A/N: Well, the season finale is tomorrow. It doesn't seem like it should be. As always, I don't own any of the characters.
Charles had been out of town and Liza was staying with the girls while he was gone. He was due to come home and the 3 of them couldn't wait to see him. A messenger had dropped off an envelope for Charles before Liza had arrived from work. The nanny told her and then Liza made sure it was right where he'd see it. Maggie had called and told Liza there was an envelope dropped off at the apartment for her, so she had her bring it over to Charles'. She arrived before Charles got home. She rang the doorbell and Liza answered it.
"Hey. Thanks for bringing this over."
"No problem. I think you are getting a little too comfortable living this kind of lifestyle. It's a good fit for you."
"Thanks. Can you come in for a few minutes?"
"Sure."
Maggie came in and they went to the kitchen where the girls were baking cookies.
"Hi Maggie."
"Hey, you two. What kind of cookies are you making?"
"Chocolate with peanut butter chips. Daddy's favorite. Would you like one?"
"Of course. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Maggie took at cookie and took a bite.
"This is delicious."
"Thank you. We'll send some home with you."
"I'd like that. Thanks."
"No problem."
"Can you give us a few minutes?"
"Sure."
Bianca and Nicole left, so Liza and Maggie could talk. Liza opened her envelope.
"My divorce is final!"
"Liza, that's great. Congratulations!"
"Thanks. That chapter of my life is finally closed and now I can concentrate on my future with Charles. That is once his divorce is final. I have a feeling Pauline is going to prolong that for as long as she can."
"Do you ever regret not having any more kids?"
"Yeah, I kind of do. Josh wanted kids with me but you know, he's a kid himself. I couldn't see myself having a family with him but it's different with Charles. I'm fine with being a stepmother to Bianca and Nicole and he's fine being a stepfather to Caitlin but sometimes I think about wanting to have a baby with him. Am I crazy?"
"Is he on the same page?"
"That I don't know. We haven't necessarily been too careful either but I love him more than anything in this world besides my daughter."
"How does Caitlin feel about Charles?"
"She has more respect for him than she does David, so that must tell you something."
"It does. David is an ass anyway."
"Yeah, he is."
"I should go. I'm guessing you won't be home for another few days."
"I have no idea what he has in mind."
"If it all works out, pretty soon you could be Mrs. Charles Brooks. You do want to marry him, right?"
"Yes, I do. I know that pretty soon we will have to tell people that we're a couple."
"Who all knows about you two?"
"You, Kelsey and the 3 girls. I'm not sure how Diana will take the news."
The doorbell rang, so Liza went to answer it. It was Diana.
"Diana."
"Liza. What are you doing here?"
"I'm staying with the girls for Charles while he's gone."
"Are you two by any chance seeing each other?"
"What?"
"Liza, I'm not an idiot. It's a little obvious that he feels something for you. I wish I was you right now. Well, not really. Just be careful. He is still married to Pauline."
"I know."
"Does Charles have any wine?"
"Yeah."
Diana followed Liza to the kitchen.
"Maggie, this is Diana Trout. Diana, this is Maggie Amato."
"It is so nice to meet you, Maggie."
"You too."
"I understand you're an artist."
"I am."
"I would love to see your work sometime."
"That can be arranged."
Liza got the wine and 3 glasses and then the girls came back into the kitchen.
"Hi Ms. Trout."
"Hello girls."
"Liza, we're going to put a movie in until Daddy gets home."
"Ok. That's fine."
Bianca and Nicole went back upstairs and put a movie in, while Liza, Diana and Maggie sat down at the kitchen table. A little while later, they were still at the kitchen table talking and Charles had texted Liza telling her he was about home. She got up and went to meet him at the front door. He got out of the car, got his suitcase and walked up the stairs to the front door. As soon as he saw Liza, he kissed her.
"I've missed you so much."
"I missed you too. Diana knows about us. Apparently she figured it out on her own."
"You can't put much passed her. That's one less person we need to tell when the time comes then. How were the girls?"
"Great as always. They are upstairs watching a movie."
They headed inside and Charles saw the envelope.
"When did this get here?"
"This afternoon. The nanny said it came before I was here."
Charles opened the envelope and read its contents. Then he had a big smile on his face.
"What is it?"
"These are my divorce papers. Pauline actually agreed to my terms and signed them."
"Oh, Sweetie, that's great. Congratulations! My divorce is finally final too."
"Do you know what this means?"
"What does it mean?"
"We can finally be together and not have to worry about anything."
Charles wrapped his arms around Liza and kissed her. They went to the kitchen.
"Ladies."
"Hey, Charles."
"Charles, I brought over that cover you wanted to proof."
"Great. Thank you."
"You're welcome. I should get going. Maggie, it was nice meeting you."
"You too. Come by any time if you want to check out my paintings."
"I will. Liza, we'll have to do lunch next week. Pick a place, make a reservation and call me."
"Uh, ok."
Diana left and headed home. Charles was on his phone making reservations for the 2 of them for dinner. The girls had come downstairs.
"Daddy!"
"Hey."
"We made you your favorite cookies but we told Maggie she could have some too."
"That's great. Maggie, can you stay with them?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
"Sure."
"Maggie, can we get pizza for dinner?"
"Sure. You know what, why don't I just take them with me and then you two can have the whole place to yourselves?"
"Maggie, are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure."
"Thank you so much."
"No problem. Ok, ladies, let's go get your stuff."
"Thanks, Mags. I owe you one."
"This one is on me."
Maggie took Bianca and Nicole upstairs, so they could get their stuff, while Liza put some cookies on a plate for Maggie.
"Do I need to change or is this ok to wear?"
"It's fine. I'm glad they have taken to Maggie. She's great with them and so are you."
"They're very important to me and always have been since the day I first met them."
Maggie and the girls came downstairs as Charles called to have the car come get them. They all got in and then Charles told the driver to go to Maggie's first. Once they arrived and Charles and Liza kissed and hugged the girls, the 3 of them got out and went up to Maggie's apartment, while the car to Charles and Liza to the restaurant. When they arrived, they got out and went into the restaurant holding hands.
"Mr. Brooks, it's good to see you. Your table is right this way."
"Thank you."
They were directed to their table. Charles pulled the chair out for Liza and pushed it back in after she sat down before sitting down himself. Charles ordered a bottle of champagne. After they brought the champagne and they decided what they what they wanted to eat, Charles poured the champagne into the glasses.
"To the future and to us."
"I like that idea."
"Me too."
They clinked glasses and drank their champagne. They got their salads.
"Charles, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you ever think about wanting more children?"
"Sometimes. Why do you ask? Are you pregnant?"
"No. I was just wondering. Josh told me that he wanted kids with me but I really wasn't sure I wanted them with him. Mainly because he acts like a child most of the time. I wouldn't be against having a baby with you if it happened and we haven't necessarily been too careful."
"No, we have not and I wouldn't be against having one with you either. If it happens, it happens. I just know that I want you in my life. I want you to think about the possibility of moving in with the girls and me. It doesn't have to be right now but I at least want you to think about it."
"Ok. I'll think about it."
"Good."
They finished their salads and then their meals arrived. During their meal, they talked about anything and everything. They discovered they had so much more in common with each other than just their love of books and while the sex with Charles was amazing, there was so much more to him than that. This was the first relationship that she had been in that they had so much in common. She never really had anything in common with David and her relationship with Josh had only been about sex and what he wanted to do most of the time. He had gone with her to Michelle's for dinner that time and he waited for her when she went to get drunk with her friends in New Jersey. He had his moments but she never had the connection with him that she had with Charles but she couldn't really see Josh being her happily ever after. Her feelings for Charles were real and she loved everything about Charles, including his girls. After they finished dinner and ordered dessert, Charles called for the car and they went back to the townhouse. When they got back to the townhouse, they went straight to Charles' bedroom to make love. Even though they were only apart for a few days, it seemed more like an eternity. She knew she had a lot to think about with Charles' offer to have her move in with them. She wasn't sure she wanted to just yet because their divorces were both just finalized after all but she did now one thing: she eventually wanted to become Mrs. Charles Brooks.
Question: Would you like to see Liza and Charles have a baby together in this story? I haven't quite decided if I want to go that route or not. Let me know what you think.