Chapter 22: Just Maybe

Mark bounced little Sofia on his knee as he continued to sit at Lexie's beside. Callie had dropped her off in hopes that she would lighten Mark's dreary mood, and then rushed back off so she could finish her surgeries early and be back by evening to support Mark and Lexie. Mark had to admit that seeing his little bundle of joy did make him feel better, especially since he hadn't seen her in days. It just wasn't the same even so. He couldn't be a hundred percent better until he could see Lexie normal again. But even so he took joy in playing with his little girl. He tickled her chubby little cheeks and smiled as Sofia erupted into a cackle of laughter. Even though his smile only lasted him a few seconds it still felt good. It was reliving to pull his frowning grumpy face into a lighter position, yet he couldn't seem to keep it there. Too many depressing thoughts dwindled in his mess of a mind.

"How's Daddy's girl?" Mark spoke to Sofia in a cute baby voice, "Daddy missed you so much today. We didn't get to have our Daddy-Daughter breakfast like we always do."

Sofia made indefinable sounds and cooed while playing with Mark's scruffy beard. Mark laughed as his daughter clawed at his fuzzy chin with her soft little hands, curious at the scratchy facial hair that Mark hadn't had since before she was born. It must've been something new and exciting to her even though to Mark it was just a reminder that he hadn't had a shower in the past 30 some hours.

Mark then lifted Sofia above his head and stared at her as she gazed around in awe. "So big," He hummed like he always did whenever he raised her up above his height, "Sofia's so big! Don't you dare grow up, my little munchkin. You have to stay young forever." He now hugged her and rocked back and forth, feeling her smooth cheek on his face.

Mark now looked back at Lexie, who was still sleeping., while continuing to bounce Sofia on his jittering knee. "C'mon Lex. Wake up. Need to see you again. I need to hear your voice and know that you're still okay. I keep missing you every time you wake up. I did something bad and I really need to tell you about it. I need to tell you when you can actually hear and comprehend it. Because I want you to know what I did. I don't know if you'll approve of it or not but…I'm doing it all for you. Oh god…. I can't tell you right now. You've already been through enough. You don't need another thing to worry about." Mark rambled quietly. "I hope you don't get mad at me for it though. I think I'm using Julia though….Psh think….I am using her. And I feel awful. But I just can't quit now….Julia promised to help get your sight back. If I break-up with her she might not be willing to do the surgery. I know what I'm doing is messed up but I want to help you. And as soon as this is over I promise I'll tell Jules the truth and then…Maybe then we can be together again…Just maybe."

A few minutes later after Mark was finished ranting all his thoughts out-loud he tried to relax. Just close his eyes and think about something else. He needed to take his mind off of all this crap. He tried to imagine things differently. It was hard at first but then he got the hang of it. He imagined how life could be once this all blew over. Him and Lexie settling down. A big white wedding where Lexie would look more beautiful than ever. A cute house in the suburbs with a dog running around the yard. Maybe….Hopefully even having kids of their own. As Mark played out his perfect life he was suddenly torn away from his extensive daydream by the sound of murmuring. He lurched forward in his chair a bit, almost forgetting that he still had Sofia cradled in his arms. He saw Lexie's eyelids fluttering again and instantly smiled. He scooted his chair forward a bit and whispered her name, "Lexie."

"Huh?" Lexie replied, still only half conscious.

"How ya feeling?"

"….Better. Better than before at least." She answered as she finally was fully awake, and aware of the situation.

"Good. That's so good to hear." Mark almost cried. "How's your pain?"

"Hmmm maybe a five." Lexie decided.

"Do you want me to call Shepherd…Or Meredith, or someone?" Mark stuttered.

"No. That's okay. I'm fine with you."

"Well me and Sofia," Mark pointed out for her since she couldn't see. Sofia then squealed after her Daddy clapped her hands together.

"Well she's…Sounding…. As cute as ever." Lexie fumbled with the right words.

"Yeah I think she's glad to see you. We're both glad to see you…Awake….And all." Mark pushed through the awkwardness.

"I'm glad to hypothetically see you too," Lexie stated.

Mark laughed at her humor. Then he stood up, shifting Sofia to one side of his body and balancing her on his hip. He walked over to the water pitcher and refilled her plastic cup with the bendy straw. Lexie listened to the familiar sound of water being poured and gladly took the drink as Mark handed to her and held the straw in place so she could find it.

"Need to stay hydrated," He commented, "Here comes nurse J to the rescue." He alarmed her as he watched her strutting towards the room with a tray.

"Shepherd's on his way. He wants to do a final analysis and then start up his course of treatment," She informed Mark.

"Okay," Mark answered in agreement.

"Time for meds right now," She said and walked up to Lexie holding the tray with assorted Dixie cups.

END OF CHAPTER 22

Sorry guys I know this chapter was probably pretty lame. I'm kinda stuck right now. I'm tired off all this boring hospital room, Lexie always asleep junk so im gonna try and speed up from here out. I think somewhere in the next chapters I might jump ahead some time, like maybe a month or two so I can get on with the plot better cos I already have 21 chapters of Lexie recovering from surgery and all and I think that im dragging that portion out too much….If that makes sense idk. But anyways! Leave me some comments cause I'd like some of your opinions and thoughts cause im having some writer's block right now.