Samantha and Lilly took their seats for the show just before the first match. Because they had gotten to know Dave and the others, the seats had been upgraded to ringside. Samantha had been instantly swept up in the atmosphere, and was jumping up and down cheering like crazy. Lilly barely noticed what was going on in front of her. She was too busy reliving everything that had happened with Mark. She could not help but feel terrible for everything. She knew in her heart that Mark had not meant to hurt her, she could see it in his eyes. Lilly knew for her part that she had been so intent on not letting anyone treat her like she had been treated in the past that she had seriously over reacted. Suddenly Lilly realized that Samantha was talking to her and she snapped out of her reverie.
"Come on Lil it's time for us to meet everyone backstage." Samantha said tugging on Lilly's shoulder.
Lilly looked around and realized that she had been so lost in thought that she missed the whole show. She didn't even remember seeing Mark although she knew he had a match that night. All of that time lost in thought and she still did not know what to do about Mark. She wasn't really mad anymore and she did want to spend some more time with him, but Lilly didn't want to go crawling back to him on her knees begging for forgiveness. She did have some pride after all. With that thought, Lilly followed Sam backstage in search of the others.
Little did Lilly know that Mark was thinking the same thing—How to start over with Lilly without making himself look bad. He knew he had stepped over the line but he still did not want to give in he had done that way too much with Sara, and look where it had gotten him. Mark had seen Lilly at ringside that night. She had looked like she was a million miles away, not even seeing what was going on in front of her. Even now looking at her he felt his heart squeeze in his chest. Mark still did not know what had possessed him to say some of the things he had said to her. No woman had ever stood up to Mark Callaway the way that Lilly had. It had shocked him and made him proud at the same time. After all of the things she had told him about her life the previous night, Mark knew that it was a huge step for Lilly to stand up to him the way she did. He was secretly proud. Now, what to do about getting her to talk to him alone again. He began planning as he walked into the shower room.
Samantha and Lilly easily found Dave and the rest of Evolution, and they were all sitting around debating on where to go for dinner. Samantha had been right when she guessed earlier that it would be a group outing. She had also pulled Dave aside and told him about Lilly's reluctance in being a third wheel. Dave for his part had talked to Ric, Randy and Paul about the group going out so that Lilly would feel more comfortable. After a few minutes the group finally settled on a local restaurant that offered several different types of foods so that each of them would have a choice. The group had made arrangements to meet there in 30 minutes before each of them headed off in different directions to take care of business.
Mark remembered that he had heard Ric say earlier that everyone was going to go out to a restaurant after the show. Mark knew that Samantha would make sure that Lilly went with them, and Mark was going to make sure that he went too. Now he just had to find out where. Mark grabbed his stuff and headed out of the dressing room hoping to find someone who would know where Lilly was headed. As luck would have it he didn't have to search too long. Just as he walked into the catering area he saw Ric preparing to leave.
"Hey Ric, wait up a second!" Mark shouted getting the other man's attention. Catching up with Ric, Mark wastes no time getting to the point.
"Hey I heard you guys were all going out to dinner again tonight. I didn't have any plans so I was wondering if I could join you. Mark casually explained.
"Well Mark we are going to a place down on the beach, but I don't think that it would be a good idea for you to join us tonight." Ric said turning to look at Mark.
"Ric, I know that Lilly will be with you guys. I don't want to cause any trouble. I just want a chance to talk to her. I know that I was wrong. I should have never talked toher like that. I just don't know what got into me." Mark said taking a breath.
"I don't know what's gotten into you either Mark. I do know one thing though I'm not going to let you treat Lilly like you did earlier. That little girl is wonderful and does not deserve to be treated the way that you treated her." Ric threatened.
"I know that Ric. Like I said I don't know what has gotten into me. I've only known her 24 hours yet she gets to me more than any woman ever has, even Sara." Mark admitted being honest with Ric as well as himself.
Ric was momentarily stunned into silence. Mark had never been this honest with anyone. If he was willing to be this honest, maybe there was hope for the two of them. Ric knew from spending a little time with Lilly this evening that although she was angry with Mark, she would still be willing to hear what he had to say. "Ok Mark lets go. I will warn you now though, if you hurt that sweet girl again, I will personally kick your sorry ass, and I think that there will be a few more people waiting in line after I'm through with you"
"I know Ric, she is wonderful. I have no intention of hurting her and if I do you have my full permission to hand me my ass on a silver platter." Mark said chuckling.
Ric and Mark was the last to arrive at the restaurant. Everyone else was happily settled in laughing and enjoying each other's company. The two men approached the table unnoticed. Mark quietly observed Lilly as she laughed at something Randy had said. The beauty in Lilly's smile and the sound of her laugh mesmerized Mark. He regretted what had happened so far, and he hoped that he would be able to repair the damage. Saying a silent prayer that he didn't screw up this time, Mark stepped up to the empty chair across from Lilly.
"Excuse me miss is this seat taken?" Mark asked quietly.
Hello everyone! I'm back. Life was really crazy for me for a long time now. That and another case of writer's block stopped me from updating. I hope to update more regularly now. I hope you are still interested. Please give me feedback. Let me know if I should continue.
As before, sadly I do not own anyone. (Although I wouldn't mind owning Batista and/or Mark). The people own themselves, and Vince owns everything else.
