AN: it seems I can't keep away from writing about these two! So I've loved Season 5, and I thought the finale was great! I know the last couple of seconds have caused some anxiety, but I don't think it was a negative reaction - more of a realisation about the magnitude of change that's just happened and nervous anticipation about the future. But their holding hands is symbolic that they're together and that they're going into this new reality - together.

Anyway, so this is a continuation of that scene and hopefully a bit of stress relief for those still worried - hope you like it :) I really do love reading your comments so please drop me a review and let me know what you think!

#TeamCharles

Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I sadly do not own Younger, it's characters or any canon text.

CHARLES

"And maybe he can hold her hand at the office. And in the street. Everywhere. The way that he has wanted to do for as long as he can remember."

"Liza, I have everything that I want. I'm happy." And he was - as they kissed and she took his hand and they strolled together through Bryant Park, he felt a sense of completeness that they were FINALLY on the same page, and that they could FINALLY be together out in the open with no more secrets.

But now that those obstacles were out of the way, and the adrenaline had died down, the magnitude of the day's events hit him like a sledgehammer. He was stepping down as publisher, Millennial was taking over Empirical and he was handing over the running of his grandfather's company to Kelsey and Liza. He would trust Liza with his life and he had no doubt she'd do him proud. He was so proud of everything she'd achieved so far, but he wouldn't be there day to day in the office. His work life as he'd known it for the past 15 years had just switched in an instant, and as much as he was happy and had everything that he wanted, a change that massive was scary and would take some getting used to.

Charles looked over at Liza and saw that she had the same nervous worry on her face as he was feeling. He squeezed her hand and smiled at her as she looked up at him. "I get to hold your hand in the street" He brought her hand up to his lips and placed a tender kiss on her knuckles. They stopped and he took her other hand in his as well, keeping her close to him.

She smiled at him but he could see concern in her eyes. "But you don't get to hold my hand in the office"

"I will" he assured her, "I'm not going to disappear - I'm still going to be involved in the company. And everyone will know about us - there's no more secrets, so whenever I am in the office, I can hold your hand as much as you'd like."

"I'm scared" she admitted, and he could hear the fear in her voice. "What if we do this and it doesn't work? You'll have given all of this up for nothing. I don't want you to resent me." She was worried about the pressure on them to make it work he realised - she thought that if they didn't work out now, that he'd end up hating her.

"It wouldn't be for nothing" he assured her, "my family company survives. Without Quinn's investment Empirical would have gone under and my life would have changed anyway. Maybe I wouldn't have had to step down from being the public face of Empirical if we hadn't become us, but I'm okay with that decision, and I'd rather have given this a try than have gone the rest of my life wondering what we could have been" He held her gaze and swallowed nervously as he continued, taking a leap because he needed her to understand how he felt. "...wandering if the woman I'm in love with is the one I'm meant to be with. I will never regret being with you Liza - and I could never resent you. Even if it doesn't work out between us, which I really, really hope it does, I would never change the time we've had together. This was my choice, and yes it's a lot to deal with - I'm scared, just like you. Everything is changing, but I'm also excited for what the future holds - for the company, and for us."

"You're in love with me?" Her jaw had dropped and her eyes were wide as she looked at him with awe and wonder.

He smiled warmly at her and cupped her cheek with his hand, stroking it gently with his thumb. How could she not have realised that already - he was sure it was written all over his face. "I'm in love with you - I have been for as long as I've wanted to hold your hand" he told her reverently. He'd wanted to say it ever since he'd visited her in the hospital when she'd held his hand and then fallen asleep after he tucked in her 'piggies'. "I know this is new, and I don't expect you to say it back right now. I only want you to say it when you're ready. I've waited for you for 2 years - I can wait. I just want you to know how much you mean to me."

"I'm in love with you too" Liza breathed softly.

His breath caught in his throat and all of the air left his lungs as she said the words he'd longed to hear for as long as he could remember. "You are?" he asked, needing confirmation that he hadn't dreamt it.

"I am" Liza sighed happily, and it seemed to be a weight lifted off her shoulders to say it. "I have been for a long time - it just took me a while to admit it to myself. And I was scared to admit it to you."

Charles laughed joyously , which elicited the most beautiful smile from Liza. Both of their eyes were misty with happy tears as he leaned his head down and brushed her lips with his, the world around them disappearing as they lost themselves in each other. It was tender and unhurried - sealing their declarations and acknowledging that they had all the time in the world now.

He smiled adoringly at her - the love of his life, and rested his forehead on hers, revelling in the knowledge that he could do this whenever he wanted to now. Liza smiled warmly and held her hand out to him. As he intertwined their fingers he held her gaze and saw no more doubt in her eyes, only hope.

As they resumed their journey, their smiles didn't falter. Both of their worlds had just changed dramatically and they would undoubtedly encounter challenges along the way, but they loved each other and they were in it together. They would support each other and face any challenges - together. They were a team, they were an 'us', and they were meant to be.