The following two weeks I was at Marks' all the time, only returning home to do some laundry, and rehearsing at the studio, which was twice a week now, making sure we were all ready for the concert. It just felt, perfect, for lack of better words! Ryan and Matt soon got this tired expression every time we went into Mark's bedroom, and I felt a bit sorry for them. Well, at least until Mark would start his magic. I hadn't told him about how I felt. The perfect time just never seemed to occur.

The day had finally come for the concert and I was ecstatic. Tina, insisting that she would do my makeup and hair, were currently curling it. Mark was at home recording before we would meet up at my place, where Tina and I were working on my looks. I hadn't seen her since the Sunday when I had visited Mark for the first time - and had my first time!

"You're absolutely radiant!" She told me over and over. I rolled my eyes at her, as I handed her the next lock of hair that I was holding. "He is treating you right, right?! 'Else he's gonna be dealing with me!" Tina flexed her arm in the mirror for me, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Ooh yeah, 'cause you're positively frightening!"

"I am!" She stated. "I would go crazy if he just THOUGHT about hurting my sister!" I awwed at her, and in return she fist-bumped my shoulder, hard enough to make me rub it, tending to the sore spot.

An hour before the concert were about to start, Mark knocked on the door. Tina opened it for him, letting him in, while I was putting on shoes in the bedroom.

"You know there will be hell to pay if you ever hurt my sister!?" I could almost picture Tina standing with her arms crossed and a stern look.

"I wouldn't dream of doing that! For a baby sister, you act a lot like a big sister" I chuckled at their conversation and entered the hallway greeting them. I could see Mark hold his breath when he saw me. Tina had put several bobby pins into my curls, leaving a few locks dangling at my neck. She had painted my eyes with a curved eyeliner, and my lips a dark red, keeping the style very elegant. I wore a black slim dress, hugging my figure, stopping at my knees. Lace was covering my sleeves, and went into the fabric, covering my front in all black. I twirled for him, to reveal that the back of the dress was laced as well, the lace stopping at my lower back.

"Wow.! You look amazing!" He nodded in approvement and pulled me in for a kiss.

"Awwww, you're so cute you two!" Tina gasped at us, clapping her hands. Mark and I quirked our eyebrows in unison at her then laughed. We went down the stairs and greeted Kevin.

"You just go with him, I'll drive with Mark"

"Ok, sis. See you there" And with a peck on my cheek, Tina jumped into the car, and they were gone.

"So, it finally came, huh?" We walked slowly towards his car.

"Yup... Scout and everything. I need to get this just perfect!" He stopped me by cupping my cheek, forcing my head up towards his.

"No need to worry. You are perfect!" I smiled up at him, and his lips met mine in a deep kiss. We got into his car and drove towards the studio.

At the bottom floor of the building with Julie's studio, a great hall had been filled to the brink with chairs, leading up to a small scene. Julie had welcomed and thanked everyone for attending her students in general, and those of us that had chosen to perform this day. She had started the concert with a song of her own, her by the piano singing to the tune. It was absolutely mind blowing, and I couldn't help but ponder as to why she never published music of her own. My fellow student's performances were fantastic, and during their songs, I looked around to spot mom and dad, but they were nowhere to be found. I furrowed my brows in confusion, they had never been late before.

Finally, it was my turn, and I ascended the stage, receiving the microphone from Julie that had been introducing me and my song. She started playing the piano and I took off. I felt like flying and I soared towards the ceiling. With the last note of the piano, the audience roared in a standing applause. Julie met me at the front of the stage, and we bowed to the crowd in unison.

"Absolutely wonderful" Julie whispered in my ear while hugging me. I walked down the stage meeting Mark with open arms.

"Wow! You killed it! It was fantastic!" Tina and Kevin joined us, them both nodding at Marks remark.

"Absolutely!" Tina said, with her arm around Kevin. We were standing there chatting for a bit, while the crowd was slowly disappearing to the buffet outside when a man approached us.

"Sorry Jenny, could I borrow you for a moment?" Tina making a "here we go, GOOD LUCK" face at me, I walked over to him

"Sure."

"Walk with me". We went into the aisle that was leading outside, while he spoke. "I would like you to come in for an interview in the near future. I think your voice is exactly what we need for our next project" I couldn't believe it! The scout had chosen me!

"Of course sir, it would be my pleasure hearing about this project" We talked back and forth for a few moments, ending with him giving me his card, and shaking my hand. I looked at the people, some sitting at tables eating the small cookies, others walking around talking, and I had a hard time believing my luck. Kevin, Tina, and Mark found me standing there, still with his card in my hand.

"Sooo, how did it go?!" Tina, almost exploding with excitement, staring at me impatiently.

"Well, I have been invited to an interview, and.." I didn't complete my sentence before Tina was around my waist in a tight hug

"YAAAY! Congratulations! We should totally go celebrate! You're coming too Mark, you don't have a choice!" Mark laughing at her enthusiasm held both his hand out in surrender.

We drove downtown to a pub, ordering cocktails for the girls, and a coke for the boys since they were driving. We sat there for hours talking about the future, about me maybe getting a contract to publish my very first album, when my phone rang.

"It's mom, I'm going outside!" Tina nodded at me, returning to the conversation with the guys. As I was outside I picked up the phone, only to hear my mom sobbing at the other end.. "M..mom? What's wrong?"

"It's your dad.." she whimpered into the phone, and I froze on the spot. Oh no...

Dad had been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. Something about organ failure. My eyes were dry, and my stomach a cold pit. I just held Tina on the backseat of the car while Kevin was driving at a furious speed. She was already bawling, nervous for what's to come. When we got there, we found mom in the waiting area, tears streaming down her face. When she looked up and saw us she started crying, even more, pulling both of us into a hug. We were standing like that for several minutes until she had calmed down enough for her to speak.

"The prognosis isn't good" She sobbed, as we sat down on the chairs nearby. "They told me that his liver has failed. They're trying to save him... but..." She hid her face in her hands, completely inconsolable.

The hours went by as we waited, comforting each other. Finally, a doctor came towards us, and it was clear in his face the news he had for us. Mom saw it too.

"No.. no! no! NO!"

"Mam I'm sorry. We did everything we could!" She collapsed to the floor, completely heart broken.

"My husband... My Jeremy!" Tina sat down next to her, hugging her trying to comfort her. The doctor turned to me, explaining.

"Several of his organs were failing. When they brought him in, the alcohol levels in his blood were sky high. There was nothing we could do."

"Can we see him?" I asked him, looking down to my mom and sister.

"Of course. This way" I helped Tina picking our mom up from the floor, and we supported her down the hallway.

He looked so peaceful. My mom, kissing his forehead several times, while holding his hand, couldn't stop crying. Even though they had been through many hardships, not all of them caused by my dad's alcoholism, they loved each other very much. I hadn't shed a tear. My insides were cold, and I could feel this angry pit starting in my stomach. Why didn't he listen?! Why?! My anger then turned towards myself, I should've done more! I could have forced him into rehab! It's my fault... I felt sorry for my mom, she had lost the love of her life.

We were in the hospital the whole night. Tina and I talked on the way home about the preparations that had to be made for his funeral. It all seemed so unreal.

Returning home to my own apartment, I closed the door behind me. I felt my lower lip starting to tremble, and the tears burned in my eyes. The last walls the I had pulled up to be strong for my sister and mom crumbled. Gliding down the door, I curled up in front of it, bawling into my knees.

Mark's P.O.V.

Kevin had texted me the news. I was in complete shock! I knew all too well what she was going through, so I had texted her once, then giving her space.

M; I'm here if you need me! Just text or call, I'll always be there for you!

She hadn't replied. I sighed at myself in the mirror, while fidgeting with my tie. The funeral was today, I had asked Kevin to keep me informed, and he had called me yesterday letting me know it was in the morning. I grabbed my keys and the phone and went out the door.

It was a beautiful day. Almost cruel, giving the circumstances. I sat down in the back rows in the church, not wanting to intrude. I spotted her immediately. She was sitting next to the coffin, with her mom and sister. She looked stunning even in her sadness, and I remembered the day my own father had passed away and gulped, forcing myself not to cry.

The service was beautiful. Both Jenny and Tina had spoken a few words about their dad, their mom not being able to because off the grief. After the coffin was lowered into the ground our eyes joined. She sent me a forced smile, evident by the smile not reaching her eyes. She walked towards me, and we met halfway.

"Sorry, I haven't texted. Or called."

"No need to. You need your space. I'm so sorry, Jenny!" She nodded with her eyes closed, taking a deep calming breath.

"Can I come by your place later? I need to talk to you!" I reached out, squeezing her arm.

"Of course you can. You just text me if you need a ride or anything, ok?" She nodded, leaving me to my thoughts. Even though the timing was bad as hell, I had to tell her today!

I had been home for 3 hours after the funeral when the doorbell finally rang. She hadn't texted me to pick her up, so I assumed I would see her when she was ready. I ran towards the front door, almost falling on the smooth floor in the process. I opened the door, letting her in. She had a resolute look in her eyes, and a knot formed in my stomach.

"Mark." She looked up at me, with tears forming in her eyes. "You are the nicest, most amazing person I have ever met! This past month... - It has changed me in ways I couldn't have imagined before meeting you." I just looked at her, not liking where this was going one bit!

"I need to leave for a while. I'm traveling out of the country to stay with my cousin in Denmark to work on my album. I went to the interview, they have agreed to give me a contract.." She paused, rubbing her face with her hands. "I'm so angry, Mark.. At my dad, at myself... I need time to clear my head.. I need time to recover" I nodded, knowing what she meant, remembering my own furiousness at the world after my father's death. But Denmark was so far away! I didn't want to lose her!

"I don't expect you to wait for me! I just want you to be happy, so if you meet someone while I'm gone, don't hesitate! Grab the chance, live your life! Then you're making me happy. Promise?" I looked at her in disbelief. I didn't want to promise her that, but arguing with her wouldn't get me anywhere, I could sense it.

"I promise," I said in a low tone. She nodded at me, looking at the door, and then up at me.

"I must go. Take care of yourself!" And with that, she went out the door. I just looked at it in confusion and frustration.

I didn't get the chance to say;

Jenny, I love you!