AN: Thank you sooooo much for your reviews for the last chapter - your feedback as always is AMAZING! So it seems this fic has morphed into a multi-chapter instead of a one-shot...well it is a long hiatus after all!

This chapter is a storyline I'd like to see happen in S6, and thanks to Oc7ober for the prompt. Hope you like it and please drop me a review to let me know what you think :)

Enjoy :)

CHARLES

'All I need is you. x' Charles grinned so hard his cheeks hurt as he read the message that had just popped up on his phone. Ever since Christmas he'd noticed he'd been doing that a lot, and it didn't take a genius to figure out the reason why. Liza had evoked a change in him from the moment they met, but finally 'being' with her created a level of happiness in his life that he hadn't known was possible. He was going round to her apartment tonight to have dinner with her and Caitlin and he'd messaged her to ask if there was anything she needed him to bring, and he couldn't have loved her response more. His eyes shone with love as he texted back, 'Ditto x'.

Despite the excitement he always felt at the prospect of seeing Liza, he was nervous about meeting Caitlin for the first time as her mother's boyfriend. The last time he'd seen her had been at Bob and Julia's Christmas party where she'd only known him as 'a friend of the Katz's'. She now knew that he was a little more than that and that he and Liza were together, and he was nervous about how she would react to him. Liza had assured him that it would be fine, but he was still nervous. Caitlin was the most important person in Liza's life, so that made her important to him too. He desperately wanted her approval and for her to be happy for them. They'd had so many obstacles thrown in their path on their road to being together, and he really wanted this just to go smoothly.

He could feel his heart beating a little faster than usual in his chest as he examined his appearance in the bedroom mirror. He was more worried than he cared to admit that she wouldn't like him, and that that would negatively affect his relationship with Liza. He was going into unknown territories tonight – he'd met plenty of girlfriend's parents in the past, but he'd never met a girlfriend's daughter before. He also had no experience of teenage girls, as his girls hadn't reached that stage yet - if Caitlin was under 10 he'd have felt more like he knew what he was doing.

Charles would never admit it to anyone, but he'd felt decidedly like a woman when he was getting ready, as he emptied half of his closet onto his bed trying to figure out what to wear. He vetoed the idea of a suit, deciding he would look far too formal for a casual dinner. He finally settled on a pair of smart navy jeans and a black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Liza had mentioned previously that she loved him in black, and that she found him incredibly sexy when he had his sleeves rolled up, so this was for her. He loved seeing the effect he had on her when she was turned on. He'd been wearing a lot of black lately.

He took a deep breath for courage as he headed downstairs and into the kitchen. He quickly scanned his wine collection and picked up one of his nicest pinot noirs. As much as Liza insisted she didn't need him to bring anything, his upbringing had taught him never to turn up to a dinner empty-handed, and he knew she liked this wine. He grabbed his wallet and keys and headed outside to his waiting Uber, nervously hoping that tonight would go well.

As he stood on her porch and pressed the buzzer for her apartment, he smiled as he remembered the first time he'd stood here like this. He'd experienced such pure happiness and relief as he told her "I don't care anymore" before taking her in his arms and kissing her, like he'd been longing to do ever since Pound Ridge. Coming here to see Liza instead of going to the airport was the best decision he ever made, because it laid the groundwork to get them to the point they were at now, where he could honestly say that he was truly happy.

After what felt like an eternity, but in reality was actually only a few moments, the door buzzed to allow him in, and he was met with Liza's smiling face waiting for him outside her door at the top of the stairs. He took her into his arms and kissed her softly, basking in her warmth and nearness. "Hi" he breathed as he leaned his forehead on hers. "I missed you."

Liza smiled and giggled, and it was music to his ears. "You only saw me yesterday."

"That's too long" he replied, meaning it wholeheartedly – he missed her as soon as he was away from her. He hoped that one day, in the not too distant future, that they'd get to fall asleep together every night and that his home would be her home.

Liza's resulting smile as she said "I missed you too" sent a rush of warmth surging through his veins. She took his hand and squeezed it gently as she led him into the apartment, sensing his nervousness. "You'll be fine" she whispered, and he hoped she was right.

Caitlin came over to them when she saw them come in. "Caitlin, you remember Charles?" Liza introduced, smiling between them.

Caitlin regarded him and he couldn't tell what she was thinking. "Yeah, you were at Rose's parents party."

Charles smiled at her, "I was. It's nice to see you again Caitlin." He held his hand out to her and she shook it and gave him a tight smile. He got the feeling this wouldn't be an easy ride.

As they sat around the table having dinner, Charles could feel the tension in the air. Liza and Caitlin seemed to be having some sort of silent conversation between them. Caitlin rolled her eyes at Liza and looked over at him. "So how long have you two been a thing?".

Charles was slightly caught off guard as this was the first time she'd attempted to make conversation with him. "erm, we've been together since Christmas" he told her and felt Liza place a reassuring hand on his leg under the table. "But the feelings have been there for a long time."

Caitlin nodded, taking this information in, then turned back to Liza. "You had feelings for him even when you were with Josh? Is that why it ended?"

Charles looked at Liza, curious about her answer, and saw her jaw clench in annoyance as she glared at her daughter. He placed his hand over hers that was still on his leg, and some of the tension eased from her face. "I had feelings for Charles then, yes, but me and Josh ended for a number of reasons. We're at very different stages of our lives and we want different things – it would never have worked."

Liza's words were a comfort to him and provided answers to something he'd always wandered. If he was honest with himself, he'd been jealous of Josh when he was with Liza, because he was with the woman Charles was in love with. Knowing that he hadn't been alone in his feelings during that time was a relief.

Caitlin however was not quite as comforted by Liza's explanation. "I saw him on the way over here by the way – he said to say hi." Liza glared at her but Caitlin was not deterred as she turned her attention back to him. "So when this started did you think Mom was 27?"

Charles groaned inwardly, sensing where she was going with this – it was the same reaction Quinn had had when she'd found out. It was frustrating because what they were doing wasn't wrong – you can't help who you fall in love with. Yes he was her boss, and yes he'd thought there was an age gap to begin with, but none of that mattered because their feelings were real and genuine. He understood that Caitlin was only looking out for her mother though. "Originally, yes."

"So you were chasing after what you thought was your 27 year old assistant?" Charles sighed – this was going worse than he'd feared.

"Caitlin!" Liza snapped angrily.

Charles squeezed her hand in an attempt to soothe her. "It's ok – she has a right to ask questions" he said softly.

"It's not alright – she's being rude" Liza replied, then turned her attention on Caitlin. "And if you're going down that road, you do realise Josh is 27 and I'm in my 40's, and you're okay with that – it would have been no different, except that me and Charles are both actually in our 40's. I shouldn't have to explain myself, but just so you know – we both tried to fight it, but in the end we couldn't. He didn't chase me because he thought I was younger, and I didn't chase him because he's my boss or to get ahead. I love him Caitlin, and he's a good man. He's a part of my life and you need to accept that. I want you to be happy for me."

Charles swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat at hearing her speak about him, and them, in that way. He touched his knee against hers in a silent thank you. Caitlin clearly wasn't expecting that declaration from Liza and looked guilty as she dropped her gaze. Charles didn't want her to feel bad though, and he needed her to know that Liza's feelings weren't one sided and that he really cared for her. "Thinking your mom was 27 actually held me back. It wasn't her age that attracted me to her" he told her softly. His eyes couldn't help but be drawn to Liza's as he continued, "It was her mind, her love of literature and her kind heart. She's a very, very beautiful person – inside and out."

The rest of dinner went by uneventfully as Caitlin's reservations and concerns seemed to have been eased by their previous conversation. The three of them engaged in easier small talk about work and college, the atmosphere having thawed somewhat. As Liza got up to get dessert, Charles's nervousness returned however as he was left alone with Caitlin.

"I'm sorry for how I treated you earlier" she admitted as she looked at him sheepishly.

Charles smiled warmly at her, "It's okay – you're protective of your mom and you're looking out for her. It's understandable to be wary of somebody new in her life."

"No, it's not okay - I was a bitch. You didn't deserve that, and I'm sorry."

"It's forgotten" he assured her. Maybe tonight hadn't gone as badly as he'd thought. "What made you change your mind?"

Caitlin gave him a small smile as she replied, "You did. I saw how you were looking at Mom when you were talking about what attracted you to her. You love her don't you?"

That was the easiest question he could ever be asked, "I do - very much." No words existed to adequately describe how much.

Caitlin seemed to like his answer because her face lit up. "And she's obviously head over heels for you." She glanced over at Liza in the kitchen and the bond between the two of them was clear. "She's really happy and that's all I want for her. So, thank you for making her happy."

As awkward and uncomfortable as their earlier conversation had been, Charles now felt a real affinity with Caitlin. He could see himself getting on really well with her and he was very glad they'd done this. Her approval meant the world to him, and hearing her say that he made Liza happy made his heart swell. "She makes me very happy too."

Caitlin grinned, "Can we start again?" she asked tentatively.

Charles smiled affectionately at her, "Of course."

She held her hand out to him she said "Hi, I'm Caitlin. That was my crazy twin you met earlier - I'm nothing like her."

Charles chuckled as he shook her hand and smiled at the mini version of Liza in front of him. "It's nice to meet you Caitlin. I'm Charles."

And just like that, all of the previous animosity disappeared, and in its place a mutual appreciation and respect was developed. He caught Liza's eye from the kitchen as she raised an eyebrow, silently asking him if he was alright. He smiled warmly at her and nodded, letting her know that everything was okay. He was pretty sure Liza had intentionally left the two of them alone to bond as she seemed to be taking her time, but it seemed her plan had worked.

"I can't believe Mom came up with that crazy plan to pretend she was in her 20s!" Caitlin giggled, "How did you feel when you found out she was 41?"

Charles shook his head in amusement. All of the anger and hurt that he'd previously felt had long since gone and he could now appreciate the comedic element of it. "erm, well I was shocked to say the least." They laughed together and then settled into an easy conversation.

When Liza returned the three of them settled in the lounge with their dessert, in front of a movie. He smiled as he watched mother and daughter animatedly narrate what was clearly a movie they had seen numerous times before, and playfully bicker over the merits of various characters. As Liza slipped her hand into his and smiled at him in that way she reserved only for him, a sense of contentedness and completeness washed over him. He had the woman he loved and the acceptance of the most important person in her life – he couldn't ask for anything more.

At the end of the night he reluctantly said his goodbyes. He didn't want to leave but even though Caitlin was 19 he thought it might be a bit weird for her if he stayed over the first time she really met him. The two of them walked with him to the door. "Thank you for having me over – I've had a really good night" he told them earnestly. He turned to Caitlin and smiled warmly as her as he held out his hand. "It was great to see you again Caitlin."

Caitlin surprised him by ignoring his handshake and instead pulling him into a quick hug. She blushed slightly as she stepped back, "You too."

Liza seemed equally as surprised at her daughter's actions, but pleasantly so, as she smiled affectionately between him and Caitlin.

"Well I'm gunna hit the hay" Caitlin added, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight" "Night" He and Liza said in unison as they watched Caitlin disappear into her room.

Liza wrapped her arms around his waist as she smiled warmly at him. "Despite a rocky start, that actually went really well. She likes you."

Charles cupped her face with his hand and beamed at her, "I like her too." He brushed his thumb softly over her cheek as he looked at her reverently, sending out a silent prayer of thanks for bringing this woman into his life. "I like her mom too…in fact, I more than like her."

Liza grinned happily, "You do?"

"I do" he replied softly, "I love her."

"Well that's good because she loves you too."

Charles's breath caught in his throat – no matter how many times he heard her say it, it never failed to make his heart flutter. His smile got even wider as he replied, "She does?"

"She does" Liza murmured, "And she would very much like to kiss you now."

"Well, if that's what she wants…" Charles whispered huskily as he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. The now familiar electricity he felt when they kissed rushed through his veins as Liza tightened her arms around him, holding him close.

Their goodnight kiss continued for a number of minutes as they took their time savouring each other, neither of them wanting to part. When they reluctantly came up for air, he intertwined his fingers with hers and brought their joined hands up to his lips, before placing a tender kiss on her knuckles. "So I'll see you tomorrow."

Liza smiled "You will"

He held her face in his hands and rested his forehead on hers. "Okay, I'm going now" he whispered, making no move to actually leave.

Liza giggled, "You are?" she asked amusedly.

Charles chuckled, "I am." With one last kiss he groaned and reluctantly stepped out of her embrace and out into the hallway. "Goodnight Liza."

"Goodnight Charles."

He hadn't made it to the bottom of the stairs before his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and his face split into a huge grin as he read the text:

'I miss you already x'

Liza had stolen his line as well as his heart – and he wouldn't have it any other way.