Monday

Mac grabbed her travel mug and briefcase. After a wonderful week at Red Rock Mesa and a wonderful weekend with her family, she was ready to dive into work.

"I'll see you at the office," she leaned in and kissed her husband.

"See you soon," he smiled.

"Come on, Rose," Mac said to her daughter.

"I'm ready," Rose stood and hurried over to the sink with her dishes.

"Don't forget anything," Harm said.

"I have everything under control," Rose promised as she crouched down and scratched Max's ears. "I'm going to miss you the most."

"We'll take good care of Max," Mac promised.

"I know," Rose stood. "I can't believe I'm sleeping at the stable this week. I can wake up and run straight to see Whirlwind."

"Remember to listen to the adults and don't run off anywhere without adult supervision," Harm smiled. "And remember to have fun."

"I promise," Rose hugged her father.

"We better get going," Mac smiled and turned to Matthew. "We'll pick you up when we leave the office. Be good."

"I'm always good," Matthew smiled brightly.

Later

Mac lifted her head when there was a knock on her door. She had found her desk filled with files when she arrived earlier and she had spent most of the morning trying to sort through what was more pressing and what could wait.

"Sorry to disturb you," Samantha said as she stepped fully into the office. "I was in a meeting when you came in and I figured I'd stop by."

Mac stood. "It's nice to see you again," she offered her hand. "Harm tells me that you've settled in."

"Everyone has been great," Samantha reassured.

"Yeah, we have a great staff. It's busier than expected since Bud and Harriet will be away for another week," Mac hesitated. "I hope you're not discouraged by the amount of work?"

"It's no problem. I come straight from the Navy so this is nothing I can't handle," Samantha reassured.

"It's a little bit different," Mac agreed. "Let me know if you have any questions."

"I will," Samantha said and headed out of Mac's office.

Claire walked in with files in her hand.

"Not for me I hope," Mac said with a smirk.

Claire chuckled. "They are research I did for Dad, I just stopped by to see if I should order us some lunch?" Claire wondered.

"Lunch sounds good," Mac agreed.

"I was thinking Chinese? I'll let you know when it arrives," Claire waited for her mother to nod before she disappeared out the door.

Mac rounded her desk and sat down again. She still had to pinch herself sometimes. What had started as a two-man company had grown into something none of them had hoped to dream of. She reached for another file and opened it.

It was late in the day when Harm peeked into his wife's office and found her hard at work. He smiled. It was good to have her back.

"It's getting late," he said as he stepped into her office.

"18.03," she said without taking her mind off what she was working on.

He chuckled. "Want to come home with me?" he wondered as he sat down across from her.

"I do," she finally looked at him. "I've managed to get up to speed, finally."

"That's good," Harm looked over her desk. "What's the big pile?"

"The more pressing cases," she smiled. "I have to look over some stuff tonight."

"I promised Matthew we'd play basketball, so you can work as much as you want to," he reassured. "Speaking of Matthew, I'll drive by the Jacobs house and get him."

"Okay, I'll see you home then," she started to stand. "Want me to pick up something for dinner?"

He hesitated. "Nah, I have what I need for pasta."

"Such a boys scout, always prepared," she said in a teasing tone.

"Yeah, that's me," he smiled. "If not, we'd starve."

"Hey, I cook," she argued. "I just like it better when you do."

"I know you do," he moved to the door.

"I'll go by the store then. Plan for the rest of the week. Text me if there's something we need," she suggested.

He nodded. "See you soon."

Mac grabbed the files she needed and packed her briefcase.

Later

It was late in the night when Harm found his wife out on the porch sitting on a step overlooking the roses. Max was sleeping by her side. He smiled as he sat down beside her.

"Hi there."

She turned her head and smiled. "Did you have a nice talk with Mattie?"

"I did," he confirmed. "She's happy, nervous, and busy."

"Well, she is getting married in a few weeks," Mac reasoned.

"Yeah," he hesitated. "What's on your mind?"

"Me?" she shrugged. "Nothing."

"You've been quiet all night," he pointed out.

She nodded. "I guess. But it's nothing. Really."

"Really?" he didn't look convinced.

"It was busy today," she shrugged again "I guess I'm just going over stuff in my head."

"Okay," he studied the roses. "The roses look lovely."

"They absolutely do," she agreed and leaned onto him. "Uncle Matt is getting old," she said after a few minutes of silence."

"You knew that," he pointed out.

"I did, but I didn't realize that this would be the last time we went to Red rock together," she let out a sigh. "Sometimes I wish I could stop time."

He chuckled. "Make the kids stay little forever?" he suggested.

"Yes," she smiled and looked at him. "Rose didn't call tonight. Just sent a message that she was okay and to say good night. I guess I'm the one who won't sleep that well this week."

"Rose will be fine. She's tough and strong, just like you," he reached for her hand. "I don't think we need to worry about her."

"Still, I always do. I worry about all of them," she smiled sheepishly.

"I know," he lifted her hand and kissed it.

They sat in quiet for a while.

"I like Samantha," Mac said after a little while.

"Yeah, she's efficient. We need that. Especially in the fall when you'll be spending more time at the university," he pointed out.

"I'm glad we found a good fit," she said with a thoughtful wrinkle on her forehead.

"You don't have to worry about the office, Mac. We all support you," he reassured. He knew she worried about it.

"I know," she smiled. "And I'll still be there. Just not as much."

"We'll manage, although you are hard to replace," he admitted. "But they are lucky to have you at the university. I want you to do well. And I want you to do what makes you happy, Mac. I've been able to do what I wanted and you sacrifice a lot so that I could."

"I don't see it as a sacrifice. I wouldn't do anything differently. Besides, we both gave up something. You gave up flying," she reminded him.

"I don't see it as giving it up. It was more a question of priorities," he shrugged. "I had a family to think about. I wouldn't change my decision if I had to do it all over again."

"I think we're on the same page," she put her head on his shoulder.

"We definitely are," he agreed.

The next day

"So, can I?"

Mac hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to say yes to Kelly going on a three day trip with her friends. Kelly had become very responsible over the last year. She got good grades, she helped out at home, she took her driver's license and she had become a very good driver.

"The others already got to go. I'd be the only one left behind," Kelly complained, sensing that her mother wouldn't let her go.

"I don't like the idea," Mac admitted.

"I knew it," Kelly slumped down on a chair.

"Just hear me out," Mac sat down as well. "I know you're responsible. However, three days alone without adult supervision just isn't a smart idea. There are so many dangers out there."

"What could possibly go wrong?" Kelly wondered.

"At the top of my head; car accident, serial killer, alcohol and parties, terrorism, gang bangers, shooting…."

"Oh my God, that was at the top of your head?" Kelly looked shocked.

"Well, yeah," Mac let out a sigh. "I would love for you to have fun with your friends. You deserve it. But you are too young to go on a road trip unsupervised."

"Did Claire get to do that when she was sixteen?" Kelly wondered.

"Claire would have talked her friends out of it and suggested a sleepover instead," Mac said with amusement.

"Really?" Kelly thought about it. "I can definitely see that happening."

Mac nodded. "I know I can trust you, Kelly. That's not the reason I don't want you to go. I would never forgive myself if anything bad happened."

Kelly nodded. "I kinda knew it was a long shot."

Mac smiled. "I want you to have fun. Just closer to home."

"I get it," Kelly smiled. "It just sounded like fun."

"I get that," Mac started to stand. "I better get going, but how about I take you shopping later today? Maybe Claire will come. We can eat out tonight just us girls."

Kelly nodded. "I'd like that."

"That's a plan then," Mac grabbed her coffee. "It'll be fun."

"I better see if Matthew is awake. We're going to the pool," Kelly said as she stood.

"Have fun then," Mac hugged her. "See you later."