AN: And here we are. We've made it to the end of this story. I hope that you have enjoyed this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Don't worry though, this isn't the last you'll see of Anthony and Kitty. I do have a sequel planned but I'm just not sure when I will get it posted. I'll be sure to edit this chapter when I do post it to let you all know when I do. Thank you all for the love you have shown this story. It truly means the world. Much love to you all and happy reading!


Even though she knew this was very necessary, it still felt like she was waiting outside the principal's office. They were meeting about the state of affairs of the business and then Charlotte was going to make the official announcement about how Katherine was now the advisor for the whole organization. That is if she doesn't get fired after hearing how she handled the Featherington fiasco. Loan sharks were vile creatures. They didn't belong to any organization and were only out for their personal gain. And if anyone who pulled one over on them, no matter who they were, was bound to become gutted like a fish. Which was sadly the case for one Archie Featherington. She supposed she should feel lucky that before they started with anything else, Charlotte asked her about the Featheringtons.

"It's come to my attention that Archie Featherington was killed last night. Is this true?" She asked as soon as Katherine took a seat.

The brunette nodded. "It was a tragic ending to a problem that I've been trying to fix this entire season."

"They seemed to have kept you even busier than the Bridgertons."

Katherine wasn't sure if she was supposed to laugh or not at the small quip so she let out a small chuckle. "Indeed, but I will say that Portia and the girls worked with me when I asked them to. Archie, however, didn't seem to want my help."

"And what was the issue you were trying to solve?"

"The casino hasn't been doing quite as well as it has in the past. Everything was just down even though I found no taperings with the money despite Archie's gambling problem. But because of this problem, they did not have the funds to properly pay the modiste. And because the casino was low on business, they weren't using her other services either."

"And what about our side of the casino business? Were they low too?"

"Yes, but I believe it's because he owed a lot of different people money that they were using some of our other partners for their needs."

Charlotte nodded, making note to call on the others who aided in counterfeit bills. She'd need to know who could take the Featherington's place until they got everything squared away and they were on good terms again. "You're taking care of his death?"

"Two of our men are on the case. I've identified the loan sharks. I've also written the press release and obituary, both to be released later today. There will be no traces back to us. What should we do about the casino?"

"I have a meeting with Danbury later today to discuss those matters. Once the decision is made, we'll let you know. But for now, I am leaning towards her taking it over to help give it a boost until we can find someone to take on the vacant role. Do you know if Featherington had a will?"

"He did."

"It looks like we'll know some more answers then after it's read. We will both be in attendance so when you find out the date, mark both of our calendars. Now for the other reason that you're here."

Katherine made note about the will reading date and soon the two began to discuss the state of the organization and other information that she needed to know in order to better aid in advice or taking over a project that her father hadn't yet completed before he announced his retirement. The announcement was happening that evening and with it would come the announcement that Katherine would be taking his place.

"Well, it seems like I need to go find one last gown for the season."

Charlotte smiled. "I highly recommend that you do. Great work and I'll see you tonight."


The beauty of owning a communications company is that they truly had the best space for a press conference as well as a reception room. Her mother decorated both areas where the two very large announcements in regard to Gibbs Communications would take place. The first began in the press room. A great view of London could be seen behind the Gibbs family. The wall behind all of the invited press was covered in deep blue curtains with purple lights shining from below. They were picture perfect and the press were none the wiser that just a few floors above them, the entirety of the London underground was anxiously waiting to hear what was happening within their organization.

At the main table, with microphones all in front of them, Howard Gibbs sat in the middle with his wife and daughter on either side. Flashes flickered for a few moments before he finally held up his hand, silently asking for them to stop, before leaning forward and beginning his statement.

"It is with much joy, and a little sadness," Howard paused for laughter, "that I announce to you today that I will be retiring from Gibbs Communications. I know it comes as a shock to some but I didn't create this company so I could work until I'm old and gray. My daughter, Katherine Gibbs, has shown me since the day she graduated from Oxford that she was ready to rise to the challenge and let her old man step away without him getting too gray. Katherine has shown that she is plenty capable with our international dealings, as she traveled the world to help set each of our satellite sites up for success. And in the few short months that she has been back home, she has proven that she can handle with grace the needs of our bigger clients. So without further ado, I would like to introduce to you the new CEO of Gibbs Communications, Katherine Gibbs."

This was it. This was her moment. It felt more nerve-wracking than her debut at the beginning of the matchmaking festivities. This felt like a true debut into society. The dress she and Genevieve picked didn't exactly help either. It was a cream sweetheart strapless dress with a see-through layover that gave her sleeves. Covering the thin layer was purple and blue flowers, making it look like they were all over the dress. "Thank you for the introduction, dad. While it is sad to see you go, I'm excited that you'll finally be able to go on that second honeymoon you and mum have always been talking about. And just like I promised when you would leave me at home for some business trip, I promise that I will not burn the office building down." She chuckled, pausing a little longer for the other's laughter. "And I make a similar promise to all of our current clients. While I run things a little differently than my father, I promise that you will still receive the best service and that you will still be taken care of. You might not even have to wait so long since you're no longer dealing with an old man." She teased, earning her some more laughs. "We'll now be taking any questions that you might have at this time."

Luckily they were all pretty standard. When would be her first day? What was he going to do now that he was retired? Was Elizabeth still staying on? Who was taking over Katherine's current accounts? Once all were answered, the family thanked the press and had them escorted out. With confirmation that they were all gone, the Gibbs family made their way to the lavish ballroom that worked as Elizabeth's showroom most of the time.

Everyone of importance from the organization was there. Charlotte waited for Howard and Katherine on the stage. The rest of the organization stood around the various cocktail tables that were littered around the room. The purple and blue lighting created a bit of a fantastical feel especially paired with the large, glass chandelier that Elizabeth used at any chance she got.

The father and daughter duo quickly joined Charlotte on the stage. This time Katherine stood in the middle, trying her best to look at ease. She really hoped she didn't look like she was statuesque. It was just weird having her father acting all proud and having Charlotte's hand in the middle of her back in a very proud mother-like gesture, showing her off to the world. The bright spotlight setting the trio apart from the purple and blue lighting wasn't exactly helping either.

"Everyone knew that whoever was to take Lydia Danbury's place had big shoes to fill." Charlotte started. "And Howard you have done just that. It is always bittersweet to see one of our own move forward and we all certainly wish you a happy retirement." She paused as everyone applauded.

"While we are sad to see you step down, you should feel so incredibly proud about Katherine Gibbs stepping into her new role as chief advisor. You all should be very excited because I know that I am. If you have not been paying attention, she has already helped expand our international reach and she certainly has handled quite a few scandals in her short time of being back in London from her travels. I expect nothing but the highest respect for our newest advisor and don't make me hear otherwise. Miss Gibbs, I look forward to working alongside you and seeing where we go next. To the Gibbs!" She toasted, everyone raising their glass.

Before anything else could be done, everyone started a line to congratulate both father and daughter. Katherine didn't know if her cheeks could take smiling any longer. She truly just wanted to find Anthony and sneak away. They had a beach vacation that she'd like to turn her rain check in on. She could deal with the organization later. She had her fill with the jump into the deep end she took during this past season. She finally got a chance to excuse herself and stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air.

"I knew they would be thrilled for you to finally join the ranks," Anthony said, causing Katherine to spin around. Huh, maybe she could still smile.

"I don't remember you coming up to congratulate me when the masses did." She teased him.

"That's because I wanted mine to be a little more private." He chuckled as he pulled out a long, velvet box from inside his suit jacket. "You know that it's customary for when someone you love is promoted within the organization, you get-"

"I'm sorry," Katherine interrupted as she took a step towards him. "Someone you what now?" She honestly could care less about what was in the box. She knew when a person in the organization got a promotion, the family or significant other got that person a gift. For her father, she and her mother got him a watch. The earrings and the necklace she now wore were presents from her parents to mark this occasion but she hadn't expected Anthony to get her anything least of all by starting off with a confession like that.

Anthony sighed. "You know, I've had this whole speech planned."

"You should know by now to never have a speech planned around me. I plan them for a living and even I go off-script most of the time. It's why by now I just throw an outline together and hope for the best."

"Can I just skip to the part where I put this on you?" He asked with a small smirk. He was well aware and he was sure that if he were to go back and read Katherine's statement to the press, the second joke about her dad being old would have not been in there.

"But you don't want to-"

"Kit." He gave her a pointed yet amused look. This was already difficult. He didn't expect to ever get to this place. He always thought that he and Katherine were to just remain friends. But this was their time, he was sure of it and for right now, at this moment, all he was going to focus on was how in love he was with his best friend. If he started thinking about anything further, he would be doomed and wouldn't be able to get any words out.

"Right, I'll shut up now." She laughed softly, tucking her hair behind her ear as she looked down at her shoes briefly.

Anthony pulled out a diamond bracelet that had a small silver plate attached and engraved were the lyrics just keep your eyes on me. Tears pooled in Katherine's eyes as she looked up at Anthony. They didn't say them as often now but during those nine months and even sometime after, if she ever began to freak out or feel lonely, he would always say those words to her before he pulled her up and they started dancing to the song.

"It's hard to pinpoint exactly when I started feeling this way about you but I know that no matter what I did to try and push it aside, it never actually left me. What I can pinpoint, however, is the time that I tried to start telling you how I felt about you. And it is when I started using Walk the Moon to try and comfort you when I knew things were getting hard for you. They had helped us through stressful midterms so I thought they could help us during times of heartache too. But here lately I've been trying to tell you exactly how I feel and I can no longer use the lighter synonyms, you deserve so much more than that. I love you, Katherine Gibbs. I have loved you for a very long time."

Her cheeks may have been overworked but the grin that grew across her features competed with the setting sun. She brought him down to her level, stopping just a moment before whispering, "And I love you, Anthony Bridgerton." He was the one to duck his head the rest of the way, capturing her lips in a heated kiss, backing her up against one of the pillars, and shielding her from view with his body.

"Do you want to get out of here?" She asked when they broke apart for air.

"Isn't this your party?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, and haven't you heard? I'm the new chief advisor and I advise we go back to my place before we pack up and go to the coast for the weekend." She looked up at him with a wicked smile.

His smile soon matched hers, dipping down to steal another kiss. "God, I love you."

"I love you too." She said with a giggle as she snuck them back into the building through a different entrance. There would be plenty of time to be good members of society later.