Spring passed quickly. Louis and Anne spent every spare moment they had together. They explored the French Quarter, went to jazz concerts in the park, went out to dinner and movies, and went for steam boat rides on the Mississippi River. Anne found it hard to believe she'd known Louis for less than a year. She felt as if she'd known him her entire life.

One day he had big news for her.

"Reese is coming to spend the summer with me," he told her as they walked down Bourbon street one day in late May. "I'm going to pick her up at the airport Sunday afternoon."

"That's great!" Anne replied. "I look forward to getting to know her better. Two weeks in the winter wasn't nearly long enough."

"I look forward to it as well," said Louis. "It feels like forever since the last time I saw her."

She gave his hand a sympathetic squeeze.

On Sunday, Louis cooked a pot roast with vegetables for dinner. He and Anne shared the meal, and then he drove to the airport. They entered the lobby and sat in the waiting area until Reese's flight came in.

Anne watched as the little girl, accompanied by her guardian, skipped toward her father. She wore a blue and white striped sailor dress with a red ribbon on the front and red sneakers with white socks with red ribbons on the sides. She had a matching red ribbon in her dark brown hair, and her dark brown eyes danced with excitement.

"Daddy!" she cried as she raced into her father's waiting arms.

"Sweetheart!" he replied, holding her close. "I'm so happy to see you!"

"I'm happy to see you too, Daddy," said Reese.

"Do you remember my friend Anne?" asked Louis.

"Hi, Anne!" From the safety of her father's arms, the little girl grinned and waved at Anne.

"Hi, sweetheart." Anne felt the familiar longing as she kissed Reese's chubby cheek.

Louis sat his daughter down, and the three of them left the airport hand in hand, Reese walking between the two adults, just as natural as could be.

"Who wants ice cream?" Louis asked as he pulled back out onto the road.

"Me! Me! Me!" Reese called from the back seat.

Louis pulled into the parking lot of a Dairy Queen, and the three of them went inside. Louis bought Blizzards for them. He had salted caramel truffle, Anne had strawberry cheesecake, and Reese had banana split.

"Anyone watching would think we're just an ordinary, average family," Anne remarked as she dug into her ice cream.

Louis laughed. "We are just an ordinary, average family!" His dark eyes met her even darker ones, and in them she saw warmth and acceptance.

They lingered at the Dairy Queen for as long as they could, dreading the time they'd have to leave. At last Reese began to yawn.

"I'd better get her home and into bed." Louis sounded apologetic.

"I need to get home and to bed myself," replied Anne, thinking how nice it would be if she could sleep in the following morning.

The ride to Anne's apartment seemed all too short.

"Thanks for coming to the airport with me," Louis said as he kissed her goodbye.

"It was my pleasure," Anne replied. "Thanks for including me."

"I love you, Anne," he said as his fingers caressed her cheek.

"I love you too, Louis." It felt as if her heart had wings.

Reese had fallen asleep in the back seat, but she awakened as her father lifted her and carried her into the house.

"Daddy?" she mumbled.

"Yes?" asked Louis as he carried her to her bedroom.

"Is Anne gonna be my new Mommy?" asked Reese.

"No." He frowned as he laid her on the bed and opened a dresser drawer to take her pajamas out. "You already have a Mommy, but Anne would like to be your friend."

"Is she your friend, Daddy?"

"Yes, she's a very good friend."

"I think she's a nice lady."

"So do I."

"Are you gonna marry her?"

"I don't know, sweetie." He put her pajamas on her, tucked her into bed, and kissed her goodnight. As he padded to bed himself half an hour or so later, he decided today had been one of the most perfect days of his life. He couldn't wait to make plans with Anne for the following weekend.

On another day, Maria waited anxiously at the same airport. Philip was taking the summer off from school in Germany to visit her, and although she was thrilled to see him again, a situation in her personal life was causing her much distress, and she longed for the distraction his visit would bring.

At last he emerged from the airplane, and they saw each other at about the same time. Standing on the ground, he held his arms out to her, and she rushed into them. He squeezed her tight as he twirled her around, lifting her feet from the ground, then kissed her as he set her back down.

"How have you been?" he asked her.

"All right," she replied. "I graduated a couple of weeks ago, so school's all over with for me now. How have you been?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Relieved to have the semester over, and looking forward to fun in the sun with the loveliest girl in the world. Congratulations on your graduation. I'd imagine you were at the top of your class, right?"

"I wish." She rolled her eyes and giggled. "I did graduate with honors, but not quite at the top."

"Graduating with honors is good enough," Philip assured her. "I'm proud of you, Maria. So what are your plans now?"

"I'm thinking of seeing what's available at Loyola and Xavier, but for right now, I just want to relax and enjoy the summer." Her smile disappeared, and she sighed. "Well, as much as I can, anyway."