“Yes. I love her so much.” His heart ached when he said it.

“Are you angry with her?” She lifted her daughter over her shoulder and patted her back.

“No. How could I be?”

“She thinks she’s done you wrong.”

“But she’s done nothing.” He moved to her and sat down next to her on the couch to ease the wobbling in his knees.

“Be patient, then.”

He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to be as patient as everyone had said. He was dying inside. It hurt.

“I’ve done a few things that I know she’d like. If I can just get her to be with me for a few minutes, I can show her that I still want forever. I’m not going anywhere, and I don’t want her to either. I want forever, and that’s what I’ve planned for.” He offered to take the baby from Mary Ellen and held her carefully in his arms. The baby adjusted and Zach settled. “Will you help me get some time with her?”

Mary Ellen buttoned up her shirt and smiled at Zach. “Of course I’ll help you. I picked her for you, after all. I knew she’d be the one to take care of you forever.”

Regan had sent in her official letter of resignation to Benson, Benson, and Hart. She’d packed up her belongings at the house and had decided the best thing to do would be to head to New York without a word to anyone. When she was settled in with Arianna, she would call and let her family know.

Carlos stood at her bedroom door as she zipped her suitcase. She’d hoped to be gone already, but nothing ever got past her family.

“The office called.” His voice was placid. “They got your letter.”

She pulled the suitcase from the bed and dropped it to the floor. “Good, then they know I’m not coming back.”

“Oh, I think he figured that out by the way you ran.” The calm in his tone was replaced by the snippy undertone that set her blood to boiling.

“Carlos, butt out. This has nothing to do with you.” Anger and humiliation bubbled in her stomach. “You have no idea what I’ve gone through.” She wished she hadn’t said it. He knew so many other things about pain. The pain of moving to a new place and having your parents die. Having a new family thrust upon you that wasn't your own. The pain of losing your marriage and watching the woman you loved marry your best friend. He knew pain.

“I’m not butting out. You’re being a jerk. You should hear him out,” he argued.

“I have nothing to say to him.”

“Fine.” He turned from the door. “They’re expecting you to pick up your things. They said he’ll be out of the office after two.”

“Great. I’ll go on my way out.”

He didn’t react other than to walk away.

Regan felt sweat drip down her back as she walked through the lobby of Benson, Benson and Hart. She hadn’t anticipated returning to the building. She’d wanted to leave it all behind her.

There was no one at her desk, and the door to Zach's office was closed. She tried to convince herself that she was relieved he wasn’t there, but a little bit of her wanted to see him one more time.

She noticed a box on the floor with her personal belongings in it. Quickly, she picked up the box and started out of the office.

Mary Ellen stopped her in the doorway, a wide and welcoming smile on her lips. “Regan, it’s wonderful to see you.”

Seeing her there put finality to her resignation; she hadn’t expected to feel let down. “Mary Ellen, you’re back?”

“Yes, he called immediately and begged me back. The man can’t do anything on his own.” She looked her over as she held her daughter in her arms. “How are you?”

“I’ll be fine.” Regan glanced around the office and then at the baby, wanting desperately to reach for her and touch her. “I guess I’ll go.”

Mary Ellen handed her a piece of paper with an address and driving instructions on it. “You need to go here to get your check.”

“Can’t they send it to me?”

“No. You have to sign for it,” she said. “I know he added a severance package with it. He feels bad that you had to deal with Mr. Hamilton.”

Regan nodded. She didn’t want charity, but it certainly would help her start her new life wherever she landed.

“Thank you.” She tucked the paper into her purse.

“Regan, take care.” Mary Ellen smiled.

Regan wished she could smile back, but like her brother had done to her earlier, she simply turned and left the office.

Regan began her drive out of Nashville. She followed the directions Mary Ellen gave her. She was sure she’d taken a wrong turn. The city began to disappear, and acres of land sprawled around her.

Soon she saw the name of the road she was to turn down. It was unpaved and lined with oak trees. Regan’s jaw dropped when she came to the end of the road. In the clearing stood a house, the most beautiful house she’d ever seen. It was white with decorative shutters and a porch that wrapped around it. On the front porch sat two white rockers gently rocking in the breeze.

She looked down at the piece of paper Mary Ellen had given her. The address matched. Surely there had been some mistake.

She parked the car in front of the house and looked around. Flowers bloomed in pots on the stairs. A carpet lay at the door welcoming visitors. The front door was open, and she tapped on the screen door.

There was no answer, but someone must be home.

“Hello. Hello, is there anyone here?” She yelled into the house.

“You can go in and look around if you’d like,” a man said behind her.

After a moment’s panic, she recognized Zach’s voice. She turned to see him leaning against her car.

Her breath caught in her lungs. He looked wonderful standing there so casually. The sunlight shone on his sandy hair, giving him a golden aura. A smile settled on his perfect mouth. Oh, how she’d missed his mouth.

“Mary Ellen said I needed to come and get my check. I had to sign for it. I thought I was in the wrong place.” They started toward the steps at the same time.

“She was right.” He pulled the envelope from his pocket and handed it to her, his fingers lingering on hers.

“I’m sorry I lost you the contract.” She averted her gaze to the ground.

“I guess it’s good that you quit before I could fire you, then.” His words made her eyes shift to his, but he was still smiling.