Ch 23

Mark woke up feeling better. He slowly stretched feeling a slight ache as he moved his injured arm. He headed into the dark living room hearing the light sound of music. He was about to call out to Stacy when he saw her sitting on one of the sofas staring out as the sun was starting to set. He noticed the glistening of tears on her cheeks.

"What's wrong Stacy?" Mark sat down next to her.

"Nothing, just got caught up in my thoughts for a moment. I'll be right back," she smiled trying to stand up.

"What thoughts?" he held onto to her.

"My Dad is helping me start the divorce proceedings. He thinks I'll be free of Adam in no time. I don't think it will be that easy. Adam is going to fight this every step of the way," she looked into his eyes.

"He can fight all he wants with your father involved it will be a losing battle. Are you ready to be free again? Do you want the divorce?" Mark asked searching her eyes.

"This is all happening so fast but I'm ready to move on without Adam," she swallowed hard feeling Mark's lightly caress on her back.

"Stacy, am I making you uncomfortable? I can stop," he lifted his hand from her back.

"You do the complete opposite you make me very comfortable," she blushed.

"Good, that's all I want to do. If I cross a line, just let me know," he continued rubbing her back.

"I just want to forget about this mess. Are you hungry?" she wiped her tears away.

"I'm starving."

"Do you want to go out or stay in?" Stacy asked grabbing a folder next to the sofa.

"Let's do what you said stay in today and we will go out rest of the time here. I have to get used to dealing with these pain meds and still functioning," he rubbed his face in frustration.

"Take a look at the menu I'll be right back. I'm going to change since we are staying in," she handed him the folder turning on the lights on the way into her room. Mark flipped through the menu till he heard her door reopen a few minutes later. He smiled as she walked pass him dressed in a tight light grey lacy camisole and matching lacy short boxers. His eyes ran the length of her body. She grabbed a pen and paper then turned blushing when she noticed him checking her out. He just grinned motioning for her to join him. "Did you decide what you wanted?" she asked settling next to him.

"How about some burgers and fries?" he rested his arm on the couch behind her.

"Sounds good to me," she leaned over grabbing the phone placing the order. "It will be about 20 minutes."

"That's not bad," he tilted his neck trying to loosen it up.

"What's up with your neck?"

"Its sore, hurts when I move certain ways."

"Maybe I can help," she moved behind him sitting on the top of the couch. She slowly kneaded his neck muscles feeling how tense they were. He relaxed back against her enjoying the feeling of her touch for a few minutes. "Mark, maybe you should take a hot shower after dinner to help loosen your muscles up then I can give you another massage," she suggested.

"Only if you let me return the favor," he said.

"Umm..," Stacy hesitated for a moment feeling her body warm at the thought of his caress.

"Stacy, you ok?" Mark gently grabbed her hand turning to look at her.

"Yes, a massage would be great," her cheeks reddened as she brushed his hair away from his neck.

"What's wrong?" he asked pulling her onto his lap.

"It's silly don't worry about it," she tried to move away from him but he held on tightly.

"Tell me darling," he ran his fingers slowly over her cheeks.

"Mark, I…," she stuttered feeling her cheeks getting warmer.

"Don't be afraid say it," he spoke softly staring at her with his mesmerizing eyes.

"Your massage idea gave me good feelings let's just leave it that way," she whispered looking away from him. She rested her head against his shoulder wrapping her arms around him. He didn't say a word just smiled running his fingers through her hair hoping he could give her even more good feelings.

Adam threw his suitcase in the trunk of his car storming back in the house to make sure he didn't forget anything. He stopped in the living room looking around at the massive house not believing he had to move out. All his plans were backfiring one by one.

"I need to get Stacy back then I can worry about her having our baby," Adam said under his breath. He headed upstairs to their bathroom flinging open the cabinets looking for her vitamins finding they were gone. "Hopefully she is still taking the fertility drugs thinking they are vitamins. All I need to do is find a way to sleep with her soon then she'll come back to me if she's pregnant. It will be a win win situation for me," Adam started to relax seeing there was still hope for the future he craved. He jumped when he heard someone unlock the front door. "Stacy?" he rushed to the door running into Stephanie and Dave. "What the hell are you two doing here?"

"Dad wanted to make sure you were packing up," Stephanie glared at him.

"I'm leaving. Have you seen Stacy? I need to know she is alright."

"Not answering that," Stephanie shook her head walking past him.

"Whatever, please tell her to call me. Here are the keys," Adam threw her the key slamming the doors on his way to the garage.

"That went easier than I thought," Dave said taking Stephanie's hand as they walked through the house seeing Adam had left everything except his clothing and some photos.

"He knows better than to mess with my family. Stacy will be better off without him," Stephanie checked the doors making sure they were locked.

"Where did she go?" Dave asked sitting on the edge of the sofa.

"I have no clue probably somewhere quiet like the mountain cabin. She always loved the place," Stephanie softly said remembering how Stacy always voted for that place for vacations while Stephanie wanted to go to Europe or somewhere exotic. "Let me check where she went," Stephanie sat down next to Dave making a few phone calls. Her face filled with disbelief when she heard where Stacy had taken the jet.

"What's wrong babe?"

"Stacy went to Vegas. That isn't like her," Stephanie tapped her fingers on the table trying to figure why Stacy would go there.

"Call her and find out," Dave motioned to her phone. Stephanie dialed her sister getting voice mail right away. "Are you worried?"

"I don't like the idea of my little sister alone and upset in Vegas," Stephanie tried the number again getting voice mail.

"Maybe she isn't alone."

"Her friends are all mommies and home bodies, they wouldn't go to Vegas on short notice. She isn't the type to already be with someone else after leaving Adam. It will take her months if not a year to start up another relationship," her voice was filled with concern.

"Let's go check on her. I don't want you worrying," Dave suggested making Stephanie jump up and hug him.

"I love that idea. We can check on her then have some fun. A perfect relaxing break after what we been through," Stephanie kissed him passionately. He just smiled holding her close while she made all the arrangements to head to Las Vegas.