Epilogue

When Lynn finally enters her apartment it's already five in the morning. She hasn't felt this exhausted in a long time, but it's the good kind of exhaustion. It's the result of a hard and fruitful work, that was rewarded by the victory she'd been dreaming of her whole life. She was celebrating all night with her winning team and her friends and supporters. They have achieved this together and once she's in office she'll work on making all the promises she'd made come true.

Only one person was missing from the celebration, someone she couldn't wait to see again, someone who'd been waiting for this day just as much as she had. They don't have to be strangers anymore and maybe someday soon, their hiding could be over as well. But for now she just wants to hold her in her arms, tell her how much she missed her and how grateful she is to have her back in her life.

She passes by the couch in her living room, when something catches her eyes, there's a huge bottle of champagne on the coffee table that wasn't there when she left. And walking there she soon she notices the person lying on the couch, asleep. It's Diane.

Lynn's lips curl up in the widest smile as she gets closer to the sleeping woman, intending to wake her up right this moment. She must have fallen asleep waiting for her, she doesn't want to make either of them wait any longer.

"Diane," she whispers softly, stroking her hand and when Diane opens her eyes they share a smile.

Lynn cannot resist leaning closer and kissing her right away, they have been deprived of each other's closeness for way too long.

"I can't believe you're here," Lynn says happily, her eyes never leaving Diane as she pulls back.

"I couldn't wait another day," Diane replies and sits up slowly, trying to suppress her yawning.

"I'm so happy to see you here," Lynn reassures her in case it wasn't obvious already and sits down next to her, grabbing her hands to feel her skin on hers.

"I brought champagne," Diane says, "But it's probably too early to drink," she notes after glancing at her watch.

"We will drink it tonight," Lynn promises and it feels good to be able to say that. To make plans with Diane again. "And where are my flowers?" Lynn glances around the room.

Diane sent her red roses after she won the primary, she had never been more surprised and happy about a bouquet and the message that kept the sender's identity in secret from anyone but Lynn. And she returned the gesture when Diane and Will got rid of Stern's name on the letter head.

"We don't need coded messages anymore. I'm here to congratulate you in person. I'm so proud of you," Diane presses Lynn's hands gently.

"I can't believe I really did it," she admits, knowing she probably needs to sleep on it first to fully grasp what happened in the last hours. "But having you here makes me even happier. If I had lost, I'd still have been happy here with you."

"I couldn't be happier either," Diane confesses and they share another gentle kiss.

"I want to go away for a couple of days with you next week, wherever you want to go." Lynn's been planning this for a while now, because they really need some time together after all these months they spent apart.

"We have a lot of catching up to do," Diane responds with a smile, agreeing to Lynn's plan easily. "But you look tired," she observes. "You should go to sleep now," she adds in a caring voice.

"Only if you're staying with me," Lynn moves a little closer to Diane.

"Of course I am. I'm not going anywhere," she promises and stands up to pull Lynn with her.

"Mom's looking forward to seeing you again too," Lynn mumbles, feeling the tiredness taking over her as they are nearing her bedroom.

"I'm looking forward to that too," Diane replies with a soft smile.

"And dad promised to pay for our wedding, if we ever decide to get married," Lynn continues to mumble and manages to wake Diane up completely with her remark.

"What?" She stops and turns to her.

"I was just joking," she chuckles. "It was my way of saying you don't have to fear him anymore."

"I never feared him," Diane reminds her as they enter the bedroom and Lynn lies down on her side of the bed at once.

"We can be a happy family now and I won't have to listen to Ben teasing me about missing you," she closes her eyes, but the smile doesn't leave her lips.

She'd like to stay awake and talk to Diane, in fact she'd love to do so much more than just talk to her, but even opening her eyes is getting difficult.

"Just sleep, we will discuss everything tomorrow." She hears Diane's whispering voice next to her ear and the words are followed by a kiss on the side of Lynn's head.

"I love you," Lynn mumbles before her mind switches off completely.

o-o-o

"Good morning," Diane greets Lynn when she shows up in the living room, where Diane has been staying all morning, waiting for her to wake up.

"You shouldn't have let me sleep so long," Lynn scolds her playfully, but pulls her in her arms for a kiss.

"You needed it. I ordered lunch too, since breakfast time is long over," Diane notes with a grin.

"I bet I have a million missed calls," Lynn starts searching for her purse.

"And you'll answer them after your coffee," Diane orders her playfully and walks to the kitchen to get Lynn's mug ready. "I have some great news though. Will called, the magazine wants to settle. Apparently they don't want to be on trial against the mayor elect."

"We are so opening that champagne for lunch," Lynn appears in the doorway, a wide smile on her face. "I don't think things can get any better than this."

"Are you still planning to donate the money?" Diane asks, remembering Lynn mentioning her plan once, to give the money to some foundation supporting gay rights.

"Definitely. Maybe they will name a building after me," Lynn approaches with a grin and takes the mug from Diane, giving her a kiss in return.

"Being the mayor isn't even enough anymore?" Diane asks her playfully.

"I'm going to be the best damn mayor this city has ever seen. And maybe once I proved myself, I can finally tell them who I really am and introduce to them the amazing woman I'm in love with." She looks at Diane, seeking her approval.

"I will be happy to share that moment with you," she replies, making Lynn smile.

"I just remembered one thing that could make this day better," Lynn moves closer to Diane.

"What is it?" She inquires, suspecting the nature of her thoughts.

"You have to promise that we'll spend most of the afternoon in bed," Lynn reveals her intention, that matches with Diane's guess.

"You still haven't slept enough?" She teases her with a chuckle, but Lynn silences her with a passionate kiss that she gladly returns.

And the kiss makes sure that the promise of the afternoon doesn't leave Diane's mind for the rest of their celebratory lunch.

THE END

A/N: I'm sad to leave another of my babies behind and this story was especially dear to my heart. This is my longest multichap in wordcount and I'm proud of it for many reasons. I'd like to thank the readers who sticked around until the end and Ally for the amazing help with every chapter, I couldn't have done it without you! 3