(Chapter Twenty)

A few days in Paris, touring the city, dining in fine restaurants and shopping with Mark was a great distraction for Dee Dee, but it was now time for her to gain her courage and see to business concerning her life in London. She had called Anna to let her know they'd returned and that she would soon try to get things in order. Anna made plans to arrive at her daughter's home within the week.

In the meantime, Dee Dee and Mark would remain at the hotel.

Sitting in the hotel's garden, the two discussed their time together in Paris. They were able to leave so many cares behind and simply enjoy the best of the city and each others company.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Mark smiled at his companion.

"It was wonderful." Dee Dee returned the gesture. "I felt a little less sad at times, you know?" She took Mark's hand in hers. "Thank you. You have no idea of how much you're helping me."

"You're most welcome."

"I just dread having to go back to the house. I hate to drag you along with me, but I do still need you." Dee Dee felt ashamed of herself, but she was being honest. That was a pact they'd made...to be honest.

"You know I don't mind, and you're not dragging me anyplace."

"Thanks. I guess my mom will be of help, but I hope she doesn't upset me. She'll most likely talk about Rick when she knows I don't want to. At least he hasn't been calling me." Dee Dee sighed at the thought, plus at her upcoming admittance to her curiosity. "I know I told you that I didn't want to know if he calls you to ask about me, but for some reason, I've been wanting to know. I feel angry when I think of it, so maybe if I know, I can get past it."

Mark nodded, knowing that she may be right. "Yes, he's called. He's called five times since you moved in, but he's never asked a lot of questions. He only wanted to know how you were. I' never went into any details and would tell him that you're okay."

"Thanks. I'm not surprised he called, of course." Dee Dee shook her head and exhaled sharply. "What's so hard for him to understand that I want nothing more to do with him?"

Mark wasn't sure of how Dee Dee would react, but since they were always open and honest with each other, he had to speak his mind. "It's hard to let go and not care at all when you love someone. It's even harder when you're in love with them. He's still in love with you."

"Well, he needs to a way to get over me." Dee Dee huffed. "You don't hurt someone you love, the way he hurt me." She placed her hand on Mark's arm and looked into his eyes. "I could never hurt you and I know you could never hurt me."

"I know you couldn't, and I truly feel that. And you're right. I couldn't hurt you, either. Not for the world."

"Hello?"

"Hi, Anna. How are you?"

"I'm okay, Rick. How about you?"

"I've been better. I want Dee Dee to talk to me. I want us to be the way we used to be."

Anna twirled the phone cord around her finger. "I'd like that for the both of you, too. I just don't know how to make it happen."

"I have an idea, but it may pull us further apart. I just have to try it. I can't go on living like this, Anna. I'm miserable without her."

"I know. What's your idea?"

"I want to go to London, somehow get her alone and force her to listen to me. Maybe something will click and she'll understand that what she's feeling isn't normal."

Anna pursed her lips as she began to worry. "Yes, something like that may backfire. I guess there's not much else to be done, though. Something's go to give. I don't like that she may feel such hatred toward you for the rest of her life, and even more, I can't stand the idea of her possibly having a serious...mental issue." It broke Anna's heart to have such an idea, but she knew it was possible. Whether she believes the truth or not, she needs to hear it from you."

Rick sighed in relief. "Thank you for being supportive. I'm going to start making plans for the trip right away. When are you planning to go over?"

"I'm leaving on Monday."

"Okay. I may be able to make it around that time if I can get away from work, but I won't go directly to her house when I arrive. If you don't mind, I'll let you fill me in on how she's doing before I try to see her."

"That sounds fine. I'm glad you're not giving up on her. She really needs you, no matter how much she relies on Mark and feels that she may be in love with him. Even if they end up together, she needs to hear what you have to say."

As much as it hurt Rick to know that he could lose her to Mark forever, he did know that Anna had a point. "As I said before, she'll at least know that I fought for her whether she wants me to or not. I love her that much. I can't give up without her knowing that."

The next morning, Rick was tired from lack of sleep. He'd spend several hours wondering if he would be able to have any success with his plan, but there was no way that he wouldn't try. He knocked on Charlie's door.

"Hunter. What do you need?"

"A huge favor, Charlie." Rick took a seat and stifled a yawn. "I need time off from work. I want to go to London and see Dee Dee."

"She's agreed to see you?" Charlie asked with hope.

Rick shook his head. "No. I've just decided that whether she forgives me or not, I may be losing her forever to Mark, and I need to at least try to have her understand that I didn't hurt her on purpose...that I never could. She needs to know that she's not thinking clearly. I have to do something, Charlie. I can't stand knowing that she may hate me forever without realizing she's been wrong in how she's thinking."

"Yeah." Charlie agreed sympathetically. "I know it's been killing you, and I feel terrible for the both of you. You and she need some sort of closure, whether she comes back to you or not."

"With all of her suffering, I'm glad she has Mark, but I need her to know that I'm still here for her, too. I need her to know that...I love her." Rick leaned forward and clasped his hands together, slowly looking up at his boss and friend. "I'm in love with her, Charlie." He admitted. "If I have to let her go for good, I can't do it without telling her. I lost her to Alex twice because I didn't try hard enough. I can't lose her to Mark for the same reason."

Charlie nodded as he imagined himself in such a situation. "I'll see about getting you your leave right away. With your record, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Thanks a lot." Rick stood and shook hands with Charlie who patted him on the back.

"I hope it works out for you. I really do."

On Tuesday morning, Dee Dee and Mark met Anna at the airport. Though Dee Dee felt uneasy about seeing her mother, she met her with a warm embrace.

"How are you, sweetheart?" Anna asked softly.

"I'm okay, I guess." Dee Dee stepped back.

"Anna." Mark stepped up to shake her hand, but she put her arms around him and he complied. "It's good to see you."

"You, too."

After the greetings were finished, the trio gathered Anna's luggage and headed for the car. Mark tried to keep a decent conversation going with Anna as Dee Dee kept quiet during most of the ride. The tension between the two women was strong. Dee Dee was afraid that if she spoke too much, Anna would bring up a subject she wanted so desperately to avoid.

Anna would be staying at the same hotel as Mark and Dee Dee. Once they got her settled in her room, they discussed plans for the restaurant.

"Would you like to go and get something to eat now, or would you rather get some rest, first?" Dee Dee asked.

"I'm a bit hungry, but I can order room service."

Dee Dee felt guilt and aggravation building. "You don't have to eat alone. We want you to come with us the the restaurant. There's a great one right here in the hotel."

"Are you sure? I don't want to impose or be a bother."

Dee Dee cringed as her mother had begun to annoy her even more. "Mom, you're not imposing...you're not being a bother. We wouldn't have invited you if we felt that way."

"Okay, thank you. I'd like to freshen up before we go."

"That's fine. Just call when you're ready." Dee Dee gave her mother the number to their suite, then she and Mark left.

Mark offered a little praise as he and Dee Dee walked toward the elevator. "I think you did pretty well back there."

"Thanks. It was a bit, but I tried."

"It'll be okay. I have a feeling that everything will fall into place."

The dinner was quite pleasant as Dee Dee and Anna were able to talk without an argument. Dee Dee was even able to laugh a few times which brought joy to both Anna and Mark.

Two days had passed and Dee Dee had geared up enough courage to visit her home to try and get things in order. She, Mark and Anna would be getting an early start during the next morning.

"Welcome, Sir. How may I help you?"

"I have a room reserved. The name is Rick Hunter."