| Epilogue |
It was raining as she hurried home. Vanessa was drenched by the time she unlocked the door but was too excited to care. She stumbled inside burdened by all she was carrying. Dropping it all except one as she closed the door. �Mark?� she yelled excitedly. As she pulled off her wet coat, she frowned when she got no response. They�d been together for almost two months now. Mark's divorce was nearly final and the doctor had cleared him to wrestle. They were still trying to figure out their schedules once Mark was on the road full time and Vanessa�s media tour began once her book came out. But she knew Mark should have been home by this time of day. She grabbed up the package she�d set down momentarily, walking toward the bedroom. When she got to the doorway she clasped her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing too loud. Mark was lying diagonally on the bed, his head barely visible from under the covers as he slept soundly. Vanessa climbed into the bed next to him, kneeling she began pushing the covers away and shaking him. �Mark, wake up.� She demanded. Mark barely stirred as he buried his head deeper into the pillow, as he mumbled a response. �Mark!� she tried again, shaking harder. He grumbled as he then buried his head under the pillow. Vanessa giggled, �You want to try that in English, Red?� she asked. Another muffled growl, �You better be glad I can�t understand that.� She advised. �Wake up!� she demanded shaking him, while she pulled the pillow away. She screamed in surprise as Mark quickly turned, grabbing her around the waist, easily pinning her under him. �Dammit woman. I�m trying to sleep.� He growled into her neck. Vanessa giggled again, knowing he really wasn�t angry as he began kissing her neck. �Thought you were sleeping?� she asked, running her hand down his bare back. He lifted his head slightly, looking down at her, evil little smirk crossing his lips. �I�m up now.� He responded huskily. �I�ll bet you are.� She responded, laughing lightly. Mark wiggled his eyebrows and began to lower his head to her neck again. �No. No. No.� she protested, pushing on his shoulders. �I have to show you something.� She reached blindly for the object she�d dropped in their tussel. Finding it she waved it wildly in his face. Mark rolled over bringing her with him. He sat up in bed; Vanessa straddled across his lap. �What . . .your book!� he exclaimed. Vanessa smiled happily, nodding. Mark reached out, sliding his hand around her neck, pulling her to him kissing her long and hard. �Bit, I�m so proud of you.� He whispered. She grinned at his words, as he turned the book over to see the back cover photo. �What?� she asked, seeing him frown. �You don�t like the picture?� �That skirts kinda short, isn�t it.� He observed, still frowning at the picture. Vanessa bit back the laugh; she leaned forward to kiss him. �You like my legs.� She mentioned. �Yeah . . .but I don�t want . . .� �Read the dedication.� She interrupted softly. �What?� he asked looking up at her. She turned the book back over, opening it to the page with the dedication. Nessa held her breath as she watched him read the page, the emotions playing across his face. ~~"To the man I love. Who loved me when I didn�t know. Whose love I thought I�d lost. To the circumstances that separated us. To the life and road that brought us back to each other.�~~ She watched as Mark ran his finger along the words on the page. �When did you do this? I thought the book was about to come out.� He asked. Nessa nodded slowly, �It was. I made my publisher wait. The book didn�t have a dedication - I called him the day after we talked.� She informed him. �I couldn�t let it come out without it.� Mark looked up at her, to see the tears brimming in her eyes. �I want the world to know . . .the person who inspires me. Even when I didn�t know it.� She smiled. �The years we were apart were hard . . .but necessary. I can�t regret them.� Mark set the book on the bedside table. Wrapping his arms around her waist he pulled Nessa to him until she was flush against him, holding her tightly. Vanessa rested her head on his broad chest, sighing contently. They sat there holding each other, neither saying anything for a few minutes. Mark leaned his head back, kissing her slowly. �Marry me.� Vanessa asked, looking up at him. He blinked at her, certain he�d heard her wrong. �I�m supposed to ask.� He protested. Vanessa rolled her eyes, �Oh don�t get Neanderthal on me.� she requested. �I�m not wasting any more time. Our schedules are screwy, but only we could possibly make them work.� She assured him. �Marry me before our tours start. You have to go back on the road soon.� She began. �I want you to go knowing I�m your wife and I love you.� Mark only stared at her at first. Vanessa twisted her lips into a pout to hide the grin, �You�re not going to be stubborn, are you?� she asked. Mark shook his head smiling. �No.� he replied. �Will you at least let me pick where we honeymoon?� He requested. �Is that a yes?� she asked. �Yes, Bit. I�ll marry you.� He answered seriously, kissing her softly. �Then you can pick the honeymoon, as long as we get married as soon as possible.� She conceded. Mark held her closer, again resting his head on hers, �Can�t be soon enough.� He murmured. |
| ~~~FIN~~~ |