It's Down

The FBI arrested Germany Slater at 6 AM. Monica watched the news coverage from George's penthouse, where she'd been staying since the hotel incident three days ago.

"Federal agents raided the offices of Slater Financial Services this morning," the reporter announced. "Germany Slater faces charges of embezzlement, fraud, blackmail, and conspiracy."

George turned off the television. "It's over. Finally."

"What about the photos he threatened us with?"

"Agent Rodriguez found them on Germany's computer. They'll be destroyed as evidence disposal after the trial."

Monica felt relief wash over her. The photos would never surface now.

"And Sharon?"

"Pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges yesterday. She'll serve eighteen months minimum security prison."

George's phone rang. His lawyer.

"The annulment paperwork is ready for filing," George told Monica after hanging up. "I'll be legally single again in ninety days."

Monica nodded. She'd been expecting this news, but it still felt significant.

"Monica, we need to talk about what happens next."

"What do you mean?"

"With us. These past weeks working together, staying in the same apartment, it's felt like..."

"Like what?"

"Like we're married again. But better this time. More honest."

Monica's heart raced. She'd felt it too, the growing closeness, the old attraction returning stronger than before.

"George, we can't just pick up where we left off. Too much has happened."

"I know. But we could start fresh. Date properly this time. Build something real instead of an arranged marriage."

"You want to date your ex-wife?"

"I want to date the woman I fell in love with three years ago. The woman I never stopped loving."

Monica turned away from him. The pregnancy was twelve weeks along now. Soon she'd be showing and couldn't hide it anymore.

"There's something I need to tell you first."

"What is it?"

Monica took a deep breath. This was the moment that would change everything.

"I'm pregnant."

George stared at her. "Pregnant?"

"From that night at the hotel. After the divorce papers were served."

"You're carrying my baby?"

"Yes."

George sat down heavily on the couch. "How long have you known?"

"Since the day I met with Simon. I was planning to raise the baby alone in Boston."

"Without telling me?"

"You were married to Sharon. I thought you'd moved on completely."

George ran his hands through his hair. "A baby. We're having a baby."

"I'm having a baby. What you do is up to you."

George stood up and walked to the window overlooking Manhattan.

"Monica, do you have any idea how this makes me feel?"

"Trapped? Obligated?"

George turned around. His eyes were bright with tears.

"Complete. For the first time in months, I feel complete."

Monica hadn't expected that response.

"Really?"

"I've wanted children since we got married. You know that. But the timing never seemed right with all the business pressures."

"The timing isn't exactly perfect now either."

"When is it ever perfect? But we love each other. We're both free. We have a chance to do this right."

"George, I don't know if I can trust you again completely."

"Then let me prove it. Let me spend every day showing you that I choose you and our baby over everything else."

Monica felt her resolve weakening. The past weeks had shown her glimpses of the man she'd fallen in love with originally.

"What about Winston Corporation?"

"I'll hire managers. Step back from day-to-day operations. Focus on being a husband and father."

"We're not married."

"Yet."

George got down on one knee in front of Monica.

"I don't have a ring. I gave the last one to you under false pretenses during an arranged marriage. This time it's different."

"George, what are you doing?"

"Monica Charleston, I love you completely and honestly. I want to marry you because I can't imagine life without you. Will you give me another chance to be the husband you deserve?"

Monica stared at him. Three months ago she would have said yes immediately. Now she was more cautious.

"I need time to think about it."

George stood up. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

"And I want to do things differently this time. No business arrangements. No family pressure. Just us deciding what we want."

"Absolutely."

"And I'm keeping my consulting business. I'm not going back to being just a corporate wife."

"I wouldn't ask you to. Your business is impressive. You've built something amazing."

Monica smiled. George had never supported her career ambitions during their marriage.

"What changed your mind about me working?"

"Watching you these past weeks. You're brilliant at business strategy. I was an idiot for not recognizing that before."

"Yes, you were."

George laughed. "I deserved that."

Monica's phone rang. Her doctor's office confirming her appointment for next week.

"I have a prenatal appointment Thursday," she told George. "Do you want to come?"

"Can I?"

"If you want to see our baby's first ultrasound."

George's face lit up. "More than anything."

"Then yes. You can come."

George pulled Monica into his arms and kissed her forehead.

"Thank you for giving me this second chance. Both of you."

Monica rested her head against George's chest and listened to his heartbeat. It felt right being in his arms again.

"Don't make me regret it."

"Never again. I promise."

Monica pulled back to look at him. "I'm not saying yes to remarriage yet. We're taking things slow this time."

"Whatever you want."

"I want us to date properly. Go to dinner, see movies, talk about our dreams and goals."

"Like normal couples do."

"Exactly. I want to fall in love with you again, George. But as the real you, not the man you thought I wanted you to be."

"Deal."

George kissed her gently. It felt different than their old kisses. More honest. More hopeful.

"I love you, Monica Charleston."

"I love you too, George Winston. Despite everything that happened, I never stopped."

"What do we tell people? About the baby, about us getting back together?"

"The truth. That we're taking it one day at a time."

Monica looked around the penthouse that had once been their home. It could be again, but only if they built something real this time.

"One more thing," Monica said.

"What?"

"If we do this, if we try again, Germany Slater's name is never mentioned in our house. That chapter is closed forever."

"Agreed. No more outside manipulation. Just us making our own choices."

"Just us," Monica agreed.

She placed George's hand on her stomach where their baby was growing.

"And soon, just us three."

George smiled and leaned down to kiss her again. This time, Monica kissed him back without reservation.

Outside, Manhattan glittered in the evening light. Inside, two people who had lost everything were building something new fro

m the pieces of their broken marriage.

It wouldn't be easy. Trust would take time to rebuild. But they had something worth fighting for now.

Each other. Their baby. And a second chance at happiness.