Annie ended up sleeping with Grace in her room that night, which did put a damper on whatever had been burgeoning between her and Oliver but waking the following morning and seeing the child so sweetly sleeping next to her made it all worth it for Grace.

The little girl was so peaceful and Grace's heart felt so full. Even if she knew this was only a temporary arrangement, she was so happy that Annie felt so safe and secure with her. It gave her confidence that when she was able to have a child of her own, she would indeed be a very good mother.

She carefully and quietly withdrew herself from the warmth of the bed. She would have gladly stayed there for longer but now that Oliver was back there was much work to be done. Of course, his presence was what also called her out of bed. She decided to leave Annie to sleep, knowing that the girl would be exhausted after their big night out last night.

It had been such a lovely evening and Grace had rejoiced in seeing not only Annie's delight but seeing Oliver enjoying himself after his strenuous six week tour.

Of course, she was even happier by the time she'd gone to bed. Kissing him again after so long just wishing she could, was simply heaven.

She popped into the kitchen and asked Mrs. Pugh to bring her breakfast to the dining room as Annie was asleep in her bedroom and she didn't want to disturb her. Mrs. Pugh gave Grace a big, bright smile and said she certainly would and did she know Mr. Warbucks was already in there himself and perhaps they could take their breakfast together this morning? All while wearing a rather giddy look on her face.

"Thank you, I'll go and say good morning to him then", Grace smiled with a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks.

She would fill Mrs. Pugh in on their kiss and the current status of their relationship later on but for now, all she wanted was to see Oliver.

Grace entered the dining room surreptitiously and greeted Oliver with a shy "Good morning."

He looked up from his paper quickly and smiled warmly. "Hello there."

As she slowly rounded the table, he asked, "Is our guest still sleeping?"

"Mhm. It seems we completely tired her out", she wore a fond smile which made Oliver smile wider in turn.

"Well, I must say, I do wish she'd been as restful last night. I was admittedly rather sad that we were interrupted."

"Well…we're here together now", she sauntered right up to him at the head of the table and placing her warm hand on his cheek, lowered her face to his to place a sweet yet sensual kiss upon his lips.

He immediately wrapped his arm around her and tugged her towards him so that she fell into his lap. They both let out breathless chuckles against one another's mouths as they carried on kissing.

All sense of time and practically all other sense seemed to leave their minds until eventually they heard the door of the dining room open and the sound of Mrs. Pugh's excited gasp.

"Your breakfast Miss Farrell…" she squeaked as the two of them broke their kiss, each smiling yet blushing with embarrassment.

"Thank you, Mrs. Pugh", Grace chuckled, burying her face shyly in Oliver's neck.

The cook was only just able to contain her squeal until she was out of the room.

…

By the time Annie came downstairs, Grace and Oliver were already in the office hard at work, wanting to get ahead on the day's agenda as Grace had agreed to spend the day facilitating Annie and making sure she was entertained.

Of course, Oliver knew how delighted she was to do so and despite all the work they had to catch up on, he couldn't deny her the chance to spend more time with the adorable child.

Oliver had some business to attend to in Wall Street but they were all going to meet up for lunch - another opportunity for the press to get some photos with the "altruistic and kind-hearted Oliver Warbucks who was sharing his home and his fortune with a lucky young orphan for two weeks." It wasn't only about that though, Grace and Oliver did genuinely want Annie to have an enjoyable time while she was with them.

"Hello!" Her chirpy greeting broke them both from their concentration, each of them instantly and easily smiling in response to her appearance.

"Hello Annie, how did you sleep?" Oliver asked her cheerfully.

"Really good after I went to Miss Farrell's room."

"Mm, yes, Miss Farrell's nice to sleep with, huh?"

Grace turned her head to him with eyes wide and her mouth hanging open.

He pursed his lips, knowing his statement was a little naughty, especially saying it in front of Annie.

She cleared her throat and said to Annie, "I'm glad you felt more settled and were able to get a good night's rest, dear."

"Thank you, Miss Farrell. What are you two doing?"

"Oh, we're just catching up on some business. I won't keep Miss Farrell too much longer, I know she's eager to spend some more time with you today."

"But you're not?" Annie pouted.

"Ah, Annie, I'm sorry but I really have to do a lot of work today, I have to head down to the stock exchange and…"

"What's the…sock exchange?"

Grace giggled. "The stock exchange", she ruffled the girl's hair.

"But what is it?" Annie asked.

"It's a big building on Wall Street where investors buy and sell shares of companies."

"Gee, that sounds like an interesting place."

"It's very interesting, at least to someone like me."

"Can I come and see it with you?"

Grace touched her gently on the arm. "Oh, Annie, I'm afraid you wouldn't be allowed in there. It's a very busy place and only men are allowed in."

"Aw gee."

Oliver stroked his chin. "Hmm, well, I'm sure I could sneak you in if you really wanted to come and see it."

Grace raised her eyebrows at him. "Are you serious?"

"Well, I am one of the most successful traders in history. Perhaps if it was just for a short time and if Annie promised to be good, I think an exception could be made just this once."

Grace smiled at him. For him to take a small girl into the stock exchange would certainly gain a lot of attention and certain publicity. Grace could sense that wasn't the only reason he was offering to take her though.

The delighted look on Annie's face convinced Grace to say, "I'll come downtown with you both in case they don't allow her to stay, then you can carry on with your day and we'll find something else to do. How does that sound, Annie?"

"Wonderful, Miss Farrell!"

Oliver chuckled. "I'm quite sure no one's ever described going to the stock exchange as wonderful before."

"Well, this young lady seems to have an especially cheery outlook on life", Grace mused, smiling fondly at Annie.

"Well…sometimes at the orphanage, the other kids get so sad. Sometimes they even cry, especially Molly."

Grace wore a saddened expression. "Molly?"

Annie nodded with a tight smile. "She's only six. I try to look after her."

"You're a very kind girl, Annie", Oliver said, sounding so heartfelt that Grace couldn't help but melt ever so slightly.

"I don't want the other kids to be sad, especially not Molly, so I always try to cheer 'em up by singing songs and playing games."

"It sounds like you do a better job looking after them than Miss Hannigan does", Grace commented truthfully.

"That wouldn't be hard", Annie said pointedly and she and Grace shared a somber smile.

"I'm sure they must all be missing you", Oliver said warmly to her.

Grace clicked her fingers. "I've an idea, Annie. While Mr. Warbucks and I finish our work, would you like to write a letter to your friends at the orphanage? I could have it delivered this afternoon."

"Oh boy, really?" Annie's face lit up.

"Yes", Grace grinned at her excitement. "Here, I'll give you some stationery."

"Thanks, Miss Farrell."

Grace and Oliver both smiled as she happily skipped out of the room to go and write her letter.

Grace sighed. "Poor child. She deserves so much better than the life she's had."

"But it's the life she's had that has shaped her. It's made her the resilient and empathetic girl she is", Oliver said wisely.

Grace raised her eyebrows at him in surprise over his rather profound observation.

"What? Are you surprised I have a heart after all?" He asked her teasingly. She shook her head. "No, I'm well aware of your heart and how great it is."

He gave her an emotional smile before clearing his throat. "Come on, let's finish our work so we can get on with more important things."

Knowing he was talking about showing Annie a swell time, as well as focusing on the two of them and their shared time, Grace beamed in happiness and awe at the man she was falling more in love with every day.

…

Annie was bewildered by the sights and sounds of the stock exchange, and the sheer size of it. She'd never been in a single room that was so big before. She'd only just gotten used to how large Mr. Warbucks' house was, but this was monumental even compared to that.

Oliver watched with a grin on his face as she took everything in. Even he became wistful as he took in Annie's wonderment. He could recall feeling much the same way the day he first stepped into the doors of the exchange himself.

"Warbucks, what's all this?" A gruff voice made Annie jump.

"Calm down, Getty. She's only coming in for a look around."

"Whose kid is she?" J. Paul Getty frowned at Annie.

"You know, I don't know", Oliver remarked, then turned to Annie and asked, "Whose kid are you, Annie?"

Slowly, Annie shrugged, causing Getty to look even more confused.

"Well…just see that her visit is brief, won't you? This is no place for a child, especially not a girl."

Once Getty had made himself scarce, Oliver turned to Annie with a wink and the of them laughed conspiratorially.

Oliver quickly explained to Annie the different operations that go on inside the NYSE and how it all ran. Annie was quite overwhelmed by the constant shouting and flurry of everyone around her. Honestly, she was quite relieved to walk out the door, though she had found it all quite interesting.

Grace was waiting for them, seated on a park bench just outside. "How was it?" She asked Annie with a smile.

"Busy", Annie exhaled, making the two adults laugh.

"Well, I have to get back in there amongst all the business. I have some shares that need playing with."

"Ohh so that's what you do in there to make so much money. You play!" Annie remarked and Oliver chuckled. "Something like that, Annie."

"Annie, while Mr. Warbucks is in there playing with his stocks and bonds, why don't we go for a ride on the ferry?"

"Really? Oh boy!"

"Have you ever seen the Statue of Liberty up close?"

"No. Can we?"

"Let's go", Grace grinned and stretched out her hand for Annie to take. Her heart glowed with such warmth when she did.

"Have fun", Oliver told them, turning to walk inside then quickly spinning back around to wink, "You too, Annie."

Grace caught his eye and smiled bashfully. She knew that he knew how happy she was having a child around, how fulfilled she felt to have Annie in their lives.

As they walked to the pier, Annie looked up at Grace and asked, "Miss Farrell, why do men have such a problem with girls?"

The question came out of the blue and it surprised Grace. "What do you mean, Annie?"

"Well…when Mr. Warbucks first met me, he seemed disappointed that I wasn't a boy. Then, this morning, that Mr. Getty fella wasn't too impressed about a kid being in the stock exchange, but even less so because I'm a girl, I mean, what's wrong with being a girl?"

Grace stopped in her tracks and knelt down in front. "Annie, there is nothing at all wrong with being a girl. Girls, women are just as important as men. Some of these men would do well to remember the Mothers who bore them."

Annie let out a sad sigh. "I wish I could remember my Mother."

Grace mentally slapped herself. "I'm sorry, Annie, I didn't think…"

"That's OK, Miss Farrell. What about your Mother? What's she like?"

Grace smiled sadly. "I'm afraid my Mother isn't alive anymore, Annie. She died when I was quite young."

"Gee, that's sad. Was she a nice Mother?"

Grace smiled a smile that was somewhat bittersweet. "She was a very nice Mother. I was fortunate to have her, even if our time together was far too brief."

Annie got a wistful and somber look on her face and Grace's heart ached for the fact that the child had never known her own Mother.

Sometimes life was much too unfair.

…

Annie and Grace had a wonderful time traveling to Liberty Island. Annie wanted to stand right at the bow of the ship to see as they approached Lady Liberty, in spite of how cold the air was. Grace stood behind her and wrapped the small girl up inside of her coat. Annie felt happy and safe in Grace's arms, Grace felt a strong surge of warmth and protection she'd been longing to experience for quite some time.

With every little interaction she had with Annie, it was becoming harder and harder for her to accept that the situation would only be temporary...

...

The entirety of their jaunt across the bay took just over two and a half hours. By the time they were standing outside the Stock Exchange, Oliver was waiting for them by the front entrance.

"How's Lady Liberty?" He asked Annie who beamed, "Just magnificent, Mr. Warbucks!"

"Marvelous, isn't she?" He grinned. "Say, who's hungry?"

"Me!" Annie responded immediately, making the adults chuckle.

"Come on then, there's a great little place around the corner I know of."

Annie instantly reached for his hand and Oliver felt a sensation wash over him he couldn't recall ever feeling in his life before. She took Grace's hand as well and the three of them walked together up Wall Street, making many heads turn as folks recognized Oliver Warbucks with an unknown child and…was that his secretary?

The idea of improving his public image was suddenly lost from Oliver's mind, however. He hadn't expected to feel so content, so joyous at simply walking down the street with a little hand in his own. Of course, the woman on the other side who kept glancing at him dreamily was also contributing to his good mood.

Oliver treated them all to a buffet lunch. Annie ate more in that one sitting than she'd enter the entire rest of that month.

When they were all done with their meal, Oliver hailed a taxi to take them home.

When they arrived back at the mansion, Oliver and Grace went to do their report of the day's tradings while Annie went to write another letter to everyone at the orphanage to tell them all about the stock exchange and the Statue of Liberty.

Grace found it rather difficult to focus on her dictation. She couldn't stop letting her eyes wander to the man across the desk from her. She hadn't felt this level of infatuation for him since they were at his cabin and it was quite literally driving her to distraction.

"Look what we made - hot cocoa!" Annie's voice made Grace jump and Oliver stop mid-sentence.

She grit her teeth nervously, sure that Oliver wouldn't appreciate being interrupted while he was working.

"Well, how splendid", he smiled easily, surprising Grace completely. "Is it nice and hot?"

"Steaming!" Annie grinned.

"Well then, we ought to let it cool down for a moment. Annie, do you think you could sit over there nice and quietly for just a few minutes while Miss Farrell and I finish off our work?"

"OK", she happily nodded, jumping up onto the settee and Grace sat there, glancing between the two of them in a sort of stunned silence. The interaction seemed so easy for Oliver. He was an absolute natural with Annie, which left her feeling both absolutely dumbfounded and entirely besotted.

They only took a few more minutes to finish off the dictation, Annie sat quietly watching them with interest and then happily bounded over and sat on top of Oliver's desk, her legs swinging off the side as they all drank their cocoa.

"What does all that mean? All those numbers you were saying to Miss Farrell?"

"Well, you remember today at the Stock Market, how I told you about all the stocks and bonds and shares and whatnot?"

"Aha."

"Well, this company, my company, has investments in a lot of those things which means I put money into different sources with the hope that it'll make me more money."

"And that's all you have to do to get so rich?"

Grace couldn't help but let out a little laugh.

Oliver narrowed his eyes for a moment. "No, that's not all I have to do. There is quite a lot more to it than just that, but the stock exchange is an institution which has certainly helped my fortune to expand."

"I wish I could make money at the stock exchange."

Deciding to simply humor her instead of try and explain the barriers to her, Oliver simply said, "Well, perhaps one day you too might find yourself trading there, if that's your ambition."

"But girls aren't allowed in there, Mr. Warbucks."

"Just because they aren't allowed yet it doesn't mean they never will be. Perhaps you'll be the one to pave the way", he tapped her gently on the tip of her nose and Annie giggled. Meanwhile, Grace's heart melted as she watched the interaction and listened to Oliver's encouraging words.

"You really think I could?"

"I think that you can do anything you wish, Annie." His voice was kind yet sincere.

"Thanks Mr. Warbucks", she smiled happily.

Grace quite agreed with him. She thought that Annie was a very smart and capable young lady and although still very young, and young at heart, she had a great deal of sense and a very compassionate heart.

Grace's brain began to tick over with ways that she and Oliver could possibly help Annie to realize her potential. The part Oliver hadn't gone into was that before you invested anything, you first needed something to invest. Grace wanted to suggest to Oliver that perhaps they could help her with a start-up that she could have access to when she came of age.

However short the girl's time with them was to be, Grace knew they had both been inexplicably touched by the eleven year old red-head and would never forget her.

"Excuse me Mr, Warbucks, Miss Farrell. Miss Annie, your bath is ready."

"Thank you Mrs. Greer", Grace smiled at the housekeeper as Annie skipped over to her and took her hand.

Grace was so impressed with Annie. She was so strong and self-assured and wise yet incredibly trusting. She clearly had good perception and judgement of character. She had warmed to everyone at the Warbucks mansion so readily.

Grace turned to look at Oliver whom she was also incredibly impressed with. His motivational words to Annie had really been forward-thinking and progressive of him. Perhaps it was simply Annie who had altered his mindset. It seemed he was quite impressed with her as well.

In spite of his initial trepidation about the girl, he had adjusted to having her there with them so well and had been so kind and generous to Annie already. Grace just couldn't help how enamored she felt watching him with the sweet child.

Once Annie had left the room with Mrs. Greer, Grace rounded the desk and took Oliver's hands, pulling him up to his feet. He made a sound of surprise. "What are you doing?"

"She's going for her bath which means we're not going to be interrupted for at least a little while."

His eyes widened. "Miss Farrell…"

She shushed him and pulled him by the hand out through the office, into the foyer, up the stairs and down the hall to her rooms.

Once inside, she wrapped him in a fierce embrace, kissing him heatedly while hastily unbuttoning his trousers. Meanwhile, Oliver's head was spinning.

"I want you so much", she whispered seductively against his lips. "I just can't deny you any longer, or deny myself."

Oliver's body practically shook with need, but still he had to ask her,"What about your fears and all the risks that come with the possibility of you becoming pregnant?"

She released a deep, calming breath. "My desire for you is greater than my fears". She ceased trying to remove his pants and instead held his face in her hands. "My love for you is greater than anything."

Oliver drew back a moment to stare at her in absolute wonder, but she couldn't stand waiting a moment longer to be with him. Pulling him back for another languid kiss, she panted, "I need you. I love you."

"Oh Grace, my darling, I love you too", he croaked emotively.

In spite of the limited time they knew they had, they kissed as if the world was ending. The exchange was full of passion, desire and love. After a few moments though, Grace began to get impatient and pushed him towards the bed. The two of them were still locked in a tight embrace as they fell to it together.

She shimmied out of her skirt and underwear and looked up expectantly into his eyes.

"Are you sure?" He asked her, as much as it pained him to think she might not be.

But Grace was certain beyond a doubt. "More sure than anything."

She gasped with pleasure and relief as he shifted into her, their bodies moving harmoniously as one. Love to be made and life to potentially be made.

No matter the outcome, Grace now realized her life's plan to have a child could only ever coincide with another life's mission being realized - that she was to love and be loved by that child's Father.

…

A/N: This may well be my last posting before Christmas, so, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!