Present Day
Pulling the car into the driveway Nikki stared at the sky, how was she going to tell him, could he handle what she said. Hearing a noise, she looked over at the ranch, there he stood, her beautiful husband, her heart missed a beat he always looked so hot, how he managed it, after all the hell she put him through, the two kids and the tough schedule he had to abide by so he could continue being the best at what he did.
Mark had seen the headlights half an hour ago, after no noise, he decided to see what was going on. Watching her climb out of the car, she was stunning, always made him catch his breath. She was wonderful, strong, and sexy as hell, he was losing her he could sense it. Waiting at the door, he would let her start the conversation, deep down knowing he would hate what she had to say.
"Mark, we need to talk" there it was the dreaded words he so didn't want to hear. It took him back to four years ago when she said the same thing.
4 years earlier
Mark had watched her go, with two very scared children clinging to him, no way was he letting them out of his sight. Sod what others thought they were his, and he would step up to the mark and be their dad, no matter how long it took him.
"Mark, we need to take the kids home"
"Sorry, no can do Vince, I'm looking after them"
"But Mark, they are not…." Seeing the determination on the younger man's face, he let it rest for now.
"Ok..ok so what do we do? You have the storyline with Glenn coming up? Then there's your wedding to Michelle, hell Mark do you really want to take on Nikki's kids"
"They are mine, I love them, you can easily write me out for awhile, get Glenn to beat me with a chair, blame injury, anything these kids need a stable dad in their lives and I'm Katie's as well as Sarah's they are my responsibility" seeing the fear slowly drain from the children's faces he knew he was doing the right thing, however the Michelle problem would be tougher, but he was damn sure with a little help from the gang he could work around it
"Ok Mark, I must admit you are the best choice, Nikki will only be gone a few weeks, by then it will be nearing your wedding, How you going to get round Michelle"
"well boss man that's where you come in" Vince had a feeling he wasn't going to like this.
"Go on"
"Well we all know what a jealous bitch"
"Mark there are kids around"
"Ok Linda you take them upstairs get their gear, they are coming with me home. Is that ok girls?. Hey you can ride the horses Sarah, go on sweetheart go get your things sorted and Katie's" giving her a hug he kissed them both as they disappeared up the stairs, they were his and he loved them.
"Right as I was saying we all know what a jealous bitch she is, so I was kinda hoping you would tell her she had to go on tour for a few weeks, push it make it believable, she doesn't need to know about what has happened to Nikki, she would take great pleasure in using it against her, as well as the kids. I don't want that happening"
"Ok Mark leave it with me, are you ever going to answer her calls, that woman has blown your phone up for the last two hours"
"Yeah, I will, god Vince what was I thinking asking her to marry me. I love your niece with all my heart, the kids, in fact when Michelle comes back from tour I will end it, no point doing it before, it will spoil her performance as a diva, hell she can't bloody wrestle anyway, so it wouldn't really matter when I told her"
"Mark leave, it for now, concentrate on your family, Michelle will never know what is happening, but I will suggest you call her"
"Ok I will settle the kids back at the ranch and speak to her"
"That's good enough for me, we will all take the jet, leave your car here, seeing as it's a rental. The guys can sort that out and I will get a cleaning company in, get this place gutted for when she gets back" Mark just nodded, Vince knew they had a long way to go, a hell of a long way, yet the love Mark had for his niece they would all pull through.
Three weeks had passed as Nikki worked on herself, she felt great, ready to face the world. Vince had told her that Mark was looking after the girl's, she couldn't believe he had taken time from his work to look after them. Who was she kidding of course Mark would he loved them and he loved her, yet he was marrying Michelle. She had to make a decision, she wasn't ruining his life again, he obviously loved Michelle in his own way, yet did Nikki love Mark enough to set him free.
Mark drove the six hour trip with his daughter's, he wanted Nikki to come home to peace and happiness. The place had been gutted, redecorated as per Sara's instructions, they had spent a lot of time together with the kids, whilst Nikki was in rehab. He had enjoyed the freedom of doing what he wanted. Michelle was still on tour, he had managed to smooth it over with her, claiming his phone had run out of battery, she was so besotted by him, she believed him. More like she didn't want to lose her money bank, she was due back in 3 days, he would sit her down and call it off. That was in three days he had now to think about, Nikki was due home later that evening he knew the kids were excited, they hadn't been allowed to visit her, all part of the recovery treatment. He didn't like it but had kept them occupied as much as possible, so they wouldn't miss their mum, as he missed her. He had wanted to pick her up, yet Vince had told him he would be collecting her, she didn't want any fuss. She was ashamed for what she had done, Mark allowed it, though disappointed he couldn't get her with the girls'
Oh well they had a lovely meal planned, and a relaxing night. Arriving at 4pm, he unloaded the car, walking into her house, it looked beautiful as if the past had never happened, she would love it. The warmth of the colour scheme was her personality, yes Nikki would be happy with it, he could imagine them all settling down here, as a family unit. He planned on asking her to marry him, he wasn't letting her go now.
Present Day
Mark felt his stomach drop, please god don't let her tell him to go. He couldn't cope with that, yet if she did he would. The girls' were fast asleep had been for the last two hours, following her into the kitchen, he watched her grab a coffee from the machine, her hands were shaking. He wanted to scream at her, whatever you are going to say don't, please don't ruin this little family we have. Please don't do it. he needed a shot of something, but there was no alcohol in the ranch he would never have it again. Reaching for a mug he grabbed a coffee, and sat down waiting for his wife to say something, anything.
Nikki was nervous, she felt him behind her, felt him grab a coffee, oh he so wanted something stronger she knew it from his stance. She had made him on edge, she had made him doubt her love, well it stopped here and now, he wasn't going to put him through anymore pain and suffering he had had enough of that to last a lifetime. She loved him so much, now it was time for the truth, facing him she took him in. From his bare feet, up his long denim covered legs, over his taunt stomach, hidden from her gaze by his black sleeveless top. Her eyes took in his powerful arms that held her tight and comforted her, to his tattoos, even the special one he had done on their wedding night, it had his favourite girls names in a heart. For all to see, moving up his strong throat, to his red lips, and goatee, his tongue licked out over them, she would have that long tongue licking her. No!, she needed to get her mind out of the gutter, after what she had to say to him, she may never feel that tongue again. Up to his proud nose, to his darkening eyes, he looked at her with curiosity in his eyes, she was looking at him as if she was printing him to memory. He didn't like it, moving his mug to his lips, he took a sip, wishing she would just put him the hell out of his misery, If she no longer loved him, no longer wanted him, he would prefer to know now!. Not able to take her scrutiny any longer, he spoke
"Tell me baby, what made you drink? Why you are looking at me as if you are photographing everything to memory" swallowing he waited, Nikki drank some coffee licked her lips, it was all or nothing.
"I drank because I couldn't cope with your affair."
"WHAT?" was she out of her ever loving mind, affair, what fucking affair?
"I want you out Mark"