Never Knew We Needed You

5

Mark had me visit his family recently. They were some of the nicest people I've ever met. They accepted me so easily and quickly, especially all of his nieces and nephews. I felt so close with all of them.
I feel so close with Mark.
In fact, I invited him home to spend the weekend at my parents' home. I'm excited for my family to meet him. My parents have finally accepted the idea of me dating, mostly thanks to my older brother who was the seventh child and easily my favorite brother, Wyatt. He's 25, and one of my best friends. He's not married, doesn't even have a girlfriend. The rest of my brothers have at least two kids. I might as well take the time to name all of my brothers, sisters-in-law, and my nieces and nephews. Gabriel is the oldest, and he as two little girls, Adele and Joan, 4 and 2 respectively, with his wife Victoria, or just Tory. Then Rob is next, he and his wife Willow have three kids, two boys and girl, Foster and Kyle and Darcy. Lysander and Felicia have Liana and Sophia and another baby girl on the way. Nathan and Renata have one boy, Lowell, and are expecting another yet to be named. Henry and Caroline have the most, clocking in at five boys and a girl on the way. Given the first three were triplets and the second were twins, they're relieved to be having their first girl to be my namesake, since she'll be the last one and the only girl. Tyler just had his third with Jessica, a baby boy making their two girls extremely happy. Then Wyatt is the single one, I'm pretty sure he plans to keep it that way, his whole attitude about love and marriage and children. My parents are resenting it, mostly because of all the trouble Wyatt has caused before. One thing he was doing that I convinced him to stop was smoking. It took a lot, since the addiction was already forming, but I'm so thankful. We're the only two kids who abandoned the family religion, so these meeting are always awkward.

I throw my arms around Tory, as Gabe kisses my hair.
"It's so good to see everyone. So this is Mark!"
Mark steps up, hugs Tory, and shakes Gabe's hand.
"Yeah, how long have you been dating?" My brother asks.
"Almost a year now, he's great," I answer, as Mark slides his arm around my waist. Adele peeks out from her mother's knee.
"Aunt Paige, who's that?" She whispers.
"This is my boyfriend, Adele. You can call him Mark, okay?"
Mark squats down and waves at Adele.
"Hey sweetie, what's your name?" He asks. Adele toddles over to him shyly.
"Adele. Hi Mark." She puts her tiny arms around him briefly, then runs back to her mother.

Before dinner I see Mark and my father talking. Even though I know I won't like what I hear, I still stop and eavesdrop.

"So, you and Paige have been dating for almost a year?"
"Yeah. She's amazing, I can see why she's so treasured in this family."
"Well, she's an adult now, had to let her go eventually. She's a lot like our youngest son, Wyatt, which is a bit alarming."
"She's still very careful with what she does. Part of the reason why I love her so much is that she's not mean, like a few girls I've dated."
"She's got a good head on her shoulders, definitely. And no offense to you or your career, but I'm proud of what she plans to do."
"Oh, none taken. I love it because I get to help people and connect with passionate people."
"Sounds like fun. You got siblings?"
"Yeah, one older brother."
They stand there in silence. My heart leaps with joy. My family accepts him, likes him even, this is more than I could've hoped for. Of course, I have no plans to tell them that our relationship isn't...well...like they'd like it to be. Wyatt would understand, probably Nathan, and absolutely Caroline would understand. My mother wouldn't want to talk about it, and my father might actually kill Mark. I'm surprised he managed to stay this civil.

After dinner, after all the kids and parents have gone to bed, Mark and I sit on the back deck, watching the stars.
"My family likes you, I'm impressed. I was expecting a lot worse."
Mark rubs my shoulders.
"Well, considering I was expecting to be thrown out, that went extremely well."
TIME TO IMAGINE MORE SMUT ugh whatever I could write it if I really wanted to but I don't think anyone who's reading this wants it. Comment if you do, eh (and Dovie shush I know you don't want to read that)

It was risky, doing that in my parents' house. Only thing that happened was Henry coming into our room the next morning to ask us if we knew where Liana and Sophia were. He gave us a look, but didn't say anything.

"Mm, you should move in with me. I like sleeping with you," Mark says in a gruff, sleep-filled voice.
"Pervert," I yawn.
"No, I just like cuddling with you and waking up to your face," he says, smoothing my hair out of my face. He just looks at my face examining it.
"Your eyes are extraordinary," he whispers, before he falls back asleep.

"Hello everybody, my name is Markiplier, and welcome back to Mario Maker, keep in mind, there's about a fifty percent chance I'll die from rage. Awesome, let's start!"

I took Mark's actually serious offer to move in. I've been here for about two weeks, and I'm loving every bit of it. Ryan and Matt love having me here, and Chica is the sweetest puppy in the world. I've officially been introduced to YouTube as his girlfriend, and I've received nothing but love from all the fans. Some fangirls were a bit sad, but almost all of them ship us. Which is good, since I'm about to confirm my worst suspicions.

Since I came back home, I haven't been feeling my best. I googled my symptoms, and all of them said I could be pregnant. When I missed my period in July, I ignored it. When I missed it in August, I panicked. September isn't over yet, but I should've gotten it already. Today is my first year anniversary with Mark, and all day we've been showering each other with little presents. If the five tests I've started come out positive, I'll have my main gift all planned out.
I can hear him recording in his room, while I'm in the adjoining bathroom. He knows what's going on, I had to tell him. He sounded neutral, but looked really excited. I think he wants to accommodate me. I'm so lucky to have him.

"I CAN'T FUCKING DO THIS, ROSS, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, GOD!"
I smile, he's so adorable when he's mad. I'm perched on the counter, waiting for the tabs. When I notice the first one.
Pregnant.
I hold it, catching my breath. Then, all of the sudden, they all light up.
Pregnant
Pregnant
Pregnant
Pregnant

"Okay you guys, I can't fucking handle this game, I'll see you in the next video. Buh-bye!"

"Mark? I-I'm done."

I hear him turn off his equipment, and shut off the game. He opens the door, and runs over to where I sit, immobilized from shock.
He looks at them without me saying a word.

"Oh my god.." He whispers, running his hand through his hair.
"Mark, what should I do?" I look at him, with pain etched across my face.
He takes my face in his hands.
"Whatever you need to do. I'll go back to what I said the first time, I'll respect and support any decision you make."
I bite my lip, and somehow blurt out,

"I want to keep it."
Mark just strokes my hair and nods. I gently reach for his face to hold in my hands.

"Mark, I love you. I want to be with you. I don't want to force parenthood on you, but I know I could never live with myself if I ended a pregnancy that could've survived just fine. I mean, sure, if I didn't have the money or time and the child would be neglected, or if you had no interest and I had to raise it singlehandedly, or if there would be extreme medical issues, I can see logic no matter what most people think, but the chances of this baby being healthy are high. I don't know much about being a mother, but I've had experience with all of my nieces and nephews. There's like twenty of them! Mark, I love you. I never imagined this, but I love you."
When Mark kisses me, it feels like it's for the first time ever again. I feel just as vulnerable, just as shocked, and even more in love.
"Paige, we can get through this. I will gladly raise our baby. We just need to plan this, that's all."