Lou awoke from a surprisingly deep sleep to find she had been resting her head on Caleb's chest. He was still out for the count and notably on the topside of the covers. Lou smiled at the thought of his gentlemanliness, he was an old soul at heart. She always knew his 'ladies' man' side was just a front to avoid being hurt again after Ashley. She couldn't blame him for that. He was different around Lou though, he was always respectful to her and if she was truly honest, she enjoyed his admiration. Part of being a perfectionist made her want to be appreciated for her successes - she strived for approval from those around her. Most of the time though, Lou actually felt she was taken for granted, with the exception of Caleb. He was always there in the background, championing her on in her endeavours.

It was easy to tell that he was genuine in his belief in her but that wasn't what played on Lou's mind. She couldn't tell if there was more to his flirting and it was becoming increasingly infuriating for Lou. Lying next to Caleb in bed, from the way he had been the day before, it was hard not to think there was more to their friendship. The fact he'd tenderly wiped her tears away with his thumb the day before, hadn't escaped her, she'd felt her utter devastation had averted for a split second in that moment. It was surreal that someone she'd known for so many years, who had always just sort of been around, was now so important to her, in her every day life. She wasn't sure when it exactly happened. She had a fleeting moment when she was still with Peter that something was possible. She had dismissed it and sorted things in her marriage, if only temporarily. Maybe it had been building since then in her subconscious, or maybe it was when she confided her deepest fears over finding that lump. How he had been to her since then was nothing short of amazing, a real support to her while keeping her secret.

"Morning" Caleb said while stretching out, looking like he was still half asleep.

Lou was startled from her thoughts and felt herself blush a little, as if Caleb could read her thoughts. "I didn't want to wake you" Lou said, justifying her reason for still lying next to him - awake. "Do want some coffee?" Lou asked standing up, feeling awkward all of a sudden.

"Sure" Caleb replied completely unaware. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept right through, best sleep I've had in a while…" Lou admitted, unsure whether she should have disclosed that last piece of information but it was too late to take it back. She busied herself making the coffee, hoping Caleb didn't read too much into what she'd said. He was becoming more of a distraction from her health issues than she had anticipated.

If he had picked up on what Lou had insinuated, Caleb didn't let on. He gratefully accepted his coffee from her without commenting on it.

"You ready to go home?" He asked, changing the subject.

"I'm not really sure to be honest, I just don't know how to bring it up yet." Lou grimaced at the thought of breaking the news. She knew this was going to be the hardest thing she'd done so far.

Once they were all packed up and checked out of the hotel, they headed back to Heartland in Caleb's truck. The journey felt very different from the one they took out to Calgary. Lou was lost in her thoughts and the atmosphere felt a little melancholy. Caleb never tried to break the silence to lighten the mood, he decided leaving Lou to mull things over was probably what she needed. After all she was preparing herself for facing her family, her children – something Caleb knew nothing about.

When they finally arrived at Heartland, Lou could feel her heart tighten in her chest. She felt flooded with so many emotions and she wasn't sure she would be able to hold it together. She didn't want to appear before everyone as a crying mess, she wanted to seem fine – healthy even. Once he had parked the truck, Caleb carried Lou's things to the porch. Lou followed behind him carrying her flowers.

"Just call me if you need anything Lou, no matter the hour." Caleb reminded her.

"Oh no Caleb, you are coming with me." Lou informed him "You can't escape this part of it all, you're in this with me" She confirmed.

Caleb smiled, he always thought Lou was at her best when she was barking orders, her confidence had returned now she was home and he was thankful for that. He tipped his hat in acceptance and opened the door for her. "After you" was all he said.

Lou stepped through the threshold unsure what was going to happen next. She took a deep breath as she walked into the kitchen to discover who she would have to face first. Oh great, Lou thought to herself, it was as if there was a welcome committee awaiting her. Her Grampa was filling up his mug of coffee while talking to Ty. Both Amy and Lisa were sitting at the table with Katie eating some lunch. Only Georgie appeared to missing from the scenario. The second she'd had the thought, the teenager came barging in the front door in the middle of complaining about something or someone, stopping mid-sentence when she saw Lou and Caleb in front of her. She wasn't the only one to be inspecting their arrival – together.

Lou could feel all the eyes in the room look towards her, shifting between her and Caleb with suspicion and accusation. She realised how it must look, she'd walked in with Caleb while holding the roses that were obviously from him, when she had arranged the trip to Calgary under the guise of meeting up with girlfriends in town for a night out. The expressions in their faces showed were already jumping from one conclusion to another. Maybe they weren't entirely far from the mark, Lou resigned to herself.

"I'm glad you're all here," Lou started before wavering a little, feeling her emotions take over. She paused to regain her composure.

"Would you rather I tell them?" Caleb asked, noticing Lou struggling and wanted to make it easier for her. She had been through enough, in his eyes.

"No it's okay, thanks Caleb. It's better if they hear it from me" Lou acknowledged.

"And what exactly would you two have to tell us?" Jack said, eyebrow raised, deep in suspicion, with great emphasis on the 'two'.