Chapter 41

Gary's POV

"What are you doing Gary? Don't do this, you can't do this." Repeating over and over in my head. Its like time have stood still, as Mark remains in the same position. Goosebumps have formed on his small footballer's legs, his eyes never leaving mine, whilst his chest quickly rises and falls by the second. He knows. He knows what power he has over me, that power has never left.
"Are you ok...?" Mark speaks, only quietly, enough for me to just hear over the alcohol swimming around my head, its settling in now. Not wanting him to feel uncomfortable by my wondering eyes (not like he will, he's probably enjoying it) i glance down at my feet, studying the stripes on my socks, anything to take my focus away from Mark. "Yes..."
"Are you sure? I mean... your eyes tell me different." The figure now approaches me, noticing his feet shuffle closer to me, so now our toes touch. Delicately, a finger presses under my chin, ever so lightly to lift it up. "Gaz...? Look at me." He whispers, the warmth of his breath tickles the light stubble on my cheeks. If i open my eyes now, i will do something i'll later regret. "Gary..." Slowly, very slowly, i flutter my eyelids, seeing the dark frame in front of me. Through the darkness of my vision, Mark's sparkling blue eyes immediately stand out, catching my attention. Just as i'm about to fully open my eyes, a loud noise rings in my ears. Both of our heads turn into the direction of the living room. Its my mobile.
"I better...I better get that." Swallowing hard, i move my face away from Mark's hand. Walking out of the kitchen the best i can, leaving a half undressed, confused Mark, alone. Now that's a classic saved by the bell. Scanning the darkness of the messy looking living room, i see a light flashing on the sofa.

Sitting down on the sofa, hitting the green button, i answer with a hitched breath. "H...hello?"
"Gary?" A sketchy female's voice speaks on the other end of the phone. "Where are you?"
"Erh...i'm at home? Why? Has something happened?!"
"No no... no not that. Is Mark with you?"
My ears prick up by the use of his name and the shuffling coming from within the kitchen. "Y...Yes...he is."
"Oh...is everything OK? What time do you want Robbie to pick him up?" Out the corner of my eye, i notice Mark walking back into the living room, now wearing his jogging bottoms.
"He's staying here tonight, Mark's already let Robbie know that well over an hour ago?" Both me and Mark look confused at one another.
"I know...but we wanted to make sure that was OK with you..." She lowers her voice, no idea why she does that, its not like Mark can hear her anyway.
"It was my idea." I laugh, whilst looking over at Mark, who joins me on the sofa again. "I promise you I'm not going to kidnap him." Mark smiles whilst opening up the laptop, scrolling through numerous pages of pink baby clothing. "I better go Yaz, its getting late and the take away closes earlier tonight."
Sounding happier than the start of the conversation, Yasmin wishes both me and Mark a good night before ending the call.
"Checking up on us? I don't blame them..."
"They mean well, Mark." Gently i pat his leg, but instantly pull away when i realise what I've just done. Leading him on isn't the right thing to do. "A...anyway..." Clearing my throat, i lift the laptop onto my lap. "Lets get some pizza, yeah?"
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Mark's POV

The clock strikes midnight, two bottles of red wine later and its pretty clear that the night is soon about to end. Gary mutters something over the music, which is blasting from the laptop. "Huh?" Holding my hand against my ear, i lean closer to Gary trying to understand him.
"Y...you... got... pizzzzaaaaa..." Loudly he giggles. "On yer top!" Looking down to the direction of where Gary's finger is pointing, i discover a slice of pizza stuck to my t shirt.
"Oh bloody 'ell." Peeling it off, i drop it onto the empty pizza box. "I better change this." Standing to my feet, i close the laptop, moving it out the way of Gary's spilling glass. We've probably bought the entire baby online clothing centre, we'll have enough clothing to last her until she's 18 at this rate! "Are the blankets in the cupboard upstairs?" I ask before trailing towards the living room door.
"You know it!" Gary slurs, draining the last of the liquid from his glass, as he sits on the sofa bed. Clenching to the door handle, i watch as Gary sways side to side, humming some random tune now that the music has been turned off. For a moment, i get lost in my own thoughts. God I've missed this. I've missed spending time with the man i love to pieces, as cheesy as that sounds. Shaking my head slightly, i begin to walk upstairs, in search of a fresh shirt and blankets. Times like this make me glad that i've given up on the drink, as fun as it all was in the past, i much prefer waking up hangover free and remembering the memories of the night before without regrets. On the plus side, i'm in a way happy that Gary does drink, seeing him this cheerful without force makes me feel more relaxed, instead of being scared to speak around him incase i say something wrong. Slipping on one of my t shirts from my bare wardrobe, i grab hold of the blankets, stuffing them under my arm. My eyes skim around the bedroom. I know each and every corner of this room, remembering the times me and Gary use to basically live in here when we first moved in. The nights he use to wisp me off my feet, carrying me in here, just before making love. Or the times we use to share a shower, ripping at one anothers clothes without a care in the world, ending up back in here for a morning of passion. Smiling softly to myself, i exhale a quiet sigh. Just closing my eyes for a few seconds, it almost feels like the old times again. I'm dozing in bed, hearing the bumping, banging and silent cursing from Gary down in the kitchen. Any second i'm waiting for the door to be opened with one push of Gary's foot, to find him carrying a tray, containing either a healthy breakfast with fruit or a fry up, one of Gary's specialities. A gentle kiss and a "Good morning beautiful." Is all that is needed to disturb me, fluttering my eyelids to be greeted by a beaming Gary. What i wouldn't give to have that life back again, to have that man back in my life.

Tip toeing back down the spiral stair case, my hand grips to the banister. Ever since we moved in here together, I've always complained about the size of the house. Gary prefers big and expanded where as i prefer small and compact, but then again its not my say anymore seeing as this is no longer my home. Absorbing the changes now in my life, i reach the bottom of the stairs. The living room door is ajar, where I'm able to see a pair of legs hanging off the side of the sofa bed. Dropping the blankets at the bottom of the bed, very carefully i poke Gary's bare arm. He fails to move, in fact all he does is snore louder. I hate to disturb him when he looks so peaceful and relaxed, but i don't want to give him the wrong impression by curling up next to him in bed. "Gaz..." Softly i whisper, sitting beside him. My hand rakes through his messy looking fringe, as he breathes calmly. "Wake up, Gaz. Its bedtime mate...I'll help you up if you like?"
Gary clenches his eyelids together firmly, hearing my voice knock him out of his relaxed sleep. "N...No..." He breathes out, placing his hand on my kneecap, weakly trying to squeeze it. "I'm not moving..." His voice still sounds slurred and his eyes have reddened from the booze and lack of sleep.
"Bu...but where am i meant to sleep?"
"Just lay next to me...p...p...please don't leave me alone... i don't like being alone..." Sounding as he begs me, even though he's not looking at me, his words play on my heartstrings. Never would i of thought i would hear those words leave Gary's lips anytime soon.
"Are sure?" Stroking his stubble near his lips, a gentle nod is all that is needed. Taking hold of the blankets from the bottom of the bed, neatly i wrap them over our bodies. I don't even bother taking any of Gary's clothes off for him, to make him more comfortable, he's far too tired to be disturbed again. Resting my head on the pillow which we are sharing, i feel the warmth of Gary's breath tickle against the crook of my neck. His snores and steady heart beat are so soothing. Feeling my eyes finally surrender, they close automatically. Nudging closer to Gary, a pair of hands tightly wrap around my waist, almost dragging me as close as i possibly can be to him. My chin sinks onto his shoulder, as one of his tender hands snake up my back.
"I...I...love...you...Mark..." Mumbling against my ear, he happily smiles in his sleep. Tears immediately spring to my eyes. Did he just say that? Or am i hearing things again? Maybe its the drink talking, but still... did Gary really just say those words to me? The words which I've craved for so long. Wrapping my arms around the back of his neck, my nose deeply inhales his scent.
"I love you too, Gary." Pecking a kiss onto his neck, i rub my cheek against it, as the pair of us begin to fall asleep in one anothers arms. Perfect.