A/N: Sorry for the shortness. I should have broken things up a bit differently between the last chapter and this one, but I didn't know that til it was too late! This is the last chapter, so I hope you enjoy.

Several hours later, with Gillian wearing jeans and a blue blouse, Emily walked in the house and called out, "I'm home!" and having seen the familiar vehicle in the driveway, she immediately asked, "Is Gillian here?"

"Hi Em! In the den!" Cal called out to her.

As soon as Gillian heard the backdoor, she scooted away from Cal on the couch, earning a dissatisfied look from him. His side felt suddenly cold from where she'd been snuggled up, and he pouted at her, as much as Cal Lightman pouts, as she settled in her new position.

"Just until she knows," Gillian quietly promised, maintaining a cool demeanor even as she started to feel anxious.

Knowing there was nothing he could say to make her come back to sit with him, he repositioned himself into the corner of the couch to get comfortable.

Seeing Gillian was there, Emily tried to stifle a smile as she wondered if her dad had finally found the courage to tell her how he felt.

"How was your test? Get all your studyin' done?" Cal asked before she could speak.

"The test was fine," she said as she threw her bag in the hallway. "Hey Gil," she added as she sat in the chair next to her.

"Hi Emily," she greeted the girl.

"So, what's going on?" Emily asked, curiosity getting the best of her. When Cal shot her a "behave" look, she smirked and said, "It smells good. Are you staying for dinner?"

"Well I live here, so," Cal said with a shrug.

Emily gave him an annoyed expression and said, "I was talking to Gillian, obviously, Dad. But you can leave if you want. I don't think either of us would complain."

If you only knew, Cal thought. He raised his eyebrows at her and looked to Gillian for a response. "How 'bout it, Gil? You care if I leave? Don't lie now. Em's a buddin' natural in our field."

Flaring her nostrils, Gillian casually replied, "You promised to make me dinner, and if you leave that's going to be pretty difficult. So I think you better at least stay until your promise is fulfilled."

Cal smiled at her, thinking that was a pretty clever response. "Alright then, it's about finished anyway," he said as he stood to go check the oven.

"How have you been, Em?" Gillian asked.

"Good," she replied. "Busy with school. I had a big test today and I have a couple papers due next week. Plus I'm filling out college and scholarship applications. So, you know – busy."

Gillian nodded and said, "Your dad was telling me a while back you wanted to go to school out of state."

"Yeah. I'm not sure where I'm going. I hate to leave him alone, you know?" That was true, but Emily was fishing again and she couldn't help it.

"I wouldn't worry about him," Gillian said with a small smile. "You need to go to the school that's right for you. It's the stepping stone to everything else you want to do in life, so make the choice that's right for you."

"Oiy!" Cal chimed in. "Don't fill her head with that rubbish. You need very much to worry about me. Who's supposed to make sure I stay somewhat in line if you're not around, Em?"

Smiling as she stood, Emily said, "Gillian's always done a good job of that." Then as she walked away she added, "Or maybe you need a girlfriend!"

Cal watched Gillian's eyes go wide as Emily's comments hit their ears, and she asked him, "Are you sure she doesn't know?"

Reaching out a hand to her so she'd follow him to the kitchen, Cal said, "She's a smart one. Probably figured it out."

After they all sat down at the table with their plates, Emily suggestively said, "It's nice having dinner together like this."

Gillian looked at Cal from the corner of her eye, thinking that was as good a lead in as any.

"Funny you should say that, Em," he started.

"Oh my gosh! Did you finally tell her?" Emily blurted out with her eyes wide.

Gillian furrowed her brow in confusion. "Finally tell me what?" she asked.

"Oh. You didn't?" Emily asked, looking worriedly at her dad.

Both females, looking somewhat petrified and very perplexed, looked to Cal for explanation.

Rubbing his chin with the backs of his fingers as he looked between them, he said, "Em – yes, I did tell her. And Gil – Em didn't know we were together, but I may have mentioned to her that I love you." Gillian's stomach flipped. Hearing those words from Cal was still very new, and hearing him say it in front of another person was something new altogether.

"You didn't mention it," Emily said to Cal, and then said to Gillian, "I asked him, and he admitted it." Then to both of them she asked with eager eyes, "So you're 'together' together?"

Gillian was sitting in somewhat stunned silence, so Cal answered, "We are."

"Since when?" Emily asked Gillian, clearly very excited.

Finally getting over the shock of Emily knowing Cal was in love with her before she did, Gillian smiled and said, "Valentine's Day."

"Awww!" Emily squealed. "That's so sweet. I knew you had it in you, Dad."

Cal only smiled at Gillian, happy he'd finally gone through with telling her how he felt, and even happier that she felt the same way.

"So, you knew?" Gillian asked Emily.

"Yeah. Like I said, I asked him. And like he said, I am a budding natural in your field, so even if he would have lied to me I would've known. It's kind of hard to dodge a direct question in this house."

Gillian nodded in agreement – there was no getting out of answering a question in Cal's house. It didn't matter who asked it.

"So, when did you ask him?" Gillian inquired.

Emily pressed her lips together and said a little more quietly, "Right after Claire."

Inhaling, Gillian again nodded and looked to Cal. He gave her a small smile and reached for her hand, causing a sweet smile to spread across Emily's face. She couldn't remember the last time she saw her dad look at someone like that, or if she ever had.

"Well I'm really happy for you guys. I can't believe it took so long," Emily stated. Then, with a mischievous look laced in her features, she asked, "Are you staying the weekend?"

There was no way Gillian could hide the embarrassed smile that spread across her face. "I'm not sure," she replied.

"You might as well. I'm only home til tomorrow afternoon. I'll be gone tomorrow night and most of Sunday," Emily explained with a suggestive look.

"Are you givin' Gillian and myself permission to have run of the house?" Cal asked.

Gillian's eyes went wide and Emily said, "Ok, Dad. That's enough." Then, changing the subject, Emily said, "I need to get started on my papers." She stood from her chair as Cal did the same and started clearing their dishes.

They all walked into the kitchen, and as Emily headed up the stairs she genuinely said, "I'm really happy for you guys."

After Emily was out of sight, Cal turned to Gillian and said, "I told you."

Gillian took in a deep breath and slowly let it out, thankful that dinner was over and Emily now knew.

Cal set the dishes in the sink and walked over to Gillian. He put his hands on her waist, pulling her into the warmth of his body. She put her arms around his neck and immediately melted into their hug, resting the sides of their heads together as Cal slowly ran his hands over her arms.

"What do you say we make it a movie night? Pop some popcorn and cuddle up on the couch?" He moved his head slightly so he could get a small glimpse of her at his question.

Centering in front of him, she pretended to give it some thought and said, "That sounds great."

He placed a quick kiss on her lips and resumed their embrace, inhaling her scent as he said, "I can't wait to spend time with you."

Furrowing her brow, she replied, "What do you think we've been doing today?"

"Spendin' time," he said. "But everythin's different now. Now when I walk in a room and see you, regardless of who's there, I can walk right over and kiss you or hug you or whatever I feel like."

"You should hold the 'or whatever I feel like' for now," she said with a laugh.

Giving her a cheeky grin, he told her, "I promise to behave, at least for a little while."

"That's all I ask," she said with a slow, sultry kiss. "And I promise to reward good behavior."

"Is that right?" he asked, pressing his hips into hers.

Licking her lips she whispered to him, "Definitely, but right now we should take care of the dishes so we can have our movie night."

"Couldn't agree more," Cal said as he gave her one more quick kiss, thinking they were in for a very good weekend.

THE END