Roman, Dean, and Seth stepped through the door first. Then the girls. They noticed the two strangers in the room. Seth leaned into Roman.
"That's the guy who I was telling you about. The one who helped me convince everyone to bring the girls in", Seth whispered.
Roman watched this man.
"Now that we are all here", Sika started.
"Not all of us", Dean said, he walked back out the door.
He smiled at someone.
"When you're ready", he said.
He held his hand out and someone took it. He pulled her into view and Mark stood, mouth open.
"Gina", he said softly.
She met his eyes.
"Hello Mark", she replied.
Gina was walking home from school when she spotted her mother talking to Mrs. Calaway. Her ten year old daughter was playing hop scotch on the sidewalk.
"Hi Ronda", Gina said to the little girl.
Ronda waved. Gina stopped beside her mom.
"Hello Mrs. Calaway. Momma, need some company getting home?", Gina said.
Her mother smiled and nodded.
"Oh Gina, your mom was just telling me that you babysit on occasion", Mrs. Calaway said.
Gina nodded with a smile.
"Trying to save up as much as I can to take some college courses", Gina said.
"Well, I'll be going out of town this week. My husband works late out of town, doesn't get home till eleven. The job is yours if you don't mind staying that late. Permission to raid our fridge and cabinets", Mrs. Calaway said, laughing softly.
Gina smiled and nodded.
"I would love to watch Ronda", Gina said.
"Great, you are a life saver", Mrs. Calaway said.
"When do I start?", Gina asked.
"This weekend. My husband usually has the weekends off, but with this new election and possibly new rules. He needs to review everything", Mrs. Calaway said.
Gina nodded. She had only seen Mark once or twice. From the stories her father told, Mark kept to himself more and didn't speak much when he hung around.
"Sounds good. I'll see you Saturday Ronda", Gina said.
Ronda hugged Gina before going back to hop scotch.
"Bye", her mom said as they walked away.
Gina looped her arm with her mom's arm.
"Mr. Calaway isn't a mean man, is he?", Gina asked.
"Oh no", her mother replied.
Gina nodded. Her parents weren't worried about her walking home late. They didn't live that far and they also knew everyone in this town. As Saturday came, Gina packed a few coloring books and games into her backpack. Her homework included.
"Gina, hurry sweetheart. You want to catch Mrs. Calaway before she leaves", her mother shouted up to her.
Gina made her way down and kissed her mom's cheek before walking out and quickly making her way towards The Calaway residence. Getting there, she knocked. The door opened to a tall man.
"You must be Gina Bella", he said.
She nodded.
"Yes. Your wife hired me to babysit Ronda while you both are out", Gina said.
He was handsome, she would give him that. She felt her cheeks warm and looked away. He smiled.
"Come in", he said.
Gina passed him and he closed the door. He cleared his throat.
"I'll be leaving in a bit, just wanted to spend a few minutes with my daughter", he said, walking into the living room.
Gina nodded. Ronda ran in and hugged Gina.
"Hi", Gina smiled.
Mrs. Calaway walked into the living room with her bag.
"Gina, you made it. My husband didn't tell me he would be staying a few extra hours. I wouldn't have had you get up so early if I knew", Mrs. Calaway said, sending a look towards her husband.
Gina suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"Its ok. I'm usually up this early anyone. Never was one for sleeping in. My mom wishes she could say the same about my siblings", Gina said.
Mark laughed.
"Don't we all", Mrs. Calaway said.
"I can come back if you want", Gina said.
Before his wife could answer, he spoke up.
"No. It's fine. I need Ronda busy while I organize the paperwork", Mark said.
Gina nodded.
"Well, I should get going before I miss my flight", Mrs. Calaway said.
Gina smiled and nodded. Mrs. Calaway bent down to kiss Ronda on the head before ignoring her husband's attempt at kissing her goodbye.
Mark sighed.
"See you in a few days", Mrs. Calaway said as she left the house.
Mark looked at Gina.
"She hasn't eaten if you want to make her breakfast. My wife usually does it, but it seems she was in a hurry", Mark said.
Gina nodded.
"I'll make her something", Gina said softly.
Mark nodded. He looked down at his daughter.
"You be good for Gina.", he said.
Ronda nodded. Mark left to his office and closed the door. Gina took Ronda to the kitchen and started on breakfast. Once she was done. She set Ronda's plate in front of her.
"Should we make a plate for your dad?", Gina asked.
"Yeah, he would like that", Ronda said, mouth full.
Gina laughed softly as she fixed a plate for Mark. Making her way to his office, she knocked.
"Come in", he called.
She opened the door and walked in.
"We had extra", Gina said.
He looked up and smiled. She set the tray down in front of him.
"Thank you, Gina. I don't know how long it's been since I've had a breakfast like this", he said.
She blushed again. He liked that. His wife never blushed around him anymore, not even when he was trying to flirt with her.
"Well, I'll leave you to your work", she said softly.
He nodded and watched her go. He leaned back in his seat. He shouldn't be looking at her in this way.
"Stop it", he said to himself.
On the other hand. He was still a young guy. Not even in his thirties yet but close to it, got married right out of high school. He had only ever been with his wife. The lust he was feeling he had only felt for his wife.
He shook his head and packed up what he needed. Taking a few bites of his food before walking out with the dirty dishes. Gina saw him and took them from him.
"I've got it", she said.
He nodded and watched her. He sighed and walked over to his daughter, kissing the top of her head.
"I'm going now. I'll see you tonight", he said.
She nodded and kissed his cheek. He looked at Gina.
"My wife did tell you I get home late", he said.
Gina turned to face him.
"She did", she replied.
He nodded and left without another word.
He took a step towards her. She was still as beautiful as he remembered.
"What are you doing here?", he asked.
She held onto Dean's arm. Looking down before looking over at Quinn. Quinn noticed the look on her great grandmother's face. She left Roman's side to go to her.
"Are you ok?", Quinn asked.
Gina touched her cheek and nodded.
"He's an old friend", Gina replied.
"Just a friend?", Mark asked.
Everyone was surprised he spoke their language, except for Gina. Quinn looked back at her grandmother.
"Grandmother", Quinn said softly.
"You're a grandma?", Mark asked with a smile.
"We should talk before I talk to anyone else", Gina said to him.
Mark nodded and looked at Sika.
"We need just a second", Mark said.
Sika nodded and started guiding everyone out. Once the door was closed, Gina looked at Mark.
"She's my great granddaughter, actually", Gina said.
"How? That would mean that you had children at a young age and", he stopped.
Gina nodded.
"She's your great granddaughter too", she said.
Mark sat.
"We, have a child together?", he asked.
"That night I went to your house, begging you to run away with me. I knew. I didn't tell you because I wanted you to choose me on your own", she said.
Mark leaned back in his seat.
"Don't be angry with me", she said softly.
He looked at her and took her hands. Pulling her into him.
"This wasn't your fault. Things just got so out of hand. I understand why you kept it a secret from me as well. Seems I can't do right for any of my kids", he said sadly.
Gina touched his cheek. Mark took her hand and kissed it.
"Can I meet our child?", he asked.
Gina's facial expression changed.
"She died, Mark", she said.
A/N: Feeling heartbroken. Sending Prayers, Love, and Good Vibes towards Roman (Joe) and his family during this difficult time. I've debated whether or not to keep writing, but he needs our support and this is one way to show him that. If you feel uncomfortable reading any story he's in I completely understand.