Welcome to Chapter 28! I want to again thank everyone who comes to read, and I hope you like what you're reading :) Thanks especially to guest and to Levesque-Rollins823 for the thoughtful reviews and a big welcome to New-Zealands-Version-of-Pluto for the favourite and follow!

The Chicago trip continues in the aftermath of the night before...as always, R&R, F&F! 3

She was playing the piano again. Olivia sat at the apartment-sized upright piano she had lugged along with her to every place she'd lived in since she started university. She knew the chips in the keys, the worn corners where her fingers rubbed against when they couldn't quite make stretch to hit them cleanly, and the chunk that movers in the first move had put there, not quite negotiating the elevator doors completely. So she knew this was her piano, and so she must be in her house. She hadn't brought the piano with her when she'd come to Cincinnati, although the sense of joy and contentment she felt playing once again…maybe she should have.

She played every Beatles song she knew by heart, she played the big numbers from the first musical she'd done with her Garfield students, and then she played the opening bars of the last concerto she'd ever played with an orchestra - Rachmaninoff…playing that piece made her sad, but she couldn't remember why.

"Hey babe?"

She turned at the sound of a man's voice behind her, and saw Seth with a toddler balanced on his hip. She turned to stand - or rather tried to turn - she looked down and realized that she was very pregnant, and wedged between the piano and the bench.

Seth saw her awkwardly trying to turn around and put the toddler down, "Henry, let's go help mama get out of the piano, shall we?"

Henry was the spitting image of Seth - dark hair and eyes that looked almost black, he giggled and came around to one side of the bench, Seth on the other. Seth took her one hand, and Henry grabbed the first two fingers of her other hand, still giggling, and they helped Olivia to her feet.

"Up mama, up!" Henry danced around on the floor in front of her with his arms raised. Olivia automatically reached down to pick him up, but Seth put a hand between them to stop her.

"Whoa, whoa - Henry, remember what Daddy told you? Mama can't pick you up for a little bit now - not until you baby sister comes." Henry didn't care for that tidbit of information, and folded his arms dramatically in front of him, with a "Hmph!" that let Seth know exactly how he felt. "Sorry champ, but it's not for too much longer - and then you'll get to help us take care of little Isabel, remember? You get to be a big brother!" He looked at Olivia and smiled, taking her hand, "Henry and I were going to go and get ice cream, but the cable guy is coming to check the cable box - for some reason it's not working, and the season opener is on this afternoon."

Olivia laughed, "Well, I can tell you who's going to win if the Bears are playing."

Seth frowned, "Ha ha…this is gonna be their year, Livs, I know it is." He took his son's hand in his and led him to the front door. "Say bye to mama, Henry."

Olivia bent down and was on the receiving end of a very wet toddler kiss, and a bear hug around the neck, "Love you mama."

Her heart melted at those words said to her…but why did they make her cry? She wiped at her eyes with the edge of her sleeve and sniffed. "You feeling okay babe?"

She looked at Seth and nodded, but not really sure, "I think so - must just be allergies…you'd better go and get that ice cream before Henry rips that doorknob off." She kissed him on the cheek and went to open the door for Henry, when Seth grabbed her hand. She turned and saw a peculiar expression on his face, "Are you feeling okay babe?"

Seth pulled her close and rested a hand on either side of her hips. He locked her gaze and his eyes were oddly wet, "I love you Olivia…I will always love you."

She froze, unable to move or speak, words catching in her throat. She said nothing, instead she threw her arms around his neck and hung on like it was the last time she'd ever touch him. She suddenly felt anxious and not in a hurry to see her family leave on the short trip to the store. She gradually relinquished her hold on her husband, and watched him take their son by the hand and buckle him into the back seat of their Prius…

'Where's the Tiburon? We don't own a Prius…do we? ...Didn't we?…Who used to own a Prius?' She wracked her brain as they backed out the driveway and slowly drove down to the end of their street. She closed the door slowly, certain she knew someone who used to drive one, but couldn't think of it.

She heard the car horn blaring, the screech of tires, and the awful, gut wrenching sound of two cars colliding and screamed.

"Seth!" His name was on her lips as she woke with a jolt, in an unfamiliar bed, cheeks wet with tears and her heart pounding in her throat and ears. She looked around the room she was in, and resisted the urge to call for Henry, although she did run a hand over her belly to reassure herself that this was reality.

Goddamn my subconscious hates me…she wiped at her eyes, and felt the beginning of a spectacular headache coming on. She looked down at herself - definitely not pregnant and still wearing only a kimono over her lingerie. She shivered and got off the bed to find the ibuprofen and get dressed for bed. Because I can pretty much guarantee that I killed any chance of a relationship tonight… she thought morosely.

She came back to bed in a nightshirt she'd bought the other day and flicked the TV on. A fruitless search through the channel guide confirmed that late night television was an entertainment wasteland - nothing good on for hours. She did finally decide to watch a marathon of Oak Island - she'd casually watched with Dean and Renee, who were hooked on the show. She thought about Seth - maybe I should text him…and then decided that maybe he needed some time to process things. And given what just happened, I'd be surprised if he was back anytime soon.

Olivia sighed and hugged her pillow closer. What a mess…so much for a romantic getaway… she looked over at the clock on the bedside table- it was just after eleven, she must have cried herself to sleep right after Seth left - no wonder she had a headache… She reached for her phone and scrolled through her email, looking for one in particular - the one from the Seattle school district with the date to notify them of either her return or resignation… August 1. Today was June 18 - that left her six weeks to make a decision. She hadn't given it much thought until she'd remembered at dinner the other night - where was she going to go? A clean start in a city with no painful memories was her hope - but she felt like she had lost her support system in Cincinnati.

Olivia opened her texting app and took another look at the five word message she'd started to send to Renee this morning. Hey Ree…how are things? She wanted to talk to Renee, she needed her sounding board and confidante…but she hesitated, she knew Renee would welcome her back with open arms, but Olivia just didn't feel right about it. Not yet. Instead, she started to make a list - a plan of sorts:

- email SSB Aug 1

- text Renee June 22

- call and make appt with therapist before you get home

It was a short list, but these were things that Olivia didn't want to let slip. She needed to test the waters at Renee and Dean's first to see if she was even going to be able to stay there, and with the anniversary of Mark's death in the near future, she knew she was going to need to start seeing a therapist again, and by August she would know if she was going to be able to come back. It was the closest to thinking about the future she'd allowed herself in months…it made her feel like she had some degree of control over her life. She let herself get carried away with plans for when she returned to Cincinnati.

Seth had stood in the hallway just outside their room for a full four minutes, trying to think where he could go. The gym and rooftop were quickly crossed off the list - both were now closed. He thought about going for a walk along the riverfront, but he didn't really know Chicago at all, and he realized he had left this wallet inside the room, only grabbing a room card before he left. May as well give the bar a try…

It was at times like this that Seth wished he was not quite so rational. He knew Olivia had been very happily married to Mark for ten years. She adored him, but Seth wasn't so sure that he and Mark would have hit it off. He knew that maybe things had been a bit overwhelming for Olivia, and maybe he had pressed his luck with the gift and words of love on the same night. He also knew that Olivia was struggling at the moment, whether he was making that harder for her or not he didn't know. So tonight's slip of the tongue was completely understandable, and absolutely forgivable. So why am I insanely jealous of the guy? He's not coming back, but it's not like Olivia broke up with him, either. He pushed the lobby button in the elevator and leaned back against the cool veneer of the car wall.

He wound up seated at the bar, nursing a few more beers and feeling a little sorry for himself. His head was swimming with images of the evening - Olivia had looked absolutely gorgeous in that dress, and the dinner had been amazing…and things seemed to go downhill once he had given her the necklace. But it wasn't all bad, right? She loved the necklace, she loved the rooftop, and she was definitely on the same page in the room… He took a long pull at the bottle, and then sighed, trying to find some interest in what was on the bar shelves.

"Mind if I sit here?" A voice at his elbow got his attention. A tall blonde woman stood gesturing at the free seat beside Seth. He glanced around the bar, and realized it had filled up quite a bit since he'd come in an hour ago. What time is it?

He pulled out the spare chair, "Be my guest, but I don't think I'm staying for too much longer."

The blond slid in next to him, "Thanks…I need to get off of my feet, and my girlfriend is late coming down. We're heading out to the clubs…I'm Alexa, by the way," she offered her hand and Seth shook it.

"I'm Seth, nice to meet you."

Alexa looked Seth over appraisingly, "Wanna come? We're meeting some other people there - might be fun."

Seth raised his eyebrows, "Um, no, sorry. I'm just finishing this off, and then going up to my girlfriend in our room."

"Well, that's a shame, you're missing a fun time…" She looked at the short row of empty bottles in front of Seth, "You look like you could use a fun time…girlfriend troubles?"

Seth sighed, then nodded what the hell…"Something like that. It's a long story…you definitely don't have time before your friend arrives…"

She was persistent, he gave her that, "Well, maybe I can help…give you a woman's perspective…can you give me the Coles notes version?"

Seth found himself nodding, and turning his bar seat so he was sitting directly across from and facing Alexa. I must have had more to drink tonight than I thought… "We've been together for just shy of a month - still very new. My girlfriend lost her husband a year ago in Seattle…miscarried as well." He saw Alexa close her eyes, and bring a hand to her chest in sympathy. "She just started going out and doing things again when I met her. We hit it off right away, instant attraction. She's been living with her cousin and her husband in Cincinnati for the last year, and a few days ago my girlfriend found out that her cousin is pregnant, and they didn't tell her right away, so she wound up finding out from a third party."

Alexa's jaw was on the floor, "Oh my god, I can't even…how horrible! She must have been devastated…"

Seth took another swig from his beer, "I was leaving the next day on a business trip, and I offered to bring her along with me to get away from things for a couple of weeks. Tonight we had a great dinner, I gave her a necklace that she loved, and then…"

Alexa sat forward in her seat, "Then what? What happened?"

"I told her I loved her."

Silence from his audience. Seth pushed forward, "She bolted. I said she didn't have to say it back, but-"

Alexa interrupted him with a hand up, "Hang on - you've been dating not quite a month, she's still getting over the loss of her husband, child, and I'm guessing the relationship with the cousin is not so hot at the moment?" Seth nodded. "She leaves her solid home base to go on this trip with you, and then you lay something heavy on her like that? I'm not surprised she ran, to be honest…"

Seth felt the need to defend himself to this complete stranger, "Well I told her she didn't have to say it back, and when I went back to the room to find her, she said she did feel the same, but couldn't say the words yet. So we, well…"

Alexa looked at him expectantly, "That part, I don't need to know about."

"Well, I'll gloss over the details, but we were, well…involved, and then…she called out her husband's name…"

Alexa was speechless. Seth continued, "And then I didn't know what to think…I just needed to get out of there."

She nodded, "Your girl - did she beg you to stay? Break down and cry? Apologize?"

Seth sighed, "She looked pretty upset by what happened - I mean it was an accident, and completely understandable…but it still, it still hurt, I guess is what I'm getting at. Olivia tried to apologize, I think, but I was too angry to hear it. She told me to come back when I was ready…so... I guess I'm ready…"

She scooted her chair a little closer to Seth, "Look, you seem like a really sweet guy…and I really believe you want to do right by your girlfriend, which is very noble - full points there. And I completely understand you being upset about what happened - a lot of guys would have issues coming back after something like that."

"I'm sensing a big but coming on…"

Alexa giggled, "Correct - here's your big but - you came on way too strong tonight. If I were in her situation, I'd be running too…" She patted his cheek sympathetically, "you need to give her time, let her do things in her own time. It may kill you to hold back and wait, but believe me if you don't - you will drive her away. Even if she does love you."

She turned her head and waved to a woman who had just come into the lobby, "Oh, there's Nikki, I gotta run - Look Seth, trust me - give her time, let her drive the bus for a while. But maybe let her know that's what you're going to do…she might get the wrong idea if you suddenly back right off and she has no idea why…don't be that guy. Be a communicator, chicks love communication…" She reached over and drank the last of Seth's beer, "That's my counseling fee - I hope everything goes well for you, my friend - have a good night!" Alexa hopped off the bar seat and wove her way through the crowd to greet her girlfriend.

He stared after her, waving weakly as she left arm in arm with the new arrival. "So I guess I'm ready?" he asked the bartender, who nodded.

"One way to find out, sir - good night and good luck…"

Seth rolled his eyes, tipped the bartender, and headed back to the elevator.

Olivia was lightly dozing, sitting up in bed and clutching her pillow in front of her in a death grip. Oak Island continued to play in the background, but she'd lost interest and had been sleeping on and off for the last hour.

Seth closed the door quietly behind him. He hoped Olivia was awake so they could talk about what happened before bed - he wasn't sure he was going to be able to sleep if he couldn't get rid of this weight in his chest. The light in the living room was still on, as were the bedside lamps and the TV in the bedroom. His heart had started to pound the moment he stepped back into their suite with the thought of talking to Olivia. Would she be mad he had left her alone? Sad? Or worse - would she not be bothered by it at all?

He walked through the living room, turning off the lamp as he passed by. Olivia looked like she might be sleeping, but he couldn't tell for certain. He stood at the threshold of the bedroom and knocked very lightly on the door jamb, "Olivia? You still up?"

She moved slightly on the bed, and then Seth saw an eyelid slide open, when she spotted Seth at the door, both eyes opened and then squinted against the light, "Seth?"

He took a few more steps closer to the bed and sat down on the corner, "I'm sorry to wake you up…"

She shook her head, trying to clear some of the cobwebs out, "It's fine - I was just watching this show on TV, I think I dozed off a couple of minutes ago." She pressed her lips together with a tight smile, "I guess if you came back, you want to talk about what happened, yes?"

Seth nodded, "I need to apologize for - well for a lot of things, I think. It has been brought to my attention that I may have said and done some things tonight that, while they are generally considered the right things to say and do…they may have been a little much for you to handle all in one go." He stayed where he was, trying to listen to Alexa's advice and letting Olivia take the lead.

Olivia closed her eyes, and Seth thought he saw a faint smile, "Seth, I know I've said it to you before, but I am so thankful that you came into my life. You've no idea how much easier it is to keep the dark away when you've got someone to talk to, to share things with, to hold…I have already said as much tonight, but it bears repeating because I want you to know that you mean so much to me." She pulled the covers back, and sat on the same side of the bed as Seth was on, just out of reach,

Seth sighed, "Olivia, I know you didn't do it on purpose…and it's okay, really." The urge to move closer to her, hold her hand, anything, really was so tempting, but he resisted. He smiled at her, "I didn't mean to hurt you by leaving, I just needed to clear my head, sort myself out…" he chuckled, thinking of Alexa, "I received some good advice from a helpful stranger who pointed out that maybe I needed to be more open and not play things so close to the chest. I still feel the way I feel about you, I won't take that back...but I'm going to do my best to give you your breathing room, and take my cues from you." He watched her carefully for a reaction, but Olivia seemed pleased by this announcement.

"I adore what you did tonight, Seth - you made me feel so special, so wanted, so desired…but with you, I think I need to take it slow. Maybe we should hold off on the whole sex thing for a bit? I mean, we can still cuddle and it is pretty nice waking up in the morning with you…" she held out her hand to him, palm up, "if you can handle that?"

Seth felt a huge surge of relief, taking her hand in his, "Olivia, I just want you to be happy, if I get to be there, so much the better…" He felt her grip his hand tightly in hers and took a deep breath, glad to be able to put tonight's events behind them.

He looked back at the TV screen, "So what's on tonight?"

Olivia scooted closer to him and hugged him tightly, "Well, I've been learning a crapton about how popular a little island in Nova Scotia was for Templars, Spanish explorers, and Vikings…" she sat back on the bed with a wide smile on her face. Olivia was still a bit stunned that things had resolved themselves, and thanked the mystery Samaritan who gave Seth some pretty decent advice. She crawled over to her side of the bed and nestled under the covers and tried to make another round through the TV channels.

Seth stood, looking unsure of what to do. He was looking at the living room couch, and then back to Olivia. She gave him a questioning look, "Everything okay?"

"I just didn't want to assume, and thought I might crash on the couch…"

Olivia shook her head and patted the bed beside her, "I think I like having someone to cuddle up with…but if it's going to make things weird, then you do what makes you comfortable."

"Do you know what makes things weird?"

"Talking about what makes things weird?"

"Bingo."

"Seth just get changed and get over here - you're missing out on the part where they come across some wood in a core sample…"

Seth grinned and began to unbutton his shirt, "That sounds like something I really have to see to believe…" Undressed except for his boxers, he crawled into bed beside Olivia, and when she put an arm around his chest and rested her head on him he automatically brought an arm up behind her to hold her close. This…this is nice…he thought to himself, absently running his hand up and down her back. "I like the new pjs…" he murmured.

Olivia was already well on her way to sleep, but she still tried a response, "Fnks…godim et Purnebr tvennyum…" was all Seth heard as she began to fall asleep, and thought she had the right idea. He turned off the TV and closed his eyes, arm still draped around Olivia.

Seth woke up alone in bed the next morning, and felt a brief zap of panic shoot through his body before seeing Olivia through the suite's glass partition. She had a coffee in hand and was typing madly on her phone with the other. Seth saw another coffee cup on the table and smiled, sitting up and kicking his legs over the side of the bed.

Olivia noticed the movement and turned to wave at Seth. She was still wearing the night shirt he liked and she stood to bring him the coffee. Her dark curls were still in disarray, and she still had faint bed impressions along her cheek, so she couldn't have been up for too long. She stepped into the bedroom, her face lighting up when she saw him, "Hey sleepy head…I made coffee, but it's hotel room coffee, so this is really just to start the wakeup procedure…" She passed Seth the cup and she tousled his hair, "You have the best bedhead…" she murmured, running her fingers through it and she stood in front of him.

Seth took a sip of the coffee and grimaced, placing the cup on the bedside table. He pulled her a little closer so he could put his arms around her and rest his head on her abdomen. He cradled his head in her arms, smoothing his hair down, "I've been checking out what we could do for our two days here…if you hurry up and shower and get dressed, we can talk about it over breakfast?"

Seth looked up at her, "How long have you been up for?" He checked the clock, it was still only about six thirty.

Olivia sighed and sat beside him on the bed, "Not long, about a half hour…Last night, when you were…out, I started a list of things I needed to get started this week. When I woke up, I thought you might enjoy a bit of a lie-in, so I made some coffee and got started."

His head tilted quizzically, "What kind of things?" He tried to have another sip of coffee, but it was just as bad as the first, "We definitely need to go and get a coffee…" he said.

Olivia pursed her lips, looking like she was weighing options, "Why don't we get ready to go, and we can talk about it on the drive to Meli's." She leaned forward and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, "I'll go first, but I won't be too long."

Seth nodded absently, his mind already racing ahead. Remembering Alexa's dictum to communicate more, he felt a question wasn't out of place. "Olivia?" She turned, clothes in hand, "We are okay, right - I mean, maybe not totally okay, but you didn't answer my question just now and having a discussion sounds…ominous." Olivia just looked at him, a sympathetic look on her face, "Or, you know what? I've been up for ten minutes, and obviously am in need of caffeination…I'm sorry, it just sounded …strange. I'm good - go shower - I'll be here." Seth was aware that he was babbling, but he couldn't make himself stop. He sat back down on the bed, and waved Olivia off. That was probably not what Alexa meant when she said to communicate more - communicating doesn't necessarily mean spewing anything that popped into your head at her…

They were dressed and in the elevator on the way down when Olivia re-started the conversation. "So these things - these emails I need to send…it's all okay, Seth, really." She saw his face had immediately taken on a pinched, anxious look when she started talking. "I started a short list of things I needed to do. The first one was to text Renee by June 22 - I don't think I can leave it any longer. I need to know what they think about me coming back when we get back to Cincinnati again…and I need to know how I feel about it too - hard to do that when I only have my own perspective to draw on…so Renee in four days."

Seth saw that this was still something that made Olivia really nervous, but he felt a wave of pride that she was still doing it even though it scared the crap out of her. He chose not to mention that he'd been in contact with Dean and Renee - Olivia had already made the decision to make contact, as far as he was concerned it wasn't a big deal. "Sounds like a good idea - you both have had some time to think about what you want to say, and maybe what you want to ask…what were the other things?"

Olivia's whole body was noticeably more relaxed once she'd gotten the worst out of the way. "I made the decision last night to start seeing a grief therapist again…I love that you are there for me Seth, I can't tell you what that's meant to me." She gripped his arm as the doors to the elevator opened and released them into the lobby. "I think this last week would have been unbearable without someone to talk to." She stopped and went up on tiptoe to peck Seth very delicately on the lips.

"Olivia, you know how I feel - "

Olivia held out two hands to stop Seth from speaking further, "I know, I really do…but I don't think it's completely fair of me to talk to you and expect you to be able to help me from a psychological point of view…I want to be able to talk to you about silly things too, and boring things…without having memories of Mark being mixed up in that as well…" she shook her head, feeling she wasn't able to explain herself clearly. "I don't mean that I don't feel like I can't talk about Mark to you - you've been incredibly understanding on that point. But I feel I want to separate my time with you and my time with Mark…I am not saying this very well…but I am hoping that this will help me live with the pain a bit better. Does that make sense?"

Seth's head was spinning - he thought he understood Olivia very well, "So you are seeing a therapist so that we can have a better relationship?"

He was rewarded with a pinball smile that lit up Olivia's face, "Yes! God, why couldn't I have said that instead of a convoluted diatribe that lasted the length of this lobby?"

They walked out into the Chicago morning - it was warm and sunny again, with its own distinct sounds of roads and boats and people. Seth pointed out their rideshare, and opened the door for Olivia. When they were on their way, Olivia continued, "I think I mentioned at dinner the other day that I had a decision to make about going back to Seattle or not…I do have until August to make that decision, but I needed to start thinking about where my future was going to be - Seattle or Cincinnati?" She took a deep breath and let it out, and it took everything Seth had to remain silent and listen. "Seattle is everything familiar to me - at least it was…when Mark died, I lost my family, but I also lost my friends - if Dean and Renee hadn't come to see me when they did, I don't want to know what would've happened to me…no one called to see how I was when I moved to Cincinnati, and I know I didn't reach out either, but I kind of had other things happening…until recently Cincinnati felt like a holding pattern for me - a place to get better and then move back to Seattle when I was better," her bottom lip quivered slightly, and although Seth remained silent, he did reach out his hand to take hers. "But then I made a friend, and began thinking about making a new start…and I realized I don't think of Seattle as home anymore…so I let the Seattle School Board know that they will have to find a new music teacher for my lovely students at Garfield High."

Relief flooded through Seth when he realized Olivia had decided to stay - and that she had decided to stay for him. They were just about at their destination, so he satisfied himself with clutching her hand tightly in his, and kissing the knuckles on her hand. When they arrived at Meli's, he waited until he car drove away before wrapping his arms gently around Olivia and holding her securely. He felt her arms reciprocate and squeeze him tightly and for a few minutes they just stood there, holding each other and oblivious to the stares of passers-by.

"I need to tell you, Olivia -I thought for a minute there that'd you'd decided to go back and give Seattle a try…" he was still holding her, his voice hoarse from a combination of tension and emotion.

Olivia gave him a final solid squeeze and then let go, looking up at him and keeping a grip on both his hands. "I won't lie and say it never entered into my head - I spent ten years with that school and the kids I worked with every day and every year meant a great deal to me - but I know they have managed this year just fine with a new face…but it's one more thing that I think I need to close the book on, and move on…maybe Cincinnati is looking for new teachers…" she mused. She had made herself face some pretty hard facts while typing email drafts this morning - she had actually been up since five and couldn't get back to sleep when her brain began a whirlwind of possibilities and random ideas. Leaving Seattle behind would be the final goodbye to Mark . She would go back one last time to where he had been buried to get closure, but she knew that personally there was nothing there for her anymore…and there was so much more where she was right now. She laced her fingers through both of his hands and pulled him down for a tender kiss before going inside.

Inside the cafe, once breakfast was ordered, they huddled together to take a look at what Chicago had to offer them today. Alan has said he had Cubs tickets for them for later this afternoon, and as Olivia had never seen a Major League Baseball game, that was what their day rotated around. It was a quick transit trip to Wrigley Field from almost anywhere, and the weather was beautiful, so they decided to spend the morning checking out Millennium Park and "The Bean" and catch the game on the way home.

"Doing a whole two things in a city the size of Chicago doesn't really seem like we're giving it a fair shake," Olivia commented. There were so many things you could do, especially in the summer, it was hard to narrow them down.

"Yeah," Seth agreed, "But take a look at the size of Millennium Park…it's huge…and there's a mini golf course, and the Art Institute of Chicago is there - I don't know how long I can last in an art museum, but I bet I could do a couple hours at least…if that's your thing, of course…" he trailed off, knowing full well that it was completely Olivia's thing.

"Well you have a point…so we go back to the hotel, get the tickets from Alan, train it out to Millennium Park, and then head back in for a dinner of ball park hotdogs and beer?" She looked up as their breakfast arrived, "That actually sounds like a wonderful day."

Seth looked at the contented expression on Olivia's face - not one he'd been used to seeing - and gave her a smile in return, "And just think - we still do have all of tomorrow as well, and if you are staying in Cincinnati, we could come back every year and see a little more…"

"I think I would love that…"

They took a ride back to the hotel to get ready for the day - Millennium Park was a nice walk away, but they planned to take transit from there to Wrigley Field and Seth wanted to make sure he had the tickets on him before they left.

"This must be your lucky weekend - normally I get to use these tickets with my kid, but he has a cello recital today and my wife would roast both of us if we missed it for a game, so…enjoy! The seats are not too shabby - beside the Cubbies' dugout. You'll definitely have a good view of the action and the beer vendor comes around fairly often." Alan handed the tickets to Olivia and went back to the front desk.

Olivia's eyes were lit up as she looked at the tickets, "I can't believe how excited I am to go see a baseball game - I mean I lived in Seattle for almost 15 years and never went to a single Mariners game, like ever…"

Seth chuckled, taking her hand and leading her out the doors to Michigan Avenue, "Well to be fair, the Mariners kinda suck."

Olivia had seen stock photos of Cloud Gate, or "The Bean" as it was more commonly known, but it really was a total other thing to see it up close and in person. After pushing away thoughts of her own Bean, she was completely mesmerized by it - it was this enormous silvery curved bean that reflected everything and everyone, and she couldn't get enough pictures of it.

"Okay Olivia…that's like the four hundredth photo you've taken and we can always come back tomorrow - can we go check out the rest of the park, maybe see a little art?" Seth shook his head with a smile, it was very cool to see this side of Olivia - excited, completely in awe of a giant reflecting bean, like a kid in a candy store. Seth thought it was cool of course, but maybe not 435 photos cool…

Olivia called him over for one more selfie, "Okay now this one we do silly - just go crazy - okay one…two…three…" She looked at the photo and he saw her shake her head. She showed him the photo, "Is this your version of crazy? You're looking at me adoringly…which I love, but I look psychotic in comparison…"

He started to walk ahead just a bit, "Can't help it, Livs…" he turned and took a few steps backwards, "I'm crazy for you…"

Olivia burst out laughing, "That has to be the corniest thing you've ever said to me…" She caught up to him and kissed him, "Don't ever stop."

The Art Institute of Chicago was like nothing Olivia had ever seen before - for some reason, seeing works of art she'd only previously seen in photos up close was a surreal experience. She wished they'd had more than a couple of hours to go through it, but she knew they could come back tomorrow or the next time they came through Chicago. She touched the necklace Seth had given her as she thought about coming to Chicago for a yearly visit. She knew she had made some good decisions this morning, she felt better about her future than she had in a long time. She couldn't remember the last time she'd even thought about the future, to be honest.

"Hey, there you are…I found the Chagall windows you wanted to see - they're just over here…" Seth took her hand and led her most of the way over. A few feet away from the room with the stained glass work, he stopped. "Okay, I want you to close your eyes - I think you're going to get a better first view if you're actually in the room before you see it…I'll take you in." Seth sounded a little excited about seeing this piece, which was reassuring - there was nothing like dragging someone stone bored through an art gallery. She closed her eyes, and when Seth had determined she couldn't see, he carefully led her to the space where the Chagall American Windows had stood for almost fifty years. She felt him come around behind her and rest his hands on her shoulders, "Okay Olivia…open your eyes."

She was overcome by the sight of the iconic blue windows - she didn't know why but they gave her an overwhelming sense of peace. She couldn't stop her eyes from hungrily taking in every inch, committing it to memory. "It's absolutely incredible, isn't it?" She heard Seth murmur into her ear. She could only nod mutely.

The Chagall windows had an odd effect on the two of them. They passed their remaining time in the gallery quietly, but never apart from each other, like they had both witnessed something life-changing. I guess art just does that for some people…Olivia thought.

Outside the Art Institute, Seth stopped on the steps, "I want you to know that I have never stepped foot in an art gallery before…but that was really cool…thank you Olivia."

A big grin broke out on her face, "It was pretty cool, wasn't it? I can't wait to see the rest sometime…" This time it was her turn to lead Seth away from the museum and down the steps "…but I think we'd better make our way to Wrigley Field if we want to catch the start of the game and get some ballpark food for dinner…I'm starved..."

He grinned at the woman in front of him, a little amazed that four hours in an art gallery could energize someone so much. "Okay, but fair warning, "ballpark food" is a fancy way of saying stale hotdogs and lukewarm beer if we're lucky…"

Olivia returned his smile, "As long as it's with you, I'd say I'm very lucky…"