"You ready, Lols," Harry asked hesitantly. He didn't want to rush her through this, but the new owners were coming to get the keys and they needed to get going.

"Just a moment more," she called from the doorway to the empty room that once housed her mother's things and smell. The smell lasted longer than her things. Harry and Laurel had been methodically clearing out the house over his break. Now, all of the rooms stood empty and there was just the wisp of memory in her room, the sweep of a skirt, the ting of a spoon on the side of a favored tea cup. Laurel knew this would be her last time in her childhood home. It made sense to sell it and it had gone quickly, but it felt like she was selling her past. It was sad and she was scared to say goodbye, but the hardest goodbye had already been said, her heart had already been broken and she had been slowly repairing it. Harry had been helping.

They had spent the last night in the house in the back garden and Harry had woven her a crown of Daisy's and they had danced again to Tupelo Honey. He'd taken pictures of her in her flowy white dress and hippy hair do. Later they had cuddled close, making love quietly in a joint sleeping bag. Giggling at the awkward nature of having to be silent and only limited movement. She was going to miss this house, for the memories of a lifetime and the lifetime love they'd cemented here.

She took one last inhale of the room, her mom's body oil faded and gone, and was sure she wasn't there anymore. "I'm ready Harry."

He met her by the hallway opening and clasped her hand, and he pulled her close to him in the dim lighting. "It's ok," she murmured.

"Are you comforting me?" he laughed lowly.

"You seem shaken up," She returned with her face buried in his neck.

"I'm sad for you, but feel really proud. I think I would be a huge mess if I were you."

"I am a huge mess, but, I have you here with me, and I don't want the house. What made it special isn't here, and I got to say goodbye, and say the things that needed saying. She liked you, you know, told me repeatedly that my heart was broken because it meant I was alive and it would mend and be stronger for it. She told me that we needed to talk to put it back together, that if we got it right, no hearts need break between us again. I hope she was right. I'm scared to move on from here, and, I'm scared to take that next step. We've only just begun."

Harry was shaking his head at her, "We haven't though, we began years ago, you were just light years ahead of me, as always. You sure you don't mind going straight on from here, I could understand if you were too tired. We have a day at least."

"No, They're expecting you, right? As long as you are sure they won't mind me crashing.'

Harry pinched his bottom lip, "No, my mum knows about you, how I felt abut you and she encouraged me to get you back. Or to get you for real. She'll appreciate getting to know you. I wanna make memories with you where I grew up."

Laurel laughed as she hiked herself into his truck, "oh, tit for tat huh? You saw mine, so you have to show me yours."

Harry started the car and looked at her with a crooked grin, "Didn't know it was gonna be that kind of road trip. But I'm up for it love!"

"Shut up and drive," Laurel pushed him on the shoulder.

Holmes Chapel was tiny, even compared to the hamlet she grew up in. Anne was waiting for them on the doorsteps and it both warmed and broke her heart when she put her hands on his cheeks when Harry hopped out of the car excitedly. She waited until Harry had said an adequate hello and she walked up quietly.

Anne shifted her attention to her and said, "hi Laurel" brightly. Laurel extended her hand to shake hello and instead found herself in Anne's arms. Harry was such a touchy man it made sense that he'd learned that behavior. The hug was so warm she dissolved into tears and Anne rocked her until her eyes dried up.

"It's so nice to meet you. I'm so sorry that you lost your mom, dear," Anne clasped her shoulders and guided her into the house. "Want some tea?" Anne asked.

"Yes, please," Laurel returned.

When the steaming cup had cooled and was half drained, Laurel smiled and felt at home. She loved hearing Harry and Anne talk. He was so sweet with his mom. He answered her question patiently and they both talked so slow that she found herself nodding off to their deep voices.

"Hey babe, why don't you go lay down. My room is up the stairs on the right. Look for the band posters."

She nodded and made her way up the stairs and found a room covered with classic rock posters that made her smile. The bed looked unused but inviting and still smelled a little like Harry's hair. She curled up and fell asleep quickly and she didn't wake up until Harry spooned up behind her.

"How long have I been sleeping?"

"Only an hour, and a nap before tea sounded good, can I sleep with you?" he kissed her cheek and fitted his head into her neck.

"You can sleep with me," and she clasped their hands together and looked over her shoulder at him. "We're in love aren't we?"

"Yeah, we're in love." He bit his lip and looked nervous.

"What's that face?" she kissed him softly.

"I never asked about Willy, obviously you're not together?" He trailed of.

"OH GOD!" Laurel exclaimed, "I knew I forgot something!" and she fizzed into the pillow while Harry looked unamused.

"I was gonna ask you a big question, but I don't think I should now, apparently you have a boyfriend."

"Yeah, I do, you, you idiot. What's your question?"

"Laurel," He looked a little peaked, "Ever heard of elopement?"