"I don't know why Philby thinks I'm actually going to sit down and have a nice chat with Charlie, does he think I'm crazy?" Maybeck said to himself as he shook his head. As he pulled into his apartment, he saw a slim figure sitting on his doorstep. "Charlie" he whispered as his gut suddenly had a sickening feeling. He realized his car started to slow down as he approached his place, almost like the car was just as scared as he was in that moment. Maybeck suddenly felt like the next few minutes could either make or break his day, and his relationship with Charlene.

"Hi" he said as he stood in front of her.

"Can we talk?" Charlene asked quietly. Maybeck simply nodded as they made their way in and sat down.

"Donnie, I…"

"Just stop," he said, "if this is going to make me feel worse about myself than I don't want to hear it."

"I truly hope it wont" Charlene said, "I don't want to hurt you, I never did."

"It's a bit late for that" Maybeck exclaimed.

Charlene looked close to tears. "I once told you that you were the only one for me, and the same was for you too. You told me I was the first to actually want to be with you, to love you."

"Yeah well, I guess I was wrong" Maybeck replied bitterly.

"Would you just listen?" Charlene said sounding exasperated.

"Why should I?" Maybeck snapped back, standing up and pacing around the room, "We've been dating for 5 years and have gotten pretty serious along the way and I ask you the most important question I've ever asked anyone in my entire life and you turn me down flat. And you want me to listen to what you have to say without losing it?" Maybeck paused as he shook his head, "I thought you loved me."

"I do" Charlene sobbed, for Maybeck wasn't the only one who was losing his emotions. "I love you more than anyone and anything in this world."

Maybeck just stared at her in awe, "I don't know if I can believe you this time."

"Maybeck please, let me explain" Charlene exclaimed.

"Maybe I don't want you too. Maybe it's better this way, cause apparently that's how you wanted it right off."

"No! I don't want that!"

"Than what do you want Charlie? Just tell me," Maybeck begged as his voice cracked.

"I want you!" Charlene exclaimed loudly, than gathered her jittery emotions, she continued, "I didn't think you would want me even though you asked me to marry you. I didn't think someone like you wanted to spend the rest of their life with me. I only said no because I just couldn't believe you wanted me, and I was scared I would hurt you in the future."

"Charlie" Maybeck whispered as he stood, shocked at what he'd just heard.

"No, let me finish" she sniffed, as she held up her finger, "I understand if you don't want me, especially now since I've turned you down but I'm basically standing here, begging you to take me back. I realized I don't want live without you, standing beside me through life's ups and downs. I love you and…" but Charlene didn't get to finish her sentence, for Maybeck had heard all he wanted to hear. He stormed across the room and grabbed Charlene's face with both hands and planted a kiss on her lips. This wasn't like any other kiss the two had often shared before. It was loving, but fierce and filled with force on both parts. Charlene, although taken aback at first, had now reached her arms around Maybeck's neck as he lifted her up off the ground with his hands around her waist.

"Maybeck" Charlene whispered, "I love you."

Maybeck appeared not to have heard her as he continued kissing her with no mercy or sign of letting her go anytime soon. He had, however, decided to pull back momentarily to say, "I love you too." He put her down suddenly and got down on one knee like he had only a few days before.

"Charlene Turner, will you marry me?" he asked breathlessly.

"Yes" she exclaimed as Maybeck's shaky hand put the ring, finally, on her left hand. He stood up and kissed her gently with the softness of an angel, taking his time to cherish the beautiful girl in his arms, with no intention of ever letting her go again.