Chapter 2

"They liked you" Shawn says as the cab starts off to our hotel.

"Yeah, I liked them. I guess it makes sense that I would like them, I mean I like you…" I then kiss him. He gives me this look that says 'so then why' and I realize that he still is trying to figure out why I haven't answered him.

You see two days before we came, Shawn asked me to marry him and I told him I had to think about it. He seemed okay with that answer but the problem is my thinking about it is taking a while and I don't think Shawn understands why. Before I can really start the discussion, we are at the hotel. We walk up to our room and realize that we didn't really get a big bed for 3 of us.

"I can sleep on the floor." Shawn says reading my mind.

"No." I answer as he puts Ellie to bed and takes off her shoes. "We can fit. Besides she's small and I usually just sleep on top of you." He puts the covers on her and walks over to me and kisses me. It is not one of those pecks but a full solid kiss that makes me wish Ellie was still at her dads.

"I love you." He mumbles in between kisses. "I want more Ellie's." He says quietly and I smile. "And you're blushing." He smiles back at me.

"I don't, that would mean I would have to go back to Noah and that is not happening." Cold water, I just threw cold water on his thoughts. "Okay so tomorrow, what are the plans?"

"I was thinking we could have breakfast and then go over to the house for the rest of the day."

"Well I wanted to do a little shopping, so do you think you could go to the house with Ellie and I could do some shopping and then meet you there?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"So Corey's parents are coming at what time?"

"I think 4."

"I wanted to go over what Steve proposed today with you sometime tomorrow. Maybe after he emails me the numbers we can maybe talk about what we should do."

"Did you like it?"

"Yeah, it was nice. It would be very different. I would have a lot more freedom and creativity. But it would be a change and I don't want to make it without you. So that would mean you would have to come too."

"You know I am flexible, I can do my work anywhere."

"You know what I mean."

"And I think you know where I stand on the subject." He kisses my nose. "The main question is where do you stand."

"Shawn, I know you want me to give you an answer, but I truly am thinking about it. And its not you, that I am questioning. It's the whole marriage thing. I never thought I would do it again. It's a big commitment and let's be honest, I don't have a good track record. I do know that I love you and that is one thing I am not questioning, it's the institution that I am concerned about."

"I know that but I don't understand how you could be so scared of a contract. It just makes things official."

"I just need a little more time. Can you give me that?" I give Ellie a kiss and crawl into bed.

"I can give you that. I just want you to know that I am serious. I am not going anywhere. Marriage or not, you are stuck with me. But I would prefer the marriage route." He smiles and gets in bed next to me. I move next to him.

"I know that. I love you Shawn Hunter."

"I love you too, Natalie Cohen." He kisses my head and squeezes me. After some time in silence, we fall asleep.