Sidney
waited for his words, his anger, and his frustration with her. She sat in the
kitchen of her parents ranch; Bailey was sleeping in his new room, in his new
bed his life changed. Only breathing was heard on the other line, Sidney
twirling the phone cord in her fingers. The silence seemed like eternity,
deafening to Sidney�s ears.
�How
is San Diego?� Mark finally said.
�Warm.�
Sidney softly said. So many words needed to be said but Sidney couldn�t find
the strength.
�I
heard you were staying with your parents.� Mark said trying to make small
talk.
�Yes.�
Sidney leaned back in her chair. �I am until I can get a job and a place for
Bailey and I.�
�How
is Bailey?� Mark leaned against the wall, using the beams for his strength.
�Mark,
can I talk to Kian please.� Sidney could not talk about Bailey, the move was
worst for him then staying in Sligo. His crying was more at night for his father
and he would only speak if had to. The thought of seeing a professional was
heavy on Sidney�s mind.
�Sidney,
you owe me an explanation for��
�I
don�t owe you anything. Please let me talk to��
�I
told you I was sorry. I didn�t mean to hit Nicky.� Mark said pleading.
�Do
you know what you and Nicky did to Bailey?� Sidney finally asked. �You two
destroyed him. He looked up to you guys, he saw a potential father in both of
you. Then to see you fighting��
�I
know how it affected Bailey. I can still see his eyes. But taking him away from
me, from us��
�Let
me talk to Kian.� Sidney said sternly.
�Sidney,
I love you. God, why can�t you see that? I love Bailey.� Mark tried to hold
back the tears; he tried to be strong but too many nights of holding it in was
surfacing. �Sidney, I am so lost without you. Please, don�t do this to
me.� Mark cried, his hand on the wall, trying to get a hold of himself.
�I�love you�� the last word trailed off to the sobbing. Sidney closed
her eyes, her soul being ripped apart. She wanted to stop Mark�s crying, to
hold him and wipe the blue eyes that she use to see hope in. Mark possessed
Sidney�s soul; the days and nights without him have been torture. But once
again, she had to put Bailey first.
�Mark,
Please.� Sidney spoke, choking back the tears. �I had to put Bailey first,
my�heart�� Sidney could no longer hold back the tears, the phone wet with
the dropping of them. �Mark�I just can�t�God�Mark�I love��
�Sidney,
honey, it doesn�t have to be like this.� Mark said hearing the possible hope
in her voice. �Come home. Bring Bailey home.� Mark said his hand in his
pocket.
�I
am home.� Sidney finally said and hung up the phone, the dial tone stinging
Mark�s ears. She weakly placed the receiver on the wall, the tears taking her
over. Sidney fell to her knees and buried her head in her hands. �Michael!�
Sidney yelled, staring at the ceiling. �Tell me what to do!� Sidney put her
face in her hands, the sobbing causing her to lose her breath.
�Mark.� Sidney faintly said in her fingers. �Mark.� She
whispered.
Mr.
Weston entered the kitchen to find his daughter sitting on the floor crying. He
softly put his arm around her, stroking her hair. �Sidney.� He sweetly said
in the voice that only a father could use.
Sidney looked up at her father, her face drained. Mr. Weston brushed the
stray hair from her eyes, caressing her cheek. �Honey, it will be alright.�
�I
don�t know�what to�do.� Sidney said trying to speak in-between the
sobbing.
�I
trust you, daughter. You will make the right decision.� Mr. Weston said
lifting her up from the floor. He slowly led her to her room, helping her in
bed. Mr. Weston held Sidney�s hand while she tried to gain control of her
emotions, her eyes finally giving way to sleep. Mr. Weston watched his daughter
sleep, a peaceful look on her face finally. His heart broke hearing her cries,
her confusion. Sidney had been so strong in dealing with Michael�s death,
being a single mother but now, not being able to be with the man she loved. Mr.
Weston felt helpless, stroking his daughters face, helpless to the end.
Mark
took the phone and threw it across the room, nearly missing Alex who simply
ducked. Mark put his head down, the tears overcoming him. Alex walked over to
him, taking his hand. Mark pulled his arm away and stood staring at her. He was
angry, lost and confused hearing the word love come out of Sidney�s mouth.
Alex gently took his hand again, stroking his arm. Mark tried looking away form
Alex, wanting to die in his own self-pity.
�Mark.�
Alex said brushing his hair. �We are here for you.� Mark looked at Alex, his
eyes already red from the crying; suddenly he fell into Alex�s arms, the
sobbing shaking his body.
�I
love her, Alex.� Mark said his head buried in Alex�s arms.
Alex did the best she could to hold Mark up, trying to give him comfort.
�I
know you do. Mark, please don�t lose faith. You and Sidney are meant to be
together.� Alex whispered. �You must believe that.� Alex continued the
words of comfort, stroking Mark�s hair, letting him release everything;
release and then deal with what needed to be done. Sidney and Mark had to be
together.