Note: Wow--over 100 reviews! Thanks so much guys! :) Just a lil warning, this chapter is loads of fluff (haha) Enjoy!

"Ms. Schunard, there's a Mark Cohen here to see you," the secretary said.

Mark Cohen? The name sounded familiar. "Send him in," she said into the intercom.

A minute later, Mark stepped in and Angel smiled, recognizing the man from the restaurant.

"Marky! Oh, how are you?"

"Fine, fine. How are you?"

"Great. What brings you here?"

"Well, getting right down to it, I hear you're one hell of a designer."

Angel blushed. "I don't know about that…"

"Everything I've seen shows that you definitely live up to the reputation."

"Well thanks, sugar. Now you wanna tell me what's goin' on?"

"My wife Maureen and I have been fighting a little lately. Nothing major and not overly dramatic, but I want to sort of make it up to her. Get her a gift."

"Oh, that's so sweet. What did you have in mind?"

"Well, um, I'm not really sure. I was hoping you could design something one-of-a-kind. On commission, of course, and your regular fees."

"Of course I could. I'd be happy to," she said, pulling out a notebook. "Now, were you thinking clothing or a bag or maybe jewelry?"

"Clothes seems too impersonal…no offense."

"Oh none taken. And jewelry might be a little much. A little too 'I screwed up big time,' you know?"

"So, a bag?"

"I think so," Angel said with a nod. "Now, what's her favorite colors?"

"Um…blue? She wears a lot of purples and reds. Dark reds, though, not bright red."

"Okay. And is she sporty or casual? Trendy? Old-fashioned? Glamorous?"

"She's, she's everything. I mean, she's a kindergarten teacher and she's the most beautiful woman I've ever met. And she doesn't play sports, but she has no problem curling up on the couch and watching baseball games with me. And she's gorgeous and sexy but not in a promiscuous way. Like that old-fashioned, Marilyn Monroe, demure, sophisticated but totally down-to-earth way."

Angel stared at him, lips pouting. "Aw! That is the cutest thing I've ever heard. How long have you guys been married?"

"Almost seven years."

"Aw! And you still talk about her like that? That's so adorable!" Angel scribbled furiously in the notebook as she talked.

--LINE BREAK--LINE BREAK--

Roger was fixing soup when the doorbell rang. He wiped his hands on his jeans and went to answer it.

"Joanne! Hey," he said.

"Hi. I hope it's okay I came by. I mean, I know you said—"

"No, that's fine. It's fine. I'm glad I could see you."

"Yeah, you too."

"Daddy?"

"I'll be right there, sweetie."

"Should I go?"

"No, no. Come on in," he said, stepping aside. He felt better having someone else there. And Joanne was definitely a nice someone else. "Can I take your coat?"

"Oh, sure," she said, slipping out of it.

"I was just making her some soup. Would you like some?"

"No, I'm okay. But thanks."

She followed Roger to the kitchen. He noticed her still holding a bag. "That, um, you can set your bag down. It won't leave, I promise."

Joanne blushed. "Oh. I almost forgot. I picked up some things for Maria."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I know. I wanted to. I remember what it was like being sick when I was a kid."

Roger smiled and picked up the little bowl of soup. "Well, then, let's go give it to her. She's waiting for this anyway."

Joanne nodded and let Roger lead the way down the hall. "Mar, honey, got your soup."

Maria sat up in bed and brushed her hair back from her face. "Thanks, Daddy."

"You feelin' a little better now that you slept?"

"Throat still hurts."

"Soup might make it feel better. If you're still feelin' sick tomorrow Daddy will take you to the doctor."

She nodded and noticed Joanne in the doorway. "Who's that?"

"Oh, I almost forgot. Joanne, come here," he said, stretching a hand out to her. "Honey, this is Daddy's new friend. Miss-"

"Joanne. My name's Joanne."

"I'm Maria."

"It's nice to meet you, Maria. Your dad told me you're not feeling good."

She shook her head. "I'm sick."

"Aw, well I'm sorry to hear that, but I brought you a present to try and help you feel better."

Maria smiled, perking up a bit. Roger stood up so Joanne could sit beside Maria on the bed. She handed the bag up to the little girl. Maria looked at Roger.

"Go ahead, honey," he said.

Maria smiled and pulled out a coloring book and a pack of crayons. "Daddy, look! It's a Little Mermaid one!"

Roger smiled. "I see that. What do you say?"

"Thank you, Joanne."

"You're welcome, honey. There's one more thing in there, though."

Maria reached into the bag and pulled out a small teddy bear. Her eyes lit up and she giggled. "A teddy bear!"

"You like it?"

Maria nodded and flung herself at Joanne, throwing her arms around her neck. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Now, honey, how's about you have some of the—"

The phone rang and Roger sighed. "Be right back."

Joanne saw the bowl of soup Roger set on the dresser. "Here, honey. Why don't we set your coloring book down and you can have some of the soup your dad made you?"

Maria nodded and handed the book and crayons to Joanne. She set them on the floor beside the bed. Maria watched and tucked the teddy bear under her blankets.

"I don't wan' spill on it," she said.

"Good idea. Does your dad have a tray around here somewhere?"

Maria nodded. "It's in my closet, I think."

Joanne looked around the room and noticed a closed door. "Here?"

"Yep."

Joanne went to the closet and pulled out a breakfast tray that had been painted pink with purple flowers. "This it?"

Maria nodded. Joanne brought it over and set it gently on Maria's lap. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. It's very pretty."

"Daddy painted it for me."

"That was very nice of him."

"Mmhmm."

Joanne picked up the soup bowl and carried it over to her. "Here you go, honey."

Roger watched from the doorway, smiling. Maybe he was wrong about Joanne. Maybe they could be more than friends.