August 2019

Harm put a few shirts in the suitcase and decided that he was prepared for a week in San Diego. Mac's suitcases stood by the door, ready to go. She was always prepared. At the moment, he knew that she was on her children about getting their suitcases packed and ready for their travel the next day.

Harm put the suitcase by Mac's by the door and looked up when his wife entered the bedroom, closed the door, and slumped down on the bed.

"So?" he said.

"They are driving me crazy," she said with a sigh. "The bathroom they were supposed to clean yesterday is still a mess. Wet towels all over the floor. They need to be washed and dried by tomorrow."

"I can…"

"You will not do the cleaning for them," she warned.

He chuckled. "I wasn't thinking about it. I was just going to suggest that I'd talk with them."

"Talk all you want," she said as she tapped her fingers against her belly. "Matthew didn't even start packing."

Harm let out a sigh as he headed out of the bedroom and for Matthew's room. "Matthew!"

"Dad?" the boy questioned, barely looking up from his computer.

"Start packing," Harm said.

"Yeah, in a minute," Matthew said; still his eyes glued to the screen.

Harm let out a sigh and folded the laptop.

"Hey!" Matthew stood abruptly.

"Now!" Harm demanded. "Pack your bags, and then clean the bathroom.

"What? What about the girls?" Matthew questioned.

"They are next on my list," Harm reassured.

A little later

Harm walked into the master bedroom again and found his wife still on the bed, reading a book. He got on the bed and scootched up to lay beside her.

"So?" she wondered.

"They're cleaning the bathroom," he reassured.

"How did you manage to convince them of that?" she questioned.

"I told them that you were here canceling their plane tickets," he said with a chuckle.

She laughed softly.

He propped himself up on an elbow and studied her. "You are beautiful."

She smiled sweetly. "What do you want?"

"What? I can't compliment my wife?" he wondered.

"Of course you can," she leaned in and kissed him softly. "I'm a lucky girl."

"You definitely are lucky," he agreed cockily.

"You are so full of yourself," she accused. "It's not as sexy as you think it is."

"You think so," he accused.

She wasn't ready to give him the satisfaction of knowing that she found his cockiness sexy. "Are you ready to watch your daughter get married?"

He smiled. "I am. I'm so proud of her, Mac."

"I know you are. I am too," she let out a sigh. "And she found one of the good guys."

"I agree," he smiled. "Or I'd have to chase him away."

"I can totally picture you doing that," she said with a chuckle and leaned in and kissed him. "That's very sexy."

"When I go all protective of my family?" he said between kisses.

"Absolutely," she moved over him.

"I'm done packing. Ewwww!"

They broke apart and found their son already halfway out the door again.

"We were just kissing," Harm called after him.

"Are you done with that now?" Rose walked into the room. "Kelly is making me clean the bathroom."

"That wasn't the deal," Harm pointed out as he sat up. "I better go talk with her," he said and got off the bed."

Rose got on the bed and lay down on her belly, her head propped up on her hands, facing her mother. "I'm done packing. Sorry about postponing it until the last minute."

Mac smiled. "The point is that you got it done."

Rose nodded. "Are we having dinner tonight?"

"I was thinking about just ordering pizza," Mac said as she reached for her phone.

"That sounds good," Rose agreed.

Later

Mac made sure their bags were at the door before she turned in that night. She helped her husband make sure the house was secured and ready to be empty for a week.

"I think we're set to travel," Harm declared as they met in the kitchen.

"It looks that way," Mac agreed. "I'm turning in."

"Me too," he said and followed her.

In their bedroom, they did their usual bedtime routine. Harm made sure the alarm was set before he got into bed.

"Did we bring Max's favorite toy, the snake?" Mac said as she walked into the bedroom after finishing in the bathroom.

"I'm sure Max will be fine, Mac," Harm reassured. He knew it wasn't about the snake but more about being away from the dog for a week. He didn't know who hated it more, Mac or Rose?

"I know," she let out a sigh, then smiled. "I know Sherry and Ben will take good care of him."

"They will," he patted the bed beside him. "Come on, beautiful."

She smirked and joined him. "Vacation sounds good," she moved over him. "Lazy days in bed."

"Tell me more about that," he urged as he started moving her t-shirt up.

"How about I show you instead?" she suggested between nibbles to his lips.

Four days later

Harm walked into the venue and found Mattie and Alex discussing something with Alex's mother. Harm smiled as he approached them.

"Isn't Mom coming? I need her input on something," Mattie said anxiously.

"Nice to see you too," Harm smiled cleverly. "Maybe I can help?"

"I doubt it," Mattie smiled and hugged her father.

Harm greeted Alex and Karen. "When's Tom coming?" he wondered.

"Tonight," Mattie said and studied her father. "So, is Mom coming? She said she'd be here when we were at the restaurant last night."

"Of course, she's just talking to Bud about a case. He wanted to make sure everything was taken care of before they travel here.

Mattie relaxed. "Good."

"This place looks great," Harm commented as he looked around.

"Let me show you around," Karen motioned for Harm to follow her. "You're a good sport for showing up to help. I would have to drag Henry here, kicking and screaming if he was to come," she laughed softly.

"The Marines can be very convincing," Harm said with a chuckle. He had to admit that talking about flowers and table settings wasn't high on his list of things to do, but Mac had pointed out that it was for his daughter.

When they came back from the tour, Mac had joined Mattie and Alex, and they were all laughing about something. Mattie looked more relaxed now.

"The table setting is fine," Mac said as Harm and Karen walked up to them.

"That's what I said," Karen agreed.

"The place looks great," Harm added.

A little while later, a woman walked up to them and wondered if they were ready to discuss the tables' options. Harm followed behind with Alex as the women started discussing different options. He offered a nod here and there but mostly stayed in the back. It was an hour later when they finished, and Mattie reminded them that they had a dance session to attend.

"A dance session?" Harm looked skeptical.

"Yeah, we've been taking dance lessons," Alex said with raised eyebrows. "It was to save Mattie's feet."

Matte nodded. "Alex has many skills; dancing is not one of them."

"It's never been high up on my list of achievements," Alex defended himself.

"I said we'd tag along," Mac told her husband.

"Just for fun?" Harm asked with amusement. "I can dance, you know."

"I know, but it'll be fun," Mac reached for his hand. "Come on, sailor."

They headed for Alex's car.

Harm was relieved that Mattie and Alex had chosen traditional dancing at their wedding. Harm could master a waltz, but anything hip hop or upbeat he wasn't comfortable with.

"Let's see what you've learned then," the dance instructor, a tall blonde with a positive attitude, said as she started the music. "Remember, there's nothing sexier than a man who can lead."

"In that case," Harm said with a smile as he offered his hand to his wife. "The dance floor is the one place where I have the lead."

Mac smiled lovingly as she let him lead her. "You are very sexy."

"Mom and Dad know what they're doing," the instructor called out.

They danced for about an hour and picked up a few tips. Harm was surprised by how much he had enjoyed it.

"They look great," Mac said as they watched Mattie and Alex practice a few steps.

Harm nodded. "Yeah," he cleared his throat as he felt himself tear up. Seeing Mattie happy meant so much to him.

"You okay?" Mac wondered.

Harm nodded. "Yeah, just sentimental, I guess." He pulled her close and kissed her softly. "I'm glad we did this."

"Me too," she agreed, knowing that he didn't just talk about the dance session, but everything else they'd done together. "Flipping a coin turned out pretty amazing."

"I agree," he said with emotion.

Later

Mattie had stayed for dinner while Harm went with Alex and his father to help move some more things from their old apartment and into the couple's newly purchased condo. They would have pizza and beer there.

"I'm glad Dad went with Alex," Mattie said as they were taking a walk along the beach. "I really want him to like Alex."

"He does," Mac assured. "

"I hope so," Mattie smiled. "And we appreciate the help getting everything from the apartment to the condo. I can't believe I own my own place. I feel so grown up."

"Not to mention that you're getting married," Mac teased.

"Two more days," Mattie said happily. "And I owe it all to you and dad."

"You did all the work, Mattie," Mac pointed out.

"But I wouldn't be where I am without everything you've done for me," Mattie argued with a sweet smile. "Everyone should be lucky enough to have what I've had. I just want you to know that I appreciate it."

"We do know that, and in a way, Harm and I owe it all to you. Because meeting you changed Harm in a way that made it possible for us to create the life we have now," Mac reasoned.

Mattie hesitated thoughtfully. "Well, you're the reason he got to keep me. You knew that was what he needed, didn't you?"

Mac thought about it. "I guess I did." She smiled.

Mattie and Alex's condo

Harm noticed that Alex was a little bit anxious to be alone with him. His father had left a little while ago, and Harm had stayed to have a beer with Alex out on the deck.

"Nice place," Harm said to break the silence.

"Yeah, we were lucky to get it. If it had been out on the open market, we could never afford it," Alex admitted.

"How long did your aunt live here?" Harm wondered.

"Twenty years. Ever since her husband died and she sold the house, they lived in. She was happy to move to a smaller apartment now that she's getting older," Alex explained.

"You and Mattie will be happy here," Harm said.

Alex hesitated. "Well, about that…."

Harm raised his hand to stop the young man. "You don't have to say anything, Alex. I know how much you love her."

"I do," Alex confirmed. "I want you to know that Mattie means more to me than anything. She's the most special person I've ever known."

"She is special," Harm agreed. "Just remember that she's strong because she's had to be. She still needs someone to have her back."

Alex nodded. "I'll always have her back, sir."

Harm smiled. "And no, sir, Alex. It's Harm."

"Yes, sir," Alex chuckled. "Harm."

Harm raised his beer. "To Mattie."

Alex raised his own beer. "To Mattie."