To Catch a Sunset

Chapter 28

Ally

I watch the house come in to view as Mark drives us back to the garage. He's acting a little off since his phone call with Nancy. Not sure if it was his call or mine that has changed his mood. He doesn't say much, he just keeps asking random questions about the property. We make our way back to the house and I head to the kitchen. I need to check on the food and start working on desert. Hearing his phone ring again, I turn to see him answer it and walk outside. Odd. He never really feels the need to talk away from me. I know I've done this very thing on this trip, but it's not like him. Something is definitely up with him, I'm not too worried, I'm sure he will tell me eventually. It's just all the secrecy that bothers me, in California we have no secrets. In California we are Mark and Ally a happy couple in love. Here we are complications and whispers and late night calls. How can we be this different, simply because of geography? It's beginning to upset me, not worry, no I'm not worried. What we have is the real thing, I'm certain of it. I know it's the presence of our families, I think if we were around them more, we would have figured out the dynamics of all this drama. We will get there, I hope. No I know we will, ugh I hate the doubt that comes with this part of my life. I'm so sure of myself in my everyday life, but throw my family in the mix and I'm a basket case. Yes, that's all this is, we just have to figure out how to balance each other around our families. I'm figuring his out, hopefully he can help me figure out mine. I have the hand mixer on as he enters the kitchen, he gives me his best smile. He's not telling me something. I switch the mixer off and scrape the sides of the bowl.

"So, Important call?" I'm careful not to make eye contact, I give all my attention to the bowl. He shifts and glides onto one of the stools, sitting directly across from me. I can feel his eyes on me, suddenly the air is thick and heavy. No longer light and sweet like the frosting I'm whipping up.

"No, not too important. Just Adam." I raise my eyes to meet his, yes, he's definitely holding back. I know this Mark, this reluctant, afraid of what he might say Mark. I know exactly what to do, this I can handle.

"Tell me what's put that look on your sweet face babe. Don't say nothing because I know better." He visibly relaxes as he starts explaining why Nancy called earlier and that Adam was calling to warn him. He looks like he just got pushed off the swing at the playground. A somber, sad look that I don't like on him. I place the mixer in the bowl and walk to him. He scoops me up and into his lap, he holds me close and buries his head in my hair. I love it when he does this, it makes me feel cherished, he's good at making me feel like this. I shake those thoughts off, I'm supposed to be cheering him up. I pull away and look in those beautiful eyes, trying to read him. It's like looking through storm clouds, I can only see darkness. "Hey you ok?" He nods

"I am now, here with you. My family is a mess I'm sorry, this isn't your problem baby." I shake my head.

"Oh yes it is. What affects you affects me Marcus. So stop all that crap right now, and don't worry when your folks get here things will be ok. I'm sure your Mom just needs time to process the news. It's a lot to take in, it's her son we're talking about here. You have a great mom, don't ever forget that." I know I've said this more times than he may want to hear. But it's worth repeating. When you haven't had the kind of mom someone else has, you feel the need to make sure they know how lucky they are. Especially when that mom is Nancy Douglas, wonder-mom! Mark and his siblings complain way too much about this wonderful woman. Yes, I agree, she's a bit much, but I'll take her over mine any day. He kisses me fast and hard, it takes me by surprise and takes my breath away.

"I love you so much Ally. I hope you know that." He says with desperate sincerity, so much that it almost makes me cry. I caress the light scruff that has appeared on his face. Mmm I like it. His shy smile almost burns, it's so hot.