Oliver and Grace stepped out of the car, back from their honeymoon in Paris, the city Grace had always wanted to visit. It was almost midnight, and they didn't want to wake the whole household. They quietly made their way up to their room, and opening the door, found their little red head fast asleep on their bed, along with her dog, Sandy. They quietly set their luggage down and carried the child to her own bedroom across the hall.

"Oh, Oliver," Grace whispered. "I missed her so much. I almost want to wake her."

"I know." Oliver replied, shifting Annie slightly in his arms as Grace removed her shoes. "But we should let her rest. She has probably been up past her bedtime waiting for us to get home. He laid her down in her bed, where Sandy had taken her usual position, and pulled the covers up. They both kissed her head, and then just stood there for several seconds, holding each other and watching their daughter sleep peacefully. Finally, Oliver pulled Grace out of the room. They had had a long flight and needed to get some sleep before Annie woke them up the next morning.

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Grace opened her eyes to sunlight pouring into their room. She checked the clock, it said 9:30. She had never slept, or rather, been allowed to sleep that late, in a long while. She stretched and rolled to her side, snuggling up against Oliver, who was still very much asleep. She looked at him for a long time, just admiring the man that she had come to love. She wondered what their children would look like. Would they have her curly hair? Would they get his personality? She wondered what he would look like twenty years from now. She wondered where they would be twenty years from now. As she was in this reverie, Oliver opened his eyes to a most beautiful view. There was nothing he loved more than Grace first thing in the morning, with her hair slightly mussed and only half awake. He still could not understand why she had chosen him. They heard a small knock on their door, and then a small red-head peep around the corner of the door.

"Hello? You're home!" Annie shouted running and jumping onto the bed between the two. "I missed you so much! Did you have a fun trip? The Asp taught me some more karate moves, but I promised not to try them on you, Daddy."

Oliver reddened as she called him daddy. It still just seemed like a dream to all of them. He gave the little girl a hug before passing her to Grace, who laughed and rained kisses all over her face. She is such a great mother, he thought to himself. She's a natural. He continued watching for several minutes before he remembered that there was work to be done. He went to get out of bed, but was almost bowled over by Sandy, coming to see where his owner was. Laughing, Oliver laid back in bed. He sure had changed in the last few months, he thought to himself. He hardly yelled anymore, and he was laughing more than ever. And he was smiling. He had everything he could possibly want.

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Oliver, Grace and Annie spent most of the morning in bed, just being together as a family. Around 11, they finally got up and got dressed and headed into the garden for lunch, Annie running ahead of them with Sandy, sometimes stopping to look back at her new parents, and smiling. She was so 

happy that she had a complete family, no, a perfect family. Last year, gee, 2 months ago, she wouldn't have even dreamed of having a family like she had now. She had dreamed of her real parents, but it somehow never compared to what she had now.

Grace and Oliver followed leisurely behind, holding hands and watching their daughter run around the garden in front of them.

"I missed her so much, Oliver." Grace said, walking closer to him and smiling back at Annie, who had run back to give Grace a flower, before running back to Sandy.

"I know. I did too." He agreed, putting his arm around her waist and leading her over to the table, the table where they had that first argument that led them to where they were now. Oliver remembered it well.

"I love money and power and capitalism, Miss Fahrell. I never have nor will I ever love children."

"Well, I thought that after last night-"

"Grace…I just noticed something. Have I ever told you how pretty you are when you argue with me?" she had blushed very prettily at that.

"Well, thank you sir, but-"

"Oliver."

"Oliver…do you really only love money and power and capitalism? They'll never love you back."

"Does it mean that much to you?"

"Oh, yes Mr. War….Oliver."

"Then I'll do it myself."

"Oh! I could just kiss you!"

He remembered that last statement vividly. He had wanted to kiss her.

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Grace was in the library reading a book. But she was more watching Annie and Oliver playing cards on the floor. It was comical watching the grown man sitting on the floor with a dog in his lap, playing 'go fish' with their daughter. When had he changed from the business-loving man to this man that went to mush every time Annie smiled up at him? After Annie yawned for the third time, Grace finally looked over at the clock. It was almost 10pm.

"Annie, I think it's time for bed." Grace said, putting her book down on the table.



"Aww…Mom! Can't we just play one more game?" Annie asked, trying to stifle yet another yawn.

"Annie," Oliver stated, putting the cards away, "It is time for bed. I'm actually quite tired myself." He finished, stretching and faking a yawn. "Go on up and change and we'll tuck you in."

"I'll come help you, dear." Grace said, taking Annie's hand and leading her out of the room. Annie complied, obviously giving up feigning wakefulness. Grace was smiling. She was not used to being called 'mom'. She helped Annie change into her nightgown and get into bed. There was a soft knock at the door and they were joined by Oliver.

"Well, Annie, how do you like having a family?" He asked.

"Daddy, I love it! It is more than I have ever dreamed of. I love you two so much!" Annie answered, throwing her arms around Grace and Oliver.

"And we love you, sweetheart." Grace said softly, kissing the child on the forehead. She watched as Oliver did the same, gently patting her head and scratching Sandy behind the ears. She had to smile to herself. Everything was perfect. Oliver and Grace walked hand-in-hand to their room.

"And are you happy, Grace?" he questioned, taking both of her hands and looking her in the face.

"Of course I am, Oliver. I have everything I could want." She answered, bringing her face up to give him a kiss. He brought her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. When they finally broke off the kiss, he led her into their room, closing the door softly behind them.