Chapter One
Today was going to be a beautiful day. The sun was shining, very warm outside for a February in Texas. Really, a beautiful day.
She laid in the warmth of the big bed thinking about all the things she had to do today. Make sure both boys had their tuxes. Mark was a big boy, and could do his own. Her dress was here at the house. Hair, nails, make up! It was gonna be a long day. She hoped 7pm would be here before she knew it!
The rehearsal dinner last night had been great. Even the boys were well behaved. It all went very well. She couldn't ask for anything to be any more perfect. The hardest thing had been telling Mark he had to sleep by himself! He had been on the road for 3 weeks this time. He begged, pleaded and tried his best to get her to let him sleep with her before the wedding. She kept telling him "NO!". It was bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other the day of the wedding.
"Ahhh, horseshit, Darlin! I haven't seen you in three weeks! I just want to hold you!" he pouted. She finally won out over him. After many long, heated kisses, he finally let her go to her room. But, not without a big protest. She knew she would be able to make it up to him tomorrow night!
Chapter Two
It was almost 8am and she hadn't heard a peep out of the boys, or her animals. She wished this dull twinge in her lower back would go away! She started to move to throw the covers back and put her legs out, when she felt a movement beside her. She looked over at Mark, who was laying on his side facing her, grinning like a fool!
"Mark! What did I tell you last night?! We aren't supposed to see each other today! And here you are! What am I gonna do with you!" She asked him, she was totally exasperated with him!
He was still grinning at her. "Love me, darlin. Marry me today. Be my wife, be my lover." he told her quietly. They lay on their sides facing each other. He was touching her face with his finger tips.
"Besides, you can't be mad at me!" he said as he started to laugh.
"Oh yeah? And just how do you figure that?" she asked him a little confused.
"They made me do it!" he said and the giggling started as two heads popped up over his huge frame. The boys were howling with laughter. Ruffles was having a fit! "They made me do it!" he repeated as he flipped me over on my back, kissing me soundly until nothing else mattered.
Chapter Three
I finally got a little control going on a few minutes later! I got Mark and the boys headed out for their showers and their things to do. Glenn was going to stand up with Mark and the boys at the wedding, so they were going to spend some quality time together before the ceremony. And, of course, I had plenty to do. I was going to have to look beautiful!
After I got everyone off where they needed to be, I finally sat down with a cup of coffee, and Ruffles at my feet. If I could only get rid of these twinges! I made some toast and sat down with my coffee. After my toast, I took some Advil for my back pain. My Mom and sister would soon be here, then we would really get down to business!
First, we were going to have our nails done. Then a quick lunch, if anyone could eat, then before everyone went to get their hair done, I wanted to run by the church. I just had to be sure the church looked just right!
I couldn't have asked for anything any better! The church was beautiful! The flowers were almost all in place. Since it was only a few days before Valentine's Day, I had decided to use roses and rose buds. Beautiful red ones!
The church was going to be lighted mostly by candles. Very romantic. It was going to be perfect. I was very pleased.
Next, the hairdresser. I had brought my veil with me so the hairdresser could get it fixed in my hair. As I sat in the chair the twinges in my back returned. Looked like more Advil for me.
I wasn't about to let a backache ruin my beautiful day.
Chapter Four
Everyone had to be at the church about 2 hours before the ceremony for the photographer to get the wedding pictures. Pictures of the bride before the ceremony. Pictures of the groom before the ceremony. Then after the wedding, pictures of everyone together! They would probably go a little overboard with it, but that would be ok. This was her first and last wedding.
The twinge in her lower back was getting stronger. After all the pictures of her were taken, she realized she still had a few minutes of peace and quiet. She decided to take full advantage of the time and get back off her feet!
Chapter Five
Glenn had his hands full with Mark and the boys. Mark was so nervous! The boys were nervous, as well. All of them had been in the tuxes for way too long.
Mark was pacing the floor in the room where they had been waiting.
Glenn finally asked him, "Mark, why don't you just sit down? You are making me tired pacing the floor!"
Mark grinned at him. "I don't know why I am so nervous. Hell, I have done this before, it isn't like it is my first time. But, hell, what if this one doesn't work? What happens if we just fall out of love?" he asked.
Glenn got up and went to his big friend.
"Mark, I don't know what happened in your marriage to Jodi, it was none of my business. Sara was just too young, you guys wanted different things. You are older. Rox is older. You have the boys now. She loves you, man! There is no doubt about that! And it is soooo obvious that you love her too! You will be perfect together."
They stood quietly for a moment, then Glenn spoke again.
"You have got to be the luckiest son of a bitch I have ever met!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Mark said grinning. "I am, ain't I?"
Chapter Six
It was time for everyone to finally take their places. All the guests were seated, the little church was filled to capacity. Most of their family and friends were there.
The candle lights and roses were beautiful. Glenn, Mark and the boys had already taken their places at the altar. The maid of honor and the bridesmaids were going down now.
Rox's Dad could feel her fidgeting. "You are squirming as bad as those boys!" he said as they waited for everyone to get in place.
"I guess I have been on my feet entirely too long today, and my back is killing me! It will soon be over and maybe I can sit down for a bit." she said as the Wedding March began to play.
She took his arm, and they slowly made their way to the front of the church. It was so quiet with the music softly playing. Then Gunnar very loudly exclaimed, "WOW! Dad! She is beautiful!"
There were ripples of laughter all over the church. Mark had eyes only for her as she slowly walked towards, her eyes never leaving his.
"Yes, Gunnar, she is beautiful." he murmured absently.
The ceremony was beautiful. They repeated vows and exchanged rings keeping with the traditional theme. When it came time for them to light the unity candle, they choose to light it as a family, with the boys helping to light the candle, as well. There wasn't a dry eye in the place.
The minister then pronounced them man and wife and gave Mark permission to kiss his bride. He could feel her shaking. He pulled her body close to his, softly kissing her lips, hoping to stop her shaking.
They turned to face the crowd as Mr. & Mrs. Mark Callaway.
Chapter Seven
Picture sessions began again as pictures were made of the bride and the groom. The families of the bride and groom. Friends of the bride and groom. Neighbors of the bride and groom. You name it, and someone took a picture of it.
Mark noticed that Rox was still shaking just a bit and a fine sweat had broken out on her. She was slightly flushed. She had bent down and was talking to Gunnar and he noticed she winced a little bit.
Mark looked at the photographer as he prepared to gather another group of people together. "That's enough." Mark said quietly to the photographer.
"But, we still..." he started.
"That's enough!" Mark repeated.
Glenn was standing close to him. "Glenn, let's get these people to the reception." Mark said.
OOHHH! Anxious to get that honeymoon started, are we?" Glenn said as he started heading people out of the church.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that." Mark said absently.
As people were leaving Mark walked towards her.
"Are you ok?" You look a little flushed." He said. He touched her to see if she was still shakin, and she was.
"Darlin, why are you still shakin? What's wrong?" he was worried now.
"I'm fine, I guess I have been on my feet too long, my back aches!" she said.
He wrapped his arms around her waist. "I can fix that, darlin!" Just hold on a little while longer and I will have you off your feet, flat on your back, for the next 7 days! Won't let you up if you don't want to!" He said as his lips found their way to hers.
"OOHHHH! You think you're always gonna be on top, do ya? I don't think so! I want to be on top some too!" she pouted.
"Darlin, you can do it however you want too!" he had pulled her closer to him and deepened the kiss.
"I don't know if I can make it through the damn reception! 3 weeks has been to long without you!" he moaned into her mouth.
He had lifted her up the front of his body and she had tightened her arms around his neck. She could feel him through their clothes! It had been too long! She couldn't wait to feel him next to her in bed. She could already feel that rush of moisture between her legs!
He had bent his head to kiss her neck. HHHMMMMMM, delicious! She loved feeling his lips on her body. About the time she felt his tongue lightly stroking her neck, she felt a slight pop, and suddenly her backache was gone!
"Mark! You are just what I needed! The pain is gone!" she whispered against his ear. He looked around them quickly, then into her eyes.
"Darlin, please don't say things like that!" he groaned. "I want to pull that dress up and bury myself in you now!" he moaned against her neck.
He slid his hands up under her dress, feeling her warm skin under her stockings, up higher until he came to the warm wetness of her center.
"Oh yeah! You definitely want me too!" he said with a smirk. He looked down into her eyes. She had become still.
She had gone deathly pale and her breathing had changed. The pain was back and racking her body. Mark pulled his hands out from under her dress. He was covered in blood!
He looked down at his hands, confused. Then at her. "Darlin, what..."
That was the last thing she remembered as her body fell to the floor, right at Mark's feet!
Chapter Eight
Glenn was heading everyone out of the church to go to the reception. He heard Mark hollering for him. Then turned to see his big friend running towards him. Was that blood all over Mark? What the hell?
"Glenn, Jesus! Glenn! We gotta get an ambulance! She's hemorrhaging! Shit! I got do something!"
Mark was absolutely frantic! He had grabbed Glenn's arm and was draggin him back to where she was laying. Blood was staining her beautiful dress!
"OH MY GOD!" Glenn said. "I'm gonna call 911!" he said as he ran to find a phone.
Mark was holding her still form close to his body.
"What's wrong, Darlin? Wake up and talk to me!" he pleaded.
"You told me it was just a back ache! Baby please! He had tears streaming down his face.
He held her gently in his arms, rocking her back and forth. Asking her to please wake up and talk to him.
Glenn returned in a few minutes to let him know the ambulance was on the way.
"Mark, what happened to her?" Glenn asked softly.
"Her back was hurtin. She said she thought it was from standing on her feet too long. I told her I would have her flat on her back for the next 7 days. Then she just slipped out of my arms to the floor! Jesus Glenn! When are they gonna get here?" he asked.
"Hold on man! I hear the sirens. Mark, I am going to the church entrance. I'll be back with the ambulance." Glenn said as he turned to run towards the church entrance.
He left Mark sitting there still holding her tightly against him. A few minutes later Glenn was racing back with 2 EMT's and a gurney. They got her settled in the ambulance. As Mark was climbing in back he told Glenn to please tell everyone to party and have a good time. He would let everyone know something as soon as he could.
Would Glenn please have his Mom take the boys to the house? He will call them later?
With sirens blaring and lights flashing, the ambulance disappeared into the night!
Chapter Nine
Mark felt as if he had been waiting forever! Rox's sister and her parents came in, but he still hadn't heard anything from a doctor.
Glenn had gotten the boys and Mark's Mom to his house, but the boys were so terribly upset! They were both frantic! Glenn promised Kevin he would personally call him as soon as he knew anything at all. Glenn knew that losing their Mom, and now Rox getting sick was probably more than they could handle.
One hour passed, then two. Mark was about ready to rip someone's head off! All he could get out of anyone was, "The doctor will talk with you soon!" And he had heard that just about enough!
After the second hour, Mark was frantic. He told the nurse she had better go find that son of a bitch 'cause if he hada to go find him, it wasn't gonna be pretty! Rox's parents and Glenn had a hell of a time calming him down!
"Mark, just calm down! She is gonna be fine! They will tell you something soon. Just calm down!" Glenn was telling him.
Just then the door to the waiting room came open. "Mr. Callaway?" the man asked.
"Yeah, that would be me!" Mark said facing the man.
"I am Dr. Adamson, the OB taking care of your wife. We couldn't stop the bleeding, so we took her to surgery for a D & C. She in recovery now and she will most likely sleep through the night. You should be able to take her home tomorrow afternoon. She should feel better in a few days, and I would think she will be able to resume her normal activities. She does, however, need to wait for at least 3 months before you try for another baby. I will stop by to see how she is in the morning." he stood there for a few minutes.
Then it hit Mark like a ton of bricks! "She's pregnant?" Mark asked.
"Was, Mr. Callaway." The doctor said. "She lost her baby. I am sorry."
Mark just stood there lost in thought. The doctor had left, and Rox's mom finally made the first move towards Mark.
"I'm so sorry, Mark. I had no idea." she said.
"Neither did I." he said softly, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Chapter Ten
Glenn had called Kevin to let him know that Rox was ok and that she would be able to come home tomorrow. Glenn sounded unconvincing to Kevin. Why couldn't she just come home tonight? They could take care of her and she could sleep in her own bed! Why didn't his Dad call him? He wanted to go to the hospital!
Glenn didn't know what to do to console him! He said he would get Mark to call him after he had seen Rox. He lay in his bed awake for a long time after he spoke with Glenn. Why didn't his Dad call?! Glenn promised him that he would!
Kevin quietly eased out of the bed and put his clothes on. Gunnar raised up, "Where are you going?" he asked.
"I'm going to the hospital! I gotta see her!" he told Gunnar as he was tying his tennis shoes.
"Then I'm going too!" Gunnar said. Then after he thought for a minute, "Kev, how are we gonna go? Will Grandma take us?" he asked.
"No, Goofy! I'm gonna call a cab!" Kevin hissed.
"Oh yeah, right!" Gunnar said laughin! "How are you gonna pay for it? Even I know you gotta pay for it, dork!" Gunnar sneered.
"Shit!" Kevin said.
"I'm gonna tell Grandma you said that!" Gunnar reported.
"Oh! I don't care! Tell her! I'll get out of it!" Kevin said.
"I won't tell if you take me with you." Gunnar said softly.
"Besides, I know where Grandma keeps money! And I know she didn't set the house alarm! Please Kev! I need to see her too!" Gunnar pleaded.
"Ok! Just get your clothes on! We will ride our bikes to the end of the road and wait for the cab. I'm gonna go downstairs and call, then we will sneak out and wait!" Kevin said.
"Ok." Gunnar said.
"Be sure you get your coat." Kevin told him. Kevin snuck through the house to the kitchen. Gunnar was right, Grandma hadn't set the house alarm. Kevin got the phonebook and made the call. The dispatcher told him it would take about 40 minutes for the cab to get there. They got money from the grandmother's purse and walked out of the house. The night was cold.
They got their bikes quietly from the garage and rode them to the end of the driveway. They hid in some bushes, huddled together until the cab got there. Gunnar was afraid, but Kevin wasn't afraid at all.
They got in the cab and told the driver to take them to the hospital. Only a little while longer and they could see her.
Maybe their Dad wouldn't be too mad!
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