Chapter 12:Party Time

It took me nearly a month to make a full recovery. During my time of resting, I thought a lot about my future and what I should do now that I wasn't going to be a mother. I really wanted to be with Mark, he was so kind, gentle, and he seemed to understand me better than anyone. He was always there for me too when I needed it most. Every time I was away from him I felt like dying. Maybe I have always loved him.

"Penny for your thoughts pup?" he said to me one afternoon. I was sitting at the dining room table staring blankly at my laptop screen.

I sighed and then looked at him, "I think I should try going to school. You know, for a career of some sort."

He poured some red kool-aid into a glass and then walked over and handed it to me. "What gave you that idea?"

I shrugged, "I don't know I was just thinking about everything that happened to me. I'm starting to think that I need a fresh start."

"What did you have in mind for a career?"

I sighed, "Well I don't really know what I'm good at."

"Well let's think, you are a wonderful cook. Why don't you think about catering?"

I nodded and then typed it into the search engine. "That's a good one. I could also try hair school. I love to cut hair."

He chuckled, "Well that explains how you look so sexy every day."

I blushed, "Very nice to know that you like to observe me Mark."

"I can't help myself, you're so damn beautiful."

"Oh so it's my fault?"

"Basically."

I giggled and then to a sip of my drink. "So what are you wearing to my birthday party tomorrow night?"

He smirked, "That's for me to know and for you to find out pup."

I shook my head, "Well excuse me,"

"Where is your party going to be at anyway?"

"Well Kayleigh wanted us to go to a few bars and then end up at The Rodeo last. Apparently we are getting a party bus."

"That's what's up, I can't wait to go. I haven't been out since I was with Sara."

I gasped, "Damn it's been that long?"

He nodded and took a sip of his drink. "Yea after the break up I just stayed in the house more often. I only left when I wanted to hang with Steve or just go to work."

"Well that's going to change starting tomorrow night." I told him as I got up and headed towards the steps.

"Damn…you sure do look good in those shorts."

I turned around and put my hands on my hips. He laughed and then blew me a kiss. I pretended to catch it and then went upstairs to use the bathroom. Kayleigh was on her way to pick me up so we could go shopping for our party dresses.

When she showed up to get me, I gave Mark a hug and kissed him on the cheek before leaving. "Awe, come on that's all I get?"

I waved at him as I got in the car and he shook his head. Gosh I love teasing him. When I got in the car I greeted Kayla and her sister before we drove off.

Kayleigh drove us to the town mall where they sold just about anything. "So what color were you thinking about wearing?"

"I guess whatever looks good on me. How about you two?"

She shrugged before spotting a cute knee high halter top dress. "I must try that on!"

She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the store where the dress was on display. We quickly found her size and she tried it on. While she was in the fitting room, Kayla and I looked for our own dresses. Kayla picked out a yellow knee high dress that had spaghetti straps and yellow glitter all over it. I had to admit, these two girls had good taste, but I couldn't let them out do me. After all…I am the birthday girl. After they paid for their dresses I walked over to a store called Dolce and Gabana and found just what I was looking for. It was a strapless knee high dress that had a solid black layer that hugged my curves and a thin layer of black lace over top of it.

"Oh my gosh that is soooo cute!" Kayla said.

"Mark is going to have a fit! He loves black!" Kayleigh said.

"Thanks girl's I'm glad you approve of the dress. Now we better go get some shoes and jewelry."

The girl's and I had a great time out together. I got to know Kayla much better than I did when I first met her. I didn't even know she was twenty-two and that she was living with her mom because she was in school and couldn't live on campus. Apparently she had an issue with other females.

I got home around eight o'clock that night. Mark was in the living room playing video games with Dwayne when I walked in.

"Hey pup, did you have fun?" he asked.

"I sure did, Hey Dwayne nice to see you again." I said.

"Nice to see you too girl, did you get me something from the mall."

I rolled my eyes playfully, "No…maybe next time."

"Awe, that's cold." He said. "Mark you better get your girl."

Mark laughed and shook his head, "Oh I'll get her, just wait."

"Whatever," I said as I headed upstairs to my room. I hung up my dress and then tied my hair up so I could get ready to take a shower. I couldn't wait for tomorrow to come so I could celebrate with my new friends and family. I just hoped that there wasn't going to be any drama involved.

That next morning I woke up to the sound of Mark singing happy birthday to me while bringing me breakfast in bed. I sat up with a big smile on my face as he came in and sat the tray on my lap. When he finished the song I clapped for him. "That was really good and thanks for the breakfast."

"You're very welcome pup, I hope you like it."

I picked up my fork and tried the eggs with cheese. It was amazing, definitely better than the eggs I usually made. "This is awesome, thank you."

"You're welcome sweetie," he said before leaning down and kissing my forehead. "Hurry and eat, I want to take you out for a little while."

"Okay."

Mark and I had a great time that day. We went to an arcade, where he won me a giant teddy bear, and then we went to a beach took a nice long walk. It felt nice to walk along side him hand and hand. At one point he gave me a piggy back ride and nearly fell into the water. I simply laughed as I thought about it on our way back home.

At seven o'clock I got in the shower and then got dressed in my new black dress. I played some music while I put spiral curls in my hair and then put on my make-up and brushed my teeth. Once I put on my shoes, I checked my small black purse to see if I had my I.D. and other things that I might have needed for the night. Just as I sprayed a little perfume on myself I heard a knock at the door.

"Serena? Are you ready to go?" Mark asked.

I smiled, "Come in and see,"

The doorknob turned slowly and then my door opened. We both basically had the same reactions towards each other's looks. He was wearing a black short sleeved shirt with a silver chain around his neck and some blue jeans. He was also wearing his red bandana around his head as usual with a pair of sunglasses resting on his head.

"Damn." I said. "You're looking fine today sir."

He smiled and licked his lips, "No babe it's you that looks good tonight. I'm having a hard time controlling myself just looking at you."

I giggled, "Thank you,"

"Um…do you mind if we take a picture together before we go?"

"Sure we can do that," I said as I stood next to him. He lifted his phone up in front of us and snapped a picture. He then showed me the pic, and I loved it. We looked like we definitely belonged together.

"Well shall we?"

"Yes sir," I said as I hooked my arm with his and we left the house. I had no idea what the night had in store for me, but I hoped it would be the best night ever.