When Ivan finally came downstairs Laurel was in the kitchen with her mom, she was standing by the stove stirring something in a large pot. He hesitated a minute before walking over and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Smells good," He said.

"It's my famous chili."

"I didn't mean the chili," He mumbled in her ear.

She blushed a deep red color and he gave her a light swat on her butt before walking to sit down at the table with her mother.

"So, how are your day?" He asked her mom.

"Oh, fantastic. We got so many things ready for the wedding. I tried to call Rex but I'm afraid he was out of his office."

"I think he took Ella and her sister to lunch," Laurel said.

"Oh, how nice. I do wish he would settle down."

"Mom we both know that's not going to happen," Laurel replied.

Her mom sighed and went back to reading the paper that was in front of her, sipping her tea as Laurel chopped and minced vegetables dropping them in the pot.

"Will Dad be home for dinner?"

"I think so."

"How was you kids day today?" her mother asked.

Laurel couldn't fight the blush that crept up her cheeks and Ivan glanced away.

"It was nice," Laurel finally said.

"Good, sometimes it's good to be alone with your spouse."

Laurel turned the chili down and sat down at the table with Ivan and her mother just as the back door swung open again and Rex rushed in.

"Hi, sweetheart, here for dinner?" Their mother asked.

"No, I can't eat. I can't sleep, I can't work, I can't....I can't think!"

"Why? What on earth is wrong?" Their mother asked, obviously concerned.

"I learned something about Ella and now...I...I can't even look at her. I walked into the office and then I walked right back out. I can't be in the same building as her."

"Why?"

"I...her sister said that she might have feelings for me and I came by to talk to Laurel and Addie and they agreed."

"I don't see the problem, you're an attractive single man and Ella is a beautiful girl. I love her," His mother said.

"I don't love her and now I have to worry that everything I do I might be leading her on in some way."

Laurel rolled her eyes, her older brother was being ridiculous about the entire thing.

"I have a question for you," She said.

"What now Laurel?" He asked, exasperated.

"You have no feelings for Ella, none at all? Really?"

"Really, I...she's just a co-worker and a good friend. I think of her like a sister, like you or Addie."

"Okay, when is her birthday?" Laurel asked with a shrug.

"June 8th."

"When is mine?"

"Uh....September....sometime."

"May 6th," Ivan said shaking his head.

"What's your point?" Rex demanded.

"What's her favorite movie?"

"Gone with the wind."

"Favorite band?"

"Joan Jett and the black hearts."

"What did she do last year at Halloween?" Laurel asked.

"Handed out candy dressed up like Pat Benatar," He said with a small laugh.

"Do you know my favorite movie?" Laurel asked.

"Uh..."

"Dirty Harry," Ivan replied.

"My favorite band? Favorite color?" Laurel offered.

Rex paled but didn't offer a reply.

"Raised by Swans, Blue," Ivan said, taking a drink of his water.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore," Rex said.

"What did you think of her last two boyfriends?" Laurel asked.

"I...I hated them...I told her if she...if she kept seeing the electrician I'd fire him and...the closing agent...he didn't deserve her." He said softly, seeming to calm down.

"I don't want to talk about this...anymore," He said again.

"Rex, you're in love with her," Laurel said gently.

"Shit, what am I going to do?" He asked.

"I suggest taking her to the wedding as planned and see how it goes."

"Okay, okay, yeah. That's fine. that's what I'll do just..see how it goes."

"Okay, are you staying for dinner?" Laurel asked standing and moving to check her chili.

"No, I just want to go home and take a hot shower."

"I think Ella would make a wonderful wife and mother," Their mom said.

"It's a little early for that mom, just...don't read too much into this."

"I'm not," She said innocently and Ivan bit back a laugh.

"Just try not to blow this," Laurel said, glancing over her shoulder.

"Well we can't all be as smooth as Ivan," Rex said.

"Me? Come on your sister practically stalked me until I just gave in and married her," Ivan teased.

Laurel rolled her eyes as she spooned some chili into a bowl and set it in front of her mother turning to fix another bowl for Ivan. She spooned up a second dish and set it in front of him, his hand sneaking out to pinch the bottom of her butt, she swatted his hand away and shook her head.

"Are you sure you're not hungry?" Laurel asked.

"I'm sure, thanks though."

Laurel got her own bowl and took a seat next to Ivan, he glanced briefly at her before reaching out to place his hand on her knee.

Laurel had just started to pick at her chili when her dad came in the back door.

"Hello my family," He greeted dropping a kiss on her mom's cheek.

"Hi Daddy," Laurel greeted.

"Hey, Dad." Rex gave a nod from where he stood leaning against the counter.

Her Dad moved to the stove to get himself a bowl of chili and Rex excused himself to go home.

After dinner, her mom insisted that she would do dishes while her dad took his shower and Laurel headed to bed. She was standing near the window looking out at the sky when Ivan came into the room.

She turned but before she could form a single word he was there, his hands on her hips his lips taking her in an urgent but gentle kiss.

He didn't pull away until she was weak in the knees and breathless, his hands then going to frame her face his forehead resting against hers.

"I couldn't wait another minute without doing that," He said.

"Didn't you have enough today?" She asked, looping her arms around his neck.

"Never."

He bent down lifting her, her legs going around his waist carrying her to the small bed. Forgetting that all day he had allowed her to be in control he naturally came down on top of her, pinning her beneath his weight.

She tensed, her hands going to his chest and pushing him. He instantly stopped and backed off.

"I'm sorry, I just...I'm sorry."

"It's okay,"

He waited a second before leaning down and kissing her, more gently this time and not allowing his weight to crush her. He peeled her t-shirt off over her head kissing between her breasts and down her stomach, pulling her pants down as he went.