"What's going on?...What were you doing with Lane, of all people?" Andrew had heard Lane's reputation too often. "Women can't resist the beautiful Lane." Maybe Lane was all of a sudden switch-hitting and decided to hit on his Tommy.

"Tommy, what's the matter?"

"Nothing... Well... No, no, nothing. You can go back to your family... and your friends. I'm fine."

"Tommy? Sweetheart? Don't lock me out."

"Don't lock you out?" He looked around to see if they were drawing attention. "Andrew, do you want to talk about this now? If so, let's go outside. Otherwise, I can see you Monday." Andrew looked flustered and uncertain.

"Tommy, I love you. I'll see you Monday...Please..." Dropping his eyes, Tom nodded briefly and waited until Andrew had returned to his table before taking himself outside to borrow a Towers town car.

Monday, on edge all day, Tom waited for Andrew to show up at his office. It was late now, nearly 7:00 and Andrew still had not made an appearance. His heart aching, Tom signed off for the evening and made his way to the lobby. His loft was only a couple buildings over, so he decided to walk. As he stepped onto the sidewalk, Andrew popped up out of the shadows with a rosebud wrapped in tissue. Presenting the bud to Tom, he invited "Tom, come have dinner with me."

Tom's brows wrinkled and he looked into Andrew's eyes. He saw no guile, only sincerity and maybe even entreaty. He sniffed the bud and reached for Andrew's hand. "Okay." Andrew looked grateful and relieved. He tucked Tom's hand into his arm, placed his own hand on Tom's fingers and led him across the street to the restaurant where it all started. (...Tom could think of it only that way...)

As they entered, Angela immediately escorted them to the best table and poured them wine, not waiting for Walter. Tom glanced around and noticed a few scattered couples, each hidden away in the secluded spots for which this place was famous. He sighed when he spied David at the bar.

Andrew reached across the table and took Tom's rigid fingers in his, began caressing his wrist with his thumb, and gazing into his eyes. "Tommy...I know I've been neglecting you. I'm sorry that I hurt you." Tom lowered his lashes and stared at the table. "I know it's not a good excuse, but I've been contending with a lot of legal problems and just couldn't take the time to break away."

"I understand."

"No, you don't." Tom looked up and blinked. "David..." Tom frowned. "I was making sure that everything was perfect, but you've forced my hand. David is my attorney. He and I have been planning a wedding, working out the legal ramifications of beneficiaries and pre-nups." Andrew cocked his head and smiled knowingly.

Tom looked confused. "Pre-nups?" He turned in his chair and glanced at David. David saluted him with a martini. "You...you and D...David?" He whipped around to stare at Andrew, his heart breaking, tears coming to his eyes. Andrew realized he'd overplayed his hand and jumped up and went to one knee next to Tom. He knelt between Tom's knees and took Tom's hand and kissed his fingers. Tom was furiously blinking his eyes.

"No, silly...You..." He flipped open a tiny black velvet box and removed a ring. "Thomas Franklin Sabat, will you make me the happiest of men and be my partner, my husband?" Tom looked at the ornate golden band in Andrew's hand, looked up into Andrew's eyes, and glanced furtively around the room. Andrew arched a brow, worried about the delay. He couldn't know that Tom was still trying to protect Andrew's "out" status.

Tom looked into Andrew's eyes. "Yes...Yes, yes." Andrew placed the ring on Tom's finger. Tom threw himself onto Andrew's shoulders and pressed a tear-dampened kiss onto his lips. Andrew wound his arms around Tom and held him close. He whispered "Tommy, I love you."

The whole room burst into applause. Andrew stood and with an arm around Tom's waist, sort of presented him to the room at large. Still blinking, trying to focus his eyes, Tom looked around to see all the in-house employees; three of his LGBT co-workers; two pairs of friends, both committed female couples; his mother; Andrew's mother; and Ayla and Lane of the Towers.

Everyone except Lane was snuffling or crying softly. After allowing a couple moments for the couple to canoodle, everyone gathered around to offer good wishes. Lane strode over and bowed slightly to Tom. "Congratulations, Tom," he murmured. Tom nodded shyly. Shaking Andrew's hand, Lane offered the Towers as the venue for the nuptials. "Ellis will contact David to work out the details for you." He smiled his famous sweet smile, took his Ayla's hand and strolled out of the room.

Ayla whispered through her sniffles, "Lane, I love you too much. That was one of the sweetest things you've ever done."

"De nada, sweetheart. They love each other. Anyone could see that. That's all I needed to know." He gazed adoringly into her eyes, "Not as much as I love you..." They blocked traffic on the sidewalk, indulging in a fervent embrace and kiss.