AN: Reviews dropped for the last chapter which I expected since it was a bit heavy; but for the few that did review - thank you and I'm glad you generally liked it. Hopefully this little bit of fluff is a bit more light hearted.

Saturday, 30-April, 7.23 AM

Lying on his side, Harry watched the gentle rise and fall each breath brought to Ruth's chest.

In.

Out.

Each breath slow and deep. And while the thick duvet that was wrapped tightly around her for warmth made the movement difficult to see, if he watched closely, it was there. For the longest time he just watched; reassured that not only was she alive but was also sleeping peacefully next to him. They'd come so close to losing each other; not only with their inability to talk but also in the fiery blast that had leveled half a brick and mortar building.

When watching became not enough, Harry lifted a hand and drew his finger down her cheek; the warmth going further to reassure him she was there. Thumb brushing against her lip, he watched as she shifted slightly. Raising his hand, he watched as a slight frown covered her features before she sighed, turned on her side and moved in his direction. Hand held above her, he felt the duvet move; letting close air slip between them; before she curled herself against his chest in sleep.

With a smile, he lowered his hand to her back and pulled her close. In the three weeks since the explosion, they'd spent a lot of time in this position; or some other like it. And white it was intimate and loving, there'd been nothing sexual about it. Not because he didn't want her; because he did; but because the doctor had said nothing strenuous that night in the hospital; and because they needed to talk.

He'd put mentioning the talk off for a few weeks. Not because he afraid she'd find reason to run again; but because he hadn't wanted to push her too soon after Danny's death. Not when he knew she'd been in shock. He'd fully expected her to blame herself; been ready to deal with it; but she'd surprised him. Not only because she hadn't but also in the strength she'd shown since. Yes she'd grieved and been upset but she'd also made an effort to not push him away.

That he'd also been ready to deal with. She had a tendency to close herself off and not share what she was truly thinking or feeling. It would hurt that she didn't trust him; he knew that; but he'd get through it. She hadn't though. There were times she hadn't made much sense or even been able to express what she was thinking but she'd tried. And he'd listened.

For three weeks they'd talked; about many different things; and worked out what they each thought was a workable solution to their weaknesses. And last night they'd come to agreements on some very important issues; which included not running away when things got difficult and the need to spend some time doing stuff together away from not only the Grid but the house as well. Even if it was just a walk in the park or dinner at the cafe down the street.

They'd fallen asleep about 11; a normal if not somewhat early time for the two of them; and Harry had woken a little before 7. He'd been content to let Ruth sleep though; watching her sleep through lazy eyes. Unbeknownst to her, he'd scheduled them both off until Wednesday with plans to take her away for her birthday. He knew she wasn't expecting it. Not only had he been careful when making the bookings but he'd given her one of the first editions she'd been looking at getting as well as a book of baby names.

She'd loved both; that he knew; but he also wanted them to spend some quality time together before the twins were born. The seven months they had before their due date would go fast. But before they could leave, there were some things that needed taking care of.

Like waking her up.

Ruth woke to the feeling of Harry's fingers trailing down her spine in slow, steady strokes. It'd been a month since they'd last made love; not wanting to go against the doctor's advice after the bombing nor wanting to rush anything before they'd a chance to properly talk; and both were keen.

Arching her back as he pressed particularly hard into the skin above her buttocks, she moaned and opened her eyes; blinking up at him in the early morning light. Seeing the smirk on his face; and knowing he wanted the same thing; she slid her hands up his bare chest and wrapped them around the back of his head. Tangling her fingers in his hair, she pulled him downwards until she could capture his lips with hers.

Rolling her onto her back, Harry pulled away from the kiss and smiled down at her.

"Good morning." he said softly, his fingers pushing the hem up her shirt up more.

"Hmm. Good morning."

Leaning down, he brushed a kiss against her lips before moving down her body. Hands pushing up her shirt, he brushed his lips against her stomach, whispering a good morning to his peanuts. Ruth smiled and ran a hand through his hair; no longer surprised at the affection he was already bestowing upon their unborn children. Feeling his lips press against her stomach again, she strained to hear what he was quietly telling them.

"Daddy loves you as does mummy but he needs you to close your eyes and your ears for awhile so he can make love to her."

Fingers gripping his hair, she pulled him up. "Harry!"

"What? It's the truth."

"You don't need to tell them that! You'll traumatize them before they're even born."

"Well we don't want them watching, do we?" weight supported on his arms, he leaned down and kissed her slowly. Feeling her smile, he moved his mouth to her ear. "Because it's been a month and I'm planning on making you come at least four times this morning."

Blushing, she turned her face towards his. "It's a good thing they won't start hearing sounds until 19 weeks then. Or seeing until they're 27 weeks."

Lowering himself against her, he smiled. "A very good thing."

Saturday, 30-April, 9.00 AM

"Ruth?"

"Hmm." she mumbled, face buried against his chest.

"We need to get up." he said softly, his fingers tracing along her back.

"Don't want to move."

Smiling, he tangled his fingers in her hair and lifted her up until their eyes met. "I'd love to spend all day in bed with you..."

"Then let's do it."

"But I've a late surprise planned for your birthday. And there's something I've want to ask you." he said, ignoring her comment.

"What surprise?" she asked, a grin forming on her face as she lifted herself to lean against him.

"You'll have to wait and see."

Pouting, she rested her chin on his chest and watched him.

"I promise, I'll tell you in a minute. But I want to talk to you about something first."

"Hmm. Alright."

Hand brushing the hair away from her face, he watched as she laid her cheek against his palm. "Marry me. Today."

"What?"

"I want to marry you."

"Today?"

"Yes."

"But we can't. There's the registering and the waiting period. And needing witnesses. We can't just go get married today."

"You already signed the paperwork to register."

"What? When?"

"The day after the bombing. I may have put the paperwork in with others that you needed to sign."

"Harry!"

Ignoring her outburst, he continued. "And pulled some strings to push it through without you being there. Don't be mad. After everything that's happened; between Danny dying and the hospital not letting me back to you; I don't want to wait any longer. I know you think it's all moving too fast but please, think about it. For me."

She watched him for a moment, her eyes taking in his face. "Okay." she answered softly.

"I mean really think about it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and while we don't have to be married, it'll make some things so much easier. I can't promise perfect all the time, but I'll try for good."

"Alright. We can get married today."

Not hearing her, he continued. "I know we haven't talked about it you want a big wedding or not; and if you do, we can wait; but I want to get married sooner rather than later. How I don't care."

"Harry, I'll marry you."

"And if we get married now, no one can keep us apart. Legally or any other way. So please; for us; consider..."

Realizing that he wasn't hearing her, Ruth reached up with her hands and grabbed his face. Pressing her mouth against his, she kissed him until he responded. Pulling away, she smiled at the shocked look on his face. "I said I'd marry but you wouldn't stop talking long enough to hear."