Mark lifted Jessie in his arms. It had taken him all night to get here. He parked at the beach house he had called and rented. The only downside was it was cloudy and looked like rain. But hell the beach was beautiful even when it was cloudy. He hoped Jessie was happy. He knew she had been wanting to see the beach. He carried her down close to the water and sat down with her on the sand. It was cold out. He pulled her tighter in his embrace. He reached down and caressed her cheek. "Wake up Jessie." He said. Jessie's eyes fluttered open. Jessie looked up at Mark and smiled. "Hey sleepy head you slept all night." Mark said. "I'm sorry I should have kept you company while you were driving." Jessie said. "Hush now. You were exhausted you needed the sleep." Mark said tugging on a stray curl playfully. "What's that roaring sound Mark where are we?" Jessie asked. "Why don't you set up and see." Mark said smiling. Jessie sat up in his lap and a smile lit her face. Jessie looked at the ocean with wonder and awe. "Mark it's so beautiful." Jessie said. She reached up and gave him a long lingering kiss tangling her hands in his short hair pulling him close to her. Jessie pulled back a few inches and leaned her head against his. She looked deep in his green eyes lost in them. "I love you." She whispered against his lips and kissed him again. Mark was lost in a rush of emotion for her. He was startled when she jumped up. "What ya doing?" He asked. She didn't answer but she had that mischievous look in her eye. She kicked off her shoes and pulled off her socks. "Jessie don't even think about it, Its way to cold." Mark said. "I'm not going to swim, just stick my feet in." She said grinning while she rolled up her jeans. Mark stood up. "Jessie you're going to catch your death out here its way to cold get your shoes back on." Mark said. Jessie took of running toward the water. "Jessie when I catch you!" Mark yelled after her. "You got to catch me first!" She yelled back laughing. Mark seen she had already started wading in the waves that were rolling in. She was laughing and splashing looking as happy as Mark had ever seen her. Her damp hair had curled into ringlets all over her head and she looked like a wild water nymph. Mark stood at the edge of the water and watched with a smile on his face. She was like a child seeing everything for the first time taking such joy in it. It made him see things through fresh eyes for the first time in a long time. A large wave hit and drenched her making her gasp in shock. "Alright missy that's enough march your ass out right now." Mark said. Jessie trudged out of the waves to stand in front of Mark with her head down. "I'm sorry Mark I just couldn't resist." Jessie said. Mark lifted her chin and seen the gleam of laughter in her eyes. Yea right thought Mark. Mark lifted Jessie in his arms. Jessie wrapped her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around her waist. "Jessie you're stubborn and hardheaded. Just look at ya, you looked like a drown rat. You're probably going to get sick. Do you realize how cold it is out here?" Mark growled at her. Jessie laid her head on Mark's shoulder as he carried her up to the house. "Ya need a keeper girl. At the rate your going ya won't survive the winter. Do ya ever listen or do what you're told?" Mark asked. Jessie smiled as she listened to him lecture her. She was still amazed that Mark cared about her; she didn't mind him bitching at her. She knew he was just worried about her. Mark unlocked the door and walked in. The place was beautiful. The front door opened into a huge living room with wood paneling, a huge fireplace, a entertainment center with a large TV. Jessie didn't get a chance to see much of it since Mark carried her down a hallway to a large bathroom. It was done in black and gold and had a huge sunken Tub. Mark set her down and started to run her a hot bath. By this time she was shivering. Mark turned around and started pulling her wet clothes off. "I'm beginning to think a trip across my knee would do you a world of good." Mark said still grumbling at her. He set Jessie in the tub and turned off the water. "Well ya got nothing ta say for your self?" Mark asked with his arms crossed. Jessie looked up at him and smiled. "I love you." She said. Mark felt his heart melting but kept the stern look on his face. "Huh uhh girl. Don't even try that sweet talking it aint going to work." Mark said. "I'm going to build a fire. As soon as you get out. I'm going to run to the store for groceries." Mark said. Jessie leaned back. The water felt wonderful. She thought about Mark. He was so sweet. She had come to realize his grumbling was just his way when he was worried or upset. He was so adorable. She couldn't help but grinning.
Mark grabbed some of the wood off the back porch and got to work starting a fire. He thought about Jessie. She was so impulsive so different from him. He always weighed everything out before he did anything. Everything was a major decision for him. He worried about her jumping into things the way she did without thinking. He grinned suddenly. The little imp. She wasn't the least sorry and she wasn't scared of him a bit in spite of all his growling and bitching.
Mark came in the bathroom and brought her a towel and some clean clothes. "Get dressed and I'll wrap ya up in front of the fire before I go. I'm going to get ya some more clothes too. So I'll be gone for a while." Mark said. Jessie got out and dried off. She dried her hair and pulled on one of Mark's large sweatshirts. She laughed it fell well past her knees. She walked into the living room where Mark had a large fire going. Mark had blankets and pillows in front of the fire. She sat down on the blanket. The fire felt wonderful. Mark came in with a steaming cup of coffee. "Coffee's about all that's in the house." Mark said handing her the cup. Jessie wrapped her hands around it letting the warmth seep into her fingers. Mark wrapped a blanket around her and gave her the remote to the TV. "I'm leaving now. So help me if ya move an inch toward that door ta go outside, I'll tan your hide good when I get back." Mark said. Damn what was he a mind reader? She had planned on going to set on the beach while he was gone. "Yea I see that look on your face. You better just cancel them plans little girl. You're probably already going to get sick." Mark said. Mark picked up his keys and went out the door. Jessie sighed and lay down and turned on the TV. She really wanted to go back down to the beach but Mark seemed pretty serious. Maybe for once she should just do what he said. She finally was warming up. She stretched and though about finally being alone with Mark tonight and not having to worry about Davie.