Saturday, one week later

Matthew Harmon Rabb ran into the kitchen and almost collided with his father. After a shrug as his father reminded him to slow down he jumped up on a chair and reached for a pancake. Harm and Mac shared amused looks.

"I'm ready to go," Matthew said with his mouth full.

"Buddy, we have the time to eat properly," Harm reminded him. "We'll go when I'm ready, and I haven't even had my coffee yet," he sat down by his wife's side.

"Are you coming flying, Mom?" Matthew wondered.

"Nope, it'll be just you and your father today," Mac smiled. Nathan and Claire were on sleepovers and wouldn't be home until later in the day, so she had the whole day to relax with a good book.

"More flying for me then," Matthew flashed her a huge smile.

Mac was amused. "He's so your son."

"No doubt about that," Harm agreed. The week had been quiet, a relief after the hectic weeks prior. The media had quieted down and found someone else to write about, and the phones had been quiet. Harm put his hand on Mac's shoulder and rubbed it softly as he sipped his coffee. He had been reminded again last week about how important she was to him, in every way. "What will you do today?" he wondered.

"Read," she sipped her coffee. "Do some laundry maybe."

"That sounds boring, Mom," Matthew commented.

"Well, your clothes don't wash themselves you know," she reminded him.

"I guess," Matthew stood. "May I go play?"

"Are you sure you're done?" Mac wondered.

"Yes, ma'am," Matthew finished his juice. "Let me know when we're going, Dad."

"Did you forget something?" Harm wondered.

Matthew hesitated, then reached for his plate and glass. "Sorry."

Harm chuckled. "You won't be bored on your own then?"

"Nope, I'll be fine with a book," she reassured.

He nodded. "I was thinking that I want to do something special for you."

"Special?" she wondered.

"As a thank you for being you and for having my back," he smiled. "It's been crazy, and you've been amazing."

"You don't have to do anything, Harm. We're a team," she leaned in and kissed him softly.

"But it's easy to take the person closest to you for granted, and I never want to do that with you," he hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she let out a happy sigh.

"So, what do you want to do? Fancy dinner? Weekend away?" he suggested.

She looked thoughtful. "There's one thing you can do."

"Name it," he requested.

"Tonight, make those amazing homemade burgers, and we'll eat together all of us," she smiled.

He nodded. "I can do that."

"Good," she kissed him again.

Later that day

Harm put Sarah safely down on the ground again. They had been up for hours and Matthew was so disappointed when Harm started their descent. It was nice to have a little father and son quality time. The previous day Matthew had been with him to work, alternating between staying with him and Mac. He'd sat in on the trial Mac was preceding over and had a thousand questions about that afterwards, then he'd been with Harm in his office and spent some time with Commander Graves, and Petty Officer O'Neil had taken him out for ice cream while Harm was in a meeting. According to Matthew it had been an awesome day.

"Do we really have to stop?" Matthew wondered as Harm helped him down from the plane.

"Yes," Harm ruffled his hair. "We're having ice cream too, right? And we have some shopping to do for tonight's dinner."

"Yeah, I guess," Matthew shrugged. "It was awesome up there, Dad."

"I agree," Harm smiled.

"When can we go up again?" Matthew wondered as Harm started looking over the plane.

"Soon, I hope," Harm chuckled. "Very soon."

They went to have ice cream, the did a little grocery shopping before returning home.

Later

Mac had just finishing hanging up clothes when she heard the front door open and shut.

"In here," she called and soon Matthew peaked inside. "How was it?"

"Mom, it was so cool," Matthew walked over. "I got to fly her alone too."

"You look so happy," she smiled and kissed his cheek. "Just like seeing your father."

"He's pretty happy too," Harm stepped through the doorway.

"Hey," she kissed him softly. "I'm glad you two had so much fun together."

"Me too," Harm ruffled Matthew's hair.

"I was thinking about getting started on lunch," Mac made a motion to head out the door.

"We'll help," Harm followed her.

They made lunch and ate, then the door rang and some of Matthew's friends wanted him to come out and play. Mac found her husband out on the porch a little later with his phone.

"Busy?" she wondered as she put a mug with coffee in front of him.

"Nah, just checking my email," he smiled as she sat down beside him, and moved his arm around her shoulder. "So, I've done some soul-searching."

She looked at him curiously. "Yeah?"

"I'm not saying that I'm not happy about my decision. It was an honor to be appointed the new JAG," he hesitated. "But I've come to realize that workwise I'm busier than ever, and there's a lot more eyes following me, and you guys too."

"We knew that," she wondered where he was going with this.

"What I'm trying to say is that I have to make every moment with the kids, and you," he pulled her closer. "count."

"Well, that sounds like a plan," she smiled. "But Harm, you already make it count. I don't want you to walk around with a bad conscience. You're a great father, and a great husband. We are lucky."

"I'm the lucky one. "He wrapped both arms around her and kissed the top of her head."