Surprises

Chapter 1

When they arrived at the cabin Peta turned around to wake Rumer and Val up so they could get out of the car but was left speechless by what she saw. She whispered Maks name and motioned for him to look in the backseat. Neither Peta nor Maks had bothered to look in the backseat again after they realized that Rumer and Val had fallen asleep so they hadn't realized that at some point during the second half of the trip that both Val and Rumer had ended up lying down in the backseat. Rumer was lying halfway on top of Val and he had his arms around her holding her in place. Rumer's head was placed on top of both of her hands right above Val's heart. They both had peaceful looks on their faces and almost appeared to be smiling. Both Maks and Peta just looked at each other and grinned. Maks took his cell phone out of his pocket and snapped a picture quickly. The flash woke Rumer and Val up, although neither of them realized what it was. Peta and Maks both got out of the car without mentioning what they saw while Rumer and Val became aware of their current positions. Neither of them said a word about it and they both acted as though everything was normal. The four of them unloaded the car before heading up to the cabin.

It was a beautiful rustic log cabin. It had a wrap around porch and was scattered with rocking chairs and a hammock. Upon entering the cabin they found that there was an open concept kitchen and living room. There was a bedroom downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs. On the back deck was a hot tub as well as a grill and picnic table. As they ventured out onto the deck they saw that there was an in-ground swimming pool and that the property was right on the lake.

Since it was late they all decided to go ahead and turn in for the night. Maks and Peta took the downstairs bedroom while Rumer and Val each took one of the two bedrooms upstairs. When Rumer and Val went to head upstairs, Val picked up Rumer's suitcase too and headed upstairs. She told him that she could get it but he carried it anyway. Rue thanked him and smiled, but he didn't see it because he was in front of her climbing the steps. Val chivalrously offered to let Rue pick which bedroom she wanted and once she had chosen he went and placed her suitcase on the trunk in front of the bed. Rue thanked him and they said they would see each other in the morning and Val headed off to the other bedroom.

Meanwhile downstairs in Maks and Peta's room they had just crawled into bed when Maks asked, "So what's going on with those two?"

"I don't know exactly what it is, but I know there's something. They have both been acting weird since we all met back up in Vegas after Nicole's wedding."

"Now that you mention it, I noticed that Val seemed different when we were in Curacao."

"Yes he did. There were a couple of times that I noticed that he had a far away look in his eyes, especially during the ceremony. It seemed like he had something on his mind. I asked if he was okay and he said he was. He said he was just thinking about what it must feel like to be so in love with someone that you would want to spend the rest of your life with them."

"I overheard him talking to Papa about what it was like when he met Mama. He wanted to know when Papa realized that Mama was the one for him and how he knew that he wanted to marry her."

"I was thinking the other day about something that Val posted on Twitter at the end of 2014. I can't remember the exact words but it was something about wanting to find the one, about wanting balance, and needing an anchor. I honestly think that Val is getting to the point where he really wants to settle down."

"I think you might be right. So you said they have both been acting weird. What's going on?"

"Well after we finished SWAY and started the tour they both seemed to put some distance between them. None of us were really surprised. I mean they had spent so much time together during the show that it made sense that they would want to spend time with other people. I mean Rumer even joked during their Howard Stern interview that she would need time away from him after the show. But then after she rejoined the tour in Vegas they started interacting more and they actually took a selfie and Rue posted it on Instagram. It was the first time they had posted anything together since right after the show ended. Not to mention that Val's tattoo is of an anchor and he just talked about needing an anchor. I swear if I didn't know any better I would think that the two of them were together."

"So you don't think they are?"

"I mean I guess anything is possible but I'd like to think that one of them would have said something to us if they were. I mean we have basically been living together, I would think it would be impossible to hide."

"Yes it would be hard to hide. But still, it seems like something is going on. They looked mighty comfortable in the backseat tonight don't you think?"

"Yeah they did. Like really comfortable!" Peta said with a laugh.

"To be honest, I don't think I have ever seen my brother look as happy and peaceful as he does when he is with Rumer."

"I know. I've spent a lot of time with both of the, both as a group and separately and I've always felt like there was something in the way that they look at each other that was more than just being dance partners or even friends. There is something in the tone of their voices when they talk to each other or about each other. I've always kind of suspected that they had feelings for each other but they have always denied it."

"Yeah, I know there has been a lot of speculation about them dating but tonight was the first time that I have given any serious consideration to it being true. I have to admit that when I saw them tonight it really got me to thinking about how different he has been since they became partners on the show. I've seen a lot of positive changes in him and I really think that Rue is the reason. I think she could be really good for him."

"She's an amazing person Maks. She 's so funny and so sweet. I just adore her. And I definitely think your right, I think they could be really good together. I have noticed the changes in Val too, and it's not just that she has changed him, he has changed her too. His faith in her helped her to find a confidence in herself that she has never had. He helped make her a dancer and I am so in awe of the talent that she has. She really is super talented. She can act, sing, and dance. I just can't wait to see what she does next."

"I was thinking that I would see if Val wanted to go golfing tomorrow morning.. I know he started a few weeks ago and I thought maybe it would be a good opportunity to see if I can get him to open up to me about it."

"That's a great idea. Then Rumer and I can stay here and lay out by the pool and I can ask her too."

"Sounds like a great idea."

Peta yawned and shifted so that she was lying against Maks with her head on his chest and her right arm around her waist. They turned their heads so that they could kiss and then returned to their previous positions.

"I love you baby."

"I love you too."

Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Author's note: Sorry it's so short, and that this chapter didn't have a lot of Rumer/Val interaction, but I promise we will get there. I will try to post some more tomorrow.