Quentin rose early, intent on performing a mission. He left Billie asleep and slipped out of the apartment undetected. A not-so-easy feat, as he discovered Billie was a light sleeper.

Quentin walked the few blocks to the garage. He'd seen Danny and frowned. He really didn't like that guy. Quentin knew it was only because of Danny's interest in Billie, but he didn't really care.

"Billie not with you?" Danny asked, hope shining in his eyes that she may somehow suddenly appear.

"No," Quentin said flatly. "Is Carlos in?"

"Yeah, he's in the office," Danny said, looking disappointed, but he opened the door to let Quentin in. Since he was on duty, he couldn't stay, but Danny was definitely curious about what would bring Quentin to Carlos's doorstep again. Maybe there was trouble in paradise.

Carlos looked up, and he looked worn out.

"Is everything okay with Isabelle?"

"Is that why you're here, Suit?"

The fact that Carlos was back to calling him Suit was definitely not a good sign.

"I'm here for that and for Billie."

Carlos said nothing. He only stared at him. So, Quentin figured this was his 5 minutes to get out what he wanted to say.

"I do want to know how Isabelle is doing but I'm really here to ask that you don't keep Isabelle from seeing Billie. It would crush her not to see that little girl anymore. It wasn't her fault. Someone had trespassed on the property. There is no way Billie could have accounted for..."

Carlos held up his hand for Quentin to stop.

"The man, where is he?"

"In police custody. I dragged him back to the stables myself."

"I don't blame Billie, Suit. I blame you."

"Me?"

"My little girl's arm is broken because you were not prepared."

"But how was I to know..."

Carlos stood up and he was a rather impressive figure when he drew himself up to his complete height. He stared down at Quentin as if he wished to tear him limb from limb but was holding himself in check.

Carlos pounded his fist on the table. "You know exactly what it's like living in the limelight. You who have been plastered on countless magazines and tabloids. You who have been playing it up to press that you and Billie are an item. You've got them eating out of the palm of your hand, don't you? So, when one goes rogue to get some sneak peek of the loving couple riding. YOU should have been prepared for that.

Billie, I know isn't used to all of this. She doesn't know the dangers of being in the spotlight. Or at least that's what I've been trying to convince my wife. My daughter got off lucky, she could have brain-damaged or broken her spine and been paralyzed. Do you know how many nightmares I had last night envisioning all the things that could have gone wrong?"

Quinten couldn't imagine. He never was responsible for anyone but himself. "I'm sorry. I didn't think ... I'd never encountered that problem before and I ..." Quentin realized quickly all he was doing was spouting excuses for what he should have done and failed to do.

"You're right. I should be better prepared. I should have kept Billie and Isabelle safe. I could have had them do a sweep of the place before we set out, to be sure. I didn't think of it and I was remiss in my duties to them and to your family. I should have been the protector. It was my responsibility and I failed."

"Damn right you did," Carlos said, standing down now that he got what he wanted from Quentin. Carlos collapsed into his chair again, exhausted.

"I really am sorry, Carlos. I know that means very little to you but, please, don't make Billie pay for my mistake."

"Billie can see Isabelle whenever she wants so long as she is at our house or she is out with her alone. Neither I nor Elena will allow the three of you together out in public, unless... we are there with you."

"Understood," Quentin told him.

Carlos nodded and Quentin realized that was his dismissal. The conversation had come to an end.

Quentin walked over to let himself out and paused.

"Is Isabelle doing okay?"

"She'll be fine. She's a survivor like her mom and me. She's being a real trooper about it."

"I really wish she didn't get hurt."

"Then lock it way, Suit. So, it becomes a memory in the forefront of your mind dedicated to the fact that you need to be responsible now. To truly love someone means they are counting on you to keep them safe. Billie is counting on you not to hurt her.

I'm forgiving you, about Isabelle because it's an accident and because you didn't let the guy responsible getaway. But hurt Billie and the gloves come off because you know damn right well how to protect her. If you don't do the right thing, heaven help you, heaven help us all."

Quentin did not know what to say in reply to that so just nodded and left.

***

Billie reached out and found the bed empty. She sat up startled and called out Quentin's name with no response. Where could he be? She knew it was crazy to feel panic at him not being there but that was exactly how she felt.

Dressed for the day. She immediately thought of Isabelle and called. Elena picked up the phone.

"Hello."

"Elena, it's Billie. I just wanted to check to see how Isabelle is doing?"

"She is still sleeping. She had nightmares throughout the night. We all did."

"Elena, I know it's unforgivable, that Isabelle got hurt on my watch. Please know I'd lay my life down for that little girl." Billie had to bite her tongue to keep the sting of tears from spilling over.

"I know, Billie. We would never keep her from you. It would only hurt you both. You can see her here at the house or take her out on your own but you cannot have her when you are alone with Quentin. Not unless we are with you. I'm sorry but we cannot trust she will be kept safe."

"Quentin would have protected her, Elena if his own horse wasn't trying to throw him off at the moment. He caught the man that caused the problem. We will be pressing charges along with the stable. He will pay for hurting Isabelle."

"I'm glad to hear that but our decision still stands."

"I understand. Just please don't take this out on Quentin. He's not used to having to think of someone outside of himself. He's never been attached to someone who would be responsible for others like I am for Isabelle. She was my responsibility, not his. I should handle things differently. I should have been better prepared."

"You're right you should have. I told Carlos as much. I know you love my daughter as if she were your own. So, I know if you had thought there was any danger you would have protected her. Now you're aware that your relationship with Quentin can jeopardize her."

Billie didn't care for how Elena put it. It wasn't fair to blame Quentin for someone else's irresponsible choice and she felt compelled to defend him. 

"It's not his fault someone chose to trespass. He had every reason to believe we were safe just like I did. It's wrong to blame him for all of this. The person to blame is in custody and going to pay for his crime."

Elena was silent for so long... Billie said her name, to make certain she wasn't disconnected.

"Elena?"

"You love him."

"Yes, I do."

"Have you told him?"

"Yes."

"Then I must forgive him. He's now family. Just be certain Billie that he understands fully what that means to be a part of a family because I doubt, he's had a very good example of it in his life."

Billie smiled relieved. "I will. I promise. Can I drop by today to see Isabelle?"

"Tomorrow. I'll tell her you called but she's exhausted. We all are."

"Okay. Thank you, Elena. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Billie hung up and the door opened to reveal Quentin in the doorway.

Billie rushed over and hugged him smiling.

He expected her to be still upset this morning.

"Hey, everything okay?" he asked as he held her close, stroking her hair. 

"Never better," Billie sniffed, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Then why the tears?"

"I'm just happy. I talked to Elena," Billie said.

"Really? I just talked to Carlos."

Billie's eyes widened and her heart swelled. "You did that? For me?"

"I think you should realize by now there is nothing I wouldn't do for you."

"How is he?"

"Exhausted."

"So was Elena. She told me Isabelle had nightmares all night long."

"So, did they."

"I heard," Billie admitted.

"I can't imagine what they must be going through," Quentin said.

"Can't you?"

Quentin shrugged and shook his head.

"I know you don't have children but what if it was me that got thrown from the horse?"

Quentin's face visibly paled as his mind's eye envisioned her suggestion.

"Times that by 100 and you'd be pretty close."

"I really screwed up Billie. I should have..."

Billie reached up and put her finger to his lips. "No more talk of would haves or could haves. None of that happened so there is no sense in dwelling on it. I can still see Isabelle and I know WE will never let something like that happen again."

"Billie, I've been wandering the streets of New York for hours now after I finished talking to Carlos. I can't get what he said out of my mind. I want to protect you. I want to keep you and all those that you love safe. I would do that gladly if you'll let me?"

Billie didn't understand what he was asking. "Let you? That's a choice only you can make."

"No," Quentin was quick to correct her. "It is a choice only you can make."

"Me? But I don't understand... how can I...?"

Quentin dropped to one knee and opened the box she didn't notice he held in the palm of his hand.

"By marrying me. Marry me, Billie, and I will have all I need to protect you from whatever life wishes to throw at us. Marry me because then I have the ability to keep you safe but most of all marry me, please, because you love me."

"Oh," Billie's fingers flew up to her lips as she took in the diamond ring. She knew a jewel like that was not something you simply go into a store and purchase. Quentin must have known for some time that he wanted her to be his and she desperately wanted to belong to him.

"I will marry you, for no other reason than I love you too."

Billie watched mesmerized as the man she loved shed a tear and reached out to wipe it away. "I love you so much," he declared before slipping the ring on her finger and it was of course a perfect fit.

Quentin stood and crushed her to him. He couldn't be happier at this moment.  She said yes, it was unbelievable, and yet she had. Billie will be his now and forevermore.