Traveling with the kids was uneventful, even pleasant this time around. A sense of relief lingered between them, elated their midwestern adventure would soon be coming to a close. After leaving the kids with Vince, Elaine meandered to the hotel, happy to have some time to herself in her city. Every block she passed, she was reassured she hadn't made a fool-hearted decision. Maybe Gwen was onto something saying a positive change wouldn't have caused so much angst.

While she's convinced herself her long walk was a means to kill time before she was allowed to check in to her room, once her bags were dropped and in the quiet of the cramped and dusty room, she had to admit she was procrastinating. With it being too late in the day for apartment hunting, seeing Alex was her priority. The clock taunted her, a constant reminder that the longer she waited the more likely she'd have to speak with him under the scrutiny of the other drivers at the garage.

She was relieved when he answered his door. That relief didn't last, however, as the expression on his face upon seeing her turned almost cold, only offset by a hint of confusion.

"Elaine?" he said after some time.

"Hi, Alex."

"What are you doing here?"

"I want to talk to you."

Stepping aside to let her in, reluctance notwithstanding, he said, "You came all the way to New York?"

In hopes to get to the matter she wanted to discuss, she answered, "I'm moving back."

"You're what?"

"What's difficult to understand about that?"

"The part where you're moving back."

She chuckled. "I don't know why. I told you I wanted to come home."

"And you got Arnie to agree with it?" he questioned.

"I broke up with him."

"You what?"

"Did I pick up a midwestern accent in Chicago or something?"

Unamused, Alex said while he took her arm and led her over to the sofa, "Why would you do a thing like that?"

"I already told you why."

"I'm serious, Elaine."

"So am I. I told you I was having second thoughts. I told you I wanted to come back to New York."

"Why didn't you call?" he said once he'd turn away. "You could have told me you were leaving Chicago."

"I broke up with Arnie the next night. Then I was moving out and getting settled at Gwen's so I could look for a place here and let the kids get through to vacation. I'm technically not moved back yet. It was too difficult to find an apartment without seeing it, at least for my price range. I brought the kids to their father's. It's been so crazy. By the time I thought of calling, too much time had passed. Besides, there's a lot to be said for it to be a long-distance phone call."

"I didn't think I'd hear from you again," he said.

"I'm sorry."

Hearing the hurt that'd come through with his last sentence, he switched gears to cover. "So… how long are you here then."

"A few days. I hope to find something in that time."

"I guess I can help you look… I mean, if you have to go back before then."

Weakly smiling, she thanked him. Then moving to the edge of the couch, trying to get his attention to turn back on her, she said, "You know there's a lot more to talk about than moving plans."

Refusing to give in, he said, "I figured."

Elaine sighed. "I know you're probably thinking I made this decision expecting you to agree to give us a try. I don't expect anything from you. My only wish is to have you in my life again… one way or another."

Alex glanced at her.

She went on. "I want a clean slate. Here and now we need to be honest with each other and go from there. Finding out how you feel… felt… however it is, it made me realize how crazy I am about you. That and being away. I would love to see what happens if we give ourselves a chance and I'll admit that's been my hope. Just know that I don't expect you to say you want the same thing. I haven't forgotten why we've avoided it. I've had a lot of time to think things through and I'm prepared for you to tell me friendship is as far as it goes. I just want you to know how I feel and not play this guessing game anymore. I love you, Alex. That won't change whether we're friends or more. You mean so much to me and all I care about is not losing you again. I'm sorry I've handled things so poorly."

"What about Arnie?" was all he could ask.

"In the past," she answered. "Your answer won't make a difference. I would have figured out things weren't working with him with or without you. If anything, you gave me the courage to leave while I still could. If I'm being brutally honest, I tried so hard to make it work because I wanted to believe Simka saw something in him that was good for me. I suppose he was in a way, but at the end of the day, I wasn't happy."

"But—"

"But nothing. I made my decision and I don't regret it. I know I sprung this on you. You don't have to say anything tonight if you don't want to. I just wanted you to know that I'm coming back to New York and where I stand on things between us." Taking his hand, she finished, "As I said, I'm prepared for you to feel otherwise. The last thing I want is for us to start a relationship under pressure or a sense of obligation."

Alex nodded, but continued to keep his eyes from meeting hers directly. Elaine waited a moment for him to speak. When he didn't she started to step away, about to tell him she would give him some space. To her surprise, he maintained his hold on her hand, pulling her back.

"Maybe it's worth the risk," he said softly.

Trying not to sound too hopeful, she replied, "Really?"

At last meeting her eye, Alex nodded again. "Feeling like I'd lost you is something I never wish to go through again. I'd convinced myself after our last conversation that you were gone for good. I know that we could probably go back to how things were… but I don't have the heart. I love you, too, Elaine. I'd be an idiot to convince myself again that I don't want to share my life with you. You mean everything to me."

Elaine, too overcome for words, responded by hugging him, holding on tightly and letting the last few months melt away from her memory as long as she could manage. Alex held back, burying his nose in her hair as he kissed her head.

"I've missed you so much," she mumbled against his shoulder after some time.

"I've missed you, too." Then pulling back, though not quite stepping away, cupped her face in his hands. If not for the knocking at the door he would have kissed her.

His shoulder dropped as his hands fell to his sides. "Simka…" he grumbled.

"Simka?"

"Almost daily she's been hounding me to call you or fly out to you."

"Did you tell her?" she questioned.

Alex answered guiltily, "Yeah… but not in detail. I figured she knew, honestly. She said something about her being wrong setting you up with Arnie and that you and I were meant to be together."

"Oh, really?" Elaine grinned, her eyebrows slightly raised.

"Reiger! Open up!" Simka called when there was no answer.

Taking Alex's hand, Elaine pulled him to the door. "Open," she said just before she kissed him.

Doing as he was told, he flung the door open with his free hand, the other taking hold of Elaine.

Simka charged in and passed them, scolding him with her usual speech, not even noticing the two until she turned back.

"Elaine!" she screeched. "You're here! And you're with Alex?!"

Pulling away from him with a laugh, Elaine laughed. "I am."

"Finally!" Simka yelled, punching Alex's arm. "What took you so long?"

Flinching back, he replied, "Does it matter?"

"Yes, because if you waited for her to show you get another blow."

"It's all right, Simka. How about a hello hug instead?"

Simka gave in, saying, "He is still a stubborn old goat."

With a chuckle, Elaine stepped back from her and reached out for Alex's hand. "And I love him for it."

Smiling ear to ear, Simka clasped her hands together. "I am loving this already! Why didn't you tell me you were coming, Elaine? I would have told Latka I would be gone longer."

"Why don't you meet us at the garage tomorrow and we can explain it to everyone? And bring Amanda. I miss her terribly!"

"All right," she whined with impatience, "but feel free to call me later with a sneak peek. Remember who set you up!"

"Simka—" Alex started, not getting far before Elaine's elbow made its way into his side.

"Let it go," she mumbled.

Almost dancing to the door, Simka said, "I have to go tell Latka and Amanda the wonderful news! And remember, Elaine, call me. I'm still mad at you for not telling me when we last spoke."

Amused, Elaine said, "I promise."

Satisfied with this, Simka waved goodbye to the both of them, slamming the door behind her in her rush. Alex and Elaine looked at each other and laughed.

"We'll have to get our stories straight tonight," Elaine said, reaching up and settling her arms around his shoulders. "No reason they should know the whole thing."

Alex nodded, resting his hands on her hips. "Please, let's come up with a version that spares me the most embarrassment. Simka already blabbed about the letter."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"I regret I didn't say everything in person," he sighed.

"There's plenty of time now."

"You mean right this second?"

"Eh," she said with a shrug of her shoulders, "it can wait a little while longer."

With a chuckle and roll of his eyes, Alex resumed the position he'd taken before Simka's interruption. "Welcome back, Elaine."

The end.