chapter 36

Mark's POV

It's been five days since Gary's visit and since that day i haven't stopped smiling. Things are starting to get back on track, i've even made a friend in here after finally finding the courage to speak. Standing in front of my bedroom mirror, i run the comb through my slightly messy bed head. The bruises have faded and my ribs are slowly healing, everyday i try and walk without my crutches, even if it is only a couple of steps a day... it's steady progress. The music blasts through my headphones, whilst i continue to get ready for my morning class. "Yeaaah iiii... will love you baaabyyy... aaalllwwaaayys..." Hovering the comb above my lips i pretend it's a microphone, as i sing at the top of my lungs. "... and i'll be there, forever and a day. Allllwaaays...-" All of a sudden a shadow catches my attention at the doorway. Tugging out my headphones, i notice my nurse smiling at me with her arms folded.
"...I say Mr Owen..."
For the first time in years, my cheeks scorch slightly from embarrassment. "...Sorry... it's been a while. I got a bit carried away... it's one of my favourites..." Uncontrollably, a smile spreads across my face. "...Reminds me of someone...special to me..."
"Don't apologise. You're an outstanding singer, Mark... and i'm sure millions of your lovable fans will agree with me on that." She winks, whilst walking into my bedroom. "...And i'm pretty sure i can guess who that 'special someone' is, seeing as you haven't stopped glowing since he left."
"Oh...er...yeah..." Biting my lip as i shyly smile, reaching for my crutches from the bed stand.
"Ahh... young love." The elderly nurse ruffles up her greying hair slightly. "...You hold onto him...and look after one another... no matter what has happened, just remember that life's too short. Take chances and risks... and live far away out of everybody's reach... all you need is your family, Mark... the best thing in life."

Nodding my head, looking more serious now as i absorb her words, my throat tightens slightly. "I know, Edna. Gary... he..." The words stick to the tip of my tongue. "...He's my soul mate... i know i've told you this all before, but it's true. The fact he came and visited me... it's just... given me that hope, you know? The hope i've been searching for since it happened, and i'll do everything i possibly can to get him back into my life, permanently. Hopefully once we have the scan... things from there will progress... do you think it will?"
"Hunny... everything will mend in time... Gary's been through the wars before being in a relationship with you, right? With a bit of time and support, the broken pieces will piece back together... seeing the glint in yours and Gary's eyes, whilst sitting opposite one another... it shows that whatever spark is left in your relationship is still there..." Stroking my cheek with the back of her hand, hearing her words buzz around my ears cause me to breathe a sigh of relief. Hearing the positives brings me strength and encouragement not to give up.
"You've been a big help to me... i can't thank you enough... whatever it takes, i will repay you for helping me."
"Hey... it's not about repaying... it's about supporting you, exactly like you are with Gary. Showing you the positives in your life is why i'm here. Besides the way you can repay me... is give me VIP passes to the next Take That tour." Cheekily a smile forms at the corners of her mouth, as an arm coils around my aching shoulders.
"Well... i'm sure i can pull a few strings here and there..." Brushing off a wink, we begin to make our way towards the bedroom door.
"Come on... we've got a class to attend."
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Once class has ended, that means one thing. Dinner time. Picking up one of the plastic trays, exactly like the ones i had when i was at school, but of course a much more appetising one, minus the stains. I immediately walk over towards the main meal section. Today's special is Sheppard's Pie, one of my absolute favourites. Peering through the glass sneeze guard, my spoon dunks into the dish, spooning out a pile of the meat and mash onto my plate. My tongue runs along my bottom lip, as the fresh ingredients swirl around my nostrils. Adding colour to my plate, i also place some vegetables around the centre, topping it off nicely. "I'm gonna enjoy this." Mumbling under my breath, it's the first proper meal i've had since i arrived here. Walking over to find a spare seat, my eyes point out someone. My newly found friend - James. We've been speaking for a couple of days now, we've even spoken about Gary. Surprisingly he seems pretty understanding about the entire situation, believing my story instead of the money grabbing paps'. "James!" Rising my free hand i give him a gentle wave. Using only one of my crutches now, i limp over towards the table he's sat at with a few of his other friends. As soon as my voice travels across the room, all eyes seem to point at me like daggers, as if i'm a lost endangered animal about to be fed to a group of starved lions. Stopping in my tracks just inches from the table now, James bows his head in disappointment. "Mate? Mind if i join you?" Sinking behind the much taller and muscular men, James flicks a carrot around his plate with his fork, avoiding communication and any eye contact with me as possible. "M...Mate? Is everything-"
"He doesn't want to talk to you, haven't you got the message?" Suddenly one of the gentlemen which James was hiding behind, stands to their feet, towering above me.
"But i-" Looking up at the tall figure, my fingers tightly hold to my tray almost turning my knuckles white.

"Why would anyone want to speak to a lousy, cheating scumbag like you?" A few of the other men around the table snigger by his comment. It feels like i'm a teenager back at school, although as a child i was never bullied, i guess i'm now experiencing it.
"E...Excuse me?"
"Where's that paper James, eh? Front page? You're a disgusting human being." Moving closer to me, it's almost audible to the fella's ears, the rapid beat of my heart, not because i'm scared. No chance, but from hearing the lies being spread once again.
"Who do you...you think you are?!" Shaking my head, i furrow my eyebrows up at him.
"Are you standing up for yourself?" Hitting his fist vertically under my tray, it splatters all over my body. Releasing an animal type yelp from the shock, gravy drips down my face and neck. The room fills with roaring laughter, whilst i stand covered in warm meat and potato. Gripping to my crutch, my words are swallowed, feeling the tears build in my eyes from embarrassment. "Now... are you going stand up for yourself, sonny?" His words spit into my face, as the brown liquid continues to drip down my fragile body.

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Gary's POV

 "...And i don't need carrying ooooon! Cause you had a bad day, you're taking one down. You sing a sad song just to turn it around. You say you don't know, you tell me don't lie, you work at a smile and go for a ride!" Clinking the mugs in the soapy water, i continue to sing along to the hand held radio with a smile on my face, whilst washing the dishes. "... You had a bad day, the camera don't lie. You're coming back down and you really don't mind, you had a bad day..."
"Gaz?" A voice echoes down the hallway, as the front door loudly closes by the gust of wind. Interrupting me.
"...In the kitchen!" I call replying back to the voice. Reaching for the tea- towel, my hands bury inside it, drying them. "...You had a bad day..." Turning the dial on the radio, the music stops. Footsteps soon replace the deafening music.
"Nice singing." Yasmin's voice enters the kitchen, as she peers a head around the door.
"Hiya, love." Tossing the tea-towel onto the table, i glance over my shoulder. Yasmin's face instantly drops by the sight of my battered and bruised face. A mortified look appears, as she shakily walks over to me.
"W...W...What on earth happe-"
"No need for questions. The main thing is... i'm ok." Lifting a hand to silence her, my finger presses down on the kettle. "Two sugars?" Blinking her eyes at me whilst i place a tea bag into two mugs, she firmly grips to my shoulder blade.
"Who?!"
"Does it matter? Come on... lets not spoil the mood, otherwise i'll start singing again." I wink as the kettle boils. Steam blurs my view of Yasmin's timid, yet slightly angry face.
"...N...no...surly...?"

Once the hot water is filled almost to the rim of the mugs, i roll my eyes in an annoyed manner. "...Yes... it was... pretty obvious really? Mark's, Robbie's best mate. I kinda expected it really. On the other hand i sort of expected more damage." Shrugging my shoulders, i carefully rest the mugs on two coasters in the centre of the kitchen table.
"I'm gonna kill him!" She curses under her breath.
"Ay. I thought you came to see me, not to commit murders. Take a seat and enjoy your cuppa, you look as if you need one." Pulling back my chair, the happy emotion remains. After a few seconds of debating, Yasmin surrenders as she pulls back a chair opposite me.
"He's not gonna get away with this, Gary."
"Oh just let it go. I've been asking for it, haven't i?" Sipping my tea, my fingers drum against the table top. "...Anyway... i'm sick of talking about my hideous face... guess where i went yesterday?"
"Don't start talking yourself down again. I dunno, where did you go? See Mark again?"
"Nah uh... i took a trip to town and i bumped into a beautiful baby clothing shop!" My eyes lighten by the memory of yesterday.
"You went baby shopping?" A sweet looking smile forms on Yasmin's face, whilst she begins drinking her tea.
"Well... i didn't buy anything... seeing as we don't know the sex yet, but they're absolutely adorable! I swear every item of clothing i saw, i wanted to buy. They were even selling tiny little footie boots, they were no bigger than my thumb!"
"It's so good to see you happy again, Gaz." Yasmin strokes the top of my hand, her smile reflecting my beaming grin.

"Seriously, i've never seen such a huge place selling such small things. I think it's called 'Goo- Goo clothing? I don't know, it's some daft name, but as soon as we have that scan, i'm down there back on that bloody bus!"
"...And... will Mark be joining you?"
"Depends how he's feeling...health's more important... that's why i don't want you to keep stressing." Raising my eyebrow in a fatherly way.
Yasmin shyly blushes, draining her mug. "I know, i know... so... how's he coping? Sessions still going well?"
"Well he's not doing backwards flips over rainbows, of course. We had a good chat about the nursery and things... to be honest i guess it lightened my mood... just the two of us sat down like adults chatting about our baby."
"Is the baby all you spoke about?"
"Pretty much, yeah." Casting my mind back to the night i visited Mark, excitement over the scan builds in my stomach again. It's only a week away now and we can finally find out whether we're having a boy or girl... that's when the crazy shopping trips happen... when the fun starts again. What i need really after the past few weeks i've suffered.
"Sounds great... really pleased that you're both starting to discover what's important in this..." Her hand rests on the visible bump under her t shirt. "Is he enjoying the clinic?"
"Surprisingly... yes... i mean... it's helping him... and giving him the support he needs... which i couldn't give him, i guess." Quietly i mumble. Even though i've perked up, it still doesn't mean i'm 100% ok with Mark, he's still torn a hole in my heart, the only reason i'm getting on with my life, is because of our child. "...We probably wont be able to get him away once the course has ended. He'll be moving in there!"