by L Chapman
GO live a little, before bump comes. Xx
I think I am going to live some more. I will ring you in a bit. Xx
Something is not right. I need to talk to Jenny and find out really what is going on. That was not much of an answer. On the plus side, Mark has been fantastic. I can’t fault him. He has been here when I needed him. I do need to keep my guard up though. I think I am going to go to the cabin, even for a full day. It will be nice to get away.
“Baby, are you okay?” Mark asks.
“Yeah, I am fine, just thinking.”
“Penny for your thoughts,” he bargains.
“My thoughts are not worth a penny.”
“I bet they are.”
“Tell me about the cabin.”
I sit there in the passenger side of the car, letting Mark drive us back to my house. Mark continues to tell me about the cabin. His grandma gave it to him as a getaway place. It’s only twelve miles away from where I live. Sounds perfect to me.
“I'll go.”
“You will go?” Mark questions.
“Yes, you said you wanted to take me away to the cabin for a while. I will go, but only if you listen to me. When I say I want to come home, you take me home.”
“Deal.”
“Right, I’ll get my things ready. I need to call Jenny. When do you want to leave?”
“Whenever you’re ready, we can go tonight or tomorrow.”
“Okay, let’s try for this afternoon then.”
Pulling up in the driveway of my house, I head to the door, letting Mark open it as he still had my keys from locking up when I was rushed into the hospital. I bend down picking up the post, taking it into the kitchen. I leave my phone on the side with the charge on. I grab the hands free home phone and ring Jenny. “Hi Jenny, how are you?”
“I am okay, Megan.”
“Be honest. You don't sound okay.”
“It is Rich. He wants a break.”
“What?”
“He says he is all confused and wants a break. He has gone away for a few days.”
“Awww, I’ll come and stay with you.”
“No, I need to be alone. I need to get on with my life without him.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Megan, I love you. I don't blame you. He has been off for a while. He needs to get his head straight. Are you going away with Mark?”
“I love you, too, hun. Yeah, I am. You are more than welcome to come with me.”
“I’ll pass.”
“I am just on the other end of the phone.”
“I am off to work now. See ya.”
“Bye, hun.”
I walk up the stairs to my room, so I can pack a few things for the trip. I grab my little suitcase from the wardrobe and collect clothes, toiletries and shoes. All sorted.
Chapter 20
I can’t remember half of the journey to the cabin because I must have dozed off. I remember many roads, which had fields on both sides, and a lot of farm animals and crops. In the background of the fields, there were hills covered with trees. They looked spectacular. The roads were quiet due to it being a weekday.
“We are here. Just up this drive and we are there,” Mark states.
“Okay.” I can’t help but smile.
Mark is loads more awake and chatty now that he has had that little sleep. He was only out for about three hours, but it has done him a world of good. He has made sure we have everything. We popped to the shops on the way out of town, making sure we have all the basics: milk, bread, sugar, and of course, plenty of roast chicken crisps. He knows how to keep “Bump” happy.
The driveway is gravel, very up and down, with either side of the drive full of trees, and looking so pretty with leaves on them. They look so tall; my imagination is going to start running wild if we are close to these trees. How many horror films have I seen where the killer hides in the woods?
Wow! Is that the cabin? It is a stunning, wooden building. There is a little picket fence going around what must be the cabin’s grounds with a small patch of grass in front of the cabin. We park to the side of the cabin.
“So, this is my hideaway.”
“It's pretty,” I say with complete honesty.
“It is lovely. I can’t wait to show you around,” Mark says proudly.
“Me either.”
Mark is always a gentleman, opening the car door for me and offering his hand out for me to use to get out of the car if I wish. I decline it as always. Getting out of the car, I walk to get my things out of the back of the car.
“No, let’s go inside. I will show you around then I will come and get the bags. You need to relax, remember?”
I just shake my head and walk towards the picket fence. I stop once I reach the fence and look around to see there are no trees on the other side of the building either, only a lot of dirt paths. I wonder if that means there are more cabins around or some interesting walks. Mark passes me the key to the cabin, and I walk towards the door over the grass that looks freshly cut. Even the door is wooden. The building looks like trees cut in half, placed sideways and then on top of each other. There are three roses to the side of the door, two pink and one white. They look so pretty.
“For you.” Mark bends down, picking up the roses and handing them to me.
“Thank you.”
I open the door. It looks like the inside of all the trees. It is amazing décor with a natural look while using an open floor plan. There are sofas to one side of the room and a fireplace with some logs to the side of it. It must be a real fire. On the other side of the room, there is a kitchen, all units wooden, and the appliances are all silver. There is a dining room table to the side with a huge amount of spare space in the middle of the room. I walk farther in, noting there are steps at the back of the room, and they look like they are half trees as well.
“Are they safe?” I question, pointing at the steps.
“Yes, they are. You can’t tell as yet, but they are all attached to each other and to the wall and frame. Don’t worry.”
I walk over towards them to see that he is right. I slowly stand on them, unsure if they are safe. I climb the stairs the quickest I have ever done in my life. I cannot believe it. The décor up here is the same, but with all wooden doors hiding the different rooms. I stand there, counting six different doors.
“What are behind all the doors?” I ask.
“Bedrooms, they all have en-suites.”
“Wow! That’s amazing. Huge house parties here then.” I giggle. I check out all the rooms. The décor continues. There are just different pictures on the walls, different coloured bedding and huge windows that highlight the astonishing view of hills, or they could be mountains, in the backgrounds. I see what could be a hot tub near the picket fence section at the back. From each window, I see bits that I could not tell you what they are, but I will find out.
Mark leaves me looking around and goes to bring in our bags. I stay upstairs, knowing I will need to unpack before I head back downstairs. I still cannot believe I have been convinced into coming here alone with Mark. I trust him. I should be safe, but as a precaution, I am going to keep my phone on me at all times.
Hi Jenny, we are here. It is amazing. How are you?
Mark appears with my suitcase. “Which room would you like to stay in?”
“Any of them will be perfect,” I reply.
“How about this one?” Mark suggests.
“Can do, the view is magnificent from this one.” Mark smiles, places my bag on the bed, and leaves me to unpack.
Chapter 21
I didn’t hear back from Jenny last night. I am going to ring her before I go downstairs. Mark and I slept in different rooms last night. I did not want to be alone, but he did say goodnight to me on the landing and went to a different room. I have no choice but to sleep alone. I did not sleep very well, different bed, different place, alone with Mark. “Bump” was active most of the night, kicking me. I love her kicking; it reassures me t
hat she is safe. It is nine in the morning, and I cannot hear Mark moving around. I am going to sneak downstairs to talk to Jenny, and I do not want to wake him.
Sitting on the black sofa in the open plan room, I ring Jenny. “Morning, Jenny.”
“Morning, sorry I didn’t answer last night. Rich was here when I came home.”
“And, what happened?”
“Well, let’s say I got my weekly exercise lesson.”
“Ha-ha, you two are sorted then?” I can’t believe how quickly they get over their arguments. No one would get over things that quickly, or would they? They must truly be in love.
“Oh, indeed. We are holiday hunting tonight. Well, honeymoon shopping.”
“Make sure it’s somewhere hot,” I tell her.
“Oh, I intend to. So, tell me about the cabin,” Jenny enquires.
We spend the next half hour talking about the cabin, Mark, and Rich, while having a giggle as we always do and singing away when a good song comes on at Jenny’s side. I have not played any music in here. I don’t want Mark waking up.
Suddenly, I hear a noise. Upon turning around, I see Mark. He is standing there in black boxers, tight around his manhood. I can’t do anything but look down at it. “You made me jump out of my skin,” I state with embarrassment. He looks delicious. His bare chest shows his slight six-pack that’s not too overworked. I notice a mark on his side, but I cannot quite see what it is.
“Sorry, I didn’t want to disturb your phone call.”
“It’s okay.” Jenny and I say our goodbyes. I turn around to see Mark in the kitchen, still in the same attire. I wander over to the kitchen to join him.
“I’m cooking breakfast. Please, have a seat.”
“What are we having?”
“I’ll cook breakfast without eggs for you, and I will do toast. I want to take you out for a nice, relaxing walk today and show you around here. If you are not up for it, though, we can go in the car or relax here.”
“I can walk.”
The smell of the cooking breakfast fills the room. It smells so nice. I do not remember anything I ate yesterday. I was so relieved that “Bump” was okay that I could have eaten anything, and it would not have bothered me. I love food though. I am a food person. I can’t stop smiling, watching Mark buzz around the kitchen, getting plates and glasses, while still keeping an eye on the food on the grill. It is so nice to see him cooking it as healthy as he can.
“Can I help you out, Mark?” I enquire.
“No, just relax and look pretty.”
I shake my head, laying my head down. Why does he say that? I am not pretty. I am normal. I live in the real world where people are a normal size. I never consider myself as pretty. Too many years of put downs. I can’t wait to have breakfast. I am so hungry the wait is killing me.
Mark places our breakfast and drinks onto the table. Oh my, it is so lovely. He is such a good cook. We sit there chatting, talking about the times he comes here. He only comes here to escape the stress. I am the only person he has ever had to stay here. Connor comes over to work with him or brings paperwork over for him to sign.
“Mark?” He looks up at me, smiling. “What is that on your side?”
“Oh, this,” he says, turning around and lifting his arm so I can see.
“It’s a Chinese tattoo. It means believe. I got it last week.”
“It is pretty. Did it hurt?”
“No, it didn’t hurt; I am made of tough stuff.” Mark winks. “Annabella told me when I finally believed things would get better, it would happen. So, I did, and you came into my life. I then got this tattoo.”
“Wow, Annabella is one amazing lady. I am so honoured that you let me meet her.”
Mark sits there, talking about Annabella and how she asks about me all the time. She has been buying “Bump” little booties. I am so lucky to have met her. The things she said have affected me and helped me tremendously, and I know she wants Mark to be happy. I want Mark to be happy.
“There are great places to climb, walk, and see around here. It is pure heaven to me,” he proudly declares.
“It looks like heaven,” I say, agreeing.
“Shall we head out?”
Mark runs upstairs and appears five minutes later in dark jeans and a tight, black T-shirt. Grabbing my jacket, we head out the door, walking side-by-side down one of the dirt paths. The sun is shining with no wind at all. I can see the sun shining through the trees as we leisurely walk down one of the paths surrounded by trees. It’s such an amazing view, somewhere you would only see on the television. I love it. As we get to the end of the path, Mark changes directions and I follow him. We head upwards, climbing over a few rocks to a small amount of water with a waterfall falling from the rocks above us.
“This is my favourite place. There is an incredible place to sit up there, where you can watch everything that is going on around you.” Mark points over towards some high rocks.
I follow Mark up some more steps onto the spot where he pointed. Taking a seat on the rocks, I can see why he said this is his favourite place because you can see the top of the waterfall and the colours of it as it falls.
He points out everything around. “Over there are some fields with different animals that graze. It’s wonderful to watch the baby animals once they are born.”
It is amazing watching everything around me. I am in my element, and this is my kind of place, so relaxing. We spend the rest of the day there. I wonder why Mark brought a picnic up here. He told me that once “Bump” is here, he is going to bring me back and take me around the waterfall. There is a path under the falls to walk. He did not want me sliding. How thoughtful.
We seem to spend hours just sitting up there, listening to the waterfall, and looking around. Talking, he finally tells me everything that happened with Karen. She did the fake pregnancy line on him to try to get him to stay with her. That is why there are so many pictures of them together. He did the honourable thing and went along, believing she was telling the truth and fully supporting her. He found out the truth when she went drinking with some friends and drunk texted him, telling him she was not pregnant. It was all a lie. She then thanked him for the new car. I sit there, feeling myself get more and more annoyed over this woman. I don’t get why he would still be “friends” with her. I know he said it is to keep the peace, so she doesn’t spread rumours about him to the press. She had threatened to do that when he told her about me. I just hope I never meet that woman again, or I do not know what I will do.
I lie there on the rocks, listening to Mark tell me about the last time he was here. He slept on this rock under the stars and relayed to me that it is such a pretty sight at night. He stated that he will let me experience it, once “Bump” is here.
“I want you to be safe, and I want “Bump” to be safe,” Mark says, taking hold of my hand.
“Thank you,” I say as Mark leans over, placing a little kiss onto my forehead.
“Come on. Let’s go back to the cabin. We can cuddle the night away,” Mark says, standing up.
Chapter 22
I can’t believe it’s been over two and a half months since I escaped to the cabin with Mark. Time has flown by so quickly. We seem to spend more time together than we ever did. He comes up every weekend and stays with me, and we chill out at home or go out for the day. He has helped me sort out the nursery for “Bump”. He has been very supportive. I do know for sure that I have fallen in love with him. I want to be with him once “Bump” is here. Things are going to be so different. I want us to be a couple. There has been no physical contact since we first met, only kisses shared between us. I have fallen asleep on him a couple of times, although we have not slept in the same bed. He must have some feelings for me, since he comes to see me.
Jenny and Rich are all happy, nearly ready for their wedding. I personally cannot wait. I can’t wait to show off the dress. Okay, I am not a girly girl, but I love this dress. Only three and a half months till the wedding. The
y still have not decided where to spend their honeymoon. They have just moved into a new place. Their housewarming party is tomorrow, which Mark is going to be attending. Since he is coming up now on Saturdays, they are being different and having it on Sunday. I cannot wait.
I am spending today baking some cupcakes for tomorrow. Jenny loves my cupcakes with different coloured buttercream icing on top. I do not mind doing them for her. I want her to have a good night, and it is just a few friends chilling. I might even make some brownies, too. I am just going to see how the day goes. I have a few hours until Mark is due to arrive for the weekend.
Time flies when you are having fun. I have finished all the cupcakes and brownies. I need to ice the cupcakes, but they are still too warm.
Mark is here now. His car has just pulled up onto the driveway. I am so excited to see him. He is in dark blue jeans and a tight, white T-shirt as normal and carrying his bag and briefcase. He lets himself in the front door, as I have told him to do. Mark normally comes down on Fridays, but he had a business meeting late last night.
“Hi, baby,” Mark bellows as he walks through the kitchen door.
“Hi, Mark, how are you?”
“Perfect now. What have you been busy doing?”
“I have been baking for Jenny’s housewarming tomorrow.”
“You best be taking it easy. ‘Bump’ needs you to rest. Only two weeks now.”
“I know. Knowing my luck it will be a lot longer than that.”
Mark makes himself comfortable, unpacking his bag and treating it like his home. I use the time he is busy to ice the cakes. Some have cream-coloured icing, some pink, and others blue. They will go down like a treat. I cut the brownies and box up everything ready for tomorrow.
“Right, I am getting takeaway tonight. What do you fancy, baby?”
“Pizza,” I reply.
“Pizza it is. Pizza and a film,” he cheerfully agrees.
“That is perfect, Mark.”
******
Last night went too fast. The weekend always does. We watched a couple of films. Mark decided that we should spend a little time out shopping today because he needs to get a gift for Connor, as it is his birthday coming up.