Georgia sat on her porch listening to the waves, her mind relentlessly reviewing her and Ewan's conversation. Why had she fought him? She should have just caved. If she had she would be with him now.

But something deep within her knew she was right. The world expected Ewan to marry a certain type of woman and she was not it, and eventually he would realize it. She reached up touching her cheeks realizing that tears were streaming down them. He loved her.  He had once told her that he didn't have it in him but he did, and it was her that he had chosen to love. That was everything.  Even if she couldn't have him at least she had his love.

There was a knock on her screen door and she looked up to see a shadow blocking out the moonlight.

"Georgia." Ewan's voice was rough.

She rose and moved to the screen door, unlatching it.

"I thought you had a meeting in London."

"I cancelled it. I heard Sylvia tell you to take a few days off before you left for London." He turned and latched the screen door behind him. "I had Craig cancel everything for this week, just in case."

He reached up and wiped the tears from her face. "Please don't cry."

He pulled her close as the sobs started. "I love you damn it and it's not easy!" she pounded on his chest a little.

"No, I don't imagine it is." He reached up and started to take the pins out of her hair. "But for the record you're a challenge too."

"You'll stay the week?"

"If you'll let me."

She nodded sniffling. "Where's your car?"

"I returned it and had a cab drop me at the end on the drive."

She pulled away from him and looked at him, frowning. "This doesn't mean that I'll marry you."

"Oh you'll marry me, but not until I ask you to. Which, for the record, I have yet to do."

Knowing that she never would she tried a different tactic. "Let's not talk about it," she said undoing his tie. "I have a better idea."

He stopped her hand.  "I like your idea but I do want to say one thing Georgia Dawson. I love you and I always get what I want."

"That's two things Ewan Mailler." Her humor restored at his words of love she led him into the house.

The next few days were bliss.  They stayed in the house and did nothing but enjoy each other's company. On the third day, a nice steady rain had set in and, after they had spent a lazy morning in bed, Georgia had made them mugs of coffee and a quiche for brunch while Ewan had rummaged through the closets and found some clothes to wear.

Some kindly soul had left a pair of blue jeans and a few t-shirts. The pants fit well but the t-shirts were a bit tight, a fact that Georgia didn't mind in the least, especially when they showed off his muscles and tattoo.

They were cuddled up on the porch swing, Ewan was reading the paper and Georgia was watching the rain sipping her coffee, thinking about how content she was and wishing the moment would never end, when there was a knock on the screen door.

She felt Ewan tense behind her and didn't have to turn around to know his mask had dropped into place.

"Reggie," she said, rising to unlock the screen door.

"Hello Georgia, sorry to barge in like this but I need to talk to Ewan about something." He looked at Ewan, "I tried calling your office and your cell Ewan but everyone said that you had taken some personal time so I had a hunch that I would find you here."                                               Reggie fell into a seat in front of the swing looking at Ewan closely. That he looked different was obvious.  He looked more dangerous now then he ever did in a suit.

"Who'd have guessed, a barefoot Ewan Mailler?" If Reggie saw the jagged edges of his scars peaking below his sleeve or around his neck he kept it to himself. "You should try this look in the boardroom, you would have everyone quaking in their boots."

He leaned forward and looked more closely at the tattoo. "Did you get that in the military?"

"Yes."

Reggie waited but Ewan was not going to say anymore on the subject.

"Would you like some coffee Reggie," Georgia asked, more to break the tension than to be a good hostess.

"That would be nice, thanks."

"Is everything alright with the deal?" Ewan asked, throwing down his paper and taking a sip of his coffee, as Georgia entered the house to get Reggie his drink.

"No, that's all fine." He thanked Georgia for the mug and took a tentative sip watching as Georgia rejoined Ewan on the swing, sitting next to him and crossing her legs.

"What is it Reggie? You look nervous," Georgia teased. "Have you come to ask Ewan for Diana's hand?" It was a complete joke but when he turned bright red Georgia's mouth dropped open.

"That was quick." Georgia laughed suddenly light hearted.  It would be a good match. "Oh lighten up Ewan, if you can't be yourself with your future brother-in-law than you're both in for a long road."

"Thank you for your kind advice Georgia, but I haven't agreed to anything yet."

"Oh here he goes with the lord of the manor act again." She winked at Reggie. "It would be a good match Reggie. Do you love her?"

"Lord help me, I do."

"Money?" Ewan asked. Georgia knew better than to interrupt, this is where Reggie had to prove himself.

"I have enough." Reggie bristled.

"I know that. I know everything about your family and financial situation. I'm talking about her money."

"I always assumed it was your money not hers." Reggie set the mug of coffee down before he spilled it.

"It is, but I have always planned to give Diana her fair share."

"I don't care one way or the other.  If you do give it to her then it's hers not mine." He looked at Ewan in earnest as he silently considered his replies.

"Georgia?" Ewan turned to look at her.

Reggie blinked like a confused owl as he looked between her and Ewan.

"Well, I already told both you and Diana that it would be a good match.  I even told Diana            that you would most likely approve Ewan."

Reggie jumped up from his chair. "This has been discussed with Diana?"

"Have you not discussed this with Diana?" Georgia asked confused.

"Good lord no, she'd be impossible if she knew how I felt." Reggie shook his head.

They were all silent for a moment as they reviewed the situation.

"So, Diana loves you and you didn't know, and you love Diana and she doesn't know, but you're so sure of winning her that you are asking for permission to marry her without her knowledge?" Georgia was the one who bristled this time as she stood up quickly, angry on Diana's behalf.

The motion sent the swing backwards and when she looked over her shoulder to check on Ewan he was grinning. "What the hell do you find so amusing Ewan Mailler?"

"You." He laughed when she picked up a pillow and threw it at him.

Reggie seemed floored by this whole interaction, even nervous.

After a few moments of Georgia considering who she was angrier at Ewan pulled her back down onto the swing. "You have my permission."

Ewan said it in part because Reggie did, but he also knew it would make Georgia livid.

"She's beautiful when she's angry isn't she." Ewan laughed again as he pulled her in for a heated kiss.

By the time Georgia struggled free she was red to the roots of her hair. "What happened to the lord of the manor act?"

"Well, we just decided that Reggie's going to be family so..."

"Does this mean that you're going to let your hair down around Diana? She's family." Georgia asked not caring that she put him on the spot.

"Maybe one day." He turned back towards Reggie. "You'll have to wait.  She's not ready."

"I'm well aware of that." Reggie nodded sitting back down. "I don't think I'm ready either.

"I told her to let you do the chasing. That you preferred that," Georgia said, following Reggie's lead and sitting back down.

He grinned. "I do, did you make Ewan chase you?"

"No." Ewan and Georgia said in unison. Their beginning was theirs and they wouldn't share it with anyone.

"Reggie, it's probably best if you don't mention that you saw us here, like this.  Ewan and I are not..., this isn't permanent," Georgia said, not looking at Ewan.

Reggie did however and something he saw made him smile but by the time Georgia turned around Ewan had his mask in place and was giving nothing away.

"Ewan," she warned.

"Yes, please Reggie, next week it's back to boss and employer, as if this never happened." He rose from the swing. "I'm in need some more coffee, anyone else?"

"No," Georgia said absentmindedly, forgetting Reggie was there as her thoughts wandered back to wondering what Ewan had up his sleeve, he was too agreeable. He was planning something and she had no clue what it might be.

Ewan returned a few minutes later carrying a bag of cookies which he sat between him and Reggie, who ended up staying for another hour.  He and Ewan fast friends.  It was good to watch realizing that it was fine for Reggie, but Ewan really needed to let Diana in, she would benefit so much from seeing this side of her brother.

It would be something that she would work on while she was in London.