AN: Okay, I know I promised "not to go there", but I think I changed my mind. No spanking in this chapter (though there is a love tap!), but in future chapters there might be.
Mattie awoke when Mac's alarm clock rang at 4:00. She had had a full 10 hours of sleep, so she felt ready to get up, though she was slightly disoriented at her change of locations. As she still had not talked with Mac and Harm since her rebelliousness, an uneasiness settled over her. Mac, however, anticipated that, and immediately wrapped her arms around her daughter.
"Good morning. I love you."
So, as to not start a fresh round of tears, Mattie said nothing.
Harm also stirred, sitting up in bed and taking in his wife and daughter.
"I think I will go make some pancakes and coffee. Sound good?"
Mac smiled and Harm went to the kitchen to get started on breakfast. Mattie, however, took his lack of interaction with her as rejection. Mac felt her stiffen when Harm left.
"Mattie?"
"I talked with Susan at school yesterday."
Mac stayed quiet, wanting Mattie to lead the conversation.
"She said maybe I didn't have to be bad. That I could test you with my love." Mattie finished providing the details of her in class note with Mac and ended with, "But I think I pushed Harm too far."
Mac, having none of that took Mattie by the hand and led her out to where Harm brewing coffee.
"Your daughter needs to know that you still love her."
Harm raised an eyebrow and looked at Mattie for three seconds before pulling her into an embrace. Although, she tensed, he refused to move until she settled into him. She waited until he could feel her relax before he started speaking.
"I will always love you. No matter what you do."
"But you used 'Grace' instead of 'Rabb' yesterday when—"
"And that was wrong. I shouldn't have said that."
"No, I was being horrible and—"
"And I shouldn't have said that." Harm pulled her a little tighter. "You are my daughter, Matilda Rabb. Always will be."
"Sometimes, I don't think I deserve to be."
Mattie jumped and inhaled quickly more out of surprise than pain when a quick smack was landed on her bottom.
"Don't you ever say that again, or you will find yourself over my knee, understand young lady?"
Behind them, Mac reached to join in the hug, "And mine, too."
Mattie smiled.