AUTHOR'S NOTES:

This has been a fun story to write especially as little tidbits about the final seven episodes are coming out...who knows what the fate of Don will actually be, but I hope that he is able to find happiness. Anyway, here is the final chapter and epilogue. Thank you for reading and please review if you feel compelled to do so.

Chapter 13

On Monday, Peggy went to work upstairs in the office and Dick went to a barbershop and he got a much needed haircut. He allowed the barber to keep his hair a little longer than he had ever worn it, in keeping with the current trends. Dick also decided to keep the beard in an effort to distance himself from the look he had cultivated for decades. When he took in his appearance once the barber was finished he had a hard time believing his eyes. With gray speckled throughout his dark hair and beard, coupled with his weight loss he looked significantly older, and he barely resembled the man he once was.

Dick then set about the monumental task of establishing himself with his given name. He met with his attorney and he helped Dick gain access to his bank accounts and begin the process of procuring new identification. They went to several different agencies together and as he had expected, it was exceedingly unpleasant. He knew that for all intents and purposes he was in the eyes of the law a criminal, but it was another thing entirely to be treated as one by the people who would have previously been respectful to him. Dick's attorney was also able to successfully locate where his belongings were being stored and they arranged to have his clothes and other essential items transported to Peggy's the next day. By the end of the day he was left feeling very low and for the first time in months he found that he craved a drink.

In an effort to stave off temptation, Dick immediately went back to Peggy's and when he arrived he dismissed the babysitter for the day. He picked up his tiny daughter out of her crib and he held her against his shoulder. He sat down in the rocking chair and the gentle rocking motion eventually lulled her to sleep. The feeling of holding a sleeping baby calm his frayed nerves and he sat there for a while until he lost track of the time. Eventually he decided to check on Peggy and he went upstairs to the office to visit and see how things were going. He knocked on the door and was surprised to be greeted by Pete Campbell.

"Hello Don!" Pete greeted enthusiastically. "Peggy said you're back in town. Come on in and see what we've done with the place. I confess it's a work in progress."

Peggy heard the commotion and came out of her office and she broke into a huge smile when she saw who it was. Her smile fell a little when she noticed the defeated look on his face

"Dick?" Peggy said, looking pointedly at Pete who silently chastised himself for his error and then retreated to his office. "I wasn't expecting to see you up here today, How did everything go? Did you get everything squared away?"

Dick smiled wanly, "Yes, and to answer your question, my day was terrible but it is done."

"Good." Peggy reached up and stroked his cheek affectionately. "Now that that is all taken care of we can get married and put all of that unpleasantness behind us."

Dick smiled. "Yes we can."

Peggy smiled and then she took Dick's hand and led him away from the door. "Well, let me show you around the office. I know it isn't much, but it works for us right now." Peggy said self consciously. "Stan is, as you can see, stationed over there by the window. Pete's office is in the smaller bedroom and my office is over here." Peggy said as she motioned around the apartment. "We still have all of our meetings off-site."

Dick grinned. "It's very impressive Peggy. There is no need to downplay what you've done here. No one understands what you all have accomplished here better than me."

Peggy blushed. "I know. I'm proud of what we've done, but it looks so small when you're showing it to other people."

"Peggy, we started out in a two room suite at The Pierre. This is wonderful."

Peggy beamed with pride and she led him into her office and shut the door. "Thank you. I'm glad you like it. I figure you can either work in my office when you're here, or out in the front room."

"We'll figure something out. Are you sure Pete and Stan are going to be okay with me working here?"

Peggy nodded emphatically. "Trust me. I've already spoken to them about it and they are very excited to have someone of your caliber working here. You have to know that Pete has idolized you for years."

Dick looked surprised by this news. "Really?"

"Of course!. Stan is happy to have you on board as well. We all know how lucky we are to have you working here. We're glad to have you aboard."

Dick smiled. "Thank you Peggy. Listen, I need to have a quick word with Pete and Stan. Do you mind?"

"No, go ahead. We're about done for the day up here anyway." Peggy opened the door and hollered, "PETE! STAN! Dick needs to talk to you."

Stan was sitting in the living area right outside Peggy's office. "Jesus Peggy, I'm sitting right here!" He exclaimed with annoyance. Pete came out of his office looking irritated as well.

"I'm sorry Stan." Peggy said sheepishly. She then spoke directly to Dick, "I'm going to take Anna upstairs and leave you boys alone to chat. I'll get dinner started for us Dick, so don't be too long."

Dick smiled. "Yes Dear." and he kissed her briefly on the lips. Peggy blushed prettily and smiled.

Stan and Pete exchanged knowing glances and smirked. Peggy turned and went out the front door of the office, closing the door behind her.

"You know, I thought it might be weird to see the two of you together, but it's not. I've gotta hand it to you Dick, Peggy is happier than I've seen her in a long time." Stan said.

Dick chuckled, "Thank you Stan. Gentlemen," Dick began, "The reason I wanted to speak with you is because I wanted to sincerely thank you for all that you did for Peggy and my daughter Anna while I was away. I want you to know that Peggy means the world to me and that I will do everything in my power to ensure her happiness."

"That's good, because if you ever hurt her I will kill you." Stan said dryly.

Dick chuckled nervously, "I don't plan to Stan but I appreciate the warning. I haven't told Peggy this yet, but assuming she is okay with it, I plan to invest in your agency as a silent partner. I don't want to have any say in the inner workings of the agency, I just want to make sure that you are on solid ground financially."

"Really?" Pete said incredulously. "You would do that?"

Dick nodded. "Yes. After selling my partnership shares I have more money than I'll ever need, and it would make me feel good to know that I was able to ensure the financial stability of your agency. It is really the least I can do to repay you for your kindness to myself and my family."

"That is very generous but are you sure?" Pete said quizzically.

"I'm positive." Dick placed his hand on Pete's shoulder. "Pete, you have proven over the years to be a much better friend than I deserve. You have demonstrated time and time again just how loyal you are and I want you to know that I appreciate everything you have done from the bottom of my heart."

Pete was visibly moved by Dick's speech. "You're welcome Don." Pete shook his head, recognizing his error once again. "I'm sorry...it's going to take some getting used to, calling you by your real name."

Dick chuckled, "It's okay, Pete. I don't know if Peggy mentioned it, but I asked her to marry me and she accepted. I don't have any family that is living besides my older children, and I was wondering if would you two be willing to serve as my groomsmen? And would you Pete specifically be my best man?"

Pete was completely taken aback by this request. "I would be honored."

Stan nodded. "Sure, anything for you and Pegs."

Dick grinned. "Great. Hopefully we'll very able to schedule it for sometime in the next couple of weeks. Thank you gentlemen. This really means a lot to us. I should really get going back upstairs...I don't want to be late for dinner. We can talk more tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Stan and Pete both said simultaneously.

Dick returned upstairs and saw that Peggy was in the kitchen cutting up vegetables. Anna was evidently in her room sleeping. Dick came up behind Peggy and he put his arms around her, encircling her waist. He kissed her neck and Peggy sighed contentedly.

"Did you ask them?" Peggy asked.

"Yes. I never thought I'd see the day when I would ask Pete Campbell to be my best man, but stranger things have happened I suppose."

Peggy turned around and faced Dick and she touched his face. "Have I told you how happy I am that you're here? This feels right, us being here together as a family."

"I know. I'm very happy to be here with you both. Thank you Peggy. I love you both so much."

"I love you too Dick."

Epilogue

On Friday September 24, 1971, Richard "Dick" Whitman married the love of his life Margaret Katherine "Peggy" Olson in front of a small gathering of family and friends at City Hall. Among those in attendance were Peggy's mother, her sister and brother-in-law and their kids. Stan served as Dick's groomsman and Pete served as his best man. Sally served as Peggy's maid of honor and Peggy's sister Anita also served as a bridesmaid. Dick's sons Bobby and Eugene were also in attendance, as well as Betty and Henry Francis.

As Peggy predicted, her mother was pretty frosty to Dick when she first met him and was informed of his previous marriages the previous week, but he charmed her once she saw how well he treated Peggy what a doting father he was to her granddaughter.

The ceremony went off without a hitch and both Dick and Peggy felt a great sense of relief when the justice of the peace declared them husband and wife. After such a long and tumultuous year they were both looking forward to settling down and being a family.

It had been decided that Anna would spend the weekend with Sally in Rye with the rest of the Francis family so that Dick and Peggy could have some much needed time alone.

Sally made an effort to speak with Peggy before she left with Anna for the weekend.

"So I guess you are my new step mother." Sally said grinning.

Peggy laughed. "I guess so. Thank you for watching Anna this weekend. Your father and I really appreciate it."

Sally smiled. "I'm happy to do it. I like getting to spend time with my little sister. It's nice not being the only girl around anymore." Sally paused and then continued. "Peggy, I want to thank you for being there for my dad. He is happier than I've seen him in years, and I know that is because of you and Anna."

Peggy grinned. "He makes me happy too. And Sally, I'm very happy that you and I are really family now."

Sally gave a Peggy a hug. Dick had been watching the exchange between his daughter and his new wife and was very moved. He came over to where they were standing and he put his arm around Peggy and pulled her close to his side.

"Congratulations Daddy!" Sally said, beaming up at her father.

"Thanks Salamander." Dick said affectionately and he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Have fun with your little sister this weekend."

"We will. You two have fun." Sally said smirkingly.

Dick looked at his daughter askance. "Thank you. We'll be here the whole time, with the exception of dinner tonight. Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything."

"We'll be fine Daddy. Seriously, have a good time. You deserve to have some time alone for a honeymoon. I love you."

"I love you too, Sally."

Once the festivities were over and the Francis's had taken Anna with them for the weekend, Dick and Peggy were truly alone for the first time in over a year. Peggy smiled sheepishly up at Dick, who returned her smile with a look of pure love and affection.

"I feels weird being here without Anna." Peggy said distractedly.

"I know, but I am glad to have you all to myself, if only for a little while. Think of it as making up for lost time." Dick reached over took Peggy's face in his hands and kissed her deeply. Peggy felt excitement course through her and she threw her hands around Dick's neck and deepened the kiss. Peggy could feel Dick fumbling around with her zipper and she abruptly ended the kiss before things got out of hand.

"What time is our dinner reservation?" Peggy asked breathlessly.

"Seven thirty. Why?"

"I just wanted to make sure that we had enough time. I don't want to have to rush."

Dick grinned. "We'll be late or we can just order a pizza. That is honesty the least of my worries."

Peggy frowned, "What do you have to worry about?"

"Well, I can't for the life of figure out how to work the clasps on your dress."

Peggy laughed heartily. Dick smiled and Peggy touched his face and brushed his cheek with her thumb.

"It still amazes me that we are here together, but I couldn't be happier. You were definitely worth the wait. I love you, Dick."

Dick took her hand and kissed it reverently. I love you too Peggy."

Dick and Peggy ended up having one other child ten months later, a boy that they named Adam Michael Whitman. Dick thoroughly enjoyed his role as the primary caretaker of his young children, and he was more than happy to help out Peggy when she needed it with her agency.

Sally decided to attend NYU and she was a frequent guest at the Whitman's home. She and Glen ended up getting married and settling in the city and having a family of their own.

The Whitmans had a long and happy life together and Dick and Peggy continue living in Peggy's brownstone to this day.

~THE END~