Mac opened her eyes. A smile started in her heart and made its way to her face.

She was in an amazing comfy bed and sunlight was just filtering through the curtains. She breathed in deeply and nestled into the pillow. She was happy.

Happier than she remembered ever being.

The rising light caught her engagement ring. She had never taken it off in the weeks she and her husband were apart. It was a lifeline, a symbol of hope that they would make it. That the familiar patterns of running to their work above all else would not drive them apart forever.

She watched the ring sparkle. She felt mixed emotions about her decision to join the Reserves.

But regret was not one of them.

As soon as she'd seen Harm last night, she knew she'd made the right call. She'd seen the surprise on his face, but she'd also seen the hope, and the love.

The truest love she'd ever had.

Last night he'd taken her home and showed her their new home. It was open plan and had a limited but beautiful view of the city lights at the edges of the Thames. She'd fallen in love with it immediately.

He'd made her something to eat, and made sure she was warm enough, and given her warm towels for her shower. As he turned to leave the bathroom she'd taken his hands. 'Thank you.'

'For what?'

'For forgiving me. For welcoming me home. For taking care of me.'

He'd smiled at her. 'That's what I do means.'

When she came out of the shower, he was lying on the bed, typing on his laptop. She hovered uncertainly in the doorway. 'Would you like me to sleep on the couch?'

He looked up at her. 'What? Why?'

'Well, all things considered…' She trailed off.

He looked at her. 'I'd like you to sleep next to me, if you're comfortable with it.'

She suddenly felt shy, but she smiled and nodded. She turned off the bathroom light and padded around to her side. 'My word, this mattress is heavenly.'

'Isn't it? As soon as I tried it I was sold.'

She smiled and rolled onto her side. She was quite close to the edge of the bed, but she couldn't quite explain her nervousness.

This was Harm. They'd been apart for a few weeks, but they had known each other and loved each other - both as friends and as more - for a decade.

'I don't bite, you know.' His tone was teasing.

She rolled back to face him. 'Sorry. I know. I just wasn't sure how we were going to do this.'

Harm lifted his arm in silent invitation. Mac scooted over and laid her head on his chest. She felt herself relax.

All those years as an independent woman, she'd told herself she was fine on her own. And she was.

But the funny thing was now, she liked having someone to belong to.

He was her safe place, her haven in the storm.

They'd fallen asleep that way, but Harm was gone when she woke up. She yawned and stretched.

She was coming out of the shower when she heard the front door. She put on her dressing gown and wrapped her hair in a towel before walking out to the kitchen.

Harm looked up at her and smiled. 'Good morning.'

'Hi.' She walked up to him and kissed his cheek. He put his arm around her, hugging her against his side.

'You brought me food?'

'I did.' He handed her a paper bag. 'And coffee.'

'Ooh, thank you.'

'Do you want to sit on our tiny little balcony while we have sunshine?'

'There's only one beanbag.'

'I'll share.' He grinned at her.

Harm sat down on the beanbag and patted the spot next to him. Mac sat down and Harm gently pulled her into his lap. He kissed her temple. 'I've missed this. Just the two of us.'

'Me too.'

'How are you feeling now? About your decision?'

Mac set her coffee down on the desk. 'A lot of things. Sad. Uncertain. Oddly happy to be free of something that has ruled my life for so long.' She looked up at her husband and touched his face. 'But not regret. As soon as I saw you last night, I knew I'd come back to where I belonged.'

'Oh, darling.' He brushed her hair back from her face. 'Thank you for coming back to me. For choosing me.'

Mac looked him right in the eyes. 'You are the love of my life. So I chose you, and I chose me, because I never would have been happy if I made general but I didn't have you.'

Harm held her close. 'I promise you will always, always have me.'