When Laurel woke up in the morning Ivan was still snoring softly beside her in the bed. His body taking up most of the mattress and warming hers. She sat up glancing at his sleeping form, so familiar and comfortable, she never had this with anyone else.

Careful not to wake him she slid from the bed, slipping on a pair of slippers and padding from the room. She moved carefully down the stairs into the kitchen, her mom was sitting at the table drinking coffee. Laurel poured her own cup then sat down next to her at the tiny table.

"Morning Sunshine," Her mom said with a smile.

"Morning mom."

"How did you sleep?"

"Like a ton of bricks," Laurel said honestly.

"Ivan still sleeping?" Her mom guessed.

"Yeah, he's exhausted from driving."

"I'm so glad he could take time off of work to be here this week."

"We're glad to be here."

"To be honest your father thought that maybe, you two were having some marriage problems. Ivan was never with you when you came home and you barely came back by yourself. I told him he was being ridiculous of course."

"Mom..."

"Of course he feels much better now seeing you both here and clearly so in love, Her mom said with a gentle smile."

Laurel winced and took a drink of her coffee, holding the mug in two hands and letting it warm her. She felt guilty lying to her parents now that her father was so obviously suspicious. She debated coming clean now, the time wasn't perfect but it would be over quick like ripping off a band aid.

"Mom...I have to tell you something...Ivan and I"

"Morning, "Ivan walked into the kitchen stopping behind Laurel to drop a kiss on top of her head.

As he moved to pour himself a cup of coffee she closed her eyes taking a deep breath, just when she'd been about to come clean he pulled her back from the brink, because he was Ivan and that's what he'd always done since the day they met.

"I was just telling Laurel how glad we all are that you came," Her mother said.

"I'm glad I could make it, I've missed family gatherings but...duty calls."

He took a seat next to Laurel at the table, placing his coffee in front of him and taking her hand in his, interlacing their fingers. Her chest constricted painfully and she wasn't sure why but it almost made her want to pull her hand away.

"Well we have a busy week planned with lots of family events, of course Saturday is the rehearsal dinner for the wedding and Sunday is the big day. "

"How is Uncle Seth doing?" Laurel asked.

Uncle Seth was her moms brother, his wife had died in childbirth and his only child was the one who would be getting married on Saturday. Growing up Laurel and Lydia had been close and she was happy her cousin had finally found someone to spend her life with.

"He's doing good, sad to see his little girl go but happy and he's really close with Trent."

"Good, I'm sure once he starts getting grandchildren he'll be more than thrilled to see her go."

"Well, I have some shopping to do why don't you two take the day and explore the town. It's been a long time since Ivan has seen it," Her mother said with a smile.

"That sounds fantastic," Ivan said, smiling back at her.

As soon as her mother exited the kitchen Laurel stood, pulling her hand from Ivans with a shaky breath.

"Are you okay?" Ivan asked gently.

"I'm fine, just tired."

"Did you have trouble sleeping?"

"No, nothing like that."

"I can move to the floor if you-"

"No, that's not it."

"Then what's wrong?" He asked, standing as well and moving to place his cup in the sink.

"It's just...weird being here with you."

"This was your idea, Laurel."

"I know, I just...it's been so long since you've been here with me and it's hard to pretend things aren't different."

"Do you think it's not hard for me? Making excuses as to where I've been, I've never even met Addies' kids."

"I know, you're right. I'm sorry, I really appreciate you doing this for me."

"Let's take your moms advice and get out of here for awhile, let's go somewhere we can be the real us."

She took a deep breath, tipping her head back to stare at the ceiling for awhile. He was right being in this house pretending they were married was stressing her out.

"Okay, let's go."

"Alright, I'm going to run upstairs for a shower and we'll get out of here."

"I gotta change," She said motioning at her pajamas.

He gave a nod and turned leaving the small, sunny kitchen and heading upstairs. Laurel only waited a few minutes before following him. She stepped into her room just as the shower turned on in the bathroom across the hallway.

She took her time getting ready, brushing her hair and laying out a pair of jeans a black sweater. She had just stepped out of her shorts and was stripping her shirt over her head when a noise drew her attention, someone cleared their throat. Spinning she saw Ivan standing frozen in the doorway, only a towel draped around his lean hips, water still running down his abdomen.

"I...I...I thought you were downstairs," he said, stumbling over his words.

"No... I...it's nothing you haven't seen before."

She forced a laugh even as she spun and put her back to him, her face flushing and her hands shaking as she reached for her jeans.

"Yeah, I just forgot to grab my clothes and...I..."He fell silent.

Laurel pulled her sweater over her head, hands still shaking and cheeks still red she turned back around and forced a smile.

"I'll just go wait for you downstairs," She said.

"Okay, sorry about that."

"It's fine."

She crossed the room in brisk, even strides just wanting to get away. She paused when she reached the doorway which he was still blocking with his very wet, very naked body. She stopped in her tracks her eyes following the water droplets from the towel up and over the ridges of his chest.

"Ivan..."

"I'll meet you down there. "He said quickly.

"Yeah, okay. " She sighed and gave a quick nod before hurrying out of the room and down the stairs to wait for him.