AN: How amazing were those filming photos outside Charles's house?! They were far too awesome to pass up the opportunity of writing a scene that they could be part of! So this is my imagining of the moments leading up to and including the scenes we saw in the photos :) Hope you enjoy it and I'd love to hear your thoughts!

LIZA

Friday:

"Liza, I have everything that I want - I'm happy."

"Then so am I."

Friday had been a big day. That was actually a colossal understatement – Friday had been a day of extraordinary change and courageous leaps into the unknown. Charles had stepped down as publisher, assuring her that he was happy about it and ready for a new life with her and the girls. As they'd walked hand in hand through Bryant Park though, she'd worried that the magnitude of what had just happened might be too much, and that down the line he'd come to resent her for it. But they'd gone for lunch, in broad daylight and just a block from the office - because they could do that now, and he'd insisted that whilst he was a little nervous about such a big change, he was happy with his decision and knew it was the right thing to do. He'd never regret being with her or resent her for his own choices: he'd wanted to be with her for so long, and she was the one bright spot in his year. The sincerity in his voice and the intensity in his eyes as he held her gaze and implored her to believe him, allayed her fears.

They'd spent the rest of the day together and she'd stayed the night with him at his brownstone. It had been one of her favourite nights with him - they hadn't done anything extravagant, but it had been perfect. He'd made her dinner and she'd lay on his chest as they watched a movie in the lounge, and afterwards they'd just talked, for hours, about anything and everything. They'd laughed and regaled each other with stories of their lives before those lives became inexplicably intertwined. And as she fell asleep in his arms later on, after he'd made love to her in front of the fire, a sense of peace washed over her. They no longer had to hide their relationship from the world: they were free to be together - in the office, in the street, everywhere - just like he'd said. It was like a weight had been lifted and gave her the renewed hope that this - they, really could be forever.

Monday:

Liza was not feeling quite so relaxed or peaceful this morning. She was back at her apartment, but strongly wishing she'd taken Charles up on his offer to stay the night at his again. She was nervous. It was her first day back after the major overhaul on Friday and she didn't know what to expect. She was an executive editor now – she still hadn't quite got her head around that yet. When she started out as Diana's assistant two years ago, she would have laughed in the face of anyone who told her that just two years later she'd be an executive editor. It was totally crazy. Charles seemed to have unwavering faith in her though, repeatedly reassuring her that she was ready for this and that he had no doubt she'd do well. She smiled at the memory of him hovering over her on Saturday morning as they lay in bed, definitively telling her 'Liza…you…are…going…to…be…great', and punctuating each word with a kiss.

Her smile faltered and she sighed however when she remembered she wasn't going to have Charles's calming presence in the office anymore. Whenever she'd had a moment before where she'd doubted herself, he was always there to encourage her. The fact that he wasn't going to be there today when she walked in the door to Empirical/ Millennial…whatever it was going to be called now, on such a big day for her, made her all the more anxious. This job was what she'd been working towards though ever since she started out in publishing, back when she really was in her twenties, and she was determined to make a go of it. She was going to give it everything she had.

Liza bit her lip as she checked her appearance in the mirror, smoothing out some non-existent wrinkles in her dress. She slipped her feet into her new baby blue heels and ran her hands through her recently curled hair. She looked suitably smart and executive – right? Retrieving her phone from the nightstand she quickly typed out a text to the one person she wanted to talk to.

'Hey, are you awake? L x'

The three dots appeared immediately, and she only had to wait a few seconds for his reply to come through. 'I am - I was just about to call you. I wanted to wish my favourite executive editor good luck on her first day. C x'

Liza smiled goofily at his words. She glanced at her watch: 6:45 – she had time. She'd woken up early and hadn't been able to get back to sleep, so had given up trying, meaning she was dressed and ready to go before the sun came up. Getting up early did however afford her an opportunity she wouldn't otherwise have had. 'Can I come and see you before work? L x'.

His reply made her smile widen. 'Of course. Liza, you never have to ask - I'll always want to see you. Is everything okay though? C x'

She pulled on her pale pink beanie hat and navy military coat before replying: 'Yeah, I just want to see you. L x'

Five minutes later she was climbing into an Uber, and thirty minutes later she was knocking on Charles's door. He must've been waiting for her because the door swung open before she'd finished her third knock.

"Hi" she greeted, mirroring the grin on his face.

"Hi" he replied softly. "So you wanted to see me?" he added, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Liza smirked at the teasing look on his face, then shrugged. "I was just in the neighbourhood" she teased back.

Charles chuckled, "How very serendipitous for me." He placed his hand on her waist before leaning down and kissing her tenderly. A soft moan escaped her as his lips lightly caressed hers. She'd missed this, even though it had only been a day. She'd never tire of this feeling.

When he pulled back, he smiled and took her hand, leading her inside. Liza took the opportunity to admire the toned, muscular physique of her boyfriend. His choice of fitted navy sweater and jeans gave her a subtle, tantalising hint of what she knew hid underneath. She blushed when he looked back at her. If he'd caught her checking him out, he didn't let on.

"We seem to have coordinated outfits" she commented as they sat down next to each other at the breakfast bar in the kitchen.

Charles glanced down at himself and chuckled in amusement as he noted their joint navy-ness. "So we have" he replied. "We've erm, always been a good match" he added shyly. He poured them both a coffee before asking softly, "So how are you feeling about today?", correctly picking up on her nerves from earlier.

"I'm excited about the promotion…but I'm a little nervous" she told him honestly. She paused and took a sip of her coffee before adding, "I wish you were going to be there too. I've never known Empirical without you - it's strange that I'm not gunna be able to just walk across the office and make up an excuse to see you anymore."

"You used to make up excuses to come and see me?" Charles teased. Liza blushed at her slip of the tongue. He placed his hand on her thigh as he leant down and murmured in her ear, "I did that too by the way. I already knew where Diana was - I just wanted to talk to you."

A jolt of electricity shot up her spine at the feel of his warm hand on her skin. She giggled in amusement at the thought of him doing the same thing as her, recalling the many times he'd come up to her in the office, enquiring about Diana's whereabouts or asking if she knew when an author was arriving.

Charles took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb softly over her knuckles. "I'm going to see you tonight, and every other night that you'll let me. I'll still be coming into the office too, just not as often." He brushed a strand of hair from her face and smiled warmly at her, "You don't need me in order to succeed, but I'll be right there by your side, cheering you on and helping you celebrate your successes." He leant in as he murmured huskily, "And I'm going to start tonight."

A rush of warmth ran through her veins at the thought of what he had in store for her tonight. She stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into his body. "I'll look forward to it" she whispered softly, her lips brushing his ever so slightly. "You've already started though - you've always supported me, right from the start. Thank you" she added sincerely, wanting him to know she appreciated him.

Charles smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her to him. "No thanks are needed."

Liza returned his smile before leaning down and capturing his lips with hers once again. She lost herself in the kiss and the tender but sensual dance of his tongue with hers. When they broke for air, she caught sight of the clock on the wall and reluctantly stepped out of his embrace. "As much as I'd love to do this all day, I should probably get going – can't be late for my first day in a new job." And she really couldn't think of a better way to spend a day than in his arms, getting lost in him. "I've heard the new Chairman of the Board's quite a catch though, so I'm hoping to run into him soon" she teased.

Charles smirked in amusement as he stood up, "Oh I'm sure you'll be running into him soon, don't worry." He walked with her to the door, retrieving something from his jacket pocket on the way. She stepped out onto the front step after he held the door open for her, then turned back to him, wanting to prolong their time together – even though she knew she'd be coming back here tonight. "This is for you" Charles told her shyly, handing her a small gift-wrapped box, "I was going to give it to you later, but I think you should have it now."

Liza smiled warmly at him, gratefully accepting his thoughtful gesture. "Thank you."

"Open it on your way in to work" he added, as she was about to untie the little purple bow.

Liza grinned and placed the gift securely in her purse. "I will."

Out of the corner of her eye she her Uber pull up a couple of houses down, and her phone beeping confirmed its arrival. She knew she was lingering as she ran her hands up and down his arms, but she needed just a few more moments with him. Yep – she had it bad.

"You're going to be great - you'll be amazing" he assured her softly, leaning into her. "I saw something in you the first time I met you, and you've proven me right time and time again."

His faith in her meant the world to her. "And you trust me to help run your company?"

"I'd trust you with my life" he replied resolutely, and her breath caught at his words. After everything they'd been through, hearing him say that reminded her just how far they'd come.

"Are you okay though?" she persisted, knowing it wasn't just a big day for her, but for him too. "It's the first work day in 15 years you're not going into the office…and it would be totally understandable if you weren't okay."

"Liza, I'm fine – I promise" he assured her, leaning down and kissing her softly. "Now go and be amazing, like I know you're going to be. I'll be right here when you get back."

Liza smiled and squeezed his hand before turning and walking down the remaining steps.

"Wait!" Charles called, just as she set foot on the sidewalk. She turned back to face him and in two long strides he was by her side again. "You forgot something" he explained, and smiled at her confused look. "This" he whispered, and before she knew what was happening, he took her by the waist and kissed her passionately. She gripped his sleeves to steady herself from the heady feeling she always got when he kissed her like that.

They were both a little breathless when they pulled away. "Well I'm glad I didn't forget that" she told him happily as they stood there grinning at each other.

"One more thing" he added, tenderly brushing his thumb over her cheek, "you look beautiful by the way."

The way he looked at her when he said that made her smile widen and a warm blush colour her cheeks. She reluctantly stepped out of his embrace and with one last glance at him over her shoulder, she climbed into the waiting car. Liza waved at him through the window as they drove off, and it reminded her of the morning he dropped her off after their first night together, only this time it was the other way around.

As the car rounded the corner, Liza remembered the gift he'd given her. Retrieving it from her purse she carefully opened it to find a silver business card holder, complete with business cards. She couldn't stop the smile that took over her face at his gift, and the words inscribed on the cards:

Liza Miller

Co-Founder & Executive Editor

Millennial Print

Her eyes misted up as she pulled out her phone and texted him. 'I love it. Thank you! L x' ...'and I love you', she thought. She'd known it for a long time, and now she just needed to pluck up the courage to tell him. She'd do it soon - very soon.

As she ran her fingers over the embossed lettering, her nerves disappeared. She had the career she'd always wanted, and she had the man she'd always wanted - the man she loved. Everything was going to be okay.