Chapter 14

Kate stepped out of the door in front of him. He had taken her to the rooftop, there was picnic blanket with pillows, a basket, and candles surrounding the small sanctuary, their dancing flames, were casting mysterious shadows across the expanse of the rooftop. A beautiful garden was growing on an wooden deck. She turned in a full circle taking in all the wide area around her, and all of its beauty.

"Did you do all of this?" She asked as she moved toward him.

"Just the picnic and candles. A buddy of mine did the garden at the beginning of the summer, as a landscape design to show to people. I asked him if I could borrow it this morning." He wrapped his arms around her. "Well, I did build the wooden deck for him."

"It's beautiful." She whispered as she locked her arms around his neck. "But, why may I ask am I seeing it at five in the morning?"

"Because the sunrise is much more beautiful from up here than down on the sidewalk." He laughed capturing her lips in his, kissing her softly and sweetly.

"I'll miss that." She muttered into his shoulder.

"Me too." He fought back the urge to ask her stay or to forget his ideas about long distance relationships and that they could make it work. But he knew he couldn't do that, it would be selfish of him.

They stood in each others loving arm as the seconds spread into minutes. Enjoying the comfort of the others arms holding them close, the protection they felt from everything going on around them, their breathing fell in time, long steady inhales and exhales, the gentle rise and fall of their chests.

Rick pulled away when he heard Kate's stomach rumble his crooked smile plastered on his face.

"Sounds like someone's hungry." He laughed.

Kate smacked his shoulder playfully. "Well you woke me up at 4:45 this morning! What did you expect?"

Rick led her to the blanket, taking a seat with his back to the pillows. He motioned for her to take a seat beside him. She dropped down next to him. They ate in partial darkness, their only light was the dancing flames of the candles. Rick had made a delicious breakfast, including biscuits and an assortment of fruit.

X-X-X-X

"That was amazing Rick." Kate said as she watched him put the stuff from the rook in the trunk of his car and closing the door.

"Well, if you are still awake enough, I do have something else planed." He suggested opening the passenger door for her while checking his watch. 10:45 Perfect!

"Really? And what would that be?"

"I could tell you but that would ruin the surprise." He laughed climbing into the drivers seat.

"Well, then surprise me!" She smiled.

He beamed and pulled away from the curb. The drive was short and when Rick put the car in park, Kate peered out her window, not seeing anything in particular she looked over at Rick.

"Why are we on Fifth Avenue?"

"Surprise. Can't tell you yet. Come on." He said excitedly. She laughed as he caught his finger in his seat belt.

When the couple was on the sidewalk Kate motioned forward and said, "Well lead the way."

He smiled and took her hand leading her down the sidewalk. They walked for a minute before he stopped abruptly.

"Where are we?" She asked looking over at him, he nodded up, turning she saw the FAO Schwarz sign. "Rick, what are we doing here?"

"Just come on!" He exclaimed pulling her inside the store, for it still being pretty early there were quite a few people. He was pulling her through the store, watching for kids running around, and parents looking around confused for their children. He stopped at a sign that read THE BIG PIANO. He looked over at her, beaming, she laughed at his crooked smile. They pulled off their shoes, leaving their socks on.

"Of course you would think of this." She smiled as he pulled toward the piano. Jumping on it, the keys lit up. At first they danced around each other, enjoying the meaningless music.

"Do you know how to play?" She asked.

"I have Martha Rodgers for a mother, of course I know how to play the piano." He laughed.

"You know 'The Entertainer'?"

He didn't answer but smiled and nodded happily. Without a word they both took their places on the keys.

"One... two... three!" Together they hopped on the keys, and moved perfectly in time. As their feet slipped under them and they hit wrong notes, the couple never stopped once. A crowd had begun to gather around the piano, kids watching in a daze as Kate and Rick danced around each other and parents laughing along with the couple. Rick looked up at Kate, she was glowing, her smile was more than gorgeous, it was contagious every kid that looked at her began grinning from ear to ear.

The five minute song ended quickly for Kate and Rick, they collapsed on top of one another after their performance the crowd around the giant piano was applauding them, the kids all begged for another song. Kate turned to Rick giving a pleading look. He nodded still smiling.

"You know 'I Just Can't Wait to be King'?" She asked.

"Yeah I play it for Alexis sometimes."

They stood up and once again took their places before the keys.

"One... two... three!" Kate shouted over the kids' cheers of joy. The couple laughed and smiled while they jumped from key to key, each lighting up with the first touch of their toes.

Time seemed to have slowed down for Rick, he watched Kate hop around the piano, his feet moving of their own accord beneath him, while his gaze stayed locked on the woman dancing beside him. When they were finished they each took a bow, and left the stage for the kids to enjoy.

I don't know if you can actually dance on the piano at FAO Schwarz anymore, but I don't care.

I just re-watched the movie BIG and loved the scene with Tom Hanks dancing on the piano!

Hoped you enjoyed!

Please as always leave your thoughts, review, or comments on the chapter!

Thanks!

I love all of you who are reading this story!