"Jimmy, whats your parents address?" Ivy called to him as she came into the room.

"What? What do you want that for?" Jim asked confused.

"I need the addresses for your brothers too."

"Ivy what are you up to?"

"Christmas cards" she answered holding up one for him to see. "I know they won't get there in time. But I don't want to get the award for the worst daughter/sister in law." She smiled at him. "If I get them downstairs by 1 PM they will be in the post today."

"I don't think they would do that. They all know we are down here on our honeymoon." Jim caressed her cheek, smiling. "They do like you. You do know that right?"

Ivy nodded yes. "Jimmy they.....well they seemed happy for us. Just worried or something. I just want... I want them to know how much I love you." Jim put is arms around her and held her close. "Ivy, honey." he whispered. Jim closed his eyes he understood what she was telling him and had no idea how to explain the why of it without dredging up the past. Kissing her forehead he picked up the cards. "Who all are you sending them to? shuffling through them he looked at Ivy. "Ok I see my family how about yours?"

Sitting down on the bed she looked unhappy. "I made one out for my Uncle Ian."

"I see Uncle Ian in here. What about Mark?" Ivy was silent.

"Ivy what about Mark? He's your brother."

"I know. I know." she replied tersely.

"Ivy why? Is it because he couldn't come to our wedding?

Ivy looked at Jim. "Is that what he told you? That he couldn't come? He wouldn't come, Jim."

Jim's brow furrowed. This was all new information to him and he was't sure what to make of it. "Why? Ivy? Ivy tell me what he told you."

"It's nothing Jim." Ivy stood up and started looking through a drawer; more to keep from having to look at Jim than to actually locate anything.

"No, It's something. Or you wouldn't be acting like this. Ivy tell me why he wouldn't come to the wedding." Ivy was silent for a moment as tears welled up in her eyes. Unable to hold it in anymore a tear ran down her cheek. "Mark wanted me to marry David."

Jim was surprised by that answer. "David. As in the guy you were seeing before me?"

Ivy nodded, yes.

"Your brother approved of that guy? After what he did to you?"

"Jim I never told anyone about what David did. Except you that is. Mark went to college with David, they were fraternity brothers..."

"Ivy he hit you and you didn't tell your brother? Why the hell not? Don't you think it would change things?"

"You don't understand it is more than that. It's...." Ivy looked at the floor unable to continue.

Jim caressed her face lifting up her chin.

"It's me isn't it? He didn't approve of you marrying me."

Ivy squeezed her eyes shut. Jim sat down on the bed heavily. "I never wanted to come between you and your family."

Sitting beside him on the bed Ivy took his hand in her own. "Jim it is only Mark. My Uncle Ian can't wait to meet you."

"Ivy. Mark is the last of your immediate family. If you had only told me."

"It wouldn't have mattered. I wanted to marry you. Mark has no say in the matter. Jimmy I love you." Wrapping her arms around him Ivy held Jim close. "Jimmy please. Please don't be mad at me. I'll send him a card. Maybe he'll come around, in time."

Leaning his head against hers Jim sighed. "I'm not angry with you. You have your reasons for feeling the way you do. So does Mark. I have to respect your reasons. I'll help you address the cards."