Over the last several months, the relationship between Fancy Valley and COPS had grown tremendously. Business was going well for both companies and the person­al relationships of their employees had well, developed. It seems as though in Prue’s attempts to maintain Fancy Valley as a client, she and Duey had become very close.

“Duey?” Prue sang as she entered the Fancy Valley office. Prue had been bringing Duey lunch every day since they met. At first, it was just another way to smooth over the mess Rob Berry created but they soon realized they had a ton in common and Prue really enjoyed Duey’s company.

“Hi, Ms. Fict” Truly said from behind her computer screen. “Mr. Diligence is on a call, he should be done shortly.” She paused, and added “You and Mr. Diligence are certainly very good friends, as of late.” Truly mused, quietly. Prue was not sure if Truly meant for her to hear that. Prue blushed. Is that what they were, good friends? Do friends eat lunch together every day and spend most evenings sharing their dreams and inner, most deep thoughts? Was this a relationship?

“What are we?” Prue accidently said aloud. “What?” She looked up to see Duey standing before her with a puzzled look on his face. She paused for a moment and thought, maybe now would be a good time to have this conversation...

“What are we?” Prue repeated to him. Duey looked around nervously before saying, “Let’s go into my office.”

“Prue,” Duey started as he shut his office door. “We can be, whatever you want us to be. I certainly see you as more than a friend and I hope that feeling is mutual.”

“It certainly is.” Prue confirmed, most professionally. She felt butterflies in her stomach.

“Great!” Duey said, cheerfully. “This is great. Great, great, great...” He trailed off.

“That’s too many greats, Duey. What’s going on?”

“My parents are in town and well, I want them to meet you but also, I don’t want you to meet them...they are interesting to say the least,” he blurted out.

“Oh Duey” Prue hushed him and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Don’t be silly, I would love to meet them!”

A few days later, Prue and Duey went to meet his parents at a nice restaurant. It had been a while since Duey had seen his parents, never mind how long it had been since he had seen the two of them in the same room together. He was not sure what to expect of this evening. Prue and Duey were brought to their table and waited patiently for his parents to arrive. It was not long before Duey heard his father’s voice and he stood up to greet him. He turned around and saw a shocking sight. Both of his parents were there, together, holding hands and giggling as if they were teenagers!

“Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?” Duey said, in a state of utter surprise.

“What do you mean, son? You invited us here” Due said. “Yes, to meet your lovely girlfriend!” Duey’s mother chimed in. “Hello! I’m Coco, so very nice to meet you!” she said to Prue.

“I mean, I did not expect you to come together, to be together. What is going on?” The next hour was filled with stories of how Due traveled the country in search of meaning for his life. His release from prison had given him a second chance and he was determined to make the most of it! Due had been traveling for months when he came upon a small town in Arizona and decided that he would spend a few nights in a small Bed and Breakfast off the highway.

“Come to find out, your mother was running the place! Can you believe it? Of all the people to run into!”

“And the rest is history!” Coco said, smiling at Due. This re-kindled relationship between his parents gave Duey a sense of safety he had never felt before. He felt warm and fuzzy inside. He looked over at Prue who was engulfed in an­other one of his dad’s crazy stories. She looked so beautiful.

“Prue” Duey said, clearing his throat. She turned and smiled at him. “Will you marry me?”

Will Prue accept Duey’s marriage proposal? Stay tuned!