across the hall

twelve

||Chapter Twelve; One Week Ago||

Quote of the chapter: "I just wish that this baby is mine."

"Don't you worry about anything," He mumbles, brushing the side of her cheek with his thumb. "I'll make sure you and your baby are safe." He looks down at her belly with the small baby bump and presses his palm flat against her skin. With a small tremble, he presses his forehead to hers and whispers. "I just wish that this baby is mine."

When E woke from her soft slumber, she found a note from Mark.

I needed to run a few errands,
but I didn't want to wake you
so I just left you to sleep. Feel better,
alright beautiful?  We also kind of slept all day.
It's four right now.

I may not be back before you wake up, but
I'll come to your apartment when I do get
back.

Love, Markimoo

She smiles at the dumb letter and goes to her apartment where she finds Noah in the living room on his phone. A look of relief crosses his face when he sees her and tells the person on the other end nevermind that she just got home. E hides the letter in her enclosed fist as she passes him to 'their' room. She quickly changes into a pair of jogger shorts and a tank top. She slides the letter into her pocket as Noah comes in.

"Hey." She says softly. "I'll  go start dinner." He doesn't glance at her as she passes to go begin cooking.

"Babe, I've got to go. I've got a business meeting." Noah smiles falsely at the girl standing in the kitchen. He walks towards her and plants a sloppy kiss on her. She inwardly cringes and flinches.

"Have fun. And be safe, okay?" She sighs, turning back around to finish stirring her chili.

"Babe, is something wrong?" She shakes her head.

"No. I'm just making dinner. I don't want to burn it." She lies clearly through her teeth.

"Okay. I'll be back in a few days." He leaves without another thought, saying a hello to the across the hall neighbor, before leaving.

"Hey." The neighbour says, walking in the door Noah left wide open. He shuts it behind him.

"Hey." She responds. "Mark," her voice cracks and she can't say another word. A whimper resonate from her throat, the only noise she can muster. She drops the wooden spoon into the pot as Mark wraps his arms around her from behind, catching her as she falls. He carries her to his apartment, laying her on his bed, turning the chilli to a low simmer.

"I'm right here," he says once finding a lid and going back to her. He sits beside her and holds one of her small hands in one of his big ones. "I'm not leaving you, Oliver." He tells her softly. She pulls him down to lay beside her. He obliges, laying on the side of his bed he always sleeps on. She turns to him and cuddles into his chest. His arms wrap around her. He presses his lips to her forehead as she quickly falls into a relaxed sleep in his arms.

"I'll never leave you."