Author's Note: This came out of a random thought I wasn't even sure was worth doing. But it grew, obviously, and now I've got two chapters and probably one to two more coming. Funny how that works, right? :)

Mary smiled as she stepped off the plane. No matter where in the world she might live, the Midwest would always be her home. A moment later, Steven was beside her. "You know, you don't have to do this," she said.

"I've told you a dozen times already – I want to do this," Steven said. "These people are obviously important to you, so that makes them important to me, too."

A small sigh escaped from Mary as he said that. It was another reminder that Steven was different from most of the men she'd dated before. It was why she couldn't help feeling a bit nervous about what she was going to do here in Minneapolis. But she reminded herself that she was probably worrying too much, as usual.

They quickly made their way to the baggage claim and picked up their luggage. "That's everything," Steven said, looking at their bags. "Now, what time does Rhoda's flight get in?"

Mary checked her watch. "In a couple minutes, actually. We'd better get going if we want to meet her at the gate."

"Right," Steven said, nodding at her before he started walking away quickly.

Mary laughed. "No, Steven, her gate is this way." She pointed behind her, the opposite direction in which he was heading.

"I knew that," Steven said, grinning. "I was testing you." Mary gave him a teasing glance. "So, you said she doesn't suspect a thing?"

"Not as far as I know," Mary replied. "I just told her I had some vacation time coming, and I asked if she felt like flying out here. She said sure." For the past several months, Mary had been living in Washington, D.C., helping Steven with his campaign, which he won. She also found a job at a TV station there, and discovered that doing the news in the nation's capitol made everything she'd done in the past look easy. But she loved the challenge – almost as much as she loved Steven.

They made it to the gate with just a moment to spare. Mary felt a rush of excitement. She and Rhoda hadn't seen each other in almost a year. Luckily, they'd stayed in constant touch, thanks to phone calls, but there was nothing like being together. It would be as if no time had passed.

Mary was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't even realize the plane had landed. Before she knew it, Rhoda had stepped into the airport and found her at once. Mary soon found herself pulled into a tight hug.

"It's so good to see you, kid."

"You, too." All at once, she felt tears in her eyes. She knew it was silly to be so emotional, but she couldn't help it. Everything in her life had changed the moment Rhoda climbed through her window and said those fateful words: "Hello, get out of my apartment!"

Rhoda reached into her purse, eventually finding a Kleenex. "I love you, too, but there's no need to get all teary on me." She handed the tissue to Mary, who laughed, even as she dried her eyes.

"I knew you'd say something like that," Mary said. "And you're right, but I just can't help it. Besides, when I asked you to come, I didn't exactly tell you the truth."

Rhoda rolled her eyes. "As long as we've known each other, you think I can't tell when you're hiding something? I can't wait to meet him!"

As if on cue, Steven stepped forward. He knew enough to give these two their space. "Hello," he said, offering her a hand. "Mary told me a lot about you."

"All good, I hope," Rhoda said, shaking his hand. She shot Mary a look that said, You weren't kidding – he is cute!

"Mostly," Steven laughed. "I hope I make a good impression, but from what Mary's said, you'll let me know if I don't."

"Well, you're doing OK so far," Rhoda said. She could certainly see why Mary had fallen so hard for him. No matter what the reason Mary had asked her to come here, Rhoda was glad she'd made the trip.