Don't Give Up

Difficult

"Was that a car?" Jessica turned to look at Mark, who shrugged his shoulders, then nodded his head. 

"I think so."

"Who would be coming to visit at this time?" She asked rhetorically, getting up from the plush couch, she had been sharing with Tim, as they watched one of his favorite animated movies.

Mark didn't pay much attention, not even trying to listen for a voice, as he looked down at his book again. A moment later, Jessica returned, looking very confused. 

"Um, Dad? Stevie Nicks is asking for you." She tried to sound normal, but it wasn't really working. "You didn't mention that your friend Stevie is that Stevie." She whispered, standing closer to Mark, while Stevie lingered in the doorway.

"Later, Jess." Mark told his daughter, smiling broadly at Stevie. "Come in, don't look so afraid, please."

"I hope, I'm not interrupting." Stevie said, combing her hair with her fingers nervously. 

"Of course not. Why don't we-" Mark started, but Jessica interrupted him.

"It's fine, Dad. You two stay here, Tim's movie is over, so I have to put him to bed anyway."

"Alright." Mark nodded, showing Stevie to take a seat. "Can I get you anything?"

"Herbal tea, any kind, please."

"I'll be right back." Mark said and left for several minutes, returning to the family room now with only Stevie there. "Here you go." He handed her the cup and she thanked him, placing it on the coffee table.

"I'm sorry for coming unannounced. I forgot you don't live alone."

"No big deal, Stevie." Mark assured. "I should have told Jess about you though." He chuckled lightly. "She came in here looking like she's seen a ghost."

"Jessica resembles you so much." Stevie smiled a little, taking a sip of her tea.

"Yeah, we've been told that before. Even though Jess and Courtney are twins, still Jess has these little things that belong to me and Courtney has some from their mother. Anyway. I'm sure you didn't come here to talk about them."

"No, um..." Stevie shook her head, putting her cup down again. "I know you called me in the morning, but you sounded... like, careful. I think we're past that. So, I thought I should come here and apologize for whatever you feel like I need to apologize. Yes, I was drunk and I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."

"Stevie..." Mark trailed off, placing his hand on her shoulder, squeezing, before he reached for her hand. "There is absolutely nothing you need to apologize to me for. We all have those moments, it's alright. So what, you were emotional and you acted on impulse, it happens." He shrugged, wanting to make her feel better about it.

"I didn't act on impulse."

"It's fine, real-" Mark then realized what she said. "What do you mean?"

"I wanted to kiss you." She told him honestly. "I want to kiss you now. There's... something." She shrugged, not knowing how else to put it. "I was crushed and I needed someone and you were there. No one besides my family cares about me like you do and we've known each other for such a short period of time. But I guess, this is one sided. You pushed me way."

"I pushed you away, because I didn't want to see regret cross over your face in the morning after. I pushed you away, because I'm scared. You say that there's something between us now. What happens when Lindsey gets better? You've known him your whole life, you've known me for a month or so. I'm afraid that you'll pull me in so deep and nothing will come out of it. You'll go back to your family, with you husband, and me? I'll have nothing, once again."

"I don't know what's going to happen, Mark. But what I do know is that I don't want to think about it. Besides, Lindsey quite clearly told me to move on. He's hurt me so badly, Mark, with everything he's said and done. I'm not sure I could look past all of it."

"Are you sure that you're telling me this and you actually mean it? Or are you telling me this, because you are hurt?"

"I'm not... I'm not sure." Stevie shook her head, taking Mark's other hand and wrapping his arm around her waist, as she leaned into him. "I'm lost and confused, and hurt, and everything else - that I'm sure about."

Breathing out heavily, Mark sat back against the couch, bringing Stevie with him and keeping a tight hold on her. "Why do you have to be so difficult?" 

"That's truly what I'm the best at." She joked, laughing lightly, as she rested her head on his chest. 

They sat together in silence, for how long neither of them knew, as Stevie was drawing circles across his chest with a red nail, while Mark's fingers were tangled in her hair. She felt so relaxed, she could have fallen asleep if Mark hadn't gripped her chin gently and tilted it up, so they were looking at each other. He dipped his head lower, pressing his lips against hers, her hand reaching up to touch the side of his face. 

It didn't escalate, a mutual feeling between them, both pulling apart a moment later. 

"You are so beautiful." Mark whispered, a smile settling on Stevie's lips, as she lay her head on his chest again.