Jessica had the day off work. Sam decided to take the day off too and take Jessica out of the city for the day. It had been hard lately to spend quality time together, so he wanted to treat her to a nice day, just the two of them.

"I'm glad we were able to get away for a bit, just the two of us." She smiles

"Me too, we will make this a regular thing." He says

"Good. I feel like we had such a busy summer, but now it's fall time at the farm, your extra busy. I'm busy with work too. Olivia, she is rarely home with school, cross country, or she's at the barn. And Sean, he's away at college. We can never catch a break, can we?" Jessica says breathlessly

He sighs "It's been a busy few months. But the holidays will be here before you know it. We'll all be together. Then, we can catch a break."

"But holidays are pretty busy too."

"True, my Sean, he'll be home."

Jessica nods. She sips on her drink then gasps.

"What!" Sam says, he was startled.

"I have an idea!"

"What's that?"

"Let's ditch Thanksgiving, get a few tickets, and fly somewhere warm."

Sam chuckles "Oh geez. I haven't been on vacation in a super long time."

"Me neither! I want to go somewhere, as a family!"

Sam smiles "I love that idea."

"Great! Oh my gosh, can you imagine how much fun we'd all have. No holiday stress. Just us four!"

//-//

A couple days later Sam had invited Cody over for dinner. But Olivia wasn't thrilled. She really liked Cody, but things were awkward at times, even though they got along just fine. Olivia didn't want to make a big deal out of it. He was a family friend and nothing more.

Jessica had made a big dinner for everyone. It had been a while since she cooked a big dinner like this, not having Sean at home caused some changes. It was weird to see an extra seat at the table.

While Sam and Jessica got ready for dinner Olivia was just getting home from cross country practice. She was sitting in her car with the music playing as she checked snapchat. Just as she got out of the car Cody had called her from behind. At first she was startled but then relieved to see him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He chuckles

"Oh, you're fine. I didn't know you were coming this early."

"Mr. Shepard said five."

From the kitchen Jessica and Sam were watching Olivia and Cody talk. It had been a few minutes.

"What's going on out there?" She asks

Sam shrugs his shoulders and chuckles

"Sam!" She whines

"Maybe they like each other..." He says with a grin

Jessica rolls her eyes and sighs "This whole dinner, was it some kind of match making thing you planned?" She asks

"No, Cody has been a through a lot and I want him to enjoy himself. We don't know what things are like at home." He says

Jessica nods and thinks back to everything Sam had told Jessica about Cody and recent events.

//-//

The dinner table was surprisingly not quite. Sam and Cody did lots of the talking. Jessica and Olivia chimed in at times but Jessica watched Olivia watch Cody. She could see by her daughter's body language that she in a way may have a liking for this boy. they would smile at each other, laugh together, sometimes even stare. Jessica didn't know how to feel. Cody was a nice boy, but Jessica was never crazy about her children dating at their ages.

As Jessica was serving desert Sam went with her in the kitchen to help. It was just Cody and Olivia at the table.

"Having fun?" He asks her

Olivia chuckles "Sure!"

"Doesn't sound so promising."

"Sam and my mom can be embarrassing sometimes." She whispers

"I see... but you're lucky to have em."

She gives him a soft smile "I am... Are you having fun?"

He nods "Yeah. And hanging out with you is pretty fun too."

Olivia blushes and turns away right as Jessica and Sam walk back in.

As Jessica gives everyone a serving Cody and Olivia's eyes meet again. They go into a daze.

//-//

"It was great having you, Cody. We will have to do this again." Jessica says

"Of course. Thank you, the food was wonderful. I had a great time." He says to her

"I'll see you at work tomorrow, kid. Thanks for coming."

"Thanks for having me."

As he leaves Olivia grabs her jacket and slides on her shoes.

"Hey, I have to go get my charger from my car so I'm just going to walk him out." She says

Jessica hesitates "Alright, Just come inside quick. It's getting cold."

Olivia nods and walks out with him. They slowly but surely walk to the car. Olivia had lied, she just wanted an extra few minutes alone with him.

"Cody... I have a question." Olivia says

"I do too."

They both stop and turn to each other.
"You first." She says

"No you."

"Ahhh, here goes Nothing! Do you like me?" She asks

Cody sighs with relief, "Well my question was if you wanted to go out on a date. So yes, I do like you. Do you like me?"

"You were going to ask me out?"

He nods happily "yes, i really like you."

"I like you too. We are making things awkward by not saying anything." She says

"You're right...
Would you like to go out, on a date?"

Olivia nods "Yes, id really like that."

"Great. We'll figure out a day we are both free."

"I'm excited."

"Me too... but you should get inside, it's getting cold."

"Okay, goodnight." She says

"Good night."

//-//