Chapter 1

Peggy Olson tried not to dwell on the past. Since setting up her own small advertising firm five years ago, she really hadn't looked back. Business was steady...growing even, and Peggy was creatively fulfilled. She had stuck around SC&P post-sale to McCann for a few years, at first working with both of her mentors Don Draper and Ted Chaough. Things went very well for a while, until Don abruptly quit the firm. She had enjoyed working with him as well as Ted...their competitiveness finally yielding some great creative work and garnering awards for all three of them. No one was sure why Don left...a conflict with the parent company perhaps, reconciliation with his actress-wife Megan? Rumors flew but no one had any answers. All Peggy knew is that one day she went to see Don in his office but he had left without a word to anyone.

Peggy missed the easy creative collaboration she had with Don, and working with Ted alone simply was not the same. As time had passed she was able to see him for who he really was. Ted was not the dashing pilot who proclaimed that he would leave his wife for her and sweep her off her feet, he was a weak, broken man. Even though he did eventually divorce his wife, Peggy was no longer interested, having moved on after taking up with Nick the handyman. Their relationship had been simple, uncomplicated and the sex was good. He had informally moved in while helping Peggy fix up her building free of charge over the course of several years. Their relationship had run its course however, and it ended just as quietly as it began, unlike many of her other failed romances.

Peggy decided to leave SC&P when they failed to promote her to Creative Director. The higher-ups at McCann didn't seem to think that a woman was right for that position, even though Peggy had brought them some great recognition with her stellar work and had been the great equalizer between the two creative "crybabies" Don and Ted. Peggy saw that she was going nowhere at SC&P, and decided to strike out on her own, working out of the unit that was formerly her apartment in her brownstone. Once the other tenants had moved out, Peggy and Nick renovated the second and third floors and converted them into one large living space. When she decided to leave the firm, she remembered the pact she had made with Kenny Cosgrove years earlier and asked him if he wanted to go with her. Ken had been miserable at the firm for years and was ready for a change. He and Cynthia had three children, a boy and two girls and he was eager to spend more time with them than he was able to previously. He took the Dow Chemical account with him, and a few other smaller accounts for cash flow. Peggy also snagged her close friend Stan Rizzo to be their Art Director. Stan had been dissatisfied with the direction that things were going at SC&P and was eager for a fresh start. He had recently married his longtime girlfriend and they were expecting twins any day now.

Peggy found herself that day sitting in her office, finishing up dictation for her secretary. She lit up a cigarette, a habit that she knew she should quit and leaned back in her chair to stretch out. She was startled from by her secretary's voice on the intercom.

"Ms Olson, you have a visitor."

Peggy pressed the button to reply, "Who is it? I wasn't expecting anyone?"

"The man just said that he needed to see you, and that it was a surprise and not to tell you who it was." Peggy's secretary said cryptically. Peggy was intrigued and a little concerned. But Stan and Ken were nearby if there was any trouble. "Okay April," Peggy said cautiously, "Send him in."

The door slowly opened and in walked the man that she thought she'd probably never see again. He looked older, but still very handsome. Grey peppered his once dark brown hair, and there were a few more lines on his face, belying his age which must by now be early 50's. Still looking a bit like a relic from an earlier time he wore a grey flannel suit with a narrow striped tie.

"Ms Olson, thank you for agreeing to see me." The man said for the benefit of her secretary as he closed the door. Peggy felt her breath catch. She could hardly believe her eyes. He looked good, better than the last time she had seen him over five years ago. She shot up from her desk and raced over to him and he folded her into his arms into a warm embrace.

"Is it really you?" Peggy asked. She could feel herself getting choked-up. He smelled great, like aftershave. "God, I've missed you Don! You look great! Where have you been all this time?" Don exhaled, relieved that Peggy was happy to see him. He kissed her on the cheek and released her from his embrace. "It's good to see you too Peggy." Don said sincerely. "I see you've done well for yourself," Don said, gesturing to the awards that cluttered up Peggy's cabinets. "I always knew you'd do great." Don said with a warm smile. Peggy could feel her cheeks turning red. Even though she had long since passed the time when she craved the approval of her old mentor, it still meant a lot to hear genuine praise from him.

"Thanks, Don. We work on a much smaller scale here than at the old firm, but I find the work much more fulfilling." Don nodded, smiling a knowing smile. "Please, sit down. Can I get you something to drink?" Peggy asked, gesturing towards the small bar in her office. Don sat down on the sofa and shook his head, "Nothing for me, thanks. Although...coffee would be great if you have it." Peggy noticed that Don refused her offer of an alcoholic beverage but she didn't say anything. She smiled and poured Don a cup of coffee from the pot in her office. "Sure, coming right up." Peggy said as she brought Don's coffee to him and sat down. "So really Don, where have you been. I'm still pissed that you left without saying goodbye." Peggy said solemnly. Don frowned, "Sorry about that. You have to know that I didn't plan it that way. There was a emergency with my daughter Sally." Alarmed, Peggy exclaimed, "Oh no! Nothing too serious I hope. Is she okay?" Don nodded, "She's fine. Sally got herself into trouble in school out in California. Her mother refused to help, saying that the scandal would hurt her husband's political aspirations." Don rolled his eyes in disgust. "Anyway, I flew out to help as soon as she called. Sally had the baby a few months later and I was there for her through the whole thing."

Peggy was floored. This was the last thing she had been expecting to hear. "Wow, Don. Sally must have been frightened. She is very lucky to have you for a father."


Don scoffed at Peggy's words. A good, attentive father is not how he would have described himself for the better part of his children's' lives. Luckily he was able to redeem himself in Sally's eyes over the past six years, helping to raise his granddaughter, Anna while Sally took classes at the local community college. Since the sale of his partnership shares to McCann, Don had no financial need to work. He had felt creatively invigorated once he regained his former position as Creative Director and his old office. He had also thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with Peggy and to his amazement, Ted Chaough. But once he received the tearful call from Sally, he did not hesitate to drop everything to help her. He knew he owed her that. Sally had forgiven him for his negligent behavior in the past and he knew he had no business judging her for any of her transgressions. Helping his eighteen year-old daughter raise his granddaughter had been one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life. Don also felt gratified that Sally chosen to name her baby Anna, after he told he all about the woman who had helped him make a new life for himself.

Betty had never seen her granddaughter, having essentially cut off all contact with Sally after she became pregnant during her freshman year at Stanford. Don wasn't entirely surprised, but he was disappointed in his ex wife. He had discovered during their ten year marriage that keeping up appearances was essential to Betty. He supposed he couldn't fault her for that, given the way she was raised.

After living in California for a number of years, Sally finished her degree while her father helped her raise her daughter. Upon graduating, Sally decided that she wanted to return to New York to be closer to her brothers and look for work in publishing. Don wanted to help in any way that he could and so the three of them set off for New York a few weeks ago. Having sold his Upper East Side penthouse years earlier, Don found his family a comfortable townhouse to buy and little Anna Draper was to be enrolled in kindergarten in the Fall.

Don had tried to distance himself as much as possible from the advertising game, but he was aware that Peggy had struck out on her own not too long after he left town. She had made quite a name for herself and her tiny firm. Her office was modest, but impressive. He had seen Ken Cosgrove when he came in and had to convince him to hold his effusive greeting down so as to not spoil the surprise for Peggy. It appeared that Ken had finally ditched the eye patch and gotten himself a glass eye. "The kids kept asking Cynthia if I was a pirate. It was getting embarrassing!" Ken said with a great deal of humor. Don had always admired Ken's cheerful attitude and was glad to see that it had returned now that he had left the old firm. "How is Cynthia?" Don asked. "Cynthia is great, the kids are great, business is great, I couldn't be happier!" Ken stuck his head inside a nearby office. "Stan, quick you need to see who's here to see Pegs!" Ken whispered.

Stan appeared in the doorway of his office. "Well, Donald Draper, as I live and breathe! How are you Don? You look tan." Don laughed, "Stan. Good to see you. I am well. How are you?" "I'm in New York and in love." Stan replied enthusiastically. "Jenn is due practically any day now. TWINS!" Stan said with mock horror. Don grinned, "Well, you're going to be in for it! Get some sleep now...you won't sleep again for the next six months." Don joked. Stan seemed happier than he'd ever seen him. Stan's hair had grown considerably since the last time Don had seem him falling to just below his shoulders. He still wore a beard, but it was neatly trimmed.

"Well gentlemen, as much as I've enjoyed catching up with you, I am here to see Peggy. Perhaps we'll get more of a chance to talk later." "Of course, Don. By all means. It's good to see you!" Ken said cheerfully. "Yeah, Don. Don't be a stranger!" Stan said enthusiastically. Both Stan and Ken returned to their offices to work, leaving Don to introduce himself to Peggy's secretary. "Hello. My name is..." "Donald Draper. I was able to glean that information already from your previous conversation." Peggy's secretary interrupted drily. Don was a little taken aback by the woman's sarcasm, but he didn't hesitate to turn on the charm. "Yes. I'm here to see Ms Olson, but I don't have an appointment and she isn't expecting me. It's a surprise." "She hates surprises." The secretary declared. "I remember." Don mused. "Be that as it may, can you please let her know that she has a visitor?" Don asked. "Sure." The secretary replied. "Thank you, sweetheart. What did you say your name was?" "I didn't, but it's April." "Well, thank you very much, April." Don smiled and the secretary rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Ms Olson, you have a visitor."


"Wow Don! Sally must have been frightened! She is very lucky to have you for a father."

Peggy had a distinct memory of Don's daughter Sally back from when she was Don's secretary that involved Don's ex wife Betty and some chocolate bars. It didn't seem possible that Sally was old enough to be a mother, but Sally was twenty-three now...older than Peggy was when she had Pete's baby and gave it up for adoption.

Don winced at Peggy's assertion. "I don't know about that. I've certainly made more than my fair share of mistakes. I'm just very lucky that those most important to me have found it in their hearts to forgive me." Peggy met Don's eyes with a knowing smile. "Come on" Don said "Let me buy you dinner. It is still your birthday." "Jesus!" Peggy exclaimed "How did you remember that? I've been in denial all week." Don smiled, "Let's just say I'm making up for lost time. Come on, get your things." Peggy laughed, "It's 4:00...no one eats this early except for old people. But I guess since you are a grandpa now..." Peggy smirked as she pat Don on the back as they were leaving Peggy's office. "April, I'm leaving for the day. Let Stan and Ken know. See you Monday."