A/N: Hi all! Sorry I'm late with the update this week. I think I'm going to need to switch my update day to Sundays, just FYI.
Anyways, on to the story.
Summary: Just a short moment between Mary and Marshall after the surgery. Life moves forward and so are our favorite marshals.
Disclaimers: I own nothing.
Mary came to slowly, her mind clinging to the blissful peace of the anesthesia. But she quickly became aware of familiar calloused fingers passing back and forth over her knuckles.
"Marshall," she mumbled groggily.
"Hey, Mare." Marshall leaned forward to drop a kiss to her forehead, still holding her hand. "Are you awake for real this time?"
"How many times have I fake woken up?"
"Twice in recovery and once since we've been back," he chuckled.
"I'm up, doofus. Has the doctor come by yet?" She couldn't help the nervous tremble that found its way into her voice as she looked as she opened her eyes, focusing on Marshall.
His serene smile calmed her slightly.
"You're perfectly fine. They did remove two benign cysts but that was just because it was convenient. They weren't dangerous."
She let out the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding with a giggle, an actual real life giggle. Before she knew it she couldn't stop giggling, at least until Marshall placed both of his hands on her cheeks, moving so close he was the only thing she could see.
"Shhh, it's okay. It's okay," he soothed, "Deep breaths. You can finally breathe now. All the worry is over. Lexi is going to be perfect. You're perfect, it's all going to be okay. You can breathe now."
He was speaking to himself as much as he was speaking to her. It took a few minutes, but eventually she finally caught her breath.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Any time," he breathed leaning his forehead against hers.
"I don't know what I would do without you."
"Kick ass. Take names. Same as always," he smiled moving back to sit, still holding onto her hand.
"I'm serious, Marshall. You've always been there with me. You've never turned your back on me even when I gave you every reason to."
"I could never leave you, Mare. I would never leave you. I lo…"
He stopped short, but Mary could guess what his next words were going to be. She wanted to say it back, but she knew if she said it now he would think it was panic. The timing had to be right.
Luckily for her, the doctor chose that moment to come in and by the time he left the charged atmosphere had dissipated.
"So, what did you do while I was in surgery?" Mary asked as she munched on crackers.
"Went home, grabbed some fresh clothes and a shower, and then I rescued your nursery from being painted puke green," he reported with a grin.
"Was Nancy Drew home?" Mary knew she normally had Friday's off.
"Yeah, she was. At least until she got called in. She sends her best wishes," he told her casually.
"Are you okay?"
Mary had a knot in her stomach. She was expecting him to say that they had gotten back together.
"Yeah, I am. There's a lot to figure out since we both gave up our apartments when we bought the house. I don't know what makes the most sense. I don't want to stay there, the house never felt quite right. I need to see if Abigail wants to stay or if we should just sell it. Then I'll have to go apartment hunting."
"You could always move in with me," Mary offered quietly and Marshall's eyes snapped to hers in surprise. "At least for the time being," she continued quickly, suddenly regretting the offer.
Marshall was quiet for a few moments, measuring his words Mary guessed.
"I suppose that does make the most sense, if you really think you can put up with me 24/7," he smiled, arching an eyebrow questioningly.
"Well you have to be a better housemate than Jinx," she deadpanned.
"I'm glad you're setting the bar so high," he retorted.
"So is that a yes?" she asked nervously.
"Yes, Mare."
"Good. You get the four AM diaper changes."
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her palm.
"A small price to pay to live with my two favorite girls."
A/N: Kinda short so I apologize but I just needed this moment for both of them.
