Nyla Harper and James Murray’s (Mekia Cox and Arjay Smith) relationship has been rocky at times on The Rookie, but they always seem to work it out. Despite Harper and James sharing a true love for each other, there have been times when they didn’t know if they’d be able to make the relationship work. James runs a community center, but he is also part of a group that is very critical of the police, which is often a point of contention between him and Harper. However, the pair has managed to make it work and has become a fan-favorite couple.
There was a moment in The Rookie season 7, however, when it almost looked like Harper and James might divorce. During The Rookie season 7, episode 8, Kylie Thomas (Maria Zhang), a friend of James, kisses him unexpectedly, prompting him to pull away. James told Harper about the mistake while in the hospital after a drive-by he found himself in the crosshairs of, and the two were able to put the incident behind them.
Harper & James Met During Season 3
They’re Not Initially Super Into Each Other
Harper and James meet during The Rookie season 3, episode 2, “In Justice.” The pair met at the community center James runs, and Harper frequented there more often as she was assigned there for community outreach. At first, neither was sure if the friendship would be anything more as James struggled with supporting the LAPD. Their friendship was met with tension, but Harper and James slowly developed a bond and mutual respect for one another. Nonetheless, they made it work and were officially a couple by the end of the season.
Even though Harper and James were unsure of their relationship in season 3, by season 4, Harper found out she was pregnant and decided she wanted to keep it. Harper discovers she is six weeks into the pregnancy during The Rookie season 4, episode 11, “End Game.” She tells James about the pregnancy during the same episode, but he isn’t as happy as she is. Harper explains to James that having the baby is important to her, and the pair quickly make up.
In The Rookie season 4, episode 18, “Backstabbers,” Harper is pregnant at this point and isn’t too fond of being called James’ baby mama, so she decides to propose to him. Despite accepting the proposal, James didn’t feel right about it as he planned to propose to her. He expressed this to Harper, adding that she didn’t realize that she should have considered his feelings on it first. Nonetheless, James proposes to her anyway, and the pair is excited about their future.
Harper & James Get Married In Season 4
Harper Proposes First
In the same episode where Harper and James get engaged, the pair also get married. Towards the end of episode 18, they are seen celebrating their marriage at a courthouse, only attended by their friends and family. Harper and James had been through a lot together since meeting each other, and it was nice to see them have their happy ending.
Harper Gives Birth & She And James Move Into A New Home
Harper Welcomes A Baby Girl
During The Rookie season 5, episode 2, “Labor Day,” Harper and James move into a new home together, where they will build their new family and welcome their child. However, Harper could never let her cop instincts go as she’s immediately suspicious of one of her neighbors. And she had every right to be, as later in the episode, Harper is having contractions, and mid-way through, their home is being robbed.While Harper sends James downstairs, the burglar finds Harper and she fights him off in one of the most memorable scenes in The Rookie, leaving him with a gunshot wound. James returns upstairs and finds Harper has given birth to their daughter. The couple end up naming their new baby daughter Leah.
