Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews... I appreciate them... I'm glad some people enjoy my writing...

**Not Soon Enough**

John was standing at the front door with his bags at his feet. Mark and Joie were staring at him, obviously wanting him to stay. John kneeled down and sighed, "Guys?" Joie was the first to hug him; John smiled and then pulled Mark to him by his shirt collar. He hugged both of them tightly, "I love you guys." Joie wiped her teary blue eyes as John released them and stood up. He hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek. I sighed as I returned the hug. Neither of us wanted to let go; John sighed, "I'll be back babe." I sighed and released my hold, "Yeah I know." He kissed me again, "I love you." I smiled and sighed, "I love you too." John sighed and walked out the door. Mark ran upstairs and Joie was soon to follow. I sighed and watched them go before slowly walking upstairs. I walked into Mark's room. He really idolized his Dad, pictures and posters of him covered his walls. I sighed and sat on the edge of the bed where he was lying face, turned away from me, "Mark?" He was silent, but I could tell he was upset. I sighed and gently rubbed his back. I got up and walked out of his room. I went to Joie's room and saw her sitting on the floor playing with her toys. I smiled and leaned against the doorframe with my arms crossed over my chest, "Are you okay?" Joie looked up at me and smiled, "Yeah." There seemed like nothing could dampen my baby girl's spirit. She was damn near always in a good mood. I sighed and then went down to my room. I sat on the bed and sighed. How much longer would this go on? It was killing Mark, and although Joie seemed okay, I knew she was upset, maternal thing I guess. I was used to it, but the kids, they missed him so much. Mark loved his father so much, and I was dying inside because John missing out on their lives so much. Joie, she was Daddy's Little Girl, and she undoubtedly missed him too, but she seemed to hide it so well. I worried that it was something she picked up, keeping how she feels bottled up inside. God knows, that's what I did a lot.
I sighed as I was flipping through the channels on the TV in my, or my and John's room. It was late and I was bored. The kids were in bed, and I had nothing to do. I wished John was next to me. Just there to hold me, or just to hear him talk. I groaned and turned off the TV. I picked up the phone off the nightstand and dialed a number. Someone finally picked up, "Hello?" I smiled, "Hey Charlie, is Raven around?" "Yeah, hang on a second." I smiled and waited; I heard Raven come over the phone, "Hello?" I grinned, "And how is my number one imp?" Raven let out a squeal, no matter how much time had passed, she referred to me as Satan. She finally regained her composure, "Satan!" I smiled and nodded, talking to Raven always seemed to help make me feel better, "How are you?" "Great! You?" I nodded and sighed slightly, "I'm okay." "And how are the little monsters of yours?" I smiled and nodded, "They're good. Mark's a little upset." "Ah, he misses his Daddy." I nodded, "Yeah." "And he's not the only one." I sighed and leaned back, "Yeah." "Aw, honey, don't be so down." "How can I not be down? I barely get to see my husband anymore." "Look, it's summer, Mark doesn't have school, maybe the three of you could travel with him." I shook my head, "No, Joie gets sick. Besides, I don't wanna seem all clingy." Raven started laughing and I sighed, despite the fact that she had Charlie had been married for 2 years and she was pregnant with their first kid, she never really understood where I was coming from when it came to John and I. I shook my head, "You don't get it, do you?" "No, I think it's funny." "I'm gonna go Raven." "Aw, you're not mad are you?" I sighed and shook my head, I couldn't be mad with her, "No, I'm just tired." "Okay, I'll talk to you later." I nodded, "Bye." I hung up the phone and sighed. Sleep didn't come easily.
The following morning, went normal, but incredibley slow. I was so exhausted, and my kids could see it. As I sat on the couch with Mark, he crawled into my lap and looked up at me with those beautiful green eyes, God, he looked just like John, "Mommy?" I smiled, "What sweetie?" He nuzzled close to me as Joie just sat on the floor absorbed in some cartoon, I didn't enjoy watching them, and usually tuned them out, but the kids, they loved 'em. Mark sighed and I hugged him, "Mark, what's wrong?" Mark looked at me again, "Why are you sad?" I sighed and ran my fingers over his hair; I shrugged, not sure what to say, "I just miss Daddy." Mark sighed and laid back against me, "Me too." I sighed and leaned back on the couch.
I woke up later that evening and saw both Mark and Joie were gone. I sat up, panicked. Were the fuck were they?! "Mark?! Joie?!" Joie's gently voice came from upstairs, "We're up here Mommy." I sighed, relieved. I got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen. I saw that the door was open and grew nervous. I poked my head outside and looked around before stepping back into the kitchen and shutting the door. Nothing seemed weird, except for the fact that the door was open, but the kids could have gone outside. That wouldn't have been odd. But, something didn't sit right with me. I went upstairs and into Mark's room where Mark and Joie were playing, "Mark, take Joie into the Mommy's bathroom, lock the door, hide in the tub, and be very quiet." He looked up at me, frightened. I followed them into the bedroom and took my cell phone off the charger. I handed it to Mark, "Do you remember how to use it?" Mark nodded slowly. I pointed to the clock on the phone, "If I'm not back by the time, it has a nine at the front, dial 911. Okay?" Mark nodded again, the bravery was growing in him and I smiled, proud. I kissed both my kids on their foreheads and walked out of the bathroom. I smiled weakly when I heard the lock click, Good Boy. I pulled a bat from my bedroom closet and walked downstairs. No one was on the main level of the house. I sighed as I stood at the top of the basement steps. I was nervous, but I knew that I had to do something, my kids were in the house, and there was no fuckin' way I'd let them get hurt. I gripped the bat tightly and started down the stairs. There was not telling what was going to happen.

Author's Note: WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN?!?!?!?!?!?! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! I'll update soon and you can find out...