"What do you think of the name Zachary, Abi?" Mac asked as she bounced Abi on her knee while reading the name book trying to pass the time until Harm got home. "Zachary Matthew after your Great Uncle Matt."

"I like it." Harm said. Mac was slightly startled as she hadn't heard him come in.

"Hi, what was that?" She turned to the door to the kitchen.

"I like Zachary Matthew. It's a good solid name. Uncle Matt would be proud."

"Why did you come in back door?" Mac questioned.

"I bought some groceries. You should eat more protein."

"When did you find time to find that out, you had to be back in court?"

"Sturgis and I managed to work out an amiable deal, Helfman went for it. End court martial."

"I see. Well since you're up how about some milk? Abi you want some milk too?" Mac asked. Abi gave her a drooly smile.

"Two milks coming up." He returned a few minutes later with a warm bottle for Abi and a glass of milk for Mac. "So how is your court martial going?"

"It's going." Mac said before Harm took Abi to give her the bottle. "It's going to be long and boring."

"Just what the doctor ordered." Harm smiled.

"No the doctor order lots of tests on the blood she took, just to be sure."

"What else did she say other than it was twins?"

"She gave me a whole lot of pamphlets to read, and she said to call her if either of us had any questions."

"I take it you've read some of them, give me a quick run down of what I need to know."

"Even though they are due February 20th twins can come a lot earlier. Twins are deemed a higher risk pregnancy, so nearer the end I'll have a lot more ultrasounds and blood tests to check that they are both growing properly. There is a higher risk of pre-eclampsia, gestation diabetes, pre-term labour. That's no including how we're going to cope with twins, a one year old and two military careers."

"I guess we take it as it comes."

"I did have an idea that seems like the only logical solution, so I could still get to do some work, even if I can't work full time."

"What was that?"

"Whenever the doctor recommends it I'll start my maternity leave, I'll take the whole time allowed."

"That makes sense." Harm agreed.

"After it's over with both the Admirals approval, go back limited duty maybe two days a week, to take care of the general day to day warrant signing, or mediation, basically anything that doesn't involve Article 32 hearings or Courts Martial. Once they are six months go back full time, because it will be more practical with getting them all to day care, full time then."

"Sounds reasonable. Do you think Morris will go for it?"

"Warrant signing and mediation take up lots of docket time that could be more practically used. If I took care of it, they could probably manage."

"You don't want to consider going into the reserves?" Harm offered.

"Harm, I like working and as much as I love our kids, I have to keep doing something, if it makes me sound like a bad mother, then it does. But this is what I need to do for me."

"Then as long as the Admirals approve it go for it. By the way how did Jen take the news?"

"She already guessed I was pregnant when I told her this morning. I thought I'd hold of telling her about it being twins until after we had talked."

"Oh." Harm said with a slight tone.

"Who did you tell?" Mac asked.

"You said I could tell people." Harm pointed out in his defence.

"I know I did. Who did you tell?"

"Sturgis, he came in while I was looking at the scan photo to discuss the deal."

"Sturgis is fine, he won't mention it anyone. I'll talk to Admiral Morris after the staff meeting on Wednesday and I'll tell Harriet and Jen at lunch tomorrow."

"Do you want me to tell the Admiral?" Harm offered. "I've got to see him tomorrow morning anyway."

"If you like, saves me from doing it."

"Then that leaves family." Harm pointed out.

"I've already written a letter to Uncle Matt. Grams knows I'm pregnant anyway, so she can probably wait a few days. You should call Trish and Frank, you can e-mail Sergei tomorrow."

"What about Tiner and Faith?" Harm asked.

"Jen will tell Jason and Faith, she'll find out eventually so it's up to you, but I like her. It was probably Admiral Chegwidden made her your partner."

"It's probably because I'm married and he doesn't have to worry about me."

"Or the fact that you always get the female partners." Mac pointed out.

"That too." Harm grinned.

"I'm going to make dinner." Mac said pushing herself up off the couch.

"I can do it." Harm offered.

"I'm up and Abi needs sometime with her daddy."

TBC