A/N: According to Wikipedia, Season 3 takes place 3 years after Season 2. So by my calculations, Fred Miller should be getting close to at least 5 years old.

"You're not going to believe what happened this morning!" Miller exclaimed as she walked into Hardy's office and set his cup of tea in front of him on his desk.

Hardy's left eyebrow raised, only slightly in irritation at his partner's good mood so early in the morning."I can't begin to guess, Miller. What has you so chipper this morning?"

"Well, I woke up in a rather good mood." She winked at him and he gave her a humored look as his eyebrow went up further.

He glanced towards the still open door, cleared his throat, and stood, walked over and gently closed it. "If you're going to go any further with that, I might need to close the door." He smirked at her, the closest to a real smile that Hardy usually got.

She rolled her eyes, "I'm not trying anything like that around here, thank you very much. I value my job too much."

"Speaking of— the Chief Super wants to meet with us this morning," Hardy stated, not looking up to make eye contact with her.

Miller's eyes grew wide. "But— you didn't tell her what happened last night, did you?"

Hardy scowled and glanced up at her. "No, Miller, I didn't. I would hope you know better than that."

Ellie's heart-rate started to calm back down."Oh, it was just the way you said it, after I mentioned—"

"Not what it's about, Miller. So, as you were saying. Something happened this morning. First, you woke up in a good mood…," Hardy tried to get her back on track. He hadn't intended to make her so nervous, but if she really knew what the meeting was about, she'd be just as shocked.

Ellie managed to get back on her train of thought. "So, yes, already in a good mood—then, while we were eating breakfast, Dad announces to us that he's found himself a flat! He's moving out!"

"Really?" Alec was genuinely surprised, and curious as to what this would mean for the Miller's. "How'd you feel about that?"

"Well, on the one hand, I'm relieved. I love my dad, but he can be a bit stifling at times. But on the other hand, he's been such a big help with the kids—"

Alec interrupted as the thought came to his mind, "Where's he going?"

"Staying in Broadchurch. That is good. He's offered to continue to help out, pick up the kids when I've got a pressing case, watch the kids occasionally. But I do imagine I'll have to start hiring a babysitter more often. I'm not quite ready yet to trust Tom on his own with Fred. Chloe has offered to help before, do you think Daisy might be interested too?"

"I'd have to ask, but I imagine she might be." Alec sat back in his chair and took a sip of his tea. "She enjoys being around kids, and she knows Tom from school, though he's a few years younger than her and Chloe."

"Oh, that reminds me. Fred wanted me to be sure to ask you. We're celebrating his fifth birthday this weekend. Just the Latimer's, Dad, and us—down at the beach for a picnic and some fun. He'd love for 'his Alec' to be there, and Daisy can finally meet the boys." She grinned when she used the name Fred had for her partner.

Alec did genuinely smile then. He certainly had grown a special place in his heart for the Miller boys, especially wee Fred. "I'm sure that can be arranged. Far be it from me to let down wee Fred."

"Great." Miller grinned.

She was interrupted from saying more by the phone on Hardy's desk ringing. He picked up the phone quickly. "Hardy." There was a pause while he listened to the person on the other side. "Yes, we'll be right there." He hung up the phone and looked at Miller. "C'mon Miller, the Chief Super awaits."

He stood and she did the same. "Do you know what this is about?" she questioned him with concern.

Hardy shrugged. "Probably just something about the case, I'm sure. Don't be worried, Miller."

They made quick time up the stairs to the Chief Superintendent's office. Elaine Jenkinson was seated at her desk when they arrived and she motioned them to be seated in the two chairs opposite her. She smiled at the both of them, before turning her attention more pointedly towards Miller. "Ellie, DI Hardy and I have been discussing your position on the force—" Miller shot Hardy a glare and he just shrugged, a small smile pulling at the corner of his lips. CS Jenkinson ignored them both and continued, "We both feel as if you are still deserving, if not even more deserving, of the position that was originally proposed but—rescinded— four and a half years ago." Jenkinson was careful of her word choice, knowing that even though Miller and Hardy had overcome their initial struggle of him getting her job, it still had the potential to be a sore subject. "I'd like to offer you a promotion to Detective Inspector."

Miller's jaw hung open a moment before her brain finally caught up. "But ma'am, you already have one DI."

"Yes, and Broadchurch isn't getting any smaller, nor is the crime rate, and the cases aren't getting any easier to solve. We're just catching up with many of the other departments in towns of our size," Jenkinson explained.

"But—" Ellie stopped herself, looking back and forth between Hardy and the Chief Superintendent. She should be thrilled, she was thrilled. But at the moment all she could think about was losing her partner.

Elaine continued, with a hint of Miller's concern, "The two of you will continue to work, as partners, but with the option to work as two separate teams when we have multiple investigations going on at once. The position does come with several added benefits as well, Ellie, including a pay increase." She paused to let it all sink in for a moment, then concluded, "I hope you'll accept."

So many thoughts were going through Ellie's head. "Can I—can I have some time to think about it?"

Hardy wanted to speak up then, but he held back, knowing it would be best to speak to her in private. He had done enough talking with the CS, she knew how he felt on the matter. He needed, however, to be sure that Ellie knew how he felt.

Jenkinson nodded. "Of course. Let me know as soon as you have a decision."

Miller got up and Hardy followed behind her. He glanced back before stepping out the door and CS Jenkinson nodded to him, him nodding back, before he shut the followed Miller quietly out of the building. A short time later they were down by the beach, sitting on 'their bench.' The one they frequently sat at when trying to clear their heads and figure out a case.

He waited in silence a bit longer, finally deciding to speak, "I'm not sure what there is to think about, Miller. You deserve this, you have for years, and it's finally yours."

"It's just all a bit sudden—I—You really think I'm ready?"

"I know you are ready. Have been ready for some time." In deference to whatever their personal relationship was becoming, Hardy chose to be completely honest with her." I wouldn't have recommended it to the Chief Super if I didn't think so."

Ellie gaped. "You recommended me for promotion?"

"Of course I did. I'd say I'm the most qualified to do so. I work with you every day. I see the hard work and dedication you put into your job. You already put in as many hours as I do, there's just a bit more paperwork and responsibility to deal with."

She laughed. "Oh now the truth comes out. You're just hoping to shove the paperwork off on me!"

He couldn't help but chuckle back. "Perhaps share the load, yes. It would be nice."

Her face turned serious then, and she questioned him, "Does this have something to do with—us?"

He turned to face her, looking her directly in the eye. "This has to do with you deserving a promotion. Does it affect us? I suppose, a bit. No more of you worrying about me being your boss, though as long as we are off duty and it doesn't interfere with work, even that wasn't a real problem..I already saw us as equals, Ellie. It's time everyone else knew it too. And whenever you're ready for whatever this—" He motioned between them as he spoke. "—is to be public knowledge, there'll be no questions to be asked. No one but you would doubt that you deserve this promotion, Ellie. They'd never question how or why you got it, because they all know you are a qualified and capable Detective Inspector. It's just time for you to accept the position, take the money, and keep doing what you already do so well." She grinned wide at him, and he reflected it back to her, but she didn't say anything else, just smiled. "Can I take that as a yes?" She nodded excitedly and he let out a deep breath and smiled. "Good. Have I managed to leave the great Ellie Miller speechless."

She rolled her eyes, but still grinned. "Knob."

He smirked and looked out at the ocean. "Oh good, that's more like it. I hadn't been insulted yet today, I was beginning to think you had lost your touch." His face then went serious and he looked back to her again. "I told you I recommended you for the promotion. In the interest of honesty I should tell you something else."

Her face grew concerned, now. "What's that?"

"I wasn't lying when I said I hadn't talked to the Chief Super about last night. I might have, however, indicated to her that I was interested in you." He paused a moment and noticed her jaw was hanging loose. "I only wanted to be sure there would be no trouble, I know the regulations inside and out, but I wanted to confirm with her so that it wasn't a problem. Of course, at the time, it was all supposition, I had no idea if you'd actually return any of my feelings."

Her left eyebrow raised. "And now?"

He grinned, but cast his gaze back out at the ocean. "And now—I'd like to think after last night that you do return those feelings."

She gave a playfully dramatic sigh. "Yes, yes I suppose I only knows why, though."

His eyes grew wide and he turned to stare at her a moment. "You are so lucky we are in public right now, Miller."

"Or what, sir." She grinned wide at him.

He stood up, leaning over slightly to speak to her as he walked away. "Or I'd wipe that grin off your face in a similar fashion to last night." It was his turn to grin as he continued to walk away from her. He made it a few steps before she caught up with him. "Let's get back," he continued. "You need to let CS Jenkinson know your decision. And then we need to get back to work on the case. Perhaps Saturday's celebration can be a dual one? Fred's birthday and your promotion?"

"I'd like that." She grinned and he nodded in response.