They stood at the door in awkward silence, the air thick with tension and unresolved words. The Christmas decorations around the manse had been taken down making the large apartment seem empty and bland. Her bags were already in the car, only her purse hanging off her shoulder. She tucked some stray hair behind her ear and out of her face, shuffling her feet with nerves.

"Thanks for letting me stay with you for the holidays," the young girl finally spoke. "I know I ruined your plans."

Karen shook her head, waving it off. "No problem, kid. I had fun."

Olivia grinned cheerfully and bit her lip. "Me too."

Silence enveloped them again, but the tension was dissipating.

"Well, I guess I'll be seeing you later, honey," Karen said, her voice wavering slightly.

Olivia nodded. "Yeah, I-uh... I'll call you."

Karen eached out, patting her arm as affectionately as she could. Olivia looked down at the small hand on her bicep and then over at the woman it belonged to, a knowing grin on her lips. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Karen, surprising the older woman. She held on tightly, her arms squeezing her waist almost painfully. "I love you, mom."

It took a moment, but she felt Karen relax in her embrace and she loosely wrapped her own arms around Olivia's shoulders. "I love you too, Curly."