The Choice

The Choice-Chapter Eleven

Finally, they are both together. Now is the time to strike. The war has begun.

******

I was right. Waking in the arms of the man you love after a night of making love is an incredible feeling. However, waking in the arms of the man you love after a night of making love and looking up to see your eldest brother leaning over you, not so much.

"What the fuck?" I screeched and scrambled to cover myself. "What are you doing?"

"I need your help." Mark's voice was a hoarse whisper.

"With what?"

"Chelsea." Mark answered, "She is throwing up again, but she doesn't want me to help her."

"Vomiting is normal during pregnancy."

"Please, just check on her. She locked me out of the bathroom." His tone was turning frantic.

"Fine." I groaned. "Though I can't say I blame her for locking the door. I should have done the same."

Tony chuckled as Mark left the room, "At least he didn't come in a few hours ago."

"True." I grinned even as I blushed and climbed out of bed. My robe hung on the back of the door, I grabbed it and pulled it on. "I'll be back."

"Got it, Arnold."

I rolled my eyes.  Chessy unlocked the door to Mark's private bathroom when I tapped on it. I closed it behind me, leaving an anxious Mark sitting on the bed. "You alright?" I asked.

She nodded. The swelling was almost gone from her face. The only remnants from the attack were very faint yellowish spots under her eyes. "He thinks I'm going to die just because I threw up."

"Love!" I said with a shrug.

"He asked me to marry him." Chessy said as she stood from leaning over the toilet, and rinsed her mouth out at the sink.

"Holy shit." I gasped. "Is that why you threw up?" 

"Ha Ha. He's only doing it because of the baby." She wiped her mouth with a towel. "It's not because he loves me, and actually wants to marry  me."

"Oh, please." I said, "We both know that isn't even close to being true. Mark is in love with you."

"Lex..."

"Chess..." I interrupted using the same whiny tone she did. "Don't sell him short. Come on. Mark is not the kind of guy to propose to a woman he doesn't love. Not even one pregnant with his kid. He wants the same thing we all want. A relationship like Mom and Dad's."

"Your parents love each other, Lex. Mark doesn't..."

"Don't you dare finish that sentence. Why would you think that? Of course he loves you."

Chessy leaned heavily on the sink. I noticed her breathing was becoming shallow.

"Are you alright?"

"I think I'm dehydrated." She answered.

"When is the last time you ate or drank?" I asked.

Chessy sighed, "I have no idea. I haven't been keeping track."

"Alright." I opened the bedroom door.

Mark jumped from his seat on the bed. "Is she okay?"

"She needs food and water."

Before I finished my sentence, Mark rushed from the room, nearly running down Tony who was entering.

Tony had pulled on his jeans, "What's his hurry?"