A/N: Thank you very very very much to the people who read this story, regardless of if you reviwed or like it. Please review so I'd know what you think!
Mark, Addison and Sam ate their snacks heartily. Anyone who didn't know Mark and Addison, and their history could've thought they were just a normal, happy family. It was easy to see that Mark and Sam felt completely comfortable with each other, as if they hadn't just met. What they didn't know however was that Addison was observing and weighing stuff in her mind—tell him about Sam or not.
"Mommy, can I get dessert?" Sam pouted then added, "Please…."
"But you just ate spaghetti!"
"But it's not dessert," she tried to reason. Mark looked like he could burst from laughter.
"Okay, I'll treat you for dessert. C'mon pick anything you like and don't listen to your mom," he said, smirking at Addison. He lifted Sam into the air and carried the squealing girl in one arm.
Addie sighed and muttered, "Those two…" She decided it would be best if she told him but didn't want to think when. She certainly doubted whether Mark would like Sam in his life or not—but that was before she realized he's changed.
"Mommy, Uncle Mark got me this giant choco chip cookie," said Sam, holding the cookie up for Addison to see. Mark was a few seconds behind, looking satisfied at seeing Sam like that, like he knew he didn't waste his money.
"You spoiled her Mark," she teased and he grinned like his old self again.
"Well somebody's gotta do it," he retorted as if trying to defend himself. "Right Sam?"
"Right," and gave him a high-five.
Ring. Ring. Ring. Addison dug into her bag for her phone.
"This is Addison Montgomery."
"Hello? I'm the hotel manager of The Tosh,the hotel you had a reservation for—"
"Had?"
"I'm sorry ma'am but um…there was a last minute reservation. Apparently, we overlooked—"
But Addison had already shut her phone, shocked. Mark noticed this at once.
"What's the matter?" He asked concerned.
"We lost our reservation in the hotel we're supposed to stay in. This is terrible…"
But Mark saw this far from a disaster; in fact, he thought of it as more of a golden opportunity.
"You could stay with me," he suggested casually, trying to keep from sounding thrilled. "It'll only be a couple of days and all other hotels are booked for springbreak. It'll be great."
Addie was deep in thought; she really shouldn't, it could turn into something—for them. On the other hand, they had no choice……………and it'd give the more time to catch up.
"Uhh….yeah. Sure, what's the worst that could happen, right? She replied smiling.She realized with a pang of sadness that staying with Mark would just make her miss him more when they leave.
"Great! He responded enthusiastically." You'll see, we'll have a great time together! Hey, I'll show you there now—if you like." He turned to Sam, who nodded vigorously.
"Well, alright. Promise no mischief—both of you,"
"C'mon Addie! It's us! Who could be more behaved?" Mark said sarcastically which made Addie hit him a little. "Ouch, my room, you know…."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Sloan. I forgot," she answered with every bit of sarcasm as his reply.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Mark's beeper beeped as he was laughing. He looked at it and frowned.
"There's an emergency at the hospital. Looks like I can't go with you but—" he searched for his room key in his pocket, '—you two go ahead and knock yourselves out. Here's the key and I got the extra. Just don't invite a guy there…." He added to Addie quite seriously, oddly so in fact.
"Okay. Don't be long, alright?" Addison reached out for the key.
"I promise."
He got up to kiss Addie and Sam. Sam gave him a hug and many kisses. "See you later, Uncle Mark."
He nodded and hurried to his car. Addie and Sam watched him until they could no longer see his very expensive car.
"I wish he was my daddy," said Sam wistfully.
Addison suppressed the urge to laugh. You'll know eventually.
Well? I need help from you guys...how would you like to read 'bout a hurt Mark and a worried Addison?
