"It's been a long day, huh?"
Stevie nodded, smiling in thanks as Mark handed a glass of wine to her. "Long and exhausting." She bent her legs, making some space on the couch, so Mark could sit down. "It's so strange being back here."
"This house is very you." He said, sipping from his own glass, looking around the spacious room. "It's going to take some getting used to. Compared to my minimalist home back in Maui, this... is a lot."
"Your home was missing a woman's touch." Stevie gave him a look and Mark couldn't disagree. He took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to the back of it. "Theo had to be out like a light."
"Oh, yeah." Mark nodded his head. "He's never been on a trip like this before."
"I keep thinking about the tour after I release my album..." Stevie sighed. "I don't want to leave my son behind, but I don't think it's fair dragging him along either. And I can't just not go on tour."
"Why don't you relax tonight? There's still time, we'll come up with something." Mark assured, placing her feet in his lap. "You don't have to worry about that right now."
"No, you're right. I just... well, I get a little paranoid sometimes." Stevie said, a small moan escaping through her lips at the feeling of Mark's hands helping release the tension from her muscles.
"You like that, mm?" He smirked, putting his wine away to use both of his hands.
"God, yes!" She nodded, making herself more comfortable. "You have magical hands."
Mark didn't say anything, smiling to himself. One of his hands journeyed up, the tips of his fingers lightly grazing her inner thigh. She was strangely unresponsive and his eyebrows creased slightly until she started snoring softly. He couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head.
"Wake up, babe." He gently shook her. "Come on, Steph, let's get you to bed."
Taking a deep breath, Stevie opened her eyes lazily and yawned. Mark was prepared to carry her upstairs, but she wouldn't let him. "I still need to take my makeup off anyway. Unless you're going to do that for me too."
"That's your thing." Mark said, holding his hands up. "I'd mix up your creams and lotions, they're all one and the same to me."
Turning the light off in the living room, Mark followed Stevie out and up the stairs. Before going into the master bedroom, Stevie stopped to check in on Theo, who was peacefully sleeping in his crib. When Stevie decided to come back, she had her assistant turn one of the rooms into the nursery. Stevie picked out all of the colors and furniture from catalogs, Karen only had to be at the house for deliveries and letting the workers come in to paint the walls.
Stevie disappeared into the bathroom to wash up and take care of her nightly skin routine, leaving Mark alone for some time. He felt odd. This was Stevie's home, it wasn't theirs. It was just a house to him and he didn't like the feeling. Maybe he should bring it up, maybe they could find a new place together. After all, they were engaged to be married.
"You look exhausted." Mark said, pushing the covers down for Stevie to get in.
"No, that's just my face." He gave Stevie a look. "Kidding. I know that you don't appreciate it, when I talk about myself that way."
"No, I don't." He pulled her closer, when she crawled into bed. "You're beautiful. I wish you saw yourself the way I see you."
"Me too."
"Stevie!"
"Okay, okay. I'll stop." She chuckled, pushing him to lie flat on his back, so she cuddle up to his side and rest her head on his chest. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Mark echoed, pressing a kiss to her hair. "I love you."
"You too." Stevie replied mid yawn.
She closed her eyes at last, drifting off into a deep, exhausted sleep in minutes. If only she knew what tomorrow awaited her, she most likely wouldn't have slept at all.
~
Sorry for this filler. I hope you're liking this story, because I love writing it ♥
