"That's right… Ice cream… Should we stop on the way back at the ice cream shop?" Mr. Ellis turned to his son.
"Is that what Dinah really liked?" Jayden asked eyeing Mia through the rearview mirror.
"You know better than me…" Mr. Ellis laughed.
Arriving downtown Jayden parked the car in one of the underground parking facilities located on Michigan Ave.
"It has been a long time since we've been in the city." Mr. Ellis commented as they enjoyed a leisurely walk down Navy Pier.
"Mom loved coming here and shopping… All of her favorite stores are here…" He continued reminiscing about the past.
"Shall we pay Ben and Jerry a visit?" Jayden asked Mia.
"I don't think Dinah will forgive us if we don't… Isn't that right sweetheart?" Jacob said smiling at his daughter. Taking his hand warmly into hers, she returned his smile.
"You know best father," she responded while leaning her head against his shoulder. Jayden's heart swelled until it felt as if it could burst. What an amazing woman she was. Even though she felt awkward being put in a position to pretend to be another man's daughter, she had enough compassion and empathy to understand the situation. Jayden wanted to kiss her as he watched her lovingly fussing over this old man making him feel loved and appreciated; helping him to remember his daughter fondly and keeping her in high esteem.
"Mm, I forgot how good this ice cream is." Mia said as they walked down the pier enjoying the view of the lake, the sailing boats and the warm sunny atmosphere on the lakefront.
Abruptly Mr. Ellis stopped and began observing his surroundings intensely as he enjoyed his two scoops of vanilla bean in a small cup.
"Something wrong?" Jayden asked with a little concern in his voice.
"No… no… not a thing son… I'm just happy that my two children could spend the day with me; that's all." He explained. Regardless if the words were not meant for him, Jayden couldn't help but feeling touched by his father's deep appreciation of having spent time with him; and if Jayden had to be honest with himself, it hadn't been a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
"Quick… Quick… come here and sit… We can catch the sunset together." Mia said excitedly as she claimed an empty section on the boardwalk to sit down on the pier facing west to watch the phenomena.