Chapter 15

Gary's POV

"What's that suppose to mean?" Flexing my fists which hang either side of me. I'm not a fighter, but when it comes to my family i'll do anything to defend and protect them. Robbie laughs in my face drowning me in the strong smell of alcohol on his breath.
"You? A Dad? God what is this world coming to?! All you do is sleep around with women who are in relationships." He slurs laughing louder. Anger takes over my body causing me to take two fist fulls of Robbie's shirt forcefully pushing him against the wall.
"Are you going to say that again??"
Mark flies out of his chair sitting Eleanor onto the bed before taking me by the waist. Causing me to release my grip on Robbie. "Gaz! Come on don't not here. He's clearly drunk, please leave it."
"You've been drinking?!" Yasmin's voice becomes more high pitched due from the shock and surprise over him drinking, after being sober for so long. Robbie can barely stand up using the wall as support.
"Absolutely appalling! You're in a hospital! Look at your daughter! Look at her!! What the hell will she think? You're suppose to be her role model!" He turns my stomach acting like this just shows that he doesn't deserve this beautiful family he's been gifted with.
"Come on. We're leaving right now!" Yasmin clambers to her feet pointing her finger in Robbie's direction like he's behaving like a naughty child... well he has the same attitude as one. I've never seen Yasmin like this before she's always showed her soft side, but Robbie needs to be told. He's going to lose everything otherwise!

"Yaz... do you want me and Gaz to take Eleanor home with us?" Mark lifts the small child back into his arms again. Eleanor coos a little squeezing Mark's cheek. Such a heartwarming thing to see. "I think the two of you need to do some talking..."
"R...really? Are you sure?"
"Yeah... we don't mind do we Gaz? Will give us some practise." He grins at me stroking Eleanor's curls as she continues to smile back at him.
"N...no problem... as long as you want Yaz." Giving her a friendly smile i reach for mine and Mark's coats from the chair beside the bed. Yasmin gives Eleanor a big kiss and cuddle before yanking Robbie's hand from his pocket.
"I can't thank you both enough. If there's any problems just give me a call and i'll be straight there."
"We will." Mark rests his head against my chest a little.
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"B....b...booo...G...Gar...." Someone squeezing my lips and cheeks cause me to wake up. Peering through my half open eye lids i come face to face with a grinning Eleanor. Her rosy cheeks shine when she sees i'm awake. "Yeeeyyy!" She bounces on the bed crawling onto my chest.
"ello petal..." Rubbing my eyes a little i sit up seeing the space next to me is empty. Where's Mark gone? "Shall we go and find Markie? Maybe he has some sweeties for you." With excitement she claps her hands together. This feels great having Eleanor staying over... Mark's right the practise will be good. Tenderly i carry Eleanor downstairs where i can hear faint humming sounding from the kitchen. The door is a touch open enough for me to see a figure near the sink. Quietly i tip toe into the kitchen to find Mark pouring milk into a bowl. He still hasn't noticed me entering the kitchen, whilst his back continues to face me i quickly place Eleanor in front of the table. Mischievously i creep up behind Mark wrapping my arms tightly around his waist.
"AAAHHH!" He jumps a couple of centimetres into the air. I can almost hear the rapid increase of his heart beat bouncing against his chest like a drum. "Jesus, Gary!" Comforting him a little i plant a few kisses against his neck and jaw line bringing his heart rate back down gradually. "Mmm...twat..." He whispers quietly inaudible to Eleanor's delicate ears.

"Morning my lover..." I whisper stroking my hand up the front of his t shirt brushing my finger tips against his slim torso.
"Breakfast is ready." Playfully he nibbles my arm whilst lifting two bowls up from the work surface. In each is a dried up square thing and a drop of milk... if that. Curling my lips a little i look at Eleanor who has the same placed in front of her we both look at one another pulling the same facial expression. "Don't look like that... it's healthy... nothing beats a weetabix in the morning!"
"Er...thanks...babe.... we was expecting a fry up wasn't we Miss Williams?" I chuckle crushing the weetabix with the side of my spoon.
Mark rolls his eyes cheekily drinking his fresh orange juice. "We need to get fit for when our little one is born... he or she doesn't want two over weight Daddies chasing them around the park."
"Hmm... suppose you're right..." Speaking with a mouthful of Weetabix almost sounding like some sort of hungry farm animal. "Ay...speaking of the park, how's about the three of us go after breakfast? Will be a nice day out. Eleanor can feed the ducks and we can chat for a bit...fresh air will do us all good."
"Sounds great... think Yasmin would mind us taking her out? I mean it is mid October we don't want to get the little one unwell for Christmas." Mark already sounds like a concerned father. Feeling warm inside i caress the top of his hand whilst swallowing my mouthful.
"We'll make sure she's wrapped up well... she has a cardigan and coat... oh and i spotted some little beige uggs in her case too."
"It's a date then."
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Once we reach the park we find a bench in front of the duck pond where me and Mark settle on. Eleanor sits a couple inches away from the pond scattering a few fist fulls of duck corn into the pond. The frosty air swirls around the golden leaves which have fallen to the ground under our feet. Resting his head against my arm Mark closes his eyes for a brief moment releasing a quiet sigh.
"Everything ok, handsome?" I ask sounding a little concerned over his sigh. He tucks his hands into his black thermal coat pockets.
"More than ever...for the first time...things are going right..." He nuzzles his face against my chest making contact with the warmth.
"I hear you babe..." Inhaling his scent through his hair i feel relaxed until my eyes glance up to the opposite direction. Facing us a good few inches away sits an elderly woman and a gentleman in his mid forties staring at us in disgust. "I....I think we're being watched." Mumbling into Mark's hair i peer out the corner of my eye at them catching part of their conversation.
"Would you look at that! They're everywhere it's disgusting and in a public park! Even in front of that poor kiddie! Gosh she'll be traumatised!" Turning her nose up at us she speaks a little louder whilst continuing to watch our every movement.
"Couldn't agree more. It's just....just...wrong." The pair of them carry on their little chit chat about us. Mark instantly lifts his head over hearing their conversation too.
"Gotta problem?" He asks raising his eyebrow leaving his head rested against my upper arm. The woman looks at each of us fixing her glasses.
"Can you not do that in a public park please, and especially not in front of your daughter." Feeling smug with herself she makes a sarcastic joke to the male beside her. "Don't fancy bringing back my breakfast this morning... i paid full price for it!" Both of them snigger.
"So it's illegal for me to lay against my boyfriend is it now? And our daughter has been raised correctly. We are proud parents who don't lock her away from the real world... unlike the snobby kind of people." Mark copies the elderly lady by turning his nose up and flicking his hair a little. Giggling a little at his actions i squeeze his waist focusing on Eleanor who watches the ducks peck at the corn in the muddy water. "What would happen to us if we kissed? Hung? Shot? Electrocuted?"
"I say... you need to be taught some manners. You type are all the same... all mouth." She reaches for her walking stick which leans around the wooden bench.
"Being all mouth is a good thing for 'our type'." Mark quietly jokes to me. Before the pair of them get away Mark sits up facing me just inches away from my face. "How about this??" Forcefully he pushes his lips onto mine giving me a breath taking kiss.

"Disgusting! Urgh!" She frowns before staggering away shortly with the middle aged man following her. Panting a little for my breath back i release a loud giggle patting Mark's knee a little. "Wow..."
"Wow indeed Mr Barlow... no one speaks like that to us..." He plants a quick kiss onto my parted lips again. Eleanor walks back to us holding her empty duck corn bag with a slight pout forming on her lips. "Aww... did you run out sweetie?" Mark pulls her onto his lap tucking the loose strand of hair back around her ear.
"Apparently this is our daughter?" Nudging Mark a little i joke stroking Eleanor's hand sighing happily.
"For today." The sound of my phone buzzing interrupts the conversation.  "Bet that's Mummy." Carefully i slide my phone out of my jean's pocket pulling off one of my gloves with my teeth allowing me to use the touch screen. (1) new message - Yaz.
"Aye." I click open the message before quickly scanning it. Just letting you know that i'm going to confront him... i can't take this anymore... i'm going to do it in the next couple of days... what happens happens... as long as i have my little girl that's all i need... thank you again... Yaz x. Sucking in a deep breath of the icy air i feel a little bad for her feeling my heart sink.
"Well?"
"She's... she's going to confront Rob... about the affair." Biting my lip a little i sigh resting my head against Mark's shoulder.
"Oh god..."