Disclaimer: Helen Fielding owns all characters etc.

Mark's POV

Chapter 3: Angel of the Morning

November 11th

8:47AM

Wow.

Woke up this morning to beautiful woman staring at me.

My eyes opened groggily and there she was propped up on her elbow, gazing at me with a sleepy smile on her face.

It was a beautiful way to wake up but it startled me a little.

"Good Morning." She whispered.

"Good Morning." I replied sleepily.

"Bridget, why are you staring at me?" I asked rubbing my eyes.

"Mmmm?" She said still in a trance-like state.

"Doesn't matter." I whispered.

I couldn't believe what happened the night before, after months of pining over her like a lovesick puppy...she was mine.

"Lay down." I said softly.

She rested her head on my pillow and lightly caressed my face with her hand.

She was so gentle, last night she looked after me with such care...even though I had acted like a complete clod.

"Did you have a good Birthday?" I asked.

"I think it was the best birthday that I have ever had." She said gently.

I couldn't resist. I leaned over and kissed her. At first it was gentle, then it became more passionate.

As we broke away Bridget said. "Oh...Mr Darcy you are quite the beast." She said biting her lip with a very flirty twinkle in her eye.

"Yes, you'd best be careful...this beast has teeth." I replied.

She laughed cheekily as I leaned over and began to very lightly bite her neck.

"You're not a beast, your a vampire." She said continuing to laugh.

"Yes, my name is Count Darcy and I bite the necks of attractive young virgins." I replied laughing.

"Well Count Darcy, the last time I checked I was not a virgin." She said with a chuckle.

"Oh well." I said. "I will just have to settle for you." I rolled over pinning down her arms and proceeded to bite her neck. She rolled on top of me and kissed me nearly senseless. "Oh Bridget...I..." I began.

She stopped and looked at me.

I panicked. I did it again. I desperately wanted to tell her how much I loved her. I almost did last night too...but I stopped myself.

It might be too soon, she might think I'm too much of a softie.

No...leave it...just at least until I've been going out with her for more than one day!

I stopped the silence by kissing her again and rolling on top of her.

I began to leave kisses all over her neck and throat.

"Oh Mark..." She murmured, breathing heavily.

And let's just say we were both very busy after that.

9:00AM

Hated leaving Bridget like that. But I had a very important meeting at the office at 9. Plus I had to pop by my house and change my clothes, as they were a little ripped and bloody after Mine and Daniel's battle. Not to say that she wasn't more important...still duty calls.

After our little lie in this morning, we went into the kitchen and had some coffee.

She sat at the table across from me.

"It's a shame you have to go...I'll be here...by myself...alone." Bridget said fluttering her eyelashes sweetly.

"Don't do that, you know I would love to stay here with you...but I can't get out of this meeting." I sighed.

She walked slowly towards me with her eyes low, like a little puppy dog.

"Don't you have to go to work?" I asked.

"No, Richard is being strangely kind after my fantastic interview yesterday, he gave me the day off." She replied.

"Please." She said lightly stroking my shoulder with the tip of her finger.

She looked so adorable.

She sat on my lap facing me and began to kiss and nibble my earlobes.

I was on the verge of losing control.

"Bridget." I managed weakly.

"Don't make this harder." I whispered.

"Alright, just promise me that you will hurry straight back after work...maybe we can go out for dinner tonight." She said playing with my hair.

"I Promise." I said softly.

5 minutes later I walked to the front door. "Have a good day." she said sweetly.

Left with a very memorable goodbye kiss.

Now I was in the meeting, thinking about last night.

She was fantastic, she is fantastic.

So funny, so beautiful, gentle and adorable.

A funny, beautiful, gentle, adorable mess of a woman...and I don't think I'd like to have it any other way. In the 20 or so hours I had spent with Bridget, I was smiling and laughing...things that I hadn't done in a long time. I am almost whole again. I was the old Mark Darcy last night and this morning.

Not the Mark Darcy that I became after the divorce. My mind was absolutely racing with new thoughts and feelings, it was almost too much. There is so much I want to tell her, what she means to me, how I feel about her... but again it's too soon, I don't want to scare her off.

I sound like a bloody dizzy teenager gushing about my first crush. Christ what has this woman done to me? Arrgh! Stop! I need to concentrate on work. Work. Something that I used to use to fill up the emptiness, so I wouldn't have to go home so much, sitting in my house...alone...with a book wondering if I was going to be this way forever and...

"Mark, what do you think?" A voice asked at the head of the table.

"Umm..." Shit I'll have to pretend I care about whatever they are talking about.

5:00PM

Cannot believe it.

I've been offered a job. As a senior partner at Abbott and Abbott in New York. Have got so much to think about.

Called Bridget to tell her I was on my way.

"Mother...I've already told you I can't go to dinner with you and Julio tonight! I already have plans! And for the last time...I don't want to hear about your sexlife!" She said as she answered the phone.

"Bridget? Hello?" I asked highly amused.

"Oh...sorry I thought it was Mum." She said with a touch of embarassment in her voice.

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm on my way over to your flat." I said.

"Great." she replied still sounding a bit embarassed.

"So I take it we're still on for dinner tonight then?" I asked.

"Yes of course, so I'll see you in a few minutes then?" She replied.

"Alright, see you then." I said hanging up.

Even having a 30 second conversation with her, my heart is pounding out of my chest. But I must keep my composure...I'm very good at that.

Arrived at her flat.

Opened door to find darkness. I walked around for a bit.

"Bridget? Where are you?" I called softly.

Suddently I felt hands covering my eyes from behind. "Guess who?" Bridget asked playfully.

"Hmm let me see...Dame Edna?" I asked playing along.

Ooh a game...lovely!

"Noooo...have another guess." She said again.

"Una Alconbury?" I asked again.

"How about...a very naughty girl who is about to be punnished severely." I said taking her hands from my eyes and turning around. I put my arms around her waist and hers went around my neck. "I've missed you." She said pouting. "I've had to put up with Mum ringing me all day, filling me in with graphic details of what goes on between her and Julio." She said making a face.

"Hmm...sounds like a productive day." I said sighing.

"You're tired, you've had a long day, come here." She said beckoning me to the sofa.

I sat down and she sat next to me.

We had a nice little cuddle then she began to kiss my neck softly.

"I missed you too." I said weakly.

She looked up into my eyes and we just sat there for a few minutes. Just gazing.

Bloody hell! This is becoming harder not to tell her all these feelings...Just a few more days.

Just remembered about the job. Shit! No wait. I have already made up my mind. There is something or someone more important for me here in England. I can't go. Or would she come with me?

Oh I am so confused. Oh well, for now I will just think about being happy. That is the important thing.

To Be continued