"I'm sorry," Isabelle turned and started running up the stairs to the safe haven that was her room.
Harm couldn't get a word out. He was too shocked to be able to express his joy at hearing that word to do or say anything at all, but when Mac started going after Isabelle he followed her. At the top of the stair Mac had caught up with Isabelle and grabbed hold of her hugging her close to her body. She sat down on the floor and her daughter had now laid her arms around her neck and was hiding her face in her mother's shoulder.
"Honey, it's OK. It's nothing to be upset about," Mac tried to comfort her.
"I didn't mean to say it."
"But you know what… Belle, look at me." Mac nudged her shoulder so that Isabelle would look up. "It would be perfectly fine if you'd want to call Harm Dad. If that feels right in your heart," Mac said and put her hand at Isabelle's chest right over where her heart was.
Isabelle looked sideways at Harm and then she leaned in and whispered something in Mac's ear. Harm didn't hear what she was saying.
"Of course he does," Mac protested.
"How can you know that?" Isabelle said.
"Well, I …" Mac looked at Harm with pleading eyes asking him to say something. Even though she knew he didn't know what it was that Isabelle was afraid of, she knew that only he could make her understand that there was no need for her to worry.
"Belle," Harm took a deep breath and took Isabelle's hand in his. He knew that saying this was the right think to do, but it didn't make it any easier. "I know that you think of Jack as your dad and that you call him that and … I know that me being back doesn't mean that's changed. I was away for a very long time. I … I just want you to be happy and … I love you Belle so very, very much."
Mac looked at Isabelle to see how she would react to that and she didn't have to wonder for a long time. Isabelle moved her arms to lay around Harm's neck instead.
"I love you too," she simply said. Harm couldn't hide the big smile on his face.
Mac felt how tears were starting to build in her eyes and were threatening to overflow.
"I was afraid that you would be angry with me," Isabelle admitted. She was still wrapped in Harm's arms.
"What!" Harm said chocked "Why would I be angry with you?"
"Because … well because I said … Dad and I thought maybe you don't want me to call you that," Isabelle leaned back a little so she could see Harm's face. Mac stroked her hair.
"Oh, but I … I would like that … I would like that a lot," Harm said.
Isabelle smiled and hugged Harm once again.
TBC