Monday January 23rd

Harm slowed down to a walk as he neared their driveway. He hadn't had time to work out during the weekend because they had been busy with Matthew and Claire's activities and events, so he had decided to get up early and go for a run. He saw their neighbor across the street, Jim, wave and smile with his morning newspaper. Harm lifted his hand in a greeting and Jim crossed the road.

"Good morning, Harm," Jim said.

"Morning," Harm stopped and smiled. Jim was a nice guy, they didn't have all that much in common, except for their love for their 68 Corvettes.

"I guess you heard that Shelly left me," Jim said.

Harm shook his head. "No, when?"

"Last week," Jim slumped his shoulders in defeat. "It came as a surprise to tell you the truth. I thought we were happy," he shrugged. "Anyway, I seem to be in the need of a good lawyer."

"Anything you need, Jim," Harm assured him. "Call my office and make an appointment."

"I will do that," Jim hesitated. "I'm suspecting an affair, and I'll be damned if that woman screws me over and take half my money and the kids."

"We better make sure she doesn't. Although, I'm sure Shelly will be reasonable," Harm reassured.

"It's just the way she did it," Jim complained. "Blaming me for her not finishing her education. Leaving school to raise the kids was her idea. I've always done everything to make her happy, and now she blames me for ruining her life. It's a bit of a shock to tell you the truth."

"I can understand that," Harm started moving again. "I better stretch and get in the shower. Don't want to catch pneumonia in this cold."

Jim nodded. "I'll make that appointment."

Mac was just stepping out of the shower when Harm walked into their bathroom. He whistled when he saw her, and laughed when she rolled her eyes and wrapped a towel around her body.

"Don't cover up for me," he said as he started undressing.

"We don't have the time," she smiled and wrapped a towel around her hair. "How was your run?"

"It was great," he finished undressing and stepped into the shower. "I talked to Jim. Did you know about the divorce?"

"Kelly told me when we were at the ice rink on Saturday. Apparently Shelley has been having an affair," Mac found the blow-dryer and removed the towel around her hair.

"That sucks," Harm said as he found the soap. "I had no idea they were having problems. They sure seemed happy the last time we had them over for dinner."

"I don't think Jim knew about the affair until someone mentioned seeing her with someone else," Mac pointed out.

"Pretty stupid starting an affair with someone," Harm finished washing off the soap then turned the water off. "Hand me the towel, please?"

Mac found a towel from the closet and handed it to him. "According to Kelly, Shelly have been unhappy for a long time. She gave up a lot to stay home with the kids. She was halfway through college when they married, then had a baby soon after that. I'm not saying that it's an excuse, but they have been married for a long time."

"Marriage is forever," Harm said matter of factually.

"Even if you're unhappy?" Mac questioned as she started blow-drying her hair.

Harm finished drying and slipped boxers on. "I guess not, but at least end one thing before starting something new."

"I agree," Mac smiled as Harm stepped up behind her and looked in the mirror. "I need a haircut."

"You're not in the Navy anymore," she reminded him.

"I don't want to look like a bum," he said with a chuckle. "Besides, you like it short."

"I do," she finished with the blow-drier and turned it off.

"Jim asked me to handle the divorce," Harm said as he walked out of the bathroom.

Mac finished applying her make-up and fixing her hair before she walked out of the bathroom. Harm was dressed in his suit, busy typing on his phone. "I have a busy day in court, can you take the kids?"

He nodded absentmindedly. "Sure. I'll handle dinner too."

"You're such a good husband," she said teasingly as she dropped her towel and started dressing.

Harm looked up when the bedroom door opened and Matthew barged in. "What's for breakfast?" he wondered.

Mac smiled. "We're running late, so cereal."

"I can make oatmeal," Harm suggested.

Mac finished dressing. "I have to go, Dad's taking you to school. Be good today."

Matthew flashed her a bright smile. "I'm always good."

Mac smiled and hugged him. "You are, most of the time."

"Do I get a goodbye?" Harm wondered.

Mac stepped closer to him and kissed him softly. "You be good too."

Harm laughed softly. "I'm always good," he pulled her in for another kiss. "You be careful on the icy roads."

"You too," she smiled. "And remember that Rose needs her gym bag."

"Yes, ma'am," Harm said.

Harm didn't like to admit it, but after his talk with Jim he had been wondering about what Jim had said about the divorce coming as a surprise. He had been under the impression that they were happy. What bothered Harm about it was that he had always seen Jim and Shelly as a very happy couple. They always seemed in tune and obviously very caring about each other. How did two people know if the other was happy or not?

"Harm? Harm?"

He looked up. "What?"

Jennifer smiled. "I have that deposition for you," she handed it over and saw that Harm looked confused. "For the Himmler case."

"Of course, thanks Jenn," he took the file. "Aren't you in court with Mac today?"

"I am, but she needed some notes that she left so I volunteered to get them," she smiled. "I'm on my way back now."

"Okay," Harm stood. "I better get going. I have a meeting."

"Bud wanted me to remind you that it was changed. Mr. Dimple couldn't make it so it was postponed until tomorrow," Jenn reminded him.

"That's right," Harm hesitated. "Jenn, tell me something, how can you know that someone is truly happy in a marriage?"

Jenn looked confused. "I'm not sure I understand."

"A neighbor is getting divorced. His wife's choice. Anyway, he swears he didn't know that she was unhappy," Harm said with wonder. "How could he not notice?"

"Maybe he didn't notice because he was taking her for granted," Jennifer suggested. "It's easy to do, I feel like I take Victor for granted all the time and I have to remind myself to take the time to say how much I appreciate him."

Harm nodded. "I guess you're right. We do tend to take people for granted."

"How long had they been married?" Jennifer wondered.

"They got together in College, and he's a couple of years older than me, so a long time," Harm smiled. "But my Mom and Frank has been married for forty years and they are really happy."

"Some people just belong together," Jennifer smiled. "I like to think that Victor and I will be happy when we're eighty."

Harm nodded. "Yeah. You know, Mom and Frank still hold hands when they walk."

"That's really sweet," Jennifer agreed. "I better go."

"And I better get some work done," Harm said and sat down. He reached for his phone and sent Mac a text that he loved her. He didn't want to take her for granted.

Mac found the house quiet when she arrived home that afternoon. She knew that Matthew had hockey and that they probably weren't home yet. She heard music as she entered the living room and found her daughter by the dining table, along with her classmate Vera and her friend/boyfriend Tim.

"Hi guys," she greeted them.

"Hi, Mom," Claire smiled and stood to help with the groceries. "How was court?"

"Hopefully the prosecution will rest soon so that I can begin presenting my case," she handed a grocery bag over to her daughter. "How's the project?"

"Okay," Claire followed her mother to the kitchen. "Vera is a bit lazy," she whispered. "We're getting there."

"I see Tim is here," Mac smiled teasingly.

"We're just friends," Claire said and started emptying the bag.

"Okay," Mac hesitated. "Did I forget the pasta?"

Claire held it up. "Nope."

"Good," Mac smiled. "I sent your Dad a message that I would take care of dinner. I want to make a dish I found online. Your Dad always find these great new dishes, and I wanted to try something new too. Can't let him be the only one who can be adventurous."

"I'm sure you'll do great. I better get back to work," Claire smiled teasingly. "You and Dad have the coolest relationship. All the teasing and bantering, but also so much love. That's what I want."

Mac thought about it, then smiled lovingly. "It is pretty great."

Claire laughed. "Have fun with dinner."

It was an hour later when Harm walked into the kitchen with flowers, followed by Matthew and Rose.

"Hi guys. Dinner will be ready soon," Mac said glancing up from her phone. "Just checking some things in the recipe."

Harm walked over and looked at what was cooking. "It smells great," he complimented.

Mac smiled brightly as he handed her the flowers. "Thank you. What are these for?"

"Just because I appreciate you," he leaned in and kissed her. "And because I love you."

"I love you too," she said and hugged him close. They are beautiful."

"So, when's dinner?" Matthew wondered.

"When you have set the table," Mac said.

"I walked right into that one, didn't I, Mom?" Matthew said with laughter. "Rose, want to help?"

"What do I get in return?" Rose wondered.

"Food," Matthew said with an eyeroll.

Harm and Mac shared amused looks. "I better put these in water," Mac said.