Hi again, just to let u know that I’ll try and update this every Friday or over the weekend so lookout for it then.

Three

Hollie emerged from the doctor’s office, stepping onto the icy sidewalk. Her head in a complete daze. How could she let such a thing happen, she’d always been so careful where things like that were concerned. Suddenly she needed to think, and think fast, did she really want to be a mom? A horn blasted. Stopping her in her tracks. “Are you okay? I swear I didn’t see you there?” She glanced at the young man who’d gotten out of his car and was now walking towards her. “I’m fine, sorry it was entirely my fault. I weren’t watching where I was going.”

He fixed smouldering brown eyes on her then smiled. “I’m sorry anyway. Here let me buy you a coffee or something.” He offered, Hollie drew in a deep breath and would have refused the coffee but she felt she needed one.

She watched the young man pull up and park, smiling as he got out. “Are you nuts? You can’t just park here.”

“Course I can, I’ll just say I’m a doctor on an important call.”

“My god! They’ll cart you off to jail anyway.”

He shrugged a shoulder then placed a hand on the small of her back, motioning her to the nearest coffee house. Which just happen to be Luigi’s. “There you grab a table and I’ll fetch the drinks, coffee?” Hollie nodded happily as she sat down at a vacant table.

As she sat she took in every inch of the young man. He was about the same age and height as Mark, but his hair was as dark as the night sky and those eyes were the deepest brown she’d ever seen. There was just something about him attracted her; he looked like some Indian prince. He smiled as he pushed his way through the crowd. “Is it always this crowded?” he asked her, she nodded as her smile broadened. “Yeah, everyone comes to Luigi’s” she called over the noise. He sat down and loosened the beige coat. Hollie took the white mug from him and held it in her hands.

“So, you new here?”

“Does it show that much?”

“Yeah I’m afraid so.”

“Oh.”

“So, where you from originally?”

“Boston”

“Oh, I’ve never been to Boston, is it nice?”

“It’s just like any other big City.”

“Oh.”

“So, sorry I don’t even know your name?”

“It’s Hollie, Hollie Logan.”

He stretched out a hand. Diego Di Silva.”

She took his hand in her’s “Hello Mr Di Silva”

“Please call me Diego.”

She smiled. “Diego.”

“So, Hollie, what’s this town like?”

“It’s okay I guess, I think you’ll like it here.”

“I think so to, especially if a certain pretty woman were to say, show me the sights?”

Hollie hesitated.

“Oh sorry, I’ve over stepped the Mark haven’t I?”

“No, well a little.”

“Boyfriend?”

“No, well not really.”

“Not really?”

“Well I were in a relationship but it’s kinda cooled just now.”

“He must need his head read.”

“Yeah.”

“He’s a fool.”

He was saying all the right things and Hollie felt very vulnerable.

“Meet me here, on Saturday, no strings, just two friends hanging out, what you say?” he invited.

She thought about it for a few minutes.

“Okay, what time?”

“Say eleven, eleven thirty?”

She smiled and agreed. “Sure.”

He watched her lift her purse then stand up, “I’m sorry, I gotta get back to work.” She explained, he nodded understandably and smiled as she left.

Mark was with Christian when Hollie arrived and he signalled for her to step into his office. “What do you think Mark? Be honest, do you think there’s a chance I could have Jessie back with me for Christmas?”

Mark didn’t want to dash his hopes, particularly because he’d been through so much, but he equally didn’t want to get his hopes up either.

He sank further onto his chair and looked pensively at him, “Truthfully? Chris I seriously doubt it, the state moves so slow on custody cases, which I’m sorry to say is just how they’re treating this”

Christian looked annoyed. “So, how long are we looking at exactly?”

Mark lent forward and glanced down at the pile of papers lying on his desk. “A few months.”

“Months?”

“I’m sorry Chris.”

“Sorry, yeah well sorry don’t help Mark; it’s coz of the state I’m in this mess. The state threw me in jail and took my daughter, and now it’s them who are dragging their feet on this. Well you know what I’m gonna do?” he hissed standing up. Mark glanced up to where he now stood.

“I’m just gonna go grab my daughter and take her home!”

Mark was quick to stop him.

“Chris, you can’t!”

“Why the hell not, she’s mine Mark.”

“I know it’s frustrating but…”

“Frustrating, it’s more than frustrating, it’s…”

“Chris, listen to me. You have to calm down”

“Don’t tell me to calm down, Mark I just want my little girl back.”

“I know, but you have to go through the proper channels.”

“Screw the proper channels, Mark I’m getting my girl back today.”

“The minute you do that, Chris you’d be arrested for child kidnapping and thrown back in jail.”

“I don’t believe this they’re still running my life.”

“It won’t always be this way Chris, please just be patient. I’ve got a meet with the district attorney’s office, I’m gonna try and get them to move on this okay?”

Christian nodded solemnly then made for the door.

“I’m sorry Mark, I know you’re doing everything you can it’s just…”

Mark nodded knowingly as he seen him out of his office.

“I know, I’ll be in touch okay?”

“Okay. Take care.”

“Yeah, you to.”

Christian let out a deep sigh as he turned his attention to Hollie.

“Bye Hollie.” He said, she turned around and smiled as she watched him leave.

Mark hovered by her desk for a few seconds after Christian’s departure. “Are you okay Hollie?” he suddenly inquired.

She forced a smile, “Err yeah, yeah fine. Why.”

“Just checking.”

He went back to work and she went back to typing. She had just updated a whole lot of files when Ben appeared and asked if Mark was busy, she shook her head “No, his next appointment ain’t until 12.30, you want me to tell him you’re hear?” Ben shook his head and walked to the door.

Mark looked up when Ben knocked and entered his office, “Hey, how’s things? You want a coffee?” Ben shook his head and closed the door.

“Not just now, Mark I need your advice.” He said.

“Okay, shoot.”

“What are my chances of regaining custody of Jessica?”

Mark tensed. “I can’t discuss this Ben.”

“Why not, I want you to represent me.”

“Oh God. Ben I can’t.”

“Why not, you’re representing, oh God. You’re representing him aren’t you?”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, don’t sweat it. I’ll just have to get someone else.”

Mark felt guilty. He and Ben were the closest of friends, they’d gone all through school together, and kept in touch all through their college years. He was even best man when Ben got married, he helped him through those difficult years when his marriage was falling apart and now he was letting him down on the one time he really, really needed him. Boy he felt lousy.

Ben sat staring at him. “I thought you weren’t gonna contest this?” Mark asked suddenly. Ben shrugged, “I hadn’t planned to but, hell Mark. She’s mine, I’ve been her father was almost five years, surely that’s gotta count for something?”

Mark didn’t know what to say.

“I gotta go, maybe it’d be better for us to distance ourselves, well until this is over at least?” suggested Ben.

Mark nodded in agreement and frowned as he watched him leave.

Hollie entered the office minutes later and placed a lot of papers on Mark’s desk. He’d gone out to lunch with his 12.30 appointment, who just happened to be a leggy blond. She looked around the office then drew in a deep breath. She wouldn’t stay, how could she? Mark had obviously moved on, he wasn’t the type of man who would be tied down with a wife and child. No Hollie would have to find alternative employment but first she would have to tell her parents.