Chapter 24- This Is Love.

"This is kinda fun." The father of my child states while brandishing a pistol-like scanner used for us to pick items for the baby shower. I honestly could care less about the party or the gifts nor the guests gushing over my growing belly.

I don't want to be the center of attention or sit through hours of silly games people play for such an event. I just want it to be us - Harm and Mac - like it had been since the beginning.

My pregnancy was well hidden until the 3rd trimester when baby girl Rabb decided it was time to make mommy show. The Admiral knew, of course, mostly because he saw the change between me and Harm. We no longer hid our romantic status but didn't advertise it either.

It was during a mid-day snack break that Chegwidden found my sexy Commander and me bickering over the healthy differences between fresh fruits and fruit flavored gummies. I insisted his daughter was in the mood for sugar and food coloring much to his dismay.

Harm's hand was on my belly while the other held a bag of fruit snacks just out of my reach. He kissed me without realizing our CO had seen the whole thing. "My office, both of you and leave the snacks Colonel."

"Aye, sir." "Yes, sir."

I expected a lot of yelling but, his displeasure at our blatant PDA was short lived as his eyes focused on my stomach. "You're pregnant."

"Yes, sir."

"And when were you planning to tell me that you and him…both of you were a thing?"

"Uh, well…You see, sir."

And then his focus came to Harm. "You?"

"Yes, sir…Admiral, Mac…I mean the Colonel and I have-"

Thankfully Chegwidden waved him off because for all of his strengths as a litigator, a flustered flyboy has been known to ramble. "Congratulations, both of you. Changes will need to be made."

And for all of our past concerns about our careers, AJ's temporary solution was my immediate transfer to the judiciary. I can't say I hated the move because it would be far easier sitting behind the bench than standing in court.

Marriage is still an issue I'm trying to avoid. We love each other, we're having a kid. What's the point of signing a piece of paper or wearing some silly ring? Harm never struck me as the marrying type and after one and a half weddings, the whole process gives me headaches.

Perhaps its a bit selfish of me but, after a long discussion with the father of my child, Harm admitted that marriage scared him more than having a baby ever would. He was trying to 'do the right thing' and I believe it had to do more with not letting his mom down and the propriety of it all.

As for Trish, a trip to California eased both of our irrational fears - she was happy for us. Ecstatic actually and knew, from the moment we step foot in her home, that I was pregnant. It was a great relief and an ally I never thought I'd have in calming Harm's push for a shotgun wedding.

"Harm, it's not the 1800s. No one who loves the two of you will care than you're not married. And for those who do - fuck 'em." Fuck 'em. That day I found a new respect for Harm's mom.

Harm pointed the scanner at one of the most expensive and most important items on our list - the stroller. I never realized just how many there were from small umbrella strollers to this whole mechanism that turns into a car seat. But the most costly was a jogging stroller that had only three wheels and barely any room to stick a diaper bag. "A man can dream."

"Harm, sweetheart, we need to be practical not impulsive." Which is why I've been quietly deleting some of the more exorbitant items he selected.

He made a face and sighed dramatically. "You know we kind of don't need a baby shower, I can pretty much afford anything we need."

"I know and I'm not thrilled about it either but, Harriet's enjoying herself and it's the only thing, besides being here for the birth, that your mom asked of us. Let's not rock the boat."

"Right."

I point at the stroller we originally decided on, a cute pink one that comes apart in two pieces and has a wide undercarriage for a sizable diaper bag. He zaps the barcode, waggles his eyebrows and kisses me like we're the only two in the store.

I never dreamed he'd be so affectionate, especially out in public but this version of him is lovely. And the peace between us is more than I could ever want. And it's a rather lovely day with perfect weather that allows us to sit outside at a cute little Italian bistro for an early dinner.

From the top of the menu I catch Harm staring, his eyes taking a different hue I'd never seen before. He smiles but it's not his usual flyboy grin. It's softer, loving? And when he takes my hand and kisses my palm all those feelings I've had since the day we met, makes my tummy flutter.

Our baby girl feels it too, evident when she kicks ever so softly. So, this is love.