AN: Sorry for the delay I've been SWAMPED I'll do better next time here's the next chapter! Keep reviewing!

Loren woke up and for a moment she was slightly surprised she remembered falling asleep on the couch but now she and Eddie were curled together in his bed. His arms were around her securely and she thought that he must have carried her up here at some point after she'd fallen asleep. She felt safe, and happy and warm. She was for content she hadn't had this feeling a lot in life but it was a feeling she cherished. She closed her eyes and listened to the steady low sound of Eddie breathing, the solid beat of his heart inside his chest.

She blinked a few times then sat up and stretched as the previous nights events came flooding back to her. The fight. Drinking. Mel's call then her rushing back to his place like a crazy person to tell Eddie she loved him. She really did. Once she admitted it she couldn't hold back any longer. She looked down at his peaceful sleeping face. She had a feeling everything was going to be OK from now on.

He stirred beside her for a moment she thought he was still sleeping but that thought was blown out of the water when she suddenly felt his arms around her waist pulling her down in one swift solid motion until he had her pinned beneath him. She giggled as he kissed her and mumbled "good morning."

He continued to kiss her cheek and neck as she said "Good morning to you too!" He stopped and pulled her into his arms so she was snug against him but also looking into his eyes.

He gently brushed the hair out of her eyes. "Do you remember everything about last night?" He asked gently.

She smiled at his genital, hesitant eyes. He was afraid she would want to take back what she said. She didn't want that. She wanted to throw herself into this whole heatedly. She loved him. She really did. She was sure of it.
"Yes, Eddie I do...and I want you to know I meant what I said. I love you." She said stroking his cheek gently. He smiled.

"Good because I love you too." And with that he kissed her.

Meanwhile with Ian and Mel.

They originally had wanted to have dinner but Ian had forgotten about a photo shoot he couldn't reschedule so he went with her to finish up her registration for fall quarter. They had just finished and had picked up some coffee.

"So your pretty serious about directing hun?" Ian asked.

"I hope so. I think it's fun and when I was 13 Loren gave me my first camcorder..." She trailed off for a minute and chuckled. "One of our foster parents were quite cruel and I think Loren stole it from them. Ever since then I've recorded everything."

"Yeah? Whys that do you think?"

Mel smiled. "Everyone thinks because Loren and I grew up in foster care that we had a shitty childhood. And for a lot of it we did but it was different for me...I think Lo protected me from it for the most part. But even when it was hard it was still beautiful because there was so much love between Lo and I. I always wanted to show that."

Ian looked at her in awe. "I think that's amazing."

Back with Loren and Eddie.

They were still laying in bed tangled in each other. They were chuckling softly over something when Loren turned to Eddie and said "Do you have any plans for today?"

"Not that I know of. Why what did you have in mind?"

She looked at him ready, completely ready to open her whole heart to him and this would prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

"There are a couple places I want to take you."

They walked through the door of the nursing home and signed in. The woman at the front desk smiled at them "Hi Loren, no Mel today?"

Loren smiled back "No she's at school finishing up a few registration things."

"Have a good visit. He's in a good mood this morning."

They walked to the elevator hand in hand and Eddie was happy. He'd been surprised this morning when she said that she had a grandfather. He'd assumed that he had died before her mother did because she didn't go to live with him. When he'd asked she'd told him that because he had started getting sick before her mother's death the state would not grant him custody but he fought hard and after Loren met Mel he became her grandfather as well.

They walked through the room and it was littered with photos of Loren and Mel all over the place as well as another woman that Eddie assumed was Loren's mother. They looked exactly alike.

"Hey gramps!" Loren said as she rushed to the bed to hug him.

"Hey there beautiful! Where's my other girl at?"

"School. She had some things to deal with."

"That's good I'm glad she's going. And I'm proud of you with your music. I make the nurses pull the few videos you have on youtube and play them for me during the day."

"Well anytime you want a live performance just let me know."

"I will. Who's this young man in the doorway?"

Loren got up and went to Eddie's side. "Gramps this is Eddie Duran...my boyfriend."

"It's very nice to meet you sir." Eddie said with a smile walking over to shake the mans hand.

"Boyfriend hun? You've never brought one around before. Nice to meet you to son, you can call me Paul."

"Thank you, Paul."

They visited for a while getting to know one another. When Paul asked Loren to grab some sodas from the vending machine.

"Soda...Gramps you never drink soda." She said eyeing him suspiciously and glancing at Eddie.

"We'll be fine Loren, and a soda sounds nice." Eddie said knowing what was about to come.

"Ok then," She said walking out of the room.

"So...Eddie...Eddie Duran. Correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"It's your contest she won right?"

"Yes sir."

"Well you do have excellent taste."

"I agree, sir." Eddie replied.

"I find myself at a loss Eddie, I'm not sure what I think about you."

"Is there anything I can do to help with that?"

"Yes, tell me. Why Loren? Your a rock star, I very much doubt you have much trouble getting a girlfriend."

Eddie looked at the man and felt intense respect for him. "I fell in love with Loren because there was no other choice sir. When I met her she understood me in a way nobody ever has before. She makes me see the world differently, I love her passion, her strength, but mostly I love her heart. I got to see it every day when we began working together how much she loves Mel and how she would never let anything happen to someone that she loved. I saw how amazing she is and frankly everyone else simple paled in comparison. I love your granddaughter sir, I love her with everything I have and though it took her some time she loves me too. I'm never going to do anything to jeopardize that and I would never, never allow her to be hurt if I can prevent it. You have my word on that."

Paul smiled at Eddie, "Well then son, I intend to hold you to that. God knows that girl's had enough heartache for a thousand lifetimes."

Loren came back in and the rest of the visit was pleasant. They continued talking about their lives and plans and interests and by the end of it Eddie was relived that Loren's grandfather seemed to approve of him.

The battle for Loren Tate's heart had not been easy but he was confidant that he had won.