| �Hey, dad.� �Hi, sweetie. I just wanted to apologize for your mother�s behavior last night,� he said on the other line. �It�s not your fault. You couldn�t have done anything to prevent it,� Michal said. �I know.� �She actually called to apologize this morning.� �Really.� �Yeah. I�m having lunch with her today. She�s meeting me here at noon.� �Oh. Well, I guess I�ll call you later this evening then.� �Okay, daddy.� �I love you, hon.� �I love you, too.� �Bye.� �Bye.� Michal clicked the phone off and sighed. �Apology city,� she said, leaning back against Mark. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her shoulder. She stood and pulled him up with her. �I�m gonna go take a shower,� she said. �Can I join you?� he asked, an evil grin on his face. �No,� she said, laughing at the expression on his face. �I think Scott and Scott need your company more than me right now.� He nodded. �Call me when you get back from lunch, okay?� She nodded, and he turned to go. �Hey,� he turned, and she closed the distance between them. �I love you,� she said before kissing him. He kissed her back, smiling against her lips. �You know,� he said, pulling away. �I could really get used to this.� She smiled. �You�d better. You�re stuck with me now.� She kissed him again. �Is that a bad thing?� He smiled down at her, kissing her one last time before leaving. *** Michal sighed as she stepped in the door. She dropped her keys and purse on the table, leaning against the chair. �Everything go okay?� She jumped and turned around. �What are you doing here? How did you get in?� Mark stood and walked to her. �Lyndsey let me in.� She nodded. �Is she here?� He shook his head. �Nope. She went somewhere. I don�t remember where.� �Well, what good are you then?� she asked smiling as he wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her cheek. �You okay?� He looked at her. Her eyes were drooping and her face was pale. �Yeah,� she sighed. �Just a little tired.� He looked down at her, concern filling his eyes. �I�m okay, really. I just need a nap is all.� He kissed her nose. �May I join you?� She smiled and plopped on the couch. �Sure,� she said, scooting forward on the couch so he could lie down behind her. He did, draping his arm around her waist and kissing her neck. In seconds, she was asleep, breathing heavily. He watched her intently, worry evident on his face. He, too, was soon asleep. She woke up alone a few hours later. As she stood, she searched the room for him, her eyes darting around. She walked down the hall and smiled when she heard the shower running. She had a sudden dizzy spell and held onto the wall for support as she made her way to her bedroom. Sighing, she collapsed onto the bed as the shower shut off. The door opened seconds later, and Mark emerged, wearing only his jeans. His towel was draped over his shoulder, and she smiled up at him weakly. He raised his eyebrow. �You�re not okay, Michal.� She shook her head and sighed. �I know,� she said, covering her face with her hands. �I don�t know what�s wrong with me.� He sat down next to her. �Doctor?� She shook her head. �It�s not a suggestion, babe. It�s an order.� She looked at him. �Mark, I�m fine.� �Admit it - you aren�t. Why won�t you see a doctor?� She shook her head. �I don�t want to go through that again.� �Michal, I care about you. You need to get this checked out.� She sighed, then finally agreed. �C�mon,� he said, pulling her to her feet. �Let�s go.� �Now?� �Yes, now.� He put his hands on his hips, then jumped to catch her before she fell. �Okay, now�s fine.� She managed a small laugh, and let him guide her out to the car. He sped to the hospital, worry consuming him. He helped her in, then sat in the waiting room. The doctor emerged hours later and said he could see her. He sighed and entered the room. Michal was lying on the bed, facing the wall. He watched a tear slide down her cheek. �It�s happening again, isn�t it?� she whispered. He sat next to her and took her hand. She turned to face him. A tear slid down his cheek. �You�ll be fine. I promise.� She smiled. �Don�t make promises you can�t keep.� He sat on the bed next to her, and she sat up, letting him wrap his arms around her. Her tears soaked his shirt, and he silently played with her hair. She pulled back, searching his eyes. �I�m not going anywhere, Michal. I�ll stay right here as long as you need me.� She smiled her gratitude. *** �Hey, take it easy,� Mark warned as Michal jumped out of the wheel chair. The nurse put a hand on his shoulder. �Make sure she doesn�t overwork herself, okay?� He nodded and helped her into the car. They drove off, headed for her father�s houseboat. She took Mark�s hand as they walked down the dock and onto the boat. She walked in and greeted her father, plopping into a chair. Mark sat down next to her. �Everything come out okay?� her father asked. �Yep. They did another biopsy and a buncha other tests, and I�m fine. I just got a little over-tired,� she answered happily. �Doctor said to take it easy,� Mark said, �so she�s gonna come on the road with me for a while.� Her father nodded. �That way she can sleep whenever and wherever she wants to and still have a little action.� �Are you guys all geared-up for the wedding?� he asked, a twinkle in his eye. Michal nodded happily and Mark just smiled. *** Michal looked over at her father, who had tears in his eyes as he walked her down the aisle. She squeezed his hand and he smiled down at her. She looked up and saw Mark ahead, clad in a black tuxedo, and smiled at him. He returned the smile, as did Scott Stapp, Scott Phillips, and Preston. She winked at Lyndsey, who also smiled. As the wedding continued, Michal barely heard the words. Images and memories flashed through her mind as she looked into Mark�s eyes. �You may kiss the bride.� Mark smiled down at her and lifted her chin with a finger, his lips meeting hers. Her eyes closed and her hands caught in his hair. He pulled away and he took her hand, leading her down the aisle. |