Sorry about this being awhile, been pretty busy with work

Though dinner wasn't until three hours later, clothes were being scattered all over Lilly's bed as she frantically dug through the innards of her clothes in search for something nice. When her favorite jeans just happened to be sat on by Olivia, Lilly scowled trying to move the lazy cat.

After putting on the pair of jeans along with red striped shirt, she then caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She was nearly hyperventilating deep down inside so much so that she called John and told him, about feeling not up to it. Although he knew that Lilly was worried about his family rejecting her, he completely understood; but tonight gave him the chance to speak about the women he loved so much.

However when Scotty had arrived, he automatically had noticed how frazzled she was. This wasn't the Lilly Rush he had known but saw a much different side to her. Somehow he was quite surprised when she held onto him, while Scotty felt her heart racing against his chest. Clearly nervousness had gotten the best out of Lilly.

"It's alright, Lil", feeling her hands rubbing the back of his neck. Scotty remained a friend and didn't let his emotions get the best of him, but wanted to help Lilly in the best way possible.

"You can't be afraid, you know that Boss loves you", still finding it hard to realize that both her and John were actually dating. To him, he felt that Lilly deserved someone her own age, but however he could see that they only had eyes for each other.

When she pulled back and sat down on the couch, Scotty knew all too well that she was afraid of being rejected by his family.

"I heard Boss talking to Will, possible about marrying you" seeing hers, what the hell did you just say face on. More fear had rippled throughout Lilly's entire body, about becoming a wife. The thought of that appeased her but could she really see herself walking down to the aisle to John? Another question came to mind; would word of this separate them at work?

After a warm mug, filled with hot tea was placed into her hands; Lilly knew she had overreacted to this. "Crap" letting out breath" What am I going to do"?

"Gotta make it up to him, Lil" before throwing her a jacket" What are you doing".

"I'm taking you to the place, you can't dodge this one. I see the way that the boss has been looking at you; it's love Lil: for you".

Lilly shook her hand, not wanting to go for the fear that had been plaguing her. From the look in Scotty's eyes she knew she didn't have a choice, but during the carried her heart was doing a mile a minute. Keeping a hand there, Lilly breathed in and out feeling now nauseous due to being so nervous.

Finally when the car had rolled up in front of the diner, Scotty could sense that she was overflowing with nervousness.

"Hey", touching her shoulder" You'll be fine Lil, Ain't like this is a blind date".

Within a breath, Lilly then turned towards her friend and partner before getting out. As her footsteps were in synch with each quickening beat of her heart, she swallowed nervously before John came out to meet her.

"You okay" he asked, seeing the nervousness seething in through Lilly's blue eyes.

With a breath she nodded before John had taken her hand, much to her surprise the two had dinner together without his family. Somehow his brother was in the middle of handling something; along with his daughter. In retrospect; Lilly felt like a complete fool for acting the way that she did.

Afterwards the two strolled downtown, while holding hands. Even John had noticed just how usually quiet that she had become.

"I can understand if you're not ready", as Lilly didn't respond. Though the thought of him proposing to her was surely scaring her, she remained silent.

While sitting down together on a bench, John could sense that she was shutting herself up "Heard those rumors too Lil, but there not, wouldn't do it until the time was right for us".

This was a sign of relief but felt his hand rubbing her back, softly "That what you're afraid of Lil" seeing a pair of blue eyes looking over at him "I don't even know if I could do it again".

"I think you underestimate yourself John" speaking softly "Like pretending that you can't love, when I know that you can".

John turned now facing Lilly as his lips touched hers wanting access, when that was gained the two slowly sat there kissing each other softly. She needed to feel loved; knowing that what Scotty had said was in fact very true; that John only had eyes of love for her. Though rumors of him proposing were in fact just rumors; she knew all too well that he wasn't about to rush their relationship any further.

By the time the two had lay in bed together, a regular thing for them to sleep together. Although tonight didn't lead into sex, Lilly was glad to be with him. As the two spoke softly, she learned more things about him. About John's own fear about not being able to love someone, but knew he had met his match in more ways.

"I got to thinking about it, and called it off" he said admitting his own guilty" Should have told you ".

Lilly didn't let it get to her; but someone this was creating a small problem" Why didn't you tell me, got all nervous for no reason"?

"Didn't actually call it off, just told them to meet me at a different diner", seeing her eyes looking deeply into his" Liar, John I never pegged you for one. Don't tell me there wasn't actually going to be one"?

The look in his eyes was all that was needed before Lilly playfully swatted him with a pillow" You are evil, but" moving closure to him" Do like your thinking" before seeing a smile appearing on his lips.

John knew this little game was had gotten the best out of them, until he looked deeply into her eyes. He loved this woman so much, but wasn't hesitant to rush down the aisle. Though in his dream he could picture just how beautiful Lilly would look all decked out in a wedding gown; looking like the angel that she was; but perhaps this was vision of what might happen in their future together.

For right now, the two joined each other in dream land as night then once again turned into day. By morning; both Scotty and Jefferies had spotted both John and Lilly walking together. Both men each grinned at each other.

"Never seen John that happy before".

Scotty nodded" Or Lil" seeing that smile he loved so much on her face" Better go man, don't think we need to stick around and spy on them".

Jefferies looked at the handsome Cuban" Why, afraid that Lil might beat you up"?

"No, it's what I call ill advised", using the same words that Vera had used when trying to persuade him from dating Christina. Though he didn't listen, he knew this relationship between both John and Lilly wasn't a mixed up emotions one; it was one made up entirely over love and trust.

To him, Scotty wasn't about to spy and ruin probably this for Lilly. After all he was still her best friend, and friends didn't ruin relationships. Though he almost wreaked it with that thing with Christina, but Lilly was able to forgive and move on. As the detectives walked away leaving the two sharing a coffee together while enjoying the morning Philadelphian scenery before work.

Just two weeks later, Lilly had finally had dinner with his family. Surprisingly it turned out better than she had expected; but had to leave early due to something with the case. Not long after, Janie looked at her father" She doesn't seem so bad for you, but at least you aren't acting like one of those guys".

"Lil prefers me the way I am, I haven't felt this happy in a long time" he added.

Even his brother nodded in approval" How long before I'm announcing that you two are husband and wife"?

"A long time away, it's only been seven months".

Janie raised an eyebrow" So what are you going to do if she wants kids, Lil is thirty six probably wants to be a mother"?

This was question that John had never thought of, but knew that one of Lilly's dreams was to become a mom herself. He could sense that she was aching for a baby deep down inside" Don't know if I could give her one" indicating his age.

Inside John wasn't at the stage of his life for raising a baby, he was already a grandfather. However his daughter wasn't wrong about asking that question, especially since the two had been together for seven months now. They had a strong sex life, but John felt that he needed to discuss these things with Lilly. If in fact he still had it in him to get her pregnant.

For now, neither of them were speaking or even thinking about starting a family of their own. That desire may have been peeking up deep inside of Lilly's head at one point, but she surely wasn't ready for their relationship to take on that role yet or marriage so to speak.

However John knew that his daughter was just overly concerned with him, but what she didn't know was that neither one of them were even thinking about starting a family. Their relationship wasn't at that stage, plus the fact he was now starting to have problems sexually adding to the frustration in bed.