When he arrives at her apartment he finds the door unlocked. His knuckles touch the door and make a barely audible sound.

"Come in," she tells him from inside.

He opens the door and goes into the apartment. She sits on the couch still wearing her work clothes. He sits down in the chair adjacent to her.

"I think that I should explain," he tells her feeling uneasy.

She flaps her hand. He just looks at her as she sets her laptop aside. He tries to read the emotion in her piercing blue eyes. He sees something he's never seen before.

"I've come to realize that some one the things that I believe, they aren't for just reasons."

He looks at her questioningly.

"You realize that you're my longest relationship with a man?"

He stares at her, saying nothing, realizing she just wants him to listen.

"I believe that there is a reason."

"Of course there is," he agrees.

"From an anthropological perspective I've come to realize that if you don't change, that if you don't adapt yourself, you don't move forward."

He nods in agreement, unsure of where she's going.

"I have become more open to things since I've met you."

"It's because you had turned a blind eye to the world while you were trying to protect your heart from the pain of the world," he answers.

"I agree. It's difficult to live in a world in which you are not fully a part of."

"Right."

Seemingly out of the blue she announces, "I'd like to get married one day. I've come to realize that under the right circumstances it can be more than just an antiquated ritual. I want to have that bond with someone. I don't want people to see me as cold, and rational all the time. Love isn't rational."

"I've been trying to tell you that."

"I'd like to share the rest of my life with someone who I trust with my heart. I need someone who will protect my heart...."

"Of course."

"I've only recently realized how important family is. I just wasn't sure that I could have a family."

"Why?"

"The logistics of the situation was an obstacle, because when I picture what my family would look like, it was very specific. So I decided that if I couldn't exactly have what I wanted, that I wouldn't have it all."

"We all have specific ideas of what our families should look like."

"But I'm not willing to settle," she answers him.

"I understand. So let me get this straight, you want to have a child, my child, but you don't want me. Is that right?"

"No," she shakes her head.

He furrows his brow and cocks his head waiting for her to explain futher.

"Seeley when you told me your reservations... I knew that I could never go through with it... not that way."

"What do you mean?"

"You're the reason that I've changed so much. You're... the picture that I was convinced, until very recently, that I could never have."

"What are you saying."

"I believe that under the right circumstances I would like to get married."

"What would those circumstances have to be?"

"I need someone as strong as I am. I need someone who is willing to give their life for me. I need someone one who I can't live without. I need someone with enough courage to ask my father for my hand in marriage."

He nods, and swallows hard waiting for the but. Instead she simply adds, "I need you."

His head raises and his eyes light up. She moves toward him, and he's on his feet before she can take two steps. He hugs her tightly and breathes in her smell.

"You mean that?" he asks.

"Yes," she answers.

He lets go of her. "I was afraid to ask why you never went through with the insemination."

"Children should be given every possible opportunity in their lives. Two stable, loving, parents... those are the most invaluable things any child could ever have."

"So why did you ask me to be your sperm donor?"

"To be perfectly honest, I just wanted someone like you, who belonged to me."

"Temperance..."

"Yes?"

"You're sure?"

"You aren't?"

"I am," he answers.

"When you were in a coma all I could think about was what would happen if I lost you. I wanted to tell you what you meant to me. After you woke up I could never seem to find the right opportunity to tell you."

"What do we do about work?"

"I don't see why it would be a problem. I think that unresolved feelings would be a bigger workplace issue that resolved ones."

"I agree," he smiles.

She beams. He pulls her in. She looks up at him with a devilish grin. Finally their lips meet.