed to be paying her attention. His eyes were big and wide at her, almost contemplating.

"Tap his stomach," Ruth suggested. Catherine did what she said and after a moment or two was rewarded with a gorgeous Jamie giggle.

"Oh I made him laugh!" Catherine said, incredibly pleased. Ruth smiled at both of her step children, feeling wonderfully pleased with this turn of events. "Can I hold him?" Catherine asked.

"Of course you can," Ruth said. "Come on handsome." Ruth picked him up as his legs started kicking fast in the air. Ruth handed him over to Catherine and she rocked him as he looked at her with big wide eyes. "He likes you," Ruth said.

"How can you tell?" Catherine asked.

"He isn't crying," Ruth said accurately. Jamie curled his fist into Catherine's dressing gown and after a moment turned around trying to find Ruth.

"Mama!"

"I think he's had enough of me," Catherine said, handing him back over to Ruth who was sitting.

"Don't take it personally," Ruth said as Jamie stood on her legs as Ruth supported his weight. He was very, very wobbly and she didn't think he'd be standing on his own for a good couple of months yet.

"Da!" Ruth turned at this and saw Harry over her shoulder.

"Hello little rascal," Harry said ruffling Jamie's hair. "Morning," he added to Ruth. He leaned over her and kissed her on the lips. He intended it to be brief but he couldn't resist leaning over her again for a couple more.

"Morning," Ruth said with a smile. He kissed her again. Catherine felt it was time she made her presence known so coughed loudly.

"Sorry," Harry said as his fingers trailed over Ruth's spine unashamedly. "Didn't see you."

"Cleary," Catherine said handing him a coffee. But she didn't seem too upset. Everyone was smiling as nothing was said except for Jamie who started quietly gurgling.

Later they were at the Eram Grand Hotel in Northern Tehran, waiting for proceedings to start. The room was a riot of colour as east met west, everything was bright and flowers were on every available surface, making the hotel look beautifully appropriate. Harry currently sat next to Ruth and Jamie, waiting for Catherine to arrive so he could give her away. She was using the bride's prerogative of being late.

"Stop looking nervous," Ruth said, sensing his discomfort.

"I'm not," he said. "I'm looking for Amir."

"Why?" Ruth asked instantly worried.

"To tell him if he doesn't take care of her, I'll make his life a living hell," Harry said easily.

"What I'd do to any man who was marrying my daughter, not because of his job description."

"Okay," Ruth replied.

Amir appeared in their eye line at that moment, and Harry leant over Ruth and whispered in her ear. "Plus I am not nervous because I keep imagining taking that rather alluring dress off of you tonight and making love to you all night long." Ruth could do nothing but blush as he walked away from her.

"Amir, can I have a word with you in private?" Harry said without preamble. The Iranian nodded as if it was inevitable and they left the room into a corridor before either of them spoke.

"I know Catherine has told you what I do for a living but this is our wedding day so please don't make a fuss and ruin it," Amir said, speaking quickly.

"I'm not," Harry said. "My daughter and I don't have the best relationship, but I would never ruin her wedding day because I know she wouldn't forgive me. I still see her as my little girl but I know she's grown up and will make her own choices."

"Thank you."

"I'm not finished," Harry said menacingly. "I take it you know what I do in the UK?" Amir's silence was as good as assent. "I have it within my power to make your life a living hell, if you ever hurt my daughter. I will make sure of it even if it's the last thing I ever do. And if I happen to die, I will make sure others follow my lead."

"I won't hurt her," Amir said with a confidence Harry privately had to commend him for. "Do you think the Iranian government want one of their spies to have an English wife? I love her, more than my job or my career. I won't hurt her. Or her family." Harry realised this was the best assurance he was going to get. He held out his hand and the younger man shook it. "Thank you Harry," Amir said seriously. The two men were interrupted by three knocks on the outer door.

"You should go and wait for her," Harry said with half a smile. Amir nodded nervously and went inside to await his bride. Harry opened the door once he had gone and Catherine appeared with her maid of honour, holding a bouquet of blood red flowers. She had a nervous smile on her face but Harry could tell she was happy.

"You look beautiful," he said sincerely, kissing her cheek. The white dress shimmered when she moved, pooling on the floor around her feet and even though she didn't have a veil, the tiara she wore framed her face perfectly. "You're the most beautiful woman here, just don't tell Ruth I said that." Catherine laughed and laced her arm through her fathers.

"Ready to give me away?" Catherine asked.

"Never," he said, making her smile, as the proceeded to the room where both families were waiting to see Catherine Pearce become Mrs Amir Moradi.

Everyone seems worried about the wedding, but I can assure you that nothing untoward is going to happen. Hope you like this update :)