It did not take long for the news of their engagement to reach the press. Quentin fielded all the magazine calls that wanted an exclusive about their upcoming wedding. Together, they decided which magazine would interview them. They wanted to tell their side of their story before the rumormongers filled in the blanks.

It felt surreal to Billie to be sitting in a dressing room getting her hair and make-up done so they could do a photoshoot together. Several times, she looked down at her ring and smiled.

She was to be Quentin's, and her heart soared.

Billie thought of her father's reaction to the news. He was elated, knowing how much she wanted this and having complete faith in Quentin to do right by her.

"Honestly, I think he's just happy you're going to make an honest woman out of me, and I'll no longer be living in sin." Billie chuckled.

"If living in sin means loving you, then I'm guilty as charged," Quentin told her, holding her close in his arms, his gaze so full of love it made her heart ache.

When they visited Isabelle, it was just the news to break the little girl out of her sullen mood now that she realized the cast meant she couldn't do a lot of the things she had done before. However, the thought of babies on the way completely brightened her day.

Elena was happy for them. Carlos however seemed more reserved. Billie wished he could share in her joy but understood it would take time for him to come to terms that she wasn't making a mistake.

Everyone in her inner circle seemed happy for her. Well, Danny wasn't so thrilled when he'd seen the ring on her finger as he took her hand to help her out of the car.

"You broke my heart, Billie," he told her.

"You really didn't believe..."

"I'm a dreamer... I had hoped."

Billie smiled at him. "Your girl is out there, Danny. Now that you won't be pining for me anymore maybe she'll have a chance to get your attention."

"Maybe?" he admitted although it was hard to imagine another girl that could measure up to Billie Dupree.

Even Mitch was all smiles when he held the door open for them. This was a truly happy time for everyone and Billie could not believe she was given this chance to be this happy again.

She was called to the photo shoot and Quentin meet her on the other side of the setup they had ready for them. The photographer had no problems capturing that look of love, as they clearly displayed it proudly in their features as they gazed into one another's eyes.

"Amazing! Wonderful!" he called out as he took snapshot after snapshot.

After the photoshoot was over, Billie and Quentin took a moment to wait and approve their favorites. Billie asked the man to shoot their wedding and he nearly fell out of his chair.

"I'd be honored. Thank you!"

Quentin left holding Billie's hand in his. "You know you've just made that man's career."

"I know, but he deserved it for doing such a beautiful job of capturing us. Billie said looking at the photo she took a copy of to frame at home."

"With a subject as beautiful as you how could he fail?" Quentin asked her.

"Don't you mean as beautiful as you?" Billie teased showing him the photo as proof of her point. Quintin was extremely photogenic and the camera loved him.

"Well, this is true," he teased back with a sexy grin.

"Are you all set for a night out with my Mum?" Quentin asked.

"I'm nervous. Everyone has been so wonderful and accepting..."

"Almost everyone," Quentin said frowning.

"Carlos will come around. Give him time."

Quentin nodded. "My mother will be thrilled. You'll see. I think secretly she always wanted a daughter."

Billie laughed. "And my father always wanted a son. I guess then they will both get what they want from our marriage."

Quentin, Billie, and his mother dined at the poshest restaurant in New York City. Although, most would find the food highly expensive. They all agreed the meal and service were worth the price.

"At nearly $400.00 a plate it should be perfect," his mother stated.

Quentin pulled out the chair for them to be seated and then took his own seat among them.

"Mum, Billie, and I have something to tell you."

"You don't honestly believe I'm unaware that you two have gotten engaged, do you?"

Billie and Quentin looked at one another in surprise. They only told their closest friends. The magazines didn't let slip because they were all fighting over who would get the exclusive. So how would...

"A mother always knows, dear. There is very little you can hide from me."

Mrs. Harrison held out her hand for Billie to show her the ring and Billie gave her, her hand. "It's beautiful, darling. Wear it in good health."

"Thank you," Billie said but now understood Quentin's reservations about Carlos as his mother seemed very reserved. It wasn't a refusal of acceptance but more of a wait-and-see feeling. As if, they didn't totally trust the process.

"That's it, Mum. That's all you've got to say," Quentin said the hurt in his voice evident to anyone who truly knew him.

"If this is what you both really want, then what should it matter what this old woman thinks," his mother countered.

"Is this because you're upset we didn't tell you first?"

"No, of course not."

"Then why are you acting this way? Why can't you be happy for me? For Billie?"

"I will be happy, darling. When you are married, I will welcome Billie in with open arms."

"When we're married? So, you can't be happy for us now, why?"

Billie reached out and grabbed Quentin's hand. "It's okay, Quentin. Your mother has a right to her reservations about me, about us."

"No, she doesn't!" Quentin said, "I love her," he told his mother.

"I know, son."

Billie squeezed his hand. "What she doesn't know. What she hasn't heard is that I love you too," Billie said gazing at Quentin with understanding and devotion.

Mrs. Harrison gasped. "You do? You love him?"

"Yes, Mrs. Harrison. I truly do. This marriage is not mercenary. I assure you. I love your son, heart and soul."

Tears sprung to the old woman's eyes. "Oh, Quentin – Billie. Can you both forgive me? I feared this was just being done because of dealings with Mr. Harrison and your father but to think through it all you've found one another and true happiness." Mrs. Harrison's hands clasped together over her heart.

"You've brought me such joy," she told them. "I insist you call me, Mum," she told Billie.

Billie knew she told Quentin that she liked the word but it found it hard to say as there was only one woman truly deserving of the word, but she knew even her mother would approve of Quentin. "Thank you, Mum. I am honored."

"Oh, this is a night for celebration!" Mrs. Harrison ordered some champagne and made a toast to the happy couple.

They enjoyed the meal and the show. Quentin got a kick out of how intense both Billie and his mother seemed to be about musicals. It made sense now that he thought of it since Billie's own mother was a performer. Billie regaled them with stories of what would take place behind the curtain and during rehearsals. Oftentimes Billie accompanied her mother. He could see she really had a love of the arts.

During intermission, Billie excused herself to use the restroom. Mrs. Harrison asked to accompany her to which Billie gladly agreed, helping her soon-to-be mother-in-law negotiate the steep steps of the theatre as they made their way to the restrooms.

Billie had finished and washed her hands and told Mrs. Harrison she would wait for her outside. She stepped through the door and ran directly into a man coming out of the men's room on the opposite side.

She stumbled and he caught her in his arms. "Thank you," Billie looked up and was surprised to see it was Donavan that held her.

He smiled at her. "We really have to stop meeting like this or people will begin to talk."

Billie laughed and stepped back. "What brings you to the theatre?"

"My parent's anniversary. Their first date was a show, remember? So, it's customary, to give them tickets to attend but this time I decided to accompany them. They are getting along in years. I thought it would be nice for all of us to go as a... family."

"Oh, your Mom must be thrilled to be accompanied by her two favorite men."

Donavan smiled but it held a tinge of sadness.

"Are you alright?" Billie asked reaching out to touch his arm in concern.

"Not really. I wish fate would stop tormenting me like this. Constantly throwing me in your path, when you... well, when I have no chance of making you mine."

"Billie, I thought we might pick up refreshments on our return for Quentin," Mrs. Harrison said as she exited the bathroom.

"That's a wonderful idea," Billie told her, she was just about to introduce Donavan but when she turned back, he was already gone. Billie wished there was something she could do to make it easier on him, but she knew it was a fool's wish.

"Are you alright?" Mrs. Harrison asked.

"I'm fine. Let's go get those drinks."

"And they have returned," Quentin proclaimed with a flourish of his hand, helping his mother and then Billie to their seats. Billie laughed.

"You're quite the performer," Billie teased.

"I've done some acting," Quentin told her.

"Seriously?" Billie asked but didn't get an answer because his mother interrupted with...

"Dear, is that the Callahan's over in those boxed seats?" Mrs. Harrison asked looking through her opera glasses. "Oh, look Donavan is with them."

"Donavan?"

Billie could not believe Quentin knew Donavan.

"I can't believe his parents were able to drag him to this thing. He hates musicals."

Billie knew that was true. The only time she could get him to attend was when her mother was performing and that's only because he saw it as a family obligation.

"We should stop by after the performance and say hello," his mother suggested.

"That would be a great idea. I can finally introduce him to Billie," Quentin said.

This was a terrible idea. Billie raised her finger to say something and the lights went out and the spotlight shined on the orchestra below. The performance was about to begin.

"Quentin," Billie whispered. "I don't think now is the best time..."

Several people shushed her to be quiet as the performance started.

Oh, Good Lord, how was she going to explain this one?

Billie tugged on Quentin's jacket trying to get him to lean in closer to her.

"Quentin, I have to tell you. I really don't think it wise..."

Several more people shushed her and she got a stern look from the theatre attendant.

Quentin covered her hand with his. "Don't worry Billie. He's my best friend. He's bound to love you."

Best Friend! Billie's mind screamed, but she couldn't say anything further without getting herself kicked out of the theater. Then again that might be a good thing.

Bound to love her? If Donavan's last statement to her was true, he's never stopped.

Billie felt sick to her stomach. She couldn't enjoy the second half of the show. She had to tell Quentin everything before...

The show concluded and people stood up to applaud the company of players.

Quentin helped her and her Mother to exit.

"Do you think we could find them in this crowd?" Mrs. Harrison asked as she craned her neck to see over the ocean of people that poured into the hallway.

"Quentin, I really have to talk to you."

Quentin looked at Billie with concern. "Are you feeling alright? You look ill?"

"Yes, I'm fine I just need to tell you..."

"Billie! Sweetheart! I thought that was you," Mrs. Callahan came up to Billie smothering her in a huge hug. Mr. Callahan stood next to his wife smiling.

"It's been an age since we've seen you. What brings you to the theatre?"

Billie looked over his mom's shoulder and saw Donavan looking highly upset. Their eyes met and she could see him struggling to rein in whatever emotions he was feeling.

"Do you know each other?" Mrs. Harrison asked, stunned.

"Amelia! Oh, my what a wonderful night! First Donavan surprises us with dinner and this beautiful evening out for our anniversary and now this!" Mrs. Callahan said finally letting Billie go.

Mrs. Harrison and Quentin were both looking at Billie for an explanation. When Mr. Callahan turned to grab his son. "Where are your manners, Son? Aren't you going to say hello?"

Donavan met Billie's gaze and the torment he was feeling at the moment crushed her.

"What brings you to the theatre?" Mrs. Callahan asked of Mrs. Harrison.

"I'm celebrating Quentin's engagement," Mrs. Harrison told her.

"Engaged?! How wonderful! To whom?" she asked.

Donavan's gaze drifted to Billie's hand and he walked away.

"Donavan?" Mr. Callahan called after his son.

"I'm engaged to Ms. Billie Dupree," Quentin announced, "If you'll excuse me." Quentin nodded to them both and went after Donavan.

"Oh my," Mrs. Callahan said, looking at her husband.

"What's wrong?" Mrs. Harrison asked. Donavan's parents looked to Billie to explain.

"Donavan and I. He's my ex-boyfriend. We broke up 2 years ago."

Mr. and Mrs. Callahan looked awkward. "We should probably go find Donavan," Mr. Callahan said taking his wife's arm. "We really do wish you every happiness, Billie."

Billie nodded and watched the couple walk away. Her phone buzzed she pulled it from her purse to see the picture of Isabelle asleep while sitting on Quinten's lap. It was Quentin. He texted her.

-Please take my mother home. I'll see you back at the apartment.

Billie swallowed hard as she read it.

"Quentin would like me to take you home."

Mrs. Harrison nodded and followed Billie outside to where the driver awaited them. Billie could feel Mrs. Harrison staring at her.

"Ask whatever you would like.'

"Did you know Donavan and Quentin were best friends?"

"No," Billie replied.

"Donavan is still in love with you," Mrs. Harrison said more of a statement than a question.

"I know."

"So, you have spoken with him since the breakup?"

"Recently, yes. We bumped into one another when I went looking for Quentin after we had our first fight. I didn't know it was Donavan he was staying with. We had coffee together and then the following Monday he met me to give me one of my mother's novels."

"Your mother's novels? Which novel?" Mrs. Harrison asked.

"A Meeting of Hearts," Billie answered though she thought the question strange. "It was a first edition, there were only 500 ever made. I've been searching for one for quite some time. He said he meant to give it to me as an engagement present."

"I see." Mrs. Harrison said no more for the rest of the ride home.

Billie was sick over what might be taking place right now. Would Quentin confront Donavan about their relationship? Or would he be consoling his friend since he didn't know about Donavan being involved with Billie? It must have been a great shock to Donavan to discover she was now engaged to his best friend.

Mrs. Harrison was dropped off and Billie returned home. There was nothing she could do now but wait.