The following morning, as Brandy woke, a grin immediately spread across her face at the feel of Mark's warm, hard body pressed snugly into hers. It had been far too long since she last woke up feeling this peaceful and safe. Wrapping an arm around his midsection, she gave him a squeeze, still trying to comprehend this was her reality. For so long, she desperately yearned to have this back, and it was surreal to think he was actually there, sleeping peacefully next to her.
Getting up on her elbow, Brandy simply watched him for a long moment, studying every last detail of his face. Every single night since she had been taken away, she fell asleep with the last image in her head being that of his face, and it was apparent to her, her memory had not done justice to just how handsome of a man he truly was. Brushing his hair back from his face, she leaned down to softly kiss his lips, and was taken by surprise when he gently cupped her head as he kissed her back.
"Mm, mornin' darlin'," he mumbled when she pulled back, smiling sleepily up at her.
"Morning," she replied with a smile, and kissed him once more. "How did you sleep?"
"I had you in my arms, so I slept great," he stated, making her give a sheepish grin.
"It's nice having my teddy bear back," she admitted as she buried herself back against him, making him chuckle. The two of them laid there in silence for a moment, before she added, "So...what now?"
He glanced down at her. "What do you mean?"
"I mean...what now? What is going to happen between us? Are we supposed to act like everything is fine, and nothing ever happened? Because I don't know if I can do that."
Mark knew they had a serious discussion coming, and apparently she was wasting no time in getting down to it. Sighing, he turned on his side to where he was facing her and said, "I don't expect you to act like nothing happened. This was obviously a very serious situation both of us were put through. It's going to take some time, and we are going to have to work through things, but...I like to think what we have is worth that."
Brandy could not help but to smile at this. "You are more than worth it, Mark. I just...I guess I just feel broken again."
"How so?"
"I feel like I did when I first left Tom, only this time it's much worse, because he obvious took it to a whole new level. I'm...I'm not sure if this is something I can come back from this time."
"Darlin', we will work through this together. Whatever you need me to do, I'll do. Whatever resources you need, I will get you. I will do anything within my power for you, as long as it means I get my girl back."
Again, Brandy smiled, and leaned forward to kiss him. "I never stopped being your girl, Mark," she commented quietly, and it was his turn to smile. "So...what made you come here last night? When I saw you last, you had pretty strong feelings, and didn't really seem to want anything to do with me. Obviously, something must have happened between now and then."
Mark hesitated, before replying, "I saw, Brandy." When a confused expression crossed her face, he added, "I saw...I saw what Tom did to you...what he recorded. I watched them all...I couldn't stop myself once I started." Brandy was taken by surprise when tears suddenly began to form in his eyes. "Seeing him put his hands on you...and hurt you...and...just knowing I was so angry with you that whole time...this whole time that you needed me the most, I just..."
A sick feeling came to Brandy's stomach at knowing Mark had witnessed it, but seeing him struggle to keep from falling apart made her focus on him. Touching his face, she said quietly, "Mark, you didn't know. None of you did."
"I should have known better. I should have known something wasn't right. Everything about that call was so unlike you, and..." he started to say, when his emotions once more got the better of him, and as a few stray tears escaped he finally got out, "I just should have been there for you, and I don't think I can ever forgive myself for deserting you like I did."
Her heart breaking, Brandy pulled him into her arms, and as she held him she could feel him slightly trembling as he fought down his emotions. "I love you with all my heart, Mark. That never changed, and it never will change," she reassured him as her fingers idly sifted through his hair. When he pulled back to look at her, she softly kissed him before adding, "I think it's safe to say we both have a lot of recovering to do."
Simply looking at her, Mark nodded before kissing her forehead. "I hope you know I meant what I said last night...I can't leave you behind like I did before. I can never stay away from you like that again...so I either need you to come with me on the road...or I need to start planning for my retirement."
"Mark-"
"Brandy, please don't fight me on this. I almost lost you. I can't go through something like this again...please try to understand where I am coming from."
Once more touching his face, Brandy replied, "If you'd let me talk, you big goober, I was going to say I could never be the reason you retire...so I would love to go on the road with you, if that is what you want."
Relieved, Mark tackled her to the bed, making her squeal with laughter as he pressed kisses all over her face. Smiling down at her, he kissed her lips lovingly before rolling back over onto his back, bringing her with him as he did so. As he played with her hair, the two of them laid intertwined for a moment before he broke the silence by saying, "I think I am going to ask Vince for an extended leave, just while we try to get back into a somewhat normal routine. I want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible before we take this step, because traveling like this can take a lot out of you. You're already going through a lot, I want to avoid adding any additional problems for you."
"Mark, I appreciate your concern, but I'll be okay. I like to think I'm a pretty tough girl, and I think I can handle being on the road with you."
He could not help but to smile at this. "You are the toughest person I know, baby, I'm not denying that. It's just...I just want you happy, and I want to make sure you're okay."
Brandy smiled back. "You're always thinking of me," she commented, and felt him give her a light squeeze. "You're right, though. I think some time of just you and me would be best...if it's possible, that is. I don't want to get you in trouble with Vince."
Mark laughed at this. "Vince would do damn near anything I asked of him, as long as it meant him keeping me around. Trust me, darlin', this isn't going to get me in trouble," he reassured her, and pressed a kiss to her head before adding, "Come on, let's go take a shower. I want to get you settled back at home so I can finally have you all to myself again."
Brandy grinned at this, and giggled when he pulled her out of the bed with him and placed her carefully on her feet. Taking his hand in hers, she led him to the bathroom attached to her bedroom, where they both got into the shower together. As he wet his hair, Brandy could not help but to let her eyes slide over his impressive physique, from his sculpted arms and shoulders down to the tight curve of his ass. When he turned to face her, her gaze involuntarily went to where his cock laid nestled in a bed of curls between his strong thighs, and when she looked back up her cheeks grew hot when she realized he caught her staring.
"See something you like?" he asked teasingly, chuckling when she grinned and shrugged her shoulders.
"He's just...there, I can't help it if he caught my attention."
Mark laughed once more. "Come here, beautiful," he replied, holding his hand out to her, and when she stepped closer to him he tenderly smoothed his hands over her hair as he ensured it was thoroughly wet. Cupping her face, he brought his gaze to her eyes, and simply stared at her for a moment before leaning down to kiss her. What started out as an innocent kiss quickly turned heated, and Mark groaned when he felt her take his hardening cock in her hand. "It feels to me like you really like him," he added breathlessly, groaning once more when she began to stroke him.
"I like what he does for me."
"Oh yeah?" She nodded. "And what's that?"
Brandy bit her lip, before replying, "He makes me cum harder than I've ever cum before."
Mark grinned at this. "Is that something you're wanting him to do for you right now?" Smiling innocently up at him, she quickly nodded once more. "I thought we were in here to shower?"
"We are, the shower isn't going anywhere anytime soon."
Chuckling, Mark took her by surprise when he grabbed her around the waist and suddenly lifted her up, to where they were eye level. "I love you," he commented, knowing this confession was beginning to become excessive but unable to help himself. He had went so long without being able to properly say it, and now it was as if he could not say it enough.
Brandy simply smiled, and touched his cheek. "I love you too," she replied, and kissed him softly. As she did so, he suddenly lowered her onto his thick erection, his action making her moan into his mouth as her nails dug into his arms. "Shit," she hissed when she pulled back, biting her lip hard.
"You okay?" he asked as he slowly thrusted his hips into hers, and quickly she nodded.
"I'm perfect," she replied with a smile, and smiling back he kissed her once more as his hips drove quicker into hers.
"So are you sure it's me you love, and not him?" Mark asked teasingly, making her giggle.
"You, silly. Although, he is attached to you, so that means I must love him too," she replied, making him laugh.
"Well he said he loves you too, and that he wants you to cum all over him," Mark murmured, and the atmosphere quickly grew serious as his motions turned into short stabs.
"Please don't stop, I'm getting so close," Brandy whispered, her legs locking around his waist in an effort to draw him in even deeper.
"Me too...cum for me, baby," he panted, his nails biting into the globes of her ass. As soon as he felt her spasm around him and heard her whimper his name, he pressed his face into her shoulder and let out low moans as his climax washed over him, before finally slumping into the wall.
For a long moment, they remained wrapped up in one another as they came down from their sexual highs, until Brandy finally broke the silence by complaining, "The water is getting cold."
"Hey, you wanted it," he commented as he placed her back on her feet, chuckling when she playfully swatted at his chest.
"Yeah yeah, I know, I asked for it. Now turn the hot water up, and lets finish this shower up before we become permanent prunes," she replied, and obliging Mark reached over to add more hot water before they quickly finished their shower. Once out, they stepped back into the bedroom area, where they dried each other off before getting dressed. "It smells like someone else is up," Brandy commented when she noticed the scent of coffee. "Are you hungry?"
"After the last twelve hours we've had, I'd say yeah, I'm pretty hungry," Mark stated, chuckling when he saw her blush.
"Well let's go make some breakfast, then," she replied, and walking hand in hand the two of them made their way downstairs, where they found both Glenn and Teresa already in the kitchen making food. "Hey, good morning you two. I'm surprised you're up already," Brandy stated as she walked over to the cabinet next to the sink, and grabbed a couple of mugs for her and Mark.
"It wasn't by choice," Teresa grumbled, making Brandy laugh. "Glenn neglected to inform me he had an appointment this morning, and somehow I let him talk me into accompanying him."
"Hey, we made an agreement, woman. Don't make it sound like I'm forcing you into joining me," Glenn retorted, looking up at her over his newspaper. Teresa responded by flipping him the bird, which made them all laugh.
"Anyway, are you guys hungry? I was just about to make us some breakfast to try and soak up all that liquor I can still feel," Teresa asked as she placed eggs on the counter, before walking over to Mark to give him a hug. "I am going to assume since you stayed overnight in the same bed as her, that means you finally pulled your head out of your ass?"
"Fuck you," Mark chuckled, giving her a squeeze before playfully pushing her away.
"Teresa, you know Mark is as stubborn as Glenn, if not more stubborn," Brandy commented, giggling when he tickled her side before pulling her tightly to him. "And yes, we would love some breakfast, thank you. Would you like some help?"
"Oh no, I've got this. Coffee is done, though, feel free to help yourself to some," Teresa replied as she cracked open one last egg, and began to whisk them all together.
"So what does this mean for you two?" Glenn asked as Brandy poured coffee, motioning between her and Mark.
"Well, as grateful as I am of you two taking care of my girl for as long as you did, I think it's time for her to come home. We are going to take some time to ourselves for a while, before she joins me on the road," Mark replied.
Teresa put down her spatula and spun around to look at Mark. "First, you scare me shitless in the middle of the night in my own house. Now, you're telling me you're taking my best friend away from me? What the hell is wrong with you, Mark?"
Mark grinned for a split second, but his smile quickly left when he realized she was not joking. "Did...I do something wrong?" Shaking her head, Teresa tossed down the towel she had been using, and remaining silent walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Completely baffled, Mark looked back and forth between Brandy and Glenn. "Did I say something wrong?"
"If you guys keep an eye on the food, I'll go check on her," Brandy replied, and gave Mark's arm a light squeeze before making her way up the stairs as well.
Stopping in front of the master bedroom, she gave a quiet knock, and was greeted to a muffled but distinct, "Fuck off."
"Teresa, it's Brandy. Can I come in?" she called out. There was a moment of silence, until finally the door cracked open, and Teresa allowed her to walk into the room. Once behind a closed door, Brandy asked, "What was that down there?" Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, Teresa turned her back to Brandy and weakly shrugged. "No, come on, talk to me. What's going on? I thought you would be happy to finally get me out of your hair."
When Teresa finally turned back around, Brandy was surprised when she saw tears in her eyes. "It's just..."
"What?"
"I don't want to see you hurt again, and I don't want to lose you again. You're my best friend, Brandy, and it was hard enough losing you once..." Shaking her head, Teresa looked down as she added quietly, "I'm sorry, I guess I just feel a little bit protective of you after everything that's happened."
Stepping forward, Brandy pulled Teresa to her for a tight hug. "Hey, you're not going to lose me, okay? All of that is in the past. Tom's gone for good, and you know Mark is nothing like him. Plus, I'm going to have him and Glenn around me all the time. Nothing like that will ever happen again, I'm not going anywhere."
"Yeah, but you're going to be gone all the time like Glenn now. What am I supposed to do with my time now?"
Brandy smirked at this as she pulled back. "I'm only a phone call away. Not to mention you know Glenn will let you come with him anytime you want, we both know he would love that. We've got options, silly. You're getting upset over nothing."
Teresa let out a heavy sigh. "I know, I'm sorry. I guess I've been extra emotional here lately."
"Why?"
Teresa hesitated, before starting, "Well...there's a chance...I might be..."
When she did not finish her sentence, Brandy frowned in confusion, but once she finally realized what Teresa was trying to say here eyes grew wide. "No!" she gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, and when Teresa nodded she gave a squeal of excitement.
"Shh, I haven't told Glenn yet!" Teresa whispered, glancing over at the door, and nodding Brandy quieted down. "I see my doctor on Wednesday, so I find out for sure then, but I'm pretty positive I am."
With a wide grin, Brandy once more hugged Teresa tightly, when they suddenly heard the smoke alarm going on. "Oh shit, the food!" she cried out, and the two of them quickly made their way back down to the kitchen, where the found Glenn waving a towel at the smoke detector while Mark ran a pan under the sink faucet.
"What the fuck, guys? I asked you to keep an eye on the food, not burn the house down," Teresa commented, both women laughing at the guys.
"Hey, we tried. The eggs are, uh...well, they're a little over done," Mark stated, an apologetic expression on his face.
Teresa simply shook her head. "How about we go out to eat, instead?" she replied, and they all laughed as they got ready to head to the nearby diner for food.