Chapter 14: London Bridge Is Falling Down
Behind Blue Eyes
The low hum of the parking garage
seemed louder than usual as Kimmy waited, her fingers tapping lightly against
the steering wheel, her eyes flicking toward the glass doors of the eye
institute every few seconds. When Mark finally appeared, she straightened
unconsciously, watching the familiar way he adjusted his jacket before stepping
out into the filtered light. He slipped into the passenger seat, sunglasses
already on, and gave her a small, easy smile.
“Thanks for picking me up, honey.”
“Always, baby. I gotta take care
of my man.” She pulled the car into gear, easing out of the space. “How did it
go today?”
“OK,” he said, but the word landed
softly, without its usual ease.
Kimmy didn’t respond right away.
She merged onto the main road, her hands steady on the wheel, but her eyes
sharper now, tuned in. She waited. When nothing followed, she reached over, her
fingers finding his leg, giving a gentle squeeze.
“Tell me, baby… not so good
today?”
Mark let out a slow breath, his
gaze fixed out the passenger window, the world sliding by in blurred motion.
“Sometimes I wish we hadn’t made the ‘no secrets’ pact…” he said quietly. “But
we did.”
Kimmy’s grip tightened, just
slightly. “You know I want to know… spill.”
There was a pause, just long
enough for her heart to begin beating a little faster.
“You know the whole geographic
atrophy thing, right?”
Her breath caught. “Oh honey…” Her
hand moved instinctively, covering his.
Mark took it, still not turning.
“Well, doc wanted to bring up the second treatment again. I told him everything
seems the same to me, so he pulled up today’s scan… put it side by side with
one from six months ago.”
Kimmy glanced at him, her throat
tightening. “And…? Tell me you’re ok, baby. Please.” Her voice wavered just
enough that she reached up quickly, brushing at the corner of her eye before
the tear could fall.
Mark felt it—felt her shift before
he even looked. He turned then, squeezing her hand a little more firmly.
“All I know is what I see,” he
said gently. “And to me, it feels the same. The doctor said it looks like it’s
progressed some… reminded me what could happen.” He paused, choosing his words
carefully. “I won’t lie… that part bothers me. But day-to-day? I’m seeing the
same. Maybe just need a little more light.”
Kimmy nodded, but her silence
carried weight now.
By the time they pulled into the
driveway, the morning sun had risen just enough to cast long shadows across the
front of the house. Mark stepped out and started toward the porch, but
something tugged at him—something quiet but unmistakable. He turned.
Kimmy was still in the car.
He walked back without thinking,
opening her door slowly. She sat there, hands resting in her lap, staring
forward, her eyes glassy.
“Hey…” he said softly. “Hey, baby…
I’m ok. Really. I would tell you.”
That was all it took.
Kimmy turned toward him, her
composure slipping just enough as she stepped out and folded herself into him,
her arms wrapping tight, her face pressing into his chest.
“I’m such a baby,” she murmured,
her voice catching. “I just… I hate when it’s something like this. I can’t
stand it.”
Mark held her there, one hand
steady at her back, the other resting gently at the base of her neck, feeling
her breathing, waiting until it slowed, until the moment softened.
“Hey,” he said quietly. “Look at
me.”
She lifted her face, reluctantly,
her eyes still damp.
Mark smiled, that familiar, easy
smile, and lifted his hand, covering one eye, then the other in an exaggerated
motion.
“Same Kimmy,” he said lightly.
“Same beautiful girl that, for some odd reason, seems to like me.”
A small laugh broke through her
emotion. “Stop… you stop that,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m serious. I
worry about you and you just… try to make me smile.”
He leaned in, kissing her forehead
softly. “That’s because that’s my job,” he said. “Most important one I’ve got.”
She let out a breath, leaning into
him again, just for a second longer.
“Now come on,” he added gently,
nudging her toward the house. “We need some lunch.”
And just like that, the weight
didn’t disappear—but it shifted. Carried together.
Shower Me With Love
The sound of the front door
closing was followed by Kimmy’s voice drifting through the house, light again,
familiar. “I’m home, baby.”
Out on the porch, Mark sat with
his laptop open, the faint gurgle of the creek just beyond the railing filling
the quiet between keystrokes. He didn’t look up right away, scrolling as he
called back, “Little man happy today?”
A moment later, the door slid open
again, and Kimmy stepped out, the late morning light catching in her hair as
she crossed toward him and dropped onto the seat beside him.
“Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky as usual,” she
said, settling in close.
Mark smiled, still half-focused on
the screen—until he felt it.
That soft, warm breath at his ear.
He turned slightly, catching her
from the corner of his eye. There it was—that look. That grin. The one that
always meant she was about two steps ahead of him.
He closed the laptop slowly,
setting it aside, turning fully toward her now.
“So…” he said, drawing it out just
a bit. “Usually on Tuesday it’s puzzle time when you get home. But clearly…
puzzles are not on your mind today. Am I right?”
Kimmy’s grin widened,
unapologetic. “Why keep a girl waiting?” she said, as if it were the most
obvious thing in the world. “I’m here… you’re here…” Her tone softened just a
touch. “And after the way the doctor made you worry yesterday, I’m thinking I
need to make you a happy boy.” She tilted her head, eyes dancing. “Come on…
what are we waiting for?”
Before he could answer, she was
already on her feet, moving toward the door with a lightness that made him
laugh under his breath. She slipped inside, and a second later the door cracked
open again—her hand appearing, twirling the white sweater she’d just pulled off
in a loose circle.
“Don’t keep a girl waiting!” she
called, her voice lilting, playful, echoing down the hall.
Mark sat there for a beat, shaking
his head, that slow grin spreading across his face.
---------------------------------
Mark heard the shower turn on and
he felt his breathing beginning to slow to normal. From the bathroom a
soft lilting sound, “ooooh
baby?” Mark shook his head and thought,
“that girl” and he reached for his phone.
He exhaled, his shoulders
relaxing, the tension from the day before slipping quietly into the background.
He reached for his phone out of habit, thumb hovering—
“BABY!”
He paused, eyebrows lifting
slightly.
“That,” he thought, “is not a
suggestion.”
Pulling on his sweatpants, he made
his way down the hall, the warmth from the bathroom already spilling out into
the cooler air. He opened door and stepped into the bathroom. The frosted glass shifted as Kimmy’s head
appeared, her hair already soaked, water trailing down her shoulders.
“I can’t reach my back,” she said,
as if this were a completely reasonable emergency. “Will you wash my back?”
Mark leaned against the doorframe,
crossing his arms, taking her in for a second—her expression, just a hint of a
pout forming now.
“What… you won’t help me?” she
said, dramatically, rubbing at the corners of her eyes with closed fists. “Booo
hoooo…”
He couldn’t help it—he laughed
softly. “But we just—”
Her eyes lit instantly, the pout
gone, replaced with that bright, mischievous energy.
“I am very much aware of what we
just did,” she said, matter-of-factly. Then, softer, leaning just a little
closer, “Now I want you… in… here… right… now. Please… oh pretty please?”
Mark shook his head, smiling.
“That’s not fair,” he said. “You do that thing and what am I supposed to say?”
Kimmy slid the door open just a
little more, and a wave of warm steam rolled out, curling into the room,
fogging the mirror behind him.
She didn’t say anything else.
She didn’t have to.
The puzzle could wait. The coffee
would be reheated. The morning would pick back up where it left off.
But for now…
There was only this—this easy,
playful, unspoken rhythm they had found again and again.
And, as always…
They chose it.
Part of the Plan
The early morning light hadn’t
quite burned off the chill as Mark pulled into Wawa, his eyes catching Allan’s
truck easing into a spot just behind him. He smiled to himself, stepping out of
the car and waiting a beat so they could walk in together, shoulder to shoulder
like they had done so many mornings before. Inside, the familiar hum of coffee
machines and quiet conversation wrapped around them as they made their way to
the counter.
As Mark capped Kimmy’s coffee, her
newspaper tucked neatly under his arm—already flipped open to the puzzle
page—Allan glanced over and nudged him lightly.
“What’s new with you? Heard
anything from the Viking TV people?”
Mark’s smile widened just a bit.
“You read my mind, brother. I was going to show you this.” He reached into the
inside pocket of his black leather jacket and pulled out a folded envelope,
handing it over.
Allan opened it, scanning quickly
before his eyebrows lifted. “Oh wow, Dude…these are great flights. Direct and
Premium Economy? Doesn’t get much better than that, right?”
Mark nodded, enjoying his friend’s
reaction. “The email said they’ll be waiting for us at Heathrow, and they’ve
got us booked at the Park Plaza County Hall.” He leaned in slightly, lowering
his voice just a touch as he pulled out his phone. “And check this out…”
He tapped the screen a few times,
then turned it so Allan could see.
“Views of the Thames…right
there—and the London Eye from the room. How very cool is that?” He let out a
small breath. “Kimmy was so excited when these came yesterday.”
Allan looked from the phone back
to the itinerary, shaking his head with a grin. “Two weeks away. That’s
incredible. What can we do? Need a ride to the airport?”
“That would be great,” Mark said,
meaning it. “Kimmy’s talking to Sally about Brad staying with you guys for the
long weekend.”
Allan waved it off like it was
nothing. “Done.”
They clicked cups together in that
familiar, wordless agreement before heading off to start their separate days.
Later, the house sat in that quiet
mid-morning stillness, the kind that settled in between routines. Mark stood at
the porch rail, coffee in one hand, the London itinerary in the other, his eyes
drifting between the printed details and the slow-moving creek below. The paper
shifted lightly in the breeze as he reread the dates, the times, the small
details that somehow made it all feel more real.
The door slid open behind him.
“Morning, baby.”
He turned, smiling as Kimmy
stepped out toward him, her presence bringing warmth with it. “Morning,
honey—you saw your coffee and puzzle? Hope it’s a good one today.”
She kissed his cheek, slipping her
arm through his with ease. “I did. You always take care of me.” Her eyes
dropped briefly to the paper in his hand. “I see you’re looking at our London
trip…pretty exciting, isn’t it?”
Mark nodded slowly. “Even if
nothing comes of it…just the fact that they’re bringing us over to talk about
possibilities—that’s really cool.” He leaned his forehead gently against hers.
“All because you said we should send the video. You’re a smart girl.”
Kimmy’s face lit up, that quiet
pride settling in as naturally as her smile. “I talked to Sally this morning
after we dropped the kids off. She said they’d love to have Brad stay with them
while we’re gone.”
Mark nodded. “I told Allan you
girls were making plans. We’re lucky…he won’t miss a beat.” He took a sip of
his coffee, then added, almost casually, “Oh—and Sandy texted. She’ll be here
about six tonight. What do you think about heading to the sports bar? Catch a
couple periods of the Panthers game there?”
Kimmy’s entire expression shifted,
lighting up instantly. “Oh, that sounds super fun! Are we wearing our jerseys?”
Mark nodded, and that was all it
took.
Kimmy spun in place, already
halfway back to the house, her voice floating behind her in a completely
off-key sing-song. “Date night…date night…I’m going on a date night!”
Mark laughed softly, watching her
go.
The bar buzzed with energy, the
kind that came with game night—voices overlapping, screens glowing, the low
thrum of anticipation humming beneath it all. Mark and Kimmy sat close in their
booth, a basket of wings between them—mild for him, garlic for her—and a
mountain of curly fries slowly disappearing.
Kimmy dipped a long fry into
ranch, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. “What is in the envelope
you have tucked in your back pocket?”
Mark turned with exaggerated
innocence, which lasted all of about two seconds before her raised eyebrow
broke him. He laughed, reaching behind him and pulling it out.
As he unfolded the pages, Kimmy
leaned closer, immediately catching sight of the color-coded grid.
“Oh my god…” she said, laughing.
“Coach Love is back in the building—and there’s an elaborate plan.” She kissed
his cheek softly. “You know I love your plans. What is this?”
Mark tapped the top of the page.
“Spring Break in Florida.”
Kimmy smiled. “Oh, our Panthers
trip—cool. Do you have flight dates? Brad is going to be so excited.” She
paused, her eyes narrowing just slightly. “Wait…there’s more, isn’t there? What
did you do?”
That look—his look—was already
there.
“Look here,” he said, pointing.
“March 26th. Thursday.”
Kimmy’s eyes widened just a bit.
“Ooooh…a Thursday on our trip. Now you’ve got my attention.”
Mark chuckled. “Yes, of course—but
that’s also the game.”
“Oh…right,” she said, nodding.
Then her gaze dropped again. “Okay, but why is Thursday highlighted…and
Saturday the 28th?”
Mark leaned back just slightly,
letting it land. “Because, my sweet girl…Saturday the 28th is Florida Derby
Day.”
Kimmy’s mouth fell open. “Oh what
a coincidence—that’s so—wait…” Her eyes snapped back to him. “You knew this
when you got the hockey tickets. You did. You…” She pointed at him. “Did you
get Derby tickets too?”
“I called Jeff right after I had
the hockey idea,” Mark said. “Remember I gave him my box seats? They go every
year. He hadn’t filled them yet…so I grabbed three.”
Kimmy clapped her hands, her
excitement spilling over. “Back to the Derby! I need a new dress…a big hat…we
have to get Brad something—oh my gosh, do you think he’ll last the whole day?”
She paused, squinting at him. “You’ve thought of this, haven’t you?”
Mark smiled. “Remember Jeff’s
daughter Chloe? She’s coming down that weekend. She said she’d happily take
Brad back with her whenever he’s ready. Keep him entertained.”
Kimmy didn’t hesitate. She wrapped
her arms around his neck and kissed him softly. “You are the man with a plan.
I’m so lucky…we both are.” She pulled back just enough. “What about flights?”
Mark tapped her lightly on the
chest. “I know my plans are only suggestions until approved, so I didn’t book
anything yet. But…there’s a direct Delta flight Wednesday evening into Fort
Lauderdale. We stay on the beach, relax Thursday, hockey game that night…”
Kimmy leaned in, already smiling.
“Sawgrass Mall Friday? Lunch? Shopping?”
Mark laughed. “Whatever my girl
wants. Then Derby Day Saturday, fly home Sunday after lunch.” He raised an
eyebrow. “Good to go?”
Kimmy took another bite of her
wing, a bit of garlic sauce catching at the corner of her lips. Mark reached
over without thinking, wiping it gently away. She glanced around theatrically,
lowering her voice.
“Well…after careful
consideration,” she said, trying—and failing—not to smile, “your wife approves
of all this.”
She giggled, unable to hold it in.
The rest of the night unfolded
easily, the kind of effortless rhythm they had come to rely on. They cheered,
groaned, leaned into each other as the Panthers carried a 3–1 lead into the
third before deciding it was time to head home.
After thanking Sandy and settling
up, Mark moved through the quiet house, turning off lights until only the soft
glow above the stove remained. He made his way down the hall, pausing at Brad’s
door.
Kimmy was already there.
She stood over him in the soft
light, wrapped in the shirt, the hem falling just enough as she leaned
that Mark caught a glimpse of Minnie Mouse panties peeking through beneath. Her
voice dropped to a whisper as she smoothed Brad’s hair.
“…and your Daddy has the best—the
best—plan for spring break, honey. You sleep tight. Momma will tell you all
about it tomorrow.”
She kissed his forehead gently,
then placed the white clown blanket back into his hand, his small fingers
curling around it instinctively.
Kimmy turned and met Mark in the
doorway.
Neither of them spoke.
They just stood there for a
moment, watching their son sleep, the quiet of the house settling around them.
Outside, the creek moved steadily in the dark, and somewhere between the plans
they had just made and the trip waiting ahead, something unspoken passed
between them.
Not excitement. Not even anticipation. Just that quiet, steady knowing— that whatever came next…they would meet it
the same way they always had.
Together.
London: Day 1 – Fly Like An
Eagle, Let My Spirit Carry Me
The jumbo jet gathered speed down
the runway, the low hum building into a steady roar before it lifted, almost
gently, into the sky. Kimmy’s fingers found Mark’s hand instinctively,
threading through his as she leaned slightly across him, watching the ground
fall away beneath them. The world below softened into patches of green and
gray, shrinking with every passing second.
“Here we go, honey,” she said, her
voice carrying that familiar mix of excitement and wonder. “This could really
be a trip that sets us off down a new path.”
Mark turned toward her, the
movement unhurried, natural, as if he wanted to meet her fully in the moment.
He leaned his forehead against hers, his voice soft but steady. “There’s only
one thing I know for sure about this…”
Kimmy felt it before he
finished—the warmth, the certainty, the way he always seemed to find the exact
words that settled somewhere deep inside her. “What’s that, baby?” she asked,
already smiling.
“That whatever happens in London,”
he said quietly, “we’ll do it together. Just us.”
His hand drifted down, his fingers
lightly brushing the bracelet at her wrist. The ruby, nestled between the
silver “U” and “S,” caught the sunlight pouring through the window, sending a
small flash of red across both of them.
How does he do it over and over?
Kimmy wondered, her eyes meeting his, that same quiet amazement settling in
again.
Hours later, as the plane began
its gradual descent, Kimmy’s head rested comfortably on Mark’s shoulder, her
arm looped through his as if it had been there the entire flight. Mark looked
out the window, the view sharpening beneath them—the gentle curve of the Thames
cutting through the city, landmarks beginning to take shape in the distance.
He leaned down and kissed the top
of her head, letting his lips linger there just a moment longer until she
stirred, a soft murmur escaping her.
“Mmmm…”
“Look, honey…London,” he
whispered.
Kimmy’s eyes opened almost
instantly. She pushed herself up, stretching across him, nearly draped over his
lap as she tried to take it all in at once. Her excitement spilled out in
small, breathless bursts.
“Oh…OH…ohhhhh…”
Mark laughed softly, trying—and
failing—to keep his voice composed. “Baby…lower your voice,” he said, his
chuckle breaking through. “People are going to wonder what’s going on over here
with you laying across my lap sounding like that.”
Kimmy froze for a second, then
dissolved into a giggle, her cheeks flushing. “Well…let them wonder,” she said,
leaning up just enough to kiss him.
The rhythm of arrival took
over—customs, corridors, the steady hum of voices in unfamiliar accents—until
they found themselves standing at the luggage carousel. Mark’s eyes tracked the
bags as they circled.
“There’s yours,” he said, pointing
as Kimmy’s suitcase came into view. “I’ve got it.”
He pulled it smoothly from the
belt and set it beside her. Kimmy flipped over the red leather Viking tag,
opening it just enough to read the name inside.
“Kimmy Love.”
She smiled, a quiet, private smile
that didn’t go unnoticed.
“What?” Mark asked.
She held it up slightly. “I never
get tired of seeing that name.”
He nodded, understanding more than
she said.
“Where to?” she asked.
Mark gestured toward the large
overhead sign—EXIT TO MAIN TERMINAL—and took her hand. “David said he’d
be just outside baggage claim. Keep an eye out.”
They moved with the flow of
people, the double doors opening in front of them—
“MARK…KIMMY…guys, over here!”
Kimmy pointed immediately.
“There’s David.”
Before they could even take a
step, Kierra emerged from the crowd, her energy arriving a second before she
did. She reached Kimmy first, taking her hand and giving her a quick peck on
the cheek before turning, throwing her arms around Mark in a bright, enthusiastic
hug.
“Oh, we are so happy to see you
guys!”
David followed, more measured but
equally warm, hugging Kimmy before shaking Mark’s hand firmly. “Welcome to
London, kids. We’ve got a lot to talk about—but you must be exhausted after
that flight. Our car’s waiting outside.”
As they walked into the hotel
lobby, Kierra slipped easily between them, looping her arms through both Mark
and Kimmy as they began walking.
“This is such a great area—I think
we got you a room with a view—and I live not far from here, not that that
matters—and the office is less than ten minutes away, which is amazing—and have
you thought about what you’d like to do with us? I mean, I have thoughts—but
it’s not up to me—but David has ideas—oh wait, he’s got the keys—”
Mark glanced over at Kimmy, his
eyes smiling before his head tilted ever so slightly toward Kierra.
Kimmy caught it instantly.
She’s so like you.
Their shared smile said the rest.
David stepped in, handing over the
room keys. “You’re on the tenth floor—great view of the river. It’s just after
one…how about we pick you up around six for dinner?”
Mark looked to Kimmy. “You okay,
honey? Maybe a nap, freshen up?”
Kimmy nodded. “That sounds
perfect. Thank you so much—we really appreciate everything. We’ll see you
later.”
The hotel room door swung open,
and Mark nearly walked straight into Kimmy as she stopped abruptly.
“OH WOW.”
The Thames stretched wide beyond
the floor-to-ceiling window, the city rising around it in layers of light and
motion.
“Oops…sorry, honey,” Mark said,
then followed her gaze. “Oh…that’s impressive.”
He moved past her, setting the
suitcases on the bed, but Kimmy stayed where she was, arms stretched wide as if
she could take the whole view in.
“Honey, I’m going to take a shower
and lay down,” she said, not turning. “You unpack, and just set mine over
there, okay? Pretty please…be a dear…you know how much I appreciate you…”
Mark turned slowly, narrowing his
eyes in mock suspicion. “Way—way—over the top, Missy.”
They both laughed.
Kimmy kissed him quickly and
disappeared into the bathroom, the sound of the shower starting moments later,
her soft, unrecognizable melody drifting through the steam.
Later, the room felt settled,
lived in, as Kimmy stood in front of the mirror smoothing down her navy top. It
framed her necklace perfectly, paired with a gray skirt that moved just enough
when she shifted her weight.
“Honey…is this okay?” she asked,
glancing at him. “Not too formal? Not too casual?”
Mark stepped out from the
bathroom, adjusting his navy polo and gray slacks—then stopped.
Her eyes widened immediately.
“Did you pick that on purpose?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head
with a smile. “Promise. But…kind of cool, right? We’re twins tonight.”
Kimmy studied him for a beat, then
nodded. “So…this is good?”
Mark crossed the room, placing his
hands gently at her waist. “It’s so you,” he said quietly. “It’s
perfect. And we—we—are going to make a great impression tonight.”
The elevator doors opened to the
hotel lobby, where David and Kierra were already waiting. Kierra’s face lit up
instantly as she approached.
“That’s a really cute outfit!” she
said to Kimmy, then without missing a beat stepped in to give Mark a quick hug,
her eyes flicking over him. “And don’t you look handsome.”
She looped her arm through Mark’s
and took Kimmy’s hand with the other, guiding them toward David, who stood
smiling.
“You guys ready for a nice
evening?” he asked. “We’re heading to Aqua Nueva—great rooftop terrace,
incredible views. Then dinner inside—Spanish, but lots of options. Sound good?”
Kimmy glanced at Mark, her smile
already forming. “A terrace?”
David paused. “Oh—heights an
issue? We can—”
“No, no,” Kimmy said quickly,
lifting her hand. “Terraces are just…kind of our thing, right baby?”
Mark nodded, a small smile playing
at his lips. “It’s a long story. Actually…a lot of stories. But that sounds
perfect.”
When the elevator doors opened
onto the terrace, London revealed itself all at once—lights stretching in every
direction, the skyline alive with movement and color.
“What a view…this is amazing,”
Kimmy breathed, moving instinctively toward the railing. “Oh baby—a picture—we
have to take a picture!”
Kierra was already beside her. “Oh
yes—David, take our picture!”
Mark slipped his arm around
Kimmy’s shoulders just as Kierra reached for his other arm, pulling him in
close. David raised the camera.
“That’s great—smile!”
The moment froze—three figures,
one city, the beginning of something still undefined.
Inside, the restaurant carried a
softer energy, warm and intimate. Mark guided Kimmy to her chair, gently
pushing it in as she sat.
“Thanks, baby,” she said, smiling
up at him.
He moved to his own seat, but
Kierra stepped in smoothly, taking the chair beside him.
“This is one of my favorite
restaurants,” she said, leaning slightly toward him. “You’re going to love it.”
David settled between the two
women as menus arrived, conversation flowing easily—travel, stories, small
laughter filling the space as the evening unfolded.
By the time the plates were
cleared and the wine had softened the edges of the day, Kierra turned toward
Mark again.
“So…you said on the video call you
taught high school? That’s right?” She tilted her head slightly, studying him.
“You had to have retired recently—you don’t look old enough to have had a full
career.”
She laughed lightly, lifting her
glass.
Mark smiled. “Well, thank you.
Yes—World History and Economics.”
Kimmy leaned forward just
slightly, her eyes settling on Kierra. “Mark is so creative,” she said. “He
themed his Economics class around Disney. The kids loved it, right honey?”
Mark nodded, but Kierra had
already leaned in closer.
“That’s so cool,” she said,
glancing briefly at David before her attention returned to Mark. “Right, David?
Won’t he be perfect for what we’re working on?”
David smiled, measured as ever.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’ll talk more tomorrow—but I’m very
encouraged.”
Mark lifted his glass slightly
toward him, then let his gaze shift briefly to Kimmy before speaking.
“We’re looking forward to
tomorrow,” he said, pausing just long enough for the word to settle, “and we
are very interested in how we might fit your projects.”
The emphasis didn’t linger—but it
didn’t need to.
It was there.
London: Day 2 – What Do YOU
Know About Love – Part 1
Kimmy stirred awake slowly, that
soft, disoriented moment hanging in the air before memory returned. The room
felt unfamiliar for a second—the light, the quiet—but her hand rested in its
familiar place over Mark’s heart, and beneath her palm she felt the steady
rhythm of him. That was all she needed.
A small smile formed as everything
settled back into place.
London.
She turned her head slightly and
looked toward the window. The early morning light stretched across the skyline,
the London Eye standing in silhouette against the soft glow of sunrise. It felt
still, almost suspended, as if the city itself hadn’t quite decided to wake
yet.
Mark shifted beneath her, and she
felt it before she heard him.
“Good morning, my beautiful girl.”
She lifted her head, just enough
for her eyes to meet his, her expression caught somewhere between wonder and
amusement. “How…how do you do that?” she asked softly. “You’ve been awake for
what—three seconds?—and already you come up with something that melts my
heart.”
Mark’s arm tightened around her,
his smile easy, unforced. “It just comes naturally, honey.”
Kimmy studied him for a moment,
that familiar feeling washing over her again—the one she could never quite
explain, the one that made everything feel steady and certain at the same time.
“Big day today, baby,” she said,
her voice softer now, settling back into the rhythm of the morning. “We should
get some breakfast. They’ll be here in less than two hours.”
Mark’s hand moved slightly,
holding her in place.
“In a minute…” he murmured. “Just
stay. Just a couple more minutes.”
A slow, contented smile spread
across Kimmy’s face as she settled back against him, her head returning to its
place over his chest. She closed her eyes, listening—not to the city outside,
not to the distant hum of morning—but to the steady beat beneath her cheek.
For just a moment longer, nothing
else mattered.
The driver eased the car to a stop
in front of a modest three-story building, turning slightly in his seat. “Here
you go, folks. Offices are on the third floor, I was told. Have a great day.”
“Thank you,” Mark said as they
stepped out, the cool London air brushing against them.
They hadn’t taken more than a few
steps toward the entrance when the glass doors opened and David appeared,
already smiling, waving them in with an easy familiarity.
“Morning! Right on time.”
Inside, the building carried that
quiet efficiency of a place where things were always in motion just beneath the
surface. As the elevator doors closed and began their ascent, David stepped
into his role seamlessly.
“I thought we’d start with
something easy,” he said, glancing between them. “Meet the team, grab some
coffee and biscuits—just get a feel for how Viking TV works. Then at nine,
you’ll sit down with Kierra and our project manager. He’ll walk you through some
of the programs we’ve done that align with what we think could fit you.”
The elevator chimed softly as it
continued upward.
“After that, I’d like you to meet
Keith—he leads our creative team. He’s put together a few ideas we think might
suit you both. Then we’ll break for lunch—there’s a great pub just around the
corner. Afternoon, we’ll show you some behind-the-scenes footage. Should wrap
around three, and we’ll have you back to the hotel to relax before dinner
tonight.”
Mark glanced at Kimmy, their eyes
meeting briefly before he gave a small nod, squeezing her hand.
“Sounds like a full day,” he said,
“and we’re excited for all of it. Let’s get started.”
The conference room buzzed with
easy conversation, the kind that came from people who enjoyed what they did.
Coffee cups were passed, introductions made, laughter shared in small bursts as
Mark and Kimmy were welcomed into the rhythm of the office.
It felt natural.
Comfortable.
Until—
The door opened.
Kierra entered like a shift in
energy, bright and immediate, her red Viking shirt catching the light as she
crossed the room quickly.
“Good morning, guys!” she said,
her voice carrying that same animated warmth from the day before. “So excited
for today.”
She moved first to Kimmy, giving
her shoulders a quick, friendly squeeze. “Hi, Kimmy!”
Then she turned to Mark, bending
slightly and placing a playful kiss on the top of his head.
“And how are you today,
Mark?” she said lightly, straightening and turning to the room. “Isn’t this guy
something?”
A ripple of agreement moved
through the group—easy, harmless.
Mark lifted a hand, half in
greeting, half in dismissal, smiling as Kimmy’s fingers tightened gently around
his arm. There was pride in that touch—quiet, unmistakable—as the room’s
attention settled briefly on him.
The smaller office felt more
focused, more deliberate.
“Kierra,” she said, gesturing,
“this is Bob and Bill—they directed several of our recent episodes.”
Mark and Kimmy took seats near the
front. Kierra slid her chair in beside Mark without hesitation, angling
slightly toward him as she handed over a printed sheet.
“You can share, right?” she said
with a soft smile, her hand brushing his arm briefly.
Then, with a quick turn of her
head—
“Bill, why don’t you walk Mark…and
Kimmy…through the Rhine episode from last spring?”
The emphasis was subtle. Easy to
miss.
Over the next hour, the directors
spoke with practiced clarity, breaking down the structure of the programs, the
pacing, the responsibilities of the hosts. Mark leaned forward slightly,
engaged, asking questions when they came naturally.
Each time, Kierra’s attention
returned to him.
“Any questions, Mark?” she would
ask, her smile steady.
Then, almost as an afterthought,
her gaze would shift.
“You, honey?”
Kimmy would nod, contribute,
remain present—but the rhythm had begun to tilt, ever so slightly.
When the final segment wrapped,
chairs shifted, people stood.
Kierra was already moving, her arm
slipping easily through Mark’s as she turned to him.
“You could do this, right?” she
said, her voice light but certain. “I know you could.”
Mark smiled, but his hand reached
back, finding Kimmy’s without looking.
“I think we could,” he said, the
word settling with intention. “We’re excited to see what your creative team has
in mind.”
Kimmy nodded, her agreement quiet
but firm.
“Where’s the little boy’s room?”
Mark asked, a faint laugh in his voice. “That coffee went right through me.”
Bob pointed down the hallway.
“Third door on the left.”
Mark nodded and headed off,
leaving Kimmy and Kierra alone in the quiet that followed.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Kimmy turned slightly, her
tone easy, conversational. “So, Kierra—how long have you lived in London? You
sound American.”
Kierra smiled, relaxing back into
her chair. “Atlanta,” she said. “Came here for school and just…never left.”
Kimmy nodded. “That’s great.”
There was a small pause before she
added, gently, “If you don’t mind my asking—are you seeing someone? Dating?
Living with someone?”
Kierra shook her head, her
expression bright but dismissive. “Haven’t found ‘the man’ yet. Guys my age…”
she gave a small laugh, “…they’re just so immature, you know?”
Kimmy smiled politely, glancing
down the hallway where Mark had disappeared.
“And you two?” Kierra asked. “How
long have you been together?”
Kimmy’s face softened immediately.
“We knew each other for years before we found our way back. That was about
seven years ago. We’ve been married for over six now.” She paused, her smile
deepening. “We have a four-year-old son…we’re very happy. It’s been a dream.”
Kierra nodded slowly, her gaze
thoughtful.
“You two seem so happy,” she said.
Then she paused.
Her eyes flicked briefly toward
the hallway.
“…but,” she added quietly, almost
as if the thought had just come to her, “he…seems happy.”
She turned back to Kimmy, a small,
almost playful smile touching her lips.
“But…you never really know, do
you?”
The words lingered just long
enough to be felt.
The door opened.
Mark stepped back in, unaware of
the moment he’d just missed. “We ready?”
Kierra was already moving, her
hand catching his arm.
“Let’s go see what the boys have
in mind,” she said brightly, pulling him slightly closer as she turned, already
walking.
Over her shoulder—
“You coming, Kimmy?”
But she didn’t wait for the
answer.
She was already looking up at
Mark, talking again—ideas, possibilities, energy spilling forward.
Kimmy stood still for half a
second, watching them move ahead down the hall.
Just a beat.
Then Mark glanced back, his smile
easy, familiar.
“Come on, baby—you gotta keep up!”
Kimmy smiled, a small shake of her
head, and stepped forward to join them.
But something—just something—
had shifted.
London: Day 2 – What Do YOU
Know About Love – Part 2
“Baby, can you fasten my necklace
for me?” Kimmy asked, standing in front of the mirror as she made a final
adjustment to her hair. The soft glow of the hotel room lights reflected off
the Thames beyond the window, casting a quiet warmth across the room. Mark
walked up behind her, resting his hands gently on her shoulders as he met her
eyes in the mirror, a soft smile forming almost instinctively.
“You are just so pretty,” he said,
his voice low and certain. “This green dress…yeah, it looks just great on you.”
He fastened the clasp carefully,
his fingers lingering just a moment longer than necessary before leaning in to
kiss the curve of her neck. Kimmy closed her eyes briefly, letting the moment
settle before opening them again, her gaze finding his in the mirror.
“How do you think today went?” she
asked, her tone light but carrying just a hint of something beneath it as Mark
stepped away toward the window.
He didn’t answer right away. He
stood there for a moment, looking out over the darkening skyline as London
began to glow with evening lights. Finally, he exhaled softly.
“Well…,” he began slowly, “I
thought the programs they showed us—and the ideas they floated—those are all
things we could do. I guess I just thought they might be a little more…direct
about it. A little more committed.” He shrugged slightly. “But maybe that’s
just how they operate. I don’t know.” He turned his head slightly. “What about
you…did you get a vibe?”
Kimmy slipped her arm through his
and joined him at the window, her eyes drifting out over the city but not quite
seeing it.
“Well…,” she said quietly, “Kierra
seems quite taken by you, don’t you think?”
Mark chuckled, the sound easy,
unbothered. “She’s a bubbly one, right? Kind of reminds me of my classroom
days. So many of the girls ended up being favorites of mine.” He paused, a grin
forming. “Maybe it was just my devilishly good looks.”
Kimmy smiled faintly, though she
didn’t look at him, her gaze still fixed on the skyline as night fully settled
in.
The restaurant buzzed with energy,
a warm hum of conversation and clinking glasses filling the space as Mark and
Kimmy joined David, Kierra, and two additional members of the Viking team at a
large round table. Mark and Kimmy sat close together, their chairs nearly
touching, David positioned beside Mark while Keith took the seat next to Kimmy.
Across from them, Kierra and Bill settled in, menus already open as the evening
unfolded.
Conversation flowed easily at
first—travel stories, past itineraries, small moments from the day—light and
effortless. Yet more than once, as Mark spoke or listened, he caught Kierra
watching him. Each time their eyes met, she smiled, quick and bright, before
turning back to whatever story she had been telling, her hands moving
animatedly as she spoke.
Kimmy noticed too.
But every time, there was just
enough movement, just enough distraction, that nothing lingered long enough to
name.
When dessert arrived—David
insisting on cheesecake for the table—he leaned forward slightly, resting his
forearms on the table as his tone shifted just enough to draw attention.
“Let me ask you something,” he
said, glancing first at Mark, then including Kimmy with a small nod. “This is
really for both of you.”
Kimmy’s hand found Mark’s under
the table, her fingers tightening just slightly as she leaned in.
“I think it’s fair to say,” David
continued, glancing around at the others, “there’s a strong consensus here that
you two would be excellent hosting some of our itinerary preview programs. What
we’d need to understand is your availability…how often you could realistically
commit given your home situation. And of course, we’d need to discuss
compensation.”
Mark turned to Kimmy, their eyes
meeting for a brief, quiet moment. Her expression said everything—I told you
so—and he couldn’t help but smile before turning back.
Before he could respond, Kierra
leaned forward, her energy spilling into the moment.
“We would so love to have
you here,” she said, her voice bright, almost eager. “You’d be amazing—I just
know it!” Her eyes lingered on Mark. “Please…say you’ll join us.”
Mark nodded slowly, steady,
grounded. “Kimmy and I have talked about it,” he said deliberately, letting the
words settle, “and we think two, maybe three programs a year is something we
could manage. And honestly, if the travel piece is covered, we’d be very
interested.”
Kierra clapped her hands lightly,
unable to contain herself. “Oh, this is going to be so exciting!”
David smiled, extending his hand
across the table. “We’d cover all travel and accommodations, of course. Let’s
sit down tomorrow and go over some specific options. Does that work?”
Mark shook his hand firmly. “That
works.”
Kimmy leaned in and kissed Mark’s
cheek, the table erupting in a chorus of raised glasses as Kierra lifted hers
high.
“CHEERS! HORRAY!”
The energy shifted again as the
group moved to the bar, the space alive with music from a live band, voices
rising over the rhythm of the room. Drinks were ordered, laughter carried
easily, and before long Kierra grabbed Keith’s hand, pulling him toward the
dance floor with a carefree spin.
Mark leaned closer to Kimmy,
raising his voice just enough to be heard. “Oh, to be young enough to do that
again, right?”
Kimmy smiled, lifting her glass,
her eyes following the movement on the floor.
A few minutes later, she set her
glass down. “I’m going to the ladies room,” she said, touching his arm lightly
before slipping away into the crowd.
And almost as quickly as she
disappeared…
Kierra was there.
Kierra slipped easily into Kimmy’s
seat, her arm looping lightly through Mark’s as if it were the most natural
thing in the world. She took a sip from her glass, then turned toward him with
an easy smile.
“I’m really excited you’ll be
coming back to London…working with us,” she said, her voice warm, confident.
“We have a way of making things…memorable.”
Mark smiled politely, nodding, but
before he could respond, she leaned forward again, closer this time. The
neckline of her blouse shifted as she did, her presence filling his space, her
voice lowering just enough to carry over the music.
“Come on…dance with me.”
Mark shook his head, leaning in
just enough for her to hear. “Those days are long past me.”
Kierra laughed softly, leaning in
just a fraction closer, her breath brushing his ear.
“I don’t believe that for a
second,” she murmured. “You don’t seem like someone who’s done with anything.”
Kimmy had stopped just short of
the table.
She saw it.
She moved around the table
quietly, sliding into Kierra’s chair just as Kierra straightened, brushing a
strand of Mark’s hair back from his forehead before lifting her glass again.
Kimmy’s eyes stayed on Mark.
His expression was neutral—polite,
even—but not engaged in the way Kierra was.
Still…something didn’t sit right.
Mark glanced up and met Kimmy’s
eyes, offering her a small, reassuring smile.
She returned one.
But it didn’t quite land.
Kierra leaned in one last time,
her voice low again, almost conspiratorial.
She took another sip, then leaned
in again, her voice almost conspiratorial.
“I ended up staying here tonight,”
she said with a small smile. “Makes things easy after a night like this,
doesn’t it?” She laughed softly, gave
his arm a quick squeeze, her smile lingering a beat longer than necessary
before she slipped back toward the dance floor.
Mark sat back slightly, a flicker
of surprise crossing his face.
Kimmy was already standing beside
him.
“I’m tired,” she said evenly. “I’m
heading upstairs.”
Mark reached for her immediately.
“Wait—I’ll go with you.”
He tapped David on the shoulder,
offering a quick explanation. David nodded, distracted but warm. “We’ll talk
tomorrow.”
Mark nodded once, then followed
Kimmy out.
The elevator ride was quiet.
Too quiet.
The hum of the machinery filled
the space between them as neither spoke, both lost in their own thoughts.
When they reached the room, Kimmy
stepped inside first, her tone careful as she spoke.
As they stepped into the room, the
door clicking shut behind them, the noise of the bar fell away almost
instantly. The quiet felt heavier than it should have.
Mark didn’t answer right away. He
stood by the window, looking out into the dark, his reflection faint in the
glass. His brow tightened slightly, as if something hadn’t settled.
Kimmy turned, watching him now.
“What, baby?”
He hesitated—just a beat—then
turned to face her.
“I was…kind of uncomfortable
tonight.”
Mark shook his head. “No…after. At
the bar.”
There was a pause, the kind that
didn’t need filling.
“Kierra was…” he searched for the
word, then let it go. “It didn’t sit right.”
That landed.
She paused, then added,
“But earlier today…she asked about
us. How long we’d been married. I told her we were happy.”
Mark’s eyes lifted back to her.
A beat.
“‘But you never really know, do
you?’”
Kimmy nodded once.
Mark hesitated, not out of
doubt—but because saying it out loud made it more real.
“She told me she was staying here
tonight,” he said. “Said it like it was nothing. Like…” he stopped, then
finished simply, “like it mattered.”
Kimmy’s lips pressed together,
something quick and unfiltered breaking through—
“That little…”
The words slipped out before she
could stop them.
Silence followed.
Mark nodded. He understood.
He didn’t answer.
She took a breath, steadying
herself. “Maybe we just…sleep on it,” she said, though the tension hadn’t left
her voice. “See how tomorrow feels.” She forced a small smile. “Come on…come
cuddle.”
But Mark didn’t move right away.
He stood at the window, looking
out over the city, his reflection faint in the glass.
When he finally turned back, he
changed quietly and slipped into bed beside her. Kimmy rested her head on his
chest, but her mind wouldn’t settle—images replaying, moments looping.
His hand moved slowly along her
back, steady, familiar…until eventually her breathing softened and sleep took
her.
When she woke again, she was lying
across him, his phone glowing softly in the dim room.
“What are you doing, baby?” she
murmured.
Mark looked down at her, and
something in his eyes made her fully awake.
He turned the phone toward her.
“I emailed David this morning,” he
said quietly. “Told him something came up at home. That we need to fly back
today.”
Kimmy blinked, processing. “You
did?”
“I found flights,” he continued.
“We can be out before lunch.” He paused, his voice firm now. “Unless you feel
strongly otherwise…I want out of here. This isn’t what I had in mind for…” His
fingers brushed the bracelet at her wrist. “…us.”
Kimmy held his gaze for a long
moment.
“It could be a really great
opportunity if we just—”
“NO.”
The word landed clean, steady,
certain.
“If there’s one thing I don’t
compromise on,” Mark said, his voice low but unwavering, “it’s when someone
doesn’t see us as one thing.” He shook his head. “I was already uneasy about
how they talked about it yesterday. But after last night? With Kierra? That’s
over the line.”
Kimmy’s expression softened, a sad
smile breaking through. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “Because if we went back
there today…I think I might knock her out.”
Mark let out a short breath of
laughter. “Yeah…that’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid.”
He tapped the screen.
CONFIRM
The screen flashed.
Thank you for your
reservations…
And just like that—
London was over.
Because for them…there had never
really been a choice.
It was always…about us.
Back On The Porch
As Mark and Kimmy pulled their
luggage through the security doors, the familiar echo of the terminal barely
had time to settle before an excited voice rang out across the tile floor.
“MOMMA!”
Brad came scampering toward them,
his little sneakers squeaking with each hurried step. Kimmy’s bag slipped from
her hand without a second thought as she dropped to her knees just in time to
catch him mid-leap, wrapping him tightly in her arms. Mark followed behind,
scooping up the fallen bag with a smile as he reached over to ruffle his son’s
hair.
“Hi buddy,” he said warmly. “We
are so happy to see you.”
Brad beamed, immediately raising
his hand. “High five, Dad!”
Mark met it with a satisfying
clap.
“Dad…Dad…guess what!” Brad bounced
in place, unable to contain himself. “I was really good for Uncle Allan and
Aunt Sally. And I got ice cream TWO TIMES!”
Kimmy turned toward Allan, her
eyebrows lifting in playful disbelief. Allan simply shrugged, hands raised in
surrender. “Didn’t come with instructions,” he said. “So we had a couple of DQ
nights.”
Mark and Kimmy laughed, the sound
easy and full, as they made their way toward the parking garage—home already
beginning to settle back around them.
Allan fell into step beside Mark,
his tone softening. “I didn’t know what to think,” he said quietly. “After that
first text, everything sounded great. Then…nothing. And then you’re home early.
That didn’t feel like a good sign. What happened?”
Mark shook his head slowly, the
weight of it still lingering. He glanced over, offering a small, steady smile.
“Not even a Wawa story,” he said. “Too much to unpack all at once. We thought
maybe…Friday. Spaghetti night? You guys come over?”
Allan nodded, giving his shoulder
a reassuring pat. “Sal will be all in for that.”
The early morning light filtered
softly through the bedroom blinds the next day, inching its way across the
wooden floor toward the foot of the bed. Mark stirred slowly, caught somewhere
between sleep and waking, when he heard it—a soft, wandering whistle.
He turned his head.
Kimmy lay beside him, her bright
eyes already awake, watching him as she continued her quiet tune. When she saw
his gaze meet hers, the whistling melted into a smile.
“Hi honey,” she whispered. “Isn’t
it good to be back in our own bed? I didn’t sleep well the first night home,
but last night…out like a rock. How about you?”
Mark chuckled, reaching up to
brush her bangs gently from her eyes. “I was sleeping soundly,” he said
thoughtfully, “but then the oddest thing happened. I heard something…like birds
chirping. A kind of whistling sound. A little off-key. Weird, right?”
Kimmy swatted his chest, laughing.
“I would describe it as hauntingly melodic.”
Mark’s eyebrows shot up. “Did you
just say ‘hauntingly melodic’?” he teased. “Have you been reading Harlequin
romance novels? Wow…what a phrase.”
Their laughter mingled easily,
filling the quiet room.
Kimmy tapped his chest and then,
with a sudden shift, sat up in her familiar cross-legged pose, fingers already
working at the buttons of her shirt. She paused just long enough to flash him a
grin.
“Now that we’re back home,” she
said, “we need to get back on schedule…you know?”
Mark gave her a deliberately blank
look. “Hmm. What day is it? I can’t keep track anymore.”
Kimmy crossed her arms, lips
forming a perfect little pout. “You stop teasing. You know very well today is
Tuesday.” Her eyes sparkled. “I expect my coffee, a puzzle, and a
ready-and-waiting husband when I get back from dropping Brad off at school.”
Mark opened his mouth to
respond—but the pounding of small feet interrupted.
“DAD! DAD! Did the Panthers win
last night? Did Benny score?”
Brad launched himself onto the
bed, landing cross-legged beside his mom like he’d been practicing it. “Hi Mom!
Did they, Dad?”
Mark reached for his phone,
dragging out the moment just enough. “Let’s check…it…out…”
Brad leaned forward, barely
breathing.
“Oh,” Mark said, nodding. “Won
4–1. And Sam Bennett had a goal and two assists. Second star.”
Brad exploded off the bed. “BENNY!
BENNY! BENNY is the best!” he shouted as he dashed down the hall.
Kimmy leaned over and kissed Mark
softly. “Are you checking with Sandy about tomorrow?” she asked. “And do you
have thoughts on where we should go?”
Mark held up his phone. “Already
on my to-do list. Coffee run first, then I’ll find us somewhere new.”
Later that morning, Mark stood on
the porch, laptop open but forgotten, his eyes following the gentle movement of
the creek below. The familiar rhythm of the water, the quiet stillness—it all
settled something deep inside him.
Home.
The door opened, and Kimmy stepped
out.
She wore a white hoodie and jeans,
the hem of the sweatshirt just barely grazing above her waist. Mark tilted his
head and pointed.
“I see your belly-button, missy.”
Kimmy tugged at the hem playfully
and dropped into the seat beside him. “Are you looking at dinner spots for
tomorrow? Did you find something?”
Mark turned the laptop toward her.
“Dressler’s. Downtown. City views, good menu.”
Kimmy patted his head approvingly.
“So far, you’ve done a good job today. Coffee—check. Puzzle—check. Texted
Sandy?”
Mark nodded.
“And now a new restaurant,” she
continued. “Four checks for you.”
She stood, stretching slowly, then
turned back with that familiar look—the one that always meant trouble in the
best possible way.
“I’m hot,” she said lightly. “You
hot? I think I need to take this sweatshirt off.” She extended her hand. “Why
don’t you come inside and help me with this…um…problem?”
Mark closed the laptop, already
smiling, and began whistling as he followed her inside.
Friday arrived wrapped in that
quiet kind of cool that hinted at early spring, but inside the house there was
nothing but warmth—voices, laughter, and the unmistakable joy of children at
play.
Brad and Jillian sat cross-legged
on the floor, a chaotic spread of cards between them, each slap of a hand
followed by an explosion of giggles.
“I WIN!” Jillian shouted.
“Mom—look—I beat Brad!”
Brad grinned, already gathering
the cards. “Again.”
The adults exchanged knowing
smiles.
Sally sat curled into Allan on the
sofa. “The spaghetti…spot on again, honey. Nobody does it like you.”
Kimmy, finishing at the
dishwasher, glanced over her shoulder. “Have to give credit to my hubby,” she
said sweetly. “He was a big help.”
Allan’s eyebrows lifted. “You? YOU
helped with the famous spaghetti?”
Kimmy didn’t miss a beat. “The
sauce was on the top shelf. We’d never have eaten if he hadn’t been so sweet to
reach it for me.” She wrapped her arms around Mark from behind and kissed his
cheek. “Good job, baby.”
Laughter came easy.
Allan caught Mark’s eye.
Mark nodded.
“Alright,” he said. “You want the
London story? Refills all around—and let’s head out to the porch. I’ve got the
fire going.”
They settled into their familiar
places—Mark and Kimmy side by side in matching red Panthers hoodies, Allan and
Sally rocking gently across from them. The fire crackled softly between them,
string lights casting a golden glow across the porch. For a moment, no one spoke. Just the sound of the creek.
Sally leaned forward gently. “You
don’t have to share if it’s uncomfortable,” she said. “But…it sounded like it
was going so well. What happened?” Kimmy glanced at Mark, who was staring out
into the dark.
“I’ll start,” she said softly.
She pulled him closer and began,
her voice steady but warm. “The first day was wonderful. The flight…great. They
were waiting for us…”
Mark chuckled suddenly.
Kimmy turned. “What’s so funny?”
“You would’ve lost it if you were
on that plane with us,” he said, raising his glass toward Allan.
Allan leaned forward. “Why’s
that?”
Kimmy blushed. “People didn’t
really notice…”
Sally’s eyes widened. “You didn’t
join the mile—”
Mark burst out
laughing. “No! No, not that!” The
laughter rolled across the porch, easy and loud. Kimmy leaned in toward Mark, her voice
playful but just loud enough. “But maybe next time, baby…sounds fun.”
More laughter.
When it finally faded, Mark
continued, walking them through the trip—the meetings, the possibilities, the
promise it all seemed to hold.
“At lunch that first day,” he
said, shaking his head slightly, “I would’ve told you we were on our way to
something.”
Kimmy nodded, then glanced down at
her glass. “But…”
Sally leaned forward. “Something
changed.”
Mark exchanged a look with Kimmy.
“Let’s just say…they weren’t completely clear about wanting us as a
team.”
Kimmy lifted a hand slightly. “At
dinner it sounded better…like that’s what they wanted.”
Mark nodded. “Maybe. But some of
the personalities…didn’t sit right. And by the end of that night…it all came
into focus.”
Kimmy’s voice softened. “Some
things were said…that just didn’t feel right.”
Sally’s gaze shifted to her.
“Someone said something about you, didn’t they?”
Kimmy’s eyes shimmered, but she
nodded slightly. “Something like that.”
Mark’s arm tightened around her.
“We just knew,” he said simply. “We’re happy here. In this life. Us…like this.”
He let the words settle.
“We couldn’t be happier to be
home.”
Sally murmured just loud enough,
“That Tuesday-Thursday thing…”
For a split second, silence.
Then all four of them broke into
laughter again.
And as the sound faded, what
remained was quieter—the soft crackle of the fire, the steady creak of the
rocking chairs, and the gentle, constant music of the creek moving over the
stones below.
Back on the porch.
Right where they belonged.
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