Mackenzie retreated back to the apartment, shucked off her shoes as soon as she was out of the elevator, and changed into an old t-shirt of Will's once she reached the bedroom. She settled into bed for a nap, lying on a heating pad and praying like hell that her back would let her have just this one-day of normality. Please, she begged silently, please don't let me spoil his plans. Please, don't let me ruin one more thing in his life. She wiped her tears and grabbed Will's pillow and slept.

A few hours later Mackenzie jolted awake when the phone rang. "Hello?" she said groggily.

"Ms. McHale?" the doorman asked. "There's a package at the front desk for you. Would you like me to send it up?"

The watch! Of course, how could she have forgotten? But they had said it wouldn't be ready until the evening? Shit! What time was it? She looked at the bedside clock…it was after six o'clock! She had to be back at the studio!

"No!" she told the doorman. "I'm on my way down. I'll pick it up."

Mackenzie quickly but carefully climbed out of bed and threw her clothes back on. She gathered her things and made her way downstairs to the front desk.

"There's a package here for me John?" Mackenzie asked, looking at her Blackberry to see how many calls she'd missed while asleep.

"Yes ma'am, here you are. And I gather congratulations are in order?" the young doorman asked, nodding at the ring on her hand.

"Yes, well…thank you," Mackenzie said, blushing as she gathered the Tiffany box and her purse and stepped out to hail a cab. Sitting in the back seat of the yellow taxi, she was sorely tempted to open the box and check that the engraving was correct, but she knew she'd never get the lovely cream-colored bow tied properly again. She tucked the box into her purse and smiled to herself. He would love it…and she couldn't wait to see the look on his face. He had been doing so much for her lately. Taking care of her, planning a wedding…she was so excited to be able to do something for him.

Mackenzie rushed into the newsroom and waved Jim over to her office.

"Here's the deal. Tonight and every night until I go on leave I will be the one in Will's ear…you will do everything else. I won't be hovering over your shoulder every minute Jim, but I will be watching. You have just over two weeks to make the transition. That is far longer than I had to prepare for my first day as an EP. My EP dropped dead of a heart attack in the middle of a show. I was never actually promoted from senior producer to executive producer Jim…it just happened. Somehow I made it work. You will have to do the same."

"Okay," he said quietly.

"What?" she asked, knowing there was something he wanted to ask, but didn't quite know how.

"He doesn't listen to anybody but you. How am I supposed to produce him if he doesn't listen to me Mac?" Jim asked desperately. And she knew he had a point. Will was stubborn and pig-headed and resolute once he settled on an idea and talking him out of something was nearly impossible for anyone but her. She would need to talk to him about that.

"He will, Jim. I promise you…by the time I leave for surgery he will listen to you," Mackenzie promised. She just hoped she could deliver on that promise.

"Ready to go?" she asked Will later that evening as she pulled on her headset and settled into her chair.

"Hey, I thought you'd gone AWOL on us," he whispered, looking up into the camera.

"Nope, just slept a little longer than I meant to. Did you really think I'd miss a show now? When I have so few left to produce?" she asked sincerely.

"No, of course not. Just worried that Jim or Don would start yacking in my ear," he said grumpily.

"Will, please. You have to…" but he cut her off mid-lecture.

"No, I don't have to do anything yet. You're still here Mackenzie and no one else better pick up that damn headset while you are!" he whispered harshly.

"Ok, fine. Nobody touches my headset…yet. Have a good show Will," she told him quietly. He nodded.

The show went smoothly and Will entered the control room and pulled her out behind him.

"Will, please…you need to talk to them. You need to talk to Jim…" Mackenzie started, but he continued to pull her down the hallway after him. When they reached the bullpen, Mac was shocked to see the entire staff crowded around and clapping.

"Congratulations!" they all shouted.

"You knew," she whispered to him.

"Of course I knew. Maggie organized it…and Maggie does nothing quietly," he told Mac, pulling her into his side. Just then, the young associate producer walked up and presented the two of them with a small box.

"Just something we all wanted you to have," Maggie said quietly. Mac pulled open the wrapping and found a picture of her and Will, heads tilted toward each other, working furiously over piles of paperwork on the table in front of them. The silver frame was engraved "all work is empty save when there is love."

"It's beautiful Maggie. Everyone…it's just beautiful. Thank you so much," Mackenzie cried, looking at the photo. "Thank them Will," she whispered to remind him.

"Thank you everyone. I hope you all know that our wedding will really just have a few family members in attendance, so please don't take offense at the lack of invitations. However, several rounds of drinks have already been paid for down at Hang Chew's courtesy of Mackenzie and myself, so please, go enjoy yourselves and maybe say a toast or two for our marriage," he said happily. Mackenzie was shocked. Will was becoming quite generous and open in his old age.

"When did you arrange that?" she asked, curiously.

"While you were at home resting. See, I'm not as cold and heartless as you all think I am."

"I never thought you were cold or heartless Will," she reminded him. "In fact, you're just the opposite, you big softie. Which is why you're having a hard time listening to Jim in your ear, right?"

He looked away, but she turned his face back toward her.

"Will, I'm not dying. I'm taking a short medical leave to have back surgery. I will be back. Listening to someone else in your ear is not a betrayal and it doesn't somehow mean that I won't return," she assured him. He looked away again as a tear ran down his cheek.

"I'm going to be fine Will. But in the meantime you need to listen to your producer. And for just a little while that is going to be Jim. Ok?" she asked. He nodded.

"Good. Now go tell Jim that," Mackenzie replied. "And then we're going home to get a good night's rest. We're getting married tomorrow, you know?" she asked cheekily.

"You don't say? I wondered what all those plans were for?" he replied sarcastically.

Will returned a few minutes later and said, "we're going to be all right. We both have adjusting to do with you going out but we'll get through it and celebrate when you come back."

"Jim's scared, he won't say anything but he is and I'll get him comfortable, don't worry," Mac said.

Will nodded. "Let's get out of here."

"Sounds good to me. Is Lonny downstairs?"

"Yes. Do you need help with anything?"

"No, go get your things and meet me at the elevator."

Lonny drove them home and said good night. On the ride upstairs, she took his hand and rested her head on his shoulder.

"You tired?" he asked.

"A little."

"Hungry?"

"A lot," she said with a smile.

They got off the elevator and went into the bedroom to change. She was pulling off her shirt when he stepped behind her and unclasped her bra. When she looked at him he said, "I'm just helping."

"Thank you," she said and took off the bra. His hands were on her breasts, touching and feeling their weight, playing with her nipples. She reached around behind herself to touch him. She could feel the beginnings of an erection.

"God, Mac," he moaned pushing into her hand. He was kissing her neck and shoulder. "This is not getting you food, sweetheart."

She turned in his arms and pulled his mouth to hers. She pushed her tongue into his mouth and played with his tongue. He made a moaning noise and picked her up and placed her in the center of their bed.

"You feel good," she whispered in his ear, her tongue tracing the ridges.

He shivered from the attention she was paying to his ear. He was kissing and licking his way from her mouth to her ear. He took the lobe between his teeth and with his tongue he flicked it back and forth.

She arched against him. He took her breast in his hand and he very softly ran his fingers all around her breast. His hand moved back up her chest and neck into her hair. He was running his fingers through her hair, playing with it.

She rolled them over and sat on his now very erect penis. She loved that she didn't have a shirt on and that he was still completely dressed but she wanted to feel his chest hair rub against her nipples.

His hands were softly touching her anywhere he could reach and he was watching her unbutton his shirt. She was taking her time, unbuttoning from the bottom up. Every patch of skin she revealed she placed an open mouth kiss there. She was breathing against his stomach and then his chest, making him feel her warm breath. When she uncovered his nipples she stopped to suckle each of them and bit very gently, pulling on his skin. She could feel him throbbing against her. When she had all of the buttons undone she whispered, "sit up a little," in his ear.

He lifted himself up and she removed his shirt. His hands were on her waistband, unbuttoning and unzipping her pants. She stood on her knees so he could remove her pants and underwear. She sat back down further down on his thighs so she could unbuckled his belt, unbutton and unzip his pants. She moved off of him and said, "lift your hips." She pulled his clothes off and placed them on the bed. He reached out to touch her and she pulled back. "No touching right now, Billy."

He looked confused but went along with her request and placed his hands on the bed beside him. She moved so she was sitting down by his feet and took one foot into her lap and with her thumbs massaged the bottom of his foot and kissed his arch with open mouth kisses. She did the same to his other foot and kissed her way up to the back of his knee. He reached out to touch her hair and she pulled back. "Do I have to tie your hands down?"

He smiled at her and put his hands back on the bed. He really liked it when she took charge.

She spread his legs apart and massaged his thighs and licked her way to his groin and then moved to the other leg, she was touching and licking and kissing him everywhere except where he wanted her pay attention.

"Turn over," she said moving so he could flip over.

He looked at her and turned over onto his stomach. She moved over his legs and began kissing and nibbling in the crease where his leg met his torso, her hands on his ass, massaging him. She licked the indentions on his lower back and ran her nails along his ribcage and quickly flicked his nipples and then moved away again.

"Mac, fuck," he moaned.

She moved up and was straddling his waist, massaging his shoulders. She leaned down and licked the back of his neck and he shivered. She was gently biting the skin on the back of his neck when she felt his hand touch her leg. "William."

"I need to touch you," he whined.

"Soon. Be good for now."

She moved off of him and traced his ribs with the tip of her tongue. "Turn over." When he did she pushed her tongue into his mouth and kissed him hard. She pulled back enough to say, "touch me," and went back to the kiss. His hands were all over her. He couldn't get enough of touching her.

She put her leg over him and eased down onto his cock. When he pulled back he was panting and trying to touch her everywhere at once. "Fuck, Mac, God you feel good," he said arching up into her. His fingers reached for her clit and began rubbing it quickly. "I'm so close, Mac, God you drive me wild," he said, helping her move faster on his cock.

All of a sudden he flipped them over and pulled her leg higher against him. He reached for her breast and twisted her nipple and the pleasure/pain pushed her over the edge and she was chanting, "Billy," over and over. His orgasm followed shortly after hers began. He put her leg back on the bed and collapsed next to her.

They were both laying there panting. She reached for his hand and he laced their fingers together. "God, Kenz, I love you."

She sat up and kissed him gently. "I love you, Billy."

He pulled her down to rest against his chest so he could hold her. "Are you still hungry?"

"Yes. Will you scramble me a couple of eggs?"

"Sure, you wait here, I'll be back shortly," he said and kissed her and reached for his boxers.

A few minutes later he came back into the bedroom and she had pulled his shirt on and only had two of the middle buttons, buttoned. She was resting against the pillows with the tv on CNN.

"Here you go," he said handing her a plate. He brought a couple of waters back with him that he placed on the nightstand. He climbed into bed and sat close to her.

"These are great, thank you," she said and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

"You're welcome."

They finished up their dinner and while Will was taking their dishes back to the kitchen she took a couple of Vicodin. She was under the covers when he returned and joined her. They both fell asleep rather quickly and slept through until morning.

Her phone rang, waking them both up. "This is Mackenzie."

"Why aren't you up already?"

"Good morning, Sloan."

"Kenz, you're getting married today, we've got a million things to do, get up!"

"Where are you, Sloan?"

"I'm still at home. I'm getting ready to leave and I should be there in a little while."

"Okay, I'm up. I'll see you soon."

"She on her way?" Will asked with his eyes still closed.

"Very shortly."

"Okay, that's my cue," he said sitting up.

"What's going on?"

"Sloan and Meggie will be here by noon to help you get ready. Your father will be here after a while to escort you, Meggie and Sloan to the wedding."

"I have something for you," she said getting out of bed and brought the Tiffany box back to their bed and held it out to him.

"What's this?"

"A present, open it."

He pulled the bow and opened the box to see the watch she'd purchased for him. "Kenz…."

"Read the back."

He turned the watch over and saw her inscription. "I love it, thank you," he said pulling her into his arms.

"You're welcome."

"I need to get ready, I promised Meggie I'd be gone by the time she and Sloan arrived," he said and kissed her gently. He finally pulled himself away from her and got out of their bed.

She watched him dress and when he returned from the bathroom he had a garment bag along with another smaller bag. "I'll see you later," he said and leaned down to kiss her.

"I love you, Billy."

"I love you, too, Kenz," he said and left their bedroom and the apartment.

Mac was in the kitchen in her robe when the doorman called up to announce Meggie and Sloan. She met them by the elevator.

"I take it we're alone?" Sloan asked.

"Will left a while ago."

"How are you feeling, dear?" Meggie asked.

"Very relaxed and I feel good," Mac said.

A little while later Meggie was talking to Michael when Mac pulled Sloan into the bedroom. "What's up?"

"I have something for you, it's from Will and me," she said handing Sloan her present.

"Really? Thanks, you guys didn't have to do that," she said pulling on the bow. "Oh my God, Kenz, these are gorgeous," she said looking up at her friend with tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she said hugging Mac.

"You're welcome. You've been such a huge help and such a great friend to both of us."

"I love you, guys. You're going to make me cry, Kenz, stop."

Mac laughed and said, "go try them on."

Sloan returned a couple of minutes later with a huge smile on her face, "these are gorgeous. Thank you."

"I'm glad you like them."

"Girls," they both heard from the living room and walked back out of the bedroom. "Look what was just delivered," Meggie said. It was a box of pastries and cookies and items to snack on. The card said, "I hope you enjoy. Thank you for all of your help." It was signed, love Will.

Their afternoon passed quickly with the hair and make-up woman helping all three of them get ready. Just before six the doorman called up and announced that Michael had arrived. When he walked off the elevator he stopped and just stared at his daughter.

"How do I look?"

"Gorgeous, Mackenzie. You look stunning," he said taking her hands and kissing her cheek.

"Thank you."

"Are you ready to go? The limo is downstairs and I know that Will is very anxious to see you."

"I am."

Sloan and Meggie walked out of the bedroom and Meggie kissed Michael. "Sloan this is my father, Michael," Mac said making the introductions.

"It's nice to meet you, I've heard so much about you," Sloan said.

"And you, my dear," he said. "I understand you were instrumental in making tonight happen."

"It was my pleasure," Sloan said.

"Our limo awaits," Mac said.

Michael offered Mac his arm and escorted her along with Meggie and Sloan out of the apartment to the waiting limo.

"Where are we going?" Mackenzie asked, watching the streets of New York fly past the car window.

"It's a surprise," Sloan said, smirking.

"You know? How the hell is that possible? You know where I'm getting married and I don't?" Mackenzie shrieked.

"Jesus, Kenz…calm down. Try to enjoy yourself. And stop shouting. You've got that whole splotchy red-skinned British thing going on. It's really not a good look," Sloan warned.

Mackenzie glared. She pulled a mirror out of her purse to check her make-up, and sure enough, Sloan was right. Two bright-red splotches of color dotted her cheeks and she was blushing right down to her cleavage. Sometimes she cursed her complexion. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself and tried to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

"We're here," Sloan announced a few minutes later.

"A bookstore? I'm getting married in a bookstore?" Mackenzie asked.

"You are. Wait until you see the inside though Kenz. It's gorgeous," Sloan assured her.

And she was right…it was gorgeous. Mackenzie walked in to find the old two-story bookstore was full of gleaming hardwoods and vaulted ceilings. And every surface was covered in orchids, lilies and tulips. It was stunning.

Sloan and Meggie rushed her into a side room to wait for the ceremony to begin and Mackenzie found her head swimming from all the excitement. How did other women stand the months of planning and waiting that went into most wedding preparations? She'd had less than a week to comprehend all that was happening, but suddenly she found herself desperate to be through with all of this…she wanted it to be over…she wanted to be Will's wife.

"Can we start yet?" she asked Meggie quietly.

"Just a few minutes love. Are you ok?"

"Mmm…yeah. I just want to see Will," she said wearily. And it was true. She was glad everyone she loved was here with her for this event, but right now, the only person in the world she wanted to be with was on the other side of that damn door!

"Ready?" her father asked, giving her his arm.

"You have no idea," she chuckled.

The next twenty minutes seemed to pass in a blur. She remembered holding onto her father's arm for dear life as she made her way toward Will. She saw Charlie standing there next to him…his best man…and she smiled. She vaguely heard all the words the minister told her to repeat, but mostly she just stared at Will, stunned that they had finally made it here. Her feet were numb, but she wasn't sure if that was from her back pain or because she was in shock. And then, suddenly, it was all over. They were married.

"Are you ok?" Will asked, a few minutes later, as their guests mingled around them and sipped champagne.

"I'm married," she said, as if just realizing for the first time that this is what all the plans of the last week or so had been leading to.

"Yeah, I noticed that. I'm the one that put the ring on your finger, remember?" he asked sarcastically.

"Oh, right," she said blankly, staring down at her ring finger and then at his.

"Mackenzie! What is wrong with you?" he asked, pulling her over to a corner of the bookstore. He pushed her into a chair and sat next to her.

"I think I assumed it would feel different. That the second he pronounced us man and wife I would feel more for you, or worse yet, feel less for you. But you've always been my family…this didn't change anything Will," she said softly.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing Kenz?" he asked, concerned.

"I remember hearing my mother talking to one of her friends when I was little. She was telling her how awful it was to feel chained to a life you never wanted. That it changed something inside you. I think I always assumed love and marriage and children would feel that way. I kept thinking that, at some point, my feelings for you would change Will. And it terrified me. When we were together before, I didn't want to do anything that would change us…but now I see that I was wrong. Nothing about this changed us Will. You're still my best friend and my lover and…everything. I just get to add husband to that list now."

She looked so awe-struck by the utter simplicity of it all that he just wanted to kiss he senseless right then and there, but he settled for a quick peck on the lips and a few whispered words of love, and then urged her up so they could rejoin all their guests for dinner and dancing.

He could tell she was tiring and he didn't want her to be in pain so they called it an early night and left their guests to their celebrations. They had just a day or two, alone in their blissful bubble, to celebrate their nuptials. They returned to work on Monday, still floating on a cloud of happiness, trying not to think about the mere two weeks Mackenzie had left at the office.