Michaela sat at her desk, gazing around at her half empty office, cluttered with boxes. She let out a sigh feeling tears well up in her eyes. She had spent the last seven years here. She had studied difficult cases and cried over those she had lost. Today was her last day, she was closing this chapter and beginning a new one.

David had been gone for a month. His death had left a huge void in her life. She had begged him not to go back on a 2nd tour of duty to the Middle East. She tried to persuade him to turn in his retirement paperwork but he assured her that it was just a short mission and that he would be back in a few short weeks.

Michaela was six months pregnant with their first child, a daughter, they were going to name Katie. Her emotions were overwhelming her. David would never get to hold Katie, hear her cries or her first words. She rubbed her large belly and slowly stood up, drying her tears. She had to go home and prepare for the move. There was so much more to accomplish before the movers came in the morning. She was leaving Boston. She had to, there were too many memories of David around. She chose Colorado Springs for its majestic mountains and clean, fresh air.

As she left the office, her cell phone rang, deep inside her bag. She dug it out and swiped the screen to see who was calling her. It was her eldest and favorite sister, Rebecca.

"Hi, Rebecca," she said as she accepted the call.

"Michaela! It's so nice to hear your voice," Rebecca replied. "How are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm getting along, there's so much to do."

"I can understand that, you know, Mother is not happy about you moving all the way across the country,"

"Yes, I know that, she has made sure she's told me that several times, but I have to do this for me and for Katie. I can't continue to stay here. It's too painful for me right now," Michaela replied.

"I sure wish I could be there for you right now, but I can't get away from work right now. Will you call me when you are settled so I can plan a trip out there?" Rebecca asked.

"Yes! I sure will and I understand about you not being able to get away. Daniel will be coming with me to help out so I won't be completely alone."

"Okay that is great news! Well, I better get off of here, my lunch break is just about over. Take care of yourself, I love you very much!"

"I love you too," Michaela answered.

She turned her phone off and dropped it back into her bag. She turned the ignition on and pulled out in traffic. She turned the radio up to try to clear some cob webs from her mind. She mentally went through her checklist. There was so much to do before the movers arrived in the morning. She turned the corner onto her street and saw that Daniel had already arrived.

"Daniel!" Michael cried, climbing out of her car. "It's so nice to see you!"

"Hi, Michaela!" Daniel answered, pulling her into a tight embrace. He could see the pain she was trying to hide from the world. Her eyes betrayed her true feelings. He always had a place in his heart for her but David expressed his interest in her before he had a chance to. He respected their marriage and never tried to act on his feelings for her. Now that David was gone, he felt that he should honor David's memory and make sure that she was safe and protected.

"Let's go inside and get something to drink," she stated, pulling back from his embrace.

"That sounds good,"

'What time will the movers be here tomorrow?" he asked, looking around at the piles of stuff laying around.

"They should be here around 11 o'clock," she answered.

Daniel put his hands on his hips, doing a mental calculation of how long it would take him to get everything boxed up and ready. "I should get started," he said and put his drink down.

"Yes, let me help you," she answered, slowly getting out of her rocker.

"No, you will stay right here and put your feet up," he admonished, putting his hand on her shoulders, pushing her gently back into her seat.

"Daniel," Michael started to protest. He looked in her eyes, feeling drawn in. He had to fight the urge to give into his affections for her. He was her late husband's best friend. It would be wrong to show his affections for her. "There is too much to do for me to just sit here."

"Nonsense, you have been through a lot in the last few weeks, you sit back and relax. Take care of that baby."

She gave in, realizing that he was correct. She rubbed her belly, feeling the baby move around.

Looking down at her belly, well, little Katie, we have a long trip ahead of us," she leaned back and closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of rumpling paper and cardboard boxes in the background. She was thankful for the good friend she had in Daniel.

She let her mind drift off to think of what the future held for her and Katie in Colorado Springs. From everything that she had studied about the new city, she knew that it was nothing like Boston. Which was just what she wanted and needed at this stage in her life. It was time to forge a new path for herself.