Chapter 14

Mark and I barley spoke over those next three weeks. I had started going to school a few days after getting settled into the new house so, the only time I saw him was when I came home and started doing my homework and taking care of Michael. While I was busy with that, he would either stay in the house or go work out for awhile. It was kind of awkward but…I got use to it after awhile.

I thought things were going to remain that way until one day when we headed out for groceries. I was walking down the aisle for baby food when I got tapped on the shoulder. I turned around and nearly fell to pieces when I saw who it was.

"Jeff?" I said.

He smirked at me and pulled off his sunglasses. His blue eyes still had that same cockiness in them that they had before and his blonde hair still shined brightly. He was wearing a long sleeved white shirt and some blue jeans.

"Hey there lover…I wasn't expecting you to be in such a hot state." He said as he ran his fingers through my hair.

"Don't touch me!" I yelled as I roughly moved his hand away from me.

He laughed, "Still feisty as hell I see. I guess I'm going to have to put you back in your place like I use to."

"Jeff…I'm not going back to you and never will." I said as I moved my buggie away from him. "So please go away and leave me alone."

He shook his head and then looked over my shoulder. "Is that our son?"

I looked back at my sleeping child and then nodded, "Yes. The one you left me with."

"Wow…he looks a lot like me baby." He said as he walked to the side to look at him. "On second thought…he looks a lot like the guy I use to share you with."

I sighed heavily thinking about all the hell Jeff had put me through. Not only did he force me to sleep with him and his friends, but I had to strip for them, and drink alcohol whenever they did. It was hell and clearly it was following me around.

"Just when I get away from you…here you come." I said.

He glared at me, "Now you know you'll never get away from me love…as long as you're alive…I'll always be here to torment you."

"I don't think so."

I looked down the aisle and saw Mark approaching us. Jeff turned around and then laughed, "Oh boy…and whose going to stop me? You perhaps?"

Mark sighed and glared at me, "Serena are you alright?"

I nodded, "Yeah, I am now."

Jeff looked back at me, "So this is what you left me for?"

"Excuse me," Mark snapped, "But I believe you left her…just like you're about to do now."

Jeff chuckled and looked at Mark. "Oh please. If I want to stay around this girl I will and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it biker boy."

Mark slowly took off his sunglasses and stared sharp into Jeff's eyes. "I'm only going to tell you this once…if you ever come near Serena or Michael again…I will make sure you regret it. Do you understand me?"

"Didn't anyone tell you? Serena is my property and always has been." Jeff said.

Mark folded his arms over his chest, "She isn't anyone's property…now unless you want me to go to the police and tell them all the things you've done to this girl…you'll leave her the hell alone."

Jeff looked at me, "He's bluffing right?"

"Try me and see." Mark said as he gripped him up by his shirt. "Now get the hell out of here!"

I watched as he roughly sent Jeff flying up the aisle. I laughed a little before Mark put his arm around me. "Let's go."

I nodded and walked with him to the checkout counter. I sure was hoping I didn't have any more problems with Jeff but of course I was wrong. After that day he started following me to school, sending me threatening e-mails, and even sent the CYS to try and take the baby from me.

It was a nightmare, and it was reaching the point where I started crying myself to sleep every night. I thought it would never end…but I got my wish two weeks before Christmas.

I was in the living room hanging up decorations to surprise Mark. He was out getting a few things for the baby or so I thought. All he said before he left was, "I'll be right back…I've got something to get for Michael."

I asked him what it was but he simply smiled at me and said, "It's a surprise."

That was enough for me, so as soon as he left I went to work decorating the house. So far I had put some holly on the stair rails with white lights mixed in, I put reefs on the front and back doors, and I put lights on the roofs and windows. My favorite room was the living room. I moved the furniture around and put a big Christmas tree up in the corner. I then put some decorations on the mantle of the fireplace and placed presents for him and Michael under the tree. I was just putting on the tinsel when I heard him walk in through the front door.

"Hey Serena?" he yelled from the door. "Where are you at girl?"

I smiled and yelled back, "I'm in the living room."

I listened as he approached the living room, smiling at him when he walked in. He looked around the room with a big smile on his face. "Wow…this place looks great Serena."

I looked over my shoulder at him before adding more tinsel. "Do you really like it?"

"Oh I love it girl. It's perfect." He said as he came into the room. Michael cooed at him and then rolled over onto his belly. I had him laying on his back on a blanket with the Undertaker's picture on it. He was becoming very active the more we put him on the floor which was a good sign.

"Good. It was a surprise for you." I said.

He smiled and hugged me, "Thanks girl."

"You're welcome…so what did you get for Michael?" I asked.

He smirked and then handed me an envelope. I looked at it for a moment before going to sit down on the couch. Mark stood in front of me still wearing that same smirk. "I hope you like it."

I glanced at him before slowly opening the envelope and pulling out several papers. I read through them carefully and gasped when I realized what they were. Not only was my father's will inside, but a court order sentencing Jeff for 10 years in prison was in there too. There was also a paper granting me full custody of Michael. I covered my mouth and looked up at Mark.

"How did you do all of this?" I asked.

He smiled, "Well your mom sent me the will two weeks ago. I held onto it until I was sure it was a good time to give it to you. The rest of it I had a friend of mine look into for you."

I sighed with a smile and then got up and hugged Mark. "Thank you so much…you don't know how much this means to me."

He smiled, "No problem. I think you should really take a look at that will though. Your father left you something that I think you're going to like."

I smiled and read it to myself finding that my father not only left me 400,000 dollars in cash, but his new orange Chevy Avalanche. I gasped and looked at Mark who handed me a set of keys.

"It's in the garage anytime you need it. I've already put Michael's car seat in it too." He said.

I couldn't help but to hug him again. "Mark this is…the best day of my life."

He smiled at me, "Well I'm glad you're happy."

Michael started crying soon after. I got up and picked him up and smelled his butt. "Ew, time for your diaper change."

Mark laughed and watched me leave the room. I was in such high spirits that I didn't notice how sad he seemed. It didn't cross my mind until I was in the process of putting Michael to sleep. What was on his mind? I hated guessing at things so, once I put Michael to sleep I went back downstairs to find him, determined to get him to talk to me.