Monday January 16th

Harm looked out the window as he hung up the phone and let out a sigh. The snow was falling heavily again. He stood just as his wife walked into his office.

"Hi, I was just coming to see you," he said.

"Yeah, thinking about lunch?" she asked.

"That too, but also because I talked to the State Prosecutor about Rose testifying. Since the stepfather confessed, she doesn't need Rose to testify to his abuse of Anna. The technical evidence alone will make sure he's put away for a very long time," Harm said.

"That's great news," Mac was relived. She had been worried about traumatizing the girl further by having to testify in court.

Harm moved around his desk and moved closer to her. "It is."

She put her hand out and touched his arm in a sweet gesture. "I have time for lunch now. You?"

"Me too," he hesitated. "It's really coming down out there."

"We could have something delivered," she suggested.

"That sounds like a plan," he leaned in and kissed her softly. "Sit down and let me order. Salad from Wendy's?"

"Sounds perfect," she agreed.

Later in the day Mac knocked on Rose's bedroom door. "Hi sweetheart. There's a delivery for you."

"For me?" the girl was surprised.

"From grandma Rose," Mac put the box on the bed.

Rose walked over and Mac helped her open the box. "I'll leave you to it," she smiled.

"Thank you, Sarah," Rose said as she reached for an album.

Mac headed downstairs to get started on dinner when she found her oldest daughter walking in from the hallway. "Mattie?"

"Hi, Mom. I thought I'd see if there was anything good for dinner?" Mattie smiled and hugged her Mom.

"How's it going?" Mac asked.

"Busy, but that's okay," she shrugged.

Mac turned towards the kitchen. "You can help with dinner, and tell me how you're really feeling."

Mattie smiled. "I can do that. I've been packing up the rest of Brian's things."

They headed for the kitchen. "Not so fun huh?" Mac asked.

"Not really. I mean, we agreed to end things, and it was the right decision, but I do miss him," Mattie admitted. "He was a good boyfriend."

Mac put her arm around her daughter's shoulder. "You'll be okay. Just give it time."

"Yeah," Mattie smiled. "So, what are we making?"

"Pasta," Mac turned when her husband walked into the kitchen.

"What are you doing here?" he hugged Mattie. "You never returned my call."

"That's why I'm here, to apologize for forgetting to return the call," she teased.

"And to have a decent meal?" he suggested.

"And that too," she admitted.

"Is Claire home yet?" Harm wondered.

"Nope, just called to say that she's on her way. They have really been struggling with this history project. I think Claire thinks that Vera is a little lazy," Mac said with a chuckle.

"Did anyone take the time to explain to Claire that not everyone can keep up with her speed?" Mattie asked.

Harm laughed softly. "I think we all have at one point."

"Are you two going to help?" Mac asked.

"I'm on it," Mattie said.

Harm kissed Mac's cheek. "Since you have a helper, I'm spending some time in the office."

"You can do the cleaning," Mac teased.

"Anything for you Sweet Thing," he said as he turned to leave.

Mattie smiled. "You two are just adorable," she teased.

"Thanks," Mac smiled. "So, how are you really feeling?"

Mattie hesitated. "It comes in waves. What I don't know is if I miss Brian, or if I miss not having someone. I like Brian, but I'm not sure that he was the one. He wanted to get married, but I wanted to focus on my career, and in the end, he admitted that he was more interested in someone who would let him focus on his career. I couldn't be that person for him."

"Sounds like the two of you made a good choice," Mac agreed. "You know, I almost married someone once, I loved him, but not enough to marry him. In the end he knew that, and he was right when he called off the wedding."

Mattie nodded. "I guess what I really want is someone that has room for both me and my career. A partner and best friend. Like you and Dad. You have both managed to have great careers, and a family. That's what I want."

Mac smiled warmly. "You know, there was a time when Harm and I wasn't the poster couple for a healthy relationship."

Mattie nodded. "Oh yeah, I remember. But even back then, you would support each other no matter what."

"I guess you're right," Mac agreed.

"So, how is Claire and that Tim guy doing?" Mattie wondered.

"Well, she says that they are just friends, but I think that she likes him," Mac hesitated. "He seems like a nice boy, but I hope she doesn't rush into anything."

"She won't," Mattie said with conviction. "We had a long big sister to little sister talk."

Mac smiled. "I'm glad she has a big sister she can talk to."

"It's nice to have her confide in me," Mattie admitted. "Did she ever go to that party this weekend?"

"No, she wasn't allowed. The funny thing is that Tim's Mom said no too, so they ended up staying here watching a movie," Mac smiled.

"I bet Dad is happy she's dating someone with a strict parent?" Mattie said with laughter.

Mac chuckled. "Oh yeah, he's happy, and so am I."

Harm walked by Rose's room and saw the girl looking through an album. He knocked. "Did you get the box from grandma Rose?"

Rose nodded. "I did. She even sent some candy, and look, new shoes."

"That's nice, but no candy on a weekday," Harm reminded her.

"Okay," Rose said and turned the page of the album. "My Mom and me."

Harm looked at the picture she was pointing at. "That's a nice picture. You were a cute baby," Harm smiled. "You miss her."

"I do," Rose hesitated. "I mean, I like it here…"

"I know you do, but it's okay to miss your Mom. I'm happy with my life, but I still miss my Dad," Harm said reassuringly. "Your Mom will always be with you in your heart."

Rose wiped away a tear. "I just wish she would still be here."

Harm put his hand on Rose's shoulder. "I know." He sat down on the bed beside her. "It's okay to grieve." He was surprised when Rose suddenly hugged him close and cried. He put his arms around her. "It's okay, just let it out."

Wednesday January 18th

Harm felt silly walking down the school hallway with a bright pink bag. The things you do for your kids, he thought as he found the right classroom and knocked. He got the bag delivered to Rose and said goodbye before heading back outside. He had a meeting in thirty minutes and he didn't want to be late.

"Mr. Rabb?"

He turned and found the school's principal Mrs. Flynn hurrying after him.

"Mrs. Flynn," he said.

"You are a fast walker, Mr. Rabb. I'm glad I managed to talk to you," Mrs. Flynn said.

"Is everything okay with Rose?" Harm asked with worry.

"Oh yes, she's doing fine. Your son Matthew sure helped her get settled last week. A good boy that one," Mrs. Flynn smiled. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about Rose's class going to the Smithsonian on Friday. Originally, we had enough parent's, but now two have called me to say that they couldn't make it anyway. I was going to call Mrs. Rabb about it, but then I saw you and I thought I'd just ask you."

Harm hesitated. "Sure, let me see if I can move some things around then get back to you."

"Great. Thank you, Mr. Rabb," Mrs. Flynn offered a sweet smile than turned to walk into school again.

Harm let out a groan. The last time he went to the Smithsonian two of the boys in Matthew's class managed to get away twice, then ended up knocking down a dinosaur.

Later that night

Harm finished drying off after his shower, then brushed his teeth and slipped on boxers before stepping out of the bathroom. He had been playing basketball after dinner and had just come home.

"You didn't tell me how it went in court?"

Mac looked up from the book she was reading. "The prosecution sure has a lot of witnesses."

"So you're thinking that they'll get a conviction?" he wondered.

"I haven't begun presenting my defense yet, and it's all circumstantial. They have no direct proof that our client was even outside the theatre the night of the shooting."

"But it was young Mr. Delaney's fingerprints on the gun, and he did have grudge against the victim," Harm pointed out.

"There were also many other fingerprints on that gun. One was a dead gang members. It could have been anyone from the gang he used to run with. Ron has cleaned up his act and broken it off with them. He's in school, he lives with his Dad who assured me that his kid wouldn't have done anything like this," Mac hesitated and pushed her glasses up on her nose. "I know, any parent would say the same."

Harm smiled and slumped down on the bed. "You'll get him off so that he can continue on his righteous path."

"Thanks for the confidence, honey," she put the book away and took off her glasses.

"Don't take them off," Harm said with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "You're hot with glasses."

She smiled as she put them away. "Yeah? Is that a fantasy you have?"

"Could be," he took her hand and kissed it. "Guess what?"

"What?" she lay down and turned to him.

"I'm going with Rose's class to the Smithsonian on Friday," he said.

Mac laughed softly. "Remember last time you were there?"

"We had the place closed down, I remember," he smiled. "But hey, if we end up losing someone I know how to handle it."

"You'll do fine," she reassured.

"Can we go back to you wearing your glasses now?" he wondered suggestively.

"What kinda fantasy is it you have anyway? Hot librarian?" she asked and reached for her glasses.

He wiggled his eyebrows. "I was thinking hot wife with glasses," he said and leaned in and kissed her.

"I thought you were tired after basketball?" she giggled when he found her ticklish spot behind her ear.

"I think I can manage some extra activity," he said between kisses. "We need to lose the nightshirt."

She laughed softly and pulled him closer.