A/N: I've wanted to write a follow up to the Wedding Reception for awhile now. Thank you to everyone who has left reviews on it. I'm happy you enjoyed Frank and Serena as a couple. I have more short stories in progress. But I decided to post this one first because it's set after Serena meets the family. I plan on writing more stories with the family in them, but I skipped Serena's introduction to the family because I want to keep these stories evergreen instead of season specific.

Enjoy!

Frank Reagan's job required him to put in long hours. Generally speaking, he tried not to let those hours run too late into the night. Working late meant his staff had to stay, which meant their families would be left to wait for them. On this particular night, however, Frank was working late because the work required him to and because the issues of the day weighed on him. Baker opened his door and stood in the doorway.

"Are you going to head home soon?" She asked.

"I have a few things to finish up," he replied, glancing up at her from his desk.

"Enjoy your night, detective," A familiar voice said from behind Baker. "I can take over from here."

A little smile appeared on Baker's face as she stepped aside to allow Serena James-Hall to pass her. Serena's tone implied that if any work was going to be done, it would be short-lived. The sight of the tall copper-haired beauty with her warm hazel eyes caused Frank to momentarily forget everything he still had to do.

"Thank you, Baker," Frank said after a moment. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," Baker replied and closed the door behind her.

The thirty-something lawyer approached Frank's desk and set a blue satchel that coordinated with the long-sleeved blue shirt dress she wore on one of his visitor's chairs. He registered the door closing, but his eyes trailed Serena as she walked around his desk.

"Burning the midnight oil, I see," She observed with the ghost of a smile.

"Since when do you order around my staff?" He asked more out of amusement than annoyance.

"Detective Baker and I have an understanding. I understand that she is a talented, decorated, and loyal detective who will never get enough credit for being your personal aide. She understands that I spent most of my pre-law career as an executive assistant. Therefore, nothing you could possibly need at this hour should require a detective's assistance."

Frank stood up and moved in front of Serena, "Point taken, counselor," He placed his hands on her hips and gave her a long, proprietary kiss.

A soft moan issued from the back of Serena's throat. She kissed him back with a need that she didn't know she had until now. When they parted, work was no longer on Frank's mind. Instead, it was focused on the woman in front of him with love in her eyes. She made him feel alive again in a way he hadn't been since Mary died.

Frank cared for other women he dated before Serena. But falling in love with them was a bridge too far. For him, it felt like disloyalty at least and cheating at worst, even though Mary told him that she wanted him to be happy. She told him he would know when it happened. And here it was.

"So, how much work do you have left?" Serena asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"Nothing that can't wait until tomorrow."

"Oh really? Before I walked in, you were going to be here for at least another hour or two."

"It'll keep," He assured her before leaning in and kissing her again. "Let's go home."

"I like the sound of that," Serena agreed.

She settled in one of the chairs on the opposite side of the desk to wait as Frank packed up.

I thought you were working late and planned to sleep at your place."

"Until I received a voicemail from your father informing me that he was going to leave leftovers for us in the fridge."

"He doesn't think you eat properly."

"I probably don't," Serena admitted. "It's been a long time since I was parented like that."

Frank looked up when she said that, "What about your cousins?"

"I saw them growing up. After my parents passed, family friends took me in, and I stayed with them until I turned 18. They were lovely people and very supportive. But I never let them be parents to me. In hindsight, I was probably in shock for those first few years."

Serena smoothed out a non-existent wrinkle in her dress as she spoke. Even decades later, just talking about that period in her life made her uncomfortable. Then she looked up at Frank, and his eyes held compassion for her. But there was also an understanding in them that made her feel at ease with Frank in a way that she never quite felt in other relationships.

"Well, now you're a part of my family."

Serena gave him a wry smile, "I still can't quite get over how nice Erin, Danny, and Jamie have been to me."

"I don't make a habit of bringing home the women that I see, Serena. You're the first one, actually."

"You said yourself that you've dated other women since your wife died. I find it hard to believe your family never met any of them."

"Oh, they have, in passing. But not as the woman I'm dating," He said. "That's not to say they didn't figure it out on their own. But I've always kept my dating life separate because it was easier that way. Until I met you."

"I hope I live up to your expectations of me."

Frank moved around the desk and gently pulled Serena up and into his arms, "You've already exceeded them."

"I think you're just saying that because I spend more nights at your house than I do at mine," She teased.

"I love you, Serena."

"I love you too."

Their lips met in another, more gentle and tender kiss. When they parted, Frank went back to finish clearing off the last of his desk and prepared to go home. That is until he noticed Serena looking around the office.

"What's wrong?"

"Have other women you've dated visited you here?"

"Yes. Usually, just to meet before we go out. Sometimes in a professional capacity. Why?"

"Have you ever been tempted to have sex in the office?"

"No," Frank said immediately, and then saw Serena's smirk. "Serena…"

"It's just a question." She said innocently, walking around his desk and perching on the edge of it.

Serena wasn't the first one to ask. Lenny had asked much of the same when he visited here once. But his eyes were now focused on his girlfriend and the way she perched on the desk.

"One I didn't expect you, of all people, to ask."

"I'm not always worried about etiquette, you know. During my first job as a lawyer, I dated someone at my firm, and we gave in to the impulse occasionally, working late nights and all."

"And how was it for you?" Frank asked, coming over to stand in front of her.

"Not as good as it is with you," Serena said, and she meant it.

She leaned in and pulled him to her so that he was between her knees. He didn't resist. Instead, Frank kissed her with an intensity that he usually kept compartmentalized at work. But for tonight he made an exception.

Outside the office, Abigail walked back into the reception area. She spotted the bag with her son's birthday present in it, sitting by her chair. She walked over to retrieve it. Then she heard the moans coming from beyond her boss' office door. Picking up the bag, she listened for a moment and smiled to herself. Abigail walked back quietly to the elevator, content to keep the Commissioner's secret and leave the two lovers in peace.

The End