A/N: I don't own any of the characters.

When Charles, Liza and the girls arrived back in New York, they left the airport and headed to Charles' townhouse. They put the girls to bed, went into Charles' bedroom and made love.

"This last week was the best week of my life. I can't believe how perfect it was."

"I wanted it to be perfect. I meant what I said, we can wait as long as you want to get married. I don't ever want to lose you."

"You won't. I'm completely devoted to you."

"And I'm completely devoted to you too. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Charles."

They started kissing and made love again before falling asleep in each other's arms. The next morning, everyone got up and got ready for work or school. They had breakfast and then they dropped the girls off at school before Charles had the driver drop Liza off at her office before he headed to Empirical. By the time he got there, Diana and Kelsey were both there.

"Good morning, Charles."

"Morning, ladies."

"How was your vacation?"

"Wonderful."

Charles went into his office and shut the door.

"Kelsey, make arrangements for us to meet Liza for lunch."

"Ok."

Kelsey texted Liza to see if she was available for lunch. Liza agreed and then Kelsey made reservations. Liza texted Charles and told him that she was meeting Kelsey and Diana for lunch. She wanted to know if it was ok to tell them about their engagement. He said it was fine. Liza was actually really excited to tell Kelsey about her engagement. She wasn't sure about Diana but she'd find out anyway and she wanted it to come from her. Kelsey had texted Liza to tell her what time their reservations were for and where they were meeting. When the time got closer, Liza left for the restaurant. When she arrived, Diana and Kelsey were waiting outside for her. They both hugged her and then they went inside. They were taken to their table and sat down. They ordered their food and got their drinks.

"Spill it."

"Spill what?"

"Charles said his vacation was wonderful."

"It was."

"So what happened?"

"We spent time on the beach, which was really romantic. Our Suite was gorgeous."

"Do you have pictures?"

"Yeah."

Liza got out her phone, found the pictures and handed it to Kelsey. Kelsey looked through it and then she came to the one of an engagement ring.

"Oh, my God! Liza, did Charles propose?"

"Yeah, he did."

"You're joking, right?"

Kelsey showed Diana the picture.

"Show me your hand, Liza."

Liza showed Diana and Kelsey her left hand.

"Wow! That is a gorgeous ring."

"Thank you."

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks."

"When's the wedding?"

"We haven't talked about it yet. He said we can be engaged as long as I want."

"Do the girls know?"

"Yes. All 3 of them and Maggie are excited. Caitlin helped him pick the ring out. She saw it in a catalog and thought I would like it. She was right. Bianca and Nicole went with him with he bought it."

"I am so happy for you."

"Me too."

"Thanks."

Their food arrived and then Liza saw Charles come in for a lunch meeting. He saw her, so he went over there to say hello.

"Ladies."

"Charles. Congratulations."

"Thank you. I have meetings all day, so I'm going to be late tonight. Can you come over and relieve the nanny after work?"

"Sure."

"Thanks."

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course."

Charles went over to his table and Liza followed him.

"Are you ok?"

"I just have a full schedule. Not what I had in mind for my first day back."

"Just don't overwork yourself."

"I won't. I promise. I'll call you when I'm on my way home."

"Ok."

They kissed each other's cheeks and then Liza went back over to her table.

"Everything ok?"

"I think so. I just hate when he works so much."

"He really did have a full schedule today."

"I don't doubt that but I just worry about him a lot."

"When he was gone this last week, I attended all the meetings. Sometimes I don't know how he does it."

They saw a woman come in and sit with Charles.

"Liza, you know we have female Clients."

"I know. This is just too much right now. Excuse me."

Liza got up and ran out of the restaurant and went back to work. When she got back to work, she went into her office and broke down. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice. She promised Charles that she would relieve the nanny after she got off work, so that's what she did. She fixed dinner for the girls while they finished their homework. Bianca sensed Liza was upset about something, so she went downstairs to the kitchen.

"Liza, are you ok?"

"Yeah. I just had a long day."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"If you want to talk, I'm here."

"Thanks."

Liza heard the door open and then Charles came up.

"Hi Daddy."

"Hi. Can you go up to your room for a minute please?"

"Sure."

Bianca went upstairs.

"Sit."

Liza sat down and then Charles took her hands in his.

"I know you're upset about that lunch meeting I had."

"I don't like when you have meetings alone with other women."

"Let me explain please. I should have said something but that was an Interior Decorator. I want her to meet with you and I want you to decorate the place however you want to, especially our bedroom. Liza, I want you to move in with us. You're here almost every night anyway, so why not make it official?"

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I'm positive. It's going to happen eventually anyway, right?"

"Right."

"That also includes the Pound Ridge house. My intentions were not to upset you with that lunch. I had no idea that's where you were meeting Diana and Kelsey for lunch. Are we ok?"

"Yeah. I also know that Empirical has female Clients and I shouldn't get jealous."

"You have nothing to be jealous about. You didn't give me an answer about moving in with me."

"Can I think about it?"

"Absolutely. Are we ok?"

"We're fine."

"Good."

Charles kissed Liza and then once dinner was ready, they called the girls and they all ate together.

"Did you cancel the rest of your meetings that you had this afternoon?"

"I did. I thought I'd rather spend time with my family."

"Daddy, when are we going to go get our tree?"

"How about next weekend?"

"Sounds like a plan. Liza, are you going to come with us to pick out our tree?"

"If you want me to, I will. What are your traditions?"

"We buy a real tree for the family room that the girls and I decorate mostly with ornaments that the girls have made or bought for me and then we have this huge tree in the living room that I usually have done. I usually have the Empirical employees and their families over for a party."

"I remember doing that last year. I didn't stay very long."

"I noticed."

"Daddy, can Caitlin come with us to pick out the tree?"

"We'll see. It depends on when she's on break."

"We could wait until she's on break."

"You two really love having Caitlin as a big sister, don't you?"

"Yeah, we do. She kind of is our big sister, right?"

"She'll be your stepsister, since Liza will be your stepmom."

"Trust me, the feeling is mutual. Caitlin is crazy about the two of you. She only has a couple more weeks of school until she's on break."

"We can wait to get the tree, right girls?"

Definitely. I hope you decide to move in with us, Liza. We love when you're here all the time."

"I love being here with the 3 of you. I haven't even talked to Maggie since I've been back. I think I'm going to go to the apartment tonight, so I can spend some time with her."

"Ok. I'll survive for one night."

Charles kissed Liza and then when they were done with dinner, Liza got her stuff and got ready to head to the apartment after Charles called to have the car take her.

To be continued…