The next morning Susie woke to the sound of someone in her kitchen. She threw on her robe and ran down the stairs. "Morning gorgeous. You hungry?" She ran and jumped into his arms crashing her lips onto his. They must have been making out for a good minute before he put her down. She hugged his neck and inhaled deeply. "Mmmmm, l've missed you. I'm sorry I was so foolish and let you leave. But now I promise I am ready to give you all of me."
Her eyes twinkled like the night sky, and her heart was calming with the rise and fall of his chest. She knew he felt like home, and she was far more comfortable this time round.
"Oh goodness Reba you weren't wrong, he sure is Mr Hunky ain't he?" "Barb!" "Mark this is Barbara, she lives in Fontanel next door. She's basically like my big sister. "Wait a minute are you Ms Mandrell?" "Well I prefer Mrs Dudney, but yes I am." "Susie this is Ms Mandrell.. uhhh Mrs Dudney. You know this woman?" Mark was like a kid getting all excited. "Haha yes, I sure do." Susie thought he was the cutest thing she had ever seen. "I really love your work. My ex-uh wife and I..uhh" He stuttered and looked at Susie. She mouthed "It's fine." "Well I loved your show on television, and I have always wanted to see you in concert. But meeting you in person, this is so much better." "You are too sweet, let's all sit down for a chat while Narvel and Suz sort what they need to.
On the way home Mark was still buzzing. He was worried Susie would get jealous but she didn't seem to mind. "Susie did I make you feel uncomfortable?" "Me feel uncomfortable? Not at all. I was worried out of my mind that you would feel uncomfortable. Reba and Barb don't really hold back and they tend to talk about people to each other right in front of them… Like she did as soon as she saw you." "Oh I didn't mind that… Are you sure? I promise I didn't mean to talk about my...y'know… In front of you. I can't imagine how awkward that must have felt." "It's fine, it really is. I don't mind that you have a past, sheeshh don't we all? I'm sure there will be times that Paul comes up in conversation. We do share those three children in the back and all. All I'm worried about is who you come home with at the end of every night." He leaned over and gave her a peck. "You baby, always you." "Good, now let's think about tea. Whaddo ya want?" "Well... If you're offering..." He flashed her a smile and rubbed her knee. "Settle down, the kids can hear you. How bout steak? I lifted some out of the freezer before we left." "Sounds perfect."
Reba came and picked the kids up after dinner so she didn't have to fight the traffic across town. They were just busting to go to Aunt Baw's because they knew that their Uncle Narv was such a softy and let them stay up just a few minutes longer than bed time. Also Reba and Narvel's new home was much bigger and had enough rooms for them each to have their own.
As soon as they heard her car pull up they went running out to meet her. "I can't wait to come stay with you Aunt Baw." "I can't wait either Samuel. Now you three go say goodbye to your Mama." The each kissed her on the cheek and gave her a cuddle goodnight. "Goodnight Mark." "Goodnight Lucchese." "Now y'all be good for Aunt Baw okay." "We will Mama, love you." "Love you too see you tomorrow." "Thank you so much Baw, Mark and I will be over first thing in the morning to pick them up." "No problem, hey sleep in won't you? I can have the kids tomorrow while you spend some time together. I'm sure Mark will need some rest… Y'know after all that travelling." She winked at him and he started to burn all up. "Haha, thanks anyway. We'll give you a ring in the morning. Love you Baw." "Love you too, now have fun you two." They smiled and waved good bye.
They stood on the porch for a few minutes and Mark wrapped his arm around Susie's shoulders. She rested her head on his shoulder as they watched Reba's car lights disappear into the bush. "You want dessert? Or shall we just wash up?" " How bout we wash up and then have dessert?" "That's a good idea."
Dessert was wonderful and the two just enjoyed spending time together, learning about each other, laughing, and joking about silly things they had done. "I bet you aint never joined the mile high club." "Oh you bet do you?" "Yes Ma'am." "Well have you?" "I was inducted a few years back." "And?" "And I would love for you to join with me?" "See there is a small problem." "What?" "We need a plane." "Lucky for you I bought one yesterday." "You what?" "I did, that's why I wasn't here till this morning. It was getting it's final checks. It's at the Nashville airport, in the hanger." Susie was speechless. "Wow, I don't really know what to say." "Say you'll come christen it for me tonight." "Are you for real.. I can't even.. I mean of course I will, let's go!" "Really?" "Aha, you ready?" "Yes, yes, c'mon then."
They jumped in the car and Susie couldn't stop smiling all the way to the hanger. They got out and walked to the private hanger. "You excited?" "Uhh yeah! You just bought a plane. Aren't you excited?" "Well of course. I just can't wait to see the look on your face when… "You didn't even…" Her mouth dropped open and tears nearly filled her eyes when she saw the name plastered on the side of the plane. Lady Susie. Mark what is this? Well it's our brand new jet that I had named after the most beautiful woman in the world." "Na-a, No way! You can't even be serious." "Sure I can, and I just did. You wanna break the bottle on the nose?" "Do I ever. Give it here!" She threw the bottle and champagne went all over the front. Mark was pouring them both a glass when she spun around and kissed him. "Well, I take that as you don't mind the name." "I love it, thank you." "You are more than welcome. Here, let's have a look inside. The pilot will be ready in about 5 minutes. The inside was gorgeous with a champagne colored leather interior. There were beautiful crystal lights beaming softly on the inside. "Mark, It's gorgeous." "I'm so glad you like it because if you don't mind we will be travelling quite a bit on this baby. Do you think it's good enough for the kids? I had little rooms built in for them." "I think it's wonderful. The kids will just love it." "And back here my love, is our room." Susie gasped again with excitement. It was beautifully set out with a fluffy rug, some low lights, and a bed with white Egyptian cotton sheets. "Why does this have pull up side rails? You planning to get a little rough?" "Haha, you wish. That's so that if we hit turbulence we won't fall off while we are sleeping." "You really thought about everything." "I tried." He smiled coyly.