Chapter 12

"Hey Manny!" Mark said softly as he entered the room. Manny looked up and gave a small, nervous smile. She honestly didn't know to do or say. She looked down again at Taya sleeping peacefully. "How are you?" Mark asked as he sat in the chair to Manny's bed.
"Okay, a bit sore but it'll pass." Manny replied not looking up. She could feel her eye filling up with tears. "How's Sara and the baby?"
"Don't know. Haven't spoken to her since March." Taker said causing Manny to look him in the eyes. "I'm a free man as of last week. I caught her with someone else. Baby's not mine."
"I'm sorry. If it's any consolation, Taya's yours." Manny replied as she held out Taya for Mark. Mark looked at her. "She's your daughter too." Mark looked down at Taya who was waking up. She opened her eyes and looked up. Taya then grabbed one of Mark's fingers. Manny smiled as the tears began to fall from her eyes.
"Why?" Mark whispered.
"What?"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was, but then you went back to Houston to be with Sara. I felt alone and confused. I didn't know what to do. No-one knew until a couple of months ago. I'm sorry." Manny replied as Mark sat at the foot of Manny's bed.
"Don't be. I should have let you speak after Wrestlemaina." Mark said. "So now what?" Manny looked up.
"I don't know. Maybe we should take each day as it comes, just until I can sort myself out."
"I understand." Mark replied as Taya began to cry.
"I think she's hungry." Manny said as Mark gave Taya to her.
"I should be going know. I'll talk to you later." Mark said as he stood up.
"You don't have to. I kinda missed having you around."
"Thanks but I have something to do."
"Okay, here's my number. You can see Taya whenever you want to. Take care." Manny said. Mark took her number and left.
"Looks like it's just me and you for a while." Manny said softly as she fed her daughter.
"Never say that again!" Manny looked up and noticed Shawn standing by the door. Manny finished feeding Taya while Shawn walked in and sat down.
"I just saw Mark leaving. Is everything alright between you two?"
"To tell you the truth, I'm not sure. I told him that we should take each day as it comes and then he left. I just don't know if we'll ever be as close as we were."
"Manny, don't worry. If I know Mark, he just needs to think about some stuff, just like you."
"But…"
"But nothing. Everything will be better than it ever was. Trust me. Now you ready to go home."
"Yeah, let's take Taya home." Manny said as she wiped her eyes and smiled. But she couldn't stop thinking about Mark.

"Mark, how is she?" Glen asked as Mark walked into the hotel room.
"She's doing well and so is Taya." Mark replied as he collapsed onto the sofa.
"I have a niece." Glen smiled. Then he looked at Mark.
"Did you speak to her?"
"Yeah, she's wants to take each day as it comes. But she gave me her number so I can see Taya anytime."
"So what's the problem?"
"I love her. But I can't tell her."
"Why?"
"Because it's my fault she's like this. She was alone for 3 months. Linda practically disowned her. All because if me. It's my fault she got pregnant. I was the one who kissed her that night and now I can't tell her how I feel. I used to be able to tell her everything, but now, it seems we hardly know each other."
"Mark, its no-one's fault all this happened. It was meant to be." Glen said as he sat next to Mark. "Look bro, I know it's eating you up inside, but you have to respect Manny's wishes. She just had Taya; she's been alone during most of her pregnancy. She's confused. Give her time, she'll fine. Just don't lose hope." Glen added as he put his hand on Mark's shoulder. Mark looked at Glen and nodded. "So who does my niece look more like?"
"She's all Manny 'cept for the eyes. Taya has my eyes. She's like an angel just like Manny." Mark replied as he smiled.
"Don't worry Bro; you've been put on this earth just for Manny." Glen said looking at Mark's facial expression. It was strange because Mark actually looked like he was scared. As long as Glen could remember, Mark had never been scared 'cept when the fire took place when they were kids. Mark looked at Glen with his head slightly tilted to one side.
"Ya think so?"
"I know so." Glen replied causing Mark to smile.