Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from The Millennium Trilogy.

Do not for a second think that I don't appreciate all of the alerts or those who have His Sally as a favorite. Thank you all, silent readers you are also very appreciated, although I would like to hear from you as well.

This is the last for now people. As always read and review! The more reviews the more inspired I get. To those located in the United States' East Coast, I hope we survive the heat wave .

Chapter 22

The week after their Aaron free weekend Mikael took his son to Millennium, Lisbeth was going to a motorcycle show and then was having dinner with Mimi. He was in charge of baby Aaron for the day. Fortunately it would be a slow day; he already finished the major contracts the week before.

He went into the building and greeted the employees who were already there. Aaron was babbling away like always. Mikael felt proud of that, his son was an early bloomer and was up to date with his milestones or so the pediatrician told him. Her name was Anna Glasky. She always flirted with him and was enraptured with Aaron.

Mikael would have not wasted the opportunity but now she had Lisbeth and was not interested in the doctor. It was getting uncomfortable, he managed to downplay her advances and keep her at a distance but she was relentless. Aaron had an appointment tomorrow and he did not know how to deal with Glasky's advances. He would play his last card on Lisbeth, the jealousy card. If he went with his Sally maybe then the doctor would back off.

Mikael formulated a plan in his mind. The pediatrician always called the day before to confirm the appointment; she would call early in the evening. He would make Lisbeth pick up. Mikael looked at his son who was busy ripping paper. He was making a mess out of his discarded mail. Aaron smiled at him; Eriksson entered the office and asked for the latest article about Swedish participation on the United Nations.

"Who do we have here, little Aaron Blomkvist. Are you behaving little guy?" Malin picked up the baby and cuddled him. All of the female population was smitten with his son. The women and some men at the magazine loved when Aaron visited. He had Millennium magazine wrapped around his chubby fingers.

Eriksson left the office with the baby, she promised to have him back after lunch. She was one of the few people who could take care of Aaron. The list was very small: Annika, Enrico, Erika and Malin.

Mikael continued his work until 4:30. He and Aaron left the office and headed home. His Sally would not be home until around 7:00 or so. He turned on the TV and watched the news, same old, same old. He let Aaron crawl and rip more paper.

It was 8:00 PM when Lisbeth entered the apartment, she was exhausted, the motorcycle show was great. She saw some good bikes and met with some people she even saw Paolo Roberto. They chatted and Lisbeth invited her to have dinner with her and Mimi.

The three friends spent a lovely evening talking about boxing and trying to meet up for a training session. Mimi told Roberto about her life in France, he already knew about Lisbeth's life. He was after all an honorary member of the idiotic table.

As soon as she got home Mikael's cellphone rang, "Sally pick it up please, I'm busy feeding Aaron."

Lisbeth was annoyed but answered the call, "hello, yes this is his cellphone and you are?"

A saccharine voice replied, "I'm Anna, one of his friends. I mean his son's pediatrician. Aaron has a check up tomorrow. I am just confirming that Mikael will be bringing him."

"Yes, he will be there tomorrow at 9:00 AM. Thank you for calling." Lisbeth hung up the phone. She walked to the kitchen and told Mikael about the call.

"Oh yes Anna, she is a little pushy and has been trying to have lunch with Aaron and me for some time now." Mikael said.

"Really, maybe we should have lunch with her. I'll go with you guys and meet her; after all you have been trying to force me into going to one of those." She coldly answered.

"But Sally, we had a deal, you don't have to go anymore. I gave up the nagging when you took Aaron that Friday." Mikael was playing innocent.

"I think it would be goo for me to meet the pediatrician after all. It has been a gross oversight on our part. We have not researched her; we only researched the hospital and her credentials. Yes, I'll have to meet her in order to make an informed opinion."

Mikael tried to mask his smirk; everything was going according to his plan. "Ok love, whatever makes you happy, makes me happy."

Lisbeth was a highly intelligent woman but when it came to human relationships she lacked some experience. This Anna woman unsettled her, she sounded like she knew Mikael. Mikael had not denied anything. Lisbeth knew Mikael loved her but she was not taking any chances, it was only natural that she was a little suspicious. Everything good and beautiful was taken away from her, she was just looking out for any possible threat to her stability.

Mikael brushed his teeth and waited for Sally to come to bed. Lisbeth took a shower and dried herself, temperatures were dropping but she left the bathroom naked and went into the bedroom. Mikael took one look at her and smiled, she smiled back and jumped to the bed.

The next morning Lisbeth and Mikael woke up a little tired, they were up most of the night having some fun. Lisbeth kissed his chest and touched his cock. He woke up and flipped her, he entered her and they had a silent quickie.

Lisbeth took a shower while Mikael dressed Aaron who was sitting in his crib waiting to be picked up. Mikael was almost done with his son when Lisbeth entered their bedroom, she was deciding on an outfit. Mikael approached her and kissed her neck. He took his shower and dressed.

Lisbeth wore dark blue jeans and a black shirt. She left her hair down and wore light black eye shadow. Aaron wore an overall and a baby blue shirt with a lion in it.

Mikael wore blue jeans and a green shirt.

The family left the apartment and headed to the tunnelbana. Mikael carried the baby and Lisbeth was uninterestedly looking at the people close to her. The train ride was ordinary; they got off at their stop and walked to the children's clinic.

Mikael registered them and Aaron went to his mom, he was trying to grab her hair and chew it, Lisbeth was sternly looking at him but Aaron was immune and continued to grab his mother's black strands. Black hair was something she couldn't give up. She dyed her hair every three months without fail, Aaron pulled her hair and she winced. Aaron giggled and clapped his chubby hands.

Mikael joined them, he was reading an article in a magazine, and it was of all things about babies and their sleeping patterns. Lisbeth was talking to Aaron who was fussing and wanted to crawl. "Aaron stop it, you can't crawl here, and that's final." Aaron pouted and stretched his hands to his dad. Mikael took him and sat him on his lap. Aaron took the magazine and ripped the cover.

Lisbeth and Mikael were very aware that their son loved to rip paper, he giggled and clapped. Aaron continued with this activity until the nurse called their name. The nurse measured and weighed him. She asked if there was something new with Aaron, any pain or odd behaviors.

They said no, Aaron was doing well and seemed to reach all of the common milestones the nurse was describing. The parents waited for the doctor to see them. At about fifteen minutes later Anna Glasky entered the examination room. She immediately greeted Mikael, "well, long time no see, how are you Mikael." The pediatrician batted her lashes and gave him a flirtatious smile.

"Hello Anna, you are right, Aaron is not a sickly baby. By the way this is Lisbeth." Mikael pointed to Lisbeth's direction. Anna nodded but did not realize Lisbeth's relationship to either Mikael or Aaron.

She checked the baby and gave him a vaccine; naturally Aaron cried and stretched his hands to his mom. Lisbeth rushed forward and comforted her son while glaring at Glasky.

The doctor was amused, "I must say Mikael you have a wonderful babysitter. She obviously needs fashion advice but she loves little Aaron."

Lisbeth glared at her but kept quiet, she was not the type to make scenes. She would plot revenge against the pediatrician the best way she knew. She would hack into her computer and make her life hell. Mikael however was tired of this shit. It was not the first time, people in the tunnelbana, restaurants and now the clinic. In another situation he would have been capable of ignoring this woman's remarks but this doctor just rubbed him the wrong way. For months he evaded her advances and now was the perfect opportunity to clear things up.

"She's not my babysitter, she is Aaron's mother and my partner. She is a very civilized individual but I do not appreciate your acid remarks about her fashion choices." Mikael said all of this in a pleasant manner and finished with a smile. Lisbeth just shrugged her shoulders and ignored Glasky. Inside she was satisfied by Mikael's response.

Anna Glasky looked embarrassed and checked Aaron's charts. When it was all done Mikael said to the pediatrician, "I would appreciate if you referred us to another pediatrician." Glasky wrote a name down and gave it to him.

As they left the building his Sally said, "you didn't have to do that Mikael, she was clean and I'm used to people thinking Aaron is not my son." Her attitude enraged him. He kept quiet and continued walking. He took Aaron from her, the baby was getting heavier and harder to carry around.

Mikael ruminated about the situation he was in and decided to let her know how he felt. When they got home he sat on the couch and waited until Aaron was busy playing with his blocks.

"I just hate it every time people look at us and assume that you are our son's babysitter. I don't understand how you just take it in stride and don't even bat an eyelash. You don't even correct them Sally."

Lisbeth looked at him and simply said "I know I'm his mom, Mikael, whenever I see him I see us and I'm happy. I have never cared what other people say or think about me. Aaron is the most wonderful thing in my life, I know he is mine."

Mikael kissed her and was amazed that this was the same woman he met while trying to solve Harriet Vanger's disappearance. He invited her to rest with him in the couch. She did and they watched Aaron play until the baby took his nap.

Lisbeth worked from home, she just received Milton Security's latest special case. She immersed herself in the research; meanwhile Mikael cooked lunch and played with Aaron.

It was very domestic, Lisbeth marveled at the simplicity of it. She remembered when she first embarked on a relationship with Mikael; she was so scared. She was still afraid but her talks with Agatha and the fact that her relationship with Mikael was so stable made her happy.

She remembered talking to Agatha about the extreme fear she felt of losing her identity to Mikael and Aaron.

"Agatha, I feel like I'm not myself anymore. I wake up and immediately make a mental list of what Aaron would need for the day. I check up on him every hour to see if he's all right. My heart beats faster when I see he is in pain. I even worry about the floor being dirty and clean up before I let him crawl. I am becoming one of those women who are only housewives. What's happening to me, I am Lisbeth Salander. I am tough; I do not worry about babies or how tired Mikael is after he gets home. What has become of me?"

Agatha looked at her and answered, "are you the same Lisbeth? At the core I mean. Do you still like bikes, do research, and hate injustices." Lisbeth nodded, knowing where this conversation was going.

"You are Salander, you just have other priorities dear. You are growing up; most of us adults go through different developmental phases. I understand you fears. If I might make an observation, you did not have the chance to really find yourself. You became and adult after seeing Zala hit your mother. You Lisbeth became the protector; neither Camilla nor you had the chance to have proper childhoods. Sweetheart, your personality has not changed. Your priorities have. Now that you are in a healthy relationship it is very natural to care about Mikael and Aaron. Caring is not a sign of weakness, it is part of your essence. You cared for your mother and protected her from Zala, you cared for Camilla and you have protected the people around you including Mikael and Aaron. Sometimes you forget that people also care about you. It becomes hard for you to acknowledge this great capacity for love and caring that you have. You mistake these feelings for weaknesses when in fact they are your major qualities."

Lisbeth listened and was willing to admit that perhaps Agatha was right. But she still told her about the anxiety she felt when she noticed that she was changing, not just internally but also externally. Lisbeth told Agatha about the piercings that healed and how she did not feel confortable with her make up anymore.

"Sweetie, you're appearance and style are just ways in which you present yourself. Most of the times they do not accurately represent us. Clothes, make up and haircuts are not definite, they change and mold to ourselves."

Lisbeth looked doubtful, Agatha continued with her speech. "Fashion and sense of styles change. You should wear whatever you feel confortable with. Wear dark clothes, bright clothes. Just be yourself, and don't restrain yourself because you think Lisbeth Salander would not wear something you now like."

Lisbeth thought back to how Mikael defended her and told her he loved her in whatever she wore. She had never been confident about her looks. Camilla was the pretty one. Lisbeth was short and scrawny, she always felt inadequate but now she felt comfortable in her skin. She loved her tattoos and her dyed hair; her body had changed after giving birth. Her hips were a little wider and after the breast augmentation she was confident about her looks.

Lisbeth's thoughts were interrupted by a telephone call. She picked it up

"Hello, yes Erika he is here, wait, just a second." Lisbeth called Mikael who was bathing Aaron; she could hear Mikael argue about something with his coeditor in chief.

She finished bathing Aaron and dried him. The baby was reluctant to leave the water but he eventually just trembled and hugged his mom. "Cod, cod, cod." He kept singing with his high-pitched voice. Lisbeth assumed her son meant cold. He was a very bright baby if she said so herself.

Lisbeth heard Mikael calling her, "Sally love, I have to be at Millennium, Erika wants to meet to discuss future investments. She wants a board meeting to authorize some changes."

Lisbeth was bored, with all his talk and simply kissed him and said, "I don't really care." Mikael smiled at her and left.

As it happened Erika wanted to know about people's plans for the rest of the summer. Millennium was receiving a lot of work and most of the senior employees were working during the summer. The new investors wanted to meet the people who made up Millennium. Mikael did not understand, apparently they were going to have a getaway for Millennium employees and the three major investors.

Harriet Vanger would be hosting at Hedeby Island. Mikael refused at first but Erika laid down the law and eventually convinced him that it would be beneficial for Millennium to take part in the activity.

Christer, Erika and him were obligated to go while Eriksson was politely invited. She of course being the polite person that she was accepted the invitation. The three businessmen were American, they were expected to arrive this weekend and they were staying at the island for about a week. The Millennium personnel were supposed to arrive to Hedeby before them and leave at the end of the week with them.

"I seriously do not understand why we have to do this Erika, they have already invested their money in Millennium and the magazine had proved itself to be a good business. Why do we have to bother with a retreat for them?" Mikael asked.

Erika politely answered. "When we first signed contracts with them they showed an interest in meeting us but you were unable to attend the meeting." Mikael remembered; it was shortly after Aaron was born.

"The Americans want to meet us and get to know us. The polite thing to do is to agree to the retreat. They wanted to host the first time and now Harriet decided to extend the same courtesy." Erika replied, and the matter was closed.

Christer had some questions as well, "how is Harriet going to accommodate these people? I am guessing they are bringing guests?"

"You are right Christer. As I said before there are three Americans: Russell White and his wife, Elizabeth. Charles Montgomery, his wife Marianne and their two teenaged children, and last Ryan Brown who is going by himself."

Erika paused and continued, "As you know Harald and Isabella died about two years ago so their houses are unoccupied. Harriet plans to have Montgomery and his family located in Isabella's house. The Whites will be sharing Harald's house with Brown."

"What about us?" Inquired Eriksson, "we will be staying at Harriet's house. Christer will stay with Henrik and Mikael will stay at the cottage he used when he lived in Hedeby." Replied Erika.

It was Christer who asked the question Mikael was itching to ask, "can we bring guests, if so I will be going with Arnold."

Erika took over again and responded, "yes you can, in fact Harriet thinks is a good thing, and it will give us a more approachable look."

At least he wouldn't have to go alone. He knew he had to convince Lisbeth but he also knew that she would eventually say yes.

When he got home he found both Lisbeth and Aaron asleep. They were in the couch, Aaron was on top of his Sally and she had one had on the baby's back just in case he rolled over. Mikael kissed her ear and she took a deep breath and woke up. She frowned at him and saw Aaron wiggling trying to find a comfortable position.

Lisbeth scowled at him and sat up with Aaron in her chest. She placed Aaron on his crib and went to the bed in order to take a nap. Mikael let her be and fixed himself a sandwich. He watched some news and waited for Lisbeth to wake up again.

Mikael knew that Lisbeth would not take a lot of convincing, even tough she detested Hedeby Island she would go because Mikael was required to go. Lisbeth was learning to compromise more; she was trying her best in this relationship.

Lisbeth came to the couch and put on a horror movie she had downloaded from the Internet. They were half way through it when Mikael asked her, "Sally what do you think about going on a week-holiday."

"I say it would be appreciated, of course we would have to take Aaron. Mikael, why are you asking? I know this vacation won't happen" Lisbeth looked at him seriously, the screams from the TV served as background.

"You are mistaken dear, as it happens Millennium will be hosting a trip for our new investors."

Lisbeth looked at him suspiciously, she knew about the American investors; after all they were the reason why no vacations were scheduled this year.

"There is a catch right? This vacation is mandatory and there is something unpleasant. Otherwise you would have woken me up and told me all about our holiday."

Damn Salander, always figuring me out, Mikael thought. It was only a matter of time before his scheming ways were discovered. He decided to come clean and tell her about this afternoon's board meeting.

Lisbeth heard his tale and mulled over the situation. She hated Hedestad, but Mikael's presence was indispensable. She knew Mikael could go by himself; Lisbeth would have trouble dealing with Aaron on her own. She made up her mind; she would not throw away the chance of having Mikael to herself. Mikael could be a workaholic; he would immerse himself in his writing. He tried to compensate and allocate time for his family but he exhausted himself.

Lisbeth noticed Mikael was stressed out and decided that a few days off could be in their benefit. "Ok, when are we leaving for Hedeby Island?" she asked, Mikael was smiling at her, he answered, "we are going next week."

Mikael played with the hem of her tank top; he was toying with her belly button. Lisbeth loved it when he caressed her like this. It was the simple touches that satisfied her, the intimacy and the knowledge that Mikael was the only person besides Aaron who touched her without permission or reservations. She straddled him and kissed his neck. Mikael touched her back inside of the tank top and pulled the garment off of her.

She smiled and got rid of his shirt; they were both extremely aroused. It was a little harder to find time and enjoy each other. Aaron and work drained them, Mikael appreciated moments like this, and his Sally was doing a great job with her hands on him. He ran his hands through her hair and then grabbed her hips and ground her down to his erection. Lisbeth moaned at raised herself to pull off his trousers and her underwear. Mikael positioned her above his cock and she moved above him. It was so good to have her like this; he swore that he would not go without making love to her for so much time. Millennium and his career could go to hell for all he cared, "love, you feel so good." Sally just moaned and kept grinding against him.

"Mikael, Mikael" she whispered to his ear. They learned to be quiet. Mikael appreciated the fact that they were so in tune with each other that he could only raise his hips a little or bite her earlobe and she would come undone for him.

He slowed her down, and looked into her eyes; he kissed her and rolled he over. Mikael continued showering her with kisses and endearments until he felt her clenching around him. Sally exhaled deeply and pulled him down for a deep kiss. Mikael increased his pace and came with a grunt.

They were side by side waiting until their heartbeats slowed down. He just caressed her hair and kissed her hairline. She let him, deep inside she loved when he was being mushy.

The couple stayed like that until they heard Aaron babbling to himself. They knew he would start banging on his crib bars until either of them picked him up. Mikael put on his trousers and collected Aaron.

"Hey, buddy." Aaron immediately stretched his hands up to his daddy. "Up, up, up" the baby mumbled.

Mikael played with his son while Lisbeth ordered food, neither of them felt like cooking. Mikael peeled a banana for Aaron and gave him a bowl of cheerios.

Aaron who was used to his cereal ate it and made a mess out of the banana. He mashed it down while chanting "nana, nana, nana."

"Do you have to be at the beck and call of these Americans during the vacation?" Lisbeth asked. She wanted to know if the magazine was in danger of losing their sponsors.

"Not really, as far as I know these people just want to meet us. They wanted to meet with Erika and me right before we signed contracts but I couldn't meet with them at the time." Lisbeth remembered hearing that conversation.

"I'll have to call Palmgren, I won't be able to meet with him next week." She would also have to reschedule her meeting with Mimi.

"I promise we won't have to involved with these people so much, we will introduce ourselves and see them for the occasional meeting here and there." Mikael was convinced of the fact, Erika stressed out that work would not be discussed at length. After all the Americans were on holiday.

"It would be a good idea if I called Harriet, I remember the first time I settled in the cottage. I want to make sure we have everything we need for Aaron." Mikael looked at his son who was throwing cereal at him.

Lisbeth did not comment. She tried to get over the fact that she was going to be in close proximity to Cecilia, Harriet and Erika. All of them ex-lovers of one Mikael Blomkvist, Lisbeth knew Mikael loved her but she still had deep rooted insecurities about her image. Well, if there was something she could do was get people to be uncomfortable around her, these women had nothing on her.