Chapter 20

Paul's clenched fist pounded against the panelled door impatiently. He muttered under his breath as he shuffled his feet on the step and absently rubbed his bare arms which had lightly prickled with goose bumps in the bitter wind. In his rush to leave the house, he'd forgotten to put a jacket on but it didn't matter. He wouldn't be here long. Just long enough to make sure Mark got the message about Stephanie loud and clear. And he would get the message. He'd make sure of it because the guy was trouble. That had been his gut feeling the second he'd laid eyes on him and he should have trusted that feeling because it was turning out to be absolutely right.

Just then he heard the lock turn. Paul scowled angrily as he turned towards to the door but that scowl faltered a little when he saw Jane's face appear in front of him.

"Oh Mr Levesque. It's you. Hello."

The smile that greeted him was cautious. Paul could tell she felt a little intimidated by him and he guessed he shouldn't be surprised after the way he stormed out of the house yesterday and the way he was standing here now. Running his hand through his hair, he tried to put her ease as he offered her a welcoming smile in return.

"Hey. How you doing?" he replied. "I was just wondering if Mark was home."

"Yes. He's through in the lounge with the baby. Come on in." Jane offered as she stood aside to let him pass and showed no hesitation in letting him into their home. He guessed she had no reason not to. She had no clue why he was here and why would she. He'd bet any money Jane had no idea what a screw ball she had for a son-in-law.

"He's just through there." she smiled pointing him in the direction of the spacious living room.

Paul walked in and was instantly hit with the familiar smell of baby powder. Mark was standing in front of the window rocking Chloe in his arms and his face lit up in surprise when he realised they had company.

"Paul. Hey."

"Hey." he nodded.

An awkward silence descended between them before Jane walked over to Mark and gestured to the baby. "It's time for Chloe's nap. I'll just take her upstairs."

"Thanks Jane." he smiled.

Mark kissed his baby girl's cheek and Paul watched, noticing that his lips lingered a few seconds longer. Lips that cherished the feel of his daughter's skin and in the same heartbeat probably remembered the feel of another. His little girl. An innocent life that had been cruelly snatched away from her father. Paul felt his earlier anger be replaced with a wave of sympathy as Mark handed the baby to her grandmother. He also felt admiration and a certain respect. After all he was a father. He knew the love you felt for your children and how they consumed you so much, they became your life. You lived for them. You breathed for them. They became your reason for everything. Yet despite his loss, this guy was somehow managing to find an inner strength to still function on a daily basis and Paul wasn't sure that if the shoe was on the other foot he would be able to accomplish the same. Losing Ellie or Jake would kill him no question. He was pretty certain he just wouldn't survive it.

"So how you doing?" asked Paul briefly putting aside the reason he was here but he instantly regretted the words out his mouth and grimaced at his own stupidity as he saw the sadness in Mark's eyes and the rawness of his pain. "Sorry." he offered as he rubbed his big hand over his face. "I guess that's a stupid question."

"No it's fine. Really."

Mark smiled and Paul noticed the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. Instead he looked distant and distracted as he gazed in the direction of the hallway where Jane had disappeared with Chloe.

"Thanks for the dog." Paul continued. "It was a nice gesture. Ellie will love it."

"You're welcome. Although I'm sure that's not why you're here."

Mark turned to look at him pointedly. Paul shook his head and felt grateful for his directness. It saved him from engaging in any more small talk. God knows he sucked at it big time. It also gave him the opportunity to let Mark know the reason he was here. Although standing here and seeing the visible pain and devastation on his face for himself, he couldn't help but think Stephanie might have a point. That Mark was in too fragile a state a right now. Or maybe that was his problem. The guy was fragile so much so he had made a pass at a woman that looked the spitting image of his wife. A woman that he seemed to be desperately clinging on to right now. The thought of that actually gave him the creeps and Paul felt his earlier determination resurface as he decided he was doing the right thing. He was confronting Mark and in turn he was protecting Stephanie from him. He had no other choice. Not any more.

"Look, can we talk?" he asked.

Mark nodded and gestured towards the black leather sofa. Paul took a seat perching on the end of the cushion where he rested his forearms on his knees. Mark was in the chair opposite watching him and patiently waiting for him to begin.

Paul cleared his throat awkwardly as he lifted his head and looked at Mark. "It's about Steph." he explained calmly.

And he was calm. Or at least he was trying to be. After all there was no reason not to do this civilly. The guy had been going through his dead daughter's belongings only this morning. He had a heart. The last thing he needed was some guy coming into his house and going off on one although if it came to it he would have no qualms in letting Mark know in no uncertain terms that Stephanie was off limits. He didn't like him. He didn't trust him and no matter how unfortunate Mark's circumstances, that wasn't going to change any time soon.

"What about her?" Mark asked curiously.

"I guess there's no nice way of saying this so I'm just going to tell you like it is. Steph and I…" Paul paused as he shifted in his seat straightening up and rubbing his palms absently on his denim clad thighs. "Well, we would appreciate it if you would leave her alone."

"Leave her alone? What do you mean?"

Mark's brow crinkled with his confusion. He appeared to look baffled by his request but Paul knew differently. He knew exactly what he meant and there was no need to pretend otherwise.

"I really don't think I need to spell it out. Do you?" he replied narrowing his brown eyes in Mark's direction.

"She told you about the kiss then."

Paul nodded his head.

"I'm surprised. I didn't think she would."

"Well Mark Stephanie is my wife. Of course she told me." he retorted.

Paul didn't let it slip that he only knew about the fucking kiss because he had overheard them in the garden the other day. That was something Mark definitely didn't need to know especially if he was under the impression Stephanie would keep it from him in the first place. In fact it pissed him off that he thought that. And why would he? He and Stephanie had no secrets in their marriage. Or at least they didn't until his ugly fucking face came along.

Feeling his earlier anger bubbling to the surface, Paul let out a calming breath trying his best to hold onto his composure. Because he wanted to be the better man here. Not only that, Stephanie would want it this way. She would want him to be calm and rational. If she even thought he had steamrollered his way in here threatening Mark he was pretty sure his ass would be in the dog house big time.

"Well just so you know it wasn't planned or anything." Mark began capturing his attention. "I guess we just got carried away with memories and stuff. We'd been having a glass of wine and talking about the old times, you see. High school, our friends, home. Suddenly it felt like we were sixteen all over again."

Paul nodded his head showing he got it. The guy was drunk and nostalgic. He let his emotions get the better of him. Under the circumstances, he guessed he understood.

"You're a lucky man, Paul. Stephanie's a wonderful girl. Man, I made a huge mistake letting her go."

Paul's mouth parted slightly as his brow furrowed heavily with his confusion as he looked at Mark. Letting her go? What the hell did he mean?

"I'm sorry. I thought you knew we went together. That we dated in high school."

Paul slowly shook his head not sure how felt about that or the fact that Stephanie hadn't even told them they had dated. It was a pretty big omission considering her ex boyfriend lived right across the street.

"Please. Don't be angry at Steph about the kiss. You're away a lot. I figure it must be quite lonely for her." explained Mark.

Paul scowled wondering where the hell this guy got off telling him how Stephanie felt or didn't feel. It had nothing to do with him. Steph was his wife not his and the sooner he realised that the better for all concerned. "So what? That justifies you kissing her right?" he spat back angrily.

"Actually she kissed me."

"Whatever." said Paul rolling his eyes in disbelief.

"I'm telling you the truth. Stephanie kissed me and if I hadn't stopped her, who knows what could have happened." Mark paused and his face looked almost gleeful as his top lip lifted in a sneer. "She was practically begging me for it you know."

His taunting filled Paul with rage and he jumped to his feet and grabbed for Mark. His hand curled into a fist as he grabbed his shirt and hauled him off the chair.

"What's going on in here?"

Jane's anguished cry echoed around the four walls of the lounge. Paul glared at Mark as he brought him face to face. His chest rose and fell heavily with his rage.

"Just a piece of advice for you." he warned. "Stay away from Stephanie and stay away from my family."

"I think you should leave." Jane requested.

Paul stared at Mark threateningly for a few more seconds before he released his grip and lightly shoved him backwards. His eyes were black with his anger and his face wore a snarl.

"I mean it. Stay away or I won't be responsible for my actions."

Paul turned to leave and brushed past Jane who was staring at the floor refusing to look at him. He didn't blame her. This was Mark's house and she was Chloe's grandmother. Of course she'd want to protect them just like he was protecting Stephanie and now he'd accomplished what he'd come here to do in the first place. He'd warned Mark off and hopefully he'd got the message loud and clear.

Paul opened the front door and closed it carefully behind him mindful of the baby upstairs in bed. The frosty chill in the air nipped at his skin and Paul absently rubbed his arms as he wandered down the path. He could see the roof of his own home above the whispering oak trees that lined the driveway and he knew Stephanie would be inside impatiently waiting for him. She would want to know what had happened and what had been said between him and Mark.

Paul sighed as he opened the rusted metal gate and it squeaked oddly as it swung shut behind him. As he crossed the road to his home, he quickly came to a decision. He wasn't going to say anything or even mention what Mark had told him particularly about him and Stephanie dating. What was the point? Chances were it would only escalate into another argument and honestly? He was so sick and tired of arguing with his wife just like he was sick and tired of this whole damn thing. He just wanted to forget Mark and move on with his life and after today, he could do just that. Because Mark wasn't an issue any longer for him or for Stephanie. He'd made sure of it. Mark was out of the picture for good.