Author: Staz
Subject: Restricted - HBX November Challenge

Disclaimer: Not mine. No infringement intended.

Author’s note: Just a moment out of life. My (very short) answer to the HBX November Challenge. I might take another shot at said life with the December lines.. we’ll see.

On a more personal note – It’s been a while, and I think my English has deteriorated (I blame the schizophrenia), so my apologies in advance for the mistakes and the plainness.

-----

“Breathe for me, Mac.”

Holding on tightly to the railing, taking breaths as deep as she could manage, Mac gasped, “I... can’t...”

From his vantage point, three steps ahead of her, Harm looked down with an amused expression. “Don’t tell me this is hard for you, Marine.”

Mac fixed him with her best glare. “Save it, Navy.” She was breathing normally again. “This is all your fault anyways.” She resumed climbing the stairs and this time he stayed alongside her.

“My fault??”

“Yes. I should have known that even if you move, your bad karma would follow you and even in a brand new, state of the art building in the good part of town, the elevator wouldn’t work...”

Harm laughed out loud at that. “The lengths you go to, to not admit you’re outta shape...” He opened the door to the floor while bracing himself for retaliation at his words.

A slap to his arm was soon followed by an outraged, “I am not out of shape!” and more heavy breathing. He just laughed and opened the apartment door. Taking his coat off, he helped Mac with hers even as she continued glaring. “I’m in a very particular shape, if you want to be specific.” Her tone of voice made him look down to see if she stomped her foot while talking.

“A very beautiful shape.” He whispered, taking her in, in form-fitting civvies. From the slight downward movement of her head, he knew she had heard him.

He went into the kitchen to make them some tea, while she settled down on the couch. It was a regular pattern by now, as was his moving back into the room to watch her while the water boiled.

She sat at the corner of the couch, her legs resting on the coffee table, her hands on her stomach. It was becoming a familiar sight, and a very comforting one. He loved watching her when she was unaware. He thought that by now she’d be on to him, but she seemed oblivious. He smiled.

He was so lost in thought he almost missed her whispered words “A very pregnant shape.”

He had to agree.

It was then he noticed the slight frown. She couldn’t be...? It was time to come out of the shadows.

“A very beautiful pregnant shape.” He came to sit next to her. Mac looked up at him with a doubtful look.

“Harm. I’m huge. I can’t see my toes anymore... and I can’t even climb up the freaking stairs, my lungs are so restricted!” She huffed an irritated breath.

Harm moved quickly to place two hands on both sides of her very round stomach. “Shhh! Mac! She’ll think you’re blaming her!” He gave her a full blown grin from close range, in an attempt to blind.

Mac deflated and answered with a smile, running her hand through his hair in a loving caress. Her hand wove into one of his, covering a particular spot and they both felt a small ripple. “You’ve got a point, Harm. She kicks me in the ribs when she’s in a good mood; I don’t want to know what she’ll do if she’s upset with me.”

He shook his head and drew her in for a slow kiss. “I love you, Mac.” He bent down and delivered a noisy kiss next to their joined hands. “And I love you too, baby girl. Now, stop giving your Mama a hard time, alright? Making her switch to maternity uniforms was bad enough.” He directed the last comment at his wife with a wink.

Mac chuckled and tapped his nose. “We love you right back, flyboy.” As an afterthought, she added, “but you better make sure that elevator’s working soon or we just might find ourselves a better place to stay.”

With a fake gasp, Harm gathered her close into his arms and growled in her ear “You’ll never get away!”

His arms enveloped her, but his head was bent in a posture he’d adopted lately – his head on her chest and his hands around her, watching their little girl as she rested in Mac’s belly. A few moments later his head raised and wondering eyes caught hers. “Your heart is racing...”

She faltered for a moment, the heat of the moment slowing her thoughts. “Nerves I guess...”

A grin split his face. “So, I still make your heart race, huh?” He waggled his eyebrows at her. Her bubbling laughter was soon swallowed in a deep kiss that threatened to leave her breathless. His touch never failed to ignite her. His hand in her hair and his lips against hers did indeed have her heart beating double-time and the rest of her aching for him.

Suddenly, his lips were at her ear. “By the way, I bought a house.” It took precious seconds for the fog to clear and the words to settle. Seconds Harm used to bring his lips back to hers in order to increase the fog.

Seems some words have fog-clearing ability. “Harm!!!”

-----

End.