The look on Mark's face was a mixture of confusion and beginning anger, "What the hell�"

Rae stepped in, "You know, he's right, but I wished he would've kept his lips from flapping in the breeze and let me tell you." Now Mark was totally confused. Had he been so wrong about her? He shook his head to himself. He knew that he was panicking, and he waited for her to explain. Rachel on the other hand, was in a sick way, enjoying his obvious concern. She smiled sweetly and put both hands on his chest, "Now babe, it's not what you're thinking. All Glenn is trying to tell you is that I will be playing for the Brides team."

His eyes twinkling , he scolded her for scaring him, "You listen to me, little woman (she hated being called that). If you ever get the urge to surprise me like that again, you can find some other way, ok?"

Glenn laughed at them and said, "Hey, at least I know that my wife will be loyal to 'her man'. I don't have to worry about her weaseling out of her duties."

"Says who, dear?" Storm said with an eyebrow raised.

Glenn looked decidedly uncomfortable, "Ahh sweetie, I didn't hear you..."

"That's obvious. Let me straighten you out on a few things. First, I am not one you can 'keep in line' - I make my own decisions. Second, I and my wonderful friend, Rae, are going to be on the Brides team, and we are gonna kick your asses!"

Glenn practically spit out the water he was drinking. Once he recovered, he said, "You two couldn't kick my ass even if I had a roadmap tattooed on it!" With that said, she and Rae strolled away, arm in arm giggling to themselves. Glenn and Mark, on the other hand, once again were left with their mouths agape.

As they walked up to the dugout, they saw the Brides team in what could best be described as a huddle. Suddenly, one of them spied Storm and Rachel and she let out a whoop and came running to them. "Hey you two, I never thought you'd get here! What the heck was the hold up? Oh forget it, you can tell me the details later!"

"Midnight! Oh god I missed your sick demented sense of humor!" Rachel cried as she gave her a squeeze, "And how is my demented sister?"

"Oh you know, so many innocents to corrupt, takes up almost all of my time. Stormy, so how's married life treating you? You look mah-velous!" They stood and gabbed for a minute more and then Midnight took them over to be introduced to the rest of the group. "Ok, Ok, line up here. Now you two will be tested on this later, so pay attention! First we have Joanna, and Gwendolyn. Next to her is Iris, Jackie D, not to be confused with Jackie C. Ha ha I just crack myself up! Anyway, there's Taj, Lady Avalon, Angel, Kiri, and of course we can't forget Mother or Icewolf." All of the ladies hugged and greeted one another.

They had all wanted to meet for so long. Now it was like an alumni sorority weekend. There was so much laughing, hugging, and a few tears, that they didn't notice the person standing behind them. "Hello? If you ladies are finished with your sewing circle, then you can start your warn ups. I am looking forward to seeing your, mmm, how shall I say? Talents."

Val. Storm rolled her eyes at Rachel and whispered, "I bet he thinks he's the king of the harem here. Boy does he have a surprise in store!"

"What was that there Stormy my dear friend?"

"Oh nothing Val, my dear."

"Good, Midnight, let's give them the lineup." Midnight stepped up to the front of the crowd and began barking out their assigned positions. Storm got to play first base and unfortunately Rae ended up with short stop. Damn, Rachel thought, I hate short stop! I going to have a lot of trouble making plays to first left-handed. I really hope Storm doesn't kill me if I hit her by accident!

They all turned to Val and Lady Avalon asked, "So, who the hell is going to pitch and catch? What, are we going to use, telekinetic powers to get the ball across the plate?"

"Jeez, you really need to loosen up, and the Big Valbowski has just the thing for you." Lady Avalon did not take very kindly to his offer, and he immediately backed away with his hands in surrender. "Ok, ok, I'm sorry! It just comes out automatically sometimes. Well, as I was saying, you are all playing against some very big guys. While you may all be talented softball players, you are going to need a little equalizer. So, Godfather will be catching, and I, of course, will be pitching. Midnight is handling the coaching, so you can take direction from her. Ready? Ok ladies, let's play ball!"

The game started harmless enough, and Rachel was glad to notice that Mark was not playing a position. Just then, he took up residence behind the plate. He was the home plate umpire! She turned away and snorted a little bit. It would be very hard to concentrate on the game with him bellowing out the count. She smiled evilly to herself as she concocted a plan. The first batter up was Test, and he knocked the ball out of the park on the first pitch. This was going to be one long game, she thought to herself . The next batter was Jeff Jarrett. They heard somebody ask him why he didn't bat with his guitar, and even he had to laugh. He hit an infield fly and mercifully, Mother caught it easily. The inning stretched on for awhile, and the WWF gained a considerable lead. By the time the third out was made it was 4-0.

As the Brides came in off of the field, Midnight slapped Val on the back. "Hey Val? Sorry buddy, but those guys are nailing every one of your pitches. We need to put someone in there who can put a little heat on the ball." Midnight coughed as she said it, thinking how much of a blow to his ego this was. She walked up to Rachel and said, "Listen, I know how much you like to be the center of attention, but we need a pitcher who can actually pitch, not just bump and grind. What do you say?"

Rachel sighed and grabbed a ball, "Alright, I'll do it; bumping and grinding is extra, and will cost you." She headed off behind the dugout with the Godfather to loosen up. She could hear the guys on the other team harassing Val for being pulled, and she had to smile to herself.

"What's so funny? You got something on that ball I don't know about?" Godfather eyed her cautiously.

"Maybe. I'll let you in on a little secret: when I was growing up, my dad played a lot of ball. He never had any sons; I was the one he'd play catch with. I played in a fast pitch league pretty much until the time I went on the road. So be prepared."

They only got a few minutes of practice in before Jackie called them to go out onto the field. Rachel stepped up on the mound, and breathed deeply. Goldust was up to bat, and she knew that he was a fair player; liked his pitches high and outside. She shook her head, dismissing the signals that Godfather was giving her. Finally, he threw up his arms at her and let her go. She threw a curve ball, and Goldust swung above it. She managed to get him to strike out, and he slunk away, not sure what had just happened.

The game went on, with the Brides finally tying it up in the bottom of the seventh inning. Tempers were starting to get a little short, as everyone was tired, hot, and dirty. Rachel's arm was getting sore, and she hoped she could hold out until the end of the game. Mark was being a real pain too, purposely making some questionable calls. He won't be smiling like that to himself much longer, she thought to herself. The first time he hassled her this inning she would pretend to be outraged. She threw the first pitch and it was called a ball. She clenched her jaw and wound up for the next one. "Ball two!" That was all she needed to hear. She threw her glove off and ran to the plate. She was yelling at him, standing as close to him as she could and still see.

At first he started to laugh, but then he put a more serious face on to make it look good. He told her to be a good girl and get back on the mound, and when Midnight heard that, she came running. "If you weren't such an idiot, this guy would have two strikes on him now! You better pull your hair outta your eyes and your head outta your ass because if you don't, you and me are going to be all over this plate!"

She kicked a big cloud of dirt at him for measure, but as she did, she fell off balance and knocked both her and Rachel into him. He threw his head back and roared, "You're out of here! Both of you, into the stands, and I don't want to see you on this field again!"

The two women just looked at each other and laughed hysterically. Rachel looked up at Mark and said, "See ya later babe." She blew him a kiss and sauntered off to sit in the stands. In the end, Taj hit a two run homer, which gave them the victory. As the two teams shook hands, Rachel called out to Glenn, "Hey stud, we beat you, and I didn't even need to use a map!"

He ran after her and threw her up over his shoulder when he caught her. He walked over to the dugout and dropped her at Mark's feet. In a playfully disgusted tone he said, "Here, take her, she's all yours! I don't know why you put up with the unbearable wench."

Rae stuck her tongue out at him, "You're just mad cause you got beat by a bunch of women! How's that ego now, stud boy?"

The guys signed autographs for awhile before making their way back to their cars. Mark slid behind the wheel and smiled at Rae. "You caused that whole scene at home plate on purpose, didn't you?"

It was her turn to give him a smug look. "I knew you were blowing calls on purpose to piss me off, so I thought I'd give you a little thrill. Satisfied?" He nodded, and pulled her car away from the field. They drove along pretty much in silence, holding hands. Rachel always had trouble staying awake when she wasn't driving, and she was so tired she didn't even try to fight it. Closing her eyes, she let her mind wander as she began to relax. Suddenly, she felt the car jolt, and she sat straight up in the seat. "What the heck are you doing?" she hissed, "You're going to knock my head off of the door!" Mark had pulled off of the road, coming to rest at the edge of a cornfield. Rachel rubbed her eyes, but it was dark enough she couldn't really see her surroundings too well. "I'll ask you again. What the heck�?"

She turned towards him as she asked the question, and then stopped mid-sentence as he put his finger to her lips. With a sardonic smile he said huskily, "I think it's about time somebody taught you not to play with fire: you might get burned."

She felt the heat rise in her body. Tired or not, she knew what she wanted. "Well then, my Lord, teach me not to be such a bad girl�"

Chapter 5: "I Told You So�"

"Oh babe, it feels good to be able to wake up in my own bed for once. I was really getting tired of the road." Mark stretched lazily and reached for Rae, wincing a little.

�Your back still bothering you? Maybe I could try to loosen you up with a massage�" Rachel was glad for the opportunity to spend some time off of the road with him, but she knew that he needed much more than 3 days to rest his poor abused body.

Mark sighed as she began to work down his shoulders and back in slow, firm strokes. By the time she reached his lumbar area, he had decided that he'd had enough massage. "Hey lady, can I return the favor??"

Laughing quietly, she answered, "Depends on where you think you're going to put your hands - do I get to have any input?"

"Input? Hmmm, I don't think I've ever heard it referred to as that. Babe, you will certainly have some input - just lay back there and enjoy it!"

He turned onto his side and reached for her left hand. Grasping it lightly by the heel, he kissed the palm of her hand, working down each finger and flicking his tongue over her fingertips. She made a deep purring sound and bought her free hand to his chest, but he pushed her hand away. "Lay still," he commanded. No argument from me�ahhhhh Rachel's train of thought was interrupted by him nibbling at the tender skin by her collarbone. She closed her eyes and tried to squirm to enhance the pleasure she was feeling. Again, Mark growled at her to stay still. He then laid his weight more fully on her to keep her from moving so much. She knew she had to hold on to something, so she reached up and grabbed a spindle of the bedpost with each hand. Let him have his way, she thought wickedly to herself. I will behave for as long as I can.

He blazed a trail with his tongue down her chest, stopping over her breasts. She felt his chain, cool against her skin, and his breath hot just above her right nipple. Her chest was heaving with passion, but she remained still. He began to kiss her breast, ignoring the swollen aching nub. He knew he was driving her crazy, and it enflamed his desire. He picked his head up. "Open your eyes." She obeyed. The sight of her eyes darkened by passion set his blood on fire, and he had to resist the urge to take her then. Instead, a slight smile came to his lips. He had a much better idea. "Am I pleasing you, Beloved?"

"Yes" was all she could managed to say.

He raised an eyebrow to her. "Yes, but what? Tell me what it is." She breathed as deeply as she could. No one had ever asked her what she wanted before, and she was a little shy about showing him. Finally she brought one arm down from the headboard. Without a word, she licked her index and middle finger and brought them down to her nipple, rubbing and flicking it. It was her turn to see Mark's eyes darken. He removed her hand and began to lick each of her nipples, causing them to harden even more. Then, as he began to suck one while rubbing and pinching the other, she arched her back, in spite of his weight on her.

He left a trail of heated, passionate kisses between her breasts and down to her navel. I wonder if this nub is as sensitive as the others, he thought wickedly to himself. He just barely flicked the tip of his tongue over her navel, and she cried out in response. I guess it is, better remember that for later. He kissed her belly and her hips, gently nipping her skin so he would not bruise her sensitive skin. He then turned his attention to the tops of her thighs, then the insides, prolonging her sweet torture as much as she could stand. He blew on her swollen folds, and it caused her to shudder in ecstasy. Rachel picked up her head, "Ahhh, please, I can't take much more of this; stop this torture."

"As my lady commands," and he began to use his tongue on her as if to open up a delicate flower, petal by sweet petal. She could no longer stay completely still, moving her hips to draw him deeper. He sensed her urgency and responded to her by thrusting his tongue even deeper into her. Replacing his tongue with his finger, her began to suck on her as his finger moved in rhythm. Rachel screamed in pleasure, begging him to be inside of her. He knew she was right on the edge of climaxing, so he backed off. When she growled at him, he whispered huskily, "Shhh, I want to make this last, to give you as much pleasure as I can."

He began working his way back up her body, until he was positioned over her. She wanted to grab him as he entered her, but restrained herself, knowing he would only push her hands away. Instead, she clutched the sheets and arched her back. As he eased himself into her hot, moist body, he commanded her to open her eyes again. As she did, he murmured, "Let your hands do what they will." She did not need to be told twice. She wrapped her legs around his waist, putting one hand on his buttocks for leverage. The other ran up and down his chest, as she licked and sucked his nipples. His were as sensitive as hers were, and his response turned her on as much as when he did it to her. They moved together, sometimes slowing the pace other times thrusting as if they were in a frenzy. She felt the waves begin to overcome her and she took her finger and rubbed it just above his anus. He cried out and pumped harder, feeling her muscles contracting around him. Then, something happened to her that had never happened before. She began to have a second orgasm, so intense she screamed out loud. She could not believe the sweet pain, and his climax only increased it.

While the waves of pleasure crashed still over them, he rolled over still inside of her. As she sat, straddled on his belly he kissed her deeply. "Did I give you enough input?" She gave him a feral smile and bit his lip. Just then the phone rang. He rolled his eyes as she reached for the phone and said hello.

"Why are you answering my son's phone this early in the morning??"

Aunt Lyla!! She felt her face flush as she stammered, "Um because I was closest to it?" Way to go girl! Now she knows you've exactly where you've been and what you've been doing!

She handed the phone to Mark, giving him a guilty look. He rolled his eyes again at her, taking the phone. She tried to roll off of him, but his free hand held her hip where it was. "Hey Mum what's wrong?"

"You've been holding out on me Marcus, and you know how much I hate surprises!"

He groaned, "Ma, what is there to tell? Rae and I are adults, and I don't think I have to paint you a picture, do I?"

Rae's eyes popped out of her head at his comment. If Lyla didn't kill her, her mother certainly will. Lyla shot back at him, "Do you think I need you to? I did have sex more that the two times my children were conceived, you know." Mark made a face, trying to wipe the picture from his mind. "Anyway," she continued, "That was not what I was referring to. You have been home long enough to sleep, but you never called you poor mother. I want you two up here today for lunch, no if�s and�s or but�s. Got it?"

"I've got it."

"Good. Now tell me, are you going to buy the cow so to speak, or continue to get free milk?"

Mark gasped in horror, "Ma you're awful! For the record, I do not want my milk free forever, OK?" He shook his head and hung up the phone. His mother was a trip! Rachel smacked him playfully on the chest and asked his what the free milk thing was about. He gave her a cryptic smile, and threw her off of him. He wanted to ask her, but he had to take care of something first.

As they approached his boyhood home, Rachel became more and more nervous. Mark had avoided all questions about the "free milk" comment, and that, coupled with being caught by his mom this morning, made her uncomfortable. Mark sensed that she was uneasy, and squeezed her hand. "It'll be okay. My mother isn't mad about you answering the phone. She was just giving you a hard time." Rachel was not convinced. She knew how jealous a mother could be over her son, and that, besides infidelity, had made her first marriage hell. She had no more time to think about it, as they were pulling into Lyla's driveway. Lyla came to the door and held it open for them to come in. As she hugged Mark, she winked at Rachel. She sighed with relief. At least Lyla isn't really mad at me. In fact, the whole idea of Rachel and Mark together tickled her, and she hoped that he was not dumb enough to let her get away. They were perfect for each other and always were, even if they didn't know it.

They made small talk as they ate lunch, making Lyla laugh about their account of the charity softball game. She reminded them how that's where their father's had met, and how it was not love at first sight. Rachel laughed, remembering how her father would spout off about Uncle Keith. She was sure it had not been one sided. After lunch, Mark excused himself while the ladies were cleaning up.

"Hello? And what gives you the right to make the mess and then take off?" Rachel feigned annoyance at him. Instead of throwing some one liner back at her, he simply smiled and said he'd be back in a little while. She shrugged her shoulders at Lyla, not knowing what to make of his behavior. Lyla knew, though, and while she wanted to assuage any fears Rae might have, she didn't want to give anything away.

It didn't take long for Mark to find his father's grave marker. He knelt down and carefully began to pull at some imaginary weeds. He sighed heavily. "God I miss you Dad! I know I never asked for advice from you that often, but now is one of those times when I really need it. I love Rachel so much, but I am so scared. What if I'm wrong again? What if something happens and we break up? She is the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last thing before I fall asleep. My love grows deeper and deeper for her everyday, but I do not want to hurt her. I know she is scared too, but I have never felt this way about anyone. I wish you could talk back to me, give me some sign to let me know that everything is going to be alright." He closed his eyes and rested his head against the cool granite. Half expecting an answer, he was disappointed when none came. He dusted himself off and began the trek back to his truck. He would just have to find out for himself.

As he walked back into the house, he looked around to find the two women. Following their voices, he found them sitting on his mother's bed, giggling over some old photographs. Rachel handed him a picture of them taken at an amusement park long ago. He must have been about nine , which would have made her three or four. They had their heads poking out of cutouts of a bride and groom, grinning like the hams they were. Mark drew his breath in sharply and on an impulse, turned the picture over. On the other side there was a caption in his mother's handwriting, "my future daughter in law.� Rachel looked up at him with concern. Maybe it wasn't such a great idea to show him that picture. She loved him so much, wanting to be with him always. But maybe he wasn't ready yet. Her frown melted away as a huge grin spread across his face. Lyla excused herself and went downstairs to give them some privacy.

His father had answered him, just not in the manner he thought he would! I'm sure he was just making me sweat for actually asking his advice. Well, it's now or never. He placed the picture on the bed, and knelt down in front of Rachel. She froze, not wanting to interrupt him. He touched her face lightly, running his fingers along her cheekbone. "I think it's time I buy the cow instead of getting my milk for free."

"Whaaat???" Rachel spat out. "What do you mean 'buy the cow'? Are you saying that I'm a cow???"

He had to laugh, it was just like her to jump to conclusions. He placed his fingers over her mouth to quiet her. "Shhh, let me finish. What I mean by that is, I am not happy with the way our relationship is going, and I don't think it is fair that I get the 'milk for free', know what I mean?" Yeah she knew, and she looked away. He wasn't happy with her, and he was trying to be so nice in letting her down easy. Damn him, why does he have to be so nice? He lifted her chin up so their eyes met, wiping away the tear that had started down her cheek. "Sweetheart, don't cry, it's not what you think. I am not happy with the way things are now, so I want to make some changes. I'm screwing this up bad, I know, but I guess what I am trying to say is, would you honor me for the rest of our days and be my wife?"

Rachel's eyes widened with shock and she started to cry. She could not believe what she'd just heard him say! She smiled at him through the tears and brushed a stray piece of hair out of his eye. Taking a deep breath, she said, "I can't think of anything I would rather do, or anyone I would rather do it with than you." Mark leaned forward to kiss her, and she slid off of the bed to straddle him. They stayed that way for a long time, the two of them crying, kissing, and whispering to each other. Finally, Rachel leaned back so she could look him in the eye. "You know what? My mother always said I'd end up marrying you. I can't wait for her to say, 'I told you so!'."

The End

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