“Well, I’m glad you don’t blame me, but I do,” he said.
“Don’t,” she said. “Is this why you are staying?”
“No.,” he replied. “I am here because I want to be.”
“That makes one of us,” she said.
“Well, I could think of a few places I would rather be, but here with you tops the list. Not so much in a hospital or for a reason we are here,” he said.
“Doctor? You can come back now.” another nurse said from the entrance to the waiting room.
“Go ahead,” he said.
“I will be right here when you are done,” he said.
“You don’t want to come back?” she asked.
“Can’t not, family,” he replied.
“Then lie,” she said as she held out her hand.
“What?” he asked as he stood up.
“Just let me do all the talkin
“It sounds like you have a lot of memories here,” he said as he looked at her.“I do,” she replied. “It is kind of funny. I probably have more memories of this house than you do.”“It seems that way,” he replied. “All I do is sleep here.”“That’s no fun,” she said. “I can remember so much here. The happy times and the sad ones too.”“I guess it is time to make some of my own here,” he said softly.“You should,” she replied with a smile. “It is your house, after all.”She stood and walked to the back window and looked out. She didn’t hear him move so when he touched her shoulder it surprised her and she jumped. She turned around and looked into his eyes. He was quick but gentle as his head lowered, and he gently kissed her. When he lifted his head, he looked at her, st
The three kids were waiting outside as she pulled up with her brother and his wife, walking out as the kids loaded up in the car. Her brother looked her over, but his eyes went wide when he saw Mark standing there and helping buckle her son in the car, who seemingly forgot how to.“Dad wasn’t lying.” her brother said.“About?” Krissy asked.“Him,” Drew said.“He is a friend,” Krissy said as Mark walked up and shook her brother's hand after her brother offered his to him.“Friend or not, anyone willing to help with last night is a good guy in my book. Gina said you were the one who pulled Reena out of the lake?” Drew said.“I only did what anyone would have,” Mark replied as he placed his arm around her.“Well, thank you. Reena is a headstrong girl. She must have got it from her.” Drew said as he motion
The rest of the day flew between watching Mark play with the kids and checking in with the hospital for updates on Reena’s condition. She was worn out when she looked at the clock, and it was well past the kid's bedtime.“Off to bed,” she said as she walked into the room with the television, which had been playing games between Mark and Boogs for the evening.“But mom.” they all said together and in unison.“You guys heard your mother.” Mark’s voice said as he picked up Boogs, who had flopped down on the floor. “We can play tomorrow.”“You are going to be here tomorrow?” Boogs asked, hopeful.“I don’t see why not,” he replied. The kids went upstairs and settled in for the night.“We didn’t get your car,” she said. “I’m sorry.”“Why are you sorry?” he asked as he moved closer to her.
The next week flew by in a week that everyone needed to be in two places at once. Reena’s condition remained stable, and she woke up from her slumber. She surprisingly could remember in great detail everything that happened and how she ended up in the lake. She was the child that never let details go, and she had thought at first she was the one in trouble. When Krissy had held her hand and told her very calmly, all she knew Reena had filled in the details one by one. Reena had to repeat herself about seven more times as the district DA had come in and asked the questions as well.“Doctor Jones may I have a word?” he had asked as he finished his small interview with Reena. Krissy smiled and nodded, telling Reena she did good and she would be right back. The pair walked out of the ICU main room and began talking in the hallway. “You have a very remarkable daughter.”“I know,” Krissy said with a faint
He looked up and saw her standing there, and his lopsided grin appeared. She felt her heart to flip-flops in her chest because of that look. “Get the kids ready,” he said.“For?” she asked, and Gina turned around.“Dad is going to make me and Lista sleep on the floor!” she said. Krissy saw the look in Gina's eyes when she said, dad. She was hoping that her mother would not correct her. Though the urge was there, Krissy swallowed it down and walked into the room. Both Gina and Mark looked like they were holding their breaths.“I doubt he is going to make you two sleep on the floor,” Krissy said, ending their tension.“That’s why I was telling you to get the kids ready, Mouse,” he said.“Gina, go tell your brother and sister to get ready,” Krissy said. “Dad has somewhere to go.”“Yes, mom,” Gina said with a smile.
The fireworks he spoke of began the moment he pulled on the street and saw the line of cars and trucks in front of his house. ”Damnit.” he said under his breath.“Problem?” she asked as she also was eying the cars.“I was hoping we could at least get the kids in the house before this,” he said.“You expected this?” she said.“From the second Boogs spoke,” he said softly.“They are going to have an issue with us, aren’t they?” she asked.“No, they are going to have an issue with me,” he said as he took her hand in his. “You and the kids are perfect.”“Mark,” she said.“They are going to tell me I am too dangerous for you guys,” he said.“Dangerous?” she asked.“My line of work,” he said with a grin.“Mark, I don’t care about that,&rdqu
The fireworks he spoke of began the moment he pulled on the street and saw the line of cars and trucks in front of his house. ”Damnit.” he said under his breath.“Problem?” she asked as she also was eying the cars.“I was hoping we could at least get the kids in the house before this,” he said.“You expected this?” she said.“From the second Boogs spoke,” he said softly.“They are going to have an issue with us, aren’t they?” she asked.“No, they are going to have an issue with me,” he said as he took her hand in his. “You and the kids are perfect.”“Mark,” she said.“They are going to tell me I am too dangerous for you guys,” he said.“Dangerous?” she asked.“My line of work,” he said with a grin.“Mark, I don’t care about that,&rdqu
An hour later, he walked into the bedroom himself and shut the door behind him, “Mouse, you awake?”“Hmmm.” she hummed, and he wondered if she really was.“Everyone just left. The kids are getting settled,” he said softly. He went to the door.“Where are you going?” she asked.“Downstairs for a bit,” he said as he opened the door, and she sat up. She thought to herself, he came in here to check on me then leaves. Thanks a lot. She stumbled to her feet and then poked her head in each of the rooms and said their goodnights and told them to get some sleep. They would have a busy day tomorrow. She then went downstairs and found him looking at the backyard.“What are you looking at,” she asked as she walked up behind him.“The yard,” he said.“What about the yard?” she asked.“Needs a fen