A.N Thank you once again for all your wonderful reviews and support xx
For three nights Mark lay in a coma, his leg damaged, internal injuries as well as bad concussion, the doctor had said he was lucky to be alive, and if he pulled through it would be a long slow progress to recovery. Summer was grateful he was still with her, praying that he pulled through, she was angry how her family had covered it all up. The press had eaten it up, saying it was all part of a story line, it was amazing how much money could buy.
Hearing a noise she looked up to see John, he had supported her as soon as he found out Mark had been hurt. No one really knew the truth, amongst the work force, John did. The night Mark had been rushed into surgery, with a small percentage of him pulling through. Summer had called John asked him to come, once he arrived she broke down confessing everything, whilst John was shocked about their relationship, he was also furious, that both Vince, Paul and yes even Steph had done this, the only mistake Mark had done was fall in love with Summer.
"You holding up sweetheart?" shaking her head, she didn't think she could cope anymore, she wanted him awake with her, holding her, all she could do was hold his cold hand, as he had hers. Praying that he, would come back to her, as she couldn't, live without him.
"Have they been to see him?"
"No, I've told them to stay away, Gran has been, she is disgusted at what has happened. Not believing they could do such a thing. John what if he doesn't pull through, oh god John I pushed him into this, I persuade him, if I had just left it he would be ok"
"Summer don't you dare, blame yourself for an act of violence your family did, whilst I am not condoning what they did, they are deeply sorry"
"Yeah right"
"Summer, look at me" she looked at Mark, not wanting to take her attention from him.
"Summer" pulling her saddened eyes to Johns she looked at him.
"How long has your dad and Mark been mates?"
"I dunno since I was a few months old"
"Right so, he has watched you grow up, even baby sat you, god the man use to change your damn diapers woman, and now suddenly the man your dad classes as his closest friend, suddenly gets feelings for his 16 year old daughter. What is he to do, seeing you in his arms half naked of course he is going to flip, honey that is why Mark is as bad as he is. The man wouldn't fight back, because he would have done the same thing to your dad, had it been the other way round. Don't be too hard on them, they were protecting you in their own way. It went too far, way too far"
"I know you are right John, doesn't make what they did right though" feeling a movement coming from her hand she felt Mark move, his monitors bleeping, as he slowly came too. The bruising on his face was going down, as he lifted his eyes to hers, the smile he gave her, lightened the whole room, well she thought so.
"You ok, baby girl, you look tired darlin?" reaching a hand out he caressed her face, loving the feel of her soft skin under his callous hands. They felt rough most probably from the dry air in the hospital, the heat was enough to dry anything out.
"Watching you 24/7 ends up with a lot of sleepless nights Mark" holding his big hand in hers she kissed his fingers, then dipped down to place a soft kiss on his swollen lips.
"Ouch, is there anywhere they didn't hit" seeing the regret in her eyes, he smiled,
"Baby girl what did I tell you, I deserved it darlin, stop blaming yourself."
"Mr Calway, it is good to see you awake, three days you have been in a coma" Mark turned to the doctor, gripping Summer's hand tightly,
"Ok doctor what's the damage?"
"There was damage to your leg, which will require physio, as well as internal damage which will mend in time. It looks like your concussion is getting better" Not as much damage as he thought, his little one was worth it. He wasn't too impressed with his leg, but hey he couldn't changed it, just had to work hard and get back to work, if he had a damn job.
"No problem doctor, when can I get out?"
"Another few days rest then we will look into sorting out a rehabilitation unit, it will be constant therapy, so we do advise you stay there" nodding he knew the doc was right, better to get it fixed properly.
"Looks like you have to do without me a little while longer darlin" she hated it but knew he had to do this.
"Guess I will have to miss you then" smiling he pulled her into a deep kiss, letting her feel everything he felt for her. Summer wanted to climb on the bed, next to his big body, and giving him what he wanted.
Summer hated leaving him, had he not forced her to go home and get some rest, she would never have left. Slipping the key into the lock, she was surprised when the door opened, looking into her dad's eyes, her hatred showing him clearly that she had not yet forgiven him.
"How is he sweetheart?"
"What do you care, you put him in there, you with your fist, put your best friend in a fucking coma for three days dad" it all came crashing down on her as the tears rolled down her face, Paul pulled his sobbing daughter into his arms, telling her sorry he was.
"Why dad?"
"I don't know honey, I just saw red, he had you in his arms, Why of all people do you have to pick him?"
"I can't help who I fall in love with dad, neither can he, we didn't do it to hurt you"
"I know honey and that's what makes this whole situation worse, neither of you, did this to hurt. We need to sort this out"
"Sort what out dad?"
"Your mum needs to talk to you sweetheart, and before you blame me I didn't agree to any of this. I have hurt you enough, I will be here to support you" Summer's stomach dropped, her mum could be a complete bitch when she wanted to be and would protect her family to the death.
"She's going to use us against each other isn't she dad?" nodding his head, Paul knew his daughter could think along the same lines as his wife, at times it frightened him. She was weak in some areas but strong as hell when it came to people she loved. He knew this was going to be a tough time for them all.
"Ok let's get this sorted, see what she thinks she can do"
"Oh Summer I don't think I can do it, I know I can, you have a choice sweetheart, stay with Mark and I will make it public what he has done, destroy his career and his reputation" Summer was shocked how devious her mum was being.
"Mum why what has he done to you?"
"WHY? You ask why? You are 16 years old Summer, at the beginning of your life, a collage course to start, no way are you being tied down to a man old enough to be your father. No fucking way" Summer couldn't help herself slapping her mum, hurt that she was doing this.
"Do that again honey and I will have no alternative but to hurt Mark"
"Steph come on baby, we were that age…"
"DON'T YOU DARE PAUL, DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE, Yes we were Summers age but the difference in age was not 20 years, god its sick"
"No it's not, mum, please don't" looking at her mum she could see she was fighting a losing battle.
"So if I stay away from Mark, he will keep his job, his reputation and nothing more will be said?" seeing her mum nod, Summer's heart broke.
"Ok" she whispered, it would be best for Mark, no way would she allow him to lose everything just because he fell in love with her.
"Good, now go pack you are leaving"
"WHAT?"
"You heard me, my sister has offered to put you up for awhile, you need the break away from all this"
"FINE!, I will pack and say bye to Mark"
"NO!"
"What, I cant just leave him he will think I don't care…..That's what you want isn't it?. What you going to tell him mum that I found someone else, between leaving him half an hour ago and now, Or that I suddenly came to my senses and thought he was too old" Steph smirked
"No honey, John is already telling him all about your relationship and how you have …"
"you fucking bitch, John would never…."
"He had no choice"
"The joys of being in charge again eh mum, Dad I feel for you, living with her"
"Steph, this isn't right, we can't do this"
"Too late it has been done"
"I HATE YOU" Summer ran upstairs sobbing, grabbing her mobile she called Mark praying she wasn't too late, thank god he answered.
"What do you want Summer?" oh god he had been told,
"Mark, please I didn't know"
"John told me everything, Leave me the hell alone" hearing the phone slam down she knew her mum had won. Didn't mean she would let this rest, trying Mark again his phone was on answering machine, leaving a message explaining it all, she hung up.
"ok John, I did what you wanted, now how the hell do we sort this mess out?" Mark had hated hurting Summer. John couldn't tell Mark, what Steph told him, he chose to tell the truth, his friendship with both Summer and Mark meant too much. For once Steph couldn't buy something, Mark and John were going to play her game. Thanks to John he would know how Summer was and what she was doing, first he needed to get his leg sorted. Then he would go find his baby girl, no way would anyone come between them not even her family.