It was getting darker, it was getting late. Alana had climbed into her dad's lap and rubbed her eyes.
"I think maybe this means its time to go", Mark said, cradling his little girl.
"Not yet daddy, I want to stay", Alana said sleepy.
"I can lay her down in the living room with cartoons. Just till she falls asleep", Kathan said.
"But I'm not tired", Alana said after yawning.
Mark chuckled and nodded. Kathan stood and took Alana in her arms. Mark's fingers brushed down her arm.
"Thank you baby", he whispered to her.
Kathan nodded. Entering her house, she sat Alana on the couch and turned on the tv. Finding her a throw blanket, she covered her and took off her shoes.
"Can you stay with me?", Alana asked.
Kathan smiled and nodded. Sitting next to Alana under the blanket. She brushed her fingers through Alana's hair gently. Her brother use to do this to her when she couldn't sleep after a nightmare.
Roman was on his sixth beer. Leaning back after he finished his sixth. Nala watched him carefully, if he stood right now and decided to leave, she wouldn't let him, not like this.
"So you're going to be working at the clinic?", AJ asked Joe.
He nodded.
"Yeah, I think it's about time I set some roots down and find me someone special", Joe said, wiggling his brow.
Mark didn't like the sound of that. Was he here for Kathan? What a coincidence that he was back just as she was getting ready to graduate and turn eighteen. Mark cleared his throat.
"And do you have anyone in mind?", Mark asked.
"Not really, I just figured along the way, maybe someone will catch my eye", Joe said.
Mark nodded. All Mark knew was that Joe better keep his eyes off Kathan. Mark noticed the way Roman was swaying a bit. He tapped Roman's foot with his own, making Roman look up.
"I think it's time we head out", Mark said.
Roman nodded agreeing.
"You can leave your car here for the night Roman", Kris said.
"Thanks", Roman said, standing slowly.
Nala stood, watching Roman.
"Is he going to be ok?", Nala asked, worried about Roman.
"I'll be fine babe", Roman said.
"Babe?", all the men questioned.
Mark had to think quickly before Roman opened his mouth again.
"He calls everyone babe after one too many. Trust me", Mark said, laughing softly.
"I can say that's true. Whenever we go bar hopping", Dean said.
Seth nodded.
"Its how you know he's had one too many", Randy said laughing.
"Its when we cut him off", Glen added, shrugging.
Kris nodded. AJ and Joe seemed to be thinking over what they said carefully.
"Lets get you home Rome", Mark said, patting his back.
Mark looked towards Elisa.
"May I get my daughter?", he asked.
She nodded. He walked towards the back door and walked in. Slowly approaching the couch, Alana was laying her head in Kathan's lap. He smiled as he watched Kathan brush his daughter's hair back.
"She likes you", he said softly.
Kathan looked towards him. She smiled.
"I hope so", she said.
He leaned over Kathan and she lifted her head. Their lips meeting.
"I've been wanting to do that all day", he whispered.
He walked in front of Kathan and lifted Alana into his arms.
"Your leaving?", she asked standing.
He nodded.
"Roman's buzzing so I need to drive him and I need to get this little girl to bed. My ex is coming early tomorrow to pick her up", he said.
Kathan nodded.
"One more kiss for the road?", he asked.
She smiled and stood on her toes to kiss him.
"I love you", he whispered.
"Love you more", she replied.
He walked back out, Kathan behind him. Dean was standing by Roman, making sure he doesn't trip over anything. Mark handed Dean his keys so he could get Roman in his truck. Nala wanted to go after him, but it would look too suspicious.
"Thank you for having us, we had a lot of fun", Mark said, shaking Kris and Elisa's hands.
He walked over to Chance and did the same.
"We usually have poker nights every other Saturday. Maybe next one you can all join us", Mark said.
The guys looked at each other and nodded.
"Sounds like a plan", Joe said.
Mark nodded. Kris and Chance walked them out. Nala behind her dad.
"Mr. Calaway, thank you for earlier", Nala said.
"Anytime", he said.
He set Alana in the back seat and buckled her in.
"I guess we'll see you girls at school", Mark said.
Nala nodded and waved. Roman couldn't take his eyes off her. He smiled softly.
Mark pulled over in front of Roman's house. Roman swallowed.
"I don't want to go inside", Roman said softly.
"Why?", Mark asked.
"I'm alone", he replied.
"I am too, or at least I will be when Alana leaves tomorrow", Mark said.
Roman nodded.
"But that's not what's bothering you, right?", Mark said.
"I was just thinking about Sasha, you know", Roman said.
"Nala isn't anything like her. She loves you and wants to be with you", Mark said.
"I know, but I can't help but feel like it's happening all over again. Sasha said Enzo was just a friend too and", he stopped.
"Sasha never looked at you the way Nala does", Mark said, stopping his friend.
Roman nodded.
"You should talk to Nala about this. Let her know where you're coming from", Mark said.
"I know", Roman said.
"Get some rest, we have school tomorrow", Mark said.
Roman groaned before getting off Mark's truck.
Nala and Kathan sat in her room.
"I think something might be wrong with Roman. He seemed distant", Nala said.
"Do you think he drinks that much whenever he goes out?", Kathan asked.
She needed to know. He was dating her best friend after all. She didn't want them going out and him getting drunk. Nala could always drive, but she doesn't know if Roman gets aggresive like her mom use to after drinking.
"I'm not sure. I think he just needed something to do", Nala said.
"So he wouldn't jump AJ, I saw those looks he was sending his way", Kathan said.
Nala chuckled.
"How was it with Alana?", Nala asked.
"She's sweet and she seemed to have liked me, which is a good thing", Kathan said.
"I'm sure Mark was pleased when you took her inside and put her to sleep", Nala said, wiggling her brow.
Kathan blushed.
"I'm still a little worried, I mean I only spent a small amount of time with her and when we came inside she fell right to sleep", Kathan said.
"Stop doubting yourself. When you have kids and I see how happy you are, I'm going to say I told you so", Nala said.
Kathan smiled.
"I'll remind you if you forget", Kathan said.
"Nala, let's go", her dad called.
She hugged Kathan before going to meet her dad.