Love hurts ...

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

If it was a shock to find Mark in her bed making love to her, his reaction to her protest was even more so.
She gasped as he all but threw her from him, pulling the covers around her as he headed down the stairs garbled apologies thrown after him, running away from her without even allowing her to comment or question.

She sat in the middle of the bed bereft.

From the dream, the warmth, the lovemaking to be so roughly rejected and shut out.
Her emotions tumbled over and over blaming him for running away from her, blaming herself for being unable just to open up to him. Nothing made sense.
All she knew was that it hurt: Hurt like hell!
Hurt almost as much as those first days when Mark had left her.

And so as in those first day, Pia curled herself up in the middle of her bed and sobbed out her grief, loss and hurt, longing for things to be as they once were and at a loss as to how to make that happen - especially now.

 

[msboy8]

Mark

Mark was headed out the door, when he heard Pia sobbing upstairs. He stopped dead in his tracks and listened. He listened to Pia sob, he carefully closed the front door. He could not abandon her again. He dropped his bag to the floor and wordlessly started back up the stairs.

He knocked on her open bedroom door and called out, "Pia, may I come in? I'm dressed now. I'm so sorry. I need to talk with you. I will NOT abandon you again. I will not leave unless you tell me to."

Mark waited, listening for her response. What she answered would determine if he would leave or enter.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

Pia barely heard the knock. She had not even been aware of Mark dressing, preparing to leave and then mounting the stairs once more. Only when he called out did she realise he had returned to her.

"Pia, may I come in? I'm dressed now."

With effort she tried to still her sobs.
She didn't care if he was dressed or not.
It had been a shock to find him ... so close ... in her bed ... but it had all gone so wrong so suddenly.

"I'm so sorry. I need to talk with you.I will NOT abandon you again.
I will not leave unless you tell me to."

Pia nodded, then realised he was waiting for her to speak.

"Come in Mark ... "

She told him softly, raising her tearstained face to his as he entered her bedroom. She extended her hand and wordlessly patted the bed beside her inviting him to sit before rubbing at her eyes in an effort to halt the flow of tears.
She longed to feel his arms around her again, even though her reaction to his love making hadn't made sense.
She lowered her eyes and plucked at the covers bunched around her.

"Y-you .. wanted to ... t- talk... "

She stated shakily giving him the opening he needed, but unable to look him in the eye.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

Pia barely heard the knock. She had not even been aware of Mark dressing, preparing to leave and then mounting the stairs once more. Only when he called out did she realise he had returned to her.

"Pia, may I come in? I'm dressed now."

With effort she tried to still her sobs.
She didn't care if he was dressed or not.
It had been a shock to find him ... so close ... in her bed ... but it had all gone so wrong so suddenly.

"I'm so sorry. I need to talk with you.I will NOT abandon you again.
I will not leave unless you tell me to."

Pia nodded, then realised he was waiting for her to speak.

"Come in Mark ... "

She told him softly, raising her tearstained face to his as he entered her bedroom. She extended her hand and wordlessly patted the bed beside her inviting him to sit before rubbing at her eyes in an effort to halt the flow of tears.
She longed to feel his arms around her again, even though her reaction to his love making hadn't made sense.
She lowered her eyes and plucked at the covers bunched around her.

"Y-you .. wanted to ... t- talk... "

She stated shakily giving him the opening he needed, but unable to look him in the eye.

 

[msboy8]

Mark

Mark entered the bed room slowly, his hands at his sides. He started, "Pia, I must have come up in my sleep. You told me to leave, so I did. But, I will not leave until we can talk, OK?"

He sat down on the edge of the bed furthest from her and tried to catch her eye. "I love you Pia and I know you have suffered greatly because of me. I want to get back into your life and will do whatever you want me to. I don't expect to waltz back into your bed and I will leave anytime you ask. Please refrain from judgement until you hear me through."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

"Pia, I must have come up in my sleep. You told me to leave, so I did. But, I will not leave until we can talk, OK?"

Pia nodded and watched him sit not where she had indicated, but far from her.
She bit back a sigh.
She hadn't told him to leave ... just to stop ... to pause ... to let them take stock of what was real and not a dream.
But she didn't have to words to protest now.

"I love you Pia and I know you have suffered greatly because of me. I want to get back into your life and will do whatever you want me to. I don't expect to waltz back into your bed and I will leave anytime you ask. Please refrain from judgement until you hear me through."

Pia kept her eyes trained on the covers beneath her hand, plucking at them restlessly.
She nodded dumbly.

"O.K."

She managed finally, not meeting his eyes as he sat at what felt like such a distance from her.

 

[msboy8]

Mark

After Pia said, "O.K.", Mark moved over to sit beside her. He did not want to scare her, but he didn't wish to alienate her either.

She still didn't look at him, so he gently took her cute chin in his hand and raised her face until her eyes met his.

"Pia, I told you about the Johanson's. They let me stay there until I was fit to travel. They begged me to stay longer, but I was looking for something, which turned out to be you, but at the time I didn't know where to go. I wandered around the South West taking various jobs and searching for something I knew, but I never found it.

All that changed one day, the day I almost died. After that my memory steadily returned and I knew I had to get back to you. And so here I am, humblely asking you for forgiveness and begging you for another chance."

Mark smiled as he talked to her, very much at ease in her company. And she listened to what he said too, Mark thought there might be hope yet.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

Pia let him draw her chin upwards and stared into his eyes as Mark talked telling her of his recovery, his search for her:

" ... After that my memory steadily returned and I knew I had to get back to you. And so here I am, humblely asking you for forgiveness and begging you for another chance."

Tears silently brimmed over as she searched his eyes finally voicing her thoughts.

"I never told you to leave ..."

She told him softly.

"I said ... stop ... because... "

She sighed wanting to pull away from him, but his hand held her gently but firmly forcing her to face him.

" ... I didn't know ... don't know ... what is real anymore ... what is memory and what ... can still be ... "

She took a steadying breath and met his eyes frankly.

"I want you here Mark ... and I wish we could just go back to how it was just before you left ... it was ... soooo good between us ... remember..?"

She smiled then and put out a hand to touch his arm tentatively.

"I just can't automatically rewind and make it like that again .... not straight away ... I don't know why ... but ... "

Her eyes held his fearing he would read rejection into her word.

"But we have time now ... don't we?"

Her voice was a soft plea.

"Time to see if we can "find" each other again?"

 

[msboy8]

Mark

Mark listened to Pia talk, afraid she would reject him, he wouldn't blame her if she did. He was relieved when he heard her say,

"But we have time now ... don't we?"

"Time to see if we can "find" each other again?"

He was so happy that she wanted a future with him that he kissed her hard on the lips and held her close. Realizing that he might be scaring her, he reluctantly let her go.

Looking into her deep, dark eyes, he said, "OK, where do we begin Pia? I have all the time in the world and can go at a pace which you are comfortable with. You'll have to guide me, I desparately want us to be as it was before, but I know that will take time and lots of understanding."

 

[ESQUIRED]

Mark thought tohimself (as if there was a third party) "this girl needs tender treatment." However, he was ready for more, so much more that his very soul was rendered. He reflected, "what next?"

 

[ESQUIRED]

Mark thought to himself (as if there was a third party) "this girl needs tender treatment." However, he was ready for more, so much more that his very soul was rendered. He reflected, "what next?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:

Sorry ESQUIRE, but this is a closed thread.

Thank you for your interest, but please PM me any comments or suggestions to avoid interfering with the story.

Thank you

DM

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

His deep kiss took her breath away. She was rosy cheeked when he finally released her. She met his eyes with a shy smile.

"OK, where do we begin Pia? I have all the time in the world and can go at a pace which you are comfortable with.
You'll have to guide me, I desparately want us to be as it was before, but I know that will take time and lots of understanding."

For a moment she hesitated, half thinking that he expected her to outline a schedule, but realised he was simply allowing her to set the pace for their intimacy.

"We used to stay in bed for hours on Saturdays ..."

She reminisced softly.
But he was dressed now and after the tension that morning that would not be the best place to start.

"What say I cook us a hearty breakfast ... do you still like that ?"

She asked curiously knowing that so much could have changed during the time they'd been parted.

"Then we can ... make plans ... "

She pulled back the covers and slipped her legs out of bed, her cotton night dress rising high to her thighs. She moved across the room and pulled on a light robe, turning to smile at Mark as he sat on her bed.

"You said last night ... you have nowhere to stay ... "

She commented tentatively.

"Why don't you stay here over the weekend ... and see how things go ... with us ... I mean ... and ... hopefully ... you won't need to find somewhere to move into .... "

She blushed.

"Unless you'd prefer to that is ..."

Damn. This was hard.
She used to be able to read him so easily ... and now ...
She stepped towards the door.

"Sooo ... breakfast ... any requests ....?"

She asked him lightly.

 

[msboy8]

Mark

Pia seemed so nervous, he wanted her to be at ease. When she asked him what he wanted for breakfast, he said, "How about we cook it together, we always liked to do that. That way we can be together."

Mark followed her down to the kitchen, where they set about fixing a breakfast of poached eggs on toast, fresh cantalope and juice. Once it was ready, they sat down across from each other to enjoy their breakfast.

It had been a good idea to fix breakfast together, Pia seemed more relaxed and Mark smiled because of that. Never had he eaten a more wonderful meal, never had he had such good company.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

Moving around the kitchen seemed more natural. She hadn't moved things around and Mark seemed to remember where to find the pans, crockery and cutlery.
By the time they sat down opposite each other to eat, there was a companionable silence as they ate hungrily.

"We'll shove those in the bowl ..."

The words were out of her mouth before she realised.
She turned to Mark and laughed.
He had used to scold her about leaving pots "soaking" as she used to say. He always wanted to wash them or stack the dishwasher ... whist she was happy to rinse and leave and return to them later ...

She shrugged and gave him a mischievous smile.

"I'll grab a quick shower and drag some clothes on and then you tell me what you want to do today ... OK ? "

She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek, the gesture easy and casual. Moving down the hallway, he could hear her giggle as she grabbed some towels and headed for the bathroom headed for the shower.

 

[msboy8]

Mark

Mark smiled as Pia took her shower. He washed the pan and loaded the dishwasher while she showered and dressed. The kitchen was spic and span when Pia reappeared.

"I want to try and get my life back in order a little Pia. I think first we need to stop by the Police Station, so they can confirm my identity. Then to the bank and some clothes shopping. How does that soundto you?"

Mark just admired her slim, well built body while he waited for her to answer.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

Pia took a mere 15 minutes to shower, get dressed and dry her hair. Walking back into the kitchen she grinned as she looked around at the pristine room. Sitting down she swept her long blonde hair into a high pony tail as she listened to Mark.

"I want to try and get my life back in order a little Pia. I think first we need to stop by the Police Station, so they can confirm my identity. Then to the bank and some clothes shopping. How does that sound to you?"

She didn't really understand why they had to go to the police station but she nodded.

"Sounds fine ... it that's what you want Mark ..."

She stood smoothing the stonewash jeans and reaching to pull a denim jacket over her long sleeved tshirt.

"OK ... guess we should get going ..."

She grabbed her shoulder bag and checked for money and keys.
As one they walked out of the appartment, locking the door and dropping the keys into her bag, Pia asked.

"Sooo which police station ... car or walk ?"

Behind her eyes she was remembering the Saturday's strolling around ... but perhaps at the moment time was of the essence.

"Do you want to drive or shall I ?"

She added, assuming his answer.

 

[msboy8]

Marl

Mark answered the beautiful, lively woman before him, so different from the fragile creature of last night. "You had better drive Pia, I have no ID or license. That's why the Police Station is the first stop. They can take my prints and establish who I am. Now don't speed darlin', we don't want to get a ticket."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

Pia slid into the driver's seat and chuckled as Mark's comment.

"Speed? Me?"

She teased ... sure he was remembering that time when ...

"Honestly ... make one lil' mistake and you're never allowed to live it down ..."

Despite their teasing, Pia drew carefully out into the traffic and headed for the main Police Station in the middle of town. She glanced across at Mark as his eyes took in the differences that had happened since the last time he was "home".

Drawing up after a relatively short and very safe journey she glanced over and forced a smile.

"OK? Guess we should go do it huh?"

The key blipped as the central locking kicked in.
They made their way somewhat uncertainly toward the reception, Pia hooking an arm through Mark's and squeezing it encouragingly as they entered the building.

 

[msboy8]

Mark

Mark strode into the Police Station confidently, his girl was with him and he was on top of the world. The desk sargeant directed them to 'Missing Persons'.

Once there Mark explained his predicament. The detective on duty sent him to get his finger prints taken. Pia had to wait in the office. Mark returned after awhile and they waited together for the results.

"This is a lot different than the life I've been used to," Mark explained to Pia. "Hurry-up-and-wait is not something I'm comfortable with. Life in the desert is a lot more simple, but a lot lonelier too. I'm glad I'm back." Mark smiled at Pia as he said that.

The results finally came back and Mark was given a paper indicating who he was, for identification purposes.


Mark looked very relieved as they walked out of the station and to the car. "I was worried that I might have run afoul of the law," explained Mark. "18 months is a long time and anything could have happened."

The drive to his bank was uneventful. The bank president accepted his identification after perusing the paper and verifying it with the Police.

Mark's account was still active, the revenue deposited by his law partnership had seen to that. Mark withdrew $1000 and asked Pia to drive him to the mall. When they had arrived, Mark handed Pia the money and said, "I would like you to pick out my wardrobe for me. It's been a long time since I have worn anything but blue jeans."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

Perhaps it was the place, but Pia couldn't help feeling guilty as she waited for Mark to be fingerprinted and receive papers confirming his identity. It all seemed so strange, so bizarre somehow!

That done, she accompanied him to the bank and managed NOT to feel like a bank robber ... that as until she saw the wad of cash that Mark had withdrawn as he handed it to her as they stood in the mall.

"I would like you to pick out my wardrobe for me. It's been a long time since I have worn anything but blue jeans."

She shook her head protestingly and tried to give him the money back.

"No ... Mark ... please... "

She looked around worriedly and deftly split the pile of notes in half forcing him to take half back " for safe keeping". An arm in his she pulled him along and led him to a nearby coffee shop insisting they have a drink and collect their thoughts.

"Mark ... you have to be careful waving cash like that about ... "

She whispered stirring patterns in her cappucino and unconsciously licking the chocolate off the spoon.

"I'll help you pick something out ... remember you still have stuff at my place too ... and as for anything house wise ... you won't need that kind of thing unless you move out ... "

She sipped at the coffee cup licking the froth from her lip with a smile.

"But ... I hope you decide to stick around .... for a while ... at least until you get your bearings...."

She smiled and extended a hand to lay it reassuringly on his arm, squeezing it affectionately.

 

[msboy8]

Mark

Mark took back half the bills, but he didn't seemed concerned by carrying that much cash. He followed her as they went into a coffee shop. He surprised her by ordering black coffee while she had cappucino. He explained his choice to her, "Didn't have many luxuries in the desert, I got used to black coffee."

He felt better when she said,"But ... I hope you decide to stick around .... for a while ... at least until you get your bearings...."

She smiled and extended a hand to lay it reassuringly on his arm, squeezing it affectionately. He responded by taking her hand lovingly in his. hand and squeezing it lovingly. He whispered, "I'll stay near you until you tire of me, OK."
.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

"I'll stay near you until you tire of me, OK."

Pia stared into his eyes and nodded slowly as Mark held her hand.

"OK ... "

She agreed softly reaching with her free hand to pick up her coffee cup.

"Now ... clothes ... I know what you used to wear ... but I guess you're looking for make over ... or a new start huh?"

She seemed to consider then nodded in recognition.

"I think I Know just the place ...."

She told him reassuringly.

 

[msboy8]

Mark

Mark replied, "Yes a new look would be good. I am in your capable hands. Lead on McDuff."

Mark wondered if she understood his reference to McDuff, then shrugged. It really didn't matter, as long as he was with Pia.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Pia

Pia had forgotten what fun shopping could actually be.
They spent the next two hours working their way through the various men's departments of the local stores. Her suggestions were tentative at first: new jeans, pants, tshirts, several sweaters then she suggested chinos and several shirts.
Moving on Pia suggested a casual sports outfits, trunks and from then on to the underwear section; trying not to blush as they picked items out, finally ending in laughter and teasing as they added yet another bag to their array of packages.

"I doubt you'll need a suit, Mark .... what about a jacket ... or a blazer maybe...?"

Pia commented as they made what was supposed to be their exit and return to the car.