Red String Of Love

Chapter 17: Unmasked

A/N: Thank you so so much for all your support and wonderful reviews!!!!

Recently the nightmares that I've become accustomed to have become less frequent; instead dreamless nights is what I'm getting used to now, and in all honesty I'd rather float in endless abyss of darkness than have my uncle's ghost chase me all night. Marshall has been an important asset to those dreamless nights. Just by having him around me at night is enough to chase those dreadful dreams away.

"Bubba." Marshall's voice suddenly floated through the dark curtains of my dream and pulled at my consciousness awake, the bed dipped as I felt him come lay beside me. I felt his hand softly brush the hair strands off from my face.

"hmm." I responded only half heartedly, I didn't want to leave the bed I was far too comfortable. I hadn't had such a good sleep in a while. Then I suddenly felt my boyfriends lips softly press against my forehead and his hand caressing my hair.

"Babe, wake up." He whispered trailing soft kisses down my nose making me scrunch up my nose; Marshall chuckled lightly and pulled his hand away from my hair causing me to grumble at the loss."Mm" was all I could manage as I pulled his hand back and placed it on my hair hoping he'd continue the caressing.

Marshall chuckled again and I felt his warm breath on me, "What time is it?" I mumbled scooting closer to him and wrapping my arms around his torso.

"It's One in the afternoon." He said

One? Wow. I just slept through the whole morning. Half the day is wasted; I thought but still couldn't get my body to move. My muscles felt soft like jelly and the bed was so downy and fluffy as if I was sleeping on a cloud. All I was missing was a good source of body heat, aka Marshall Lee.

"Sleep with me." I murmured nuzzling him and hoping he'd take the bait

"That sounds so tempting but I can't."

"Why?" I asked opening my eyes and looking up at him with a pout

Marshall kissed my bottom lip then said nonchalantly, "Simone is here to see you."

"WHAT?" I shrieked jumping out of bed while Marshall laid there laughing at my reaction, "Why didn't you tell me that earlier??" I yelled at him throwing a pillow at his face before making a beeline to the washroom.

.....

When I had washed and dressed I jogged downstairs hastily and tried to come up with a good apology and an excuse for Simone on my delay. I stopped short midway though, in the hallway between the living room and the dining room when I heard Simone and Marshall's conversation.

"Your relationship with Gumball seems to have improved. I'm glad you guys resolved your issues and got back together." Simone said

"Yeah, me too." Came Marshall's casual voice, "Although to be honest I didn't expect things to work out for us. Gumball's too good for me. I wouldn't be surprised if he suddenly wants out, I wouldn't blame him."

"Don't talk like that Marshall! If Gumball really hated you he wouldn't agree to start over would he?" Simone scolded, then after a short pause she spoke again this time softly, "Anyways, should I be expecting a wedding any time soon? How about Grandkids?"

Her question made me blush madly, children? Wedding? I hadn't thought about these things since Marshall's proposal! I don't think I'm ready for a wedding anytime soon, and children? Isn't that way too soon? And I don't know if Marshall even wants kids! Why would she be asking such questions at this time! She sounds just like a doting mother.