Lunch had quickly become Pete and Addison's thing. For the next three weeks they'd had lunch together almost everyday. Even on the weekends when they didn't have the excuse of work, Pete would stop by her house, just to see if she were free. They talked about Kevin sometimes. They were 'taking it slow, nothing serious' she would tell Pete. But she could still see a little hint of jealousy in his eyes whenever she mentioned his name and she had to admit, she was relieved. They talked about themselves, too. Asked questions, got to know each other, and at this point there was no denying that they really did like one another. It was something beyond their flirtatious sexual banter, they were connecting as friends. They actually were beginning to respect each other as people, something they had both silently realized they'd never done before with a member of the opposite sex.

"You know, I never thought I'd say this, but, I really, really like being your friend," Addison half joked as Pete handed his credit card to the waiter, "But you know, you could let me pay every once in a while."

"My mother always told me that the company of a beautiful woman alone is always more than enough reason for the man to pay for the meal." Pete said honestly.

"So, it's really your mother I need to be friends with." Addison quipped.

"My mother isn't half as good looking or as charming as I am." Pete smarted back.

She shook her head at him. Although she knew the smart ass side of Pete would never really go away, she was now finding it more endearing than she had before. She figured it was mostly because instead of being silent or cold afterwards, Pete communicated now. It wasn't perfect, yet, but he did open up to her, and everyday she could see pieces of his old bitter and cynical self start to melt away.

Suddenly her cell phone began to ring. She pulled it from her bag and checked the ID to find it was Kevin calling. She hit the silence button and threw it back in her bag.

"Boyfriend issues?" Pete asked.

"He's not my boyfriend, and there are no issues. We're in the middle of lunch; it would be rude to answer."

Pete shook his head a little and smiled. He'd paid and although they were waiting for the return of his credit card, it wouldn't have been at all impolite of her to have answered. He felt good inside knowing she didn't want to interrupt their time.

Addison had gone out with Kevin half a dozen times over the past few weeks. He was very polite, and he really, really liked to talk. Which was a good thing, Addison had convinced herself. It gave him something else to focus on. The subject of which she was hoping to keep his mind off of, however, began with an S and ended in EX. He was a good looking guy and of course the sex conversation had come up a couple of times. One night at his place he'd tried very hard to get her to sleep with him, but she wouldn't. She said she wanted to wait until it felt right. What she consciously never added to that statement was that she was sure, with Kevin, it would never feel right. Not unless there was a tall, dark, and extremely handsome hippie doctor hiding somewhere in his police uniform. Crap. She told herself she should just end it now with Kevin, he was never going to be who she really wanted. But she was having fun, and although she was closer than ever to Pete, he still hadn't really done anything to show Addison he was ready for a relationship with her. And then she'd remembered why she came up with this plan in the first place. She'd call Kevin back as soon as she'd returned to the office.

-

-

"I'm scared of turning 40," Addison had blurted out the next afternoon at lunch.

Pete laughed a little. How could someone as confident and gorgeous as Addison possibly be worried of turning one year older? She didn't look 40, hell, she barely looked over 35. Perfect and gorgeous, no matter what age, that's what he should have told her.

"Well if it makes you feel any better, I hit the forties a few years ago and although the build-up seems scary, once you actually get there, it just feels like another day."

"How many years is a few?" Addison asked curiously, no matter what his answer was, she knew he was ridiculously good looking for his age, especially when he smiled at her like she was nuts, the exact smile he was giving her now.

"Six."

"Really?" She said, sounding surprised, she'd been expecting him to admit even a little older than that.

"You gonna give me a bad time about being an old man?"

"No, it's just, you look. . ."

"Old." He interrupted.

"No." she said somewhat forcefully, "you look great."

He just smiled at her again, she knew that meant 'thank you'.

"Don't be afraid to be 40. I'll bet you look better now than you did fifteen years ago anyway…" Pete trailed off and it was her turn to smile at him. Pete offered her compliments at every available moment, and even though she thought she'd gotten used to the feeling they gave her, she still blushed every time.

"It's not that. I mean, I certainly hope I age gracefully, of course, but it's not just that. It's a whole accumulation of things. It's the divorced thing, the husband thing, the kids thing."

"Ahh," Pete breathed, beginning to understand what she was saying, "Well let me see if I can help you sort this out. Ok, so the divorced thing, not really an issue. Live and learn. Now you know what not to do in the next one. Husband thing, you'll find one. Any sane man on this earth would be an idiot not to want to marry you. Waking up every morning and seeing your face would be one hell of a way to spend the rest of your life." He looked up at her when he'd said this and noticed the warm pink sensation was returning to her cheeks as she looked down at the table. "As for the kids thing, there's a bunch of alternative options, if you really want it badly enough."

"I suppose. It's just, when I came here, the first time. Remember?"

"Oh, I remember it very well. . ."

"I thought I wanted a baby, that I could do it myself. If the guy thing wasn't going to happen then I at least wanted a child in my life. But the truth is I think I was just tired of being... tired, and lonely. Now that I think about it, I can't imagine bringing a child into this world without a father, without a home and a family. But the longer it takes to find the life, the chances get smaller, and so does the dream, you know?"

"If it's really your dream then you should never tell yourself it's not going to happen or it won't. . ."

"Please stop there," Addison begged with a laugh, "I don't think I can handle a 'visualize your destiny' speech from you today."

"Ok." He laughed, she was getting to know him too well.

"But, seriously, you don't think I'm stupid for holding on to something that might never happen for me?"

"I absolutely do not think you're stupid. It's nice to have something to hold on to."

"Thank You," she replied, not knowing what else to say. This was one of those moments when she'd hoped he'd just admit it was him, he was the guy, that they could have the life. But he didn't, and it was stupid of her to hope for so much so soon. "Hey, do me a favor? Don't tell anyone it's my birthday. I don't want anyone making a huge deal about it. Plus, its two days before Christmas and everyone is busy and has enough on their minds. I just, just promise me you won't tell."

"I won't. You got a hot date?"

"Not yet," she replied.

"Does he know it's your birthday?"

"Kevin?" she asked stupidly. "Yeah, he knows."

"Then you will."

-

-

It was December 23rd, the big day. Pete was right. The build up was definitely worse than what she was actually feeling, which was exactly like he said, just another year older. She half expected to get weird looks from people, like they'd all just know she'd hit forty. But everyone was the same and she was relieved. She'd treated her patients and gotten through the day, but something about it seemed off. Then she realized it was because she hadn't seen Pete all day. This would have marked the first day all week they hadn't had lunch together. It wouldn't have been a big deal, except he was the only one at work who knew about her birthday, and though she said she didn't want it to be a big deal, she was really looking forward to a birthday lunch with Pete. Damn it. She'd let herself feel disappointed by him, again. She'd set herself up for it and she couldn't even blame him, it was her fault for thinking it would be different this time.

She left Oceanside about six thirty and was hurrying to get home. She'd bought herself an amazing birthday outfit, decided to if she was going to be forty she was going to look hot. It was black silk, dangerously low cut. She'd really bought it hoping that Pete would ask her to do something; she had told him she didn't have any plans, after all. But Kevin had called the night before inviting her to dinner and she thought it impolite to refuse, especially if it meant spending the night alone. A date with Kevin was certainly better than no date with Pete.

She'd hurried in from the car, threw open the door quickly and started for the stairs. She paused for a second and turned back down the stairs and hit the light. Her eyes scanned the room for a second in disbelief. There were what she was sure had to be at least fifty different kinds of flowers filling her entire house. Some in vases, some still wrapped in paper, others tied with beautiful bows. They covered the counter tops in the kitchen, filled the living room. There were bouquets on the coffee table and all over the floor leading up to the stairs; she could only imagine that when she followed them upstairs there would be a whole bedroom full waiting for her, too. They were the most beautiful flowers she'd ever seen.

"Oh, my god." She finally gasped out loud. She'd never thought of Kevin as a grand gestures type of guy.

She couldn't help but smile the whole time she was changing, and she began to feel a little nervous. She put on her shoes, threw on some lipstick, and grabbed a daisy out of the vase next to her bed as she grabbed her purse and headed down stairs. She gasped when she'd reached the bottom stair, startled to see someone standing in the living room.

"I didn't mean to scare you." Pete started as he turned around to face her. "Wow, you look, beautiful."

"Thank You" she replied with a smile, happier to see Pete than she probably should be, Kevin would be there any second.

"Looks like you've got a date tonight."

She laughed at how obvious the answer was but couldn't help but think she'd change her mind in a second if he would have asked her to stay with him. "Kevin should be here any minute. How'd you get in here anyway?"

"Someone must have been in a hurry. You left the door open." He nodded over towards the door which was still ajar, keys still in the lock. "Happy Birthday," he said moving toward where she was standing at the bottom of the stairs and he handed her a small box.

Before she'd had a chance to take it from him they heard a small knock and turned to notice Kevin had appeared at the open door, bouquet of red roses in hand.

Addison looked from Kevin slowly back to Pete and met his eyes. It was Pete? He smiled softly and looked down at his feet, so obviously guilty. She didn't know what to do. If Kevin hadn't been in the room she was positive she would have kissed him right then and there. But she couldn't speak. She was still staring at Pete who was staring at the floor.

"I'd say these are for you, but it looks like someone's got you covered."

"No," she said finally looking away from Pete. She began walking over to him, "These are great, thank you." She took the flowers from him and made room on the counter for them. Pete had looked up at her as she'd walked away, and now Kevin was picking up on the tension because he was staring back and forth from Addison to Pete.

"They're from everyone at Oceanside," he lied as he made his way to the door, "Oh," he said realizing he was still holding the little box in his hands. "Here," he said handing it to her quickly, "you guys have a good night."

"Wait, Pete." She said, and turned to Kevin, "I just need one second, can I meet you at the car?"

"Ok," he agreed, turning back out the door closing it behind him.

When she was sure he'd gone, she opened the box. Inside where the most beautiful pair of gold diamond earrings she'd ever seen.

"Pete. . ." she started.

"You're the only woman I've ever seen who actually looks amazing in gold jewelry. Most women don't know how to wear it. They make it look, tacky, but not you. I'm sure you could make wearing a plastic bag look sexy, look at you."

She beamed at him and couldn't hide her huge smile."Pete, this is. . ."

"Too much?" He cut her off. "The flowers, maybe. It's just that it was very hard to figure out your favorite flower when I wasn't allowed to breathe a word of it to our friends. I decided instead of guessing, because I had about one in fifty chance of being wrong, I'd get them all, and you'd at least like one or two of them, right?"

"The tulips and daisys are my favorite. The roses are so, expected." She shared. And they both laughed when they'd realized Kevin's roses were the only ones in the room.

"You didn't have to do all this," she said shaking her head. She walked a few steps forward so that she was standing right in front of Pete. She stared up at his face and for a minute they just looked at each other; neither of them had to say anything. She looked down and placed a hand on his chest, then looked back up at him again when she'd felt how fast his heart was beating. She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. "You really didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to, and hey, I'm sorry about missing lunch today." He said stepping forward closing the small gap that had been between them so now they were pressed to each other. They both breathed heavily for a moment, trying to ignore the tension, but it felt so right.

"I'm sorry, I have to go." She finally broke the silence.

"Right, of course, you should. Go."

"I'm really sorry that I have a date tonight." She said and kissed his the other side of his face right next to his ear, "Thank you," she whispered.

And with that, she turned at walked out the door to join her date. She should have felt worse, she thought, as she was walking toward Kevin's car. Kevin was being very thoughtful and he was waiting out here for her, it was just, how could she feel anything but wonderful. She was sure that no man had ever made her feel the way Pete just had. This just may have been the start of something good.

A/N: thanks again to everyone who is reading!! It makes me so happy to hear what you think of the story!! I apologize if Pete is getting too out of character, it's just that in my heart I know sexy, thoughful Pete is the only way he can be. :) Which brings me to remind, that I own nothing, I think we all know what whould be different if I did. Please continue to R&R!