Prompt:Mary, Marshall (or Mary/Marshall), Norah; Mary learns Norah is deaf, Marshall teaches Mary sign language

Mary knew something was wrong with Norah the second she didn't respond to the sound of the ice cream truck driving by the park. At first she thought her daughter had been more interested in her toy, but when she looked around she noticed all the other kids Norah's age and even younger turned toward the music. Her daughter continued to play unaware of any of the loud noises going on around her.

She grabbed her phone and dialed the only person she could think of to ask.

"Mann's House of Pie."

"Marshall, how…" Mary started, but was suddenly afraid of the answer she might receive.

"Mare, what's wrong?"

"How do you know if something is wrong with a child's hearing?"

"Why are you asking?" Marshall asked unable to conceal his concern for the little girl he considered to be his own.

Mary relayed what was happening in the park.

"Mary, call her doctor and schedule a hearing test. She might have hearing loss or she might have fluid in her ear. You won't know for sure until she's tested. Let me know when and I can go with you, if you'd like."

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Mary had Marshall come with her when they got the news. Her little bug was deaf. The doctor's threw so much information at her that she couldn't even think clearly anymore. The best advice she had heard was from Marshall. He had suggested she take a step back, let the fact sink in and then make her choices for Norah.

It helped that he was her boss, best friend and her significant other. She refused to say boyfriend since they weren't teenagers. Marshall had told her to take a week off and just process through everything.

On the fourth night she asked Marshall to come over early. Needing someone she could trust opinion, Mary went with the most logical choice. After discussing things thoroughly she knew what she wanted to do or at least a good idea.

"Marshall, could you please teach me sign language? You're the only person I know who has the patience to deal with me. I need to be able to talk to Norah in a way she'll understand."

"It would be my pleasure. How about we start with the alphabet, go through the easier things to say and then work our way through it. What I don't know, we could both go to a class together to learn it or I could go and teach you what I've learned."

"Thank you," Mary said before pulling him to her and kissing him passionately.

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Mary had been learning a lot from Marshall and they were both going to classes together. They spoke at work and signed what they were saying to keep their skill levels up. Delia had even started taking lessons. It was good practice for all of them.

It was interesting to Mary how their relationship grew stronger as they learned how to communicate with Norah. Marshall had found an extension of the New Mexico School for the deaf in Albuquerque for when she was older.

Mary had left Marshall in the kitchen while she put Norah to bed.

"I love you," Mary said and signed to Norah.

Turning around she saw Marshall watching them with a goofy smirk on his face. It was at that moment her heart finally realized it was time to tell him what she'd had the teacher show her one day when Marshall was unable to attend class.

Walking over to him she placed a gentle kiss on his lips before leading him to their bedroom. Mary let Marshall change first and when he walked out she started to head towards the bathroom.

"Marshall," she said turning around.

"Yeah, Mare."

Mary signed to him the words she had longed to tell him.

"I love you to, Mare."

"Marry me?"

Marshall signed his answer back.

"You owe me a ring," Mary said, climbing into bed and wrapping her arms around Marshall.