A/N: Thanks for reviews for the first chapter. This one is definitely just two chapters, so this one completes the story.
Thanks to Captainrick944 who beta'd this.
Chuck and Sarah are back in the States, although Chuck hasn't reached Los Angeles yet. He has, however, made arrangements for Sarah to work at his company. Sarah needs to confirm that, though…
Instant Attraction
Chapter 2: Carmichael Systems
When Sarah got back to her office, she called the woman at Carmichael Systems.
The conversation with his assistant was one of confusion on the other woman's part.
Sarah was glad that she had worked out who was hiring her and talked to him beforehand because Pauline Quirk had little of value to add.
"Miss Walker?" she said once Sarah explained who she was. "I have no idea why he asked for you specifically or how he even knew about you. We have been in discussions with your company about translation services in general, and then he called me with this." Her mystification was clear, even over the phone. Sarah could imagine her shaking her head as she spoke.
Sarah knew she had to play along with this, and her years of training kicked in. "Please tell me about the work required, and I will assess whether I am the right person for it or not. It may be someone else is better qualified."
The woman got all flustered when she heard that. "Oh, he was quite specific. It has to be you or no one."
"I don't understand. He can't know me or my skills." Sarah was loving this.
"I don't know how, but when I gave the list of languages required, Mr. Farmer at your company confirmed you knew all of them." She paused and took a deep breath. "He offered a team, but Mr. Carmichael only wants you."
Sarah got her to read out the list and almost laughed. It was exactly like the resume she had prepared after leaving the agency.
"Well, none of that would be a problem for me," she admitted. "What would the job entail?"
As Ms. Quirk outlined it, it did sound interesting and varied. Some document translation, some voiceovers in different languages, and even scope to help with dialogue in the games yet to be released.
"Interesting," she commented. "I guess I should come in to meet Mr. Carmichael. Is he free this afternoon?" She knew damn well he wasn't!
That got the assistant back into a more assured mode, back in control. "Not today, but could you come in on Monday? He has a slot free at 11:00am or one at 2:00pm."
Sarah pretended to check her calendar and accepted the first slot. She supplied her work email address and, before the conversation had finished, received an email with the appointment, a map showing its location, and the parking lot details, along with the summary of the role already provided.
Sarah sat back and looked at the map. The Carmichael office was not in central Los Angeles, but on the way out toward the coast. Sadly, it was the other side of the city from her apartment, so would not be the easiest of drives. She immediately wondered where Chuck lived. Would she be able to sleep at his place during the week and travel from there?
That made her think about how long it had been since they last slept together, in any sense. Not thoughts appropriate for in the office.
She called her boss and confirmed that she would go to the client on Monday morning and would stay unless it really didn't seem right. They agreed that she would leave the team with Jane Friedricks, her assistant, in charge while she was away. Jane would get a pay rise to go with it.
She called Jane in and explained the situation. Jane was only too happy with what was proposed.
Early afternoon, she walked into the main office for her team and told them what was going to happen. Some were initially nervous, but when she explained who would be in charge, they relaxed. Jane was popular, probably more than Sarah herself was.
She spent the afternoon boxing up her things to free up the office for Jane to use on a more permanent basis.
Alex and Cindy asked her to have a coffee with them and questioned whether this would affect her budding relationship with Chuck. She had to suppress her laugh but assured them she would still have plenty of time for him.
There weren't many things she would want to take to the new job, so when she left the office, she had little to carry.
When Chuck arrived at her apartment, Sarah drew him in, closed and locked the door, and then shed her robe and wrapped her naked body around him as he stood there.
He left his case and bags by the door as he carried her, under her guidance, straight to her bedroom.
Having placed her down on her bed, he quickly lost all his clothes and joined her, literally. Both of them were ready for this. The love-making was initially frantic, but after they had both climaxed several times, they simply held each other for several minutes, just appreciating the closeness.
"I love you so much, Chuck."
"I love you too, Sarah. Just holding you is heavenly."
She clung to him, feeling just the same.
"I don't want us to be apart for so long again," she said. She knew how clingy that sounded, but it was true.
"We can spend every night together from now on if you want," he replied.
She leaned up from his chest to look at his face. "Don't you want that?" she asked.
He pulled her up to kiss her. Their naked bodies slid against each other, sending a thrill through her. "I do," he replied. The words also sent a thrill through her. It was as if he was accepting her proposal to him. She crashed her lips down onto his for a passionate kiss.
Sarah looked at Chuck. "So, you planned this on your flight back to the States?"
He grinned. "I couldn't stop thinking about you. Then, a way to see you during the day popped into my head."
"You do know we will have to be professional around each other, don't you?" she said.
"In the office, maybe, although you will find the atmosphere relaxed in both halves."
She frowned. "Halves?"
"The cybersecurity half takes itself much more seriously," he said with a wince.
She grinned. "And the games half is more like a playground?"
He winced again. "A bit."
Her grin broadened. "I am so going to enjoy switching between the two halves!"
After a weekend together, they felt settled back into their loving relationship.
On Sunday morning, Sarah drove them to Chuck's home. It was quite an eye-opener for her. A beautiful and sizeable house in the suburbs. "You live in this place while still investing in your new company?"
"The game has sold well, and I have investors in the next one and the new product as well," he admitted.
She smiled. "Well, staying here during the week looks like it'll work."
He frowned. "And you're keeping your place in case things don't work out between us?"
She turned to look at him. "Don't get insecure, Chuck. My place is more convenient for the city, so if I can afford to hold onto it, that would be useful." She leaned close and kissed him. "I can't ever see things not working out between us."
That afternoon, they shuttled between the two places moving a lot of her stuff across. She used one of the two spare bedrooms to store her clothes.
"Wow! For someone who doesn't go out much, you have a lot of amazing outfits," he commented.
She blushed. "They're things I took from my time in the CIA." She brightened then. "Maybe in the future, the CEO might want to take me to some posher places than I normally go."
He grinned. "I'm sure he will."
As they settled in for the evening, they discussed how their early days together should go. Or, more specifically, what they should tell people at Carmichael Systems.
"Maybe we should just be open and honest with everyone there, Chuck. I am fed up with subterfuge."
He looked at her for a while, then nodded. "Can we just play with Pauline a bit, though?"
She smiled. "Just until we have 'met' for that first meeting?"
He grinned.
"You are a bad person, Mr. Carmichael!" She still leaned over and kissed him to show she didn't really think that.
Arriving for the meeting five minutes early, Sarah approached the CEO's personal assistant with confidence, although some surprise as well.
She had expected to wait in reception to be collected but instead had been directed where to go herself. For a company working in cybersecurity, this did not seem secure at all.
Ms. Quirk was a mid-fifties woman. She looked over her glasses at the statuesque blonde walking up to her desk. She had obviously not expected to see someone so young and had to stop herself from looking surprised. "Miss Walker?"
"Indeed," Sarah replied.
The woman buzzed through to her boss and was told to bring Sarah in. The woman frowned as she would normally just send people through, but she did as directed.
As the two women walked in, the CEO was sitting at his desk but facing away from them, looking out the window. He turned, and as planned, Sarah's hands shot up to cover her mouth as she gasped, "CHUCK!"
Pauline snapped her head around to stare at Sarah, then back to her boss.
"Hello, Sarah. Welcome to Carmichael Industries." Chuck turned to his assistant. "Yes, we know each other."
Sarah put on her angry mask. "You want me to come and work with you after this?"
Chuck was surprised. They hadn't discussed this. "I… I-"
Sarah cut him off. "You never mentioned any of this or that you called yourself Carmichael. And I thought you loved me!"
The assistant looked even more shocked. "Love?"
Chuck hadn't been expecting this, but then noticed the twinkle in Sarah's eyes, and she winked at him, too. This playful Sarah was certainly unexpected, but he went along with it. "I… I thought it would be a nice surprise."
His assistant was stuck on the last surprise. "You love her? You've never even mentioned being with anyone."
Sarah was loving this. "You never mentioned me to her?"
Chuck blushed for real but focused on what his assistant had said. "We met in Thailand."
That made the older woman stare. "You met two weeks ago and are already in love?"
"Yep," he replied and looked at Sarah with all the love in him.
Sarah couldn't pretend to be angry when he looked at her like that. However, she still had a part to play. "Chuck, I don't think it would be right for you to bring your girlfriend in for an important job."
Ms. Quirk nodded and looked back at her boss.
Chuck knew this part. "You wouldn't be joining the company but still working for yours on assignment here."
Two sets of eyes watched as Sarah frowned while considering that. "It would still be inappropriate for me to work with you."
Pauline dived in at that point. "You wouldn't work directly with him but with his teams."
Sarah looked at her. "So, you're okay with this?"
Not realizing she'd been pulled into this, Pauline responded, "It's certainly unusual, but I don't see anything bad." She smiled at the younger woman. "You will certainly be popular. He hasn't had anyone in his life since he started the company. For him to be in love will be a happy surprise for the whole team." Then she narrowed her eyes. "Just never hurt him."
Sarah walked over to Chuck and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "I love him too much for that."
The older woman smiled but said, "Maybe none of that in the office, though." She started to walk out, then turned. "However, you will still have to be vetted by our main sponsor to be able to work on the cybersecurity product."
This was the first Sarah had heard of this. She looked at Chuck who winced and nodded. "Who?" she asked.
"General Beckman will want her team to interview you," Ms. Quirk replied.
That name sent shivers up and down Sarah's spine. She knew of the woman and who she worked for but said, "A general?"
"In the NSA, they are our main sponsor," Chuck said. Sarah glared at him for not mentioning this before. "I'm sure you'll be fine," he added.
"Unless you've been in their shady world," the assistant said as she walked out the door. "I'll get you some coffees."
"There is no love lost between the NSA and the CIA," Sarah hissed at him.
He sat her down on the couch in the room. "But you're not in that world now."
"They will dredge up my past and think I still am," she explained to him.
"Sorry. I didn't expect that."
"If I try to pull out now, it will look suspicious, so I will have to face the woman," she said. Then, she glared at Chuck again. "Would have been good to be more prepared, though."
"Sorry," he repeated.
After coffee, Chuck took her to meet the games team, as there was no conflict of interest there.
Morgan Grimes led this team, so Chuck dragged them both into a meeting room. Morgan looked at Sarah as if she was an alien being.
"Morgan, I told you earlier that I was bringing in a translator to work with us. This is Sarah Walker."
Morgan was muttering something under his breath. Sarah couldn't quite make it out, but Chuck obviously did and chuckled. "No, Morgan, she's much more beautiful than Vicky Vale."
Both of the others looked at him in surprise.
Morgan managed to get out, "The team will not be able to concentrate with her around. They will all want to date her."
Chuck grinned. "Maybe not when they know she is already taken."
Morgan muttered, "Lucky guy." Sarah heard that and grinned.
Morgan looked surprised. "For god's sake, don't unleash that look on the team."
Sarah closed her lips as Chuck said, "I am a lucky guy."
Morgan's eyes snapped to his friend. "You? But… but you don't date."
"Not until I met the girl of my dreams in Thailand," Chuck replied.
"Thailand?" Morgan finally realized what that meant. "And that's why I didn't know! You met out there and followed Chuck back here." He turned from Sarah and glared at his friend. "Why didn't you call and tell me?"
Chuck flushed. "I was preoccupied."
Sarah had to correct Morgan's misapprehension. "I didn't follow him here. I already live in Los Angeles. If anything, he followed me here as he came via Chicago."
Morgan shifted focus again. "So, Ellie and Devon already know about you two?" Chuck nodded. "Wow! So, I'm the last to know." Morgan looked miserable. "And I guess games nights are a thing of the past, too."
"Why?" Both men looked at her in surprise, so she continued, "I want to get to know this side of you, Chuck."
Two sets of eyes lit up. "She's a keeper, Chuck," Morgan said.
Sarah laughed out loud.
Chuck finally got his reaction under control. "So, Morgan. Meet the translator that will be working with you and your team."
Morgan embraced her unexpectedly. "The team will still be in awe of you, Sarah, but now for two reasons. How you look and the fact that someone they thought was like them could get a girl."
"I was like them," Chuck reminded his friend.
"Awesome, buddy. Awesome."
Morgan called the team into the meeting room and did the introductions. There were three developers, two graphic designers, plus Morgan, who came up with the game ideas. All stood and gawped at Sarah. She walked around the room, pushing chins up and closing mouths. "I won't dress to impress when I'm with you guys," she said. "I'm a jeans and t-shirt girl. However, you'll have to put up with me disappearing for lunch to be with my boyfriend." They all looked a bit disappointed. She pointed at Chuck, who was standing quietly in the corner. She watched the realization appear in their eyes.
"Chuck's your boyfriend?" the one called Lester asked.
"He sure is," she replied.
They all looked at Chuck. "There's hope for us all," said Freddy.
Looking around the room, Sarah was less convinced but said nothing.
Chuck led her away from there and took her out to lunch after being told by his assistant that they had a video conference at 2pm with General Beckman.
Sarah remembered the last time she heard of Beckman. The general had been responsible for the death of Graham Langston, or so Sarah had heard.
When the large monitor in the conference room came on, the woman was sitting at her desk staring at Chuck and Sarah. "I don't approve of this woman working on our product."
"I don't approve of the woman responsible for so much death having access to it," Sarah replied.
Beckman sat back, clearly not used to being talked to like that.
"You don't get to choose who works with my team, General," Chuck said, sitting stiffly in his place.
"I have a team that could do any required translations," Beckman stated.
"You might have been the first sponsor, General, but you and your team are users, not owners of the product," Chuck stated. "We do not need your funds anymore."
Beckman glared at Sarah. "She's CIA and can't be trusted."
Sarah leaned forward. "Typical NSA. Falsely accusing people with incomplete facts. I take it that was why you had Langston Graham murdered."
Beckman looked surprised for a second, then her face hardened. "Says one of Graham's assassins."
"I followed orders," Sarah snapped back. "Who gave you yours, Diane?"
Beckman clearly didn't like being questioned. "You will address me as General Beckman."
"When you behave like one," Sarah snapped. "And you address me by my name, Sarah Walker."
"Another alias, Agent Franco?" Beckman snarled.
"No!" Sarah snarled back. "My civilian name since I retired from the CIA. If your team were capable of doing research, they would have found that."
Beckman sat back and read the notes in front of her and huffed.
"So, they did, and you decided you knew better?" Sarah growled at the woman. "Is that why you were kicked out of the CIA? Incompetence?"
Beckman reacted instantly. "Is that what is said in the CIA?"
"No, but it is what I'm seeing right now," Sarah said.
"This is getting nowhere," Chuck interrupted. "You have been notified that Sarah is going to be working on the translations. The NSA doesn't have to take them or stay involved in the product at all. Your choice, General." He glared at the woman on the screen.
Beckman glared at both of them, but sat back. After about thirty seconds, she said, "I left the CIA because of all the corruption. The NSA was not like that." She looked down at the notes she had on Rebecca Franco. "You retired when you could no longer go in the field?"
Sarah tried to calm down. "I did, and I haven't looked back. This is the first time that world has encroached on mine in over two years."
Beckman stared at her for a minute before saying, "Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. You are good at translating?"
"She's the best in her company," Chuck replied. Sarah just nodded.
Beckman watched the two of them for a while longer. "I'm getting the impression there is more to your relationship than I thought."
Sarah was surprised until she looked at Chuck and the adoration in his eyes. She smirked at him and looked back at the general. "Yes, there is."
Beckman's mouth twitched. "The eternal loner and the Ice Queen. Quite an interesting pairing."
Sarah stiffened at the label she hadn't heard in a long time. Beckman saw that and held up her hand. "Sorry, but that label still goes against the Franco name."
Sarah relaxed slightly. It had been used when she worked in the CIA. Not to her face, though. She nodded.
"Keep me posted on progress with the product," Beckman said to Chuck and ended the call.
"Phew! That could've been less tense!"
Sarah looked at her boyfriend. "Sorry. She rubbed me the wrong way."
He chuckled. "Clearly."
The introduction to the cybersecurity team was more formal. The team leader, Jake Felstaff, was surprised but pleased to have a translator on board. When Chuck explained their relationship, he was stunned. "I never thought you would ever have a girlfriend, boss."
Sarah grinned and grabbed Chuck's arm, pulling him to her. "Well, he's got one now."
Jake nodded. "The team will be pleased for you both."
And they were. The team of twenty staff all congratulated them, and the ones that would work with her told Sarah they looked forward to it. She was pleased that none eyed her up.
This team dressed noticeably smarter than the games team. White long-sleeved button-down shirts and black pants mostly, but Jake assured Sarah that if she turned up in jeans and t-shirts, none would object. "Probably best things to wear if the gamers are to accept you," he commented. She suspected that was true.
By the end of the day, around 5:30, the staff had all set off for home. Chuck still had a few things to finish off, so Sarah wondered about staying, but he suggested she headed back to his place and order a takeout of some sort. "I'll be back by 6:30," he told her.
When she got to his place, she used the key he'd had made up for her. As she closed the door behind her, she felt at home. This was the life she had now chosen, and it felt perfect.
She took a quick shower and changed into a T-shirt and shorts. Then, she looked at the menus available for delivery and called the one she knew they would both like.
She sat on the couch and wrapped her bare legs underneath her.
Life was pretty damned good, she thought.
Chuck returned before the food arrived, so he took a quick shower too.
They then sat and ate the Chinese food that had been delivered.
"I like your people," Sarah said between mouthfuls.
"Good. I hope you enjoy working with them."
"How should I split my time?" she asked.
He put his chopsticks down. "You need to understand both products to assess how much work there really is to be done. Focus on the cybersecurity one first."
So, no gaming?"
He grinned. "Unless you were serious when talking to Morgan. I'm sure he would love to come around and show you our game."
"Hmm. Cybersecurity all day and gaming in the evening. Not sure when I'll have time for you, Chuck," she teased.
"All night," he replied with a raised eyebrow.
That made her want to get to bed. "You make me so desperate for your body, Chuck."
"Can't be as much as I am for yours, Sarah. I haven't had my lips on it since first thing today."
The food was forgotten, and their clothes quickly discarded.
Sarah was moaning and gasping in less than a minute.
By the end of the first week, Sarah knew there was too much work for one person. The documentation and rewording of the product into one new language would possibly take as much as two months, and there were five main languages required, in addition to English. The game's translation, although far less, would require a few weeks for each language variant, and, again, there were several to do. And that was before considering the new game being developed.
She sat Chuck down in his office before they left for the weekend. "I need to bring in some of my staff."
She sat back to await his reaction.
He sat quietly for a few moments. "There are no dates we have in mind for the release of either," he eventually said.
"I know, but I don't want to be the restraining factor."
"I think the cybersecurity product is at least a year away from being ready, even for an English-only version," he said.
"That's not what your team thinks, Chuck," she responded. "More like six months, seven tops."
"So, that goes out in that state, then? If they can achieve it."
"Why don't you want more translators?" she asked.
"Cost, Beckman, you," he replied.
"Me?" That was a shock.
"I want you to actually be part of Carmichael Industries, not the lead person from your company working with us," he blurted out.
She looked at him, shocked. "Why?"
He was now bright red and looked away. "My insecurities, mainly. I want you tied to the company as much as I am."
She inched closer and placed a hand on his face. "Chuck, I am tied to you as a person. I don't need any more than that to stay with you."
"Maybe I want you to share more in the company's success too."
"I love you for thinking that, but it's not needed." She leaned in and kissed him tenderly.
"Keep an open mind about it, huh?" he requested.
She hugged him to her. "Okay."
After holding each other for several minutes, she pulled away. "So, I still need to start on some work on the business product, or Beckman will make comments. However, shall I also work with Morgan's team on a French version of the existing game?"
Chuck knew the popularity of the product in Europe. "That would be great."
Work may spill over into the evenings and weekends," she pointed out.
"Okay."
Sarah had been working with Chuck's teams for six months. There was now a French and a German version of "Space Mines" being sold in the respected countries. It was no surprise that both were outselling the original English version.
She had also completed her work on the Dutch version of "Cybersafe." That highlighted changes needed to the product itself. Data structures needed to be expanded, specifically the text-based ones. The display fields the same. It was obvious to anyone used to working in Europe and would also be needed for the German and Italian markets. The product would be released simultaneously in the US, Canada (English only), UK, Australia and the Netherlands in two months' time. The NSA was working through testing of the English version and, so far, were impressed.
Sarah had just started on the German version, too.
Everyone was impressed with her achievements.
Chuck called her to his office. Pauline was happy to see her. "You don't appear here officially very often, Sarah."
Sarah grinned. "But I do unofficially?"
Pauline grinned back. "Your lunch hours are well known."
Sarah blushed slightly. They had closed the blinds and locked the door on a few occasions.
"Do you know what this is about?" Sarah asked.
"No, but there's someone from HR and another from Legal in there with him right now."
Sarah instantly guessed what this was about. She wasn't opposed to it but still didn't feel it was necessary.
"A strange combination of people," Sarah commented.
Pauline said, "Just go in and join them."
Sarah walked in and sat next to one of the women. She didn't know either, so Chuck did the introductions.
The HR woman, Jasmine Frances, looked at Sarah and said, "We've looked at the contract with your company."
"I know the terms," Sarah said to prevent wasting time. "You cannot employ me directly unless the contract is terminated for at least six months."
Chuck winced.
"IF" Sarah looked at the Legal woman, Veronica James, who spoke. "If we want to continue to work with your company again. They, of course, may also take legal action."
Sarah continued to look at her. "Of course, you can just resign, but I suspect that looks bad on you, and they would still have a grievance."
"What if I transfer over but act as the bridge to bring more work to my old company?" Sarah asked. "I can also vet the translators they offer. I would also review and accept or reject their work." Sarah looked at all three. "With more translators, the product variants would get out quicker."
Chuck nodded. Veronica looked at Sarah. "Would they accept that?"
"My current boss wanted me to get more work from Carmichael Industries. I will say this is the only way."
"So, you want to transfer?" Jasmine asked. "You don't even know what the offer is."
Sarah focused on her. "I expect shares and ownership of the Translation department. Equal status with Morgan and Jake."
Veronica laughed, Jasmine looked surprised, and Chuck smiled. "We probably shouldn't try negotiating with her," he said.
Sarah kept her face neutral. "You can improve on that, of course."
"I like you," the grinning Veronica said.
"I'm very likable," Sarah said as she smiled at the woman.
"We'll prepare the offer," Jasmine said with a neutral HR look.
Sarah stood. "Good," she said and walked out of the room.
Tony had been simmering since she started there. He wanted more work from the company, but it hadn't come. It was frustrating.
So, when he got the call from Sarah, he was surprised. Initially unhappy with what she had to tell him, but as she expanded on it, he became less so.
"I will have to discuss this with our contracts team," he said.
"Do that, but I'm leaving and joining CI whatever they decide. This way, both companies benefit. If they decide to be difficult, you'll lose out."
Tony changed tack. "I hear you're in a romantic relationship with the CEO. What happened to the love of your life?"
"Still the love of my life," she replied and ended the call.
The junior partner in Carmichael Industries got a far better package than she expected.
She had been living permanently at the house that Chuck owned. She'd cancelled her lease on her apartment after four months as they just never used it. They took turns driving to work.
A week and a half after she started her new job, Chuck had needed to leave early on the Friday, so they'd driven in separately.
When she got home, she'd had a tiring day and just wanted to shower and change into shorts and a T-shirt. Chuck had other plans. "Shower and change into a nice dress. I'm taking you out for dinner and then probably dancing."
The idea of dancing filled her with renewed energy.
The restaurant was actually in one of the hotels in central Los Angeles. They were early enough that the place wasn't packed as it would be later in the evening.
"So, what's the occasion?" Sarah asked as she faced him across the table. "Celebrating my new job?"
He looked slightly flustered. "Partly."
"Is there a problem?" she asked, now worried.
He stood and walked around the table and dropped to one knee.
Sarah gasped, and both of her hands covered her mouth. She hadn't expected anything like this.
He took a small box out of his pocket and opened it. "Sarah, you know I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but I want to make it more obvious to everyone. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
She pushed the ring box out of the way and dropped to her knees. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.
When they had to breathe, he asked, "Is that a yes?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" she replied and kissed him again.
He showed her the ring again. She loved it but would probably have loved anything. He took it out and placed it on her ring finger.
They were interrupted by clapping. They looked up and found their waitress and the maître d grinning at them.
"Do you need a bit more time before I bring your main course?" the waitress asked.
Sarah grinned. "Just a few minutes for me to admire this ring?"
She hardly noticed what she ate but was very happy to walk out, hand in hand with her fiancé. They went to the nearby nightclub and danced the night away.
When they finally got home, she was still in a bit of a daze. She was not just living with the man who meant so much to her, but she was now engaged to him!
"You've not said much all evening and night," Chuck said.
"I'm still in shock," she said and then added, "Very happy shock!"
She held his hands and faced him. "Less than eight months ago, I was a single woman who thought she'd stay that way for the rest of her life. Now I'm engaged to the most amazing man. It's quite a change!"
He leaned in and kissed her.
"I'm the happiest man on the planet," he told her.
She hugged him fiercely. She was the happiest woman. That instant attraction in Bangkok had been totally unexpected. Her life, from that point forward, had changed completely. This wonderful man had changed it, and she was so glad he had.
A/N: That's it. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. I won't be extending this one with more chapters, but will add it to the set that could have follow ups, maybe even a Christmas one-shot.
What did you think of the story as-is?