Annie and Grace headed off early the following morning to shop and make arrangements for the wedding. Grace knew it was going to be the social event of the season - much to her own chagrin. She'd always envisioned a quiet wedding, surrounded only by those she and her betrothed were closest to. Of course, she knew that by marrying the richest man in the world there would be no chance of quiet or private anything from now on.

After visiting the dress shop and picking out a beautiful bridal gown for Grace and a very sweet flower girl's dress for Annie, the two of them traipsed over to Tiffany's to shop for rings.

Oliver had told Grace to buy their rings with her own tastes in mind and that cost was no issue though he preferred something simple for himself. She'd had rings resized for him before that were mostly antiques and ones he very seldom wore, but because of that, she knew the right size to get for him. Choosing rings for herself was the more difficult part. She wasn't a showy or flashy kind of person but she also knew that the fiancée of the richest man in the world would be expected to wear something quite special.

In the end, she turned to Annie for help and her daughter picked a ring for her excitedly but with great confidence. "It's perfect, Mommy", she grinned at her new Mother and Grace smiled back, feeling overwhelmed for the umpteenth time that week.

When they arrived back at the mansion, Mother and daughter went to find Father, whom they were unsurprisingly able to locate in his office.

"Why, good afternoon you two ", he jumped up from his seat enthusiastically - as if he'd been waiting for them with anticipation. "Did you have fun wedding shopping?"

"Oh yes, we sure did, Daddy Warbucks!" Annie answered him.

"Marvelous", he smiled down at her happily.

"I can't wait for you to see Mommy's dress, it's so pretty!"

Oliver nodded. "I'm sure it's as lovely as she is."

Grace raised her eyebrows in surprise while a bashful smile overtook her face. "Thank you", she tittered, then cleared her throat. "I've booked you an appointment with your tailor tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you", he bowed his head graciously, shooting a charming smile her way.

"I um, I also stopped by the jewelers to pick up these", Grace said as she held out two boxes each containing a gold wedding ring.

"Mm, fine", he nodded approvingly at the gold bands. "Uh, thank you", he said, knowing that it wasn't really enough but not knowing what else to say.

"Mommy, where's the other one? He's supposed to put it on you!" Annie told Grace directively.

Grace blushed. She'd rather been hoping to wait until after the wedding when she would just quietly put the diamond ring on herself, though there was also a part of her that knew once news got out of their engagement, people would be expecting to see an engagement ring adorning her finger.

She pulled a third box out of the bag from Tiffany's and opened it up to show her intended. The ring was classy, beautiful and brilliant. Just like Grace herself. "It's not too much, is it?" She asked her fiancé timidly.

Oliver gazed down at the glistening piece of jewelry and his breath caught in his throat as he thought of what it would mean once it was on Grace's finger. The symbolism of her being promised to him.

He blinked rapidly a few times, trying to shake off the inexplicable emotion he was suddenly feeling. "No", he answered Grace softly. "I think it's just right."

He met her eyes with his own and she felt her heart skip a beat at the openness she saw in them. In all the years she'd known him, he'd always appeared so guarded, always wore a shield of protection, of professionalism. Now though, she felt as if she was seeing the man behind the title he held.

"Daddy, take it out of the box and put it on her finger!" Annie stage-whispered to her Father.

"Thank you, Annie", Oliver snapped in slight frustration, causing his daughter to purse her lips coyly.

Grace raised her eyebrows in question, silently asking him if he really wanted to do this. She didn't want to break the illusion that they were blissfully happy and in love in front of Annie and she knew he didn't either, but she could also see that he was hesitant and she didn't want to make him feel pressured.

She watched his face change as he seemed to fight an internal battle before he decisively took her hand in his and picked the diamond ring out of its box.

Grace drew in a shaky breath as he tentatively slid the ring onto her finger. She flexed her hand, the weight of the ring much more heavy in her mind than it was physically. Oliver held onto her hand for a moment longer than necessary, brushing her fingers softly with his thumb. They both felt a mirroring sensation that was equally as calming as it was frightening.

"He should'a got down on one knee", they heard Annie mutter disappointedly to herself. Both of them turned to look at her with matching looks of fond exasperation.

"I mightn't have been able to get back up again", Oliver joked and Grace laughed at the unexpected but much appreciated comment which brought some levity back into the room.

Oliver felt an instant feeling of loss as Grace withdrew her hand from his hold.

"Well, I think we ought to go and hang our dresses in our wardrobes and get ready for dinner. Do you need me for work this evening?" She asked Oliver. He shook his head. "No, but I would like to talk with you later if I may?"

"Certainly", she answered easily.

"Thank you."

They held each other's gaze for a moment before Grace turned back to Annie. "Come on, dear."

That evening, after Annie had gone to bed, Grace met with Oliver in his office. She didn't know why she felt so nervous about doing so. They'd met like this a thousand times. She was acutely aware however of how rapidly things were changing between them.

"Hi", she spoke softly as she entered the room, finding him hunched over the desk which was lit only by the subtle glow of his desk lamp.

"Hi", he smiled warmly in reply, standing up and crossing the room where he took a seat on his couch, motioning for Grace to do the same.

Grace sighed languidly as she sat down next to him.

Next to her, Oliver smirked a little. "Busy day?"

"Annie's a far tougher boss than you are."

He let out a hearty laugh. "I'm not sure if that's a reflection on her or on me, but I'm glad to know you don't find me too difficult to deal with."

Grace shook her head at him. "I've never found you to be difficult at all", she said softly.

He smiled at her. "You always have been a very strong lady."

His comment took her by surprise. She blinked shyly at him and asked, "What did you want to talk to me about?"

He leaned back into the couch, inhaling deeply. "There are a few things, actually. Things I think we ought to establish and make clear between us as far as this marriage is concerned."

"Alright", Grace nodded anxiously.

"Firstly, in terms of the legal side of things, I wanted you to know that I'll be meeting with my lawyers tomorrow morning to reconstruct my will, adding you in as my spouse and therefore the beneficiary of my estate as well as the one on whom ownership of Warbucks Industries will fall in the event of my incapacitation or death."

Initially, Grace frowned at the mention of him dying. It wasn't a very pleasant subject, but then her eyes widened as she registered what he'd just told her.

"Right", she blinked, feeling a bit shell shocked. She'd only just begun to consider what life would be like as his wife, she certainly hadn't thought about what it would be like after he was gone. "I'm sorry, I'm not entirely sure what to say", she told him truthfully.

"Well, actually I hadn't gotten around to telling you yet, but I did in fact already appoint you as replacement director of the company in my current will and testament which was drafted last year."

"You did?" Grace was astonished. "Why me?"

He shrugged as if the answer were obvious. "There's no one I'd have more faith in to see the company through."

She smiled emotively, blinking back sudden tears. "Well, thank you, but if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not have to take over the reins for quite some time yet. If you could be so kind as to stick around for a while, I'd appreciate it."

He smiled back at her in amusement. "I shall do my level best."

She laughed softly as she dabbed her eyes with the back of her hand. He continued to gaze at her affectionately. "I'm also planning on setting up a trust fund for Annie which will be given to her when she is of age."

"Oh, that's wonderful, Oliver. Gosh, it sometimes astounds me how much her life has been changed by coming here to be with us. I'm sure she must feel equally bewildered."

"I think at the moment she's just happy to have warm food in her belly and people who care about her."

Grace smiled at his insightful comment. "You're right. Do you remember what it was like to be that young and innocent?"

Oliver's own smile became rueful. "By the time I was her age, I'm afraid my innocence had been all but lost."

Grace lowered her eyes apologetically.

"But I do remember the things I longed for the most. Simple things. Basic needs. Not much else mattered than that."

Grace gave him a tight lipped yet caring smile. "It still doesn't, you know. It's only our wants that change, not our needs."

Oliver nodded slowly. "Quite true. And I'm fortunate to be able to say that in my life I've managed to attain both what I need and what I want."

She couldn't help but wonder if he was talking about her. It gave her a glimmer of hope.

"I have a question", she voiced softly.

"Yes?" He gazed at her attentively.

"Our sleeping situation, after we're married. What do you want to do about that?"

Oliver gaped at her, her question making him feel quite flustered. "Uh, well, I don't think Annie would even be aware of the sleeping arrangements of couples, would she?"

"She knows that Mothers and Fathers typically share a bed. She actually confided in me last week about dreams she used to have in the orphanage when she was young, especially when she was scared. She said she always wished to be able to run to her parent's room and cuddle under the blankets with them and know that she was safe."

Oliver gave Grace a strained look. On one hand, his heart was hurting for his daughter and all the sadness she had experienced in her young life - on the other hand, he couldn't help but wonder how much of his life, of both his and Grace's lives in fact, would have to be altered to keep up the illusion of them all being a happy family.

"Well I…I'm not opposed to us sharing a bedroom, my foremost concern would be your discomfort."

"Why? Do you snore very loudly?"

"No!" Oliver had to laugh at the absurdity of her question - of the whole conversation, really. "At least I don't think so", he amended.

Grace knew what he really meant about her being uncomfortable. "If we thought of it more as sleeping next to one another rather than sleeping with each other, then that would be alright, wouldn't it?"

Oliver tilted his head in contemplation. "Well, I suppose we've done that more than once. Particularly during those mundane council meetings."

They both laughed, the comment offering something of an icebreaker in the midst of a rather tense conversation.

"I promise to be nothing but a lady", she added with a playful tone.

He admonished himself for being unable to stop his mind from immediately conjuring up thoughts to the contrary, shaking his head in an attempt to get rid of those devilish thoughts. "It would be quite something to get used to, for both of us."

Grace shrugged. "I'm not asking you to give up your space. I could keep my things in my own room."

"I'm not really talking about the bedroom, I'm talking about the bed. You know, I've slept alone every night for thirty nine years."

Grace looked at him with her brow furrowed. "You're forty eight."

"Yes, but I shared a bed with my parents and my brother until I was five and with my Mother and brother for the next four years after my Father left us."

Grace gazed at him with a compassionate expression. "You all shared one bed? I knew things were tough for you. I didn't realize they were that tough."

Oliver lowered his eyes in shame. They were supposed to be planning for their future and yet here he was dragging up old somber memories of his past.

"Your Mother would be so proud of you", Grace told him caringly.

He raised his eyes to hers again and his heart felt like it might burst for her beauty, both inside and out. "Because I'm going to be married to such a magnificent woman?" He asked in all seriousness.

"That isn't what I meant", Grace chuckled. "But, thank you."

He gave her a watery smile before tentatively raising his arm up to invite her closer to him. She stared at him in trepidation for a moment before shuffling up to him and allowing him to hold her.

She released a shuddering breath, curling herself into his side as he carefully wrapped his hand around her arm.

Their hearts raced in equally erratic syncopation, knowing that this kind of closeness was something they had both been missing out on for too many years. Something they had longed for from one another, but had denied themselves in favor of a well-established working relationship.

That's what had them so anxious. The plans they were making for their marriage, and the story they were putting forward about them being in love was not based on nothing. There had been a gradual shift in their relationship where they had gone from professional to friendly to something more. They could both feel it, yet both were hesitant to put themselves out on a limb and take the next step, or even acknowledge what the next step was. He didn't feel as if he had sufficient words to express what he was feeling, and she was simply too scared to voice it, lest she damage the connection she had spent years so carefully forming with him.

After a few moments of sitting in silence with his arm around his bride-to-be, Oliver reached down and threaded his fingers through her other hand, bringing it up to eye-level to appraise her ring once again.

Grace swallowed, chills coursing through her entire body in response to his delicate touch. "It feels quite different from before", she murmured.

"Beautiful though", Oliver gently responded.

"I wasn't talking about the ring."

"Nor was I."

Grace's eyes flicked up to his, the intensity of his gaze making her breath catch. Suddenly there were mere inches between them.

"I should go up to bed", Grace found herself whispering, though even she wasn't sure she meant it.

"Yes", he agreed, though he didn't sound very convincing either.

"Goodnight, Oliver", her nose just touched his as she turned her head.

He pressed his mouth to hers faintly for the briefest second before letting her go. "Goodnight, Grace."

She pulled away from him, blushing and stood up on shaky legs.

Oliver sat alone on his couch, grinning like a loon as he watched her leave the room.

She ran all the way upstairs to her room where she jumped onto her bed, covered her head with her pillow and squealed!

…

The following morning, when Oliver came down for breakfast, he found Grace and Annie there at the table already, both with a cup of tea in their hands and both giggling away together.

"What are you two so amused by so early in the morning?" He asked them in a droll tone, though his affectionate smile contradicted his delivery.

"Mommy's teaching me how to drink tea like a proper lady", Annie informed him, putting on an upper-class accent.

"Is she indeed? Well, I'm sure no one is a greater authority on what it means to be a lady than she is", his eyes traveled over to Grace whose cheeks immediately flushed. She ducked her head shyly, unable to meet his eyes as she thought back to the look in them last night as he'd leaned in and kissed her so sweetly…

Smiling at the memory himself, he dipped his teaspoon into his soft boiled egg.

"Daddy?" His daughter's voice pulled him away from his thoughts.

"Mhm?"

"What are you doing today?"

Dabbing his mouth with his napkin, he answered, "Well, we have a fair bit of work to do this morning and then this afternoon I have my fitting for my suit for the wedding."

"And after that?" Annie asked curiously.

Grace and Oliver could both tell the girl was desperate to spend some more time with them but that she was trying not to appear too demanding. They were grateful for her maturity and understanding but also sad in a way that she clearly sensed she wasn't their main priority.

"Well, I was thinking perhaps dinner at The Park Central. Would you, by chance, like to join me?" A knowing smile spread onto his face as Annie's lit up like a Christmas tree. "Oh boy, yes please!"

"Excellent", he turned to Grace to ask, "Would you be so kind as to make a reservation?"

"Absolutely."

"For the three of us, of course", he added, in case that wasn't clear.

Grace smiled openly at him. "Wonderful. I look forward to it."

"Me too", he replied happily, dipping his spoon into his egg for the final bite.

…

An hour later, after sending Annie off to play with Sandy, Grace and Oliver were deeply engaged in their work, though Oliver couldn't help but notice that Grace kept glancing towards the slightly ajar office door. He could hear Annie jabbering outside to Sandy who had only barked a couple of times in reply. They weren't distracting as much as his secretary-turned- fiancée's obviously divided attention was.

"Have I lost you again?"

His question snapped her attention abruptly back to him, knowing she'd been caught out and hoping he wasn't too mad with her.

"I'm keeping up…"Please do keep in mind though, Mr. President, how crucial it will be for the Federal Reserve to back the reopened banks if runs are to occur", Grace read back the last line of the letter he had been penning to President Roosevelt.

Oliver gave her a look of pity. "I can tell your mind is elsewhere. What's going on?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just concerned about Annie."

"Whatever for?" Oliver guffawed. "She's having a swell time out there with Sandy, and Mrs. Pugh said she'd ask her to help make lunch."

Grace bowed her head. "It's just that I worry that she might be feeling a little bit left out, what with us planning this wedding, as well as all of our work."

"You're worried about her feeling neglected? Grace, she's spent her entire life in an orphanage. Also, don't forget that it isn't just you and I who are adopting her. Every single member of this household now considers Annie to be a part of their family too."

"I know, it's just…"

"You're her Mother", Oliver cut her off. "And you want to be there for her above anyone else, and to share as many moments as you can with her."

Grace was quite amazed at his insight. She nodded slowly. "She's eleven years old, the moments are already too precious."

He stood up and came around to Grace's side of the desk, perching himself on it right next to her chair. "I hear what you're saying, and I agree, but part of me feels even more of a responsibility to keep business running than before - for Annie's sake, for the sake of her future."

It warmed Grace's heart to know that he had their daughter's future in mind.

"Yes, but it won't be the hours of us toiling away so that she could have every available luxury one can imagine that will be the thing she'll remember when she's older and we're not here. It'll be the time we spent together. Time she won't ever get back." She wrapped her hand loosely around his wrist to add urgency to her prophetic plea.

Oliver stilled, thinking over her words. It was quite difficult for him to come to terms with what she was saying, even if part of him knew she was right. "I guess when I considered adopting her, I only really thought of myself being a provider for her, not really a nurturer."

"You can be everything you wish to be for her", Grace argued.

He shook his head. "No, I can't, but we can, the two of us together." He reached down and placed his hand atop hers which was curled around his wrist.

Grace sighed, her heart melting unexpectedly for the umpteenth time that week.

He patted her hand gently. "I tell you what, why don't we make tonight really special? After dinner, we'll take her ice skating in central park."

Grace's eyes widened in surprise. "I haven't been ice skating since I was a girl. Have you ever skated?"

Oliver gave her an affronted look. "It's been a few years and admittedly I've never really done it with real skates, but yes I have actually skated before."

Grace held back a laugh and the protest she was ready to voice died on her lips as she thought about how much she was going to have to hold his hand that evening...

She was certainly not wrong in her assumption. After a delightful dinner at the Park Central Hotel, the three of them headed across to Central Park and donned their hired roller skates. Oliver decided against buying some due to the lack of time and also so that he wouldn't have to feel too guilty about making a silly purchase if he was too terrible at it.

It turned out to be a wise decision. He was barely confident enough to stand in his skates let alone glide around as confidently as Grace could. Pretty soon, Annie got the hang of it and took off joyously skating around the pond as Grace stayed with Oliver and held onto him as he shuffled around the ice. She would have laughed but she was enjoying being so close to him too much to poke fun at him. Instead, she kept encouraging him to move forward at his own pace, reassuring him that she would not let him fall.

"I think you're having too much fun with this", he grumbled as he almost slipped and Grace swiftly caught his arm. "This was your idea!" She squeaked as she spun around in front of him and took his other elbow to give him more stability. "Are you not having any fun at all?" She pouted.

"Well", he carefully brought his arms forward, wrapping them around her waist. "Some aspects I'm enjoying more than others."

Grace's cheeks turned rosy from more than just the cold. She moved carefully with him, holding onto him tightly. When Annie noticed them skating around holding each other, she wanted to be part of their little huddle as well and came back over to join them. Grace slowly let go of Oliver, keeping one of her gloved hands in his while taking Annie's with her other one.

The three of them let time be lost as they slid and danced around the icy park. All of them feeling, in their own ways, an overwhelming sense of serenity.

As they rode home later that night in the town car, Grace gazed affectionately at her soon-to-be husband and daughter who were asleep opposite her with their heads resting together. She was beginning to feel as though she and Oliver weren't just two separate people who were coming together to raise a child, supported by the members of their extensive household. Rather, she now felt as if she and Oliver and Annie were really becoming a family. One formed in an unconventional way perhaps, but a family they were.

What pleased her most of all was that Annie surely knew that she finally had a place where she belonged, filled with people who all loved her very, very much.