The second time Marco took Lisa out was a breakfast date at Granny's. He helped her up the steps and over to a table, "did you want a booth?"
"The table is fine," she said, "it will be easier to get up from."
Marco helped her sit and the two started looking at the menu. Lisa was aware that all eyes were on them. "Lisa," Marco's voice brought her back to reality, "did you decide?" The woman looked and saw Ruby standing at the table. Marco could tell that something was off with her.
"You decide," she told him, "anything's fine."
Marco ordered for his date and Ruby left to put the order in, "hey," he reached across the table and took her hand, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she answered, "I guess my mind was elsewhere."
"You can tell me."
Lisa sighed, "everyone is staring at us."
Marco shrugged, "so? What does it matter?"
"They're probably wondering what a wonderful guy like you is doing with someone like me."
"What they think doesn't matter." Marco stood and turned around, "can I have everyone's attention?"
"Marco," Lisa whispered, "what are you doing?"
"If you all would be so kind as to stop staring at my date and me, it would be much appreciated. Remember how much Regina and Gold have changed when you look at Lisa." He sat back down and took her hand.
"I can't believe you did that?" Lisa was surprised by the gesture.
"Why not?"
"No one has ever stood up for me before. Thank you," she smiled.
"No need to thank me."
When Ruby brought their food, she looked at Marco, "what you just did was pretty sweet." She turned to face Lisa, "don't worry about the others. It will just take time, so hang in there."
"Thank you, Ruby," Lisa smiled.
After they finished eating, Granny met them at the door, "if anyone gives you any more trouble, just let me know. They don't mess with me."
Marco nodded, "that's true."
Lisa smiled, "thank you."
Granny held the door so Marco could help his date out of the door. They were walking to Marco's car when someone called Lisa's name. They turned and saw King George, "isn't this cozy."
The fact that Lisa retreated into Marco's arms told the man that she was afraid of George, "what do you want?" Marco asked in irritation.
"I just don't get it. Why would someone who has only ever wanted money, status, and prestige dump me for someone like you?"
"Don't," Lisa whispered to Marco.
"Well, you keep wondering. We're leaving," Marco took Lisa to his car and then drove her home.
That night, Marco joined Lisa and her family for dinner. She was in the living room with Thomas, Jacob, Tisbe, and Alexandra. He was in the kitchen with Ella and Clorinda. "You should have seen her," Marco told the girls, "she was terrified of him."
"It's strange to think of her as being afraid," Ella said.
"Because of her back, she's so vulnerable that she wouldn't really be able to defend herself."
"I never liked mother spending time with him," Clorinda said.
"No one did," Ella added, "not even mother."
Alexandra walked into the kitchen, "mommy, nana keeps looking at the window."
"What?"
"Every time she hears something, she jumps and looks out the window."
"She was scared by something earlier and is a little jumpy."
"Okay," the little girl shrugged and went back to the living room.
Ella looked at Marco, "do you think that maybe you could stay here tonight?"
"If it's alright with everyone else, and by everyone else, I mean your mother."
Lisa hobbled into the kitchen, "what are you talking about?"
"I asked Marco to stay here tonight since you're on edge," Ella explained, "he said that it's up to you."
"Okay," Lisa whispered. It was decided that Marco would stay in Lisa's room with her. He even helped her get ready for bed. "Don't leave tomorrow without saying goodbye."
"I won't, but if you need me to stay longer, I can. I could have my son bring me some of my things. I didn't want him to at night with that lunatic out there."
"Thank you for doing this. I'm really a wreck."
"It's what you do for the ones you love."
Lisa looked at him, "what?"
"What?"
"You said 'love'."
He kissed her, "I love you."
Lisa kissed him again, "I love you too."
"Good because that slipped and I was afraid it was too soon."