| Mark looked up, seeing a shadow in the doorway. He smiled to himself, standing slowly. Scottie and Stapp exchanged glances. Mark walked to the door, wrapping his arms around her. She smiled up at him, and he ran a finger down her face, watching her eyes close at his touch, the corners of her mouth turning upward. He lifted her chin with a finger, bringing her lips to his. Their eyes closed as their lips made contact. She pulled away, her green eyes shining brightly into his. He smiled. “I’ve missed you,” she said softly, leaning upward to kiss him again. He smiled against her, pulling her full against him as he intensified the kiss. Scottie smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. Stapp kicked him under the table, and his smile turned into a sheepish look. Stapp winked at him, and they exited the room, giving Lynn and Mark a chance to talk things through. She pulled away and sat at the table. He followed. “I just wanted to start with an apology. I’m not good at it, but…” she trailed off. He watched her fidget with her fingers. “I’m sorry.” Her eyes rose to look at him. The corners of his lips curled upward a fraction in a slight smile. “James talked me into this,” she admitted, embarrassed. “I guess being a lawyer has made me thing that I’m always right and that I’m invincible, but I was hurt.” His smile fell, his brow crinkling. She shook her head. “I hurt myself by thinking that you would hurt me, and I never got over that.” She sighed. “I’ve really missed you the past eight years, and I never dealt with it. You never gave me any reason to doubt you, but for some odd reason, I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle seeing you again, so I—” “So you didn’t,” he said, cutting her off. She nodded, her eyes avoiding his. His eyes stayed locked on her face. “Lynn, I can understand that. But why didn’t you just tell me you were scared in the first place? I would have given you space. I would have been there for—” She cut him off, shaking her head. “I let myself think I knew that,” she said. “I couldn’t accept the fact that I loved you, and that you loved me. It was a new idea.” She paused, searching his eyes. Wordlessly, he urged her forward. “I didn’t want to take the chance of being hurt again.” He nodded, knowing she was talking about her father. “And I knew you had been there for me then, that you cared, but it didn’t completely sink in that that’s how you are – that you loved me.” “It’s not past tense, Lynn,” he whispered. She smiled, her eyes meeting his. He reached out, taking her hands into his. “I’ve never stopped loving you.” He glanced down at her hands in his. “And your fidgeting is really bothering me.” She laughed, and he smiled. “You can make this easy on yourself, Lynn,” he said slowly. “All you have to do is be open and honest. Anything you’re feeling, tell me.” His voice cracked, and he paused to swallow, watching her nod in agreement. “I’d kind of like to avoid how this turned out eight years ago,” he said, smiling slightly. She smiled back at him, her eyes twinkling. “Me too.” *** Lynn woke with a start, feeling someone move next to her in the bed. She slowly rolled over, seeing Mark lying next to her, sound asleep. She smiled, thinking how much he had changed, but still remained the same. She smoothed his wild hair, and he stirred without waking. ‘Just like a little boy,’ she thought. She lay back, pulling the covers tighter around her. Mark mumbled something in his sleep, and she stifled a laugh. She felt his arm worm its way around her, sliding her across the bed closer to him. She smiled, feeling his warmth. He shifted, his feet wriggling under the covers, finally making contact with hers, tickling her. She jumped away from him with a yelp. He sat up in bed, awakened, his eyes darting around the room. “Wha?” She giggled. “Sorry. Your feet are cold,” she said. He shook his head, laughing slightly. He pulled her close to him, planting his feet on her legs. She squirmed, squealing. “Quit it!” she demanded. He laughed, taunting her. “Damn it, Tremonti! I said STOP!” She couldn’t contain her laughter as she tried unsuccessfully to free herself from his grasp. “I’m just trying to get my feet warm,” he insisted playfully. “Well, put socks on then,” she said, pretending to be angry. He laughed, finally stopping. He pulled her tighter to him, placing a gentle kiss on her shoulder. Her eyebrow rose. “What are you planning?” she asked. “Nothing,” he said, acting insulted. “I surrender.” She laughed, turning to face him. His fingers ran through her hair as their lips met. She pulled away, smiling evilly. “If you’re not careful,” she warned, “You’re gonna end up either on the floor or the couch.” He laughed, kissing her again. “I’ll be good,” he said. She laughed, shaking her head. “That’ll be the day.” He smiled, feeling her take a deep breath and let it out slowly, her breath hot against his skin. She pressed closer to him, her head resting against his shoulder, and he heard her breathing slow, finally realizing she was asleep. He kissed her forehead, smiling brightly as he drifted into his own deep slumber. *** Mark woke to a cold, empty bed. His eyebrows furled, his eyes searching the room. He took a deep breath as he stood, a smile breaking on his face. He slowly crept down the stairs and into the kitchen. She was at the stove, frying bacon. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, and she turned to look up at him, smiling. “It’ll be ready in a few,” she informed. He nodded, letting go of her. He rummaged through the refrigerator, pulling out a carton of milk. She watched him pour a glass and sit at the table. When breakfast was ready, she sat a plate down in front of him, then sat across the table. They ate in silence. She cleared the dishes after they had finished and returned to the table, slowly sipping her coffee. “Did you hear the phone ring this morning?” He shook his head. “Scott and Scottie and Brett are coming over a little later. They’re going to grill out or something,” she said. He nodded. “Jagger’s coming?” She nodded. He smiled, nodding his head. “Cool.” She smiled, continuing to sip her coffee. A contented silence fell over them, staying until the doorbell rang. Stapp, Scottie, Brett, and Jagger came waltzing into her house, ooing and ahing over the place. She suppressed a proud smile and gave them the grand tour. They finally settled into lawn chairs on the back yard as Mark and Scottie grilled burgers and hotdogs. Stapp and Brett were talking quietly to each other, and Lynn was keeping Jagger entertained. “She’s great with kids,” Brett said quietly. Stapp nodded, a small smile forming on his face. “Has been as long as I’ve known her,” he commented. He watched as Jagger ran to Mark, begging for him to pick him up. Mark obliged with a smile, capturing Lynn’s lips in a kiss as he bent to pick up Jagger. Stapp smiled. “They look so happy now,” he said softly. Brett nodded, his eyes twinkling as he watched. They laughed as Jagger made a face at Mark for the kiss, adding an “Ew” for extra laughs. Mark passed him to Lynn, and watched Jagger’s chubby fingers touch her face gently. A small smile played on Mark’s lips at the sign of affection, passing a wink to her, unnoticed by Jagger. Finally, dinner was ready, and they all sat down at a picnic table to eat. Jagger insisted on sitting beside Mark, at the end of the table, so Lynn seated herself across from him. Throughout dinner, they toyed with each other’s bare feet, Lynn having to bite her tongue to keep from giggling the few times he tickled her. She sent him an unnoticed look every time, and he just smiled sweetly, winking. They both glowed with happiness. After dinner, they continued sitting in lawn chairs, just chatting. Jagger had fallen asleep in Scottie’s lap in the bench swing on the porch, and Scottie himself was starting to doze off. Soon, the conversation had to compete with his snoring. Mark and Lynn were sitting in a lawn loveseat, Lynn resting her head on Mark’s thigh, fighting to keep her eyes open. Mark watched her lose the battle, helping her slumber along by playing with her hair and gently tracing her features. Soon, her breathing slowed and became rhythmic. He smiled. “So ya’ll worked everything out?” Stapp asked, eyeing Lynn carefully, hoping she really was asleep. Mark nodded, still intrigued by Lynn’s angelic beauty. “Yeah,” he started. “We talked everything over, and it’s cool now.” Brett nodded, smiling slightly. “She’s gorgeous,” Brett said slowly. “Exotic, even.” Mark nodded with a proud smile, his eyes a deep, warm, happy hazel-ish brown. “She always has been,” he said, the pride evident in his voice. The small talk continued until Stapp decided it was time to take Scottie and Jagger home and put them to bed. |