HERE IS ANOTHER PART OF 'MEANT TO BE' FOR YOU GUYS. I SHOULD PROBABLY JUST BITE THE BULLET AND MAKE THIS IT'S OWN STORY, HUH?

PROBS. ANYWAY...I'M NOT WRITING THE FUNERAL. NOPE. DON'T ASK. NOT GONNA. I FEEL IT WOULD BE INTRUSIVE AND DISRESPECTFUL. SO...I WILL MAKE A FEW COMMENTS LIKE 'I HAD DONE NOTHING BUT SIT THERE, WATCHING' OR WHATEVER, BUT THE FUNERAL ITSELF...NO.

LOVE YOU GUYS! PLEASE DON'T HATE ME!

GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY!

~ONE SEPTIC MARKIPLITE

The drive home from the funeral was terrible. The car was filled with sniffles and sobs the passengers tried to muffle with their hands. Not that it hid them that well. I still heard it all. I sank into my seat as much as I could without making things awkward. Mark laid his head on my shoulder, sighing deeply. I could see the dried tear tracks down his face. I take his hand without comment. No one needs to say anything, but the silence is louder than the words would have been. It was heart-wrenching to witness. Nothing was worse. Of course, I didn't move from my seat. I refused to intrude any more than I already felt I was by being here. I really wanted to do something in return for everyone's hospitality. I pulled my phone out, glancing at Mark to make certain...yep. He's out. Good. He needs it, I guess. If it helps, I'll let him rest. I pull up the browser, and look up planetariums around here. I discover that Wolff Planetarium is not too far away. I smile. Mark'll love this...

=#=#=#=#=

We pulled into the drive, everyone wearily getting out. The day had drained everyone, it was obvious. I felt emotionally dead right about now myself. Mark yawned when I gently shook him.

"We're home, Mark..." I whisper. Mark nodded and unbuckled. I got out and Mark was right behind me, taking my hand as we walked inside.

"Thank you, Aisling." He whispers in my ear. I blink.

"What for? I didn't do anything but sit there." I reply. Mark sighed heavily.

"Watching you was the boost I needed to keep my cool when it was my turn to talk." I blushed.

"R-really?" How? I was literally JUST SITTING THERE.

"...I...I re-really needed to be able to see you. It helped a lot. I can't explain it. But...you're my anchor." I blinked. Really? Whoa...how am I am anchor? I'm just...Aisling McLoughlin. I'm me...nothing special. And yet, Mark called me his anchor. His way of dealing with everything. I hardly noticed that he'd opened the door until I almost ran smack into his arm. He chuckled. "Careful there, Aisling." I giggled.

"Sorry. I was...lost in thought." Mark hummed, but made no comment. He seemed to understand.

"Mark, I got an idea." I began, smiling as I thought of what I was saying. Mark smiled in return at me.

"What?"

"I wanna take you somewhere later, if you want." Mark cocked a brow, smiling at me.

"Where?" I laughed as we walked down the short hallway to our bedroom (heh. That sounds weird...it's NOT like that!).

"That'd ruin the surprise." He laughed, drawing my in for a hug. We fell on the bed, laughing. Mark let his arm slip around me like always when we cuddled. I heard his sigh, though he tried to muffle it.

"Come on." He begged, suddenly cheerful again.

"No. But are you up for it?" I replied, wriggling around to face him, laughing.

"How can I know if I want to go if I don't know what I'm getting myself into?" He chuckled. I kissed him.

"Call it a trust exercise." Mark laughed.

"Well, when you put it like that..." He kissed my cheek. "That kinda leaves the choice of 'I don't want to go' look like a jerk."

"I wasn't meaning it like that." I amended. Mark sighed.

"I know." There it was; the melancholy I was trying to help Mark through by giving him positive things to focus on instead of his pain. I drew him in for a kiss.

"I love you. I'm not meaning to manipulate you. If you don't want to go anywhere, that's fine."

"Nah, I'll go. Probably best I get out of the house, anyway." I nodded, getting up.

"Well, then. I need to change. Then you can and we'll go." While Mark was getting changed, I'd talk to Mrs. Fischbach.

"Sounds like a plan!" He agreed, getting up and kissing my forehead before leaving the room. I quickly changed into a T-shirt with a chibi little Batman on it and jeans and a pair of ankle boots I'd brought along. Grabbing a jacket from my suitcase, I headed out of the room. Mark went in as I made me way to the kitchen. Mom was in there, already starting to make dinner. I suppose we could wait...besides, the best view is after dark. That's kinda the point of a planetarium, anyway, right? Seeing things that aren't visible in the day?

"Mom?" I asked, feeling weird still about calling her that.

"Yes, Aisling?"

"I was wondering if Mark and I could head out to the Wolff Planetarium tonight, after dinner." She laughed.

"What you do is none of my concern, you know. You two no longer need to rely on authority figures' opinions."

"Sorry. I just wanted to make sure you knew where we were going, and all..."

"No need to apologize. Thank you for letting me know." She said, smiling at me. I smiled back, happy to help everyone smile again, after today. It felt amazing. I headed back to the bedroom, knocking on the door.

"You okay with eating dinner here before we go?" I asked. It felt right to let Mark decide what was happening. I wasn't about to force him into something he didn't want to do.

"Yeah. I was actually thinking that's what was gonna happen. Heh."

"Funny how that works, huh?" I replied, and Mark suddenly opened the door, surprising me with a quick, loving kiss.

"At least close the door." Grumbled Tom half-heartedly as he walked by. We laughed, even Tom.

"Come on." Mark said, taking my hand. It felt natural and normal now.

And that was awesome!

=#=#=#=#=

Score for Aisling! The Planetarium was amazing! I'm glad I remembered that Mark was a huge fan of space. The look on his face when he opened his eyes as I pulled into a parking space was the best!

"No. Way..." Mark breathed, jaw hanging as he stared in shock at the building before him. "I've never been here."

"Oh, good. I didn't want t-" Mark was kissing me again. I melted into his arms.

"Aisling...this is...this is the single best thing you could have done." I reached out and slowly wiped the slight moisture from the corners of his eyes.

"No problem, Mark. Happy to help. I just remembered you saying that you loved space and...this happened." I shrugged. It felt natural, the idea. It was no big deal, really. "Shall we?" Mark beamed, slipping his arm through mine, laughing.

"We most certainly shall!"

"Mark, slow down!" I cried, stumbling along as Mark all but dragged me to the admissions booth. He's paid before I could reach my card. "Mark..."

"No buts. You had the idea to take me here, I pay. It's only fair." I rolled my eyes. He really was an amazing gentleman. I mean, he even opened the freaking door for me. How perfect can this guy be?!

Watching the stars and planets with Mark, blissfully unaware of anything else...it was amazing. Though we weren't making out (much), it was quite a wonderful experience. I'd never forget this, as I'd never been to a planetarium myself. Afterwards, we thanked the director that helped everyone find constellations and planets. Mark and I had needed a lot of help.

"Not at all. Happy to help!" He said, smiling at us before walking away with a bit of bounce to his step. How does everyone just know we're a Pair?! It's honestly a bit creepy. Cute, but kinda creepy. Mark just smiled at me, taking my hand as we walked out.

"I wonder how everyone knows we're a pair?" Mark asked as we got into the car. Mark had insisted on driving home, because 'I've been driven everywhere! Let me drive, woman!'. I just rolled my eyes and complied.

"I dunno. We aren't that obvious, are we?" I smirked, leaning over to nudge his shoulder. Mark shrugged.

"Possibly. Is that alright?" I laughed. He was literally the best.

"More than alright!" I meant it. I would rather display the wonder and respect I had for Mark publicly than hide t and have everyone think we're just good friends or whatever else people may think about us. I kissed him at the first red light, and we barely broke apart in time when it turned green. We laughed.

This was nice. Mark was making progress, but I knew he still had a long ways to go before he was completely over it. And that was fine, cus I'd be there, every step of the way.