Chapter 4

SCENE: LEXIE'S APARTMENT THE NEXT NIGHT

(Lexie hears a knock on the door.)

Lexie: You ready for this Aiden?

(Aiden just looks up at her.)

Lexie: Why am I always the nervous one?

(She takes a deep breath before opening the door to Mark.)

Lexie: Hi.

Mark: Hey.

Lexie: Um, come on in.

(She gets out of the way and Mark walks in and as Lexie shuts the door Mark looks down at Aiden and smiles.)

Mark: He's beautiful. Word of advice buddy, it's okay for people to call you beautiful now but when you get older only answer to handsome.

(Lexie laughs.)

Lexie: Would you like to hold him?

Mark: Absolutely.

(Lexie picks Aiden up and hands him to Mark.)

Mark: (Smiling) Hey buddy, how are you?

(Aiden smiles.)

Lexie: Well if you're okay here I'll just go finish up dinner.

Mark: We're great, thanks.

(Lexie smiles slightly and walks back into the kitchen.)

LATER THAT NIGHT

(Lexie is holding Aiden on her couch when Mark walks in.)

Lexie: You didn't have to do the dishes you know? You're my guest.

Mark: Well, you made the dinner and Mrs. Shepherd always told me that if someone's nice enough to make dinner for you the least you can do is do the dishes afterward.

Lexie: Mrs. Shepherd? Is that Dr. Shepherd's mother?

Mark: Yeah, uh... (He sits down on the couch next to her.) She practically raised me, she was there for me when my parents weren't. I always said if I were to be a parent one day that I'd want to be at least half the parent she is.

Lexie: That's nice, that you had someone who was there for you.

Mark: Yeah, um, even when I screwed up she didn't judge even though god knows I deserved to be judged. She saw the good in me I guess.

Lexie: Yeah.

Mark: Um, when's Aiden's birthday?

Lexie: December 20th.

Mark: That must have been a nice early Christmas present.

Lexie: (Laughs.) Yeah, he's the best thing that's ever happened to me, I guess I can thank you for that.

Mark: Glad to be of service, it was literally my pleasure.

(Lexie laughs.)

Lexie: Um, I guess we should talk about what we're going to do here, um, like I said I'm very protective of Aiden and I don't want him to get hurt, that means I need to trust you which I don't yet.

Mark: I can understand that.

Lexie: With that said, maybe we can take this slow for now. You could come over occasionally for dinner and maybe you can come down to have lunch with me and him when he's in the hospital daycare. I just— If I'm going to be able to trust you I need to be there for you to prove that to me for now. I hope you can accept that.

Mark: Lexie, look, I want to be in Aiden's life any way I can be. And I know you're the one who's always been there for him and that means I have to play by your rules. So, I'm going to do anything I can to prove to you that I already love Aiden with my whole heart and I'm completely committed to being his Dad.

Lexie: (Smiles) Good, I'm glad you understand.

(They stay in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.)

Lexie: Um, I guess I should put him to bed, he looks like he's going to fall asleep.

Mark: Um, would you mind if I did it?

Lexie: Um, sure if you want to.

Mark: Absolutely. Come here buddy.

(Mark stand up and carefully takes Aiden out of Lexie's arms and cradles him.)

Lexie: Um, his room is the second door on your left.

Mark: Okay.

(Mark walks out and Lexie smiles.)

A/N: There you go, chapter 4! Let me know what you think!