Disclaimer: see chapter 1

She took a deep breath and smoothed her hands down her skirt. "No need to be nervous, Kendall, it's just… Zach" she said to herself. She closed her eyes for a moment and put her hand on the doorknob. She took another deep breath and smiled, opening the door.

The smile quickly disappeared as she found herself face to face with an empty office. She sadly looked around the room, her eyes landing on the empty chair behind his desk.

She loved that look – that pensive, 'out to rule the world' look he got periodically.

"Liar, liar, pants on fire."

"What's wrong with my pants?"

"Nothing. You said that you'd be a little while and then, do you expect me to sit around all night waiting up for you?"

"I expected you to be sleeping."

"Well, I couldn't sleep. Now, what is more important than watching a hot pregnant woman sleep, huh? This funny-looking thing, huh? What is this?" 'Seriously, what the hell is that…'

"Well, actually, that's part of a project that turned out to be ill-advised. Ah. So, that's it? No more questions for me?"

"Uh, well, should I be asking any more? Is there something that you want to tell me?"

"Yeah, there is. I love you. And why aren't you home in bed?"

"I love you, too. And why aren't you home in bed with me?"

'Because I'm busy embezzling money from you."

"Never happen."

"No? Why not?"

"Because you love me. And because money doesn't mean that much to you, and because I trust you completely. Enough reasons, or do you need more?"

She loved it when he just smiled at her for no apparent reason. It warmed her heart.

"See, I was afraid my mother would go ballistic, but then she finally agreed that she would get onboard with us."

"Yeah, so she can throw me off?"

She laughed – 'idiot'. " She's going to meet us halfway." What the hell… "This is -- this is awful. This really needs to be redone. It's not good."

"I agree."

"Oh, I don't know why I am so concerned about what my mother thinks and getting her approval, but I just am." Well, not bad… I guess… "This one's better."

"You love her, and you want her support."

"Yeah, and as much as I love you, I just wish there was someone in this town that was on my side."

"Erica -- she doesn't give up, does she?"

"No."

"Really wear a person out."

"She never wore you out."

"As you've said, I don't care what people think."

"Maybe I should be more like you and not give a flip what people say."

"Oh, but you do care. That's what matters to me."

"By the end of Thanksgiving, I had only one thing to give thanks for after my family went nuts on me."

"Your family shouldn't have turned on you like that. And I intend to make sure they never turn on you again. I'm in your corner. I will do whatever you need. I'm here to support you, no questions asked. If someone wants to get to you, they have to go through me first. But you could make it a lot easier for me to protect the woman I love. Be my wife. Marry me, for real this time."

She just stared at him, smiling, taking in the words he had just said to her.

"I love you, and I want to be with you. And I can't guarantee that things are going to be perfect all the time, you know? But I -- I can guarantee that I can do whatever I can to make sure that your life is easier and -- and better and happier. And if I drop the ball, if -- then I will spend the rest of my life making sure that I -- I make it right for you, because you deserve that. You deserve more than that. Will you marry me, please?"

"Yes. Yes, yes! My God, yes! Of course. Yes!"

And her pulled her in for the most romantic kiss of her life and quickly turned Kendall to thoughts of…

"Kendall?"

She whipped around to see Edie standing in the doorway. "Hi Edie."

"You need something? You looked a little lost in thought."

"No, I was… I guess I need… I came to talk to Zach."

"Oh, Kendall, wish you would have called first. He's taking some investors out to dinner and then he's going home. You want me to call him?" Edie dug her cell phone out of her pocket as Kendall held up her hand.

"No, don't bother him. It was… I guess I can try to catch him later or tomorrow or something." Kendall picked her purse up off the desk and headed back toward the elevators.

"You want me to tell him you were here if he calls?" Kendall looked back at Edie as the elevator arrived.

"Nah, that's alright. Thanks, Edie." The elevator doors closed and Edie just sighed and shook her head.

TBC…