Harm and Mac's apartment, five weeks later (September)

Harm waited patiently by Mac's office door. She was busy talking with Bud and Sturgis about a case they were arguing in front of her. It was lunchtime and they had agreed to go out and spend some time together without baby talk or work talk. Ironically, they were taking the rest of the day off to go to an expectant baby class.

Mac was on the judiciary now. She had suggested to Harm that he'd stay put and she take the billet at the judiciary. She was still unsure about her future in the Marine Corps once the baby was born and she had made a convincing argument as to why he should stay where he was.

"She's all yours, sir," Bud said when the door to her office opened.

"You look a little inpatient there, Harm. Where's the fire?" Sturgis wondered.

Harm smiled. "Just eager to spend some time with Mac." He strode past them. "Hi there."

Mac looked up and smiled. "I'm ready for lunch."

"Me too," Harm motioned for the door.

"Let me just change and we'll go," Mac motioned for him to close the door.

Harm did. "You have to change?"
"Yes, I don't want to attend class in my uniform. And it's just more comfortable to wear something… well, comfortable," she reasoned.

"I can understand that. You're not getting any small…" He bit his lip by her look of warning. "You look beautiful."

"Nice save," she said as she started undressing.

"I mean it," he said with a smirk. "So, what are you in the mood for?"

"I'm not sure," she hesitated. "I'd love a good burger."

"Burger it is then," he promised. "Although, maybe you should eat something healthier? For the baby?"

She finished dressing and slipped into her shoes. "Are you afraid I'll get fat, Harm? Would that be a problem for you?"

He bit his lip. "I don't know how to answer that in a way that won't make you want to kill me."

"Care to elaborate?" she questioned.

"You know I'll love you no matter what," he hurried to say. "Now let us get out of here before I get into any more trouble."

She offered an amused look as she walked past him.

Later

Harm took his wife's hand as they walked. The expectant parent class had run smoothly. They had gotten to know another couple and agreed on a dinner that weekend. Harm felt that he at least had earned himself a few adult points that day.

"What?" Mac wondered. "The smile?"

"Just thinking about how well that class went. Making friends," he added the last part with a cute smile.

"It's nice to have other couple friends than Bud and Harriet," she agreed. "And you did very well."

"I'm growing up," he said proudly.

"Yes, you are," she agreed and laughed softly. "It's very sexy."

"Really?" he raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"Oh yeah, it's incredibly sexy," she reassured. "Thanks for today."

He smiled sweetly. "Any time. We should go out more often.

"Yeah, that will become more challenging when the baby comes," she reminded him. Their life was about to change drastically. But she was looking forward to it.

"I guess, but I think it's going to be great. You, me, and Little Peanut…."

"See, you're getting to like the name," Mac teased.

Harm laughed softly. "I think little Victor will be just great." He stopped and pulled her into his arms before she could argue about the name. "Don't tell anyone, but I like this grown-up stuff."

"Your secret is safe with me," she promised with an amused smile. "I love you."

"I love you too," he kissed her softly.

Sunday

They'd had a great weekend and were preparing for Mattie to get back home. Harm joined Mac on the couch after checking on the lasagna in the oven. He reached for her hand and kissed it before focusing on the TV. He had come to love these quiet nights with her. He did realize that he really was growing up.

A knock on the door made him stand. Surprised to find Mattie outside the door when he opened it, he asked if she'd forgotten her key.

"I asked her to knock," Tom explained.

"Oh," he stepped aside to let them enter.

"Dad and I wanted to talk to you and Mac about something," Mattie was hesitant as he studied Harm.

Mac joined them. "Welcome back, Mattie," she hugged the younger girl.

"You look great, Mac. So how was the baby class? Did Harm pass?" Mattie teased.

"I did great," Harm answered proudly and took Mac's hand.

"He really did," Mac agreed.

Mattie nodded and hesitated, looking between her two guardians. "Dad and I have been discussing me moving back home. I think it's time."

Harm nodded. "We've been expecting it to happen."

"We're proud of you, Mattie," Mac added. "We'll miss you, though."

"I'll miss you guys too. And I won't be gone yet," she added.

"I'll talk to the court, get a date for a hearing," Harm suggested.

Tom nodded in agreement. "Well, I better get going."

"I'll see you next weekend," Mattie said as she opened the door to her father.

When Tom had left, Mac motioned for Mattie to hug her again. "We'll miss you."

"I'll miss you guys too," Mattie hugged Mac close. "And I'll be around. I want to stay in touch."

"Of course. You'll have your room waiting whenever you want to visit," Harm reassured.

"Great," Mattie grabbed her bag. "I'll just get this to my room."

"Dinner is almost ready," Harm said. Mattie left them, and he turned to Mac. "We knew the day would come."

Mac nodded. "Doesn't make it any easier, huh?"

"Nah," he agreed.

"I need a hug," Mac moved into his arms.

"Yeah, me too," he hugged her close.

Later

Harm stopped in the doorway and smiled. Mac was in front of the mirror, clad in only her underwear. She was studying her belly. She was breathtaking. Harm wondered how it could be possible to love someone so much it physically hurt. Just the thought of his baby growing inside her made his love for her even more powerful.

"Are you going to just stand there?"

Harm shook out of his thoughts and realized that she was looking at him. "Sorry," he smiled. "I just never get tired of this."

"Of what?" she wondered as she rubbed her belly softly. Finally, she stopped and smiled, reaching out for him.

Harm moved closer, and she took his hand and put it on her belly. A soft kick from the baby made him smile even wider. Then another one. "I never get tired of this."

"Yeah, me neither," she looked up and met his eyes.

"You are beautiful," he leaned in and kissed her softly.

"You are wonderful," she complimented once the kiss ended. "I feel lucky."

"I'm the lucky one," he pulled her close.

"So, Mattie is leaving, huh?" she studied him.

"She is," he smiled sheepishly. "We knew the time would come."

"Yeah, but it doesn't make it any easier," she said with a sigh.

He nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too," she leaned in and kissed him softly.

"Let's get some rest, huh," he suggested.

"Rest?" she smiled mischievously.

"You have something else in mind?" he leaned in and kissed her.

"Mhm," she moved them to the bed.

Monday

Mac knocked on Mattie's half-open door. The girl had started packing, and there were several boxes on the floor. They had a court date the next week, and it was Mattie's next to last week with them.

Mattie smiled and waved her in.

"Do you need help with anything?" Mac wondered.

"Not really. I'm not rushing the packing, just trying to sort through some things," she handed Mac a picture. "It's a nice picture of you and Harm from Ocean City."

Mac smiled. "It is a nice picture," she agreed as she sat down on the bed.

Mattie hesitated. "It was a great trip. All of this has been great."

Mac nodded. "We'll miss you."

"You'll have enough to do with the baby," Mattie reasoned.

Mac could see that the girl looked insecure as she sat down by the desk. "The baby will keep us busy," she agreed. "However, the baby won't make us miss you less. It's been great having you with is Mattie, and if it weren't for you, Harm and I most likely would not be having a baby or been married."

Mattie looked surprised.

"Just by being in our lives, you've thought Harm to love unconditionally. You've forced us to take the next step, and for that, I will be eternally grateful."

Mattie smiled sheepishly. "You guys are great together, and the baby si lucky to get to grow up with two amazing parents."

"Thank you, Mattie," Mac smiled lovingly. "We'll miss you."

"I'll miss you guys too," Mattie wiped away a tear.

"Dinner is…" Harm stopped abruptly when he noticed both Mattie and mac were wiping away tears. "...ready." He looked between the two. "Is everything okay?"

Mac stood. "Yeah, we're just emotional."

"I'm going to miss this," Mattie stood and motioned around herself. "All of this."

"Me too," Harm moved his arm around Mac's shoulder. "But we're not going anywhere, Mattie. We'll still make plans together," he promised.

Mac put her head on his shoulder. "There's always a place with us."

Mattie nodded. "And we still have two weeks." She moved in to hug them both. "I just want you guys to know that I'll always be grateful for what you did for me."

Harm and Mac both hugged the teenager close. It was a new era for all of them.