Grace groaned as she woke. Her body ached, particularly in places she'd never really known the existence of before last night.

Oliver had been gentle with her for a start but she had become quite wanton for him and had in fact, if she recalled, actually begged him for more at one point.

Her cheeks became warm as she thought back to what they'd done. The way they had ravaged one another. He had driven her quite to the brink of insanity and it had been utterly marvelous.

With a smile on her face, she rolled over in her bed, disappointed but not surprised to find that Oliver wasn't there. Despite his early departure, she knew he wouldn't have left with feelings of regret or remorse. She remembered him kissing her so tenderly before she'd fallen asleep, she'd nearly cried. She'd pulled his head to her chest, cradling it gently and had sighed happily as he'd slid his arms around her waist, holding her lightly to him as well.

As she rolled onto her back, she felt something crumple underneath her elbow and realized it was a note. Suddenly she realized that Oliver was supposed to be leaving for Chicago that morning. That's why he was gone so early. She only wished he'd waken her to say goodbye, and she was also quite perplexed that he wouldn't rouse her to ask her for her help in getting ready to leave for his trip.

When she read the note from him, she understood why he'd decided not to disturb her though. His reasons made her heart swell.

Dear Grace,

I'm sorry we aren't waking up together this morning. As you know, I'm expected in Chicago today for the start of my factory inspections. I've ducked out early for my flight, not wanting to disturb you as you looked so utterly at peace and I know that you have been working so tirelessly lately, I thought you could do with the sleep. I hope you aren't upset with me. Just know that I will make it up to you when I get back - at least I hope you'll allow me to.

I confess my reasons for not disturbing you are not entirely selfless however - I just didn't think I could bear saying goodbye to you, knowing that we must be parted for six weeks. I am going to be at such a loss without you by my side, and I don't just mean with work.

I know we have a lot to discuss and that the time and distance ahead of us makes that so much more difficult. What I want you to know is, I do not have a single regret about last night and I hope you feel the same. Being with you was simply wonderful.

Please go ahead with your plan to house an orphan for a fortnight once I am back. I have faith in you and am sure you will pull it all together splendidly and make me and the company look good just as you always seem to be able to do.

I pray these next six weeks will pass swiftly and without too many struggles and that soon enough we shall be together once again. Until then,

The note was written on his personalized stationery and was stamped "Oliver Warbucks" at the bottom. Grace closed her eyes and pressed the piece of paper to her heart.

The sign off wasn't exactly personal - it was just like him, thoughtful yet to the point. She found it inexplicably charming.

Folding the letter carefully and placing it in her bedside cabinet, Grace bounced out of bed, knowing that even though Oliver had left already, there was still plenty of work to be done. Even more so for her in fact, as he had left her in charge of running the household in his absence.

She washed quickly and dressed herself in neat, clean clothes before swiftly exiting the room. Immediately as she entered the hall, she bumped into Drake. It was rather unusual for the butler to be milling around the sleeping quarters at that time of the morning, though she did reason that his duties were a little different once Mr. Warbucks was out of the house.

"Good morning Miss Farrell", he bowed his head professionally.

"Good morning Drake."

"I trust you slept well?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I did thank you, and you?"

"Quite soundly, thank you." There was something odd in his tone and the next moment he came close to whisper in her ear and Grace understood why he was acting so strangely.

"Annette has reported to me this morning that Mr. Warbucks' bed was not slept in last night."

"Oh really?" Grace swallowed thickly. "How peculiar."

"Mm yes, though I think the mystery might be able to be solved with the fact that on their way to begin their work today, Mrs. Pugh and Mrs. Greer did see Mr. Warbucks leaving your bedroom."

Grace sharply sucked in a breath, knowing she was done for. "They did?" She croaked.

"Mhm."

Grace gave him a pleading look and said, "I suppose it would be asking too much of the three of you for your discretion?"

He gave her a bit of side eye before bowing his head again gently. "I will see that it is done."

Grace sighed in relief but was not entirely happy about asking her friends to keep a secret.

She moved to continue on downstairs but Drake stopped her with a murmured query. "I just have one question, Miss Farrell."

Grace anxiously met his eyes. "Which is?"

He stared at her a moment, contemplating in his own head whether or not he had the right to even ask this question, but needing to know as her friend. "Are you happy?" His voice was gentle and compassionate.

A shy smile came over Grace's face. "I'm immensely happy", her answer came with assurance and conviction.

Drake smiled softly too then. "Very good. I'll see you downstairs."

"Thank you, Drake." She blinked away the tears from her eyes that had formed unexpectedly. Part of it was embarrassment over her and Oliver being found out but a larger part was due to how overwhelming her feelings were for Oliver and realizing how happy he truly did make her.

That's why, for the next six weeks, although still very professional, Grace was a little moody and sometimes short with people. She missed her man terribly - despite the fact they had yet to put a label on anything, almost everyone around them knew that Oliver was indeed Grace's, and hers alone. But despite this and despite the promising note he'd left her, Grace was incredibly nervous about how things would be between them when he got back.

Still, she had a lot to focus on, there was always so much to do at the Warbucks mansion. Add to that, Grace had been busy organizing the temporary placement of an orphan in their home with the Board of Orphans.

It was an unusual request - normally if someone took in an orphan, they took them in for life. Several members of the board were not very happy about Grace's plan, but money talks and with a sizable donation from Warbucks industries being given for their use, they were led to agree to the arrangement.

Grace was both anxious and excited to host the child. She believed it was going to be an uplifting experience for all involved, but she still wanted to make a good impression - on Oliver, of course, but also on the child.

As she headed to the New York City Municipal orphanage she felt sure of her task but was a bundle of nervous energy, feeling a little nauseous in fact about the importance of what she was there to do. She needed to find the perfect child, one who would charm the reporters and moreover, one who would charm Oliver.

She knew it was much too soon in their personal relationship to be thinking this way, but the thought of Oliver and herself acting as parental figures to the child was a thought that made her quite giddy. Even if it was only to be temporary.

Of course, the fact that Oliver was due home later that day was also the cause for much of her giddiness. It had been too long since she had seen him and far too long since she had held him in her arms. Although they had only spent one night together before his trip, she felt as if she'd waited a lifetime to be with him then, and another lifetime again since he'd been away.

Distracting herself from the agonizing wait until the afternoon when she would find herself in his presence once more, Grace ascended the steps of the orphanage and knocked confidently. She was rather taken aback when the caretaker, Agatha Hannigan opened the door and greeted her in an entirely disinterested and patently cold manner.

After Grace had introduced herself, Miss Hannigan began to babble some sort of defensive excuse about something involving the young girl sitting on the windowsill of the dank room. Then the woman changed tack and started to accuse Grace of being nothing but an unwelcome peddler. Grace got the feeling right away that this woman was not at all of good character, but she responded with calm dignity and proudly informed Miss Hannigan that she was in fact the Chief of Staff for the Oliver Warbucks and was there to select an orphan to stay with them for the holidays, as arranged by the New York Board of Orphans.

The girl by the window caught Grace's eye. She played up to each one of Grace's requests for the kind of child she wanted to take. Grace was immediately smitten with her. Miss Hannigan however, was callous towards the young lady and Grace's instincts took over as she became determined to get the child out of there.

Miss Hannigan argued with her and tried to get Grace to take a different orphan but Grace was adamant and with the threat of contacting the board of orphans in regards to the lax way she was clearly running her establishment, Miss Hannigan was forced to oblige.

Grace and Annie happily left the orphanage together. It was freezing out and Grace instinctively wrapped her own coat around the girl, whose name she had learned was Annie.

They were instantly warmed when they hopped into the limo. Annie was indeed a bright child and very kind and appreciative, Grace quickly learned. She knew the girl wasn't exactly what Mr. Warbucks had in mind when considering the idea of hosting an orphan but she thought maybe that might turn out to be a good thing.

After visiting Bergdorfs to purchase Annie a beautiful new coat, they drove to the mansion and Annie was introduced to all of the staff who were just as taken with the child as Grace had been.

After checking in with Mrs. Greer and Mrs. Pugh that everything was set for Mr. Warbucks' arrival, Mrs. Pugh added with a little knowing smile in Grace's direction, "It'll be good to see Mr. Warbucks again." Her expression and tone made Grace blush. "Yes, um, six weeks is a long time."

Everyone was brimming with excitement when Mr. Warbucks walked in the door and greeted them all.

Grace's whole body tingled with anticipation as she looked at him for the first time in six weeks, yet when she stepped forward to greet him on her own, she tried to remain measured and professional. "Welcome home, Mr. Warbucks", she smiled reverently.

Drake welcomed him home too, yet their boss only had eyes for Grace when he replied, "It's good to be home."

As she expected, Olver asked to see the painting that had been shipped in from the Louvre for his appraisal before tending to some other matters of business. There wasn't much time for social graces in his world, and she understood that. It was only when the rest of the staff had dissipated that he finally noticed Annie and Grace was able to introduce them.

As she had anticipated, Oliver was unsure about Annie at first, but very quickly, the young girl had managed to charm the billionaire just as she had charmed everyone else within their home. She even managed to convince Oliver to take her out on the town. Grace was beyond elated already, but when he asked her to come along with them, she almost couldn't believe how perfectly everything was panning out. "Yes, Sir", she agreed in delighted astonishment.

It wasn't as if she had been conniving, in fact the plan to take Annie to Broadway and for ice cream and a Central Park carriage ride had all been his idea, but the thought of the three of them sharing the evening together, forming that familial bond that had initially attracted Grace to the idea of bringing an orphan to their home, was so entirely wonderful that Grace could barely contain her joy.

As joyful as she felt then, it was expanded ten-fold as the three of them roamed the city streets and Oliver engaged with the exuberant child. For the most part, Grace stood back and watched the two of them connect. Her heart warmed not only to see the little girl so happy, but to see Oliver so enchanted as well. It stirred up so many feelings inside of her that she hadn't ever really given any thought to before.

She'd decided long ago what a great man Oliver Warbucks was, and seeing him like this shone a whole new light on yet another wonderful part of him. As Annie took in the many wondrous things around them, Grace couldn't help but sidle up to Oliver with a beguiling grin on her face. They shared a few secretive looks which were merely substitutes for the words and the actions that would have to wait for later

After spending several hours enjoying the delights of New York City, the three of them returned home, bundled up together in a horse-drawn carriage. Annie had fallen asleep against Oliver's shoulder and Grace couldn't stop the adoring smile which kept blooming over her face as she glanced across at them.

When the carriage pulled up outside the entrance of the mansion, she thanked the driver and paid him handsomely before noticing with a swelling heart that Oliver had chosen not to wake Annie and instead was cradling her in his arms to carry her up to bed.

Grace led the way upstairs and quickly folded back the covers, guiding Oliver to lay the girl gently down upon the mattress by cradling his arm. The small jolt of electricity she felt in touching him after several weeks apart was thrilling, as innocent as the gesture may have been.

Feeling overly confident after spending such a splendid night in his company, Grace motioned for Oliver to remove Annie's shoes, which he did a little hesitantly but without complaint.

Annie stirred for a moment as Grace turned her to remove her coat. She lulled the child back to sleep with a few simple words of comfort and Annie slept soundly again, leaving the two adults to listen to her peaceful breathing.

Oliver rounded the bed, feeling such intense and conflicting emotions. He had no time for a child, even just taking tonight off was putting his company in jeopardy and yet, he already could not imagine sending the girl back to the orphanage. "Miss Farrell, h-how long will Annie be with us?" He asked in a way that made him sound so uncharacteristically uncertain it made Grace pause for a moment before answering.

"Just for the holidays…Sir", she knew the two of them were well past using titles but hearing him call her "Miss Farrell" just in case the girl may have been listening, prompted her to address him formally in turn.

"That doesn't seem long enough", he muttered sadly and Grace bowed her head. He was right. In that moment, she realized that she didn't want Annie to be used as just a tool. Not for good publicity and not even to bring her and Oliver closer. The girl deserved better than that. She deserved so much better.

Grace's heart completely went out to the child. She would have to try and find a way to convince Oliver to let her stay with them.

She sang a soft, soothing lullaby to the girl who had so quickly stolen their hearts.

"Give in, don't fight

Good girl…"

"...Goodnight

Sleep tight

In NYC".

Grace's face brightened with adoration as Oliver sang along with her. The moment felt so intimate and it was at that moment she realized that they both shared the same hope for their future and they both wanted Annie to be in it.

It seemed she wouldn't have to do much to convince him after all.

…

After watching the girl sleep for a little while, Oliver led the way out of the bedroom and downstairs to his office. Not a word was spoken between them as they walked, but there was a fizz of anticipation sparkling between them with every step. Butterflies filled Grace's stomach at the prospect of being alone with him once more, as well as for the excitement of what lay ahead for them.

He motioned for her to enter the office ahead of him and she did so with a gracious smile. Her heart hammered in her chest with sudden exhilaration as she heard him close the door behind them.

She continued to stare into the room, her back to him for a moment, reveling in the sweet agony of the expectation of his tender touch. She fought hard to control her breathing as he sauntered up behind her and slowly began to circle her, tantalizingly close but not allowing either of them the gratification of physical intimacy just yet. She could feel heat radiating off him though, could feel the tension rising between them deliciously.

"Well, It seems you had just as good a time tonight as young Annie did", his mouth twisted into a grin. Was he teasing her? Of course he was and she was absolutely ripe for it.

"Are you telling me that wasn't your intention all along?" She whispered back in a warm, smooth tone.

He ceased his little act of swanning and looked her directly in the eyes. Slowly, he shook his head. "I wish only good things and good times for you for the rest of your life, Grace."

She practically collapsed with emotion as she fell into his arms. "I've missed you so much", she all but sobbed.

He held her tightly and whispered into her hair. "I've missed you too."

"Every day and night I've waited, longing just to be next to you, longing to talk to you. There have been so many things I've wanted to say."

He pulled back to look at her, still holding her up with a strong grip on her arms. "There's a lot I've wanted to say to you too", he cleared his throat, dropping his voice down low. "And do to you."

Grace subconsciously licked her lips, blushing wildly. "Yes…and me to you."

Oliver sighed in desire as well as in relief. "Honestly, I was afraid I would come home to find that you thought it had all been a big mistake."

Grace shook her head at him. "How could it be a mistake when it made us feel so glorious?" She bit her bottom lip shyly. "You do something to me Oliver Warbucks and I have no power to fight it…nor do I wish to."

His eyes widened in surprise and glee at her statement.

She leaned in to kiss him but Oliver held her by the arm to stop her. "Grace, wait…first I must tell you something."

"Yes?" She asked, looking deeply and sweetly into his eyes.

He drew in a deep breath before continuing. "These feelings that I have for you, they haven't just occurred to me over the past few weeks or months. The truth is, I fell in love with you on that beach in Honolulu. I've been in love with you and have wanted you for all these years."

"Really?" She asked him in disbelief. Her head spun, thinking about all the time they had both foolishly wasted.

"I never felt I could tell you because I…I'd made a promise to you that I was bringing you here to New York without any kind of proviso or expectation. I didn't want you to feel beholden to me or like you had to stay, that you had no more value to me than just my lover. You have been, and are so much more than that. You've been my savior and my strength ever since we met. The thought that you were forced to be with me that night has loomed in my mind every day, Grace…"

She pressed her finger to his lips to quiet him, shaking her head slowly. "Oliver…that morning after our first night together. Do you remember what I said to you?"

His brow furrowed as he thought back all those years ago. The memories were beautiful, yet hazy and he couldn't pinpoint what it was she was referring to.

"I didn't try to stop you that night…and it wasn't just because I was afraid of Roscoe or of losing my job. I didn't stop you that night because truthfully…I didn't want you to stop." She let out a long breath of relief as she finally admitted the truth to him. "You were so tender and sooo handsome", the sigh in her voice made Oliver laugh lightly, tears now filling his eyes as well as hers.

"You rescued me, Oliver. I fell in love with you on that beach in Honolulu too because you were my savior and my strength", her voice shook with emotion and conviction and when he lowered his lips to hers she kissed him with all of that same feeling as well.

…

1934

Ten years after they first met in Honolulu, Grace and Oliver returned to Oahu for their honeymoon. The island had changed a lot during the decade but their reception was enthusiastic as the locals welcomed back the billionaire and one of their own treasured 'wahine'.

Grace was quite overcome to see her friends again, excited to reconnect to her homeland and of course, to introduce Annie to the people and the place that she loved so much.

After they were adorned with lei and greeted with many hugs and happy faces, they looked down the beach to see an old familiar figure tentatively approaching the rest of the group. With a shared look between them, Grace and Oliver, each holding one of their daughter's hands, walked towards the person they had long-forgotten.

It was Grace who was first to approach the man. "It's been a long time and I'm still very let down by what you did, but as you can see, things have worked out well for me…for us", she half-smiled. "And so I suppose that I really should thank you for that."

The older man shook his head. He looked sun-beaten and worn out. "I wouldn't deserve it if you did. However, I will say that I am glad to see how things have worked out for you…for both of you", he turned his head to Oliver.

After a moment of contemplation and staring the man down, Oliver finally extended his hand to his old friend. "Thanks Rosce."

With her smile expanding, Grace softly squeezed Annie's shoulder. "This is our daughter, Annie."

Roscoe looked between Grace, Oliver and Annie in complete mystification, mentally trying to calculate the years and clearly coming up short. His confusion made Grace chuckle. Oliver looked down at his daughter and said, "Annie, this is Mr. Goodbehere, he's a very old friend of ours."

"How do you do", Annie smiled innocently at the man, unaware of the turbulent past he shared with her parents. Roscoe gave Annie a genuine yet still bewildered smile in return.

"Annie, I'm very pleased to meet you."

…

Later that day, after the family had checked into their hotel, Grace and Oliver sat on the beach, watching Annie play happily in the water with some local kids. She had adapted to Hawaii as if she already belonged there.

Their hearts were full as they looked at her and saw how happy she was. Of all the remarkable things they had done, she was truly their greatest achievement.

Drawing in a deep breath, Grace turned to her husband and murmured just loud enough to be heard above the roar of the ocean, "Do you remember us walking down this beach all those years ago and me telling you that I never wished to have a child of my own?"

Oliver chuckled softly at the memory, assuming his wife was pointing out the irony of the two of them being back here together again with their child. "Yes dear", he smiled fondly at her before his eyes traveled down over his wife's body, then slowly widened in realization to see her hand pressed to her stomach while at the same time she confessed to him, "I think I'm going to have to re-evaluate my decision."

Her smile was a nervous one, but soon turned into an expression of pure joy as she watched her husband's face light up even brighter than the Hawaiian sun setting on the vast horizon in front of them.

THE END

A/N: Wow, what a journey this story has taken me on. From conceptualizing it several months ago, to getting it all down and learning so much in between. I always knew how it was going to begin and how it was going to end, and it has been amazing figuring all the in-between stuff out and learning so much in the process!

I found out just the other day that my husband who is predominantly New Zealand Maori by blood is also 18% Hawaiian which is pretty freaking cool. I connect to my own tupuna/whakapapa (Maori ancestry) a lot as well and it is known that many NZ Maori waka originally came from Hawaii so to write this story has been an ultra special experience for me and has broadened my horizons and my understanding of parts of my own culture too.

I hope you've all loved this as much as I've loved writing it. Thank you, as always, for your magnificent support.

Peace and love,
Renee.