As always thanks again for all the reviews from last chapter! I look forward to getting your alls reviews after I post. I don't know if you noticed (or if you even care) but I changed the rating on this fic because it gets a little graphic towards the end of this ch. I hope you like it though, if not let me know, I'll consider changing it. Enjoy!

(Maureen's POV)

It's been a week now since Mark and Joanne's intervention of sorts. Eden and I are now civil around each other, but no way near becoming friends anytime soon. I'm not sure I still really trust her though. She still seems a little flirty around Joanne, but I try my hardest to brush it off; reminding myself that they are just friends or at least that Joanne sees it that way. Because every night Joanne is leaving with me, going to our bed with me, and having crazy unforgettable sex with me, not Eden. I think about that and then get a huge grin on my face and then I typically want to take Joanne right then and there.

During this past week, Joanne and I had to go to Steve's hearing. It wasn't scheduled this early, but Joanne's dad was able to pull some more strings moving his hearing. The hearing wasn't until three in the afternoon, so Joanne went ahead and worked half a day; leaving me alone in the apartment by myself. I couldn't sit still the entire morning; pacing the apartment continually until I wore myself out. Walking into that room, seeing Steve sitting there with his lawyer, my legs became weak and my heart began racing even faster than it was already. Joanne had taken hold of my hand as soon as we stepped out of the taxi and hadn't let go since. When she saw my reaction to seeing Steve, she squeezed my hand a little tighter, looking over at me mouthing I'm right here to me. I finally released her hand from mine, wrapping my arm around her waist pulling her closer to me while we walked to our seats. There of course was a whole bunch of legal talk I really didn't understand but the main points were that Steve was pleading guilty to both charges and that he would be tried on two separate occasions for each crime. He was first going to be on trial for my case, and then Joanne's was scheduled for about two months after mine. Joanne told me that he'd easily serve jail time. And of course her dad was going to try and pull yet some more strings to get the trials moved up.

Within the past week I have also begun getting up with Joanne in the mornings, but then of course going straight back to sleep once she leaves. Well the other morning before she left I asked her out on a date for tonight. It was almost awkward asking her out on a date seeing how we've been dating for nearly three years now. But it was also sweet and romantic getting to ask her out like that; of course she said yes. I was planning on taking her to this little candlelit restaurant down in the West Village. Collins had loaned me the money once I promised to come and clean his apartment for him, once a week for the next month I was going to be stuck cleaning up after Collins when I hated to clean up after myself. But for my pookie, I had no problem agreeing to his request. I just wanted to get to have a nice romantic evening with her. I better go get ready if I want to be ready on time.

(Joanne's POV)

Yet another long exhausting day at the office; I was all ready to be done with today and it was only two in the afternoon. It seemed like today was taking forever to pass; but it always seems that way when you are excited about something. Maureen had asked me out on a date the other morning. It was cute, how she stood there in front of me in her pajamas, her voice trembling as she spoke. She wouldn't tell me anything she had planned for tonight, but I really don't care what we do tonight. Well as long as we get to have some private fun once we get home.

Maureen had told me this morning that she wasn't going to be home when I made it home this evening. Said she was going to get ready and go over and spend time at Mimi's; giving me time to come home and get ready myself. Then she'd come back over to the apartment around eight and pick me up. She's being way too cute about all of this; it's rather endearing.

The rest of the afternoon drug on and on; I was just going through the motions. I was finding hard to focus on any task, my mind wondering what Maureen could have planned and the excitement that was building up inside me with each passing minute. Finally, it was six and I was able to leave. I rushed out of there, nearly running over a colleague as they were about to enter my office. "Is it urgent?" I quickly asked as I turned around facing her, walking backwards down the hall.

"No, I don't guess," she shrugged.

"I'll deal with it Monday then," I waved goodbye to her and rushed back to the apartment to get ready for my date.

(Maureen's POV)

I slowly made my way up the stairs to our apartment; it was eight and just as I promised Joanne I was picking her up for our date. I reached the door, lightly tapping on it; excitement and anticipation rushed through my body. I could hear Joanne's heals clicking against the hardwood floor from inside the apartment as she neared the door. Then slowly she opened the door and there stood the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

Joanne reached her hand out to me, slowly pulling me inside the apartment shutting the door once I made my way inside. She then leaned in closer to me; joining our lips together, teasing me with her lips as she was gently running them across my own. She was making it very hard for me not to start undressing her right then, taking her back to our bedroom. My hands wanted to slowly slide the straps of her little black dress off of her shoulders allowing the dress that was so perfectly fitting every part of her to fall to the ground. The little black dress was accenting her features in all the right places; her curves, her legs, and her chest. I slowly ran my hands down the smooth chocolate skin of her arms. When my hands reached her own, she took hold of them and ever so slowly released her lips from me. I didn't move, my eyes still closed cherishing the moment. When I did finally open my eyes there Joanne stood in front of me, the biggest, happiest, sexiest smile I have ever seen covering her face.

"You look stunning baby," she said as she ran her eyes up and down my body.

I had to look down at my dress reminding myself what I had put on for tonight. It was a strapless green floor length dress, one I'd never worn before. I thought it brought out the color of my eyes and since Joanne was always telling me how she loved my eyes, I thought it was the perfect dress for tonight. Joanne released her hands from mine, placing them on my waist and slowly running them downwards to my hips; this time eagerly pulling me towards her.

"Where are you taking me tonight," she flirtatiously asked as she once again pressed her lips against mine.

"It's a surprise," I winked at her, grabbing her hand, "let's go though, I want to get back here as soon as we can." She let out a little giggle and slapped me on the ass as we walked out of the apartment for our date night.

(Joanne's POV)

We sat in this quaint restaurant in the West Village; our eyes never loosing contact with one another's for very long and our feet wrapped around each others. The restaurant was candlelit with soft music playing in the background. When we arrived at our table a bottle of wine was already being chilled, waiting on us. It was very romantic. The restaurant was filled with other couples, young and old, straight and gay, new and old loves were all basking in the romantic atmosphere.

"This is so sweet baby, thank you," I told Maureen as I reached across the table taking hold of her hand. "I love you so much," I lifted her hand, lightly kissing the top of it.

"You don't have to thank me," she squeezed my hand tighter as a smile crept across her face, "and I love you too."

"After this you want to go take a walk with me?" I nervously asked her. I knew a walk around New York City was not what she had in mind next.

"Well," her voice got softer, "I was hoping to take you back to the apartment." She paused looking rather disappointed at what I had suggested. But I started pouting my lips, "ok," she gave in, "if you want to we can. But then back to the apartment?" she flirtatiously added.

"Of course," I satisfyingly smiled at her.

The rest of our time was filled with us laughing, flirting, and drinking; somewhere in there we ate some of the most delicious food I had ever tasted. I was enjoying just being out with her, being able to just be around her without any drama. The night was going so wonderfully I didn't want it to end. As we were waiting on the waiter to bring us our check I just sat there and stared at her, my eyes not moving away from my beautiful girlfriend.

"What?" she inquisitively asked.

"Oh sorry," her voice had snapped me out of whatever spell she had put me under, "I was just thinking how lucky I was," I smiled as I saw her slightly blush.

"Stop it," she playfully remarked. "Thank you," she said to our waiter as he handed her the check; a smile on his face from apparently being able to see Maureen blushing. She paid the bill and we left the restaurant hand in hand to walk around in New York City.

(Maureen's POV)

I'm not really sure why Joanne wanted to go walking around tonight, it was not real cold out tonight, but not necessarily a good night to be walking around. She said something about just wanting to enjoy being out with me in the city. I honestly just wanted to go home and take her to bed; but I wanted to make her happy, so if I had to delay my plans slightly that was ok, we have all night and tomorrow.

Next thing I knew Joanne was mentioning going to Battery Park, something about just wanting to look out over the water and about how pretty the Statue of Liberty was at night. I don't know, but Battery Park is pretty at night, so I obliged once again and found myself in a taxi heading to Battery Park with Joanne.

Once we made it there, Joanne and I made our way over to where we could easily see out over the water and hear the waves crashing into the land. You could faintly hear some music coming from some nearby musician. It was much more crowded than I had expected it to be especially seeing how chilly it had gotten. But still there were people walking around enjoying living in the city that never sleeps.

I was standing up against the railing; Joanne standing behind me with her arms tightly wrapped around my waist and her head resting against mine.

"I love you Maureen Johnson," she whispered in my ear.

"I love you too," I told her as I moved my body in her arms so that I could wrap my arms around her neck, pulling her into a kiss. I pulled her tightly against me, intensifying our kiss. After I pulled away, I repositioned my body so that she was again behind me holding me in her arms.

She let go of me with one of her arms, leaving the other one to rest on my stomach. When her other hand returned into my view I saw the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen held with her hand. I gasped at its beauty, at the beauty of this moment. Joanne loosened her grip from me as I slowly turned back around to face her once again, however tears in my eyes this time.

"Joanne," my voice quivered.

"Shhh," she placed her finger gently over my lips, "let me first," she said her voice cracking. I nodded as I felt a tear run down my cheek; my heart racing in excitement. "Maureen I love you. It's that simple. I know sometimes we can drive each other crazy," I let out a little giggle, "but when it's with you, crazy is fine with me. I love every part of you, every part about being with you." Her hand has begun shaking in mine, "will you marry me?"

I didn't answer her at first, I just kissed her. It was so deep, so intense, so passionate that I could feel even the shivers it sent through her body. I slowly pulled my face away from hers, "yes," I softly said. I saw her eyes light up as she reached down grabbing my left hand and slowly slipping the ring on my finger. I stretched my arm out to admire the symbol of love Joanne had just put on my finger. I excitedly started giggling as I wrapped Joanne in my arms; this was the happiest moment of my life.

(Maureen's POV)

We both wanted to tell everyone about our engagement, but first wanted to enjoy tonight as our own; we'd tell them all tomorrow.

As we reached our apartment door, my back was slammed against the outside of the door by Joanne. Both of our hands were already all over each other, our lips connected in a passionate embrace. Joanne was trying to find the keys that were somewhere buried in her purse, while still kissing me. About as I was ready to rip her purse out of her hands, she found them unlocking the door; both of us nearly falling inside.

We were all over each other as we made our way down the hallway. It couldn't seem to happen fast enough for either one of us.

As we entered the bedroom it seemed to bring us both to a standstill. We just stood there a few steps away from one another for a moment, both still completely clothed, staring at one another. My eyes then went down to the ring sitting on my finger; I couldn't help but smile. Joanne's body then came into view as she slowly reached her hands around me unzipping my dress. I stood completely still, my eyes closed, as I heard the zipper being pulled down. Then with a light tug of my dress from Joanne, I felt the strapless green dress fall off of my body. My body quivered as I felt Joanne's hands run across my bare stomach around my waist to the small of my back, pulling me against her. Her soft luscious lips then were gently kissing my collar bone. I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. My eyes opened as I steadily reached my hands up to rest on top of her shoulders, gently gliding the straps of her dress off her shoulders. She raised her head up extending her arms above her head so to allow the straps to fall to her side. I placed my hands on either side of her chest and pulled the dress down her body, running my hands down her curves as I lead the dress to the floor. I was now on my knees in front of her. I wrapped my arms around her hips, kissing her stomach ever so gently. She reached down to me lifting me up to me feet. Slowly but surely the rest of our clothing found its way off of our bodies leaving the two of us naked standing in front of one another. I pushed Joanne down on the bed, lingering my body over top of hers. She leaned up towards me, her lips making contact with mine and leading me to fully lay my body on top of hers. As our hands started roaming over one another's, our kiss became more intense more sexual. My heart started to race, my breathing now picking up. I could feel Joanne's chest as well rising and falling at a faster rate. Joanne's hands had found their way to my ass as my lips started traveling down her neck. My lips now traveled down to Joanne's breasts where my hands were already tracing her now hard nipples. My tongue licked the area between her breasts, my hands taking her breast fully in them; Joanne letting out a slight moan. My mouth eventually made it down to its final destination. I heard Joanne take in a deep breath as my hands pulled her legs apart giving access to my mouth. I teased her with my tongue as it made its way across the insides of her thigh until finally reaching her. As my tongue entered her, I heard a pleasurable whimper coming from Joanne. Her body began writhing as I continued, becoming more focused at pleasing her. As I heard Joanne scream out in pleasure, I released my tongue from her making my way back up her body; placing small kisses on her sweaty body. She was panting, a look of pure ecstasy on her face; I smiled knowing I was able to allow her to experience that. Our mouths were again meeting; my tongue knowing exploring the inside of Joanne's mouth. Our wet bodies were sliding over one another's as Joanne rolled me over onto my back, her body now resting on top of mine. My fingers were now scratching at Joanne's back as she focused her attention on my breasts; her mouth and hands not leaving any part of them untouched. My body was tensing in anticipation as Joanne's hands made their way down my body. As her mouth remained focused on my breasts, her hand was now caressing the inside of my thigh. Her fingers slowed moved inside of me; my body already beginning to squirm in shear delight of her intruding fingers. They began moving faster within me, her mouth now sucking on my stomach getting closer to her hands. My heart was pounding as I screamed out her name in sheer ecstasy. Her body then collapsed beside mine in bed; both of us out of breath and satisfied.

We laid there for a while, both of us speechless until I again stretched out my arm to admire my ring. "It's beautiful isn't it?" I asked her.

"It's beautiful on you," she responded as she turned over laying half of her body across me.

I wrapped my arms around her, "I couldn't be happier Joanne," I told her as I reached up kissing her. "And not just because we just had sex….which was amazing….but because I have you in my life," I continued as I rubbed her back.

"Maureen you make me happier than you will ever know," she smiled down at me, her hand gently rubbing the side of my face.

We laid there a while longer, basking in the glow of everything that had happened tonight. We were engaged, I couldn't believe it. She had finally asked me and I said yes. This time nothing about it scared me. I was truly thrilled with the idea of committing to Joanne for the rest of my life, to living with her and loving only her the rest of my life. I looked down at Joanne who by now had fallen asleep in my arms. She was absolutely beautiful; I can't believe this woman is going to be my wife. She truly makes me happy in every sense of the word. I reached down pulling a blanket up around our still naked bodies, kissing Joanne's forehead, as I drifted off to sleep after having the best day of my life.

So what do you think? Did you see the engagement coming, honestly? Just wondering. Like I said if you don't like the sex scene let me know and I'll consider revising it. Please don't be harsh though...constructive criticism always welcomed though. So just 2 more chs left for this fic...so stayed tuned, hopefully I'll get to update soon. Thanks for reading!