The sun shines through the falling leaves, with a bird chirping in the boughs of the oak tree outside her office window. With a heavy heart, Ruthie looks out the window, not truly seeing the beautiful autumn afternoon unfolding before her very eyes.

She briskly turns away from the window. "Kevin. Tell me again. How is Boston looking?"

"Lookin' good, kid," responds Kevin.

Since Lucy died the accident, Kevin and Ruthie have struck up a friendship that has blossomed into something special. Ruthie's girlfriends always seem to think that there is more than just friendship, and Ruthie never knows quite how to answer…

But right now there was no time to think about anything other than friendship. Ruthie has business to attend to - the Primaries are in two weeks and she is still three points behind her fiercest opponent, Robbie Palmer.

"Don't call me kid, Kevin. In 6 months I might very well be the next President of the United States of America. Will you call me kid then?" quips Ruthie, playfully.

"Yes Ma'am. No, Ma'am." Kevin smiles.

Just then, the phone rang. 'Who could it be?' wondered Ruthie. "Well you're my Chief of Staff, please answer it."

Kevin picked up the phone, "Camden 2020. Main Office. Kevin speaking."

"Oh hey Sam and David, you want to talk to your sister?"

"Oh OK. Sure. I'll let her know"

"It was Sam and David. They say you need to go back to Glen Oak. Simon and Martin are getting married this weekend."

Ruthie perks up. "Oh my god. That's great news! They've finally embraced their love for each other! And just in time for a fall wedding."

"Shall I book you a train ticket?" asks Kevin.

"You should book US a train ticket." smiles Ruthie.

"Us? I…" Kevin pauses, pain flashing across his face, "I can't go back there. Not without… It's too soon."

Ruthie puts her hand over his. "Kevin. You have to move on. Lucy passed away 9 years ago now."

"… I don't know." Kevin looks down.

"I'll be there right there with you Kevin, every step of the way."

Kevin looks up with a very serious expression and meets her gaze "Ruthie. I just can't take it anymore."

Ruthie steps up closer, eyes gleaming, "What is it? Tell me."

"Ruthie, I love you."

"Oh Kevin," she says, taken aback.

Kevin steps towards her, closing the distance between them. "I've been wanting to do this for so long." He grabs her face and places his lips upon hers.

As they kiss, the last leaf of the oak tree falls to the the ground outside the office window, allowing the evening sun to shine upon them.

The End.