Post finale short –fic.

I pull up to the house at 1600. Intent on surprising my wife with my presence as well as my

thoughtfulness I grab a bouquet of red roses from the passenger seat.

Her car is in the drive so I know she’s home. I’m looking forward to spending some time at

home while it’s still daytime, though part of me dreads a confrontation with my wife.

Mac has every reason to be upset with me. Since we moved back to the states I’ve hardly been home at all, leaving Mac to deal with the house, paints, window dressings, floorboards,

getting our things from storage and moved to the west coast, you name it. That might not have been such a big deal if she wasn’t also job hunting and most importantly caring for our three and a half year old daughter.

I enter the house and am met only by the soft tunes of the Sesame street sing along dvd. When I make my way into he living room I find both Mac and Camryn asleep on the couch. Seeing the dark lines under Mac’s eyes I decide to put the roses in water and let them sleep for as long as it lasts. Camryn doesn’t really take afternoon naps anymore. If we let her sleep too long she’ll never settle down when it is her bedtime and tonight the only hour long bedtime ritual I’m hoping for only involves me and Mac.

After I change into jeans and a t-shirt I go back down to wake up my daughter and convince her she wants to play soccer. I’m convinced she’ll go for it. Living in the UK will do that to you. I’m just glad she didn’t get hooked on Cricket. I mean who on this side of the Atlantic really understands that game, besides Mac, that is. She’s tried on several occasions to explain it but she lost me when she started on high tea, fourth snack, and fifth snacks. That’s probably why it appeals to her, I chuckle as I manoeuvre my way between moving boxes, toys and the evidence of the afternoon activity.

I smile as I look down on my girls. Though Mac looks tired she also looks content, a small smile tugging at her lips. My gaze moves back to Camryn. Our little hooligan looks almost angelic. I decide to enjoy the sight before me just a bit longer and sit down on the coffee table

in front of them. My heart swells with love and pride just looking at the two of them snuggled together on the couch.

Even though Camryn isn’t ours biologically she takes after Mac in more ways then I could ever have hoped for. From her brown eyes and dark hair to the way she grins when they have fun at my expense. When Camryn came into our lives she was almost one year old. Feeling she had already missed out on so much Mac decided to quit her job and focus on raising our daughter. So it’s no surprise that she takes after Mac more then she does me but that doesn’t matter. I’m crazy about both of them.

I lean back a bit placing my hands next to me on the table. Unfortunately my hand connects with the remote control, and the volume button. I curse as I fumble with the mute key.

Satisfied with my swift reaction I turn back to find Camryn sitting up, her mouth forming a perfect O.

“Daddy,” She says as she’s trying to look stern. “You said the ‘S’ word.”

There it is, my fall from grace.

I don’t respond, not knowing what the correct response should be. I can’t deny it though.

“I’m sorry.” I say and I mean it. If she repeats it Mac will have my six. “ I shouldn’t have said that.”

She glides from the couch and gives me a hug and tells me in all her wisdom;

“That’s okay. Mommy said a bad word today too. Everybody makes mistakes.”

“Thank you.” I smile and hug her back, giving her a kiss. “Want to play some football?”

As expected her eyes lit up at the mention of Britain’s favorite sport.

“But first we’re going to clean you up a bit.”

“Mommy and I painted with our fingers!” she grins.

“Yes, I can see that.” I smile back. They’re both covered with paint. “And with your noses as well.”

“Unhuh.” She denies as she feels her nose to check. Probably how she got the red smear there in the first place.

“Come on.” I pick her up so we’ll actually get to the bathroom before dinner time.

“No, wait!” Lemmie show you.” She points in the direction of the dining room. That’s a room we haven’t gotten to yet and for a moment I’m afraid that they’d painted on the wall.

I sigh in relief when I find this to be untrue. Three large sheets of paper are spread out on the floor, one more colourful then the next. Camryn wiggles her way from my hold and picks up one of the sheets.

“Look, daddy!” She’s obviously very proud of it.

“Wow. That’s fantastic.” I won’t offer her any thoughts on what it could be. Did that once, won’t make that mistake again. “Tell me about it.”

She’s bouncing around now happy with the interest I’m showing.

“It’s you daddy!”

My eyebrows rise in surprise and I tilt my head to the side in the hopes of finding a point of recognition, glad she doesn’t notice as she rambles away about what I’m wearing and why I’m surrounded by flowers and little hand prints. Much to my surprise, amidst the sea of color is a recognizable man-figure wearing what I think is a Manchester United jersey. I ask her about it.

I can’t believe how fast she’s developing! Mac had the right idea, staying home with her. I’m missing out on too much.

“NO, *daddy*.” She says obviously insulted at the suggestion. “That’s the chair gramma gave us.”

“Of course it is.” When you’re wrong, you’re wrong. I’m glad she didn’t skip the phase where a circle with legs is a person.

“Mommy did that one.” She babbles away. “That one’s a mommy and she’s got a baby in her belly. That’s where babies come from.” She explains.

I’m hit by a wave of sadness. Despite our efforts the last four years we haven’t been able to conceive. It’s part of the reason we moved to the West coast. There’s this clinic that has a very high success rate using the latest technology. We know it’s a long shot even more now with her age but Mac never gave up hope. I can’t possibly grasp how badly Mac wants this, needs this but I am willing to do anything and everything to try and make her happy. Including transferring and moving my family back to the US. Of course if I’m totally honest I was glad she brought it up. Despite the fact that we liked the city and the people we never quite fit in. By the time I actually could transfer back she’d managed to put herself on the waiting list at the clinic and she relaxed considerably once we were back home.

That’s why the picture saddens me. You think she’s focussing on other stuff, moving on with her life but it’s always in the back of her mind. I’m startled from my thoughts by a tug on my jeans.

“That one is for you.” She points at a smaller picture. “It’s a plane! Mommy says you can take that one to the office.”

“Thank you, Camryn.” Bless Mac for involving me. “We can frame it and I can hang it on my wall.” She smiles and hugs me. “Come on, tiger. Let’s get those hands cleaned.”

** **

When we come back in twenty minutes later Mac is still asleep so I decide to start dinner. I let Camryn help by washing the lettuce and occasionally stir the noodles while I hold her. We have to open and search through four boxes before we find the right plates and the ‘pretty’ napkins before we can set the table. I manage to find candles too and light them while I send Camryn to check on Mac.

“Mommy’s still sleeping.” She whispers when she comes back.

“Okay.” I say softly. “Go wash your hands.” My eyes focused on the wall separating the kitchen from the living room. Camryn bounces to the bathroom muttering something about mommy being sick. This of course triggers me to check on my wife more thoroughly.

Mac is vast asleep though she switched sides some where along the way. I reach out to feel her forehead, relieved when I feel no signs of fever. I brush a lock of hair away from her face.

“Mac?” I whisper as I gently stroke her hair. “Mac, wake up.”

She stirs and opens her eyes slowly. They close again but she’s awake.

“Where’s Camryn?”

“Washing up.” I answer.

She opens her eyes and raises herself on her elbows.

“What time is it?”

“Almost six. Camryn said you were sick. Are you okay?”

She waves me off with her hand as she sits up straight.

“I just puked my guts out. That’s all.” I can tell there’s more but the tone in her voice tells me, not now.

“Lovely Mac.” I say knowing the face I make is telling her the exact opposite. “So, do you feel up to eating now? I made dinner”

She sniffs the air and smiles. “I can handle some of that, sure.”

She lets me pull her to her feet before she wraps her arms around me and hugs me tightly.

We just stand there for a minute or two before she whispers against my shirt.

“I love you Harm.” She lets go but keeps one arm around me as we walk to the kitchen where we find Camryn all ready for dinner, sitting in her chair. Mac takes in the make shift table, the candles , the fine china and red roses. Her eyes water up as she looks at me. Her hands snake around my neck so she can pull me down so she can kiss me. Her lips are warm, and soft, and moist, almost making me forget we’ve got a child in the room.

“I love you.” She whispers against my lips. “And you’re a pretty good husband.”

I’m not sure I agree but I know I did good today. I shrug my shoulders. “I love you too, you

know.”

One more kiss and she lets me go again, turning to camryn and giving her a kiss as well.

“Did you help daddy?” Camryn nods yes enthusiastically. “Thanks sweetie, you’re fantastic.”

** **

After we’ve put our baby to bed we decide to turn in ourselves as well. I brush my teeth while Mac changes into a tank top and undies. She comes up behind me and wraps her arms around me, standing tip toe so she can nuzzle my neck. I bend slightly so I can spit and rinse when something by the sink catches my eye. I blink twice to make sure I am not imagining things, but there it is. I stand up straight again, my mind in shock.

Mac squeezes me a bit to pull me back down to earth. Over my shoulder her eyes lock with mine in the mirror. They are filled with tears but I can clearly see her eyes sparkling with happiness and love.

“Really?” I ask even though my voice doesn’t seem to work. “A baby?”

Mac merely nods and smiles, letting her tears flow freely. I turn around and cup her face in my hands, my lips finding hers while my thumbs try to brush away her tears. I didn’t realise I am crying till she reaches up and does the same for me.

“ I love you so much.” I manage between kisses.

I really can’t explain all the things I am feeling right now so I’ll settle for showing her how I feel about her. As usual, Mac is one step ahead of me, already pulling my shirt over my head and pushing me in the direction of our bedroom.

Much later we are lying in each other’s arms in the after glow of our second round of love making. Neither one of us seems to be able to sleep. We’re spooned together, my head resting on her shoulder, my arms wrapped around her.

Mac’s got a doctor’s appointment in the morning to confirm it but we suspect it happened when we ‘christened’ the new house. Which is about two months ago, or eight weeks as Mac said. It’s funny that after everything we tried we finally got pregnant only three weeks after moving back States side.

I feel my eyes get heavier, Mac’s soft caress of my arm slowly coaxing me to sleep. I kiss her shoulder once more and she turns around in my embrace nestling her face in the crook of my neck.

“G’night Harm.” She mumbles as sleep over takes her.

“Good night Mac.” I whisper softly, holding her safe in my arms. This woman, whom I’ve loved for 13 plus years, who fought with me, challenged me, protected me, needed me, stood by me and loved me is now carrying a tiny life made up from little bits of her and me, created by our love. I’m in awe. I thought I couldn’t possibly be any happier, I had everything I wanted; Mac, our child, a nice home and a fulfilling job.

This is actually very fitting for our relationship. Just when I think I’ve figured it all out Mac proves me wrong and shows me new heights. Thank God for giving us one more chance to get it right. Since we got together it was like all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly fit and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend, wife and mother of my children.

I am truly happy as I drift off to sleep, ready to face whatever life throws at me as long as

I have Mac.

The end.