"Aww, poor Mrs. Lahiffe!" said Sabine when I had paused the story to catch my breath. "She must have been very troubled from Nino's peculiar behavior."

"But the real question is what exactly was making Nino so insecure?" reflected Tom, his hands steadily gripping the steering wheel as he drove through the busy streets of Pittsburgh. 

Marinette was silently gazing out the window, her chin resting on her hand that was propped up on the door handle. She hasn't said a word since we came into the car, except occasionally answering whatever her parents asked her. 

I nudged her gently with my elbow. When she turned to face me, I glanced quickly away, pretending to spot something on my shirt. 

She poked her finger into my cheek playfully with a smile. "I saw that, Mr. Sneaky."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I shrugged, though my attempt to hold back my laughter was unsuccessful. 

"Like I'm gonna actually believe that."

"Why wouldn't you? Do you not trust me?"

"Nope."

"Ouch," I chuckled, pretending to be hurt. "Are you okay?" I asked seriously a moment later. 

Marinette nodded before asking, "Why? Did you think I was getting carsick?"

"No," I replied. "You were just really quiet."

"I was just thinking about random stuff." Marinette smirked. "Plus, I didn't want to interrupt the Great and Magnificent Storyteller."

I smiled smugly and pretended to dust my shoulders. "I am a pretty good story teller, aren't I?"

"Yeah, you should definitely volunteer to read picture books at preschools and day-cares," she giggled. 

"Attention, passengers of Le Tom Roadways," said Tom, imitating an announcer. "We'll be taking a few hours of rest from our journey and will be stopping shortly. Please don't forget to tip your driver upon departure. Thank you."

"A nice iced coffee should be a good enough tip, don't you think?" Sabine said, playing along with her husband. 

Tom picked up his wife's hand and brushed it with a kiss. "Absolutely. I appreciate it, mon cherie"

   A few minutes later, we stopped at a seafood restaurant in the called The Stingray and ate to our fill. Afterwards, we decided to walk around and browse the area. We gazed at the many skyscrapers that made up the city and saw people with boats on the Ohio River. There was also a parade with colorful acrobats, clowns, firetrucks, and people who threw candy at children. We also visited an antique store that had limited addition old baseball cards from the 80s and some of the oldest Carapace comics. 

I smiled as I thought about how Nino loved Carapace and would freak out over the comics if he came to this store.

After walking around some more, we were hungry again, so we make a quick stop at Sip and Chat for iced tea and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. 

As I sipped my tea, I thought about what my mom had emailed me about The Frick Pittsburgh, one of the many places she had visited in Pittsburgh while she was travelling to Maine. 

  There are so many buildings here, and they're as big as palaces, she had written. I kept thinking that I would see a princess or a king or something just strolling or riding by in a carriage. They're truly magnificent. And the gardens here are magical. There are so many flowers of every shade of the rainbow, and as I walked through the garden, I couldn't help but imagine I was in a fairy tale. It was a wonderful contrast to the noisy city, and I wish with all my heart I could share this experience with you...

"Earth to Adriennnn," said Marinette as she waved her hand back and forth in front of me. "You spaced out again."

I shook my head to regather myself. "Sorry. What's up?"

"I was just asking if there was anything else you and Marinette wanted to do before we get back on the road," said Tom.

"Oh.." I rubbed the back of my neck hesitantly. "Is it okay if we go to The Frick Pittsburgh?"

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  We finally made it to the car at sunset, with sore feet and tired bodies. Even though it was a long day, we all agreed that all of us had had a good time. 

To be honest, the Frick wasn't all that exciting...just a bunch of gardens and historical buildings. But I could definitely see why my mother loved visiting there. As we walked through the gardens, I couldn't help but imagine her sitting underneath one of the trees there reading a book, pausing every now and then to look up at the sky in thought. 

  As I slept to the soft humming of the car on the highway, I dreamed of my mother and I walking through the The Frick together. When I told her that the gardens were just ordinary gardens and nothing special, she smiled and told me to look again. 

When I did, the garden transformed into a paradise. 

(A/N):

Thanks so much for reading! Please comment, vote, and share <3

This author's note is gonna be short cause I'm working on a few other chapters at the moment 

T-T 

Hope you enjoyed and see you guys soon!

Have an amazing awesome day and STAY MIRACULOUSS <3<3<3