Waiting For Fate

Chapter Nineteen: "I'm Going To Fight For You..."

It was the day after my date, that Mark came by.

It was the moment I felt him behind me, as I restocked the shelves, that I grew goosebumps.

"What do you want?" My voice was strong, the opposite of what I felt.

"Hazel, since his birthday is in a few days, I was wondering what he liked." He said, as he stood beside me and grabbed a book from the shelf.

"He likes Halo toys. He likes legos. He plays soccer, too. He wants to a join a team soon." I tried to keep my voice nonchalant, but the feeling of him close got to me, and I hadn't even looked at him yet.

"Soccer?" I sensed his smile. "Drew likes baseball."

"He likes baseball? Well, I'll make sure to remember that once his birthday comes in a few months." To my relief, the shelf was done. I walked into the back room, and he followed me.

"I'm not surprised you remembered. You remember everything." I laughed at the old phrase he use to use.

"It seems like it." I smiled. Pulling out the ladder, I step up to grab a box of books.

"You've seemed to make an impression on him. He asks about you, and when I knew you." His voice was growing closer.

"I hope you tell him the good parts." It was a sincere joke, one that made us laugh.

I grabbed the box and slowly walked the few steps down to the cart, and still tried not to make eye contact.

"They were all good."

My hands stopped reaching for the box cutter. My whole body stopped. My heart reached my throat and my breathing quickened.

No, I was not letting him do this to me.

"Up until the end." I gripped the box cutter and sliced the tape off. Steering the cart to the shelves, I continue stacking.

"Thats a matter of opinion." This time, I forgot and looked at him. His eyes were so rich and deep, they glistened a dark velvet. It was evident he felt something, because the moment I glanced up, his breath caught.

He took a step forward, crowding me against the cart and shelf. "That night... That night was amazing."

"How can you say that? You were intoxicated. You were so drunk, the next morning you forgotten who you slept beside." My voice was no longer strong. It was apparent that it was a touchy subject.

"I know. I know, I was drunk and messed up, and my reaction didnt help-"

"No, it didnt." My hands gripped the cart.

"But, the moment I left, it was... Odd. I felt different. Nothing made sense. I went home, and I tried to sleep it off." He came closer, trapping me between his arms as they leaned against the shelf.

"Im sorry, it was so odd for you."

"You know thats not what I meant. The moment, I opened my eyes, yes I was shocked. I never expected to have made love to my best friend."

"Sex."

"What?"

My voice hardened. "Sex. Making love is what two people in love make. You were not in love with me."

He stared at me. His eyes unchanging and serene. "Exactly. At the moment, it was odd, because it was the moment I realized I loved you."

No words were spoken. The only thing we probably heard was the sound of my heart racing. He smiled and laughed. "No interruption this time?"

"I- Wait. How can you say that!?" My heart was confused at what was coming out of my mouth. It was pleading me to stop and listen, but my mind took over.

"You had almost a month before Drew was born to tell me. You could have come and told me the instant you found out these 'feelings' you had instead of ignoring me for the 2 months." Anger was now built up. And I stood straight, with my head high and shoulders back.

I hadn't moved him, but I hadn't back away as I did initially. I stood my ground, angry, just as he did.

"Hazel, before you start, let me explain."

"Explain? Explain what? How you can say you loved me, yet left me in that room believing, it was a mistake."

"You're the one who called it that. Never have I called our encounter a mistake."

"You didn't counter it, either."

"I didn't process it correctly at that moment, Hazel. Are you going to let me explain or are you going to interrupt me?" His eyes were stern, ready to counteract any argument I had.

staying strong, I crossed my arms and nodded. " Go ahead."

"The moment, I was about to call you, believe me when I say moment, Hazel. Andrea called. She had a problem, and something was wrong with Drew.

"I had to go. Nothing else was on my mind other than my son, and if he would be okay. When I reached the hospital, they had to do an emergency c section.

"It was hours later, that the doctor came to me and told me, they were fine. I went to the room and saw Andrea holding my son. When I reached them, I held Drew in my arms. Then, Andrea began to cry, she told me how she was so sorry and so scared and wished I was beside her... She asked for the family together... To have us as one again."

"And you said yes, evidently." My voice was no longer angry, how could it? Especially after I understood what it would be like to have a broken family.

"Hazel-"

"Im not mad, Mark. I understand. I was not mad that you had gotten back together with her. Its what I said to do."

"But, Hazel-"

"The party starts at 2. I told you what he likes already. And its going to be at my address. Ask Layla for it. Bring Drew to the party. "

I was numb. I didn't let my feeling change anything. Mark would come and tell Ian he was his father, just as i promised Ian.

"Hazel-"

"You'll need to be prepared. I promised Ian, he would meet his father. So you need to come after the party to speak to him."

I pushed the cart to the room and stood at the cashiers desk. Mark barely walked to the desk, when I said, "You should go."

"Hazel- I'm going to be there for my son. And I'm going to fight for you."

That was the last thing he said, before he opened the door and left.

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Well hopefully you guys enjoyed this.

After reading about Hazel and Garrett, what do you think about Hazel and Mark?

Do you believe Mark? Think he'll work for Hazel?

Also! I have a character list! I want to hear who you guys see as Hazel, Mark, and Garret! So ... Vote, Comment ( I would like to hear for you guys (: ) and Share!

Kiara