CHAPTER ELEVEN
It took him a year to finally pull himself together. A year to quit the whiskey. A year to get his life back on track. A year to mentally brace himself to see her.
He stared at her house, his head tilting to the side when he heard music coming from the back yard. Slowly, he made his way around the house, halting besides a tree to take in the scene.
Gavin -who had to be fourteen by now- was currently strumming away on a guitar, his upper back length hair glinting in the sunlight. He was sitting on a glider, a girl beside him.
Mark felt his lips twitching into a hint of a smile.
"Hello, Mark."
He slowly turned around, his breath catching in his throat when he seen her. It had been just over five years since he last saw her. Five years…. He quickly took in her much thinner figure and shoulder length black hair, spotting a few streaks of gray and white. She was only what… thirty-eight? And graying already? Though he really couldn't say anything as his own auburn locks were liberally streaked with gray. "Fallon."
"I was wondering when you'd come." She said conversationally, watching as her son romanced his girlfriend, a smile on her face. "That's Gavin's first girl friend."
He blinked, realizing he had missed out completely on his son's life, hanging his head, knowing he had no one to blame but himself.
"Let's go inside and talk." Fallon reached out, taking his hand and guided him inside.
He hadn't known what to expect but it was not this. Not being invited insde the house. Mark could only watch as she gestured to a chair at the wooden table, she moving to the fridge to pull out two long neck bottles of beer. Silently, he sat down, accepting the beer she slid his way.
"You look old."
"So do you, darlin'."
Toasting him, she popped the cap and took a long swallow. "Cheers."
Mildly disconcerted by this apparently new Fallon, he raised his own bottle hesitantly. "Fallon… about, about Jeff."
She just tilted her head to the side, staring at him intently. "Yeah?"
"For what it's worth, I am sorry."
"I know, Mark, I know."
***
Rosa looked up from the glider, watching as Gavin's mom walked outside with a very large man, their hands entwined together. "Who's that with your ma, Gav?"
He glanced up, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "That's my real father." He said quietly, nodding when they waved at him, noting Mark's wave was hesitant.
"I thought Jeff…"
"He's my dad, he raised me. But… I'm not biologically his. Jeff was- IS- and will ALWAYS be my dad."
She laced her fingers through his, smiling at him gently, nodding to show she understood.
***
"Hey Steve, we got a wedding invitation." Jalyssa said, walking into the house, holding a handful of mail, staring down at the open envelope. Somehow, she had known this was coming shortly after Fallon and Mark reestablished themselves as a couple. Fallon's heart might have belonged to Jeff but… even Jalyssa had been able to see that Fallon had feelings for the man who had controlled her life for so long. "Mark and Fal."
"You kiddin' me?" He asked, walking out of the kitchen, peanut butter and jelly all over his face. "The twins." He grunted when she arched an eyebrow, their one year old babies being more than a handful.
"I kid you not." She handed him the invite.
"I reckon it's about damn time."
***
Shadow adjusted the white rose in Fallon's hair, smiling. "I honestly thought you'd never get married." She commented, standing back to examine the white tank dress her best friend wore. "And especially not to him… again."
Fallon smiled slightly, accepting the single red rose Shadow passed her. "Thank you for being my matron of honor." She whispered, hugging her friend tightly.
"You're welcome, you know I'd do anything for you."
"Okay, enough mush…"
***
Kane stood at his brother's side for the first time in almost twenty years, as his best man. He was glad this wasn't anything fancy. He'd worn a tuxedo for his own wedding and was fairly certain he'd never be able to relive the experience. So he'd been relieved to find blue jeans and white button up dress shirts were the formal wear. He cocked his head to the side when he heard the song they'd chosen as their song.
When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin' when I hold you
Don't you know I feel the same
'Cause nothing; lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain
Damn if that song didn't fit them though.
***
Mark watched as his niece, Cadie, walked slowly up the improvised aisle, tossing rose petals in front of her, the wind picking up a few and carrying them away, smiling slightly. They'd both refusen to wed in a church, opting for an outdoor wedding instead.
There was no ring bearer as they'd both gotten their wedding rings tattooed on their ring fingers that very morning, Celtic love knots.
He actually stopped breathing when Shadow came out, knowing Fallon was next.
We've been through this such a long, long time
Just tryin' to kill the pain
But lovers always come and lovers always go
And no one's really sure who's lettin' go today
Walking away
If we could take the time
To lay it on the line
I could rest my head
Just knowin' that you were mine
All mine
Gavin sat in a metal folding chair beside Rosa, turning to watch as his mother walked out from the small tent that had been erected for her. He couldn't help but smile when he seen the happiness on her face. It had taken him awhile to accept Mark being in their lives but… if the man made his mom happy then that's all that mattered.
Of course, he had made it clear Jeff had been his dad. He'd been surprised when Mark had agreed with him.
That had been the beginning of their own relationship. He would never admit it, but it was kind of nice having a father figure again. He caught Mark's eyes, nodding.
So if you want to love me
Then darlin' don't refrain
Or I'll just end up walkin'
In the cold November rain
***
After the wedding and the reception, Fallon was more than ready to begin the honeymoon. Gavin was staying over with Dante, so she knew her son was in good hands. "Thank you for everything." She whispered, hugging Shadow while Mark exchanged handshakes with his brother.
"Anytime."
Jalyssa moved forward. "You go have some fun, you deserve it." She said, winking wickedly, smirking when Fallon just rolled her eyes. "Go on now, git."
Mark watched as his wife exchanged especially tender hugs with Kane, well aware she had been the sibling to Kane that he never was. He glanced at brother, seeing the warning in Kane's eyes and knew he'd be answering to that man if he ever harmed Fallon again.
Which he had no intention of doing.
"You ready, darlin'?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her waist, burying his face in her hair.
"Mmmhmm, anyone seen Gav?"
Dante snorted. "He's inside with Rosa."
"Kane?"
"I'll make sure they behave." He promised, chuckling quietly.
She nodded, relief on her face. "Good, I'm not ready to be a grandma."
Mark paled at that.
***
Do you need some time...on your own
Do you need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...
on their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone
I know it's hard to keep an open heart
When even friends seem out to harm you
But if you could heal a broken heart
Wouldn't time be out to charm you
Sometimes I need some time...on my
own
Sometimes I need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...
on their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone
"Fallon?"
She raised her head off the pillow, too comfortable to do much more than that and looked at him. "Hmm?"
"Love me?"
Arching an eyebrow, she forced herself to roll onto her side, staring into Mark's green eyes, reaching out to caress the side of his face. "Yes."
"Good." A smirk appeared on his face, rolling her onto her back, hovering over her. He leaned down to kiss her, tracing his tongue down her chin to her throat. "Mine." He growled playfully, nibbling on her bare shoulder.
Smiling, she threaded her fingers in his hair, pulling his head back up to hers, kissing him again and again. "Always." She whispered, meeting his piercing stare.
"Always." He echoed.
It was amazing how things had turned out. It had been almost sixteen years since that fateful day Fallon had been taken on by his Ministry as a mercenary. Sixteen years… they'd been married, lost a child, fought, divorced. After all he had done to her, her family and friends… to their son…
And she had somehow managed to love him.
The monster.
She had always been and would forever be his obsession.
And when your fears subside
And shadows still remain
I know that you can love me
When there's no one left to blame
So never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain
THE END