Last chapter I think, fluff ahead.

"Where've you been, I missed you?" Harry got up from his desk and slid his arms around Ruth's waist.

"I had things to do, Harry."

"Things?"

"Yes, things."

"What? Christmassy things?" he said secretively into her ear.

"Possibly, possibly not."

"Tell me, Ruth," he started kissing her neck.

"No," she was enjoying this.

"Have you been buying my present "

"Do I look like I've been shopping?"

"No" he murmured.

"Mind you, I have seen something for James."

"Dinosaur, or Thomas the Tank?" he breathed.

"Spiderman. Keep up Harry, dinosaurs were so last week!"

He stopped kissing her.

"Please, don't tell me I have to have Spiderman socks now."

"No, you're safe."

"Thank god", he said, "any credibility I had with Alec is well and truly shot."

Ruth laughed and turned to the door, "Spiderman pants, however, that's another matter." A flying glove hit the door as she slid it shut.

Alec handed Ruth a file as she crossed the grid "That paperwork you needed," he said and smiled at her.

"Thanks, Alec,"

"My pleasure, Ruth."

Harry picked up his ringing phone.

"Emma, is anything wrong?...Yes, yes of course, I understand…Don't worry come up now."

Harry crossed the grid to Ruth. "Emma's brother's been in an accident and she has to go to the hospital, she's here now, with James."

"Right," said Ruth.

With that the pod doors opened and there stood the two of them. James ignored Harry and Ruth and shouted, "Deetry, fly me!" running straight into Dimitri's arms. He was hoisted aloft.

"Emma, are you okay?" asked Ruth.

"Yes, fine but I have to go. I'll see you soon" she replied and smiled as she handed Ruth the car keys.

Alec was whispering in Beth's ear and Tariq was smiling as James hovered somewhere over Beth's desk squealing with pleasure.

"Here we go again," said Harry to Ruth, "let's see how much he manages to sabotage this time."

"Oh, I don't know, I think we've got him better trained this time."

Harry looked at her with wide eyed wonder.

Dimitri helped James hover to a gentle landing in front of Beth who gave him a big hug whilst Alec said something to Dimitri who grinned.

James turned from whispering to Beth and walked over to Harry.

"Hello buggerlugs," said Harry and ruffled his hair.

"Hello, daddy."

"What have…." Harry was interrupted.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, James."

"When are you going to get married?"

Harry was unusually speechless. The others stifled their laughter. James glanced at Ruth, she smiled encouragingly at him.

"Well…" said Harry, he was, however, interrupted again.

"I'd like you to," said James sagely and once more looked to Ruth. Harry was beginning to suspect that this was a set up.

"Well, I would be happy to get married, son but it's not just down to me."

"But I want you to."

Harry looked round at the audience that was the grid.

"And when would you like this to happen, James."

"Tomorrow."

Harry laughed. James looked crestfallen and turned to Ruth, "but you said it was tomorrow."

Harry looked at Ruth, everyone else held their collective breaths.

"Harry, will you marry me tomorrow?" said Ruth.

Once more Harry said nothing.

James was getting worried, they'd told him this would be fun and daddy would be happy.

"Please marry mummy, she said you would."

Now it was Ruth's turn to look shocked. It was the first time James had ever called her that, it was the first time she'd ever been called that.

Harry smiled, it certainly hadn't gone unnoticed by him either.

"You said I would. That's exceedingly confident of you, Ruth?"

"Harry if you don't say yes, then James and I are going to Paris on our own."

"Paris?" he was lost.

"Yes, we're getting married in Paris and then having a holiday.

"To Eurodisney!" exclaimed James.

"Amongst other places," added Ruth.

Harry looked at her and at James.

"But how? The time off…"

"All sorted, the DG's okayed it, the paperwork's all signed, in fact you signed most of it yourself" she said and then smiled at Alec "and the bags are packed and in the car downstairs, as provided by Emma."

"With my toys?" yelled James.

"Yes, with your toys." Ruth assured him.

"Come on Harry, for god sakes say yes," Alec shouted.

They all looked at Harry.

"Please say yes, Harry." Ruth looked at him beginning to wonder if she'd done the wrong thing, she hadn't even mentioned her preliminary meeting to adopt James, which seemed like a little too much right now.

He shook his head.

He looked at James.

He looked at Ruth.

He took a deep breath, "Eurodisney?"

"Yeaaah!" said James.

"Amongst other places," added Ruth once more.

"In that case I would love nothing more than to marry you, Ruth, I'm only surprised it took you this long to ask."

She laughed and kissed him.

"Though I have the distinct feeling that I've been played," whispered Harry as he held her tight.

"Well, I may have made the odd suggestion to James," she grinned.

"Now can I have a baby brother for Christmas?" said James.

"Ruth?"

"That, Harry, I most definitely did not suggest."

He smiled. "Let's see what Santa brings, son."

Thanks to Lady J for the end idea. An epilogue may follow.