Lacy started crying when Mark told her Jessie was on an incoming flight.
"Thank you Mark." Lacy said through her tears.
"I have to head out to pick her up. Listen Lacy, I'm going to wire you 4 tickets while I'm at the airport. I want you and the kids to come down. I think me and you need to talk." Mark said.
Lacy was blown away. She didn't know what to think.
"Please Lacy. We really need to talk, I'm beggin ya girl?" Mark said.
"Mark I don't want the kids hurt again." Lacy said.
"I'm not going to hurt them Lacy. I promise. Well Jessie's butts going to be hurtin for a while but other than that." Mark said
Lacy couldn't help but laugh.
"Yea I pretty much had the same thought, I want to hug her then shake her." Lacy said.
"Please say you'll come?' Mark said.
"How much do I need to pack for me and the kids? How long do you want us to stay?" Lacy asked.
"Bring whatever you want to see again, cause you won't be going back." Mark said.
Lacy was silent. Was he serious?
"The tickets will be at the airport under your name. Hurry." Mark said.
"I will." Lacy whispered and hung up the phone.
"Did he find Jessie?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, she is on a flight to Texas. Mark is going to pick her up." Lacy said.
"Man is she going to get it." Ethan said.
Lacy looked in a daze.
"Mom what's wrong?" Ethan asked.
"I need you to help me pack up all the kids' thing, were going to Texas." Lacy said.
Ethan's mouth fell open. Ethan followed after his mother wondering what was going on.
Mark waited impatiently at the airport terminal where Jessie would get off. He had already wired the tickets. Soon Lacy would be here and they could straighten this mess out. He would be glad when he actually saw Jessie. He was so worried about the little thing. Finally they started letting passengers off and Mark saw her little red head a mile away.
"Jessie." Mark yelled.
Jessie spotted him and a smile lit her pretty little face.
"Daddy!" Jessie yelled and ran and jumped into his arms.
Mark hugged her tight for a minute and then lifted her back.
"Look at ya girl, you're a site for sore eyes." Mark said kissing her cheek.
"Daddy I missed you so bad." Jessie said.
"I've missed ya to girl." Mark said.
"How did you know what flight I was on?" Jessie asked.
"I got my ways. Let's get you home. I got some news for ya, yer mama and brother and sisters will be here tomorrow." Mark said carting her out of the airport.
"Yahoo, it worked. I knew you still loved us." Jessie said.
"Well yer right there Jessie, I do love all of ya. I was just being bullheaded and stubborn. But all that's over and if yer mama will still have me, I want to make us a real family." Mark said.
Mark set her in his truck and buckled the seatbelt on her. He went and got in on the passenger side.
"Mommy still loves you. I hear her crying at night and I know its cause she misses you." Jessie said.
That made Mark feel like shit, he had hurt her so bad with his hateful words. He had hurt the kids too. He wondered if Ethan would ever forgive him.
"So you and mommy will get married and you will be our daddy?" Jessie asked.
"Yea if yer mama says yes when I ask her to marry me." Mark said.
Jessie literally was bouncing in her seat.
"I'm so glad you're my daddy." Jessie said grinning at Mark.
Mark looked at her.
"Well little girl, I hope ya feel that way later, cause when we get home you and me are having a long talk." Mark said.
Jessie swallowed hard. She didn't like the way that sounded and she didn't like the look on his face. Well I guess you got to take the good with the bad Jessie thought.
Lacy had all her and the kids stuff threw in the back of the car. Their flight left at 5:00AM. She was so eager to get there. She had missed Mark so bad.
"Mom, are you sure you're doing the right thing?" Ethan asked.
"I'm not sure about anything Ethan, but I know I love him and I know it feels right. Sometimes that's all you have to go on." Lacy said.
Ethan nodded and hugged his mom. More than anything he wanted Mark to want to be with them, but he was scared to hope for it.
The phone rang and Lacy picked it up.
"Hello." Lacy said.
"Hi Mommy." Jessie said.
"Oh god Jessie, I'm so glad you're alright. Do you know how worried I was young lady?" Lacy asked. Lacy started cry in relief.
"I'm sorry mommy. I didn't mean to worry you. Don't cry." Jessie said.
She felt bad she had worried her mommy so much.
"I'll see you tomorrow Jessie, let me talk to Mark." Lacy said.
"Stop crying little mama, she's fine." Mark said gently.
"I know, I was just so worried. I can't help it." Lacy said.
"We're on our way back to the house now. You got all yer stuff packed?" Mark asked.
"Yes. We'll be in tomorrow around 1:00PM." Lacy said.
"Okay, I'll be there to pick ya up." Mark said.
"Goodnight Mark and thank you for finding my baby." Lacy said.
"Our baby." Mark said quietly.
Lacy was silent. The implications of what he said had her heart lifting in joy.
"Goodnight Darlin." Mark said.
