A/N: This is the final chapter. Thank you so much for reading this and for all the reviews, favorites, and follows!

Karen sat at Table 46, staring into her drink once again. She wondered if Derek would come by tonight.

Since she had broken up with Jimmy, she had spent a lot of time thinking about Derek. She wondered what it would have been like if she hadn't rejected him. She found herself regretting that more and more. She had come to realize how happy Derek made her. At some point, she had developed feelings for him. If she was really honest with herself, she was in love with him. Unfortunately, he had a girlfriend and a daughter now. It was too late.

"Hello, darling," Derek said from behind her. "Mind if I sit next to you?"

Karen smiled at him. "I suppose that would be alright."

Even if Derek wasn't available, she was happy that he was here tonight. At least they could remain good friends.

"So, how are you this evening?" Derek asked.

She was lonely, but she didn't want to say that to Derek.

"I'm good. How are you, Derek? How is your show going?"

"It's going pretty well. As well as can be expected at least, with a couple of writers who don't really know what they're doing yet. And how is your show?"

Karen was enjoying her work in "The Great Gatsby." Although she missed everyone in "Hit List," she found that it was great to be working on a new project. She was surprised that working with Tom was going so well. It helped that she didn't disagree with his ideas all the time since she didn't have Derek's ideas in her head.

"It's going well. Tom and I are getting along much better than we did on 'Bombshell.'"

"That's good."

"He's still not you, though."

She couldn't imagine that any director could ever match Derek to her. He would always be her favorite director.

Derek sipped on his scotch for a little while. Karen sipped her vodka cranberry and wondered what Derek was thinking about.

"Karen, I have something that I need to talk to you about."

"What is it, Derek? You can tell me."

That was out of Karen's mouth before she realized that was the same thing she had said over a year ago before she had rejected him. That brought back all of the regret she felt about never seeing if a relationship between her and Derek would work. She had been so infatuated with Jimmy at the time, and she had always been a little afraid of starting something with Derek, especially since he was her director.

"Karen, I still have feelings for you. I'm still…I'm still in love with you."

Karen couldn't believe it. Derek still felt this way, after all this time? After everything that had happened between them? And he had used the word "love." Still, there was Ivy and his daughter to think about.

"What about Ivy? And Emily?"

"Ivy and I broke up today. It was mutual. Hopefully we'll still work it out so that I see Emily as often as I do now. Karen…I need to know how you feel about me."

Was this really happening? Was she really getting a second chance?

"I'm in love with you, too, Derek. I have been for awhile now."

Derek smiled. "Then I should give you this."

Derek pulled out a box. Karen was very curious what exactly he could be giving her. It wasn't her birthday.

"What's this?"

"Well, open it and find out."

Karen opened the box and saw the beautiful necklace. It was a golden star with dozens of tiny jewels.

Karen smiled. "Oh, Derek, this is gorgeous. When did you get this?"

"I bought it a few days ago. I saw it in this shop, and I kept thinking about you being my star."

That was one of the most beautiful things anyone had ever said to her. She thought about that first preview, when he had told her that she was a star. He had given her the confidence to be one.

Karen's eyes filled with tears.

"Will you help me put it on?"

As Derek stood behind her and clasped that necklace, she thought about that same night when he said that did understand love. Had he loved her this entire time, through all of the fights and the times when they hurt each other? She was so amazed and happy that it wasn't too late after all.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it," Karen said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And I love you."

As their lips met, Karen still couldn't believe that this was really happening. She wanted this feeling to last forever.

Karen woke up with a feeling of excitement. It was her birthday, and she couldn't wait to see what surprises Derek had in store for her.

First, she had to open the present from her parents. She had received it two days ago, but she had promised her parents that she would open it on her birthday while she was on the phone with them. She knew they would be calling in a few minutes.

"Happy birthday, Karen!" her mom and dad said at the same time when she picked up the phone. They had her on speakerphone.

"Thank you, Mom, Dad," Karen said. "So, do I finally get to open this present?"

"Yes, of course," her dad said. "We hope you'll like it."

"I'm sure I will," Karen said as she opened up the package. Inside was a collage picture frame with some of her favorite pictures of her family and friends from Iowa. "Oh, this is wonderful! Thank you so much!"

"I'm glad you like it," her mom said.

"So, does Derek have any plans for your birthday?" her dad asked.

"He's taking me out today, and he says that he has surprises for me."

"Well, you'll have to tell us all about it tomorrow," her mother said.

Karen chatted with her parents for awhile and then found a spot to hang the collage picture frame in her room. She then got ready to go out with Derek.

She was taking one final look in the mirror when the buzzer rang. Derek was smiling as she opened the door.

"Happy birthday, love," Derek said, handing Karen a box.

Karen smiled and set the box on the table. "Thank you. I can't wait to see what this is."

When she turned around, Derek pulled her close to him and gave her a long, sweet kiss.

"Well, I'm liking my birthday so far," Karen said.

"Go ahead and open the present, darling," Derek said.

Karen gently took off the very nice wrapping paper and then took the top off the box. Inside was a music box with images from "The Wizard of Oz" on the side and a pair of ruby slippers on top. When she wound it, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" played.

"I know that wasn't always a successful audition piece for you, but you sing it beautifully," Derek said.

Karen smiled. "Oh, Derek, I love it."

"I have a card for you, too," Derek said, handing her an envelope.

Inside the birthday card, Derek had written, "You really are beautiful in every single way. I love you."

"That's so sweet," Karen said, leaning over and giving Derek her own lingering kiss. "I love you, too."

"Well, now it's time for dinner and some singing," Derek said.

"Who's singing?" Karen asked.

Derek smiled. "You'll see."

After dinner at one of Karen's favorite Italian restaurants, they went to the same karaoke bar where Karen had sung to Derek earlier.

"Are you going to make me sing on my birthday?"

Derek chuckled. "No, I was going to fulfill your wish and attempt to sing whatever you would like me to sing."

"Oh, you're going to sing for me?" Karen said, smiling.

"Only if you're sure you really want me to," Derek said. "I wouldn't blame if you decide that isn't what you want on your birthday."

"Why don't you just sing 'Happy Birthday' to me?" Karen said.

"Do I need to try to sing it like Marilyn Monroe?"

Karen laughed. "No, just sing it like Derek Wills."

Derek smiled and walked up to the stage. "I won't force all of you to listen to much of my singing. I will just sing 'Happy Birthday' to the woman I love, Karen Cartwright."

Derek started to sing "Happy Birthday," and the audience joined in and cheered at the end. The bartender gave her a free drink.

"So, was that the best birthday you've ever had, darling?" Derek asked as he sat back down.

"Hmmm…Well, pretty close," Karen teased. "I really did love those marshmallows."

Derek reached over and stroked Karen's cheek. "Well, your birthday isn't over yet. We still have a little more private celebrating to do at my apartment."

"That's certainly something to look forward to. I'll be spending a lot of time at your apartment soon. The answer to your question is yes, by the way."

Derek's face lit up. "You're going to move in with me?"

Karen smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am. If you still want me to, that is."

Derek leaned over and brushed his lips against hers. "Of course I do. It's your birthday, and I'm the one who gets the present."

"Just getting to be with you is a present," Karen said. "I love you, Derek Wills."

"I love you, too, Karen Cartwright."

As they walked back to Derek's apartment, Karen knew that this really was the best birthday she had ever had.