chapter 26

{After a Christmas break alone Mark and Gary return safely back to their London home. From celebrating Christmas to becoming engaged they can finally start to plan their lives together. Today is the 2nd of January, so it's a new start of a new year full of surprises... hopefully good.}

"Well...that photo shoot wasn't too bad.." Mark cheekily grins whilst wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.
"Why did I ever let you talk me into that? I swear all my parts better be covered when that magazine goes on sale."
"Don't worry I had you 'covered' the photographer made sure of that."
Lifting a hand up I mess his hair causing his fringe to stick up slightly. "Only because he fancied you."
"Eh? Me? Did he 'eck. You've got to be kidding. Your shots took longer than mine! God knows what the pair of you were up to behind that curtain." Cheekily Mark grins up at me giving me a tight squeeze.
"Mate...he was old enough to be me Dad. No thanks. I've got my man right here...or should I say...husband to be. Wonder if the fans have worked out who's hand has the ring on." Looking at my hand i stroke the finger which contains the ring. We posted a photo on my twitter changing it to a black and white effect to tease them a little.
"Well your fingers are much longer than mine."
"...And fatter."
"Gary Barlow!" Mark gently taps my shoulder. "Enough. Or i'll have to punish you..."
"Ok... ok... i'm sorry. It was such a fantastic break away. I can't thank you enough for giving me the best Christmas ever."
"There's no need to thank me gorgeous, honest. I loved every second of it with you. Oh and do you want me to take anything upstairs Gaz?" Mark walks to the hallway which is filled with thick winter coats,bags,boots and suitcases.
"Erm...you can take my bag upstairs...the one with the pedals in that you bought me. I might go in the studio a little later to pencil a few things down if that's ok with you?"
Mark slings my bag over his shoulder whilst making his way upstairs. "Cause not. Won't be long." As soon as I hear him reach the top stairs I dart into the living room grabbing hold of the remote. With Mark out of the room it gives me the chance to catch the end of the footie match in peace and quiet. Just as I'm about to sit down with my cuppa the front door bell rings.
"Oh for fucks sake..." I mutter under my breath. If that's Howard and Jay I told them to give us a few hours before coming round. We've barely been off the plane 5 minutes!

Rolling my eyes I walk towards the front door to open it. "I told you to-" Surprisingly I'm not greeted by two friendly hugs from our closest friends or one of Howard's rude jokes about me leaving Mark after a quickie to open the front door, but not this time. The person at the door has left me speechless.
"Oh...hello Gary...long time no see?" The female speaks. I can't believe my eyes. Is it her? Is it really the woman who broke up a family? Who torn them apart with her wicked luring charm?
"L...Laura...what...what are you doing here?" Gripping to the inside door handle I wedge myself inbetween the gap of the wall and door incase Mark comes down.
"Well...if you let me in. I can tell you."
"I don't think that's wise...do you? Especially not what you did to Yasmin." The sound of shuffling on the stairs sound, as Mark makes his way back downstairs intrigued by who's at the door I'm guessing.
"Me? Takes two to tango sunshine. Are you going to let me in? Or don't you want me to beckon from the rooftops why I'm here?"
All of a sudden I feel a hand stroke up my back causing me to flinch slightly.
"Who is-" Mark's grinning smile soon fades into the same shocked face I pulled just moments ago. "What is she...doing here?" Just like the first night Mark met her his face drops into a worried look. For some reason she has that affect on him which frightens the days lights out of him. She's purely evil like a virus with a click of the fingers she can split up a relationship.
"Maybe I should of gone round to Yasmin's and told her what I have to say instead..." Turning of her heels she begins to walk slowly back down the path.
"Wait!" Unexpectedly Mark calls. Surprised by his own voice he looks at me. We can't let her go and cause more trouble between her and Robbie not now that she's getting more into the pregnancy we can't take no more risks with the stress.
"Ok... you can come in... but for 10 minutes only then i want you gone."
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"Here you go babe." I place a mug of coffee in front of Mark on the coffee table. "Are you sure you don't want anything?" Trying my best to be kind to her, she just sits there smiling calmly at the pair of us.
"No thank you."
"Boy... i could use something stronger." Mark mumbles whilst taking a gulp of the steaming coffee. Sitting beside him on the sofa i take his hand in my rubbing my thumb against his knuckles.
"Oh... when did that happen then?" Laura glares at my ring with a sour look on her face. Looking down at our hands i notice that her reaction was to my engagement ring which twinkles in the light.
"Christmas day... Mark proposed to me."
Sarcastically she bursts into laughter. "He proposed to you ?! Wow... who would of thought... Mark Owen... manly!"
"Excuse me?"
"Gaz... just leave it..." Quietly Mark sighs bowing his head a little looking embarrassed.
"No. I'm not going to let her talk to you like that in our house Mark."
"So... did he run before or after he got down on one knee?" She continues to smirk at us making me even more annoyed with her presence. "Least we'll know he will be the run away bride on the day."
"Right! That's enough!" Standing to my feet i angrily point my finger into her direction. "Say what you want to say and fucking go." Silence fills the room for a few seconds all that can be heard is Mark's hard swallows whilst hiding his face in his mug.

"Why don't you ask... him ?" She points behind me to Mark who just sits quiet on the sofa behind me.
"Ask...ask me what?"
Rolling her eyes she shakes her head at Mark. "Don't play innocent. Go on. Tell him. Tell him about your best mate's wedding night." A confused expression fills Mark's face as his eyes widen looking at me pleading to save him.
"I...I don't... really remember anything from that night... apart from i had too much to drink... and i passed out in the hotel?"
"Yeah... he did. Why'd you ask? You were there... wasn't you? You turned up on a his wedding day! You really are a cruel hearted cow aren't you?"
"Better than a cheating scumbag." She murmurs under her breath at me.
"What?" I hiss at her unable to bare it i can't even stand to be in the same room as her any longer i walk towards the kitchen.
"The night your boyfriend shagged me in the toilets." Finally she blurts out. The whole of my body freezes stopping me from making my journey to get an aspirin. Did she just say what i think she just said? No. No she's lying. She's doing this to split me and Mark up exactly like she did with Yasmin and Robbie.
"W....W...What...?" Mark almost chokes on his own tongue by her words.
"Yeah...that's right... you were all over me like a rash. I mean what sort of man follows a woman into the bathroom if they aren't after a bit."
"Nice try, but do you really expect me to believe that? You're evil that's all what you are."
"Well it fits the puzzle doesn't it? He disappears for a quickie with me whilst my mate kept Robbie company outside... but it didn't last long don't worry. He ran off of course. He's no man. Pathetic really the only thing he could say was "I'm sorry Gary.' During it." The words bring back the memory of that night. Of Mark stumbling out from the ladies toilets with his head cupped in his hands whilst sitting on the floor, and repeating sorry over and over again. Please no... there's got to be an explanation a more believable one, right? I feel sick. Sick with the thought of Mark with another person not only kissing, but having sex with them whilst i was going out of my mind searching high and low for Mark who was in a drunken state. Anything could of happened to him, but she lured him in. "Now do you believe me?" Not saying a word i take a deep breath pinching the bridge of my nose.
"G...G...Gaz? No. No you don't. Oh Gaz don't listen to that utter crap!"
"...Why were you in the ladies toilets Mark?" Breathing faster i turn back around to him feeling my heart about to explode.
"I....I..." Lost for words a white colour washes over Mark's face.
"You did... didn't you?" My mouth begins to tremble, but i chose to fight it. I'm not going to let my emotions go- not in front of her anyway she's only here for the show. The sound of clapping catches me off guard almost causing me to stumble over my own feet.
"Well that answers that... doesn't it? The truths out! Your boyfriend's a cheat. Well done. Bagged yourself a great one haven't you? You sure know how to chose them. Either cheating on their boyfriend or your own partner cheating on you. Some taste."
"....Get out..." Quietly i speak at first before yelling at the top of my lungs. "GET OUT!!"

"Don't worry. I'm going. Like i said i was only here to tell you the news, but i'm glad you enjoyed my 'notes' nice little build up wasn't it?"
"I swear to god if you don't get out of this house in a minute i will throw you out. Along with your venom too."
Laughing again Laura stands to her feet walking towards the front door glancing at Mark just as she's about to leave she stops. "Oh and before i forget." Opening her bag she pulls out a white piece of paper with a photo on. "Here." Mark rises his reddened eyes up to her lifting up his weak arms to retrieve the gift she's holding in front of him.
"W...w...what...is...t...this?" With a shaken breath he studies the photograph. Peering over her shoulder confusion fills my mind.
"...It was over a year ago.... meet your son Mark."