Note: Okay I was going to have this be the last chapter but it was far too long, in my opinion. So I broke it into two chapters. Here goes…
Roger made his way back to the waiting room. Mark stood as soon as he saw him, face wrinkled with concerned.
"How is she? What's going on?"
Roger sat down and motioned for Mark to do the same. "She's, um….they're doing a Caesarian section."
"What? Now?"
"Yeah…they gave her something to stop the contractions but it wasn't working and the ultrasound showed the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck."
"So why are they doing it now? That happens all the time. My nephew had that and—"
"Look I don't have all the answers, Mark. There's more stress or something like that because of the contractions."
"Okay, okay. Will they be okay?"
"Think so."
Mark noticed Roger's legs shaking. He only did that in times of extreme stress. Mark put one hand on his knee, the other on his back. "Calm down, Rog. Deep breaths. They'll be fine."
"I know, I just…"
They sat in silence for the first half hour. Roger alternately paced the room or tapped his legs and fidgeted in his seat. Mark sat almost completely still.
"Roger?"
"Huh?"
"I'm not doing it."
"Not doing what?"
"Being the father."
"What? You said—"
"Listen, okay? I said I would because I didn't think there was anything between you and Mo. There is. You two love each other and there's no way I'm standing between that."
"Mark, I can't do this."
"Yes, you can. You already have."
"What?"
"You told the doctor last time that you were going back there because she's having your kid."
"Mark, I didn't mean—"
"Yes you did. And I'm not mad. You're the baby's father, not me."
"But what about…what about when I get sick?"
"I meant what I said about being there for Maureen and the baby. You're not getting rid of me that easily. I just won't be Daddy. I'll be Uncle Mark. And when you get sick, I'll be there to take care of all three of you."
"Mark, I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I can be a father."
"Rog, do you love Maureen?"
Roger nodded, blinking back tears.
"Do you love the baby?"
He nodded again.
"Then you're a father. And I'm not disappearing. I'll still be there to kick your ass if you fuck up."
Roger laughed and pulled Mark into a hug. "You're not mad?"
"Not at all."
