Chapter Twenty-One: Still
Routine had gently returned, the way it always does after something extraordinary — not with disappointment, but with a comforting familiarity. On this crisp mid-November morning, Mark pulled into Wawa pulling in beside Allan’s truck. Allan stepped out wearing his Viking blue jacket, and Mark couldn’t help but smile. “Brother,” Mark said, nodding toward the jacket, “let me grab my coffee and I’ll be right back.”
Allan grinned and reached into his
truck. “Already got it for you, Dude.”
Mark accepted the cup with a quiet
laugh. “You guys settling back into normal life?”
Allan took a sip, leaned against the truck. “Still adjusting to the time change, but yeah. Man… what a trip.” Mark clicked cups with him and headed inside for Kimmy’s paper, that familiar rhythm feeling especially good this morning.
“Hey baby,” Kimmy called from the sofa
as he walked in. “Got my paper? My coffee?”
Mark held them up proudly. “What do you think? Could I ever forget? If it makes my girl happy, I’m all in.” Kimmy sat cross-legged, stretching both hands out toward him. “Gimme gimme,” she begged playfully. Mark smiled and set her things down before opening his laptop, idly scrolling through emails. One subject line stopped him.
You’ll be interested.
From Jeff.
He opened it and read slowly. Howdy Mark. How you and Kimmy doing? Thought you’d want to see this from the local news. Remember that restaurant down by the beach — the one with the terrace bar? Being closed and torn down to make way for condos. Be good buddy. Miss ya both. — Jeff. Mark clicked the link, skimmed the article, and sighed softly.
“That’s too bad,” he muttered. Kimmy glanced over, noticed the shift in his expression, then returned to her puzzle. “Baby… fifteen across,” she said after a moment. “Seven letters. What you give to a loved one or popular with new parents. H-BLANK-BLANK-G-G-BLANK-S.” She smiled knowingly. “You’re so smart — help a girl out.”
Mark closed the email and leaned back.
“Huggies,” he said with a grin. “I love my huggies from my sweetie.”
Kimmy laughed and leaned over to kiss him. “There you go. That’s your reward.” At pickleball later, Kimmy and Sally leaned against the fence between games, rackets resting at their sides. “Crisp out today,” Sally said.
“Feels great,” Kimmy replied. “How’s
Allan?”
“Good. Still talking about Antarctica
every other sentence,” Sally smiled. “What’s new with you two?”
Kimmy tapped her racket against
Sally’s. “Dinner on the porch tonight? You guys free? I’ll do the spaghetti
thing.”
Sally grinned. “Let me check, but I’m sure. Seven-ish?” Kimmy nodded, and they headed back onto the court, laughter carrying with them.
That night, stories and laughter filled the house before drifting naturally out to the porch. Fire crackled softly as wine glasses caught the glow. Allan gestured toward the large photograph above the TV inside. “That’s from Penguin Day, right?”
Kimmy smiled and looked at Mark. “I
remember him saying he was going to blow that up.”
Mark patted her knee. “And every time
we walk in the door, we’re reminded of that journey.”
Kimmy clinked her glass against his. “It’s all been amazing.” Sally glanced sideways at Allan, who caught the look and smiled to himself. These two…
Later, after goodnights were said, Kimmy reappeared in the shirt. “You got one show in you?” Mark asked. “Maybe the next episode of Glee?”
Kimmy smiled. “If there’s a spot beside you, a blanket, and a cuddle included.” Mark pulled the blanket down as she curled into him, warm and familiar. He scrolled until Glee filled the screen. They watched quietly as Rachel stood onstage, auditioning, her voice filling the room:
Mark felt the words land — and suddenly Jeff’s email, the terrace, that night, all rose at once. He paused the show. Kimmy looked up, saw the emotion in his face. “Hey… what’s going on, baby?” He told her about the email, the restaurant closing, the condos.
“Our restaurant?” she asked softly.
“Yes,” he nodded. “And those lyrics…
what if I’d said I had to head home instead of yes to that drink? What if we
hadn’t taken the chance?”
Kimmy cupped his face and kissed him gently. “But you did say yes.” Kimmy turned his face gently and kissed him, slow and sure.
“But you did say yes.”
Mark let out a quiet breath, his eyes unfocused now as the memories rose without being invited. “I keep thinking about that first visit,” he said softly. “How I came down the driveway… and you ran out the door like you were late for something important.”
Kimmy smiled at the memory. “I
remember saying, ‘You came.’ I really was surprised. I hoped you would…
but I wasn’t sure.”
He nodded. “And then Christmas.”
She didn’t need prompting. “The Mickey
and Minnie ornaments,” she said, her voice warm. “Hanging them right in the
middle of the tree.”
Mark smiled. “I should’ve known right
then we were on the same page.”
He paused, then added, almost laughing at himself, “I remember how excited it made me when Helen and Ray pulled up and talked about us like we were already a couple. Like they saw something before I fully did.” Kimmy squeezed his arm.
“You know,” Mark said, his voice
dropping, “I don’t think I’ve ever told you this.”
She lifted her head from his shoulder.
“Told me what, honey?”
“As we stood on that terrace,” he said
quietly, “I really was thinking it… who would have thought? Could this
really be happening? Is she really interested?”
Kimmy wrapped him in a hug, holding
him there for a long moment. “It was on my mind too,” she whispered. “And I was
a brave girl.”
She pulled back just enough to smile at him. “Come on… let’s see if Rachel gets the part.” Mark hit PLAY, kissed the top of her head, and felt her fingers tighten around his arm. That was the best chance I ever accepted, he thought.
I’ll Stand By You
Mark set the coffee beside the laptop, Mickey and Minnie standing their quiet watch as they always did. He smoothed the folded newspaper, aligning it just so, then turned toward the porch as he heard soft footsteps padding down the hallway. “You back yet, baby?” Kimmy’s voice floated out, followed immediately by a pleased little sound. “Ooooo, yes! Coffee and puzzles. Does a girl really need anything more?”
The air carried that particular Thanksgiving-week crispness—cool but bright, sharp enough to wake the senses without biting. He wrapped both hands around his mug and inhaled deeply. This, he thought. This is why mornings matter. The door creaked again. Kimmy appeared, wrapped in the shirt, hair mussed and eyes still soft with sleep. She leaned her shoulder into the frame. “Don’t forget,” she said lightly, “checkups today. Ten-thirty and eleven.” Mark nodded. As she turned to go back inside, he paused her.
“Hey—” Her head popped back out, hair even more tousled now. “Christmas tree on Friday, right?” She smiled, blew him a kiss, and disappeared down the hall.
In the car, Kimmy hummed softly as they drove. Mark glanced over and smiled. “I’ve never known anyone to be so happy-go-lucky about a doctor visit.”
She shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong with me. I saw the blood work. And I saw yours. You’re good to go.” Still, Mark thought, not a fan of walking in without knowing what they’ll say. His name was called first. Dr. Lopez sat at the computer, eyes scanning the screen. “How are you feeling? Numbers look good. How’s the eye?”
“Feeling good,” Mark said. “Just got back from Antarctica — amazing trip. Umm… one thing.” She turned slightly. “Let me guess. You had one of the episodes.” He nodded. “Did what you suggested. Deep breaths, focused on something solid. Passed in a couple minutes. Scared the dickens out of Kimmy.” Dr. Lopez typed as she spoke over her shoulder. “Noted. Those can come and go, like we discussed. It’s only concerning if there are additional symptoms. I’ll talk to Kimmy and reassure her. I want to see you again in three months.”
She glanced back. “Next eye
injection?”
“Two months. We’re up to four months
now.”
She smiled. “Good. See you in three months.” Mark passed Kimmy in the hallway as she stood on the scale.
“All good, baby?” she asked brightly.
“Right as rain,” he smiled. “Match me, I dare you.” He took a seat in the waiting room. And suddenly — memory crept in. Kimmy sliding down the wall. Kimmy, Kimmy… no baby, what’s wrong? The knee. God, that had been terrifying. Then Kimmy burning up in bed. Baby, baby… are you okay? He swallowed. We’ve had our trials.
The door opened. Kimmy came bouncing out, almost skipping. “Well, look at you!” He smiled. “And?” She gave two enthusiastic thumbs up. “So healthy I could pass for a twenty-year-old.”
Mark chuckled. “Women. Always appreciate a ‘you seem so young’ compliment.” On the drive home, Mark was quiet. Kimmy glanced over. “What’s wrong, honey? Did the doctor say something you’re not telling me?” He patted her leg gently. “No. Just… sitting there waiting for you, everything flashed back. Your knee. That infection. I was so scared.”
She reached up, cupped his cheek. “I’m okay, baby. I’m not going anywhere.” Then softly, “And I know what you mean. Remember how worried I was when your vision first went off? And that first blood clot episode? I don’t even want to think about how scared I was.”
He squeezed her hand. “Did the doctor
talk to you about the clots?”
She nodded, looking out the window. “Doesn’t help. They always scare me.” He waited a beat. “Hey.” She kept looking away.
“Hey,” he said again, gently. “Look at me.” She turned, eyes a little misty.
“I’m here,” he said with a small
smile. “Always will be. You and me — happy together, right?”
She squared her shoulders. “Right. We
can do this.”
“That’s my girl.” The car rolled into the driveway as the afternoon sun dipped low, casting long, warm shadows across the porch. Inside waited coffee cups, puzzles, routines—and the quiet, unwavering certainty that neither of them stood alone.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Mark was the first out of the car. “I’m walking back to get the mail,” he called over his shoulder. Kimmy already had her keys in hand. “I’ll start dinner — burgers and fries. Good?” He waved without turning. The evening was soft and golden, the kind of late-day light that made everything feel settled. As he headed down the drive, his head was on a swivel, memories drifting in the same way they often did now — uninvited, but welcome. He smiled as he remembered the first time he’d pulled into this driveway. How she’d come bounding out of the house, flung herself into his arms, laughing and breathless.
“You came!”
That had been one of the first times his heart had skipped a beat. And somehow, he thought, it had been doing that almost every day since. At the mailbox, he pulled out a small stack and began fanning through it as he walked back.
“Bills… figures. More bills… junk…
really, more junk… wait.”
He stopped. A thick catalog sat at the back of the stack.
Viking Cruises: Our Latest Itineraries
Are Available
An idea stirred. Inside, the smell of burgers sizzling and onions caramelizing wrapped around him, warm and familiar. “Hey, baby,” he said, lifting the catalog. “Look what came. Let’s flip through it after dinner, okay?” Kimmy glanced over her shoulder. “Sure.”
He paused, turning just enough to look
at her. “You’d want to travel again, right? If we found something really cool?”
She smiled easily. “Oh sure. Absolutely.” Not the most convincing answer, he thought, but we did just get back from the best trip ever. After dinner, Mark cleared the plates and picked up the catalog. “Can you bring wine? Let’s sit on the porch. I’ll start a fire and grab a blanket.” Minutes later, Kimmy emerged with a glass of white wine and a Diet Coke.
“No wine for you?” he asked.
She grinned. “Not feeling it tonight.
You know I love me some Coca-Cola.”
He laughed. “If they offered that stuff in IV form, I swear you’d hook yourself up.” She snorted. “And,” he continued, wagging a finger, “if it came in keg form, I can picture you lying on the floor with the tap open, just letting it drain into you.” He broke into full laughter.
Kimmy slapped his arm. “Stop! I am not addicted. And besides, you like Diet Coke too, don’t even try to deny it.” He cupped her cheek and kissed her softly. “I love you. You know that, right?”
She tucked herself closer under the blanket. “Don’t hog it. Now… what have we got here?” Mark flipped open the catalog. “The Danube Waltz,” he said, pointing. “Did that. First one, remember?”
“Yes,” she replied quickly. “And don’t say it.” He feigned innocence. “Say what? Hey — is that powdered sugar smeared on this page?”
She groaned. “Okay, Mr. Funny Guy…”
Then she laughed. “That was funny. But you know I did that on purpose, right?” He raised an eyebrow. “Explain.” She crossed her arms proudly. “I wanted you to kiss me again, so I let it get all over me. And it worked. Even got you to marry me. Who’s the clever one?” He shook his head, smiling.
He turned the page. “Ooooh, the Rhine.
I could do that one every year.”
“Those castles…” she sighed. They kept turning pages, memories stacking gently atop one another. Then a bold heading stopped him.
Our Exotic Adventures
A full spread opened to towering images. “Pyramids & Pharaohs,” he read. “Oh,” he said softly. “Look at this, baby.” Kimmy leaned in, genuinely interested. “I remember how enthusiastic you were when you would talk about teaching Ancient Egypt your World History classes.”
“Since eighth grade I’ve wanted to
go,” he said. “And when I saw Death on the Nile — both versions — I
wanted to do it. Without the death, obviously.”
He started to turn the page, Kimmy put
her hand on the page, “Wait honey……what are the dates? How much?”
He looked at her. “Most of these are
booked for the next two seasons. So we’d be looking at maybe two and a half
years out. Would you really be interested?”
Kimmy nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “I can see this working.” They sat quietly for a moment, fire crackling, pages rustling softly in the evening air.
Endless Love
Mark set the Wawa coffee down on the table and glanced down the hall. A smile crept across his face. That girl, he thought. So full of life and happiness. How lucky am I? He settled into his favorite rocker on the porch, pulled the blanket over his lap, and snugged the hoodie a little tighter around his neck. The November air was crisp, clean, the kind that woke you up without being harsh. Within minutes the door opened. A tousled head slipped out. “Morning, baby… thanks for the coffee and the puzzle.” Mark looked up and smiled, thinking, anything for you. She knew that smile. It warmed her in a way coffee never could. The morning passed the way good mornings do — quietly busy, each of them moving through small routines, close without needing to be close every second.
At lunch, Mark brought out grilled cheese sandwiches, edges just a bit darker than planned. Kimmy took a bite and paused. “These are… ummm… good.”
Mark laughed. “You are so sweet.
They’re not, and you know it.”
She snorted. “Okay, fine. It’s the thought that counts.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. His phone rang.
“Oh hey, Brad… what….”
The brightness of the afternoon dimmed as clouds rolled over the sun. Mark listened, silent now, nodding, jaw tight. Kimmy watched him, concern flickering across her face. “Okay… what else do you know… that’s really awful… yes… yes, you too. Thanks for calling.” He ended the call and stared out toward the trees, where a thin slice of sunlight broke through the clouds and glinted off the creek below.
Kimmy’s voice was gentle. “What’s
going on, honey?”
“Give me a minute,” he said softly. He gathered the plates and carried them inside. Through the window, Kimmy watched him grab their jackets. He came back out and handed her hers, pulling his on as well. “Walk with me?”
“Sure, baby.” They walked in silence for a bit, the only sound the quiet gurgle of the creek threading through the crisp air. Mark squeezed her hand and took a breath. “You remember Brad,” he said. “My realtor buddy.”
Kimmy nodded. “Yeah… something wrong?”
“Let me tell you a story,” he said.
“Brad’s always had a thing for Tammy. Talked about her for years.”
Kimmy frowned slightly. “But Brad’s single.” Mark stopped. Turned to her. His eyes were red.
“That’s the thing,” he said. “He had chances. Plenty of them. Something always came up. Too busy. Bad timing.” Kimmy felt it land. “Missed chances,” she thought.
“Today he found out Tammy’s getting
married,” Mark said quietly. “It hit him hard.”
Kimmy slipped her arm through his. “Okay… and that upset you.” He turned fully toward her, took both her hands. “That could’ve been me, baby.” Her breath caught.
“You asking if I wanted one more
drink,” he continued. “If I’d said I should head home instead… all this—” he
gestured softly, then brought his hand to her cheek, “—never happens.”
“Oh honey,” she said, “but you did.”
He nodded, starting to walk again. “It
just made me think. So many turning points. So many ways it could’ve gone
wrong.”
He smiled faintly. “New Year’s… when I
thought you’d be better off without me.”
“Don’t,” she said quickly. “We’re
happy. We didn’t miss it.”
He chuckled. “What if you’d said you
liked creamy peanut butter that first time at the grocery store?”
She laughed softly. “Duh. Who doesn’t
like crunchy.”
“See?” he said. “We’d have missed
that.”
He slowed. “You know one of my
favorite moments of my life?”
She stopped him this time, pulling him
close. “Tell me.”
“When we walked into the jewelry store
for the first time,” he said. “You were so happy. I knew right then all I
wanted was to make you feel that happy… all the time.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck
and kissed him gently. “But you do. Every minute of every day.”
“You changed my life,” he said
quietly. “You completed my life. Who would have thought?”
She smiled. “We’re the end of a
Hallmark movie. When the screen rolls Happily Ever After.”
He stopped her again, pulled her close. “No, baby. Happily still. And forever still happy.” He took her hand and they started walking again.
She leaned in, close enough that only
he could hear, and whispered:
“I’m pregnant.”
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