Super short, I know. Sorry. I'm just borrowing the GL reference, by the way, so don't sue me.

Chapter 16

Upon arriving back at the hospital, Roger went in to see Stephanie and Glory, and Mark pulled Jennifer aside. "Can we talk?" he asked, looking down at her.

Jennifer swallowed. "You finally want to?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Yeah, I do," Mark said. "Jen, I'm sorry about what I said; all of it. I was out of line."

Jennifer nodded. "Yeah, you were," she said, looking up at him. "But I know where you were coming from."

Mark nodded. "Still, I shouldn't have said all that I did. I don't want to leave you."

"Well, maybe it is a good idea," Jennifer said, "at least for a little while?"

"You mean, get a divorce?" Mark asked, stunned at her words.

Back in the room, Stephanie, stunned at what she was hearing, sat bolt upright in her bed, startling Glory, who was awake in her bassinet. The newborn started to cry and Roger quickly got her and started to walk around with her.

"Stephanie, don't interfere," Roger warned her.

"I won't," Stephanie said, "but, oh my God... them, get a divorce? It's impossible."

"I know," Roger said, rocking the newborn, who had, thankfully, stopped crying. "Just listen."

Jennifer shook her head. "No, Mark," she said. "I don't want a divorce. I just think we need a break from each other, like you said. I can stay with Stephanie for a while, I'm sure she'll be OK with it." Jennifer put her hand on his arm, as he turned away from her. "I just don't want you to be alone." Jennifer looked down and shook her head. "I know that's what I meant by us being separated from each other… but, you know, you do still have Collins and Mo and Jo; Steph and Roger, too."

Mark sniffed. "Yeah, a lot of good they'll do," he said, caressing her cheek. "When Roger finds out, he'll just start fighting with me again. You're the one I want to be with, Jen."

"Well, if you want that," Jennifer said, taking his hand away from her face, "then we've got to put this behind us and move on, Mark."

Mark swallowed this time. "Can I— can I think about it for a while?" he stammered.

Jennifer looked up at him. "How long do you need?" she asked.

"Oh, I don't know… a week?" Mark asked, looking down at her.

Jennifer nodded understandingly, looking up at him. "Sure," she said. "I'll be at Stephanie's while you think about it, OK?"

"OK," Mark said, looking down at her with tears in his eyes. He was so used to them living at the loft together. It wasn't much, compared to Jennifer's old manor, but it was all he had to give her. "So I guess, for now, this is… goodbye?"

Jennifer nodded uncomfortably again. "Yeah, I guess it is. Bye, Mark."

"Bye, Jennifer," Mark choked. Once Jennifer was back inside the hospital room, he turned and ran, tears streaming down his face. Only one thought was running through his head.

I can't believe this is… goodbye…

The next chapter will be up ASAP, and it will start a few days' time after this left off.

Until next time, lots of love,

Renthead07