A/N: here's chapter 10, 2 chapters left. Hope you'll like it. Thanks again for the reviews.

Chapter 10

Patrick and Teresa had settled on the couch with her a cup of coffee and his tea. Teresa was waiting for him to explain. Though, he was evasive. Only he said that he had good news. She longed to know.

He stared intensely into her green eyes for a few seconds. He could read the anxiety, fear, and a question? Did she want to kill him? Why…? Oh yes, he hadn't told her the news. He'd better do it fast if he wanted to live to see Amy grow up.

He took her soft hands in his then stroking gently trying to soothe her. He saw that for once it didn't work. Then he took a deep breath and began.

- "So…" he began "This afternoon I had an appointment with a family court judge."

- "A judge…? Why Patrick…?" Teresa asked.

- "This was about Amy I wanted to know if she had a family that we would not have heard, a grandmother, a distant cousin or someone related to her." Patrick said.

- "And…?" Teresa asked impatiently.

- "She has no one." Patrick sadly said.

- "Poor girl…" whispered Teresa "That means she will go into one of these homes I guess."

- "Precisely not and this is why." Patrick said.

- "You mean ..." Teresa said suddenly happier.

- "I mean the judge agreed that we would become her guardians" Patrick said smiling.

He approached Teresa then hugged her in jubilation. She responded by clasped her arms around his neck then pressed tightly against him while pressing her lips against his. She was happy really so happy that she was able to have a family with Patrick Jane and little Amy. She would finally have what she dreamed for since she was a child. She would have the happy life her mother.

She moved her arms to behind his back then placed her head against his chest. She enjoyed the quiet of the afternoon. She sniffed his perfume which ignited her feelings. Jane also was happy. He couldn't imagined that one day he would meet a woman who could make him that happy again. She would be able to make him forget his revenge or give him a taste of life. It was thanks to Teresa he was different man. In only a few days he had taste again the joys of child rearing, waking up with a woman he loved then sharing moments of sweetness that this world can offer. She had transformed him. He would never be able to thank her enough.

They heard Amy crying and Teresa broke away reluctantly to find the girl. While he went to his car to bring things that he brought from his previous home. He returned to find Teresa in the front room speaking to the girl. She told her she was no longer alone in the world. She had a family that would take care of her. He stopped by the door to watch Teresa and Amy, Mother and Daughter.

- "You'll be fine with us my heart. You'll be the happiest little girl. I promise to protect and not let anyone hurt you. I love you too much to see you sad" she said kissing her tenderly on the forehead.

She turned and saw Patrick standing still with a tender expression on his face. She smiled but remained somewhat surprised to see what he had in his hands. Carrying Amy Teresa approached then looked at the object.

- "This was my daughter's" he explained. "I thought that it could be Amy's if you don't mind."

- "Patrick, that is so kind. Are you sure? I certainly don't want you to be sad." Teresa said.

- "No Teresa I'm not sad but happy. I'm glad my new daughter can share a link with my older one." He said.

Smiling Teresa kissed him. Patrick kissed Amy on the forehead too then he spoke.

- "She will need a stroller. You can not go shopping holding her in your arms. I know you are strong Teresa but she would be a challenge." He said.

- "You want to go shopping?" Teresa asked surprised.

- "Yes Teresa I want to buy her everything she needs toys ..." Patrick said.

- "You're a real sweetheart" said Teresa kissing him again. "I will prepare her for travel then we can go."

Teresa climbed the stairs to wash and dress the baby while Jane arranged the closets. He was glad to be able to reuse all of his older daughter belongings. Even though, he still felt a little sad seeing them once again. He knew that he would heal with Teresa and Amy in his life. It would only get better.

A few minutes later the two women in his life reappeared. Together they left to buy clothes for the little girl.

They spent a pleasant afternoon, laughing, squabbling on clothing colors then to finally agree on one. They were a real family. They were happy. These were special times that only a family can bring. He had missed them so much. They went to buy everything for Amy's room. It took them a lot longer because of a disagreement on the walls color. Teresa wanted a soft green while he wanted to opt for blue. Compromising they bought both paints. It would be painted with half the room in blue and the other half in green.

In the late afternoon they entered a shop to drink tea and rest. Patrick turned to Teresa after the orders were made. He wanted to ask her something. He was confused on how to do it. He was afraid she wouldn't want the same as him that it was too early. Wrestling with himself he concluded he wanted it so much. He had dreamed of it for so long that he could not imagine not doing so.

She looked at him curiously. She wanted to know. What was wrong? He had been looking at her for several minutes. She studied him she saw signs of worry and anxiousness. He wanted something but there was confusion showing too. Seeing him in such a state Teresa decided to encourage him.

- "I spent such pleasant day Patrick" she said. "Would you like to do something else this evening?"

- "Uh ... yes… What do you want to do?" Patrick asked recovering from his circular thoughts.

- "I don't know, what about dinner?" Teresa asked uncertainly.

- "This is a good idea and I know exactly where we could go. I will ask Grace if she can take care of Amy for the evening. We will go out just the two of us." Patrick said.

- "It sounds like a great idea. We should head home." Teresa said smiling.

They drank their drinks and then quietly returned home. They had spent the best day of their lives. Teresa was in charge of the baby. Patrick was opening and putting together her dresser and changing table. He decorated with a few stuffed animals. Finally he placed a mobile above Amy's crib. A couple minutes later someone rang at the door. Patrick bounding down the stairs then spoke loudly.

- "Just a moment I will be right with you." He yelled at the door while moving as fast as he could.

Grace smiled she knew that voice anywhere. He opened the door to see Grace with a wide smile on her face.

- "Grace…It's good to see you. Please come in" Patrick said "Thank you for coming over at such a short notice."

- "Hi Jane, I'm glad you thought about me for Amy." Grace said.

- "And I'm glad you accepted." Patrick said smiling

Grace taking off her coat and he placed it in the closet. She sat on the couch waiting for Lisbon to arrive with Amy. Teresa arrived shortly while holding Amy. She spoke to Amy tenderly as if she had done it all her life. When she saw her young colleague she smiled then handed her Amy. Grace took the little girl in her arms only too happy to look after the baby. Grace loved children.

- oooo -

Patrick waited for Teresa in the living room. He watched Amy with her it was as natural as it could be. His heart swelled knowing Teresa was the love of his life. He was nervous because tonight was a big night. He would ask her something and from her answer the rest of his life depended. After handing off Amy to Grace, Teresa disappeared upstairs. Patrick watched the red head with their child. Grace was a good babysitter one he hoped to use again in the near future.

Looking up at the stairs he saw a vision of loveliness. He thought his heart would stop then he thought he was in heaven. Teresa descended the stairs wearing a beautiful sleeveless black dress which exposed her shoulders and upper back. Her hair was slightly curly and her eyes sparkled as a thousand lights. She moved face to him and he finally spoke.

- "Teresa… You're beautiful" he whispered.

- "Patrick…You're not bad either" she said smiling a smile which was so radiant.

She stood on her tiptoes then kissed him while running her hands behind his neck which allowed a deepening the kiss. Patrick was happy to comply. At this rate they would never make the restaurant for their reservation time. The question was in both of their minds were did they really want it? Would they really want to go out? Then would they prefer to stay taking advantage of each other?

Patrick stepped back from her for a moment. His twinkling bluer than blue eyes plunged deeply into her emerald green ones. He knew then that this was time. It was the one he had been waiting for so long. He placed his hand into his jacket pocket then pulled out a small box that stood between him and the woman he loved. Teresa looked at him quizzically. She did not really know if he was serious or if she was dreaming.

- "Teresa Lisbon ... you're the most beautiful woman in the world. You are the one that helped me to live again and love again. I am happy to take care of Amy at your side. I would not have done it with anyone else. Teresa I have something to ask you. I'm frightened that you may reject my question telling me it's too early."

- "Patrick trust in yourself. Ask me your question is the only way to find out my answer." Teresa said holding her breath.

- "Ok ... Teresa ... would you be willing to be my wife?" Patrick said bending on one knee and opening the box to expose the ring.

Grace was amazed as she counseled Amy to be a good girl and not cry then spoil this moment.

He looked up at her holding a ring. Teresa was silent for a moment while looking tenderly down into his eyes. She knew what he wanted her to answer. She warred with herself. Was she ready for this? Was she willing to put to formally connect their two lives in front of God? She loved him so much but was it enough? Then a small voice started as a whisper in her mind 'yes' that was the answer.

Patrick waited for her answer. Each moment of silence he worried. In his mind he got up and paced the room. He was going too fast, it was too early, she didn't want it and he had scared her. He was beginning to regret having asked the question. She no longer wanted him. He had screwed his chances of being happy again. He stood frozen in position awaiting her answer.

- "Yes, yes I do" She said.

Patrick was stunned for a moment then placed the ring on her finger. He rose and the couple kissed deeply and longingly.

Grace was so happy to be included in this wondrous event. Amy started giggling.

- "Teresa it looks like we have an audience." He teased looking at Amy.

- "Patrick it looks like it." Teresa said picking up Amy and held her tight.

The little girl shared in their joy. Grace congratulated Patrick with a hug.

Patrick took Amy from Teresa with a kiss. Teresa showed the ring to Grace and they hugged.

Patrick holding the giggling little girl looked on at the love of his life wearing his ring. He was now the happiest man in the world. He was going to marry her. He would have a family again and nothing could ever hurt him.

TBC ...

A/N2: don't hesitate to leave a review, I'd love to hear what you thought of this chapter. Next will be up Tuesday.