Rating: PG
Pairing: Sarah/Harry
Beta: hhertzof
Spoilers: Invasion of the Bane
Summary: Sarah attempts to get used to the relationships she has with her children.

Sarah sat next to Georgia as she slept, watching as her chest rose and fell, confirming she was still alive. She held the baby's tiny hand in hers, still amazed she could do this at all. When she had given any thought to the birth in two months time, she had looked forward to being able to see Georgia and hold her. She still felt that way now, but wished she had been able to wait to do it.

She had thought, that since this time she had allowed herself to love the baby before it was born, that what she felt after the birth wouldn't be so overwhelming. That hadn't been the case though. Harry had been right when they discussed it - there was no way she could let someone else take her away. That was before she took all her worry into account. Georgia was so small and so delicate that anything could happen to it. Her life was threatened in so many ways now, more so than if someone had tried to kill Sarah while she was still pregnant.

The house still wasn't ready. They'd finished the decorating but there were plenty of other things Sarah had managed to put off. It had seemed like there was plenty of time to prepare for Georgia's arrival - both mentally as well as physically. Now, though, all Sarah wanted to do was take Georgia home like any other mother with a new baby.

She didn't look round when she heard someone approach, assuming it was a doctor or a nurse. So she was surprised when she heard Harry softly call her name.

"Harry, where have you been?" She was half-annoyed at him for going off somewhere and being out of contact, and half-worried that something had happened to him.

He didn't answer until he found a chair and was sitting opposite her. "My father died."

"I'm so sorry." She reached out a hand to take his, and he wrapped his fingers round hers. She had no idea his father was so ill, but then he never did talk about it. "Are you all right?"

He didn't look at her but down at their hands, and said nothing. She took that as her answer.

After a minute, he said, "I spoke to Nat. She told me what happened."

Sarah decided to go with his change of subject. If he wanted to talk about it, he would. "We did try to find you." She wished now she had thought more carefully about where he could be. At first it hadn't seemed that important, and she hadn't really been in the best state of mind once it was. Although the timing probably wouldn't have helped him.

He turned his gaze to Georgia and Sarah followed suit. She looked just like any normal baby, except for her size. And the wires and instruments she had around her to make sure she was warm and could breathe.

"I told you you should rest."

She sighed, not looking at him. She didn't need him to tell her 'I told you so'. "I know you did," she said, firmly.

"But you couldn't do that, just for a few months."

She pulled her hand away. "It's not that easy to change your whole life, just because of 'what if'." Her tone was just as stern as his.

"We're talking about your life and hers."

"Do you think I don't know that?" Although she was far more concerned about Georgia's life than hers at the moment. "I already feel guilty enough, I don't need a lecture from you."

Immediately, his expression changed. "I'm sorry, I didn't..." He reached out for her hand again and she let him take it. "It's my fault, I should have made sure you did it."

She shook her head. "It's no one's fault. Let's not waste time blaming ourselves when we should be worrying about Georgia."

He turned back to the baby. "How is she?"

"There's nothing really wrong with her." A little time would cure her, as long as she didn't develop any problems. "But..." her voice hitched and she put a hand up to her mouth. She was only a day old and anything could happen yet.

Harry put his arms round her. "She's strong. Just look at who her mother is."

Sarah smiled through her tears, not feeling particularly strong at the moment, and glad of Harry's comfort. She buried her face against his chest, and he rubbed her back.

"Hey, she's awake."

Sarah let go, and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Look Georgia," she said, and she couldn't help smiling as she spoke to her daughter. "Your Daddy's come to see you."

"Hello, Georgia." Harry reached for her hand.

The baby looked up at him for a minute but she was obviously unenthusiastic about what she saw, because she closed her eyes again and went back to sleep with a sigh.

"She can't understand what all the fuss is about," Harry said. "She's not worried at all."

Sarah smiled at him. "I hope she's right."

"She'll be fine, I know it." He put an arm around her. She leaned against him, and they together watched Georgia sleep.

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Fandom: Sarah Jane Adventures | Type: Character: Harry Sullivan, Character: Sarah Jane Smith, Length: Long story, Pairing: Sarah/Harry, Series: Soap Opera, Type: Het | Link

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