New Beginnings...

It was unlike any house in which either of them had lived. It wasn't the California Mission style of her childhood or the Craftsman in which she'd spent a large part of her marriage. It certainly bore no resemblance to the plain Jane ranch in which Carlton had grown up nor to the classic pre-war lines of the condo.

Really, it was a sort of unexpected house, as she'd remarked upon seeing it for the first time. An unassuming mid-century contemporary bungalow with a pumice-gray stucco and stacked granite exterior revealing a cozy interior, immaculately remodeled and boasting surprisingly expansive windows that bathed the rooms in warm, golden light. It had a pretty bedroom for Iris that Carlton had spent a weekend painting the specific shade of lavender she'd requested, a wood-paneled office the two of them shared, and a master bedroom decorated in pale blues and greens and set off with touches of dark brown that served as their refuge. The living room and kitchen were both favorite gathering spots for them, as was the lush garden, while a few blocks away lay one of the main draws to this house as far as Karen was concerned—the beach.

After their return from San Diego, they'd both put their places up for sale, expecting in a soft market it would take time, yet both places had wound up selling within a month, necessitating an accelerated home search. To add to the pressure, Carlton had been required to vacate his condo since the new owners had even upped their offer in order to take immediate possession, leaving him to bunk with Henry of all people, a situation that worked out remarkably well especially once Carlton paid for a high end alarm system and swore Henry to not give Shawn the codes until after he moved out.

Karen had suggested Carlton just go ahead and move in with her until they found a place of their own, but he'd adamantly refused, wanting to give Iris more time to get used to the idea of him in her life. Touched by his sensitivity and concern for her baby, she'd agreed, but only because he wasn't averse to staying over on the weekends Iris spent with her father and as time passed, more nights when she was home.

Anxious to help Iris adjust, Karen had gone ahead and had The Talk, telling her that Carlton was going to be a larger part of their lives on a daily basis—that eventually, he would be living with them. Aside from a few tears shed at the absolute certainty that Mommy and Daddy would never live together again and an expected concern about Mommy's work further encroaching on their lives given how Carlton was part of it, Iris had handled the new reality of her life with reasonable aplomb. It didn't hurt that she had Carlton absolutely wrapped around her little finger even though he wasn't as big a pushover as Iris imagined. He just had a surprising ability to reason with the little girl in a way that made her think she was getting her own way when in fact she was acquiescing to his requests—or at least meeting somewhere in the middle.

That state of affairs had also provided quite the memorable raised-eyebrow moment when Karen had pointed out the possibility of employing similar techniques with suspects rather than drawing his weapon.

Ah, well—baby steps.

In late spring, this house had appeared on the market, and as different as it had been from anything with which either of them were familiar, they'd nevertheless immediately known this was their house. Karen couldn't help but feel there was a certain logical symmetry to it—she and Carlton weren't the kids they'd been, their relationship wasn't what it had been years earlier—it felt only natural that the house in which they would choose to live their lives together would be completely different from anything they'd envisioned back then.

That it be completely unique to who they were now.

They'd walked through that first time and marveled at how perfect it seemed, leaving Karen charmed and Carlton muttering under his breath about Fate finally paying him back for all the buttmonkey moments. Buttmonkeyisms aside, they had made an offer, had it accepted—without Carlton having to dig up any dirt to use as leverage against any other potential bidders—and now, for the past six months, it had been home.

"Hey," she called out as he appeared in the kitchen entrance. "You're earlier than I expected."

"Santa Barbara is as secure as it's going to get," he said as he dropped briefcase and jacket on one of the tall kitchen stools. Coming up beside her at the counter he nuzzled the hair at her temple before dipping his head for a quick kiss that turned into a not-so-quick kiss. And another. And yet another, leaving her ever more breathless and clutching at his shoulders for support. Reluctantly drawing back, he pushed her hair from her face and smiled and God, how she loved that smile. So natural and relaxed and so very hers.

"Any idiots who wreak New Year's havoc from this point on, they're O'Hara's problem. While I am yours for the next two days." He turned to lean against the counter, visibly tired, but his eyes the soft mellow blue they so commonly were within these walls.

"Just two days?" she teased as replaced the lid on dish in which the steaks marinated and gave the potatoes a final seasoning before shoving the roasting pan in the oven. No raucous New Year's party for them, thank you—just a quiet night, grilling steaks out on the patio, and later, bundling up and taking Iris down to the beach to watch the fireworks and bring in the new year as a family.

He crossed his arms, his grin broadening. "Don't want to wear out my welcome."

"Hardly a danger," she said with a sidelong glance as she poured Iris' favorite sweet glaze over the steamed baby carrots. She barely had time to set the pan to a low simmer before she found herself back in his arms, being well and thoroughly kissed.

Well and thoroughly.

"Where's Iris?" he murmured as he trailed kisses along her jaw.

"Taking a nap," she gasped as he pulled her close, her pelvis cradled intimately within his. "Told her she'd have to if she had any hope of staying up for the fireworks tonight."

His kisses gentled, even though his desire remained every bit as evident, a live-wire current turning her own muscles to absolute mush. "I'm glad you've had the last few days at home with her."

Karen sighed and ran her fingers through his hair, delighting in freeing the soft waves from Detective Lassiter restraint to Carlton abandon. The already-loosened tie went next, as did a couple of buttons on the ivory dress shirt. "The new schedule has worked well, hasn't it?" she said, rubbing her cheek against warm, hair-roughened skin and very nearly purring.

"It has." He sighed and held her close.

Beneath her cheek, his heart beat, steady and reassuring. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For making it such an easy transition."

As she had promised herself, she'd implemented the twice a month four-day weekends, allowing Carlton to step in and take charge, while Juliet took on more of his duties. Overall, it had been good for everyone—especially her and Iris—leaving her wondering why she hadn't done it years earlier.

"It was for you and Iris."

At the simple sweetness of his words, Karen tightened her arms around his waist. "How do you do that?" she whispered.

"Do what?"

"Every time I think I can't possibly feel any more love for you than I already do, you somehow manage to say or do something that makes my heart feel as if it's about to absolutely overflow."

He went very still.

She drew back to find him gazing down at her, his eyes clouded to an unfamiliar opaque blue-gray. If she didn't know better, she'd say he looked troubled.

No… wait a second—not so much troubled as nervous. But about what?

"What is it, baby?"

"I, um…" His hands moved from her back to take hers, lacing their fingers together tightly. "I was going to wait until tonight. On the beach. With Iris and the fireworks and all but somehow, with what you just said, this seems like the right time—"

Karen's brows drew together. "For what?"

He switched his hold on her hands, taking her left with his while he fumbled in his pocket. A second later, he pulled out a small box that he set on the counter behind her, the soft click as he opened it nearly lost against the pounding of her heart.

"It's New Year's and it seemed... right."

Karen stared as he slipped the ring on her finger, a delicate confection of twin rose gold bands studded with small diamonds, intersecting like vines and winding around a modest, yet brilliant diamond solitaire.

Crossed paths... Her throat tightened as she looked up into his eyes, wide and still opaque with waiting. Of for God's sake—as if there was even any question.

She felt the corners of her mouth twitch. "You know, I'd actually forgotten."

His brows drew together into that wonderfully familiar frown, bisected by deep slashes. "Forgotten?"

"Yeah." Now she laughed, glancing down once more at the ring before meeting his gaze. How much she'd once wished to decipher all the mysteries in those myriad shades of blue. Older and hopefully wiser now, she understood there was only really one mystery living within the deep blue—how very much he loved her.

A mystery she was content to gradually uncover—for the next fifty or so years.

"I had honestly forgotten we hadn't done anything about making this formal." Cupping his cheek in her hand, she added, "Between the house and getting settled and adjusting to the new work schedule, I guess it just slipped my mind."

"Slipped your mind?" His voice rose in pitch, trailing off weakly. "You do still want… I mean… Karen, please—"

Oh dear heavens, he looked so pitiful, she couldn't help but dissolve into giggles that only increased the alarm widening his eyes, leaving them huge and blue in his suddenly pale face. As she continued giggling, his alarm turned to aggravation overlaid with resignation as he cupped her elbows and kept her from sliding to the floor in an undignified heap.

"I take it this means yes?" he muttered, his dry voice penetrating the hilarity that had devolved into outright laughter punctuated by the occasional unladylike snort.

"Do you even have to ask?"

"I don't know, do I?"

Yeah, his voice was dry but at the same time, beneath the familiar Carlton Lassiter sarcasm, she heard a hint of uncertainty and fear and her heart constricted. The last thing she ever wanted to cause him was a moment's doubt. About anything, but most especially about her desire to stay with him the rest of her damned life.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she smoothed her palms across his shirt front, feeling the rapid beating of his heart.

"Would you?"

A sigh that matched hers escaped him at her soft request, but when he would have dropped to a knee, she stopped him, prompting yet another confused look. At least this one lacked uncertainty.

"No, baby—like before."

A half-smile relaxed the normally stern lines of his mouth. "Before we were naked and in bed."

A flush suffused Karen, leaving her warm and leaning more heavily against him. "We can repeat that part later," she said, feeling the flush deepen as he pulled her close. Lifting her hands to his face she briefly caressed his cheeks before sliding them back into his hair, sighing at the feel of the soft waves against her skin.

"It's just…" she paused to gather her thoughts. "When you proposed the first time, we were face to face." She studied his face, smiling as she read the emerging understanding. "We were equals—partners. I don't need you to be looking up at me when you ask me to share your life. I don't want it. I want us to be… face to face."

Carlton nodded then said, "Well, in that case—" and without preamble swept her into his arms. As Karen muffled a surprised cry against his shoulder, he climbed the stairs to their bedroom and shouldered the door closed. Gently, he set her on the bed and stretched out beside her, his hand resting possessively on her hip, his head on the pillow alongside hers.

Face to face.

Looking deep into her eyes he said simply, "Marry me." Capturing her hands in his, he brought them to his mouth, gently kissing the back of each. "Marry me, Karen, make a life with me, be my partner, and never, ever let me go."

As he spoke, his voice low and husky with certainty and love, Karen heard unmistakable echoes of the boy who'd asked her to share her life with him so long ago—an instant before he disappeared, leaving behind the man. The man who was now and forever her whole life. The man she loved.

In that moment, she said a final goodbye to the girl she'd been—said goodbye to the misunderstandings and the broken dreams and the anger carried for so long—and feeling herself utterly and completely the woman who belonged to this man, said the only thing she could possibly say.

"Yes."

~Fin~