Friday night

Harm steered the sauce then turned down the heat. He wiped his hands and turned to his wife who had just finished the pizza dough and put it away so it could have time to rise. They had agreed on a quiet weekend at home. Grams had arrived the day before and would stay with them a week. Mac had wanted to celebrate his promotion and new command with a dinner somewhere fancy, but he had insisted on a nice family dinner to celebrate.

"The sauce is cooking, the dough is rising," he smiled. "Everything is under control."

"Pizza was a good idea," she took his hand.

"And you have flour on your cheek," he chuckled and wiped it away. "I'm glad we decided on a quiet night at home. I really wasn't in the mood to go out."

"You've been quiet since you got your promotion on Tuesday," she tugged on his hand. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just tired," he sat down on a barstool. "You know," he tugged on her hand to make her sit down. "I 've never really thanked you for being so supportive."

"I'm sure you have, and it's not like I have to make any effort to be supportive," she smiled as she sat down. "I have a lot of faith in you, you know."

"I know," he smiled. "I just hope I won't let you down."

"You'll do fine," she assured him. "I'm glad you decided to take the position, because you still have a lot to give. And you're a little young to retire," she added teasingly."

"I'm not as young as I used to be either," he pointed out. "Although, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," he wiggled his eyebrows and leaned in and kissed her.

She laughed softly. "I bet you do."

He was about to kiss her again when Matthew barged into the kitchen. "I'm starving!"

Harm reluctantly let go of his wife. "It'll be a little while longer, buddy."

Matthew slumped his shoulder. "Too much kissing, Dad, not enough cooking," he complained.

Mac laughed softly. "Come on, you can have an apple while you wait." She rose and walked over to the fridge. "Go talk to Grams, she's been waiting for you to come home." She washed the apple and handed it to her son.

Matthew took the apple. "Thanks Mom."

"You are grumpier when you're hungry than you mother is when she's hungry," Harm commented.

"Hey!" Mac pretended to be offended.

Matthew took a big bite of the apple. "Later," he said and walked out of the kitchen.

"Let's make out while we wait for the dough to finish," Harm suggested.

Mac smiled. "Let's."

Their lips met, then again, they were interrupted. "Sorry," Grams said.

Harm and Mac broke apart. "No problem," Harm said.

"I was just coming to see if I could help with something?" Grams smiled.

"Nope, everything is under control," Mac assured her.

"Then I'll go be with my precious great grandkids, and leave the two of you to cook, and stuff," she added the last part with a teasing gleam in her eyes.

Harm chuckled, then pulled his wife close again. "Now, where were we?"

Sunday

Harm ran his hand down his wife's thigh, putting it on her knee, the other hand on her belly, resting his chin on her shoulder. She had taken her shoes and socks off, letting her feet touch the soft sand. The kids were running around with their dragons in the light breeze with Grams helping Matthew. It wasn't warm, but a light jacket was enough as they enjoyed a picnic on the beach. He loved sitting like this, being close to the love of his life, watching the joy on their children's faces and spending time with his grandmother, feeling lucky to still have her in his life.

"This was a great idea, handsome."

He nodded against her shoulder. "I love days like this and it has been a long time since we visited Annapolis."

"You have a lot of Academy memories here," she turned her head to look at him.

"You know, I never quite managed the social part of my youth. That's why Keeter calls me Mr. Boring," he chuckled. "I was so focused on school and my Naval career, sometimes I feel like I missed out on being a kid."

"But you must have made some memories other than school," she smiled teasingly. "Girls."

"Well," he smirked. "I guess there was a few, but seriously, I was pretty shy."

"I wish I could go back and meet you back then," she studied him. "When did you turn into a ladies man anyway? Did that come with the gold wings?"

"Ah, yeah I guess. Pilots tend to get a lot of female attention," he offered a cute smile. "It didn't work on you though."

"Oh, it worked," she admitted. "You're a hard man to resist, Harmon."

He laughed softly. "I got you eventually," he leaned in and kissed her softly. "I love you, Sarah." ยจ

"I love you too," she let out a contented sigh. "You make me happy."

"Good, because I'm happy too. This here," he looked over to where the kids were playing. "beats everything. It's my greatest accomplishment."

"Yeah, we've done good," she agreed.

"If I ever lose focus on what's important, just kick me or something," he suggested.

She laughed softly. "I will find a way to let you know."

"I don't doubt you for a second," he kissed her softly, letting it linger.

"Don't worry, we've got this," Mac assured him.

Monday, one week later

Harm leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh. JAG was under control and it was a good feeling. He thought about what Mac had told him, about being proud of him for the way he had handled the mess Admiral Young had left behind for him. He had to admit that he was proud too of the work he had done. The doubts he had about taking the position had been washed away as Mac constantly reminded him that he had done amazing work after he took over as acting JAG, and now being the JAG. He was glad to have her as his partner in life, feeling thankful every day, and as she would say often to him, she was thankful to have him in her life.

A knock on the door made him snap out of his thoughts. "Sir, do you have a moment?"

"Come in Petty Officer," he said to his yeoman.

O'Neil looked hesitant. "Sir," she stepped fully into the room and walked over to his desk. "I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy working for you, and how thankful I am that you let me stay on as your yeoman."

"You're doing a great job, O'Neil," Harm smiled reassuringly. "Tell me something, from what I've gathered from the people in this office, Admiral Young wasn't easy to work for. What made you stay?"

O'Neil hesitated. "Well, sir, my Dad is a retired Chief. He was Navy all the way, still is actually," she smiled. "I guess I've been afraid to let him down by giving up this opportunity. It hasn't been easy, I have to admit that hearing about Admiral Young's retirement came as a relief for me."

Harm nodded. "I can understand that."

"Well, sir, I just wanted to thank you, and express how glad I am that you are the new Judge Advocate General of the Navy," she smiled. "I'll leave you to your work now."

"Thanks O'Neil," he said just as there was a knock on his door and Mac appeared in his doorway. "Hey," he greeted her with a sweet smile.

"Hey, just wanted to remind you that Nathan's game is today," Mac said and offered a sweet smile in O'Neil's direction. "Petty Officer."

"Ma'am," O'Neil greeted her than turned to Harm. "If that was all, sir?"

"Dismissed," Harm said and stood. "I'm ready to go," he said to his wife. "How was your day?"

"It was okay," she smiled. "Yours?"

"Pretty good," he took her hand. "I'm up to speed, my people seems happy, so all in all I think it's going pretty damn great," he flashed her a sweet smile. "Let's go home."

"Sounds good," she agreed.