Hello everyone! I'm so sorry that this took so long, but I'm trying to finish this story up for you. I hope you like it!! Let me know what you think.

Half an hour later Emily wondered back into the living room where Cheryl was putting away the last of the candles. She sat down on the sofa and hugged one of the throw pillows to her chest. Em watched Cheryl go back in to the kitchen, she returned carrying two coffee mugs and placed one in front of Emily.

"Wanna talk about it?" Cheryl asked, sitting on the other end of the couch.

"About what?" Emily said, avoiding Cheryl gaze.

"About what I apparently interrupted last night that has you so upset."

Emily took a sip of her coffee, "you haven't figured it out yet?"

"I have my theories…"

"He proposed." Emily blurted out, refusing to make eye contact with her boss.

Cheryl shook her head, "I really hoped that wasn't I was interfering with last night."

"Wait. You knew about it already?" Emily asked, slightly shocked by what she'd just heard.

"Matt came to me a little over a week ago, after buying the ring, and asked me if I could allow the two of you to work together if you were married. I had to pull a few strings, but I told him four days ago that the upper-ups were going to permit it. After seeing the house tonight, I kind of figured…"

Shaking, Emily began, "I ca-"

"Em, honey…" Cheryl reached out and took the steaming coffee cup from Emily before it spilled and set it on the table next to hers.

"It's just- Matt's the only guy who has ever really cared about me…" she admitted, "I mean, really cares about me…" Cheryl nodded silently, giving the negotiator time to compose herself before continuing, "I think want to marry him…"

Cheryl's eyes widened, "You think?" she asked, confused, "What did you tell him last night?"

"I-nothing… I mean, he asked… and I have to admit, I was in shock at first… and then I tried to say something—I just couldn't, then you called and… I don't know--"

"Look, Em… I'm not going to tell you what you should do, but… You know that feeling like every love song was written with you in mind? Or you know that there are so many things you could say about him-but when you try, you realize that there aren't any words that can describe what he means to you… That's when you know it's real and, Emily, that only comes around once in a lifetime…" Cheryl told her.

"I love him… I'm in love with him…I want to marry him, but I'm afraid that I might not get that chance. I feel so helpless, I feel like I'm dying with him," Emily said, admitting her fears to her boss.

"Don't…" Cheryl insisted. "You can't think that way, the pain will eat you alive inside. Matt loves you, I can see it in him everyday, he wants to spend the rest of his life with you. You have to give him your answer, he needs to hear you say it."

Emily sat in silence pondering the decision that had to be made, she let out a small laughed, "We're getting married!" she exclaimed, actually believing it for the first time.

The two women spent the next hour talking and sipping their coffee. They rambled over a number of different topics, Matt being the lengthiest of them. Emily looked down at her watch and yawned, it's was after 4am, she'd been up for nearly 20 hours.

"Visiting hours don't start until 9am," Cheryl informed her. "You should try to get some sleep, you've been through a lot today."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine. I'll wait by the phone incase the hospital calls." Cheryl pointed towards the bedroom, "Go ahead, you need to rest."

The negotiator yawned again and laid her head on the armrest, "I think I'll stay here on the couch, I'm not sure if I can handle sleeping in that bed without him."

"Alright, I'll wake you if I hear anything," Cheryl promised

Emily pulled the afghan off the back of the couch and tucked herself in. A feeling of loneliness came over her as she drifted off to sleep, visions of Matt were running through her head.

'The floral arrangements are extravagant' she quietly observed, looking through the open door of the foyer. Emily noticed a group of four well dressed individuals clustered together in front of the pulpit. Upon closer inspection she recognized each of them as her close friends and co-workers. Emily entered the church, taking small steps, trying not to disturb the nearly silent room. Halfway down the aisle all four pairs of eyes turned their attention to her as she made her way towards the them.

Emily glanced to her left and saw the small tears that had invaded the corners of the HRT Commander's eyes. As she looked at each of the people gathered around her she noticed that Frank tears weren't alone, sorrow was evident in everyone. Emily felt a light touch on her arm, Lia looked at her mournfully before leading her to the front pew, the other's took their seats behind her.

The minister cleared his throat and began, "Family and friends we are gathered here today to celebrate the life of a wonderful man…"

Emily watched on in confusion as the reverend continued to speak softly. His voice was gentle and his words kind hearted as he told stories of a man that seemed to be loved by many.

As the service came to an end, Emily's curiosity got the best of her as she stared intently at the casket from a distance. She stood up from her seat on the wooden pew and took a few steps towards the cherry colored box. As she grew nearer she was able to make out features of the body inside, his intertwined hands resting across his chest, his double breasted, charcoal suit, the thick locks of jet black hair. She inched her way forward and peered over the edge of the coffin… Matt…