Laura rolled over and hit the alarm clock. It was five AM. She had to get up and start Thanksgiving meal. Tamia said she would be over to help about 8. She leaned over and kissed Mark lightly and got up. She also had some business to take care of. She mulled over what Mark had said to her the other night about not being away from her again. She knew what he was up too. She would bet odds that he was going to go ahead and retire so he could be with her. There was no way Laura was going to let that happen. Mark was at the height of his career. She wasn't going to let him give that up for her. She went to take a shower. She knew what she was going to do. She got dried off and got dressed. Laura grabbed her cell phone and headed downstairs.
Laura put the turkey in the oven and started making pies. When she was through with the pies she picked up the phone and started her plans into action.
At 8 Tamia and Glen walked into the kitchen holding hand and laughing. Laura raised her brows. Tamai shrugged and laughed. "I'm going to go watch TV so you two can talk." Glen said and grinned. Glen left and Laura pounced. "What's going on girl?" she asked Tamia. "I called Glen to come over last night and he rocked my world." Tamia said giggling. Laura hugged Tamia. "That's great girl." She said. "Laura when Glen leaves to go back on the road, I'm going with him." Tamia said. "What." Laura said. "Just like that." Laura asked. "Lifes to short Laura, You don't find a love like that every day. It really wasn't a hard decision. I'm going to continue to take my college classes on computer and start my web design business. I don't have to be in anyone place to do that." Tamia said. Laura laughed. "Well girl I got some news for you too." She said. "I called Steve this morning and asked if I could turn down the partnership." She said. "What?" Tamia said. "I told him I wanted to continue working for him, long distance of course. Cause I'm going to be on the road. He said he understood and that was fine. I'm going to be taking my classes on computer too, it will take longer to graduate but I got all the time in the world." She said. Tamia hugged her friend. "Girl this is going to be great, we will be together." Tamia said. "I'm so glad your going to be there." Laura said. "Jason wasn't thrilled, he's coming in this afternoon since were leaving tomorrow." She said. "But I told I would be coming back every couple weeks for business so it wasn't like we wouldn't see each other." She said. "Have you told Mark yet?" Tamia asked. "Nope not yet." She said. They got busy getting dinner together.
Mark walked in the den where Glen was. "Hey what's up man? Mark said Glen grinned. "Me and Tamia spent a wonderful night together last night." Glen said. "That's great Glen." Mark said. "That's not all, when I leave tomorrow she going with me." He said. Marks mouth fell open. "That's kinda sudden aint it." Mark said. "I asked her and she said yes, we love each other. I'm not going to be away from her." Glen said. "That's great Glen, I'm glad you found her." Mark said. But his thoughts were on Laura. How could he leave her again? Glen was right if you loved someone that was all that mattered. He was going to tell Vince when he got back that he was going to retire.
Laura and Tamia walked into the den. "Girls yall got this place smelling great, I can't wait for dinner." Mark said. Laura went over to set on Marks lap. "You got a couple more hours." She said kissing him on the cheek. Mark put his arms around her enjoying holding her. Tamia went over and sat next to Glen. He put his arm around her and pulled her close. Glen was so happy. He reached down and gave her a kiss. "Mark Jason is going to come over tonight for a while." Laura said. "I though he was out of town." Mark said. He is, he's coming back in tonight." She said. Mark looked at her she was up to something, but what. He didn't say anything, he guess she would fess up when she was ready. She smiled at him gave him a kiss and went back to the kitchen. Tamia got up and followed her. "Laura's up to something." Mark said. "Don't ask me, you know how women are." He said.
Laura and Tamia called the guys into dinner. They all sat down to eat. "Girls this is great." Mark said in between bites. "I second that." Glen said. Laura sat and watched Mark. God she loved to watch him. He turned to look at her. "Eat baby." He said. She smiled at him and started to eat. They all stuffed them selves. "Thanks girls that was great." Glen said pushing his chair back. "Yea we got the two best cooks in the world." Mark said. Laura and Tamia smiled at the guys. "You girls go relax; me and Mark will do cleanup duty." Glen said. "I got a little announcement to make first." Laura said. Mark and Glen turned to look at her. "I turned down Steve's offer; I'm still going to be working for him, Long distance of course." She said. "I'm coming with you when you leave Mark. She waited for Marks reaction. "What about school?" Mark asked. "I'm going to finish my courses by computer it will take longer but that's no big deal. She said. "No" Mark said. She looked at him like he was crazy. "Your not giving up a good opportunity to go following me around the country." He said sounding angry. "I'm going to retire when I get back." He said. "Mark I'm not letting you do that for me, you are at the height of your career, your on top. There's no way you need to retire right now. I made up my mind this is what I'm doing." She said. Tamia and Glen knew he was about to blow you could see it on his face. "I forbid you to do this." He said in a deadly quite voice. Wrong thing to say thought Glen. "YOU WHAT!" Laura yelled. "You heard me." Mark said raising his voice. Glen and Tamia left the room. "You don't tell me what to do, I'm not a child." she said. "Listen to me little girl, you are going to finish school and take that partnership with Steve. End of discussion." Mark said. Mark got up and left. Laura was so mad she could have happily choked him. She sat down at the table. Why was he being so stubborn? Tamia came in. "You alright?" she asked. "No." Laura said. "Why is he being so stubborn?" Laura asked. "Cause he cares about you." Tamia said. Laura sighed. He was so damn stubborn. Glen came in. "you want me to talk to him?" he asked. "No, I'm going up in a minute." She said. Glen came over and put his arms around her. "Don't worry, He'll come around. You know how he is." He said. Laura hugged Glen. "I know he will, he has too." She said. She got up and went to find Mark. "You don't look the least bit worried about this." Glen said to Tamia. "I'm not. I know that girl, she'll get her way." Tamia said smiling.
Laura found Mark in the bedroom packing his stuff up. She sat down on the bed. He glanced at her but continued packing his stuff. "Mark we need to talk." She said. "Nothing to talk about. I told…" "Shut the hell up and listen to me." Laura said. Mark had a dangerous look in his eye but Laura continued anyway. "The most important thing in my life is you, all this other junk is just icing on the cake. I'm not giving up anything. But if I had to I would for you. You are number one, on top of the list. Life is too short Mark; I want to spend my life with you starting now. I'm tired of waiting for someday. I will still have school and work, but most important I'll have you." Laura looked at him and seen he wasn't angry anymore. "Mark I love you, we can be together, don't you want that." She asked. Mark knelt down in front of her. "Of course I want that baby; I just don't want you to give up your life for me." He said. Laura took his hand. "You are my life Mark." She said tears falling from her eyes. Mark gently kissed her eyes. He sighed. "I should put you over my knee and spank some sense into you." He said. "But as usual, I can't say no too you. I do want you with me baby, more than anything." He said. She threw herself into Marks arms. Mark hugged her to him and stroked her hair. "You got to promise me if you're unhappy to tell me. I'll retire and come back here with you if that's what you ever want." He said. "I promise. "She said kissing him. Mark knew his soul belonged to her, now and forever. "I still aught to put you over my knee, you think you got me wrapped around you finger." He said. Laura pulled back and grinned at him. "Well see about that tonight big guy." She said. Mark picked up her chin with his finger. "Yea we will see about that later, little girl." He growled. Laura grinned at him. "I can't wait." She said laughing. "Lets go down and let Tamia and Glen know we haven't killed each other." Laura said. Mark planted a hard kiss on her mouth. "Till later." He said and grabbed her hand as they left the room.