Chapter 10

Ted slept alone that night, after arranging plans with Peggy for Friday night he returned to his hotel room he'd been living out of. He slumped out of his suit, tossing his clothes onto the floor, kicking off his shoes, and collapsing into bed with just his boxers on. His mind raced with thoughts of Peggy, how he wanted her, longed for her, to taste her mouth again. He thought of that night, the one night he gave into his desires and quickly he took off her coat and unzipped her dress, desperately seeking to touch her pale skin against his.

In his bed alone, he let his mind detail how perfect the next time would be. How he would savor each moment, although he was anxious to envelope her and have her completely he would have to resist the urge. This wouldn't just be a release; this next time would be a new beginning for them both. All that they had resisted and refused and denied of themselves and of their desires would culminate into an ecstatic blissful moment.

Peggy also slept alone, but before climbing into bed phoned up Stan.

"Are you really calling me this late at night?"

"How did you know it was me?"

"C'mon, Peggy, who else is going to call this late?"

Peggy huffed and let out a sigh.

After a moment Stan continued "Everything all right with Chaough? Saw him in the bathroom and he looked a bit worse for wear."

"I'm not sure; sometimes I don't know what to think when it comes to him. He saw us today."

Stan took a second to breathe. "Oh?"

"He confronted me, like something happened and I was having an affair."

"Well – we could have been…"

Peggy rolled her eyes and glided her tongue along her teeth, "Nothing happened."

"Look, maybe Chaough is just the jealous type."

"I think he's going to propose…" Peggy smiled and winced simultaneously, she felt her stomach turnover inside and began to feel overwhelmed by anxiety and nerves that by stating this truth out loud, it had become a reality for her, one that she had only allowed herself to imagine.

Stan sat up in bed, "…and you're going to say yes?" he asked softly. In his mind he replays one of their past phone conversations "there's always a better idea", and concedes that possibly Ted is the better idea, although Stan wished it was him.

A moment passes and Peggy doesn't respond, she clings to the phone as her heart races.

"Peggy?" Stan pleads.

"Yes. If he asks me, I'm going to say yes." Peggy sighs and feels a slight twinge in her heart, as she senses Stan on the other line tensing. They are friends, and although they may have shared moments and she fondly thought of him, she wanted to remain friends. She loved Stan, and those brief moments were tender memories for her, she could never see herself marrying Stan, let alone having a family with him.

"It's late." Stan sighs.

"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, boss."

"Goodnight."

Friday at the office is the same routine; meetings, working on pitches, phone calls, etc. Ted doesn't phone Peggy if she wants to go for lunch, but gently reminds her via a memo about their planned date that night and to wear something special. Ted spoke to Joan early Friday morning if he could help Peggy with a bit of shopping, and although Joan seemed a bit annoyed to be pulled from her busy schedule Ted pleaded for help on the surprise and added that she too could find an outfit and it would be his treat.

Joan stops by Peggy's office at lunch, "I wondered if you were the mood to do a bit of shopping today?"

"Oh?" Peggy asked.

"Is there something special you may need to shop for?" Joan asked while slipping on her gloves.

Peggy smiled, "Yes, actually…"

"Well then, let's go shopping."

Joan took Peggy to her favorite store, pulled dresses for her to try on and pulled out a few for herself. She always did want Peggy to look her best, and had tried many years ago when she started at the office, to help her out when it came to clothing decisions. Peggy tried on dresses, while Joan tried on dresses in the stall next to her. Peggy called out to Joan, "I don't think these dresses were made for my body type."

"They have dresses for everyone here. Try the next one." Joan replied.

Joan slinked into a form fitting green dress, with an added belt to accentuate her waist. She stepped out of the stall to take a longer look, when Peggy stepped out in a short red dress with a low-cut neckline.

"Is this all right?" Peggy asked, "It's too much."

Joan clutched her hand, "that's the one".

They returned to the office, dress bags in hand. Joan picked up a second dress as well, if Ted was paying for it, then why not? she thought to herself.

It was still early in the day and Peggy was not meant to see Ted for another few hours. Ted overheard the secretaries giggle with glee as Joan shared her shopping experience with them. He peaked out around the group of ladies and motioned to Joan, "I'll tell you the rest later, ladies" and the secretaries scattered. Ted pulled Joan aside.

"So how did everything go?"

"We made a dent in your pocket book, if that's what you're wondering."

Ted's smile widened across his face.

"I hope you picked something lovely for yourself as well."

"Oh, I did. And her dress, it's something—"

Ted held up his hand, "I want to be surprised."

Joan laughed, "Oh, you'll be surprised."

Ted headed back to his office, but he took the scenic route past Peggy's office, peered in and watched her smoking a cigarette at her desk, lost in thought. He thought best not to disturb her, he would see her later that night, and the anticipation and excitement began to fuel him. Before stepping back into his office he asks his secretary, "Is everything all set? The arrangements?"

"Yes. Mr. Chaough."

"Good good!" He stepped into his office and closed his door.

Peggy was lost in thought when Ted saw her smoking, she was thinking of the dress she picked up with Joan. She hung the dress bag on the hook behind her office door, and she wondered what other surprises were in store for her. Although she had read of grand romantic gestures, she also enjoyed small gestures and grew concerned that maybe Ted was doing too much. After Ted had passed her door, Stan came barging in and sat on her couch.

"So you're back? How was shopping? All the secretaries are talking about it…"

"It was – fine." Peggy tightened her mouth, unsure if she should really be sharing with Stan how exciting it was to try on expensive dresses with Joan.

Stan shook his head at her, "Peggy, don't."

"What?"

"Don't lie to me. It's all right. You should be happy. I want you to be happy."

Peggy titled her head and knew Stan was telling her the truth, even if she could see that her relationship with Ted was hurting him, lying to him was even more painful.

"So I'm guessing the proposal is tonight then?"

Peggy shrugged, "I guess so. Everyone already seems to know about it."

Stan smiled and got up from her couch, "We knew…I knew. In that meeting when they said he'd be moving back to New York, it was just a matter of time. You two, you love each other…"

Peggy smiled sweetly to Stan.

He added, "Just, can you two limit PDA, or just use his office. These walls are thin and I want to get some work done."

Peggy threw a pencil at him, Stan dodged to miss it as he laughed and headed back to his office.