The night did not seem to last long enough for Mary as she felt she had just closed her eyes when her alarm had just gone off. She turned it off to find Norah still fast asleep and a text from both Marshall and Stan. Then she remembered about the photo she sent them. She had placed Norah into the middle of the bed to make sure she wouldn't fall out. Mary slowly walked in the kitchen to make her first of many cups of coffee for today. Mary was used to the early mornings but really didn't want to leave Norah today. Jinx was coming around today to look after Norah, she would arrive at 7:20am for Mary to get to the office for about 7:40am. Jinx was great with Norah and Mary had only wished she had been like that with her. Sometimes Norah would still be asleep when Mary had to leave, which Mary absolutely hated. She had gone back into the bedroom to check on Norah, who was still fast asleep, and to grab her phone. She sat at the kitchen table with coffee in hand. She read the message from Stan first which read 'Look at how big she is now. Missing her every day. Can't wait to see her again, got a package from me and Lia on the way to her. Give her a kiss from me. How's Marshall doing? Be there for him Mary, you'll always be partners x', as much as she hated to admit this Stan was right. She needs to be there for him. She missed Stan a hell of a lot. She replied to Stan with 'We're all missing you too and Stan you know you shouldn't have! How's Lia settling in? He's doing well Stan, and I know, he knows I'm there for him x'. She then read the second message from Marshall which was sent at a ridiculous time in the morning which said, 'Look at that gaping smile, I'm missing her. The pyjamas are great. Hope you two both sleep well, night girls x'. Why was Marshall awake at that time? His reply made her smile, but Marshall knew where Mary lived. He knew he was more than welcome to visit Norah anytime he liked. Mary knew how much Marshall loved Norah.
/
Meanwhile over at Marshall's house both Marshall and Abigail were awake and having breakfast. Marshall was on his second cup of coffee, "look at the picture Mary sent me last night", Abigail looked up as she saw Marshall scroll through his phone to find it, "it said thank you for the pyjamas Uncle Marshall", he said proudly whilst holding out the phone to Abigail. "Bless that sweet face." The tone Abigail had used to say this meant that something else was coming after this, "but I'm pretty sure we bought her them, not just you", Marshall instantly sat himself up straight, "actually Mary doesn't have your number and no I bought her them just before she was born, whilst I was on the way to work." Marshall was not having Abigail say anything about Norah. And yet again they spent the morning arguing. This time Mary's name had popped up a few times. "Abigail, you're being totally irrelevant about the whole situation, you know I made it clear to Mary about our relationship, right after her Dad died," why couldn't Abigail get this, did she not know how hard it was, "don't bring her Dad into this Marshall, the time you walked out of the engagement party for! Do you know how little I felt!" Abigail was angry at this time, "she's my partner Abs for gods sake! Her father had just died, I was her only friend!", Marshall couldn't believe how nasty Abigail could be, "and now she has no friends," Abigail didn't care what came out of her mouth, "ENOUGH!", Marshall had had enough. He was done. "I'm leaving for a few days Abs, don't bother me, and don't bother calling the office, we can't continue like this. I chose you over Mary, why can't you see that! I hope that our time apart will make you realise this!" Marshall was done with this. He would come for a change of clothes during one of his breaks at some point durning the day. He was so angry with Abigail. He left the house in a hurry and slammed the door behind him. 'Fuck her', he thought.
/
Marshall dove into his car and soon pulled away from his driveway, second day of being Chief and there were already problems. And these problems were not even bring caused by Mary. He text Mary saying 'I'm coming to pick you up, hope Bug is awake.', no kisses on this message. He had always had done. He was just so focused, he wanted to see Norah.
/
When Mary received this text she did not think anything of it. Maybe he was just a little early from leaving the house and he always knew that Mary was late some morning. Lucky enough for Marshall, Norah was awake and having her breakfast. A little more energetic this morning too, "ah you must have known Uncle Marshall was coming." Mary said to Norah who was smiling even more when she heard Marshall's name. Mary was looking forward to seeing Marshall without Nancy Drew, she'd felt like she had been attached to his right arm since they got to together, which was natural in the first few months. No sooner Marshall was knocking at the door, why did he even knock. Mary was pretty sure he even had his own key, she shouted 'come in Marshall,' with Norah still eating she didn't want to leave her. It seemed like Marshall had missed her so much that when he saw he almost cried. She was so big. The photos made her look smaller. "Stay there Marshall, she's gunna take her first steps," Mary felt this was important to for Marshall to see this. Marshall felt his stomach turn. He was going to witness her first steps before her own father. He kneeled down to Norah's level and put his arms out to her. She was so excited to see him. Mary was bending her holding her hands, she was also on Norah's level, "come on Norah, Uncle Marshall has came to see you this morning, it must be a special occasion.". She teased Marshall but he took it harshly, he was in no mind for jokes. "Come on, Norah come and see Uncle Marshall, Mommas here.", Mary now let go of Norah who was now fully stood by herself, she walked over to Marshall and was keening next to him. One foot lifted and she was now balanced on one leg. Mary and Marshall were both shouting encouragement to her. Slowly but surely, one foot after another, she made her way across to the pair of them. Marshall was so excited he was going to give her the biggest hug in the world. Mary let Marshall grab her when she finally got here, he lifted her up sky high, she was giggling at Marshall. "Norah you're such a big girl! Yeah! Woo!", he had now brought Norah down so Mary could see her, but he wasn't letting go yet. Mary was standing on her tip toes balancing on Marshall's other arm, he smiled down at her while she was talking to Norah. He felt so happy, so alive. Which was a good feeling to Marshall. He hadn't felt like this in months. Mary had felt happy also. She only wished Stan was here to see this. She told back and took a picture of Marshall and Norah, and sent it to Stan. 'Just took my first steps Uncle Stan, Uncle Marshall caught me!x', she put her phone away and joined back in with the celebrations. Which were cut short when Jinx walked in, "Marshall?!", Jinx was shocked as Mary mentioned that he never came around anymore, she was so pleased to see him. "Jinx, how great it is to see you!", he hugged Jinx and handed Norah back to Mary. "Marshall where have you been, Mary and Norah miss you a lot, so do I!" Jinx had always admired Marshall, how he was there for his daughter so many times throughout their friendship. "I've been busy Jinx, jobs and stuff." "Yeah how is it going..", Jinx and Marshall got on pretty well. "Sorry to break up the reunion guys but we have jobs to go to. Jeez", she gave Norah a kiss and Marshall quickly interjected making sure he would get his kiss from Norah. "Bye Norah see you soon! See us Jinx', He made his way out to the car and waited for Mary. Mary gave her Mom the usual routine about when Norah was to be fed and all that stuff. "Tell Marshall not to be a stranger so much Mary. Have a good day!". No sooner was she out of the door and into Marshall's car.
/
"Thanks Mare, for this morning, I mean." Marshall was so happy he got to see her and Norah alone. "You know you're welcome anytime Doofus, with or without Nancy Drew." Mary watched out the window as she said this sentence, not noticing Marshall's facial expressions. He turned and looked at Mary sharply. Mary felt his eyes in the side of her head and she turned and looked at him, "we're taking a break Mare, it's just been a little heated in the house that's all, just work and stuff." Mary turned her body and her whole attention was on Marshall. "Marshall you don't fool me, even though we aren't yano, yano. But yeah. There's something more to this.". Mary knew her partner. "I told you things have been a little heated. She needs to realise I chose her over you." Marshall hadn't realise what he had said. "Jeez wait to go you fucking idiot, you really know how to woo a girl.". Mary was pissed, how could he be so horrible. So fucking rude. "I'm sorry sorry Mare, Mare I'm so sorry." Marshall leant over to touch her but she backed into her seat. He had just ruined one of the best morning he had in his life. "Don't touch me Marshall."
Wait to go Marshall. Is Abigail really controlling his life that much? Why did he have to ruin such a great morning!