Quick, amusing note: (beware spoilers if you haven't watched all of Season 2 so far) I wrote part of this and had it planned out before we knew Liam came back because of Fallon's new business venture. Several chapters back I mentioned it, but I couldn't bring myself to change it, of course, so here we go. An epilogue of sorts.

Important note: Yes, this is the "end" of this story. But I have another story that I've started and want to pick back up, and I have plans for a sequel to this one (rather than going on and on and getting lost in my focus, I think it's best to pick up fresh to continue this story), as well as an AU of how Liam/Fallon could've met, and a darker take on Adam – all of which are in the works. No idea how I'm going to keep up, honestly, haha. But I'll probably try to post things on some kind of rotating basis if I can, so please bear with. I have only a month until my class ends and then I'll be free to write more! Yay!

Three weeks later...

Fallon rolled over, yawning widely as she woke in response to the phone alarm she'd set the night before. The day's schedule was set, and absolutely full of meetings with potential investors. As much as she hated to admit it, they hadn't gone well recently. It was hard to find confident people sold on Fallon's goal when she wasn't going to even move out of Atlanta for another month.

She hit the unlock button on her phone to shut the alarm off, then rolled back over, curling herself around the pillow she'd turned sideways in place of Liam. Once she'd gotten used to being snuggly, it was frustrating when the other side of the bed was cold. Again. Though she gave herself a few minutes to just miss him, Fallon eventually pushed herself out of bed to prepare for the long day she undoubtedly had in front of her.

After dressing and gathering her computer and notes, Fallon headed down to an office space she had reserved. It looked more formal than an apartment, after all, and there wasn't a good place to fake something business-like. So she had no choice but to go elsewhere, even though she would've rather stayed at home.

In the cab on the way over, Fallon answered a call from her father. "Everything okay?" She asked automatically, still a little upset over the fact that Blake had taken to checking in now and then on Adam, despite everything.

"We're fine over here," Blake said quickly. Fallon could practically hear him waving an unconcerned hand. "You have your last meetings today?"

"Yeah..."

"Going that well, are they?"

Fallon sighed. "No. They don't like the delay between now and me actually moving out there to start things."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much," Blake told her. "Whatever's supposed to happen will."

Her eyebrows pulled together as she realized how absurd that sounded. Especially coming from him. "Who are you, and what have you done with my dad?"

He laughed in response. "I may be listening to Cristal more than I used to," he admitted.

"Good."

"Have you heard from Liam?"

She frowned, though he of course couldn't see her. "No. I'm sure he's just busy."

"He's not my favorite person," Blake admitted, making Fallon scoff – because, obviously he wasn't, "but he's stuck with you this long. That has to mean something. You shouldn't worry, Fallon."

He quickly came up with an excuse to end the call, only confusing her more. Despite her father asking about her meetings, it sounded a little too much like he wanted to know about Liam. With Culhane working at Atlantix again, she almost thought it was some check-in from Blake on Michael's behalf. But that didn't really make sense, either. Despite him kissing her several weeks back, the truth had come out about the fake pregnancy. Lucky for her, he'd started to suspect it, and when she explained why she'd let him believe it, he understood.

It probably helped, too, that she'd nearly been killed a couple of days prior.

So Fallon got to her reserved office, sat through her meetings, and tried not to think about just how much she missed Liam, and the way her career had been going back when they first met.

Liam set his phone down on the side table that afternoon, resting it against a pile of books before going over to the bedroom to surprise Fallon. She was sitting in bed, clearly freshly home from her meetings, but already tapping away at her computer. He knocked lightly on the door frame, watching closely as her eyes leapt up in confusion – then lit from within thanks to her joy at his early return. She clearly hadn't noticed the door opening, but to be fair, he'd been quiet about it.

New York was magnificent as usual, his last meeting with his editor had been great, and the errands he'd run had gone even better. But none of those things held a candle to Fallon.

She set her laptop down almost carelessly, planted her feet on the floor, and walked over to greet him. Liam opened his arms to her, catching her as she reached him. "You're back," she greeted just before winding her arms around his neck to pull him into a kiss. Though she tried to lure him towards the bed, Liam had other plans.

He stepped back, one hand sliding down her arm and then winding around her back. "I have something for you."

Her frustration was immediately overridden by curiosity, as he knew it would be, so she let him lead her into the kitchen, where a square package was wrapped with gold paper and a red bow almost precisely the shade of the lipstick she so favored. Fallon looked between him and the gift, confused but obviously not about to reject it. Gifts were some of her absolute favorite things, as she figured must be true for pretty much everyone.

"What is it?" She asked, fully expecting the silence she got when he let go of her hand so she could approach and pick it up. Fallon carefully undid the paper at one end, somehow feeling like this was something important. Otherwise why would he have made such a point of surprising her with this and with his early return?

When she got the end open enough to see what was inside, she turned her head back to him with a gasp. Liam just smiled back, nodding towards it to urge her on. She looked back down at the package, sliding the paper off and just staring at the book that now rested in her hands. His name – not the pen name that had such a strong similarity to her go-to drink (minus the extra mint, of course), but just Liam Ridley – stood up from the material of the cover, and she ran her fingers over the letters, even more proud than she'd expected to be.

"How long have you had this?"

"Since we left New York," he admitted. "I wrapped it a day or two after we got home."

She looked over at him again, lifting an eyebrow. "You saw my text to Kirby didn't you?" She accused. "About how I was going to write your editor and complain if you wouldn't let me buy one. I've been trying to prepare for your tour, but I can't without reading the thing, Liam."

Liam just shook his head, smiling. He hadn't seen any such message, and that just seemed to confuse her even more.

"Well?" He pressed when she just frowned at him, walking a little closer behind her and peering over her shoulder to watch how she took it in. "Open it."

Fallon glanced at him again, earning herself a broad smile that drew one out of her in return. She flipped open the cover, turning the pages with a careful reverence that Liam was grateful for. At the dedication page, she stopped with a startled gasp. He knew what she'd found:

For Fallon, of course. I love you. Don't go skipping to the end this time, okay? Turn the page, Fal.

She very nearly turned around, thinking she might just pull him into a kiss before heading over to the couch to start reading it straight away. After all, dedication pages had to be planned ahead of time if they were going to be included in the first run of the book. How long had he planned this? Before Sun Valley? After?

But that last sentence made her hesitate. She could practically hear him saying it in her head. So instead, she flipped to the next page, shocked to see two formerly-blank pages full of Liam's handwriting. One hand lifted to her mouth, but she took her time reading through it, trying to absorb it all like she knew he'd want her to.

Fallon,

I promised that you could read this when it was ready. But I meant when I thought that we were ready. You likely predicted that this book would have something to do with you, so don't be surprised if you see yourself in it.

Before you start reading, though, I need to thank you. For pushing harder than anyone, to achieve the things you want. For encouraging me along this path, whether you meant to originally or not. I should've told you the truth – that I knew who you were – from the moment I met you, but you looked so devastated I couldn't help wanting to protect you. I had no idea we would end up needing each other as much as we obviously do.

Is it crazy that I didn't even realize what was missing until I met you? I knew something was off, …but then there was you. I meant every word I said at that party of ours – except for the part about believing in fate taking control. You were always the one leading, and I was always ecstatic whenever I could help you reach your goals. Not just because they were helping my family as well, but because I wanted all of those things for you, too: Success, and a future, and the chance at a real romance – not something your father decided to force on you. And I didn't realize why I was being selfless in that way until I realized that you were, too. Especially for me.

I am so proud of you, Fallon. And I love you. More than anything.

Turn around, sweetheart.

Astounded, she just stared at the page for another moment, her heart pounding. She had a small suspicion of what he was trying to do, as Fallon had always loved praise but never really knew if any of it was genuine unless it was to do with her appearance or skill in a board room. Sure, she always took the compliments, but when it came down to it, how much of it really felt real? Not all of them, that's for sure. So of course he was taking this chance to tell her in a way she couldn't ignore or write off.

Still, the last sentence had her cradling the book as she turned to face him – but she gasped loudly, drawing the open pages tight against her chest when she saw him. "Liam-"

"Easy, Fal," he interrupted with a nervous chuckle. He was down on one knee, a hand extended to show her the little black box he'd brought home with him. "Just hear me out, okay? I know, compared to when we started dating officially, this seems a little fast. But you know I've been set on you since we met. And we may have done this sort of thing before, but not for the right reasons. Not the right way. And you read what I left you there, so you must know how serious I am." He glanced down at the box, steeling himself. "I-"

He cut himself off when he looked back up and realized she was starting to cry. Liam rushed to stand and reach out to her. But that just made her more upset. "No!" Fallon blurted out, stepping forward and pushing at his shoulder. "No, finish."

A smile that was somewhere between proud and thrilled appeared on his face, and he sank back down, reaching for the hand that wasn't holding the book against her. "Fallon Morell Carrington... you are... stunning. And clever. And so much kinder than people know. You have been through hell, and been questioned, every step of the way. But I don't want you to ever question this. I don't care how long I have to wait in order for you to be ready to go through with another wedding. I promise you, I will not let anyone mess with this one. If you'll do me the honor... of marrying me again. What d'you say, Fal?"

She shook her head rapidly, much to Liam's surprise, but then she closed the book and gently set it down as she lowered herself to his level, pulling him into a fervent, passionate kiss. He brought his empty hand up to the back of her head, carding his fingers through her hair as he returned her fervor with his own. When her tears became too much and she needed to break way for air, he kissed his way across one cheek as she brushed the other free of tears.

"Is, uh... Is that a yes?" He asked finally, drawing back to look at her.

Fallon blinked at him, before realizing, "... Did I not say it out loud?"

The whole thing was so astounding to her. It was private, and perfect, and she realized that as nice as a big, extravagant proposal was, this was just for her. It was representative of them. So perhaps that was why she was so overwhelmed.

Liam let out a pleased laugh, shaking his head. "That's okay. Here." He held up an exact match to the ring that had been picked out for their marriage con, which she realized must've been based off of pictures and memory, since Culhane had thrown the other one into the pond.

Fallon offered her left hand instantly, trying to get ahold of herself. "Sorry," she murmured, shaking her head enough to flick her hair over her shoulders. "I'm just... surprised."

"Really?" He asked, laughing at the way she tried to regain her composure. It was just him; she knew she didn't have to. But this was a big deal, clearly.

"Don't really me, Ridley. I thought you'd wait... I don't know, a year or something. You were so intent on doing everything the right way."

Liam shrugged one shoulder, having to give her that one. "True. But I mean, we've had a long time, haven't we? Technically? Not that I'm complaining, but I've waited for you for at least that long."

She pouted slightly at the reminder, but he just kissed the pout away, then helped her stand. "Now. As inclined as I am to waste the rest of the evening celebrating," he teased, drawing her against his chest, "am I going to have to fight against my book for your attention now?"

"Are you kidding?" Fallon asked, lifting an eyebrow. "I've got days to read and re-read it."

With all of their newly-established plans, excitement, and absolute adoration for each other, they did, of course, spend the evening as he'd implied. But then they were up bright and early, ready to share the news – all of it – with their friends.

Fallon had set up a return brunch for Liam anyway, thinking he was due early that morning, so they all met at his favorite little restaurant just outside of downtown Atlanta. All, of course, meaning Kirby, Sam, Steven, and Monica. Fallon was glad that Liam had found ways to get along with her friends, though it did occur to her then that she didn't know any of Liam's friends separate from her own. Perhaps she'd be able to fix that once they moved into their new place.

She purposefully kept her left hand in her lap as everyone came in, releasing Liam's hand so he could stand and greet the others as they arrived. When the waiter arrived to take their orders, Fallon requested mimosas for the table, which made Liam smile slightly in understanding. The others didn't seem to think anything of it, instead asking Liam about his trip.

"It wasn't as exciting as all that," he assured them. "Just handling some family business, getting Fallon her company back, that sort of thing."

Fallon's head whipped towards him, her eyes wide. "You didn't say anything," she said, her mouth hanging open as her disbelief and hope overwhelmed her.

"And make everyone miss that look on your face?" He teased, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

She stopped him as he started to pull away again, instead lifting her hand to draw him into a kiss. It ended sharply, though, as Monica and Kirby let out a gasp and squeak, respectively. Fallon's eyes opened to stare at Liam, realizing what she'd done. She had planned on using a toast with their mimosas to show off the engagement ring, but had instead cradled his cheek with that hand without thinking.

"Fallon!" Kirby chided, making the newly-engaged couple turn their heads to look at everyone else. "W-What?!"

For perhaps the first time ever, at least in front of Sam, Fallon blushed a deep red. "Liam came home early," she started, her thumb spinning the ring around her finger. "He surprised me with his book." She looked to him, wanting to hear how he would describe it.

He took her right hand, grinning broadly. "I had already written out the dedication to her before we started working together again, but I left her a note in her copy. So when she finished reading it... I asked." Admittedly, Fallon had expected a little more elaboration than that, but then again, she liked that it had been something just for the two of them, as so little had been in their relationship.

It was only as her gaze swept back to the others that Fallon realized Sam and Steven didn't look shocked at all. "... You two knew."

"I had to ask someone," Liam joked. "I mean, I know you wouldn't care if I didn't. And I know what Blake means to you, but I thought these guys knew you better."

"So you didn't ask Dad?"

"No, I talked to him, too. But, I thought maybe it was too fast, at first. These two talked me out of that, thankfully."

Fallon reached over to squeeze her brother's hand, smiling with fondness and gratitude. Steven just smirked a little, saying, "We know you well, baby sister."

She rolled her eyes, but clearly didn't mean it as anything but a cover for how emotionally overwhelmed she was. "Yes, I can tell. But I'm just glad we're finally ticking all of our boxes. We leave in a little over a week for the book tour, and if I can, I'll set up meetings here and there for the company now that that's settled. And then we get to go house hunting."

"In Buckhead?" Kirby asked cautiously, her brow furrowing.

"...In Denver," Fallon corrected.

When Sam saw the dismay on Kirby and Monica's faces, he just waved a hand as he lifted his mimosa for a sip. "Oh, please. This just means we get to vacation in Colorado all the time." He winked at the others, who smiled their agreement.

Liam draped his arm over the back of Fallon's chair, apparently unable to stop smiling. "As long as there's a place for me to write, I'll be fine."

"The views will be perfect," Monica assured him. "But that's a lot of changes all at once, you two. You're sure about all of this?"

Fallon's face actually fell at that, feeling disappointed that their high was being a little spoiled. She wasn't going to let the question slide, though. Not when Liam had just returned and she was so excited about everything that was coming their way. "Yes, I'm sure," she replied firmly. "With this man next to me, how could I not be?"

Liam's hand shifted to Fallon's shoulder, squeezing gently. "I don't think I've been so sure of anything before." He leaned over to press a kiss to the side of her head, but she was quickly pulled into a conversation with Monica and Kirby about some high school friend's Instagram pictures, and Liam made a point to check in with Steven like he always did.

And though neither of them said it out loud, Liam and Fallon both had a thought running through the back of their mind: They were, despite everything, very lucky.