"Remind me again why you got me up at the crack of dawn, on my day off, when I had the house to myself and your not even getting me breakfast" Mary said ruefully as Marshall pulled onto the parking lot at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
"First off, 9am is not the crack of dawn. Second is because you love guns." Marshall replied
"But why no breakfast? You know how I get when I don't eat breakfast." Mary complained. Then seeing a smirk appear on Marshall's face Mary said "Wait! You have something planned don't you?"
"Why exactly would you assume that?" Marshall replied, the smirk becoming a full blown grin. At this Mary smacked him in the arm.
"You ass!" Was all Mary said.
"Well maybe." Marshall replied as he got out of his truck and started walking towards the convention center. "Now come on let's get inside."
"You Mr. Mann owe me." Mary said walking towards the doors to the building.
"Trust me Mare, no I don't" Marshall murmured to himself, before picking up his pace to catch up to Mary.
"Stop talking to your self it's not attractive." Mary said as Marshall walked up to her side.
"You think I'm attractive?" Marshall joked.
"No way in hell dufus. I was just telling ya that if you plan on ever getting a date then you should stop talking to yourself. Me, I'm used to it. But not every woman will be." Mary said quickly covering up her slip.
"Dully noted Mare. Now about breakfast, I was thinking that since they are here for the convention we would have that Kansas food you like so much." Marshall said as he pointed to a door that had a poster on it saying
"Kansas' Finest Food.
We've Got grits, Ribs, Steaks, and so much more.
Come for Breakfast 9-11am or
Dinner 5-10pm.
6.99 buffet."
Marshall was not prepared for it when Mary suddenly rushed him and clung to him while saying over and over "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Marshall." But all he did when he got his bearings back was wrap his arms around Mary's waist, and mummer into her ear "You're very welcome Mare." Relishing in the comfort that having Mary cling to him was bringing him, knowing that she never showed emotions physically. Mary eventually pulled back enough to look into Marshall's eyes.
"You really have no idea how much I appreciate this. Not only breakfast, but you remembering that my favorite food ever is Kansas food, from one conversation." She said looking into Marshall's eyes and when her eye connected with Marshall's she saw what she had seen many times over reflecting in his eyes. Love, only it was out there for the world to see this time not just her and for once she felt completely okay with the idea of her partner of 8 years being in love with her. "Then again" she thought to herself, "It's probably because I know that I am falling for him" After about five minutes of just staring into each others eyes, in each others' arms, in the middle of the convention center. Marshall finally started to pull out of the embrace. But Mary stopped him before he could completely pull away. "Marshall" Mary said softly.
"Yeah Mare?" Marshall asked just as softly, stepping back to her.
"I… I don't know how to do this without scaring you off." Mary started.
"Do what? Just tell me what you need Mare." Marshall stopped her.
"This." Mary said gently pulling him down a little while she leaned up. About a inch before their lips connected, Mary stopped moving and just looked into Marshall's eyes.
"Mary?" Marshall whispered.
"I need you. That's what I need. I have just been trying to pretend that I don't, but you know me better than anyone, hell even better than I know myself. You may be the one who knows everything and that is ok with me I just need you to know the two things I know for a matter of fact and that are never going to change." Mary said just as quietly "I know that I need you. And that I care for you more than I have ever cared about anyone. I… I think I might be falling in love with you Marshall."
Marshall just stood there stunned, searching Mary's eyes. All he found reflecting back at him from her green eyes was the love he was sure she could see from his. A love so unconditional, so pure that he could tell it was from her soul.
"You have no idea how much I have wanted to hear you say that. Mary Shannon, you have managed to surprise me once again. But I have to say this is one of the better ones. And just so you know I think I might be falling in love with you too." He finished before leaning in the remaining inch to lightly kiss Mary, "My Mary" he mentally corrected himself. Pulling back from the gentle kiss, Mary said while resting her head against Marshall's forehead.
"Well Mr. Mann I do believe you owe me some food." She said truly smiling for the first time in the almost year since her break up with Raph.
"Well then Ms. Shannon how about we go eat, my treat" Marshall said grabbing hold of Mary's hand gently to lead her to the buffet.
