That was easier than he thought it was going to be. After seeing the piles of clothes and belongings in his old room at his parent's house, Ross actually didn't know how it was all going to fit into Laura's place, but it did. They had picked up an extra dresser the day before and put it together late last night. He laughed, recalling how frustrated she got when he tossed the directions and started putting it together. She was a strict rules person in that respect and even had to count each and every one of the screws and bolts that came with the project. It took them hours to put together, because of her process, but he was okay with that.

Now, with the dresser and him pushing most of her items in the walk-in closet over and hanging what he needed to in there, he actually did not have that much stuff. The only other thing coming with him was a gaming chair and of course, his guitars. He was still figuring out where to actually put them since this was a one-bedroom apartment, but they'd figure it out later on. Slumping down into the gaming chair he'd set in the corner of the bedroom, he listened as Laura said goodbye to both of their moms. Ellen had come in place of Damiano, who didn't have any lectures today, but was preparing for a big one next week; and then his mom was there too. The one who had stuffed most of his belongings in her SUV and followed him over to the apartment, which wasn't that far from their home.

Stormie had cried a little, but not as much as she cried when Riker and Rocky moved out. Ross could only imagine how she was going to react when Rydel finally moved into her own place with Ellington. That would be something that all the brothers would have to be in on and help her out. He was already imagining them having to rotate staying with her and his Dad.

Ross smiled as Laura came back into the room and tossed her phone that had been in her back pocket all day onto the bed. She didn't waste any time in coming over to him and sliding on top of his lap. The gaming chair was was low to the ground and the armrests were adjustable so he wasn't complaining at all when she did that. Laura had promised him that they'd move it out into the living room soon, but just not yet. They still had to put it on it's landing and set everything up for him.

"Okay, I'm tired now," she said and he brushed her hair back from her face with his hands.

"Preaching to the choir here," he joked back with her. "I didn't think I had that much stuff."

"You don't. Plus, you didn't have to worry about any actual furniture or bigger items. That helped."

Ross nodded in agreement. "I'm glad we got it done though."

"Me too," Laura leaned forward and pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss. "Now we can officially say that we live together."

"We can," he said. "Of course, I've been saying that for a while."

"You have?"

"Kind of. When people ask where I live, I give them this address."

Laura looked up at him, a little surprised. "Really?"

"Is that such a surprise?"

"A little," she confessed, shrugging her shoulders. "Not that I don't want you to do that. I do. It's just, damn it. I don't want to say the wrong thing here..."

"You're just stumbling over a lot of words today, aren't you?"

Laura swatted at him playfully. "Don't make fun."

"I have to. It's my job."

"You're mean," she pouted as he grabbed her hands in his. "I'm glad you're here though. I'm so happy you said yes."

Ross pulled her towards him and let his one hand rest tenderly on her neck. "I'll always say yes."

+++

It was pink. And not just pink, pink. It was the kind of pink that was so pink it made your eyes hurt. It was vibrant, but still pale; soft like the taste of pink lemonade but still juicy like raspberries; it was the kind of pink that Audrey Hepburn spoke of, the shade of the perfect lip gloss that you always had to have a tube of in your bag. It was a pink that reminded her of hot summers and laughs and running through sprinklers when it was the hottest day outside. It was the kind of pink that reminded her of that Bermudian sunset that washed the skies in dreams and was the perfect definition of paradise. It was a pink that made her feel like a princess, and as Laura turned around on the pedestal, truly felt like one.

The gown had two straps that fastened around her neck like a halter and the fabric skimmed down her body like a glove until just below her knees. The moment it gathered was the moment the vivid pink turned into a seashell pink and underneath was the pleated white that screamed Havana. She was told that it was one of the brand's original designs, altered and re-designed just for this event.

She and Ross had arrived at the Valentino office in Los Angeles a few hours before and while he'd been fitted and done with his look for the event next week in just an hour. Her? She was on her fourth hour of re-pins and alterations. She was taking so long that she told him she'd call him when she was done. Laura knew it was a relief for him and she was okay staying there for this. The Met Gala's theme this year was Havana: The Guys & The Dolls, and Valentino was sure determined to make her the answer to a Cuban queen. She was neither Cuban nor a queen, but they were making her feel like one; and if she was the queen, they had turned Ross into a modern Sky Masterson. He had looked good in the suit they had fitted him too and she couldn't wait to walk down the carpet with him in New York.

Turning around on the pedestal once more, Karen, her stylist, who had arrived there just an hour before, helped her slip into the shoes she had intended to wear. Laura was thankful that the in-house stylist and Karen were great friends, it made her feel that much more comfortable with it all. The dress was gorgeous and she actually couldn't wait to see the finished product. The brand snapped pics of her in it and within twenty minutes, she was back out of it...or at least halfway. Turns out that this dress required a whole lot more hands to get out of then it did getting into. She counted four people around her, plus Ross standing in the doorway again, smirking at the situation.

"When did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago. This is something," he smiled and walked towards her as the dress finally came off of her. He handed her the shirt that had laid over the seat by him and she pulled it over her head again.

"You like the dress?"

"It's pretty," he nodded, watching the garment leave the room before turning back to her, while she got dressed again. Her flats slid on her feet, jeans were buttoned up and she was back to being a normal person. As normal as a person could be walking out of Valentino. Promising to check up with Karen tomorrow about the event and of course, for Cannes, Laura slid her hand into his and they left the building.

It wasn't a long walk back to the car and was rather uneventful, until they got back on the road and were headed towards Santa Monica instead of their apartment. Laura didn't mind, in fact, she didn't mind at all and had a feeling they were headed towards their spot when Ross passed it up altogether.

"Where are we going?"

"Riker is surfing up the coast a bit and I'm going to crash it. Plus, there's this really good diner there and we're going to eat our weights in burgers." His eyes were still on the road as he let his hand smooth over her jean covered leg, squeezing her limb. "You're okay with that right?"

Laura nodded as he looked over at her. She honestly was. She loved when he was spontaneous and surprised her with little dates that weren't technically dates, but she was calling them that anyhow. The last one they had been on was actually in Vancouver and since they were going to be away for a few weeks, who knows when the next time they would have another one. She was hoping for a super romantic one soon...especially since they were headed towards their one year anniversary.

She looked over at him, letting her hands roam up and down his exposed skin on his arm and wondered what she could possibly get him or do for him for it. What would be special? What would be spectacular? How could she show him how much she loved him being in her life like this? Laura had absolutely no clue what that would even be, or where. Much like asking him what he wanted to do for his birthday, or what he wanted at all, this would be another situation where, if she asked, he'd give her an answer that wasn't really an answer.

There was something with hockey, or surfing, or music...Laura leaned her head against the head rest and watched as the mountains on the right side of the road passed her by in the blink of an eye. She would have to recruit Rydel in on this, or Stormie, or hell, maybe if she could get Riker out of the water for long enough, she could bug him. They had been together almost a year and still gift giving was always tricky. She knew him like the back of her hand, but still could not figure what to get him for the holidays, or even his birthday. The camera she got was spur of the moment purchase and she was just glad it worked out. He still used it and remembered the little film he made of his Permafrost cast mates last month.

Looking at the sun staring back at her on the beach now, her toes warm in the sand, Laura was wishing she brought her bikini or anything really so she could join her boyfriend and his brother in the water. They looked like they were having fun, swimming through the water on their boards and riding the waves that came their way. She watched them as they sat on top of the long surfboards, joking around and waiting for the next wave to come their way. Riker punched Ross in the arm, Ross punched back and there were nothing but smiles and laughs coming from their mouths.

Maybe some sort of surfing thing? No. She dashed that thought from her mind about a gift. Ross knew how to surf. He knew how to surf so well that he was teaching her. Mind you, she still couldn't stand up on the actual board quite right, but she was getting there. She stole Riker's attention later in the diner, while Ross was in the restroom, begging him for ideas.

"Only if you give me some advice in return."

"Anything."

"Okay, for him," Riker pointed towards the bathrooms. "Make it something really unexpected. He lives on surprises. Something very unexpected. Doesn't matter if it's really romantic or super adventurous. He'll love anything that comes from you."

Laura stared back at the eldest Lynch. "That helps me so much, Riker." Her sarcasm wasn't lost.

"I'm telling you the truth. Anything that comes from you, he'll love, because he loves you. You could probably get him a night of just sex and that would be everything. Then again, rumor has it that you did that for Valentine's Day."

"You suck, you know that?"

Riker smiled back at her big as a big plate of fries were set in front of them both. "Now, your advice for me."

"Okay," Laura bit into one of the potato slices as Ross returned and got himself a handful.

"Sofia."

"Oh, back on that, are we?" Ross teased him.

"What about her?"

"Give me all you know about her. Together with what I know, I'm hoping I can sweep her off her feet."

Laura smiled back at Riker. She knew he had had a crush on Sofia when they were younger and knew Ross had been teasing him about starring with her in Grease, but that was as much as she knew about that. Apparently, Riker was still crushing on her and in her mind, it was a good match. They were both amazing people - her spicy, him sweet, her calm and him with all his energy. They'd balance each other out, but she was wondering why he didn't make his move before. Maybe it was the movie issue...the dating a co-star. Although, that didn't stop her and Ross the second time around.

"Sweep her off her feet? Man, just ask her out on a date. She's simple with the ask," Ross advised.

"I asked Laura. Pretty sure your name is not Laura."

While Ross poked his tongue out at his older brother, Laura thought. Ross was actually right. She hadn't seen Sofia in a while, but kept up with her in texts and Twitter and she did know certain things about the senorita - like how she liked everything zesty in her food and drink, and how she liked to have a hell of a good time. Something her and Riker would definitely bond over. But when it came to dating and men, Laura wasn't really sure. "Riker, I think Ross is right. You know Sofia likes a ton of tangy and hot food. Maybe a good old fashion 'want to go out with me?' paired with a night of dancing is the key."

"But what do I do about her and this guy?"

"What guy? She's not dating anyone right now."

"Wait, what?" Riker stopped eating his food and looked up at her, his eyes wide. "She's not dating him? The dark haired guy with massive muscles..."

"Charlie? Oh God, no," Laura shook her head. "Charlie is a personal trainer. She hired him for her next project to get her in shape. She's playing this Marine or something and has to be super fit."

"So, she's single?" Riker asked, not really expecting her 'yes' that came out of her mouth. "She's single."

Laura watched him lean back in the booth, a little victory smile moving up his mouth before she plucked the pickle from Ross's plate.

"No way," Ross grabbed her hand, pickle still in her fingers. "My pickle."

"But...pickle," Laura leaned over to him as he took the pickle back. Trying to seduce him out of a pickle was easy, right? Well, it used to be anyhow. Narrowing her eyes at him, he was giving it right back to her. With Riker still in his own little world, trying to figure out the best time to ask Sofia out, they were across from him in a food war. She offered a full night of just video games for him, and he still wouldn't give her anything. Then there was a night of making him watch Game of Thrones, from the start, for torture - he took a bite of the sour cucumber that she loved just as much as she loved blasting old school Taylor Swift while she was in the shower.

Bite by bite, the pickle was disappearing into his mouth and over his lips and screw it, Laura leaned over and kissed him, licking the taste off of his lips. It was tart and strong and if she hadn't heard the snap of Riker's phone camera go off, she would've still been kissing him. "Don't you dare post that," she warned Riker but all she got was a Cheshire cat smile back at her.

"Um, oops."

+++

As soon as someone says 'Don't kill me', that's exactly what you want to do, isn't it? Because you know for sure that the news they're about to deliver to you is bad or going to put a wrench in your forthcoming plans. That was exactly what Gary Glasberg just did. Not that Ross could blame him alone. It was more the test audience and CBS and himself for flubbing up some scenes that were the basis of calling him, and Sofia Vassilieva and Cleo Massey back to Vancouver next week for re-shoots on Permafrost.

There weren't a lot of scenes to re-shoot and he had been hoping that they could get them done in just a few days - a few day after the Met Gala...but that wasn't the case. The 'Don't kill me' phrase also includes timing that sucks, timing that wasn't good at all and as Ross poured the wine into the glasses on the countertop, he thought about just how he was going to break this shitty news to his girlfriend, who was sitting out on the balcony just winding down the day.

Drinking half of his glass as soon as he poured it in, Ross re-filled it again, banking on a buzz or at least some of it so he could forget that the re-shoot news even happened. He hated it, actually. Not that he didn't expect re-shoots, because it was a pilot for a television show, but he figured it would've been later and not involve him. Why couldn't have it involved Max and Amber? Or Sean? Just get it over with, Ross.

Stepping out onto the balcony, he let out a deep breath while he set the glasses down on the small table in between the two chairs. He watched her eyes flutter over the words on a script she'd been sent earlier. There were actually many scripts she'd been sent and he was actually excited to see which one she'd go after, or if she'd go after any at all. Right now, they were both sitting kind of pretty in projects. He knew she had had offers and a phone call with BigMachine again, but with promo duties for the movie about to kick off, it wasn't exactly the time to say yes to things unless they started after November. Even him planning a little anniversary getaway had taken some wrangling and perfect planning.

"You okay?" Ross glanced up at Laura, who was staring back at him now. "You look like you're deep in thought and I mean, drowning in them, reaching for someone's hand, not just sitting on top of a pile of them."

His mouth curled upwards, and he drank another swig of the wine before catching her hand in his own. "I have some news," Ross told her slowly...news that he really didn't want to relay.

"Okay, now you're worrying me. What's wrong? It is something with your parents, your siblings? What happened?" Laura put the script down and pulled her legs up from the chaise, swinging them around over the edge.

"No, nothing like that. Everyone's fine."

"Don't worry me like that."

"Sorry, babe. But you're not going to like this news. I don't like this news." He took another breath, pausing to kiss her fingers and hold her hand close, resting it just underneath his chin. "That was Gary on the phone and we have re-shoots. Next week."

"Next week," she repeated. "Okay, so you'll fly back from New York..."

"Actually..."

He stopped talking then and so did she. Not that she had anything else to say. What could she say? What could he? Ross watched her still process it all as he explained the predicament and how he was essentially needed in Vancouver on Sunday, and he'd stay until he had to leave for Cannes. That was a full week. A full week of missing the Met Gala, and missing her, and missing New York for Permafrost. He couldn't really get a read on her right now as she kept drinking the wine he had brought out, but from past experiences, that wasn't actually a good sign. That was a sign she was really upset, she just wasn't telling him that.

"Laura, I'm..."

"I know," she cut him off. "I know you're sorry and he's probably sorry. I just hate that word right now."

Ross watched her get up and head inside, leaving the now empty glass on the table. He let her be for the moment, knowing she needed the time alone and honestly, so did he. He loved the show and the people involved, he just wished it wasn't him in the re-shoots. Especially after being fitted and suited by Valentino for this insanely important event that he was so lucky to even be part of, thanks to her. He wanted to be on that carpet with her, showing her off like he did at the SAG Awards. He loved showing the world that he was the luckiest man in the world because he had her by his side and now, he wouldn't get to. Sure, they'd do that in Cannes, but this was the Met Gala. THE Met Gala.