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In the last year, she'd not only taken care of his children but of him. He'd noticed how well she took care of all of them. He noticed even more how she made him laugh. How she offered opinions but didn't force them. How passionate she remainedabout the country's history, though she now had a full-time assistant since her schedule was considerably busier with other things.

And recently, he'd found himself noticing something the papers and other news outlets had a year earlier - how attractive she was. Different kinds of attractive depending on what she wore or what she was doing, but always attractive.

"You want things to change?" There was the hope he expected, though notes of caution remained.

He nodded in affirmation. "I do. I think I do," he quickly amended. "I'm pretty sure, but it's a big step to take. It's been over a year since Caroline passed. I think I'm ready, but I can't promise that I won't... regress, for lack of a better term."

"That's understandable. I'd be surprised if you didn't."

With a deep breath, he finally turned to look at her. "What would you say to a date with me? Not a real one out for dinner and dancing because of the attention it would garner, but we can do the same thing here in the palace somewhere for our anniversary?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea." She gave him the smile he'd long ago come to love. "I've never been on a first date in my own house. Can I wear my yoga pants?" The hopeful lilt to her question made him suppress a laugh.

"You can, but I'll probably be wearing a nice suit."

Giving a dramatic sigh, Maddie stood and tossed her blanket back over the chair. "Fine. I'm sure I can find something in that giant closet of mine."

Anthony flipped the footrest down and stood, wanting to laugh but not at the same time. "Hey." He reached out a hand toward her.

She took it as he walked to stand in front of her.

"What would you say if we took some of the pressure off that date?"

Her eyes narrowed cautiously. "I'd want to know how you planned to do that."

Time to go for broke. "There's something I'd like to do before then, if that's all right." He looked up.

So did she.

"Where did that come from?!" The accusation in her tone wasn't serious.

"I have no idea. I noticed it the other day, but I don't know how long it's been in here. It's never been here before."

"You didn't ask someone to hang it or hang it yourself?" Despite the half-hearted accusation, she took a small step closer to him, her hand coming to rest on his chest.

He clasped it to him. "No. I didn't, but I can't say I'm sad someone hung mistletoe in here."

Now he moved closer to her.

Close enough to kiss her.

"Would it be okay with you if I kissed you?" His voice had dropped to a husky whisper.

One hand continued to hold hers against his heart. The other let go and wrapped around her waist, resting on her lower back to pull her a little closer to him.

She didn't answer, aware that speaking would break the spell suddenly woven around them, but gave a nod.

Anthony leaned down, then hesitated as her eyes fluttered shut and her breath started to mingle with his. His closed in anticipation, and he finished the movement, brushing his lips lightly against hers. He moved a hair's breadth away before coming back in for a second kiss, firmer and with more intention than the first.

It couldn't have been more than a few seconds, but it left him breathless. He leaned his forehead against hers.

"That was... nice." Her ragged breath told him she thought it was more than nice.

Maybe he should think about sleeping elsewhere for the time being.

"I wish I could tell you I've fallen in love with you, Mads. I can't, not yet, but I'm on my way, and I do love you. You add so much to my life, to my children's lives. I'll forever be grateful I ran into you when I did."

In the space of a heartbeat, he found himself kissing her again - or she kissed him. One of the two. This one more intense than the first two, but they both kept it well under control.

"I love you, Anthony," she whispered when they separated again.

He suspected she meant it a little differently than he did, but it wasn't the time to quibble.

They loved each other. They were fallinginlove with each other.

And really... what more could they ask for?