Roberts Residence

1700

The day had passed at a rapid rate and before Harriet and Bud had a chance to stop and collect their thoughts it was 1700.

"I guess I should ring the Commander and make arrangements for them to bring AJ home," said Bud quietly.

"Um, not yet," replied Harriet. "I think we need to talk."

Bud sat down next to his wife and took her hand. There were so many things they needed to talk about and had done so for a long time. Baby Sarah's life and death had a huge impact on their lives and yet after the initial few weeks her name had barely been mentioned.

"Bud, it's so hard to believe that our little girl would be one tomorrow," Harriet began.

Bud shook his head he had only thought of it in the negative, one year since her death. "I think she would have been a gorgeous little girl," he said. "She would have beautiful blonde hair that curled around her face and she'd have an amazing smile, just like her mommy's."

"I wouldn't have thought you'd remember my smile, it has been a long time since I felt like smiling."

"I have a vague memory of it," said Bud quietly.

"AJ doesn't though, does he?" Tears pooled in her blue eyes.

"AJ knows who you are, Harriet. It was just that photo." Bud tried to explain.

"No, it was more than that, Bud. When you were out this afternoon I pulled out some albums and I'm not surprised. In those taken since Sarah, I look different. I'm mostly in uniform or in dark, sombre colours; I don't think I've smiled in any one of them. It's no wonder AJ couldn't recognise me happy and smiling and in pink in that photo," Her tears spilt over and trickled down her cheeks.

"I guess you're right, Sweetie. I suppose I never thought of it from his perspective," Bud replied, reaching across to brush away her tears.

"Well, all that changes as of today." She paused and took a deep breath. "As much as I miss our beautiful, little girl, she's gone but our beautiful, little boy is still here and deserves a proper mommy and you deserve a proper wife," Harriet said, smiling shyly.

"Harriet, you have always been a good mother to AJ and he loves you so much as do I," he kissed her cheek.

"And I love you too, Bud, but it's been so long since we've … been intimate," she said quietly.

"I've been waiting for you," Bud said, taking his wife's hand.

"I thought you didn't love me anymore." Harriet said, looking down at their clasped hands.

"Harriet!" He drew her face up to him. "How could you ever think that? I love you more today than the day I married you."

"I think you need to show me," Harriet whispered.

"Maybe I'll ring the Commander and see if he can have AJ for the night."

"Good idea."

Harm's Apartment

1825

Mac and AJ were curled up on the sofa reading a book when the phone rang. Harm took the call in his bedroom before rejoining them.

"Got any plans for tonight, Mac?" asked Harm, a grin on his face.

"What did you have in mind?" Mac asked cautiously.

"A slumber party!" He announced coming across to the sofa.

"Really?"

"That was Bud he wanted to know if AJ could sleepover. I said yes but I thought if you could stay too we could make it a slumber party, isn't that right, AJ?" he tussled the toddler's hair. AJ just laughed.

"But I don't have any pyjamas to wear," Mac replied.

"I don't have a problem with that," Harm winked at her. "So?"

"I'll stay," she began, "but we'll have to stop by my place in the morning before the service."

Harm picked up AJ from the sofa. "So, little man, what are we going to have for dinner?"

"Burger," said AJ.

"Burger? Is that what he said, Mac?" Harm asked.

"Sounded like it to me." Mac smiled.

Harm shook his head. "We've had him less than ten hours and you've already corrupted him."

"Imagine what I can manage by morning," Mac laughed.

Roberts Residence

1938

"Are you nearly ready, Bud?" Harriet asked looking at the wall clock. They were about to go out to dinner, their first night out together in more than twelve months. Harriet was still apprehensive about going but she had vowed that life was for living and that her baby girl would not begrudge her doing so.

"I'll be right there," Bud called out.

Twenty minutes later, seated at a corner booth at the local Chinese restaurant, Bud kissed his wife's hand. "I love you Harriet," he whispered.

"I love you too, Bud," she kissed his cheek.

Harm's Apartment

2145

It took a wrestling match for Harm and Mac to get AJ into bed and stay there. In the end they had climbed into the bed, one each side, and hugged him. Mac told him the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Harm sang Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and even though he was a very tired little boy, AJ refused to give into the Sandman.

Mac leant down and kissed his forehead. "It's time to go to sleep, AJ," she whispered. He giggled back at her. "AJ, tomorrow's a big day, remember?"

"Sarah's day," said AJ, sleepily.

"That's right," said Harm, "it's Sarah's day."

"Sarah died," AJ said without sorrow, he was too young to know the grief which accompanied death.

"I know she did, kiddo," Harm whispered. "Your sister was a beautiful little girl and your mommy and daddy loved her very much."

"Mommy's sad." AJ announced.

"Yes she is but she'll be happy soon, you'll see." Harm said, kissing the child's forehead.

"Are you sure?" Mac asked.

"Yeah, she asked me to do something for her tomorrow. I think it's a sign that she's moving on." Harm said, a small smile on his face.

"That's good," Mac said quietly.

"Sarah's my sister," said AJ sleepily.

"Yes she was," Harm replied. "Sarah was a very special little girl."

"Daddy says she's angel." AJ yawned again.

"A beautiful angel, who'll always watch over you," Harm said kissing AJ's forehead again as his eyes began to flutter. "I think he's nearly asleep," he said looking up at Mac. Mac wiped away the tears she hoped Harm hadn't seen and quietly got out of the bed.

"Mac? What's wrong? Where are you going?" Harm whispered.

"Nothing, I'm just getting some water," she lied and made her way to the kitchen.

She was standing in the darkened apartment, staring out the kitchen window into the blackness of the night when Harm came out to her ten minutes later.

"I thought you had fallen down the sink you were gone so long," said Harm quietly.

"Sorry, I got distracted," she said brushing away the tears on her cheeks. "AJ asleep?" she asked without turning around.

"Yes he is," Harm replied coming over to her.

"Are you sure? I can go in…" Mac turned to him but kept her head low.

"Mac, AJ's fine, he's asleep. What's going on with you?" He lifted her head up.

"Nothing," she said, clearly lying.

"Try again."

"I'm fine, really I am."

"Mac, you are standing in a dark apartment crying. That's not being fine. Now, talk to me," he said putting his hands on her shoulders and bringing her closer to him.

"Harm, I…I…" she shook her head; she didn't know what she was. All she knew was that anytime Baby Sarah was mentioned she felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow and guilt.

"You're what?" he stroked her hair.

She shook her head again and despite every desire not too she buried her head in his chest and sobbed quietly.

Harm did the only thing he could do in this situation and held her close. He kissed the top of her head and stroked her hair. He spoke quietly to her but it was in vain as she could only hear the sound of her own heart breaking.

"Mac," he whispered, raising her face. "What's this about?"

Mac couldn't answer and before he could press for further information AJ called out and the moment passed.