This will be the last chapter, at least for now. Life is busy and I have a few more stories that are almost finished that I will focus on. I would like to write up until Matthew is born, but for now, I don't have the time.

Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Wednesday, October 19th

Harm hurried down the corridor and flashed his wife a sweet smile. He was running a little late for Mattie's doctor's appointment because of a meeting that ran later than planned.

"Sorry," he kissed her softly.

"No problem. Mattie is in there with Doctor Snowden now," she moved into his embrace and kissed him again.

"What did I do to deserve that welcome?" he teased.

"Just because I missed you," she let him go and sat down again.

He sat down beside her. "Good to know. You weren't feeling so bad this morning."

"No, I felt fine. I ate my first real breakfast in a long time," she put her hand on his thigh. "Don't worry so much."

He put his hand on top of hers. "I love you."

She smiled sweetly. "I love you too."

They waited another fifteen minutes before Doctor Snowden told them to come inside his office.

"Things look good," he smiled. "Mattie's hand function has improved faster than anyone would have guessed."

"She's been working hard," Harm said proudly.

"I agree," the doctor hesitated as he looked over a few charts. "Blood pressure is perfect; she is putting on weight as we hoped, all in all, we are very pleased."

They stayed for a little while longer and was told to make a new appointment in a month.

"Maybe we should have ice cream to celebrate," Harm suggested.

"Too cold," Mac pointed out. "How about a cookie?"

"Those chocolate ones we had the other day," Mattie suggested.

"Okay then," Harm chuckled.

Later that night

It was past 21.30 when Harm walked through the door at home. He'd been at the gym after work and had just had a quick protein bar instead of going home to eat. He had gained a little during the time Mattie had been at the hospital, eating unhealthily and dropping his strict exercise regime had done that. He had struggled to get back to his ideal weight again, but he was finally getting results.

"Hey there," he dropped his gym bag by the stairs and crossed the TV room, heading for the smaller living room. Mac was on the couch in front of the fireplace with her book.

"Hi," she smiled sweetly and put her book down.

He kissed her softly and sat down by her side. "Where's Mattie?"

"She was tired and went to bed early," she explained.

"Okay," he leaned back on the couch. "This is nice."

"Yeah, I love the open fire," she let out a sigh. "It's calming," she smiled. "How was the gym?"

"It was great," he shrugged. "The usual."

"Don't go too crazy with your exercise regime, or people will say, there's Captain Rabb with his really fat wife," she joked.

"You'll look beautiful when it starts to show," he reassured. "Besides, I'm finally getting results."

"I kinda liked you a little curvier," she admitted with a chuckle.

He didn't look convinced. "I don't think so, but it's good to know that you won't leave me if I get fat," he joked.

"It's not like I'm only after your body," she moved in to kiss him. "Although," she kissed him softly. "I don't mind that you're all hunky."

"You think so?" he moved his arm around her.

"I do," she smiled sweetly as she relaxed against him.

He put his free hand on her still flat belly. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," she smiled when he moved her top out of the way.

"We have that appointment next week," he caressed her belly.

"Yeah, I can't wait," she put her head on his shoulder. "This is nice."

"Sitting here," he smiled. "It is nice."

Friday, October 21st

Mac looked up when she heard the front door open and shut. She finished hanging up laundry and went to meet Mattie. She found her on the couch.

"How was school?" she asked.

"It was…" Mattie hesitated. "Okay, I guess. I did get A on my English essay."

"That's great, Mattie," Mac smiled. "But still, you don't seem happy about something?"

"It's just the usual not enough hours in the day routine," Mattie let out a sigh. "I wish I didn't tire so easily."

"Mattie," Mac sat down on the couch. "Six months ago, you were in the hospital fighting for your life. It takes time to recover from that. It's not a magic button to push."

"I know," she hesitated. "It's just that everyone else is making plans for the weekend. You know, parties, and teenage stuff. And I feel like going home and relaxing."

"Are you afraid you'll miss everything?" Mac assumed.

Mattie nodded. "I guess."

"You can catch up later," Mac reassured. "You still have time to party."

Mattie smiled. "I guess. And it's not about the partying, really, because I'm not that into that. It's more about feeling like everyone else has a life, while I don't."

"Is this about having friends?" Mac wondered.

I have friends," Mattie shrugged. "I like spending time with Jane. She's more of a chill at home kinda girl anyway. And Nick is great. He understands better than anyone what it's like to feel this way. I guess I miss having Jenn around."

"I can understand that," Mac smiled reassuringly. "And it's okay to miss home, Mattie. I do too. I miss having Harriet around, especially now, with the baby."

Mattie nodded. "Yeah."

"Are you hungry?" Mac wondered as she started to stand.

"Yeah, I could use a snack," she stood. "Maybe I'll take a nap afterward."

"Sounds like a plan," Mac smiled. "What do you want to do this weekend?"

Mattie followed Mac into the kitchen. "I don't know. Maybe we could do something together all three of us?"

"That's what I was thinking," Mac opened the fridge. "Fruit and yogurt?"

"Perfect," Mattie agreed.

Saturday, October 22nd

Mac breathed in the fresh ocean air as she watched Harm and Mattie throw a football. The beach was quiet in the cold autumn air; not many people had taken the trip now that the season had ended. Harm had arrived home from work earlier than expected the previous day and told them to pack a weekend bag. He had decided that it was time to explore England some more and made arrangements for them to stay at a beach house in Canterbury. He had gotten a great off-season price and decided that it would be a great surprise for his two girls. He wasn't wrong. Both Mattie and Mac had been very excited about the trip. They had arrived in time for a late dinner the previous night after taking the time to do some grocery shopping on the way.

They had slept in and had a late breakfast before they got in the car and went to look around town. The main attraction being the Canterbury Cathedral, where Harm had arranged for a guided tour. It had been a fantastic experience.

It was getting close to dinner time now; it was just hard to leave and go back to the cottage.

"It's getting chilly," Harm commented as he walked over to her.

"Yeah, but it's just so pretty," Mac let out a sigh and held out her hand for him to help her up.

"It sure is," he agreed and kissed her softly after helping her stand. "We should head back and start on dinner."

"I'm beat," Mattie complained.

"Me too," Mac smiled. "But it' nice to do something outside."

"Today has been great," Mattie agreed. "I still can't get over that cathedral. Man, that must have been a lot of work to build."

Harm chuckled. "It's quite the place," he agreed as he took Mac's hand as they started to walk.

"This was a great idea, husband," Mac complimented.

"Did I earn some husband points, babe?" he teased.

"And there you just lost them again," she warned. "I hate it when you call me that."

Harm laughed softly. "I'll make it up to you with dinner."

Later that night

"I feel like I'm playing this game with the two hulks," Harm chuckled with amusement. Mattie and Mac both had bright green facemasks on.

"I wish you'd let us put a facemask on you," Mattie finished her word. "Done."

"That'll never happen," Harm studied his letters. "Okay, I've got nothing, I give up."

"Me too," Mattie looked over the points. "There's no way to beat you in this game," she complained.

"Sure there is," Mac smiled as she started putting the letters back into the box. "You just have to practice."

"So, according to this book, this is how our baby looks like now," Harm held up the book he was currently reading.

"That's weird," Mattie raised her eyebrows. "That we've all looked like that once."

Mac chuckled. "Yeah, it is kinda weird," she agreed. "Are you going to read every possible baby book now?" she wondered.

"Nah, one or two should do it," Harm smiled.

"I'm going to get this mask off of me; then I'll turn in. I want to do some reading," Mattie stood. "I need to learn more words if I am to beat you at Scrabble," she warned Mac.

Mac chuckled. "Good night, Mattie."

"Night, Mattie." Harm moved over to the couch where Mac was sitting. "It says that spotting, tiredness and sore boobs are normal."

"Yeah, but the Doc already informed us of what's normal," Mac patted his thigh. "My morning sickness has gotten better, but now I have sore boobs. My body is definitely changing."

"I kinda can't wait until there's an actual belly to rub," Harm smiled sweetly and put the book away.

"That's because you're not the one with the belly," she pointed out as she shut the Scrabble box and leaned back on the couch. "I kinda look forward to all the changes too," she admitted. "I didn't think I'd be able to experience this, so I'm going to enjoy it. Even the sore boobs and swollen feet."

"I'll be right by your side through everything," he promised.

"Thank you," she started to stand. "I'm just going to see if Mattie is finished in the bathroom so that I can clean my face. I'm kinda tired, so I think I'll head to bed."

"I'll join you," he stood. "I'm just going to secure the cabin for the night."

An hour later they were snuggled together in bed after making love. Harm was so patient, making sure she was comfortable and enjoyed their lovemaking. She had been feeling more tired, and sex hadn't been on top of her list of activities over the last week. Harm was incredibly understanding and let her take the lead.

"I'm glad we did this," she kissed his chest. "I know I haven't been all that adventurous lately and a weekend away wasn't even on my mind. It was a nice surprise."

"I get that a comfy pajama and the couch seems more tempting at the moment," he smiled as he caressed her back softly.

"You are incredibly understanding," she hugged him close. "I don't get why someone hasn't made an honest man of you and had your babies already."

He chuckled. "I could give a number of reasons for that. I needed the right woman."

"I do fit perfectly, right here," she snuggled even closer to him and let him wrap her in an embrace.

"You really do," he kissed the top of her head. "I love you."

"I love you more," she closed her eyes. "This is perfect."

"It sure is," he agreed as he felt sleep come to him. His last thought as he drifted off was that he looked forward to the future.