The Monday after New Year's Day, Jerry Espenson and his wife, Katie Lloyd Espenson, walked hand in hand into Shirley Schmidt's office. They had flown back to Boston first class, a wedding present from Denny and Alan, two days after their elopement and had spent the rest of their vacation making decisions about their married life and informing family about their wedding.

The first decision they had reached was that they would keep both homes; Katie's house would be their primary residence and Jerry's apartment would serve as their pied – a – Terre so that if either of them worked late they could choose to stay in town rather than having to commute to the house. From December 28th through January 6th, they had rearranged their wardrobes and furniture, putting things in one place or the other.

When they weren't doing that, they were on the phone with their respective families. As expected, Lady Lloyd was less than pleased, but surprisingly, Katie's father's attitude was "Whatever makes you happy." He had assured his daughter and new son – in – law that he would work to change his wife's opinion and promised Katie she would not call to nag her about her decision to marry Jerry.

Jerry's sister was so ecstatic that someone had actually wanted to marry her brother that she immediately gave them an open invitation to visit her and her family in Cleveland whenever they wanted. Jerry thanked her profusely and put Katie on the phone to say hello. It took her almost twenty minutes to get away. They were both glad to be back at work so they could rest.

Shirley looked up from what she had been reading and smiled when she saw the two of them holding hands. "Well, this is nice. Happy New Ye…" she started to say, but stopped when she saw the bands on their ring fingers. "Oh. My. God. Did you two get married?" At their enthusiastic nods, she got up and hugged them both. "When did this happen?"

Katie answered, "Jerry proposed again and said he wanted to go to Vegas to elope, so that's what we did. It was all very sudden and last minute. You aren't upset, are you?"

"Of course not! I'm just happy that you worked out your problems. So, you just used the witness at whatever chapel you were in?"

Jerry replied, "No pop I called Denny and Alan and they agreed to stand up for us. Katie said I should call them since they were already in Vegas. So far, you and they are the only friends who know we're married. They treated us to dinner to celebrate."

Katie chimed in, "It was wonderful."

"Well, we need to pop pop get back to work. Is Clarence here?"

Shirley nodded, "He is. I don't know if you two have discussed this on not, but now that you are married, I want you to continue not sharing an office. Katie, you'll stay on the fifteenth floor. If you like, Jerry, Clarence can share the office with you." She held up her hand to forestall their protests. "Trust the old, many times married woman in front of you. Why do you think my husband and I have our offices on opposite sides of the floor? It's a good thing to be able to go to a neutral corner when you work with your spouse."

Jerry bowed his head in acquiescence and was about to take his leave when Carl Sack appeared in the doorway. "Oh, hi. I heard you two were in the building. Jerry, have you spoken to Clarence?"

"Pop, no. I was about to go see him. We have court tomorrow."

Carl shoved his hands into his pockets and blew air forcibly from his mouth. "Actually, no, you don't. I just spoke with Paul Lewiston who had just gotten off the phone with the plaintiff's attorney. It would seem that the plaintiff committed suicide the day after Christmas and the case is in limbo."

Katie gasped and placed her hands over her mouth. "That's horrible!" she said from behind them.

Jerry paled visibly. "I have to speak with Clarence," he said before rushing out the door.

Carl was staring at Katie's hands. "Is that a wedding band?" At her answering nod he said, "Sorry about the bad news, but congratulations on your marriage."

Katie smiled. "Thank you, Carl. Well then, I'd better get to my desk and see what's on it. Thank you both for your well wishes." She closed the door on her way out so Shirley and Carl could have privacy.

Shirley had sat stunned at Carl's news. "I feel terrible for the family. Something like this is doubly tragic during the holidays."

Carl sat on her desk. "He left a note behind saying that he just couldn't take anymore. He knew he was losing and he didn't want to drag his family through what he considered his public humiliation."

Shirley leaned her elbows on her desk. "I imagine I should be glad that Chang Poole and Schmidt has emerged victorious by default, but I don't. Not at all."