The next morning, Gwen woke up and looked around the room. She almost forgot that Shawn had stayed with her until she felt a heavy weight on her waist. She turned her head and saw his arm wrapped around her waist. She felt herself smile at that, remembering the previous night. The feeling of dread and anxiety was gone now, replaced with a warm, fuzzy feeling. She had been so upset last night, but having Shawn there had made everything better. She was grateful for his friendship and the way he always seemed to know how to make her feel better. She looked at Shawn, studying his sleeping face. His features were relaxed and peaceful, his dark eyelashes brushing against his cheeks. 

His hair was messy and tousled, falling across his forehead. She smiled, her heart fluttering in her chest. He was handsome, there was no denying that. She reached her hand out and gently pushed his hair back. She couldn't help it, it was too tempting not to. As her fingers grazed his skin, she felt him stir which caused her to pull back quickly. Thankfully he didn't wake up yet and just buried his face in her neck. Her heart skipped a beat and she smiled a little. This was nice, waking up next to Shawn. It was something she could get used to.

She let sleep consume her again and drifted back to sleep with the feel of Shawn's arms around her and his warmth enveloping her. They slept for a few more hours, tangled together. When Shawn finally woke up, it was almost noon. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the sunlight filtering in through the windows. He took a deep breath, inhaling Gwen's scent and smiled. He had spent the night in Gwen's bed and it felt so natural. He tightened his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, not ready to let go just yet. He closed his eyes, relishing the moment, knowing it would soon end.

"Hey," Gwen mumbles, her voice heavy with sleep. She didn't move, her head was still on his shoulder and her face was nuzzled against his neck. "Mornin'." She said sleepily, her breath fanning across his neck and making him shiver slightly.

"Morning." He replies, his voice raspy from sleep. "Sleep well?"

"Mmm." She hums in response and pulls back slightly, looking up at him with a small smile. "You?"

"Best night's sleep I've had in a long time." He replies honestly. His heart skips a beat when he sees her smile and his lips curve into a small smile. "Thanks for letting me stay."

"Of course. Thank you for staying. It helped, more than you know." She tells him. "You always know what to say and how to make me feel better." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He felt a rush of heat rise to his cheeks. He hadn't expected her to kiss his cheek and it took him by surprise. She rested her head back on his chest and cuddled up against him. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. He loved the feel of her in his arms. It was as if she belonged there, like they were made for each other.

They laid there for a while, neither of them wanting to move. Eventually, Shawn decided it was time to get up. He carefully moved his arm from around her and sat up, stretching. Gwen sat up as well, running her fingers through her messy hair. Shawn's eyes followed the movement, his gaze lingering on her face. He was mesmerized by her, she was beautiful, especially when she just woke up. Messy brunette hair, her face bare of any makeup and her eyes still a little sleepy.

"What?" Gwen asked, her brow furrowing slightly. Her heart fluttered as she saw the way Shawn was looking at her. He was gazing at her as if she was the most beautiful girl in the world. She was used to guys ogling her, but Shawn was different. It was a look filled with affection and adoration. She didn't know why, but she found it comforting. She liked the way he made her feel. Safe. Wanted. Loved.

"Nothing. Just admiring the view." He replies, his voice laced with a hint of playfulness. He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You're beautiful."

She rolls her eyes and scoffs, but she can't stop the blush that spreads across her cheeks. "Oh, please. I'm a mess."

He chuckles and shakes his head. "Nope. You're perfect. Absolutely gorgeous."

"Whatever." She mumbled, her blush deepening. She looked down, avoiding his gaze. He always knew the right thing to say. And he somehow always somehow knew how to make her blush. Gwen took a deep breath and looked back up at him, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and shyness.

Shawn reaches out and tilts her chin up, forcing her to look at him. "Hey. You are. Don't ever doubt that." He says softly, his expression serious. "You're perfect to me."

She feels her heart skip a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She looks into his eyes and sees nothing but sincerity. Her lips curve into a small smile. "You're sweet."

"Just stating the truth." He replies, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Come on, let's go get some breakfast. I'm starving." 

Gwen froze as she remembered her mom. She feared her mom was still home. She didn't want to run into her, she didn't think she could handle seeing her this early in the morning. She couldn't handle her presence at all. She didn't want to see her face or hear her voice. She knew it was a possibility that her mom was still home. She couldn't risk running into her, she couldn't handle it right now. Not after the night before. Not after the way her mom had shown up, completely unannounced and uninvited. Not after the way she had ruined what should have been a special evening. She had ruined everything with her presence, her harsh words, and her judgmental gaze. Gwen felt a surge of anxiety rising within her as she thought about facing her mother. She didn't want to break the peaceful bubble she and Shawn had created, but she knew they couldn't stay in her room forever.

Shawn notices the sudden shift in Gwen's demeanor. Her smile is gone, replaced with a look of worry. He can tell she's tense and he knows something's wrong. "What is it? What's wrong?" He asked, his voice filled with concern.

"My mom...She might still be here." She answers quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think...Maybe...Just stay here. Please." She murmured as she took a deep breath and started to head to the door. Shawn stopped her, grabbing her arm gently to pull her back. 

"Gwen, I'm not going to let you deal with this on your own." He said firmly, shaking his head. "If she's still here, then I'm not going anywhere. We'll face her together." He finished resolutely, his grip on her arm gentle yet unwavering.

Gwen's eyes softened at his words, and she felt a mix of relief and gratitude flood through her. She had always been able to count on Shawn, and this moment was no different. Nodding, she allowed herself a small, appreciative smile.

"Okay," She said softly, her voice steadier. "Thank you." She walked out of the room and Shawn followed her. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, the familiar smell of coffee filled their noses. She let out a breath of relief to see her mom wasn't there and it was just her dad. He was making pancakes, his favorite breakfast. His head was down as he flipped a pancake in the pan. 

"Morning." He greets as he turned his head and saw his daughter and Shawn. He gave her a small smile and Gwen returned it. Ian wasn't surprised to see Shawn there, he had expected him to stay over after the previous night's events so he made sure to make enough breakfast for the three of them. "There's enough pancakes for everyone."

"Morning, Ian." Shawn replies, smiling a little. "Thanks."

"So...Mom left? Is she coming back?" Gwen asked, her voice shaky.

Ian sighs heavily as he looks at her, his expression sympathetic. "She's not coming back...I think." He pauses, his gaze dropping to the floor. "She left late last night. Told me she wasn't coming back. Though she was also drunk...So I don't really know. But yeah...She's gone. For now at least. I'm so sorry about last night, kiddo."

Gwen closes her eyes, fighting back tears. Her mother had abandoned and her dad again. She had just randomly showed up after so long. She was drunk for the majority of the night, which wasn't surprising. And then she had left, without even saying goodbye. "I'm so sorry." Ian apologizes, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so, so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I didn't think she would show up. I had no idea she would do that. I had no idea she would take it out on you."

"It's okay." Gwen said softly, wiping away a stray tear. "It's not your fault."

Ian looks at his daughter, his heart aching. He set down the spatula and pulled her into a hug. He held her close, trying to comfort her. "I love you so much. You know that, right?"

"I know." She replies, hugging him back. "I love you too."

They stood there for a few moments, holding each other. Shawn watched the exchange, his heart breaking. He hated seeing Gwen so upset, he wished he could take away her pain, he'd do anything to make her feel better. After a moment, they parted and Ian went back to making pancakes. Gwen turns to Shawn, giving him a weak smile. "Thanks for being here. I don't think I could've dealt with all of this alone."

"I'm glad I was able to be here for you." He replied, giving her a small smile. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. Ian glanced over at them with a smile. He was happy that Shawn was there for Gwen. He was glad she had someone she could count on, someone who would be there for her no matter what. Shawn was a good guy and he was glad Gwen had him in her life.

****

When breakfast was ready, they all sat down at the table and ate. The conversation flowed easily, as it always did. Even with Shawn there. He always felt a part of the family. Gwen was grateful for that. She needed the distraction, the comfort, the support. And having Shawn there made everything so much easier, so much more bearable.

After breakfast, they all helped clean up the kitchen. Shawn and Gwen volunteered to do the dishes and Ian thanked them both, heading off to take a shower. Doing the dishes wasn't that great, but they made it fun. Well, Shawn made it fun. Gwen had been so sad and distracted all morning, he knew he had to find a way to cheer her up. So he made a game out of it. He'd start by spraying her with the sink's sprayer and they'd go from there. After a few rounds, she was laughing and splashing him back. Their playful banter filled the kitchen, echoing off the walls. It was such a contrast to the tense and somber atmosphere of the house earlier that morning. Gwen couldn't help but smile and laugh as they finished the dishes.

When they were done, they stood there, grinning at each other. The tension and sadness was gone, replaced with laughter and smiles. It was amazing how much better Shawn could make her feel, how much better he could make anything feel. Gwen couldn't help but wrap her arms around him, hugging him tightly. He hugged her back, his arms wrapped around her waist.

"Thank you. I know I already said it, but I feel like I need to say it again." She mumbled into his chest, her voice muffled.

"For what?" He asked, pulling back slightly to look at her, surprised she suddenly said it again. 

"For being here. For being you." She replied, smiling at him.

His heart flutters at that, and he returns her smile. "I'd do anything for you, Gwen. You know that."

Her smile widens, and she leans up to kiss his cheek again. "I know. I hope you know I'd do anything for you too." She told him, her tone serious.

"Yeah, I know." He replied, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

Gwen shakes her head, letting out a laugh. She glances down at herself, realizing she was soaking wet. He was too now. "We better go change. We're soaked."

"That we are." He replies, laughing a little. "Race you to your room?" He smirked. 

"You know we probably will trip over something 'cause we're wet." Gwen said, raising an eyebrow.

"True." He pauses, smirking at her. "But that makes it more fun."

Gwen laughs. "Fine. Race ya." She didn't wait for him and turned to leave the kitchen.

"Hey, no fair! You got a head start!" He called out as he started after her. They raced down the hall and up the stairs. They were laughing and giggling the whole way. They were acting like kids, but it was fun. It was exactly what Gwen needed.

Shawn caught up to her and tackled her to the ground, causing her to yelp in surprise. He was on top of her, grinning down at her. "I win."

"I call it a tie 'cause you tackled me." Gwen chuckled.

"Whatever." He replied, his grin widening.

They looked at each other for a moment, neither of them saying anything. The air around them suddenly became thick with tension. Gwen's eyes dropped to his lips and back to his eyes, and he did the same. He leaned forward and her heart skipped a beat. She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable, the feeling of his lips on hers. It's been a long time since their first kiss and she'd be lying if she said she didn't miss it, that she didn't want it again.

But the kiss never came. Instead, he pulls back, smiling at her. "Come on. Let's get changed before we catch a cold." He stood and reached out his hand, helping her up. He had to be honest, it took everything in him not to kiss her right then and there. He was tempted, more than he'd like to admit, but he couldn't risk their friendship or making things awkward between them. Not when they had just gotten back to being comfortable around each other after everything that had happened. So instead, he pushed down his feelings and focused on being the supportive friend Gwen needed right now.

"Right. Yeah. Okay." She stammers, her heart pounding. She felt slightly disappointed that the kiss didn't happen. She wanted it, but she was also glad he hadn't kissed her. Things were getting complicated and confusing. She still had strong, growing feelings for Kamden too. She had no idea what to do or how to handle it. All she knew was that she needed a distraction. Something to take her mind off of everything. "How 'bout we have a movie marathon day? Just us? Watch all our favorites and relax?"

Shawn's face lit up with a grin. "Sounds perfect. Let's do it."

Gwen and Shawn quickly changed into dry clothes, the playful energy still lingering between them. Once they were dressed, they met back in Gwen's room and set up their mini movie marathon. Gwen grabbed a stack of VHS tapes while Shawn made a cozy nest of blankets and pillows on the bed.

"What should we start with?" Gwen asks, holding up a few movie options. "I think The Lion King." She grinned. The Lion King was one of her favorites and it always managed to lift her spirits.

"Excellent choice," Shawn said, taking the tape from her and popping it into the VCR. "The Lion King it is." 

As he did that, Gwen settles on her bed, smiling and giggling when he dramatically flopped down next to her. The two of them snuggled up under the blankets, the comforting weight of them adding to the cozy atmosphere. The familiar opening notes of "The Circle of Life" began to play, and Gwen felt herself relax for the first time in what felt like ages. Shawn's arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her closer as they both focused on the screen.

As the movie played, Gwen found her mind drifting. She thought about the events of the past day, the unexpected appearance of her mother, the intense emotions that had followed, and how Shawn had been there for her through it all. She was so grateful for his presence, for his unwavering support and friendship. She couldn't imagine getting through this without him.

Shawn seemed to sense her distraction. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and whispers, "Hey, you okay?"

Gwen looks up at him, her eyes meeting his. She saw nothing but concern and care in his gaze. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just...Thinking."

"About what?" He asked softly, his voice barely audible over the movie.

"Just everything. My mom, the play, you being here for me...It means a lot, Shawn. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Shawn smiles warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm sure you would've been fine, but you don't have to thank me, Gwen. I'd do anything for you. You know that."

"I do," She replies leaning her head on his shoulder. "And I appreciate it more than you know."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, both of them content to simply be in each other's presence. As the movie continued, Gwen found herself getting lost in the story, her worries temporarily forgotten. Shawn's steady breathing and the warmth of his body beside her were incredibly soothing, and she felt herself drifting off.

By the time the credits rolled, Gwen was half-asleep, her head resting on Shawn's chest. He gently nudges her awake, and she blinked sleepily, looking up at him. "Want to watch another one?" He asked, his voice soft and gentle.

"Mmm." She hums sleepily, her eyelids drooping. "Yeah, sure."

"Okay." He smiled and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, before shifting her to the side and getting up. He picked up the next tape and put it into the VCR, before settling back down next to her. As the opening credits began to play, Gwen snuggled into his side, sighing softly. The steady beat of his heart and the warmth of his body were irresistible, and she felt her eyelids growing heavy again.

She tried to stay awake, to focus on the movie, but it was a losing battle. As she drifted off, she felt Shawn's arm wrap around her waist, pulling her closer. She sighed happily and let herself relax, allowing the peaceful, soothing atmosphere to wash over her.

The day continued in that same manner, movie after movie, each one more relaxing than the last. It was just what Gwen needed, a day of rest and relaxation. She felt the stress of the past few days fade away, replaced by a sense of calm and peace.

As the day progressed, she found herself growing closer to Shawn. Their physical contact was more frequent, the touches lingering a little longer, their gazes a little more intense. They were both fully aware of the shift in their relationship, but neither of them wanted to acknowledge it. Her head was leaning against his chest, he was leaned back against some pillows and his arms were around her waist. Her arms were around his neck and she had her head on his chest, listening to his heart beating. She was falling asleep again.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Shawn teases, poking her cheek. "You can't fall asleep yet. It's not even dark outside."

"Mmm. Too bad. I'm comfy." Gwen mumbled, her eyes half-closed.

"I can tell." He chuckles, his arm tightening around her waist. "But you should try and stay awake. We're watching Fox and the Hound." 

Gwen's eyes flutters open at the mention of the movie, a fond smile tugging at her lips. "I love that one," She murmurs, snuggling closer to Shawn's warmth as she turns her head to the TV. "Okay, I'll try to stay awake."

As the movie plays, Gwen does her best to stay awake, but it's a struggle. She keeps dozing off, her head nodding forward. Shawn's voice is gentle as he coaxes her back to consciousness. She gently shifted her position, trying to find a more comfortable spot, but no matter how hard she tries, sleep keeps pulling her under. Eventually, she gave in, allowing herself to sink into the warmth and safety of Shawn's embrace. Shawn watched her with a soft smile, his heart swelling with affection. He couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness over her, wanting to shield her from any pain or worry. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his touch light and gentle.

When the movie comes to an end, Shawn realized that Gwen has fallen asleep again, her breathing steady and peaceful. He gently shifted her so that she's laying down, her head resting on the pillow. He then got up to turn off the TV and VCR. Once everything was off, he settled down next to her, his arm wrapping around her waist. She murmured in her sleep, snuggling closer to him. Shawn smiled softly, his fingers tracing absentmindedly patterns on her side. He eventually fell asleep himself, the comforting warmth and weight of her body beside him lulling him into a peaceful slumber.

****

Gwen woke up to the smell of Shawn's cologne and the feel of his warm, muscular chest pressed against her back. His arm was draped over her, his hand resting on her stomach. She shifted slightly, her eyes fluttering open. She was still tired, but she couldn't help but smile. The room was dark, the only light coming from the streetlight outside. Shawn's breathing was steady and deep, his body relaxed. Gwen glanced over at him, his features softened by the darkness. He was so handsome, so caring and kind. She didn't know how she could be so lucky to have him in her life.

Careful not to wake him, Gwen reached for the clock on her nightstand and checked the time. It was just after midnight, but she wasn't tired anymore. She had slept most of the day away, which wasn't surprising. The events of the past few days had been exhausting. Gwen's stomach growled softly, and she realized she was hungry. She and Shawn had stopped their movie marathon to eat dinner with her dad earlier, but a late night snack wouldn't hurt. She carefully untangled herself from Shawn's embrace and sat up, careful not to disturb him. He grumbled softly, his arm tightening around her waist, but didn't wake up.

Gwen's heart melted a little. Even in his sleep, he was protective of her. She smiled softly and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, before slipping out of bed and tiptoeing out of the room. She walked to the kitchen, surprised to find the light on. Ian was sitting at the table, a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Hey, dad." Gwen greeted quietly.

"Hey, jelly bean." He replies, a tired smile on his face. "I'm not keeping you up, am I?" He asked, concern evident in his voice.

Gwen shakes her head, smiling reassuringly at him. "No, I just woke up. I was hungry, so I thought I'd grab a snack."

Ian nods in understanding. "Well, there's some leftover pizza in the fridge if you want."

Gwen smiles gratefully. "Thanks, dad. That sounds perfect." She heads to the fridge, grabbing the pizza box and placing a couple of slices on a plate. She puts it in the microwave and waits for it to heat up. As she does, she glances over at her dad. He looked exhausted, the stress and worry of the past few days taking a toll on him. "Hey, dad?" Gwen asks softly. "You doing okay?"

Ian sighs, rubbing his eyes. "I'm fine, jelly bean. Just tired. A lot has happened lately, and it's been a lot to process."

"Yeah, it has." Gwen agreed, her heart warming at the nickname he had called her since she was little. When she was little, she was obsessed with jelly beans when she first tried them. She was so obsessed with them, her father gave her the nickname because she kept eating jelly beans all the time. She had been embarrassed by it as a teen, but she grew to like the name, especially when her dad was the only one who called her that. When the microwave beeped, she went over to get the plate out and closed the door before she moved to sit by her dad and began eating.

"How's work been?" She questioned, knowing it was a safe topic. She didn't want to make her dad more stressed. She just wanted to talk to him, to take his mind off of everything. 

Ian takes a sip of his coffee and lets out a long sigh. He worked as a firefighter, which meant he'd been working a lot of late shifts. "It's been good. Busy, but good. I've had a few close calls, but nothing I can't handle."

Gwen listens intently, taking in every detail. "That's good. I'm glad you're safe. I'd be lost without you, dad." She teased, a playful smile on her face.

Ian chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I doubt that. You'd figure something out. You're a smart kid, jelly bean." He pauses, taking another sip of his coffee. "How are things going with you? School okay? Friends? Everything alright?"

Gwen hesitates, unsure of how much she should share. She knew her dad was worried about her, and the last thing she wanted to do was make him more concerned. "School's good. My grades are decent. I have a good group of friends. I'm happy." She replied, the words sounding hollow even to her own ears.

"What about boys? Are you dating anyone?" He questioned, his gaze searching hers.

"Dad, really?" Gwen laughs, trying to change the subject and ignore the blush she felt creeping up her neck. "Can't we talk about something else? Like your latest call? Tell me about it."

Ian wasn't easily deterred. He knew his daughter better than anyone, and he could tell when something was bothering her. "So there isn't anyone special in your life right now?" He pushed, raising his eyebrow at her.

Gwen sighs, knowing he wasn't going to let it go. "I'm not dating anyone right now. I'm too busy with school and the play. Things are kinda complicated." She pauses before adding, "What do you do when you fall for two great people?"

Ian looks at her with surprise. "Falling for two great people, huh?" He leans back in his chair, taking a moment to consider his response. "Well, I suppose it depends on the situation. Are these two people aware of your feelings? And are you equally invested in both of them?"

Gwen frowns, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. "They both know how I feel, I think. And yeah, I care about both of them a lot. It's just...Different with each of them. I don't know, it's hard to explain."

"It sounds like you have some thinking to do, jelly bean." Ian replies, his voice gentle. "I know it's not easy, but you need to figure out what you want, who you want, and make a decision. As for me, I think I'm going to head to bed. You should get some sleep too." He gets up from his seat, draining the last of his coffee before putting his empty mug in the kitchen sink. "Goodnight, pumpkin." He kissed her forehead and turned to walk to his room. 

"Night, dad." Gwen replied, her voice quiet as she slumped in her seat, staring at her now empty plate. Ian had paused in the hallway, looking back at her with a concerned look on his face after seeing her somber expression.

"Hey, Gwen." He said softly. "For what it's worth, I'm here for you, no matter what. Whatever decision you make, whatever happens, I'll support you. You're not alone in this, okay?"

Gwen's heart warms at her dad's words. She smiles softly at him, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. "Thanks, dad. I appreciate it."

With a final nod, Ian disappeared down the hallway, leaving Gwen alone in the kitchen. She sat there for a moment, lost in thought, before realizing she should probably head back to her room. She cleaned up her plate and made her way back down the hall, the events of the day swirling in her mind.

When she reached her room, she found Shawn still fast asleep in her bed, his breathing deep and even. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, feeling a rush of affection towards him. Quietly, she climbed back into bed, careful not to disturb him. He didn't stir as she nestled close to him, her head resting on his chest. She listened to the sound of his heartbeat, letting it soothe her. Despite the exhaustion of the day, her thoughts continued to keep her awake. Her dad's words echoed in her mind. She needed to figure out what she wanted, who she wanted. She needed to make a decision. But right now, all she wanted was to stay wrapped up in Shawn's arms, safe and warm. She closed her eyes, letting the steady beat of his heart lull her to sleep.

A/N shawn & gwen >>> but also love ian's & gwen's relationship, love a good father-daughter  moment