Mark and Ethan unloaded the apples they had brought in front of the produce stand. Lacy had sold them to the owner. Mr. Reid.

"I heard your kids calling him daddy, you get married Cass?" Mr. Reid asked.

Cass just nodded her head, she didn't like lying.

"That's great, he's a big fella aint he?" Mr. Reid said.

Cass just smiled and looked at Mark, yea he was huge. But he was a big sweetheart.

"Thanks Mr. Reid." Cass said shaking his head.

"Anytime, I'm always looking for fresh produce, let me know when your watermelons come in." Mr. Reid said.

"Okay. I will. bye" Cass said.

"Mark we're going to the Flea Market down the street. The lady I sell the Afghan to sets up there. Then we will meet you back at the department store. I have to get the kids shoes." Lacy said.

"I'll take Ethan with me." Mark said.

"Okay." Lacy said.

Mark pulled Lacy close to him.

"I got to know Darlin, are ya wearing panties?" Mark whispered in her ear.

Lacy blushed and started laughing.

"You are bad Mark." Lacy said.

Mark shrugged and just grinned at her. He kissed her lips and pulled back and looked at her. She was so beautiful. She had on baggy overalls with a tank top underneath and all that beautiful long hair pinned up on top of head, but it was already starting to escape. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes shining. He reached out and caressed her cheek with his finger.

"I love ya Darlin." Mark said quietly.

Lacy caught her breath; this man touched a place in her heart that had never been touched.

"I love you to Mark." She whispered.

Ethan and Jessie were grinning and smiling at each other.

"I love it when a plan comes together." Ethan said to Jessie.

"Ethan this is the best idea you ever had." Jessie said.

"Let's go Ethan." Mark said.

"Yes sir." Ethan said following Mark to the truck.

Lacy grabbed the twins and put them in their car seats.

"Come on Jessie." Lacy said.

Jessie happily skipped after her mother.

Mark sold the Milk and he and Ethan headed back to town.

Mark had a wad of money in his pocket yesterday. He had transferred it to these jeans. He was sure what it had come from, but he assumed it was his. He hadn't as yet found a wallet; he would have to ask Lacy about that. Ethan had taken his wallet and hid it to keep Mark from knowing who he was. It was in Ethan's room hidden. Mark wasn't too worried about it. He was going to take them all out to dinner and maybe buy a little something for the kids.

Mark and Ethan parked and got out in front of the department store.

"Dad can I get me a soda out of the machine?" Ethan asked pointing to the machines out front.

"Sure." Mark handed him some change and walked on toward the front doors.

Ethan ran up to the machine and chose a drink.

"Hey look it's the midget."

Ethan sighed, oh no not him. Ethan turned around; it was Jake and his buddies. There were four of them all together.

"Get lost." Ethan said with a lot more confidence than he felt.

Jake shoved him against the machine.

"I'm going to kick your scrawny ass." Jake said.

All four boys started at him.

"Back off boys."

The boys turned and seen Mark standing there.

"Four on one, those aint very good odds. When ya get enough gumption to go one on one, come back and see him." Mark said.

The boys looked like they were going to piss on there selves, they turned and took off running.

Ethan was embarrassed. Mark had seen him getting bullied; he probably thought he was a wimp. Ethan wouldn't look up at him.

"You okay?" Mark asked.

"Yes." Ethan said.

"What's wrong boy?" Mark asked.

"You're probably ashamed of me. I'm small and they kick my ass all the time." Ethan said looking down.

Mark bent down in front of Ethan.

"Ethan you're the finest boy I ever met. I'm proud your my son and size don't matter. Tonight I'll teach some moves so you can protect yourself, okay?" Mark said.

Ethan looked up at Mark with those big brown eyes, so like his mothers.

"Really you'll teach me to fight?" Ethan asked in excitement.

"I'll teach ya to defend yourself." Mark said.

Ethan smiled.

"Thanks Dad." Ethan said.

Mark stood up and threw his arm around him.

"Come on let's go find yer Mama." Mark said.