(Semi)Professional Fangirl

"I already told you, you need to input the population info first, then the stats for each individual borough," you muttered to yourself as you read an email from Starla, one of the analysts that worked on your team. "That's why your numbers are off."

You had just gotten back in the office after taking the previous two days off to mourn Vanessa and was trying to follow up on tasks that had been relegated to others in your department.

You replied to Starla as such and were contemplating going get another cup of coffee when your phone lit up with a text from Sheila.

The Mayor would like to see you, it read.

You sighed. You hadn't spoken to your father since the repast — you had returned home to deal with your own personal business while he had continued to field sympathy and prepare to settle Vanessa's estate, but apparently whatever it was he needed to speak with you about was important enough to summon you.

You picked your phone up. I'll be right there, you texted back, then got up and headed out of your office and to the elevator.

You rode up to the floor your father's office was on, then walked down the hall.

You knocked on his door then opened it, pausing when you noticed that the chair in front of your father's desk was already occupied. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Ah, yes," your father said. "District Attorney Hochberg and I were just finishing up, weren't we?"

"Oh, er, yes, of course," the DA replied before standing. "Miss Fisk, always a pleasure to see you."

"Mmhmm."

"I'll see you at the trial?"

You nodded. Karen Page had been captured and taken into custody at the protest in front of City Hall a few nights ago and was being brought to court later that day. "Of course."

You waited until he had left before taking a seat in the chair in front of your father's desk.

"District Attorney Hochberg is a interesting fellow, isn't he?" your father said.

In all honesty, you hated the man. "He's a very… skilled litigator."

Your father harrumphed. "He makes my skin crawl."

You chuckled. At least he technically agreed with you.

"Lawyers," your father continued. "You know, they… use words to twist the truth, don't they?"

You thought back to your father's unjust trial so many years ago. "I think I know what you mean."

Your father nodded. "I imagine you do."

You paused. "I've been meaning to check in with you. How are you, Dad?"

"I don't know. I haven't been asked that." Your father sighed. "I always accepted love as a prison. Not the love between a father and his child, of course, but the kind of love a man has for a woman. I just… never expected to be in it alone."

You nodded. You could never fathom losing Buck the way your father had lost Vanessa. "Condolences are meaningless. Thoughts and prayers do nothing. No one tells you the truth in times like this, which is…"

You sighed. "This is going to hurt. Losing Vanessa for me is not the same as losing her is for you, so we don't know when or even if it's going to end for both of us."

"No." Your father paused. "Well… I uh, I appreciate your words."

He opened his desk drawer. "The reason I wanted to see you was, well…"

He took something out of the drawer and set it on his desk, then pushed it towards you.

Your blood ran cold as you recognized the twin to Vanessa's diamond-and-ruby earring that was still in your purse. "Dad, I am so sorry," you began. "I, uh—"

Your father shook his head. "You don't have to apologize, she would've wanted you to have them. It's just curious, the things we do on impulse — isn't it?"

You chuckled softly to yourself. "I would've liked to have thought I'd have more control over myself than that — or at least have taken both of them so it wouldn't be as noticeable."

"Ah, but you didn't." Your father folded his hands together in front of him. "I know you've always thought of the work I do as… unsavory, but I would hope that since you've been home you might would have changed your opinion and would reconsider joining the family business."

Your eyebrows raised in surprise. "You do?"

"Purely behind-the-scenes," your father clarified. "An… administrative role, so to speak. At least until you became comfortable enough to be more hands-on."

You thought for a moment. You couldn't help but feel proud that your father trusted you enough to ask you to reconsider joining his empire, and besides, you were dating and even living with his most trusted associate…

You took a deep breath. "Can I think about it for a bit? I'd like to talk to Buck before I make a decision."

Your father nodded. "Yes, of course."

You picked up Vanessa's earring and stood. "If that was all, I have some things I need to get back to."

You turned to leave, slipping the earring into your pants pocket.

Your father said your name. "One other thing."

You turned back around. "Yeah, Dad?"

"No matter your decision…" Your father smiled softly at you. "Buck is a good man. Hold on to him."

You smiled back at him, your heart warming. "I will."

You left your father's office and headed back to yours, then grabbed your phone. Are you at City Hall? you texted to Buck. I need to talk to you about something important.

Your phone buzzed with a reply. I'm not at the moment, but will be within 10 minutes.

You looked at the time. Meet me at the fountain?

Okay. See you there.

You grabbed your purse out of your desk drawer and scrawled a note on the whiteboard attached to your office door. Taking an early lunch, back at 12:15 pm.

You texted Sheila to let her know as well then left the office, walking across City Park to the Tony Stark Memorial Fountain before taking a seat to wait for Buck.

While you waited, you weighed your options. If you rejected your father's offer, you could continue to claim plausable deniability as to what exactly he was involved in. If you accepted, however, you felt like you'd be able to figure out how best to protect both him and Buck if things ever went south again.

You smiled as you noticed Buck walking up to you. "Hi, sweetheart."

Buck smiled back at you then gave you a soft, slow kiss. "Hello, my darling."

He sat next to you. "What is it you wish to speak to me about? Everything okay?"

You nodded. "Yeah, I just…"

You paused, trying to figure out how best to word things just in case anyone nearby happened to be listening. "My dad asked me to join his… other administration."

Buck nodded. "And are you considering it?"

"Actually, kinda, but I wanted to talk to you first—" Your eyes narrowed at the nonplussed look on Buck's face. "Wait a minute, you knew. You knew he was going to ask me and you didn't say anything!"

Buck winced. "Your father asked me my opinion on the matter and if I thought you might be open to the idea, but he also specifically forbade me from mentioning the possibility to you because he wanted to speak to you himself."

Yeah, okay, that makes sense, you thought, your irritation immediately evaporating.

You let out a fake huff of annoyance. "Stop being reasonable when I'm trying to be mad at you," you grumbled.

Buck chuckled. "My apologies, darling. Would you like me to vex you further? I can steal your lunch out of the staff refrigerator or leave the toilet seat up at home."

Your lips quirked up in a smile. "Nah, that's okay. So how would you feel if I joined the family business? I'm assuming you told my dad you'd be okay with it?"

Buck nodded. "I did, although I would think that he would have asked you even if I had tried to discourage him. You're a brilliant woman with a head for business and I think you could make your father's enterprise grow even more exponentially."

He bit his lip. "And honestly I feel like I can better protect you if you're fully aware of your father's business dealings."

You nodded. "And you don't want to betray his trust by involving me without his knowledge."

"Exactly." Buck put an arm around you and pressed a kiss to your forehead. "It's entirely your decision, of course, but I do appreciate you asking me about my feelings on the matter — even if I already knew about it."

"Of course. This doesn't just affect me, it affects you as well." You took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I love you."

Buck squeezed your hand back. "I love you too."

He stood. "Are you expected back in the office any time soon? Because the food truck I passed on my way here smells amazing."

You shook your head. "You're in luck — I happen to be on an early lunch break and don't have to be back for another 45 minutes."

Buck grinned. "Well then, what do you say, darling?"

You stood as well and squeezed his hand once again. "I say let's go get in line."

You pulled your phone out of your pocket to text your father as you and Buck walked back towards City Hall together.

Clark fidgeted with the zipper of his jacket as he sat on a bench outside the café he and Y/N had agreed to meet at while he waited for her to arrive. He had changed his outfit four times before finally settling on a light blue cable-knit sweater that his parents had gotten him for Christmas the previous year to replace the threadbare one he'd worn since he was a teen, his leather jacket, and a pair of jeans. Maybe I should've worn something nicer.

He was considering zipping home and changing yet again when he spotted Y/N coming up the sidewalk.

His breath caught. Y/N was also dressed casually, in jeans and a black top with a unbuttoned coat over it, but she could've been wearing a potato sack and Clark still would've thought she looked even more beautiful in person than she did over Skype.

Clark stood as she approached. "Y/N, hi."

Y/N stopped in front of him, a bright smile spreading across her face. "Hi, Clark."

Clark nervously reached his arms out towards her. "Is, uh, is a hug okay?"

Y/N huffed out a light laugh and stepped into his embrace. "Of course."

Clark relaxed as Y/N's arms wrapped around him, his own arms tightening around her.

After a few moments Y/N gave him a light squeeze and stepped back. "It's so good to finally see you in person."

"Yeah, same. Only took us, what, 17 years to wind up in the same city?"

Y/N huffed out another laugh. "Something like that. Too long, if you ask me."

"I agree." Clark gestured towards the door. "Shall we?"

Y/N nodded. "Sure."

Clark held the door open for Y/N then followed her into the café.

"Good morning," the seating hostess greeted them. "Table for two?"

"Yes, please," Clark replied.

The seating hostess picked up two menus. "Right this way."

She led them to a small table near a window and set their menus down. "Okay, here you go. Your server will be right with you."

Y/N nodded as she took off her coat. "Thank you."

"Yeah, thanks," Clark added, taking his jacket off as well and draping it over the back of his chair.

"So, do you come here often?" Y/N asked as they sat and the seating hostess left.

Clark shook his head. "Actually this is my first time here. My coworker recommended this place." Which I'll either have to thank or kill Jimmy for depending on how this goes.

"Ah, okay." Y/N picked up her menu. "I just thought maybe you'd have some recommendations as to what was good."

"No, sorry. I usually have breakfast at home or will just grab a bagel with my morning coffee before work."

"Mmm." Y/N surveyed her menu. "Coffee does actually sound good… ooh, or maybe a mimosa."

"Want to split a bottle of champagne then?" Clark asked, looking over his own menu. "Looks like it comes with a complementary carafe of juice to make our own mimosas."

Y/N nodded. "Yeah, splitting a bottle sounds fine."

"Good morning," their server said as he walked up to their table and poured them each a glass of cold water. "My name is Andrew and I'll be taking care of you. Can I get you something besides water to drink?"

"Ah, yes," Clark replied. "We'd like to split a bottle of champagne and add the carafe of orange juice to it."

"Certainly." Andrew jotted down their drink order. "Do you need a few minutes to look over the menu?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay, I'll be right back with that champagne and juice then."

"Thank you."

Clark watched Y/N study her menu as Andrew left to go get their beverages.

Y/N looked up at him. "What?"

Clark's face flushed, embarrassed at being caught staring. "I just can't believe you're really here."

Y/N smiled. "Honestly, me either."

She paused to take a sip of her glass of water. "I'm sorry it took me so long to make it back to Metropolis though."

Clark shook his head. "No, it's alright, it's not like I couldn't have ever tried to come to visit you in California."

Y/N shrugged. "The important thing is that we're here together now, right?"

Clark smiled softly. "Yeah."

Y/N glanced back down at her menu. "So, how are your parents?"

"They're good! Actually, they're getting back from D.C. today and wanted me to invite you over for our weekly family dinner tomorrow if you're not busy."

Y/N looked back up at him with a smile. "No, I'm not busy. I'd love to come."

Great! Oh, and while I'm thinking about it, my coworkers want to meet you while you're here as well."

Y/N's eyebrows raised. "They do?"

"Yeah, I uh, I talk about you a lot — so much so actually that for a while most of them thought I made you up." Clark chuckled. "Sometimes I think they still do."

Y/N nodded with a grin. "That's fair. I've had people not believe you existed too."

"We'll definitely have to get some pictures of us together while you're here then."

"Yeah." Y/N glanced back down at her menu. "We better decide what we want to eat before our server comes back."

"Oh, right." Clark looked at his menu. "I think I might go with the 'build your own breakfast' combo. What about you?"

Y/N hummed thoughtfully. "The stuffed French toast sounds good. Oh, no, wait, I think I want an omelette. Ooh, and maybe some pancakes."

Clark chuckled as Andrew returned with a tray containing a bottle of champagne, a carafe of orange juice, and 2 champagne glasses.

"Here we are," Andrew said, setting the tray down on the empty table next to them.

He moved their champagne glasses to their table along with the champagne and juice. "Okay, are we ready to order?"

Clark nodded. "I'm ready."

"Me too," Y/N added.

Andrew pulled a notepad and pen out of his pocket. "Okay, what can I get you?"

Clark gestured to Y/N with a smile. "After you."

Y/N smiled back at him then gave Andrew her omelette order. "And a side of pancakes, please."

"Certainly." Andrew finished jotting down her order. "And for you, sir?"

"I would like the breakfast platter," Clark began, "with the scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and breakfast potatoes."

"Okay." Andrew wrote down Clark's order. "Can I get the two of you anything else?"

"I'm good," Y/N replied.

"Same," Clark added. "Thanks."

Andrew nodded. "Okay then, let me go put this in for you. I'll be back in a bit."

Clark waited until Andrew picked up the now-empty tray off of the neighboring table and left then said, "By the way, breakfast is on me."

Y/N's eyebrows raised in slight surprise. "Oh, you don't have to do that."

Clark shrugged nonchalantly. "I know, but I wanted to."

"Thank you, I appreciate it." Y/N picked up the bottle of champagne and poured some into her glass. "I'm excited to meet your parents tomorrow."

Clark smiled. "I'll go ahead and let them know that you're coming."

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and sent his parents a text. Y/N said that she's free for dinner tomorrow night. We'll be over around 3 if that's okay?

That sounds great, his dad replied after a few seconds.

We're so excited to meet her, his mom added.

Clark smiled. I'm excited for you to meet her too. See you tomorrow.

He put his phone back in his pocket. "They're excited to meet you too."

Y/N poured some juice into her glass of champagne. "Do I need to bring anything, like maybe dessert?"

Clark shook his head. "Nope, it's all taken care of."

"How about a bottle of wine then? I'd feel bad if I showed up to your parents' house for dinner completely empty-handed."

Clark's heart warmed. "I promise it's not necessary, but if it would make you feel better, then sure."

"Do you know what we're having? I want to make sure to get something that'll pair well with dinner."

"I think Mom said she was making both chicken and eggplant parmesan."

Y/N nodded. "Okay. I'll stop by the market later this afternoon and get a bottle of wine."

Clark smiled as he began to make his own mimosa. "I'll pick you up around noon, then? It's a pretty long drive to Smallville and my parents will want to visit before dinner."

Y/N bit her lip. "Noon is fine, but can I meet you at your place? I have a couple of things to do in the morning."

Clark nodded. That would give him plenty of time to pick up a rental car before needing to leave. "Yeah, that's fine."

He picked up his mimosa. "How about a toast? To us."

Y/N picked up her mimosa as well. "To us. May our friendship continue to withstand the test of time."

Clark grinned as they clinked their glasses together. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. You're stuck with me for life."

Y/N huffed out a laugh then took a sip of her mimosa. "Good, because I'm actually —"

She cut herself off as Andrew returned to their table with their food.

"Okay," Andrew said, setting Y/N's omelette and pancakes down in front of her. "We have an omelette and side of pancakes here…"

He set Clark's plate down. "And the scrambled eggs with toast, bacon, and breakfast potatoes here. Can I get you two anything else?"

"No thanks, I'm good," Clark replied.

"I'm good too, thanks," Y/N added.

Andrew nodded. "Okay, you two enjoy."

"What were you saying?" Clark asked as Andrew left once again.

Y/N shook her head. "Oh, nothing. Just glad to be here with you."

Clark smiled. "Me too."

He dug into his eggs, realizing as he ate how much he missed regularly having a sit-down breakfast.

Y/N took a bite of her omelette. "Mmm. This is really good."

Clark nodded as he chewed and swallowed. "Mmhmm. I'll have to tell my coworker that this place was a good suggestion."

They continued eating their breakfast in content silence, refilling their mimosas as they emptied their glasses.

"Oh, man," Y/N said once they both had finished eating and the bottle of champagne was empty. "That was great."

"Yeah," Clark agreed. "It's been a while since I've had a breakfast that good."

"Me too."

"Okay," Andrew said as he appeared once again. "How was everything?"

"Excellent," Y/N replied.

Clark nodded. "Yeah, everything was great."

Andrew smiled. "Wonderful! And how will we be splitting the check?"

"One check," Clark said.

"Not a problem." Andrew took a folio out of his apron pocket and set it down in front of Clark. "I can take care of that whenever you're ready."

Clark opened it, gave the bill a quick once-over to make sure it was correct, then took some cash out of his wallet and tucked it inside before handing the folio back to Andrew. "Keep the change."

Andrew nodded. "Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. You two enjoy the rest of your day!"

"You too."

"Thank you for everything," Y/N added.

She waited until Andrew had left then said, "thank you again for breakfast. I appreciate it."

Clark smiled. "You're welcome. Ready to head to the museum?"

Y/N nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

They put their coats on and headed back out into the cool, crisp air.

"Do you mind if we walk?" Y/N asked. "If I remember correctly, the museum isn't far from here."

Clark shook his head. "I don't mind at all."

They headed down the busy sidewalk together towards the museum.

"It's really nice out today," Y/N remarked. "I forgot how early fall comes in Kansas."

Clark nodded. "Yeah, my parents are harvesting the last of the summer vegetables today. Dad said it was a pretty good crop this year."

Y/N smiled. "That's great!"

"By the way, I meant to ask earlier how your parents are doing."

Y/N huffed out a light laugh. "They're fine. I don't know who's enjoying my dad being retired more, him or Mom."

Clark chuckled. Y/N's parents were currently on a 3-month-long tour of Europe. "Where are they this week?"

"Rome — or no, wait, they're on their way to Naples right now." Y/N shook her head with a light laugh. "They're actually talking about moving to Italy."

Clark's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Really? Wow."

"Yeah, they'd been talking about moving somewhere quieter now that Dad's retired and while they were touring Florence last week they saw a house for sale that they felt would be perfect for them. They sent the listing to me along with some photos they took of the house and it's really cute, doesn't look like it needs a whole lot of work." Y/N shrugged. "I'd miss them, of course, but I can always FaceTime them and I'd visit whenever I can. Besides, they're still relatively young and are both in good health. They deserve to enjoy their retirement, wherever it is that they decide to spend it."

Clark nodded. "Yeah, I agree with that."

"What about your parents? Think they're going to retire anytime soon?"

Clark shook his head. "After Mom got reelected they decided to rent out the back 40 instead of using it themselves, but Dad's too stubborn to give the farm up completely."

Y/N nodded. "How's he doing?"

"He's definitely slowed down since his heart attack, but I think taking a step back has helped reduce his stress while still making him feel useful." Clark sighed. "At least the harvest is done for the year. Now all that's left is to can and store everything my parents can't eat in the next week or so and for Dad and I to winterize the farm equipment."

"Does that mean I'll get to see you drive a tractor tomorrow?" Y/N bit her lip. "Or better yet… you can take me for a ride? You always made riding a tractor sound so much fun."

Clark could imagine them riding around the farm, Y/N perched in his lap with her arms around his neck, confessing his feelings for her then stealing a kiss from her lips as the sun set behind them…

Y/N apparently took his silence as reluctance, because she glanced over at him again as they approached the museum. "You don't have to if you don't want to, I just thought—"

Clark shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "No, it's fine, I don't mind."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." Clark grinned. "Don't be surprised if you get put to work though."

Y/N let out a light laugh. "I actually wouldn't mind helping out. I always thought it'd be cool to learn how to milk cows and stuff."

Clark chuckled. "Well most of that is automated these days, but I can show you how to do it the old-fashioned way if you want."

"Great!" Y/N grinned. "I can't wait."

Clark smiled at her enthusiasm. "Me either."

He slowed and opened the door to the museum for her. "After you."

Y/N stepped through the doorway. "Thank you."

They walked over to the ticketing counter.

"Good morning, may I help you?" the ticketing clerk asked.

Clark nodded. "Hi, yes, admission for two, please."

The clerk nodded and typed something on her computer. "Okay, that will be twenty dollars."

Clark handed her a twenty-dollar bill.

The clerk took it and handed Clark and Y/N their passes. "Thank you, and enjoy!"

Clark and Y/N thanked the clerk and headed into the museum proper.

"So," Clark asked. "Where to first?"

Y/N shook her head. "I don't know. It's been so long since I've been here that I don't know if they've changed up the layout or anything."

Clark nodded. "Want to start upstairs then work our way back down then?"

Y/N shrugged. "Yeah, that sounds fine."

They headed up to the second floor, where the museum's collection of post-modern art was located.

"Hmm," Clark mused as he and Y/N looked at a photo of a singular piece of corkscrew pasta. "Not exactly sure I'd call that 'art'."

Y/N huffed out a laugh. "I agree, although somebody clearly did since it's hanging in an art museum.

Cllark shrugged. "To each their own, I guess."

They worked their way through the post-modern art into the later 'modern' art, then finally back down through early-modern Impressionism back to the entrance.

Y/N smiled over at him as they left the museum. "This was fun."

Clark nodded. "Yeah, it was. I'm glad we finally got to go."

"Me too."

"So, uh…" Clark rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "We're not far from the Daily Planet, if you want to swing by there and meet my coworkers?"

Y/N grinned. "I'd love to."

They walked the few blocks to the Planet and headed inside.

"Wow, this is really cool," Y/N said as they stepped inside the elevator.

Clark nodded, remembering the first time he had stepped inside the Daily Planet. "Yeah, it is, isn't it?"

They rode up to Clark's floor and almost ran into Jimmy while getting out of the elevator.

"Woah — Hey, C.K.!" Jimmy said. "Didn't expect to see you today."

Clark shook his head. "Y/N and I were nearby, so I thought I'd go ahead and bring her around, introduce her to a few people."

He turned to Y/N. "Y/N, this is Jimmy Olsen, our photographer here at the Planet."

Y/N stuck her hand out for Jimmy to shake. "Hi, nice to meet you."

"Yeah, same here," Jimmy replied. "Clark's been talking non-stop about your visit all week."

Y/N smiled at Clark. "Yeah, I've been excited too."

"Jimmy's the one who recommended the restaurant we went to for breakfast," Clark explained.

Y/N nodded. "Oh, okay! That was a great recommedation, by the way. I really enjoyed it."

Jimmy grinned. "Good, I'm glad. It's my go-to when I want something kind of fancy for breakfast."

"Is Lois around?" Clark asked.

Jimmy nodded, craning his neck to look around for her. "Yeah, she's around here somewhere — oh, there she is. Hey, Lois!"

Clark looked over at Lois, who was walking towards her desk with a cup of coffee in her hand but reversed course when she spotted Clark.

"Hey, wasn't expecting you in today, Smallville," she said as she approached them.

"I wanted to bring Y/N by since we were just around the corner at the museum," Clark explained.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," Y/N said. "Clark's told me so much about you over the years."

Lois smiled. "Yeah, same."

"Hey, so you should come out with us one evening while you're in town," Jimmy said. "There's this little place we all like to go to —"

"Kent!"

Clark turned as Perry appeared behind him. "Hiya, Chief."

Perry harrumphed. "Thought you were out today."

Clark nodded. "I am, but I was just bringing my friend around to meet everyone—"

"Yeah, okay, whatever." Perry waved a dismissive hand. "Since you're here, I have a story for you to cover."

He handed Clark a stack of notes. "I want it on my desk in an hour."

"But—" Clark protested.

Perry walked back towards his office. "One hour, Kent!"

Clark sighed and turned back to Y/N. "I'm sorry."

Y/N shook her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. "It's okay. The news never sleeps, right? Besides, I have some stuff I need to go take care of this afternoon."

Clark nodded. "Thanks for understanding."

"Of course." Y/N gave a nod to Jimmy and Lois. "It was so nice to meet you."

"Yeah, you too," Jimmy said.

"Same," Lois added.

Y/N gave Clark a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

Clark nodded again as he hugged her back. "Yeah."

He watched as Y/N headed back towards the elevator.

Lois huffed out a laugh. "You've got it bad, Smallville."

Clark grimaced. "Is it that obvious?"

Lois shook her head. "I just know the way you look when you have feelings for someone, and you've always looked that way when you talked about her."

She sighed. "Just… tell her how you feel while you have the chance."

Clark nodded. "Thank you."

Lois punched him in the shoulder. "Alrighty, enough sappy talk. You ought to get that article done and get out of here before Perry assigns you another one."

Clark chuckled. "Yeah, you're right."

"I'm so sorry for your loss," you heard for what seemed like the millionth time in the past 3 hours. Vanessa's funeral had just ended and now you and your father were hosting a repast at Gracie Mansion for selected mourners.

You nodded and thanked the speaker, not even noticing nor caring who it was. You were mentally and physically exhausted and needed a break from the constant (and probably more often than not, insincere) sympathy.

While your father was busy accepting condolences from the governor's aide, you took your chance and snuck away, heading upstairs.

Instead of going to the guest room that you had stayed in the previous night, you went into your parents' bedroom instead, pausing to look at a photo of the three of you from your college graduation that was hanging on the wall just inside the room.

All of you were smiling in the photo, you in the middle in your cap and gown while your father and Vanessa both beamed with pride.

You reached up and touched the picture. They had both been so proud of you that day.

You continued further into the room, Vanessa's jewelry box catching your eye. It had been left open, most likely on accident as she had rushed to get ready to go to the boxing match after having returned from Albany to meet with the governor.

You walked over to it, reaching out and touching the pair of diamond-and-ruby earrings you had given Vanessa as a Mother's Day gift the year after she and your father had gotten married.

"Oh, these are beautiful," Vanessa had breathed after she had opened the box containing them.

You had nodded. "I was hoping you'd like them. Happy Mother's Day, Vanessa."

Vanessa had wrapped you in a hug. "Thank you so much, sweetheart. I'll cherish them forever."

Impulsively, you picked up one of the earrings.

You then walked over to the full-length mirror to check your appearance, hardly recognizing the person looking back at you.

You were tired — physically tired from not sleeping and mentally and emotionally tired from having to hold it together in front of others.

You stared into the mirror, either willing yourself to wake up from the nightmare you were obviously trapped in or for a portal to open up and take you to an alternate universe where you hadn't just buried the closest thing you had to a mother.

You quickly tucked the earring into your purse and turned as a reflection appeared behind you.

"Darling, there you are," Buck said, walking into the room.

You winced. Of course he would have noticed that you had disappeared. "Buck, I, um," you stammered. "I didn't— I mean I just needed—"

Buck slowly walked towards you. "You miss her. So do I."

You wrapped your arms around yourself protectively. "Vanessa was more like a mother than a stepmother to me."

Buck nodded. "I know."

You looked down to where you knew his gun was. "You know, we've never talked about the fact that you always carry a gun. Suit's supposed to cover it, but I still know it's there."

Buck looked down at his suit jacket then back at you, his eyes narrowing in what seemed to be confusion at the sudden change of subject. "You know it's part of the job, love."

"You've used it to kill people." It was a statement, not a question.

While you weren't privy to the full workings of your father's business, you weren't naive enough to believe that certain disappearances — such as that of Commissioner Gallow and the captain and first mate of the Northern Star — were just coincidental.

Buck took a step closer to you and said your name, a worried look crossing his face. "Are you okay?"

You side-stepped him and went to sit on the bed. You had refused to attend the boxing match — watching two men (one of whom was your father) beat each other up for sport was not your idea of a good time — and had been at home reading when you had gotten the call about the attack. You'd rushed to the hospital while Vanessa had been in surgery, where you had sat and waited with Buck's arms around you until your father had come back from the observation area and said that Vanessa was in recovery and could have visitors soon.

You had been there when she had awakened and had spoken to her briefly before leaving to go home to shower and change your clothes, not knowing that it would be the last time you ever saw her alive again.

"I keep having nightmares," you admitted. "Nightmares in which I was there that night and Vanessa is lying motionless in the ring, then suddenly it's my dad, and then it's you, and you're bleeding out onto the floor while the whole time Poindexter is laughing at me and I — I can't —"

Your voice broke. "What if I had been there? What if I had made myself go to the match?"

"Poindexter is a madman," Buck reasonably pointed out. "He probably would have tried to kill you too."

You looked up at Buck before quickly looking back down again. "I want to kill him," you admitted in a whisper. "I want to make him suffer."

"How?" Buck murmured.

"Shooting him is too good for him. I want to squeeze the life out of him, to see the light slowly leave his eyes."

"Show me."

You shook your head, feeling awful for even admitting to the thought. "No."

Buck knelt down in front of you. "It's okay, love."

He took your hands in his and raised one to his neck, then the other, his eyes never leaving yours.

Your heart constricted. Your loving, handsome, supportive, amazing boyfriend was asking you to channel all of your sorrow, all of your hurt, all of your rage, onto him.

God, how you loved him.

Tears fell from your eyes as you began to squeeze, imagining that it was Benjamin Poindexter's throat your hands were circling instead of the love of your life's.

You took a shaky breath and stood, Buck following suit as your hands tightened around his windpipe.

After what felt like an eternity but was likely actually only a few moments, Buck slowly raised his hands back to yours, his fingers looping gently around your wrists and guiding your hands back down to his shoulders.

You loosened your hold on him, panting with exertion both from crying and from the force with which you had been squeezing Buck's larynx.

Buck swallowed, then trailed his hands down your arms, holding you as if you could break at any moment.

You scanned his face for any sign of discomfort. While you wanted Benjamin Poindexter to feel every ounce of pain and suffering that he had brought upon Vanessa, you never wanted to hurt Buck — intentionally or unintentionally.

Buck tilted his head to the side as he studied you. "You feel better?"

You didn't answer, instead raising one hand and caressing his cheek.

Buck took your hand in his and gently pressed a kiss to your fingertips. "I'm here for you, my love," he murmured. "Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I will be by your side… Always."

What did I do to deserve him? you thought. "I love you."

"I love you too." Buck swiped his thumbs underneath your eyes, wiping away your tears. "Are you ready to rejoin the others?"

You nodded. "Yeah."

Buck offered a hand to you. "Then let's go together."

Buck stood near the entrance to the Grand Hall at the Governor's mansion and observed the crowd at the Governor's annual dinner while he waited for security to give the all-clear. He had agreed to keep an eye out while they did a perimeter check, although there had been no sign of any credible threat. Poindexter was in the wind and Murdock — ahem, Daredevil — seemed to be content causing chaos closer to home.

"On duty tonight?"

Buck glanced over as Dr. Glenn walked up next to him, glass of champagne in hand. "For the moment, just until security is done making its sweep."

"I'd have thought the Mayor would've let you off this evening."

Buck chuckled. "No need to feel sorry for me, Dr. Glenn. This affords me the best spot in the room."

"How so?"

"Well you see, from here I have the best view of the court — as in, royal court. Suitors, subjects, all swirling around." Buck nodded over towards the Mayor, who was conversing with the Governor as you and Mrs. Fisk looked on. "The King, of course, locking horns with the Governor, the Queen, obverving everything, cataloging it…"

Buck smiled softly and nodded over at you in greeting as you made eye contact with him and gave a little wave. "…The Princess, heir to the throne — should she choose to accept it."

You had finally decided to embrace the moniker "The Princess of New York" after the papers had picked up on Buck's and your relationship. (Granted, it hadn't exactly made the front page of the New York Herald since the story of Benjamin Poindexter's attempt on the Mayor's life obviously took precedent, but there it had been nonetheless, on page 3 — a photo of you and Buck standing next to each other at one of the Mayor's press conferences with the headline, "The Princess and the Bodyguard" along with a short write-up about your public debut.)

"And we are their humble courtiers," he continued, "each chosen for the talents we possess. Like Daniel, for instance…"

He nodded over at Daniel, who was standing with Shelia while subtly pumping the lieutenant governor for information.

Dr. Glenn took a sip of champagne. "The jester?"

Buck chuckled. "At first glance. But… Is there more than meets the eye? An heir unapparent — if the Princess should choose to abdicate the throne, that is."

"You like him, don't you?" Dr. Glenn asked.

Buck thought for a moment. Professionally, he had watched Daniel grow from a kid from Staten Island into a bright, calculating young man. As for personally, Daniel had been the one to convince Buck to take a chance on asking you out, and not only that, but he had also graciously and enthusiastically accepted Buck's request to decorate your apartment while you and Buck were in Long Island on your anniversary. "He's grown on me."

He nodded towards Sheila next. "And then we have Sheila, the chief of staff. Or… Iago, waiting with a sharpened blade."

Dr. Glenn chuckled and took another sip of champagne. "And you?"

Buck looked at her. "Me?"

"Mmm." Dr. Glenn nodded over at you, smiling knowingly. "That would make you the Knight, wouldn't it?"

Buck couldn't help but grin as he shook his head. "I am but the Princess's humble courtesan, fortunate enough to have earned her affection."

Dr. Glenn studied him. "You love her."

Buck nodded as he looked over at you again. "I do. Very much so."

"Have you told her?"

"I have, yes."

"Good. Hold on to her. You two seem happy together."

Buck smiled again. Little did Dr. Glenn know that he had set a plan in motion earlier that afternoon to do just that.

He had asked the Mayor to briefly meet before the Governor's Dinner and had made an excuse to you to pop out for a bit so he could stop by Gracie Mansion.

"Thank you for meeting with me, sir," he had said as he and Mayor Fisk has stepped into the Mayor's home office.

"Of course, Buck," the Mayor had replied. "Is this regarding business, or is it a personal matter?"

"A personal matter, sir."

"Ah." Mayor Fisk had raised an eyebrow, a knowing look on his face. "Then I assume it involves my daughter."

Buck had nodded. "Yes, sir, it does."

Mayor Fisk had waved a hand at him. "Go on, then."

Buck had taken a deep breath. "I wish to ask her to marry me, sir."

Mayor Fisk had huffed out a chuckle. "I see. I take it living together is going well, then?"

Buck couldn't help but smile. With his lifestyle and career he'd never thought he would be able to even have a stable relationship, much less come home to another person… until he had met you. "It is."

"And so you've come to me to get my blessing to ask for her hand."

Buck had nodded again. "Yes, sir."

Mayor Fisk had shaken his head. "Buck, you've been with me for a long time. You know I do not suffer foolishness, nor do I trifle with others — which is why I'm not going to beat around the bush here."

He had smiled and put a hand on Buck's shoulder. "I would be honored to have you as my son-in-law."

Buck had grinned. "Thank you, sir."

"Have you gotten a ring yet?"

Buck's mind had drifted to the engagement and wedding rings he had seen that matched the necklace he had given you for your and his anniversary a few months prior. "Not yet, sir. I've chosen one but I've been trying to figure out a way to sneak a ring out of Y/N's jewelry box without her noticing so I can get the correct size."

Mayor Fisk had grinned and shaken his head. "That's not necessary. I'll call my jeweler tomorrow. He has her sizing information."

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate that." Buck had paused. "I don't suppose I can ask you to keep this just between us for the time being?"

Mayor Fisk had nodded. "Of course."

He had clapped Buck on the back. "Now, let's go see what information we can get from the Governor, shall we?"

Buck mentally shook his head, lest he give away his thoughts. "I will. Thank you, Dr. Glenn."

He raised a hand to his earpiece as the Governor's security team gave the all-clear. "And that is my cue. Enjoy your evening."

Dr. Glenn raised her glass of champagne to him. "Have a good night, Mr. Cashman."

Buck removed his earpiece then took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and walked over to you. "Here you are, darling."

You gave him a kiss on the cheek as you accepted it. "Thank you, love. Everything okay?"

Buck nodded. "All clear."

"Glad to hear that. Shall we sit, then?"

Buck and you joined the Mayor and Mrs. Fisk at the Governor's table for dinner.

You took a sip of your glass of champagne. "Have an interesting conversation wtih Dr. Glenn?"

Buck nodded. "Indeed. It was… illuminating."

He took your free hand and gave it a squeeze. "Now, darling, let's enjoy our evening. After all, I'm here with the most beautiful woman in New York."

"—Fucking hell, sweetheart, that feels so good," you moaned into your pillow as Buck pressed into you with practiced skill. "Keep doing that."

"Yeah, darling?" Buck murmured into your ear. "You like it when I do… this?"

You bit back another moan as he pressed into you again. "Fuck, baby, yeah, keep going. Don't stop."

Things had been perfect the past 6 months — both the Safer Streets initative and the Red Hook Revitalization Project had passed with full support from the City Council and private matching donations, vigilante crime was at an all-time low, community satisfaction was at an all-time high, your father and Vanessa's relationship seemed to be stronger than ever, and best of all, you and Buck were now celebrating a whole year together as a couple.

"I've got you, love," Buck continued to murmur in your ear. "Just relax for me, yeah? You're doing so well."

You sank into your bed as the stubborn knot that Buck was massaging out of your shoulder began to ease. "Oh my God, yes."

"There we are." Buck eased up on the pressure he was applying to your scapula. "How's that?"

"Mmm, heavenly." You rolled your shoulders. "Breakfast in bed and a massage? Must be a special occasion."

Buck chuckled. "And the day's just getting started."

He gave you a kiss and got up to go wash the massage oil from his hands.

You sat up and watched as he sauntered into the hallway towards your bathroom. "Does that mean that I have to move from this spot?"

You could hear Buck chuckle. "You don't have to," he replied, "but if you don't you'll miss out on all the fun I have planned."

When Buck had asked what you wanted to do for your one-year anniversary, you had told him to surprise you, which apparently was exactly what he was planning to do. Since it was on a Saturday neither of you had had to work, and because your father and Vanessa had gone out of town for Valentine's Day weekend again there was a good chance Buck wouldn't be "on call", either.

You grinned and got up, picking up your discarded pajama top to toss into your laundry basket before joining him in the bathroom. "Damn, and here I was hoping to spend the day getting railed by my super hot boyfriend."

Buck smirked. "Oh that's definitely on the schedule, darling, just for later tonight."

"Mmm. Good to know." You gave Buck a quick kiss. "I know you said you wouldn't give me any details about today, but I do have a few questions."

Buck nodded. "Yes, my love?"

"First off, is there a dress code, second, do you want your anniversary gift now or later tonight, and finally, how tight of a schedule are we on, exactly?"

Buck shook his head. "We'll be outside part of the day, so dress accordingly — otherwise, no specific dress code. I was thinking we could exchange gifts later this evening, maybe after dinner, if that's alright with you. And as for the schedule, it's not extremely tight, why?"

You grinned. "Because I was hoping we could squeeze in a shower together? I might need some help washing this massage oil off of my back."

Buck wrapped his arms around your waist. "Mmm, I think we can fit that in."

You gave him another kiss then finished getting undressed before stepping into the shower and turning the water on, Buck joining you a few moments later.

After your shower (during which Buck made sure that all of the massage oil was thoroughly washed off of you), you wrapped a towel around yourself before drying your hair, brushing your teeth, and doing your makeup while Buck went to get dressed.

You walked into your walk-in closet and stood looking at outfit options for a few minutes before settling on a pair of comfortable maroon trousers, a cozy gray sweater, and a gray overcoat along with some warm winter boots and taking them into your bedroom to get dressed.

You had just decided against accessories when Buck walked back into your bedroom.

You turned towards him. "Holy shit, babe, you look hot."

It wasn't very often that you saw Buck in anything other than his usual business attire (or nothing at all), so you took time to admire his choice of outfit for the day — black slacks, a yellow polo shirt, and his black leather jacket along with glasses instead of his usual contacts.

Buck chuckled. "Why, thank you, love."

You looked down at your outfit. "This is okay for what you've got planned?"

Buck nodded. "You look beautiful, as always. We will have to come back here before dinner, though."

You nodded. "Okay, that's fine."

Buck's phone chimed with a text message. "Ah. Time to go."

You grabbed your purse then took Buck's hand as you boarded your private elevator together.

You rode the elevator down to the ground floor and walked through the lobby of your building to the doors leading outside, where a private car was waiting for you.

The driver opened the door for you. "Good morning, madam. Sir."

"Good morning," you replied before getting in.

Buck said something to the driver before joining you.

You looked over at him. "All good?"

Buck nodded as the driver shut the door. "Just verifying our first stop."

"First stop? As in multiple?"

"Mmhmm."

"And you won't tell me anything about where we're going?"

Buck shook his head. "Just that we've got a couple of hours' drive to get there."

You spent the next two hours alternating between talking to Buck and looking out the window at the scenery and trying to figure out where he was taking you. Maybe the Hamptons, you thought at the car crossed the Williamsburg Bridge and headed towards Long Island. Buck's certainly dressed for it.

Your guess was proven incorrect, however, when the car continued along the northern part of Long Island, finally pulling into a long driveway with a sign reading "Rose Hill Vineyards."

You grinned. "Are we doing a wine tasting?"

Buck nodded with a smile. "Several, actually."

The car stopped in front of a walkway leading to the main building. "Here we are," the driver announced.

Buck nodded and opened the door. "I'll text you when we're ready to head to our next destination."

"Yes, sir," your driver replied.

Buck got out of the car and held a hand out to you.

You took it with a smile and walked hand-in-hand to the building before heading inside.

"Welcome to Rose Hill, how may I help you today?" A woman greeted you.

"Yes, we're here for a wine tasting," Buck replied.

"Okay, wonderful." The hostess nodded. "And may I see your IDs?"

You and Buck handed your IDs to the hostess, who copied down your names and dates of birth into a ledger before handing them back to you. "Okay, right this way, please."

You and Buck followed her to a table outside.

"Here we are," the hostess said, then pointed to a QR code on the table. "You can scan this to take a look at our tasting menu. I'll be right back."

You nodded. "Thank you."

You and Buck used your phones to scan the QR code and pull up the menu.

"Hmm, I wonder how much wine you get with each flight," you said. "If we're going to mutiple vineyards I don't want to drink too much too early."

"How about we share a flight then?" Buck suggested. "And perhaps some whipped ricotta to balance it out."

You hummed in agreement. "That sounds delicious. The winter flight, then? That seems to be a mix of both red and white wines."

Buck nodded. "Sure, that sounds fine."

You looked around as you waited for the hostess to come back. "This is beautiful. I honestly didn't even know there were vineyards around here."

Buck smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

The hostess returned. "Okay, have we decided?"

Buck nodded. "We've decided to split the winter flight and get some whipped ricotta to pair with it."

The hostess nodded. "Wonderful choice. I'll go get that ready for you."

You thanked her once again as she left.

Your phone chimed with a text message alert.

You pulled it out and smiled as you saw that it was from Vanessa. "Vanessa wishes us a happy anniversary."

Buck smiled. "Tell her thank you for me, will you, love?"

You nodded and replied to Vanessa. Thank you! Buck says thank you as well.

You took a few photos of the scenery, then put your phone away just as the hostess returned with your wine and cheese.

"Okay, here we are," she said. "Let me know if you'd like to take home a bottle of any of these."

You and Buck both nodded. "We will," Buck said. "Thank you."

"Which do you want to try first?" you asked as the hostess left once again.

Buck looked at the wine descriptions accompanying your flight. "Mmm, maybe the merlot?"

"Okay, then I'll try the Reisling."

You each picked up your respective glass of wine. "Happy anniversary, love," Buck said with a smile.

You smiled back at him. "Happy anniversary."

You clinked your glasses together and each took a small sip.

Your brow furrowed as you considered the depth and flavor of the wine. "Hmm."

You dipped a piece of bread into the whipped ricotta then popped it into your mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "Oh my gosh, this is amazing."

You took another small sip of wine, leaving the rest for Buck. "Yeah, I don't know about this one. How's the merlot?"

"It's okay," Buck replied. "Earthy."

He tried the whipped ricotta and took another sip. "It does pair really well with the olive oil in the ricotta though."

You swapped glasses and took a sip of the merlot. "Mmm, yeah, that is pretty good," you said.

Buck took a sip of the Reisling. "Hmm, I know what you mean about this one," he said. "Almost like it doesn't know if it wants to be dry or sweet."

"Yeah, exactly," you said. "Could be the wrong pairing, but I don't think it goes with the cheese either."

Buck tried it with the ricotta. "Mmm, no," he mused. "Not my favorite."

Next you tried something called the 'concrete blonde', which was a concrete-aged sauvingon blanc while Buck tried the 'wild boar doe'.

You nodded. "Oh yeah, I like this one."

Buck nodded as well. "This one is excellent too."

You both tried it with the cheese then swapped. "Oh, yeah, this one is definitely one of my favorites," you said after you tried the bordeaux.

"This one as well," Buck added.

The final glass was the vineyard's signature 'rose hill rosé'. "This one is really good as well," you said.

Buck tried it and nodded. "Yes, definitely. What do you think, darling? Should we get a bottle each of the bordeaux, sav, and rosé?"

You nodded. "Did you like the merlot enough to get a bottle of that as well?"

Buck thought a moment, then shook his head. "One of the other vineyards might have a merlot I like better."

"Okay then, that sounds good to me."

Once the hostess came to check on you, Buck gave her your wine bottle order.

"We can certainly do that," she replied. "Give me just a moment."

You waited as she brought your wine and the check. "Okay, here we are."

Buck gave it a glance before handing it and his bank card to the hostess. "Thank you."

After the hostess returned for the final time, Buck texted your driver to let him know that the two of you were ready to go.

A short car ride later, you arrived at your second location, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery, where Buck had booked a private tour and wine tasting for the two of you.

After touring the vineyard, tank room, wine cellar, and the winery, you sat down for a guided tasting of the winery's signature sparkling wines.

You and Buck found one you both liked and decided to take a few bottles home, then headed back out to the car where your driver was waiting.

"Which winery are we going to next?" you asked on the way to your next destination.

Buck smiled and shook his head. "Actually, our next stop isn't a winery."

Your brow furrowed. "It isn't?"

Buck shook his head. "I thought it might be fun to take a chocolate-making class together, break up the day a little."

You nodded with a smile. "Yeah, that does sound like fun."

A few minutes later, the car pulled up to Atelier Disset, an artisan chocolate shop known for its hand-crafted confections.

Buck opened the door for you. "After you, my darling."

The clerk behind the counter smiled as you and Buck approached. "Good afternoon," he said in a friendly tone. "How many I help you today?"

"Hi, yes, we have an appointment for a chocolate-making class," Buck replied.

The clerk typed something into the computer. "Your names, please?"

You gave your and Buck's names to him.

The clerk nodded. "Ah, yes, I see you right here. Let me just get you checked in… Okay, you're all set. Come with me, please."

He led you and Buck down a hallway and through an open doorway into a small room with a table in the middle. "You'll be right in here. I'll go let Ursula know you've arrived."

You took a look at the items on the table while you waited. There was a portable electric stovetop with 3 simmering pots of water on it, 2 bowls each of chopped dark, milk, and white chocolate, several candy thermometers, various chocolate molds, and a few different glitters and what you assumed was edible paints.

A few moments later, a woman with dark brown hair with red highlights walked in the room.

"Good afternoon," she said, then confirmed your names.

You and Buck both nodded.

"My name is Ursula, and welcome to your confectionary lesson. Please wash your hands and take an apron, then we'll get started."

You and Buck both washed your hands in the sink at the back of the room then took an apron off of a hook by the door and put them on.

"Now," Ursula said, "there is an artistry in making the perfect confections, so today I'm going to teach you the basics — which starts with melting your chocolate."

She explained how each type of chocolate tempered at slightly different temperatures then instructed you and Buck to set the larger bowls of chocolate on top of the pots of water. "Don't worry, they won't break," she reassured. "You just need to make sure that the bowls don't actually touch the water."

As you waited for the chocolate to start melting, Ursula asked, "so, are we celebrating anything special today?"

Buck nodded. "It's our anniversary."

"Oh, how lovely! How long have you been married?"

"Oh, sorry, no, we're not married," you rushed to correct. "It's our dating anniversary."

Buck put an arm around you and planted a chaste kiss to your temple. "We're celebrating a year together," he said with a soft smile.

"That's so sweet. How did you meet?"

"At work," you replied with a smile of your own. "I got lost trying to find our boss's office and Buck came to my rescue."

You had just arrived back in New York and were supposed to have been meeting your father for lunch, but you had gotten hopelessly lost trying to find his office and were wandering the halls of City Hall when your knight in shining business suit had appeared.

"May I help you, miss?" he had said.

You had sighed. "I hope so. I'm supposed to be meeting the Mayor for lunch and I got a bit lost looking for his office."

Buck had looked at you curiously, then said your name like he had been asking a question.

You had nodded, surprised that he knew who you were. "Yes, and you are…?"

Buck had given you a warm smile and held his hand out for you to shake. "Buck Cashman. I'm the Mayor's personal assistant and head of security."

So this is 'Buck', you had thought. Your father had mentioned him a couple of times but you'd had no idea that he would be this attractive.

You had shaken his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Buck had gestured down the hall. "Your father's office is right this way."

He had led you down the winding hallway to your father's office. "Here you are."

"Thanks." You had bitten your lip. "I guess I'll see you around then?"

Buck had given you a wink, setting your heart aflutter. "I guarantee it."

You smiled to yourself. Little had you known that that would be only the first time Buck had come to your (both literal and figurative) rescue.

Buck gave you a fond look. "I was instantly smitten," he added, "but it took a few months before I found the courage to make my move."

You huffed out a laugh. Buck had told you when the two of you had first started dating that he had gone to your father for his blessing to ask you out — which you honestly found quite adorable. "Which brings us to now."

"That's wonderful." Ursula checked the chocolate. "Okay, once your chocolate starts to melt, you're going to stir it…"

With Ursula's help, you and Buck managed to get your chocolate tempered then poured into your molds.

Ursula gave a satisfactory nod. "Okay, we're going to let these set while we work on our filled confections."

She showed you how to fill your chocolate molds with melted chocolate then tap off the excess without wasting too much and how to add just the right amount of filling before topping them off with more chocolate.

"Very good!" she praised as you and Buck both popped passable-looking confections out of your molds. "Now, our final step — use our cocoa butter paints and edible glitter to decorate them as you see fit."

You decided to decorate a few of your chocolates with your and Buck's first initials with a heart in the middle, "Happy Anniversary" on another, and the day of your first date on a third, while adding little hearts and generic swirls to the rest.

Ursula nodded in approval as you boxed up your confections. "Not bad at all for beginners!"

"Thank you so much for the lesson," you said. "This has been fun."

"Yes, thank you," Buck added.

"Enjoy the rest of your day," Ursula said as she led you back out to the front. "And happy anniversary!"

"Thank you!" you and Buck both replied.

"Before we go, I want to get Dad and Vanessa some chocolate-covered strawberries," you told Buck.

He nodded. "Not a problem, darling."

You ordered a dozen strawberries along with a few other goodies then waited while the clerk boxed them up.

"How was the class?" he asked.

"Oh, it was fantastic," you replied. "Ursula is a great teacher."

The clerk nodded. "And did I hear it's your anniversary?"

You smiled and glanced over at Buck, who was standing near the entrance quietly talking on his phone. "Yeah, we've been together for a year today."

"Well, happy anniversary."

"Thank you."

Buck hung up and walked back over to you as the clerk handed you your purchase. "Ready, darling?"

You nodded and took his hand. "Yep."

"Thank you again," Buck said to the clerk.

"Thank you," the clerk said. "And come again!"

You and Buck stepped outside just as your driver was pulling up to the curb.

Buck opened the car door for you. "After you, love."

You got in and buckled your seatbelt as Buck shut the door and went around the other side to get in.

"We have one last wine tasting before we head back into the city for dinner," he said once he was settled and the car began moving.

You nodded. "Okay."

After a final wine tasting at RGNY (which specialized in a white merlot Buck loved so much that he bought three bottles), you and Buck were back on your way into the city.

About halfway back, Buck's phone chimed with a text. "Sorry, love," he said. "Just a second."

He read the text then typed something back in reply.

"Everything okay?" you asked.

Buck nodded as he put his phone back in his pocket. "Just confirming dinner."

Your stomach grumbled at the mention of food. You hadn't eaten anything since Sparkling Pointe and was ready for something with more sustenance than dips and cheeses. "Oh, okay."

You huffed out a laugh. "You know, when we left the city this morning I didn't think we'd be coming home with an entire case of wine."

Buck shrugged, a grin on his handsome face. "At least we're stocked up for a while, right, love?"

You nodded with a grin of your own. "Yeah, that's true. By the way, today has been wonderful, sweetheart."

Buck leaned in and gave you a kiss. "I'm glad you've enjoyed it so far."

You spent the rest of the ride home reminiscing about your day — Buck surprising you with breakfast in bed and a massage, the amazing time you had had at each winery, the chocolate-making lesson Buck had booked for the two of you...

You looked over at him. To be honest, you had no idea if he ever wanted to get married. You knew he loved you and was committed to your relationship, but you also understood that his career could complicate things. But then again, Dad and Vanessa got married and that's mostly worked out for them…

As it was, you at least hoped one of the surprises you had planned for Buck didn't fail spectacularly.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the car pulling up to your apartment building.

Your driver popped the trunk so you and Buck could get your purchases out then walked around the car to open your door for you.

You gave him a smile as you got out. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, ma'am," he replied with a smile of his own.

You grabbed the bag with your chocolates while Buck grabbed the bags containing the wine.

He shook your driver's hand then handed him some cash. "Thank you again."

The driver nodded in appreciation. "You're very welcome, sir, miss. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

You and Buck headed inside to your private elevator then up to your apartment.

You gasped as the elevator doors opened and you stepped into your foyer. "Wha —"

Fairy lights had been strung along the wall, giving the space a soft glow, while electric candles lined the hallway into your galley.

As you walked in, you noticed that your table had been set for two, with a bouquet of your favorite flowers in the middle.

You turned towards Buck. "How?"

Buck grinned. "I had some assistance."

He set the bags of wine down in your pantry then walked back over to you before wrapping his arms around you and giving you a sweet kiss. "Happy anniversary, my darling."

You wrapped your arms around his waist. "Happy anniversary, sweetheart."

Suddenly your doorbell rang.

"Ah, that'll be dinner," Buck said.

Your brow furrowed. "Dinner? So we're not going out?"

Buck shook his head. "Be right back."

You began putting your purchases away as Buck went to answer the door.

When he returned, he was holding a rectangular box that you recognized from the bistro around the corner from City Hall.

A smile spread across your face. "Is that…"

Buck nodded. "I thought we could end our anniversary by recreating our first date — just with no interruptions this time."

Your heart warmed. "I love you so much, you know that?"

Buck nodded. "I love you too."

The two of you sat down to enjoy your dinner together.

"Mmm, delicious," you mumbled as you took a bite of your slice of pizza.

You and Buck ate quickly, both apparently hungry from your full day of fun.

After you were both done, Buck loaded your dishwasher while you went to go get his anniversary gifts.

You came back to find him seated on the sofa in your media room and a small, wrapped box on your coffee table.

You shook your head, a soft smile on your face. As much as Buck had spent on you that day, you definitely hadn't been expecting a gift as well.

You sat down next to him.

Buck picked the box up off of your coffee table and handed it to you. "Here you are, love."

You smiled. "Thank you, sweetheart."

You unwrapped the box and opened it to reveal a circular Cartier necklace with the word 'love' engraved on it. "Oh, Buck, honey, this is beautiful."

Buck took it out of the box and held it up. "May I?"

You nodded and turned so he could fasten the necklace around your neck. "I love it."

You gave him a kiss then handed him his first gift. "Here you go, sweetheart."

Buck smiled at you. "Thank you, love."

You waited as he opened the box and pulled out the Arsenal Football Club jersey you had special-ordered for him. "I didn't know who your favorite player was, so I got it custom-printed."

He looked at the back and smiled at "CASHMAN" printed in bold letters. "That's actually really brilliant, darling, thank you."

You handed him his next gift. "I'm glad you like it, because I thought you could wear it to this."

Buck's smile widened into a delighted grin as he opened it. "You got me Arsenal tickets for when they're here this summer?"

You nodded. "Dad helped me get them before they even went on sale so I could be sure to get the best seats. Sometimes being the daughter of the mayor of New York City has its perks."

Buck chuckled. "Thank you so much, darling."

"There's something else." You stood and took Buck's hand. "Follow me."

You led him up your hallway stairs to your walk-in closet, half of which was empty.

Buck smiled. "You're giving me closet space?"

You nodded and took the other box you had been hiding out of your pocket. "And one other thing."

Buck opened the box, a small look of confusion on his face as he pulled out a key.

"I know Dad already gave you a key card for the penthouse elevator in case of emergency when I first moved in here," you explained, "but I wanted to give you one for the front door too, because... well, because…"

Buck looked at your closet, then at the key, then at you, a look of recognition dawning on his face.

He said your name then paused briefly. "Are you asking me to move in with you?"

You took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. If you're not ready to take that step though, I completely understand —"

Buck cut you off with a kiss. "It would be an honor and a privilege to share a home with you, my darling," he murmured against your lips. "To wake up next to you each morning, come home to you each night… Make love to you in our bed."

He tucked the box that held his apartment key in his pocket. "Mmm, and speaking of, I did say that was on the agenda for tonight, didn't I, love?"

You grinned as Buck wrapped his arms around your waist. "Mmhmm. I just have one request."

Buck raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"Glasses stay on."