Chapter 22

{It's just 5 days until Gary and Mark set off for their Christmas holiday break and just 10 days until Christmas. Today they're shopping for some clothing seeing as the weather in Switzerland will be much more colder than in London. Yasmin has taken a few weeks herself away having a break at her Mum's with Eleanor. Robbie is currently staying at their house until they're back which then he'll continue staying at different hotels. For now there's no relationship between the pair Yasmin's given her wedding and engagement ring back to Robbie saying they're completely over, and he's only allowed round to see Eleanor which will soon only be a weekend thing...}

Gary's POV

"Come on Mark.. we've been here almost two hours in the same bloody shop. Just choose one coat not the whole rack! My feet are killing me." Slumping down in a nearby chair i rub the sole of my foot through my sock.
"Oh shush grumpy. These things take time. I love my shopping me."
"But you take too long! I got mine within 5 minutes, quick try on and i'm sorted... you could learn a thing or two."
Mark gestures his hand in time we my speaking. "Blah blah blah... i'm gonna go and look upstairs then we can go... not be long gorgeous." He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and disappears towards the escalators. It'll be the year 3000 by the time we leave, the floor upstairs is crammed with clothing he's going to have field day. Drumming my fingers on the arm rest i try and occupy myself whilst waiting for little miss fussy to finish. I glance around the shopping centre watching different couples look through festive seasonal clothing the usual stuff like jumpers, PJ's, ties etc. Out the corner of my eye i notice a small crowd of people are watching me. "Fucking cheat." "Not surprised he looks knackered messing around with that woman again." "Wonder what his boyfriend thinks...maybe he's done the right thing and done a runner."

Are they talking about me? "Excuse me? Do you have a problem?"
"Yeah seeing your mug plastered all over The Sun for a change. You're ridiculous." A middle aged man turns his nose up at me.
"M...Me?"
"No, me!" Sarcastically he speaks. "Of course you, you scumbag once a cheat always a cheat i say." Ending on that note the crowd descends. What on earth is he talking about? Cheat? Me on the front page? Standing to my feet i walk over to the area in the shopping centre where they're selling newspapers. As soon as i walk around the corner i freeze to the spot looking in horror. He was right... i'm all over the papers... front page. Gary Barlow... Praying for another chance... AGAIN? This is bullshit! Making sure Mark isn't around i grab a newspaper from the rack turning to the correct page. Gary Barlow being kept up all night by Robbie Williams' missus...again?! The Sun insider has been keeping a close eye on their friendly relationship lately. 'Another crack in his heart?' current boyfriend to Gary and band mate Mark Owen pictured above looking worse for wear... The photo shows Mark on a jog when he was ill a few weeks back. This is nothing but lies! I haven't been cheating! Below: Relighting his fire? Gary and Yasmin share  a coffee together looking cosy as she is pictured without her wedding ring! A friend of the family speaks about Yasmin's shock second pregnancy. Could it be Mr Barlow's? No please this can't be happening!

"Guess who!" All of a sudden a pair of hands are placed over my eyes making me jump out of my skin. "Hey hey Gaz... it's only me." Quickly i turn around holding the newspaper flat against my back. Mark stands in front of me with a boyish grin on his face. "I've done the shopping!" He holds up a few packed bags with the new clothing in. Right now i don't even care that he's spent way more than he should of done, all i'm concentrating on is getting out of here so we can pack.
"O...Oh... good...let's go then."
"Already? I thought we could go for a coffee and i could show you the things i bought? I've got you some things too!"
"No time. We need to go home." Still holding the newspaper behind my back i take Mark's hand pulling him away from the area.
"W....What's...that?" He raises his eyebrow pointing behind me. Who am i kidding what's the point hiding one poxy newspaper when there's a whole bloody stand of them behind me. "What....the...." Mark picks one of the newspaper's up and starts to read.
"Mark... i swear... i .... i haven't done anything... i wouldn't... not again... you believe me....right?" After quickly scrolling the newspaper he agrees.
"Let's go home..."
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We arrive back home after an incredibly quiet car ride Mark didn't even put the radio on and start singing which he usually does whenever we're out in the car. "Do you want a drink babe? I got you some orange juice in."
"Ok..." Quietly he walks into the living room carry his bags with him. I knew that this would upset him... i mean it's full of shit whatever the paper's write 99% of the time.
"Babe?" Peering my head around the door i hold onto the door frame studying his face. It's unusual not seeing a cheesy grin plastered all over Mark's face part of him is famous for it. Clearly all this has bothered him greatly.
"Yes?" He tilts his head into my direction looking at me with his saddened eyes, puppy like enough to pull on anyone's heart strings. Walking over to the sofa i sit beside him wrapping my arm tightly around his shoulder allowing him to rest against me.
"It's upset you...  hasn't it...?" Gently he nods resting a hand against my chest whilst the other is placed on my stomach spreading his fingers out onto it. "It's not true... i swear to you Mark... they used that photo of you when you was ill... you wasn't heart broken? And the photo of me and Yasmin having a coffee together you was there with us they just cropped you out of the photo... you know what they're like..."

"I...I know... and i believe you... it's just." Taking a deep breath he closes his eyes slightly. "It's just.... seeing it... even though it's not real... it's shown to look real... rumours will start... it hurts...true or not... it's hurts to see it shoved in your face."
"Never in a million years would i cheat on you Mark... i promise whilst walking this earth i will never hurt you... you and our baby are my life... you both mean more to me than what words can describe, and as soon as we go on this holiday in a couple of days we can get away from everything and everyone, and once that plane lands bringing us home again our family will start. Just the three of us nothing can go wrong, and i mean that. Everything's going to be ok..." Running my fingers through his hair i place a soft kiss onto his cold feeling forehead.
"Can't wait..."
"We're a team Mark... and it will be like that forever... i'm nothing without you... promise you'll never leave me... ever..." Softly i hold the hand which is resting on my chest bringing it to the direction of my heart letting him feel my steady heart beat.
"I promise..." He nuzzles his head into the crook of my neck.
"Bring on this holiday..." Pressing my lips against his ear i whisper softly as we lay on the sofa together.