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
The morning light filled the room. She woke up and forgot where she was for a moment as panic coursed through her views for a second. She then saw the room and remembered not only the fact it was her childhood best friends but also now the room she was sharing with Mark. It was his house now. She let the thoughts take over. Everything had happened so fast in the past few days. He had made his way to the center of her small world, and he was the thing that kept her grounded. She knew everything was going to be fine, as her parents once told her sometimes when things all fall apart, the thing you need to bind them together will surprise you.She was surprised, to say the least. She knew he was there the whole time but not that he could actually want her, and not only her but the kids as well. She heard a squeal of delight come from downstairs, and she smiled to herself as she got up and redressed. She made her way down the stairs to find boogs in the
The day seemed to move quickly from the time they all left the house. She was on the phone in the car with the hospital and found out Reena would spend one more day in the ICU as she was going to have her broken bones set and placed in casts today. Tomorrow she would be moved, and within three days, she would be released. Her progress was remarkable. So that gave his friends a timetable to work with, and then they could set the schedule to watch over her for the couple so they could get things ready for the teen's return to a house. She knew she would have to go in today to see her and explain things to her though she wasn’t really ready for that yet.As they entered the building altogether, that made heads turn as both Lista and Boogs had taken hold of Mark’s hands and would not let go. Neither of them was dressed in their uniforms, and people who knew both of them did their double-takes. Hardly anyone kn
After the trip to the home improvement store and seeing the number of things he was buying, she couldn’t believe the amount he spent without batting an eye. They had loaded up the trucks with ease and even had a system worked out before they got to the house. Within a half an hour, everything was in the basement, and he had the whole neighborhood watching him. He didn’t seem to mind in the least as the kids danced around in the front yard and then went into the back while he and the other worked up a sweat bring the wood to the basement. He had some plans already drawn out and was ready to begin. So as the other guys left, he called the kids in, and she headed to the hospital to see how Reena was. She walked into the ICU and smiled as she walked in the room and saw Reena holding the xrays and looking them over.“Hi, mom,” she said as she waved her arm that had been cast up.“Well,