Chapter 10
Mark looked at her, his arms aching to hold her. He suddenly was reminded of the time when they had broken up and he went out with Alessia. There was one night when he went to Toni’s house, completely drunk. He somehow managed to fall asleep there and when he woke up the next day he found her sleeping like a baby. He wanted to kiss her so badly, and so he did. Thank heavens she didn’t wake up at that time.
Mark shook his head as he laughed softly, remembering all the things they’ve been through. He left her once. She left him once. ‘I wonder if this time I’d convince her to stay forever.’ He wondered as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Mark woke up, but he was still half-asleep. Using his arm, he shaded his eyes from the sunlight that was streaming into the room. Mark suddenly realized that someone was holding him close. He immediately liked the feeling, and so he drew that someone closer to him. ‘Good morning.’ She whispered softly into his ear. He smiled, realizing that it was Toni, and that it wasn’t a dream. ‘Good morning to you too, sunshine.’ He whispered back. ‘Hold on a sec… why does she have her arms wrapped around me?’ he thought. But before he could come up with an answer, he felt small kisses trailing from his ear to his neck. Fully awake now, Mark opened his eyes and looked at her. Toni still had her eyes closed, smiling sleepily. She cuddled up closer to him, and Mark suddenly realized that she was still half-asleep. Her eyes suddenly flew wide open. ‘Oh my gosh! What have I been doing?’ she asked, her hand flying over to her mouth. ‘Hmm… I dunno. But I did like it though!’ Mark answered, smiling cheekily at her. Toni turned into a crimson shade as she disentangled herself from Mark. ‘I am so sorry… I… I had no idea what I was doing!’ Toni said, stuttering. ‘Hey, it’s okay love, I didn’t mind at all.’ Mark said as he rolled over and lied down on his stomach. ‘Well, as you said, old habits die hard!’ Toni answered as she got up from the bed and went to the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Mark would have given anything to pull her back to the bed and smother her with kisses. ‘Oh well… I can always wait a little more longer.’ He thought as he closed his eyes once more.
The long drive to the McFadden’s residence was awfully quiet. Toni had been keeping her mouth shut since that morning, and Mark was running out of things to say to her. Every time he tried to start a conversation, Toni would just say “yes” or “no” or simply nodded. ‘Thank God we’re here!’ Mark heard Toni mutter as she unbuckled the seatbelt and got out of the car. Mark was just about to slam the door shut when he heard her say that. ‘Yeah, I couldn’t stand the silence in there. It was too defeaning wasn’t it?’ Mark said and Toni blushed as they walked up to the steps. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean anything bad with what I said.’ she replied. ‘I know you didn’t, honey.’ Mark said as he rang the doorbell. Toni squirmed a bit when Mark suddenly placed his arm around her shoulder. It’s not that she didn’t like it, but it just caught her off-guard. The door opened and before Toni knew it, Mark’s arm was off her shoulder and Helen had wrapped her up in a huge hug. ‘Toni! Oh gosh! I missed you so much!’ Helen squealed. ‘I missed you too!’ Toni said, hugging her back. Helen stood back and Toni saw how different she looked. ‘Oh wow, you look great! You’re practically glowing!’ she said. ‘Yeah, well, thanks. It’s coz of the baby I guess.’ Helen said, touching her rounded tummy lovingly. ‘Aww… hey, do you know if it’s a girl or a boy yet?’ she asked. Helen laughed, “No silly! How many times have you asked me that question? You’re still like a little kid! It’s way too early to know, but I’ll tell you next month. Goodness! I forgot to let you guys in! How silly of me…’ Helen said as she let Toni and Mark inside.
After a few hours of Helen and Toni talking about the necessary details of the job, and Mark being bored out of his mind, the 3 of them finally just kicked back and relaxed in the living room. Helen was talking nonstop about the baby, which left her half-fascinated and half-scared out of her wits. With all the things Helen was telling her, she sort of wanted a baby, but she also sort of never wanted to have one. Confusing or what?
‘So, how are the two of you?’ Helen suddenly asked, changing the topic. Toni had no idea what to say when Mark suddenly said, ‘Oh, we’re fine. Aren’t we Toni?’ he asked as he draped his arm around her shoulder. Toni looked confused, and when she looked over at Helen, the latter was trying to keep herself from laughing. ‘I… I suppose so.’ Toni said, totally flustered. Without warning, Mark pulled her closer with his arm and planted a kiss on her lips. Shocked, Toni couldn’t do anything but to stare at Mark in bewilderment. What in the world was he doing? ‘Well, would you look at the lovely sunshine outside? Why don’t you two head out to the garden while I make us some tea and we can have it there?’ Helen said, standing up. Before Toni could protest, she felt Mark’s hand on hers, practically dragging her outside.