AN: Thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites. I enjoyed reading them all, especially the various conclusions offered after reading the first chapter. The next few chapters will use flashbacks to show how they came together and what their lives were like before Olivia left. Then we will get back to present day so we can find out where Olivia is, why she left, and a whole bunch of other stuff. BTW, Olitz is always my endgame.
Reader575, Home for the Holidays had an impact, hunh? AmandaJ, did you hack my computer? Cleo, the brunette won't be back and I don't know who Lillian is. Here we go. Tell me what you think.
Chapter 2 Welcome Home, Captain
Flashback – Six Years Ago
Olivia walks over to the huge buffet table which is a veritable cornucopia of traditional barbecue favorites, all which have been prepared solely by her friend's mother to welcome home the son who has recently retired from the Navy after serving his country for15 years. There is a variety of grilled meats and vegetables, an assortment of salads, dips, fruits, nuts, cheeses and crackers spread across the table.
Her friend Ben has always been proud of his older brother, always bragging about him getting selected for the Naval Academy then commissioned in the Navy and climbing the ranks to Captain. Although she has heard so much about Ben's brother, Olivia has never met Fitz. So she decides to introduce herself when she sees he is alone for the first time since she arrived.
"Welcome home Captain Grant", looking up at the handsome man who is loading his plate with lots and lots of potato salad. Fitz turns and smiles at the woman.
"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, ma'am. And you are?"
"Olivia – Pope", she says, extending her hand.
Fitz sets his plate and beer onto the table and shakes her hand.
"So you're Bennie's girlfriend?" He asks because he saw how his brother reacted when Olivia arrived at the party.
"No, not at all", waving her hand dismissively and shaking her head. "Ben and I are just friends – been friends since high school."
"Does he know that?"
"Of course", wondering why he would ask such a question.
"Well Captain Grant, I just wanted to welcome you home and thank you for serving our country – for keeping us safe."
"Nice meeting you, Olivia", giving her a million dollar smile. "And call me Fitz, all of my friends do."
As the afternoon transitions into evening and the sun begins to set, the music and voices in the backyard get louder and Fitz is feeling more energized. He has not been home in years and he is happy to see all of his family and friends.
"Well, well, well. Mom has really outdone herself today", his older brother John says, sitting on the bench next to the man of the hour.
"She really has. I really missed all of this – the family gatherings."
John nods as he leans back against the bench and sips his beer.
"So, are you seeing anyone? Did you leave a special girl back in California?"
"No one special", Fitz says, surveying the outdoor space.
"What about you? Are you seeing anyone special?"
"Not yet. I think I'm getting tired of the bachelor life though."
"You? I don't believe it", Fitz looks at his older brother in surprise.
"After a while you want someone who is going to be there for you – be there for the long haul. Someone who is willing to bring you chicken soup when you're sick. I'm getting tired of the one-night stands and meaningless relationships. And it doesn't help any that mom keeps reminding me she wants grand kids."
Fitz nods.
"So what do you know about Olivia?" Nodding in Olivia's direction.
"Nice girl. She and Bennie are friends – been friends since high school."
Fitz sips his beer as he continues to eye Olivia who is laughing it up with the crowd standing around the pool.
"Anything going on with her and Bennie?"
"You know Bennie. If he liked a girl she would never know it. Not like us", John chuckles and elbows Fitz. "We always go after what we want."
"So they're not a thing?" Fitz presses.
"Hey, hey", John turns and looks at his brother. "Are you interested in Olivia?"
"I'm not sure. There's something about her that intrigues me. But if Bennie –"
"Go for it. If Bennie hasn't staked his claim –"
"You're a Neanderthal, John."
"Olivia is a few years younger than you, Fitz. Don't take advantage of her. She and Bennie might not be a thing but she is a nice girl."
Fitz nods and continues to watch the woman who has caught his attention.
Olivia is having a good time with her friends. She is glad she let Ben convince her to forego working again tonight and come to his brother's Welcome Home Party. As she sips her wine she has the feeling someone is watching her, so she turns her head slowly until she locks eyes with those crystal blues she saw earlier. He nods and lifts his beer bottle to her. She smiles nervously and rubs the back of her neck before turning back to her friends.
After another hour or so the crowd begins to dwindle and Olivia decides to call it a night so she walks over to the Grants to say her good-byes.
"Mr., Mrs. Grant, thank you for allowing Ben to invite me today. I had a wonderful time. Everything was terrific."
"Olivia, you know you are always welcome in our home. You and Bennie have been friends forever."
"Thank you, Mrs. Grant. That's so kind of you. Well, I'm going to head out now."
"Fitzgerald", his father calls to his son who is standing nearby talking to an old friend. "Come walk Olivia to her car. She's ready to leave."
Olivia and Fitz look at each other and smile nervously.
"Thank you for coming today", Fitz says as they walk toward her car.
"It was a good party", trying to remain cool. For some reason she feels anxious whenever she talks to him.
"Well, this is me", stopping in front of the compact vehicle.
"May I call you sometime, Olivia?"
He smiles and she thinks she is going to pass out. He looks at her with those piercing blue eyes that sparkle even in the night and her heart begins to beat a mile a minute. She holds out her hand and he looks at her curiously.
"Your phone, Captain. You'll need my number if you're really going to call me."
The next morning the Grant men load up John's SUV to head up to the mountains for their annual weeklong fishing trip. Although a bit hung over from last night's festivities, they are all really excited that for the first time in several years all four men can share in the family tradition.
XXX
Olivia sits in her office drafting the proposal for her latest project. She looks over at her phone sitting on the desk and thinks three days have passed since she gave Fitz her phone number and he has not called her. She shrugs it off, chalking it up to him being one of those guys who likes to collect women's phone numbers. Besides, he probably has a girlfriend back wherever he came from. After all, he has travelled the world and has been with all kinds of beautiful women, why would he be interested in her? She pushes Captain Grant from her mind and refocuses on writing the proposal.
After she finishes the first draft Olivia shuts down her computer and turns off the lights in her office. It has been a long day and she is ready to go home, take a hot shower, and heat a cardboard box of something in the microwave for dinner. As she closes the office door her phone begins to vibrate at the bottom of her purse. She fights through all of the stuff in the purse trying to retrieve the phone.
"Hello", she says, not realizing she has the phone upside-down. "Hello?"
"Olivia? Are you there?"
Finally realizing she is holding the phone upside-down she turns it around and shakes her head, thinking she must really be tired.
"Yes, I'm here. Hi."
"Hi", he says smiling. "Is this not a good time?"
"No, not at all" sitting on the chair in the hall outside of her office.
"I'm calling", he says like a cornball.
"You're calling", smiling at his corniness.
"My family - my brothers, father, and I are away on our annual fishing trip. It's all week. We've been gone for the past three days", he says quickly. For some reason he feels the need to explain where he has been for the past three days.
"I see", setting her purse on the floor and leaning back in the chair.
"Did Bennie not tell you?"
"Ben doesn't share his personal schedule with me."
He smiles and nods his head.
"Well the reception up here is terrible. We had to drive down the road to buy batteries from the local store because John forgot to bring extras. I was able to get a signal outside of the store so I called you."
"I see", not knowing what else to say.
"I have to find a place to stay now that I'm back home. I can't stay at my parents' house forever."
"OK."
"And I was wondering if you would go with me to look at the places the real estate agent sent me."
She frowns, unsure of what he wants from her.
"I don't understand."
"I want your opinion."
"You want my opinion?"
"Yes", wiping the sweat from his forehead. Although it is early evening, it is still hot up in the mountains.
He begins to think perhaps this was not such a good idea because she does not sound too interested in trudging around town on her day off from work to look at apartments with him. But he has been wracking his brain all week trying to figure out what to say when he called her and this is the best he could come up with.
"OK", she says slowly. "When?"
A huge smile spread across his face.
"Saturday. But I'll call you in a few days when I get back home."
She nods.
"I'm going to lose this connection so I'll talk to you soon, Olivia."
"Bye, Fitz."
After disconnecting the call she looks at her phone, not quite sure what to think about Captain Grant. Fitz is doing a fist pump when Bennie walks up.
"You look like you just won the lottery, bro", Bennie says to his brother who is obviously excited about something.
"I might have, brother. I just might have."
Fitz drapes an arm around his younger brother's neck and they walk back to the truck.
XXX
Fitz and Olivia spent all Saturday morning touring the seven apartments the real estate agent recommended based on his criteria. They both had forgotten how harrowing apartment hunting can be. After they toured the last apartment on his list they were able to narrow their search to three apartments. Fitz suggested they debrief over lunch to discuss the pros and cons of the three apartments under consideration.
"That was terrific. I didn't realize how hungry I was", Olivia says, leaning back in the booth in the restaurant.
"Thank you for coming with me today, Olivia. You're making this process so much easier."
"No problem. It was kind of fun actually. But now you have to decide, Fitz. Which of the three apartments do you like best?"
"Which one do you like best?" He retorts quickly, looking at her from across the table.
Olivia scrolls through her phone reading the notes she made on the three apartments they are considering. Fitz smiles at how seriously she seems to be taking this task and slides in the booth next to her to look at her notes. He is sitting so close that his shoulder is rubbing against hers and his thigh is resting on hers.
"Well, each has their pros and cons, of course. But you said living near a park is important since you enjoy the outdoors. So that eliminates apartment number two."
He nods, looking at the phone screen intently.
"And you said you definitely need two bedrooms, one for when guests stay over. And you need a separate office space. So that eliminates apartment number three. I don't know why your agent even put that one on your list."
He smiles as she concentrates on her notes.
"I guess that means it's apartment number one then", looking at her notes. "Do you like it?"
"Fitz, you're the one who has to like it. You have to live there, not me."
"Well I want you to be comfortable when you come over to visit."
She looks at him for a moment then back at the phone screen.
"So, do you like it?"
"I do like it. Actually, it's not too far from where I live."
"Then that seals the deal. I'll text Joan now to let her know our decision."
Olivia slidesaway from him slightly as he texts Joan, his real estate agent.
"Well that's done", setting his phone down and not bothering to return to his side of the table.
"You made a good choice, Fitz. That apartment has almost everything you wanted."
"Now we have to go furniture shopping."
Olivia looks at him in surprise.
"I'm going to need furniture, Olivia."
"Maybe you want to take your mother, or Nora, or your girlfriend with you to shop for furniture."
"First, I love my mother but we definitely do not have the same taste in furniture. Second, Nora is a pain in the –"
"Fitz …" She admonishes.
"And, third, I don't have a girlfriend." He knows she is fishing for information.
"Not even back in California?"
"Not even back in California", grinning as he looks into her eyes.
She wonders how someone like him, someone so handsome and accomplished does not have a girlfriend. She nods and lifts her water glass to her mouth because she needs to do something with her hands. She needs to escape his piercing eyes.
"Have dinner with me tonight, Olivia." He says with intensity.
His closeness is making Olivia feel uncomfortable and she is not ready to spend more time with him today. She has already spent the entire morning and part of the afternoon with him. She needs space. She needs breathing room.
"I'm sorry Fitz, I can't tonight. I have plans this evening."
She sees the look of disappointment wash over his face and she feels badly.
"But let me know when you're ready to shop for furniture."
He nods, wondering if she has a boyfriend. He will have to ask Bennie.
One Week Later
Fitz has packed the few things he brought to his parents' house when he moved back home. He is setting down his bags at the front door when it swings open and Bennie walks into the house wearing his scrubs.
"So are you moving in or moving out?" Bennie asks jokingly.
"I'm moving into my apartment today. I still need to get furniture but it will work for now. I borrowed John's sleeping bag until I get a bed."
"That's terrific", Ben says, walking into the kitchen to get a bottle of water. "I know mom is going to miss having you around."
"I need my privacy, Bennie. You know how it is."
Bennie nods and sets the bottle on the counter then resumes rummaging through the refrigerator for something to eat. Since a kid he could always count on his mother to have snacks in the refrigerator. From across the kitchen Fitz watches his brother scavenge for food.
"So, have you seen your friend lately – the one who was at the party?" Fitz asks as Bennie continues looking into the refrigerator.
"Which one? Several of my friends were at the party."
"Olivia", Fitz says and Bennie tenses immediately and lets the cool air calm his rapidly reddening face.
"Why do you ask?" Bennie says tightly, finally regaining his composure sufficiently to turn around and face his brother.
"I was just wondering. Do you know if she is seeing anyone?" Fitz asks as Bennie fumbles with the food he placed on the counter. He has officially lost his appetite.
"Why don't you ask her?"
"I'm asking you."
The brothers stare at each other.
"No, I don't think she is. She works a lot. She runs her own nonprofit."
"I see", Fitz says, slapping Bennie on the back. "I gotta get going man. I'll invite everyone over to my place once I get everything set up."
Bennie nods as his brother walks from the kitchen. He feels like punching something.
XXX
Fitz called her a couple of days ago telling her he moved into his apartment. He wanted to know if she would go shopping with him after work on Wednesday. She really does not know what to think about spending so much time with him. Is he simply looking for a friend? Does he just want a point of view from a woman who is not his mother or sister? She does not know what to think, but she agreed to go shopping with him anyway.
Two Months Later
Olivia sits in her office grinning from ear to ear as she looks at the official notice informing her she was awarded the grant to fund her latest project. She reaches for her ringing phone and taps the phone icon as she smiles at the letter.
"Hello", she says in a sing-song voice, still looking at the papers she is holding in her hands.
"Well someone sounds like she is in a good mood today."
"Hi", smiling brightly, not sure if she is smiling because her grant was approved or because she is talking to him.
"Hi. So are you going to tell me why you're so happy, why you're smiling?" He leans back in his chair and plants a foot on the edge of his desk.
"How do you know I'm smiling?" Leaning back in her chair.
"Because I can hear it in your voice. So again, what or who has you smiling?" He loosens his tie and begins to roll up his shirt sleeves.
"I just found out I got the funding to help seniors to repair their wells", she blurts out excitedly, kicking off her shoes and resting her stocking feet on the edge of the wastebasket.
"Wow, that's terrific, Olivia. You should feel really proud."
"I am. It's really exciting." She can hardly contain herself.
"We have to celebrate."
"That's not necessary, Fitz."
Mona, Olivia's assistant, stands in the doorway and announces she is leaving for the day. Olivia turns around with the biggest smile on her face and holding the phone to her ear.
"Oh, I'm sorry Olivia. I didn't realize you were on the phone."
"Hold on, Fitz."
"Thank you, Mona for everything today. I'll see you tomorrow."
Mona waves good night and walks down the hall carrying her Betty Boop lunch bag. She smiles thinking Olivia seems to have finally found a man.
"Okay, I'm back now. You were saying?"
"I was saying you just had a major accomplishment and we should celebrate, unless …"
"Unless?" Wondering why he didn't finish his thought.
"Unless you'd rather celebrate with your boyfriend." There, he finally got it out. He needs to know if she is seeing someone.
"I'd rather not celebrate with my boyfriend", realizing he is trying to find out if she has a boyfriend.
His heart drops to the pit of his stomach.
"So you have a boyfriend?"
She is smiling because all of the lightness has left his voice.
"No, I don't have a boyfriend", rubbing her foot up and down her calf.
He smiles brightly.
"So I'll pick you up tonight at seven. Text me your address."
"I'll see you at seven, Captain Grant.
XXX
Olivia has not been on a date since, well she cannot remember the last time she had dinner with a man with whom she was not discussing business. But is this a date or is this just two friends going out to celebrate her being awarded the grant. Maybe this is his way of thanking her for helping him to get settled into his home. Whatever the case, Olivia decides to get really dressed up so she pulls the red Bodycon dress out of the closet. She bought the dress on sale last year and has not had occasion to wear it until tonight.
Fitz arrives at Olivia's apartment 10 minutes early, just as she finished applying her make-up.
"Wow", he exclaims, looking at the vision standing before him.
He knows Olivia is an attractive woman but he has never seen her look like this; bone-straight hair, make-up tastefully applied, and wearing a tight dress. He smiles as he openly appraises her body.
"You look terrific."
"Close your mouth, Captain and let's go."
"No."
"No?"
"Don't you want to put on your shoes first?" And they burst out laughing.
XXX
Fitz and Olivia drive to the restaurant making small talk and cracking lame jokes they both think are funny. They are feeling free and relaxed.
"This is a nice car, Fitz", she says as they ride through the city.
"It's a rental. We have to go car shopping next week."
She looks over at him in disbelief and suddenly she is no longer in a good mood, nor is she hungry.
As the waiter escorts them to their table Olivia begins to regret agreeing to have dinner with him. And she regrets wearing her special dress.
"So tell me about this grant", he says, cutting into his steak.
"It's no big deal", pushing around the vegetables on her plate with the fork.
"No big deal?" He stops cutting his steak and looks up at her. "A few hours ago you were bursting at the seams. What happened? What's the matter?" He sets the knife and fork onto the sides of his plate.
"Nothing. It's nothing", smiling weakly.
"Olivia, did I say something to offend you?" He furrows his brow.
"No, of course not. No worries."
"If I said something wrong please let me know", looking at her seriously.
"It's nothing, Fitz. I'm just not feeling well", rubbing her temple with her index finger. "My head is beginning to pound."
"Can I get you something – have the waiter bring you an aspirin?"
"No, that won't be necessary. I'll be fine after I lay down for a while."
Now Fitz is sure she is upset with him about something.
"OK. I'll take you home."
"No, finish your dinner", she says quickly, flashing another fake smile. "I'll be fine until you're done. I'll just have the waiter wrap mine."
"Olivia, I'm not going to sit here and eat if you're not feeling well. Let's go." Fitz places money on the table to pay for their meal and escorts Olivia from the restaurant.
XXX
As he walks Olivia to her apartment Fitz wonders what caused her mood to change so quickly. She seemed upbeat when they were riding to the restaurant, but her mood seemed to have changed by the time they were seated at their table.
"I'm sorry you're not feeling well", he says sincerely. "Can I get you anything before I leave?"
"No, that won't be necessary. I have medicine inside."
"Okay. Then I'll call you in a few days so we can go car shopping. I have to return the rental next week."
"Don't."
"Excuse me?" Looking at her in disbelief.
"Fitz, I can't be your shopping buddy or your personal shopper or whatever it is you're looking for. Good night."
Olivia turns to unlock her door and he swings her around and gives her the biggest kiss that takes her breath away. And she looks at him in surprise.
"I don't want a shopping buddy or a personal shopper or any of those things. I want you, Olivia."
Her mouth hangs open as she looks at him stunned.
"I just made up all of that stuff so I could find ways to spend time with you. I like you, Olivia – a lot."
Her mouth is still hanging open as she listens to his confession. So he presses his luck and goes in for another kiss, and she responds, gliding her fingers through the hairs at the nape of his neck. After the searing kiss, he rests his forehead on hers and smiles.
"So, does this mean you'll go car shopping with?" He gives her that stupid smirk she is beginning to find adorable.
XXX
When he is not traveling for business and she is not working late hours, Fitz and Olivia spend most of their free time together getting to know each other. And each is liking what they are discovering about the other.
Olivia has learned that Fitz is a true patriot. He was inspired to serve his country after the planes flew into the World Trade Center. Fitz was a senior in high school at the time. And everything changed for him on September 11, 2001 as he sat in his History class watching one then another plane fly into the iconic twin towers. He sat stunned as he watched, along with his classmates, the senseless terroristic act happening on American soil.
School was dismissed early that day and everyone rushed home to be with their families. Throughout the day and into the evening, the Grants sat in front of the TV in the family room watching over and over the news footage of the planes flying into the symbolic towers. They watched the first responders run toward the tragedy. They watched ash-covered citizens run away from the destruction. It was all so unbelievable, and it all incensed Fitz. The more he watched the news, the angrier he got. He was angry that his country had been violated in such a horrific way. He was angry that his country no longer felt safe and he wanted to do his part to make his country he loves safe again.
Although he had applied for early admission to Harvard and was accepted, after the attack on his country Fitz decided to forego his plans to attend Harvard. Instead, he implored his father to use his friendship with their Congressman to get him into the US Naval Academy at Annapolis.
After Fitz graduated from the Naval Academy he was commissioned as a junior officer to serve five years in the Navy. Then he enrolled in the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he got his law degree and lived for the past eight years.
Fitz practiced law in the Navy by helping the enlisted women and men and their families to resolve disputes of all types with major corporations. He became known as The Negotiator because he was a shark who destroyed his opponents and won cases for his clients. He was the go-to guy for the enlisted men and women.
After 15 years in the Navy Fitz was ready to resume civilian life and start his own arbitration firm. His experience fighting against major corporations on behalf of the enlisted gave him insight into the business opportunity to help the other side, the corporations. He and his colleagues were beating corporations all of the time at the arbitration table and he realized quickly there is a market for arbitrating disputes on behalf of big businesses. He knew he could help corporations win at the arbitration table. And if he did his job well some cases would never make it to arbitration, which would save companies and the courts lots and lots of money.
With the reputation of being The Negotiator and the contacts he made while in the Navy, Fitz did not have any problems setting up his business and attracting clients when he left the military.
Fitz has learned that Olivia is an only child and her parents, who are currently in Africa, became missionaries for their church after they retired. Olivia was a Communications major who is passionate about helping to solve the world's water crisis. A few years ago she started a nonprofit organization to help low-income senior citizens to repair their defective wells. She thought it was disgraceful senior citizens did not have access to clean water.
As they stroll through the park Olivia stops to feed the ducks that are swimming on the pond.
"Can you imagine not having clean water to drink, Fitz?"
"I can't, but I saw it a lot when I was in the Navy. Liv, when you have travelled to as many underdeveloped countries as I have you see a whole lot."
We're not living in third world country, Fitz", she says emphatically.
He nods, watching the ducks swim by.
"Well I don't know if you've been following the water issue in Michigan, but we have a major problem with our water supply here in the US. Our crumbling infrastructure and poor decisions by government officials have caused the water in Flint, Michigan to be undrinkable. People – children have been poisoned with lead because they have been drinking contaminated water. And that's just wrong."
"Wow, you're really passionate about this?" Marveling at her enthusiasm.
"That's why I started my own nonprofit. I wanted to make things happen on my terms. I don't make a lot of money but I have always been able to take care of myself – to pay my bills. I certainly won't get rich running a nonprofit, but I'm not in it for the money. My reward is providing services to the community - helping people to improve the quality of their lives. And what's more critical to a quality life than having access to clean water?"
"I like a woman who likes to make things happen", he says, throwing a handful of bird seeds into the duck pond.
XXX
When Fitz returned from his trip to Seattle he called Olivia from the airport and asked her to meet him at his apartment after work so they could hang out together. He has really missed being with her while he was away.
Olivia arrived at his place shortly after he got home and he wanted to take a quick shower before going out. For the past 40 minutes Olivia has been sitting on the sofa waiting for Fitz to finish his quick shower. She flips through another magazine when she hears his heavy footsteps entering the room.
"Fitz, your apartment is really beginning to come together nicely", looking around the open concept floor plan. Even with the furniture it's still pretty roomy."
"Thanks to you. So, what do you want to do tonight? Where do you want to go?" Grabbing his keys from the table.
"Fitz, we go out all the time. How about we just stay in tonight?" She says, walking toward the kitchen.
"OK, whatever you want", setting his keys back onto the table. "Do you want to order take-out?"
"Are you kidding? Tonight we're going to cook in this beautiful kitchen – get it all messy", rubbing her hands together.
Olivia starts pulling out the pots and pans she selected while on one of their shopping trips.
"I'm sure you're a terrific cook since your mother is such a wonderful cook."
"I can't cook", he says, not at all embarrassed.
She stops moving about the kitchen and stares at him in disbelief.
"What do you mean you can't cook? Your mother is a fantastic cook. Didn't she teach you?"
"Nope."
"What do you mean nope?" Olivia cannot believe what she is hearing. "How could your mother not teach you how to do something so basic as to cook? Do your brothers know how to cook – your father?"
"Nope. My mother is a traditionalist. She believes the kitchen is the woman's domain."
"Well that's just ridiculous. What century is she from? There are plenty of great male chefs. Have you ever watched Iron Chef or Marcus Samuelsson on TV?"
"Nope."
She rubs her forehead because she is tired of him saying nope.
"Well you're going to learn how to cook, Fitz – at least the basics. I won't have you not knowing how to cook for yourself. Get in here and wash your hands. That's rule number one."
"So bossy. Are you sure you weren't in the Navy?"
XXX
Now that Fitz has had his first cooking lesson and the kitchen is cleaned and restored to its usual state, they sit on the sofa watching the Food Network.
"So what do you love to do the most in this whole wide world, and don't say helping others? I'm talking about something not related to work – something else that brings you joy."
"Well that's easy", smiling brightly. "It's on my bucket list actually."
"You have a bucket list?" He looks at her in surprise.
"Of course I have a bucket list. Don't you?"
"No."
"Well Fitz you need a bucket list. You need to write down all of the things you want to do before you die and start doing them."
"So what's number one on your bucket list?"
Her eyes dazzle with a far-off look as she tells him about her number one adventure.
"Wow, that sounds pretty terrific."
She smiles and nods, also thinking it is pretty terrific.