"I promise, I won't be long." Lauren laughed lightly as Ian finally released her from his arms. He was obviously still worked up and just wanted to take her to bed but Lauren had promised Declan a bedtime story. And she wasn't one to break promised, especially to adorable four year olds.

She walked into the room quietly, for a moment thinking that Declan may have already been asleep. The lamp beside the bed was on and Lauren walked over and sat at the edge of the bed, pushing a stray blonde curl behind Declan's ear.

"Any requests for stories?" Lauren asked, smiling down at the boy.

"Actually," He started, sounding a bit nervous. She looked at him, wondering what he was about to ask.

"What is it, sweetheart?" She asked when he didn't continue.

"Could you sing me to sleep instead?" He asked, smiling at her just a bit, hoping she'd say yes. How could she say no to the boy? She didn't have the greatest singing voice in her own opinion but she didn't want to go against Declan's request.

"Sure." She said simply, before she started singing a lullaby she remembered from when she was a child. She didn't know until then that she still had it memorized. The words were soothing to herself as well as she sang the words, watching as Declan closed his eyes, a smile on his face as he listened to the sound of her voice. When the song was finished she leaned down to kiss Declan's forehead. "Goodnight, Declan." She whispered.

"Goodnight, mommy." He was smiling, his dimples poking through his cheeks as Lauren resgistered what he'd just told her. Her heart was fluttering, she could feel tears swell up in her eyes. She hadn't known how to react, she just felt so loved. Moments later she found herself laying down with the boy in his twin sized bed, holding him to her tightly.

"I love you." Was the last thing she said before she felt her eyes closing.

Ian was waiting for Lauren to come to bed, and when enough time had past, he'd gone to see what was taking her so long. He didn't know what to think or say when he saw the sight he saw. Lauren was sound asleep, Declan curled up to her closely, soundly sleeping in her arms. Ian trailed his fingers gingerly down the center of her back where he knew she was tickilish. She squirmed a bit, opening her eyes to meet his. Smiling at him, she pulled herself away from Declan carefully. Ian kissed him goodnight before they both headed back to their own room.

They both crawled into bed, all the lights off as Lauren snuggled up to Ian's side.

"Tired, love?" Ian asked, trailing a hand up her back again. She let out a small laugh before squirming away from him. "Okay," Lauren managed, swatting his hands away as he cradled her to him. "You know my weakness, what's yours?" She asked, brown eyes sparkling in the pale moonlight that lit the otherwise dark room. Ian ran a hand through her silky hair.

"You should know, love." He told her, his hand once again skimming down her spine causing her to wriggle under his gentle touch. "It's you." He finally said, smiling at her as they locked eyes. She smiled back but the gears in her head were turning. Her and Declan were Ian's biggest weakness, Declan of course was a secret, no one but Lauren and Louise even knew he was Ian's son. Lauren knew that being his weakness would be dangerous if anyone was angry enough to use his weakness against him, that thought alone terrified her. She wasn't scared her own safety, but she was always constantly worried about the blue eyed boy who had just called her mommy.

"What's wrong?" Ian asked when she remained quiet, her smile fading.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just thinking." She replied, something different in her eyes before she changed the subject telling him what Declan had said just a short while ago. Upon hearing the news Ian's dimples made a rare appearance. He had always known that Declan loved Lauren, and that she loved him just as much. That had been established since the first day they had met, way before she'd known that Declan was his, it all seemed so long ago now. He smiled just at the memory of Lauren and Declan's first encounter.

"I love everything you are." Ian whispered, he knew what he was. He knew the things he'd done. He'd done things he wasn't proud of, but in the end he'd provided for his family, he created a good life for himself and his son. He was nowhere near perfect, but Lauren was in his eyes. She was perfect for him.

It was cold as Lauren curled up to him under their comforter. She'd been increasing tired lately he noticed and he held her to him, as if almost willing her to fall asleep as he kissed along her hairline. She sank into him as he held her tightly, never wanting to let her go. He was always so worried about her. Especially when she was at work with him. He knew very well that Lauren Reynolds could take care of herself, he knew what she was capable off. She wasn't a killer, that was for sure but she knew how to survive, she was useful and skillful and an asset for many jobs since they'd met. He was always so protective of her, even when she didn't need it. He was terrified that something bad would happen to her. He couldn't dream of living in a world where she wasn't. She had become his everything.

He'd wished that nothing would end the happiness they had. The next night they were going out to see a few of Ian's co-workers and friends. He didn't know then that the next night would be the beginning of the end of the life he loved.