Eight months had gone by since Eddie and Barry had made their relationship official that fateful night. At first, Eddie had to adjust to the idea of not always hanging out with Jamie or other cops after her tour was over. It was different for her, but she welcomed it. She needed it.

If anything, she had perhaps gotten too comfortable in the cocoon of the NYPD. Being with Barry helped her realize she had to leave work at the precinct, including the idea of always talking to Barry about it. Not that he wouldn't be a good listener, but Barry had a fascinating life as a financial advisor and had his own stresses, battles, and dilemmas. Sometimes he needed to vent and de-compress. And she needed to listen.

For his part, Barry was always supportive of Eddie. If she needed some space after a rough day on the job, he gave it to her. He never made her feel guilty when she wanted to hang out with guys and gals from the 1-2; he even went with her sometimes and was completely at home with her fellow officers. He never felt insecure about his girlfriend being a cop or carrying an off-duty weapon with her almost everywhere she went. He was secure in his masculinity and that turned Eddie on.

"He's great," Eddie gushed to her partner for the day and gal pal, Officer Kara Walsh, as they were on their lunch. "I've never felt so understood and cared for. I've never felt so…" Tears began to form in her eyes. "Never felt so loved."

Kara placed an understanding hand on her friend's shoulder. "Eddie, girl, I am so happy for you," she said, now fighting her own tears. "You glow when you speak about him and when you're out with him."

Eddie just smiled, content in the moment.

"Sooooooo," Kara continued, lowering her voice. "How's the sex?"

Eddie's eyes widened and she gasped. "Kara!"

"Come on!" Kara persisted. "You're glowing! It's obvious your getting some good lovin'."

"Actually," Eddie answered carefully, "I'm not."

Kara gave her a perplexed look.

"Barry told me early on," Eddie explained, "that, as much as he cared for me, loved me, he didn't want to go too far physically. He had gotten burned in a couple relationships by hopping into bed too quickly."

Kara rolled her eyes. "Join the club, pal."

"I know, right?" Eddie said chuckling. "Anyways, he said he is saving himself sexually for marriage."

Kara's eyes popped out of her head. "Really? Wow, people still do that?"

"Yep," Eddie responded assuredly.

"And you're okay with this?"

"I…" Eddie said, a slow smile creeping to her face. "I am. I feel like we're really getting to know each other. I mean, really, truly getting to know each other. We still hug, snuggle, kiss, hold hands." As she said this, her cheeks blushed. "I don't think I've ever felt so connected to someone like him. It's great, it really is."

"Girl, I am so happy for you!" Kara exclaimed. "In speaking of marriage… Do you think this is where it's heading?"

Eddie couldn't even respond with words, just nodding yes and smiling the cheesiest I'm-in-love-and-I-don't-care-who-knows smile.

A few blocks away from Eddie and Kara, Barry walked into Johnson's Jewelers. "Hey, Barry!" said Pat Johnson, the store's namesake. "How are ya, man?"

"Doing great, Pat!" Barry said. "Doing great!"

"So what can I do you for?"

"Well," Barry said, "I'm looking for an engagement ring. I'm going to propose to my girlfriend."

"Mazel tov!" Pat said.

"Uh, Pat…" Barry said with a giggle. "I'm Scots-Irish with a Methodist upbringing. I'm not Jewish."

"Well, mazel tov, anyway!"

"Hah. Thanks, Pat."

One hour later, Barry walked out of the Johnson's Jewelers into the New York skyline…