Oh? Caroline finds herself holding her own breath.

“Today meant so much to me, because I…” She lowers her voice and Caroline feels like every single cell in her body is waiting on pins and needles for what’s coming. “I’m going back to school.”

Caroline’s breath leaves her, that anticipation leaving as soon as it arrived. It’s replaced with a different kind of thrill entirely, the flutter in her stomach becoming a stronger feeling of admiration. “What?! That’s amazing! When did this happen?”

The smile that blossoms over Hannah’s face is slow to start, but then blinding. There’s a lot in it – anxiety and pride most prevalent. “I applied a few months ago. Just after we started… this.” She shakes her head, falling back onto her heels as she lets go of Caroline’s hand to pull it through her hair. “It’s something I’ve thought of so many times over the years. I worked so hard when I was younger to get into Northeastern, you know? And knowing that I had just one year left to complete my degree, I just couldn’t have it hanging over my head anymore. I want my degree. I want to have a job I love.” Her smile turns self-deprecating. “Even if I won’t have it until I’m in my mid-thirties.”

Caroline squeezes the hand she’s still holding, frowning with the tone Hannah uses. “Starting a career you love is great at any time and going back to school is – I’m so incredibly proud of you, Hannah.”

Hannah squeezes her hand back like it’s a lifeline, her grin growing again as she looks down at the sidewalk sheepishly. “Thanks.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Or Robyn?”

Hannah sighs, shrugging tightly. “I didn’t want to until I knew it was a feasible option. I got in and I have financial aid options, now that I’m separated from Michael, so it really seems like… like it’s happening.” Her face screws up in thought, the ever-present stress edging back in through her giddiness. “Of course, this is assuming I can figure out a new schedule for work and for Abbie, which won’t be easy, so maybe I shouldn’t even have told you, yet –”

“Hey, no. You’re going back.” The conviction in her voice mirrors what she feels inside. “You know very well my schedule most nights is flexible to help with Abbie. You have Robyn. My parents are always talking about how they wish they had the kids around more. You have people to help.”

“You can’t just volunteer your parents to help me.” Her voice is colored with an exasperated affection that just makes Caroline’s smile grow wider.