Title: Together (chapter 1/1)
Pairing: Craig Parker/Mark Ferguson
Rating: NC-17
Sequel to: “Not alone anymore” by Sileya and Jen, archived at 
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com
Summary: Mark and Craig finally got together - but how will they deal with coming out to 
Mark’s family? (See also author's notes 1)
Author: Ea
Author’s email: ea.calendula@gmail.com
Author web page: http://ea.calendula.googlepages.com
Beta: Maelan and Helena Snow-Renn
Archive: OEAM, Mirrormere. Others; yes, certainly – and please tell me if you do.
Feedback: Yes, please. (And as long as it’s constructive; negative criticism is welcome too.)
Disclaimer: This story is a figment of my imagination and the events never happened. 
Written for entertainment purposes only, not profit. 
/… / indicates italics.

Author's Notes 1: This is a sequel, but I believe it can be read as a standalone, even if 
there's a few minor references to earlier events. Very short summary of "Not alone 
anymore": Mark is divorced and when he meets Craig, who has recently moved to the 
small town, in his grocery store, his life is turned upside down. My story takes off shortly 
after they realised their love for each other.

Author's Notes 2: A thank you to Sileya and Jen who very graciously allowed me to post a 
sequel to their story. And, as I’m Danish, English is my second language - but I hope I 
have not mangled the language too badly. A big thanks to my betas - all remaining 
mistakes are mine.

*****

“You’re not alone anymore,” Mark breathed. 

***** 

Feeling safe within Craig’s tight hold, Mark returned the embrace. He could hardly believe 
Craig’s declaration of love; he had hoped for it so much but had never really dared to 
imagine that Craig would return his feelings. The evening before, he had been nervous 
and felt lost, as if he did not quite know what he was doing. But now he was here, having 
just had the best sex he had experienced in a long time. Craig had not held back but had 
accepted him just as he was. 

When Craig loosened his hold on Mark, he slid off him and they lay together in a loose 
embrace. Craig’s hands seemed to touch him in all the right places and his kisses left Mark 
dizzy. The next hour floated by while they kissed and whispered and at one point, when 
they just lay still, enjoying the embrace, they dozed off. When they next awoke it was early 
evening; the sun was low and it gave a golden haze to the room. 

“Mark,” Craig said. “We’d better get up, it’s getting late. Aren’t you hungry?”

“Mmmph. Lemme be. It’s too nice here.” He burrowed closer to Craig’s chest. 

“Hey, we gotta get up sometime. We can always get back to bed later, you know.” 
Smiling, he nuzzled Mark’s hair. 

Mark smiled back. Craig looked so lovely in the golden light and he felt reluctant to leave 
the safe nest of the bed. Last night he’d decided ‘to play it by ear’ but now he did not feel 
so certain anymore. What would happen now that he and Craig had acknowledged their 
feelings for one another? He had to think of his daughters and his relationship with his ex-
wife, and then there was his grocery store; he wasn’t exactly anonymous here. Right here 
in this room he could just be with Craig but he knew that outside the door the world 
awaited him with all its expectations, and he had no idea about how to deal with it.  

As the thoughts ran through is head, Mark felt Craig tense slightly. He pulled himself 
together and looked at him; “Hey, I’m right here,” he said gently. 

Craig buried his head at Mark’s shoulder. “Yes, I know. You seemed far away for a 
moment.” 

“Sorry, just thinking a bit.” Smiling, he leaned in and kissed him. “Why don’t you take a 
shower while I look for something to eat?” he said. “You could put it on the table while I 
shower and we could eat out on the deck. Alright with you?”

“Yeah, sounds fine. Just yell if you need anything.” Craig stood up, but his arms felt 
empty without Mark within them and his smile was a little sad.  

“Hey,” Mark said softly and reached for him, “I won’t leave you now that I got you. 
Right?”

“I know. It’s just…” Craig paused.

“I know, I feel it, too.”

“Yeah, well, alright. Find something to eat; I really am hungry. It’s just that I think I’m 
going to miss you for the next ten minutes.” Trying to lighten the atmosphere with a joke 
he smiled ruefully at Mark. /Like I wouldn’t miss you for the rest of my life if you left now… /

Mark’s heart felt heavy as he kissed Craig. They would have to talk about how to handle 
this, but he really didn’t want to do it right now. They had time; they should just spend 
the rest of the evening enjoying each other. Tomorrow… they could talk tomorrow. 

*****

They ate in companionable silence and kept sending small smiles to each other. To both it 
felt so right, being together like this. When they had finished they cleaned up the table and 
did the washing up. Also in this, they acted together as if they had already done it many 
times before. Craig made coffee and they took it back out with them on the deck. It had 
gone dark now and they lit the lamps on the deck that cast a golden light on them; just like 
the first time Mark came to dinner. So much, and yet, so little had changed since then.

When they sat down a sudden silence appeared between them. Craig looked at Mark 
apprehensively, feeling expectant and slightly nervous. “So…” 

“Yeah, guess we’ve reached the point were we have to ‘talk.’” Mark nodded, a worried 
smile on his lips. He had hoped they could wait until tomorrow to address this, but the 
moment had come sooner rather than later and he knew he should not try to shy away 
from it. He looked at Craig and sensed his nervousness. “I really don’t want to, but the 
girls are coming back tomorrow. Guess I have to have at least part of it figured out by 
then.”

“Do you wanna tell them, then?”

“Dunno. Probably not right away. It’d be better if I spoke to their mother first. It wouldn’t 
be good if she felt left out; she and I need to agree on how much to tell the girls.”

“You feel alright about doing that?” Craig asked. He tried to sound relaxed, but he really 
wasn’t. It was unnerving, not knowing what was going to happen. 

Mark heard the unspoken question. “We’ll be alright, Craig. I can’t remember that I’ve 
ever felt this good with anyone. The girls and their mother will be alright, too, I’m sure.”

“I’ve never felt like this before either. Looking at those young guys fawning over you in 
the club was pure torture. I really want you Mark; I want to be with you.” He took Mark’s 
hand and looked into his eyes. “Let me help you, let’s make a plan for the next steps we 
have to take. No matter how much I’d like to think this is only about us, the rest of the 
world is in on it, too.” 

“Thanks. It’s a lot for me to deal with; I’m really glad to have you with me.” Until now he 
had not dared to acknowledge how scared he was, and he was grateful for Craig’s 
support. 

“So,” Craig said. “There are the girls, their mother, and this town. I’m not forgetting 
anyone right? Like some past lover of yours?” he said smiling, trying to relieve a bit of the 
tension.

“God, no!” Mark smiled back. “No, you’re the first one since the divorce. Told you I didn’t 
do casual.”

Mark’s relaxed smile got to him and Craig couldn’t help himself; he went over to him and 
kissed him deeply. He straddled Mark’s legs and settled down against him in the chair 
and they stayed like that for a while. The way Craig touched him was so incredibly 
arousing that Mark started to feel light-headed. 

“Craig,” Mark groaned. “If you keep doing that, we won’t get any talk done tonight. I’m 
going to want you too much.” 

“And? Wanting is good. I want you, too.” 

Mark rested his hands on Craig’s chest. “Please, Craig, we’d better get this over with. I 
know I’ll feel better once I know how we’re going to handle this.”

Craig stilled and half-heartedly tugged at Mark’s hands. “Yeah, guess you’re right.” 
Reluctantly he left the warmth of Mark’s body and went back to his chair. 

“So,” Mark looked over at Craig. “I don’t think we should say anything to my daughters 
right now. I’m driving them over to their mother’s tomorrow afternoon, and if possible I’ll 
tell her then and we can agree on how we’re going to tell the girls.”

“Tell her what exactly - that we’re together - as in, ‘in love?’”

“Yeah. I really hope she takes it well.”

“Do you think she won’t? I mean, would she be shocked by the fact that you’re with a man 
now?”

Mark leaned over and took his hand. “No. I don’t think she will. But you never know how 
someone you’ve spent a large part of your life with will react to you having a new love in 
your life. I don’t think she has found anyone new yet. And I really think I should tell the 
girls as soon as possible. They like you, and I think the real problem is not that you’re a 
man, but me getting together with someone other than their mother. They’ll need time, but 
if Laura and I can deal with this together, it’ll help, I think.” 

“Right. Won’t be much fun, but I guess I’ll live. So, your ex first, then your daughters, then 
the rest of the world?”

“Yes, I think it would be the best way,” said Mark.

“And you know I’ll be there whenever you need me to support you, whatever happens?”

Mark could only nod. The concern and love in Craig’s eyes made him momentarily 
speechless.

“Don’t worry Mark. We’re together now; we’ll deal with this - promise.” The look on 
Mark’s face made his own smile even brighter and he returned the tight hold Mark had on 
his hands. Feeling the need to lighten the atmosphere a bit, Craig leaned back and 
smirked, “And you’re going to wear your new, tight jeans on your time off and I get to 
show you off at the club, glaring off all the other men?” 

“Sure.” Mark blushed. It was a good feeling to be wanted. He still had to get used to be 
wanted for his body though. Craig’s sexy smile wasn’t helping; he suddenly felt warm and 
his jeans became rather tight. He went over to Craig and pulled him into a tight embrace. 
“Thanks,” he said. “I’ll never want anyone as much as I want you.”

“Me neither. And speaking of want,” Craig said and kissed him, “isn’t it time we get back 
to bed?”

*****

They barely made it back to the bedroom. Only Craig pointing out that the bed would be 
much more comfortable and the deck a bit too public kept Mark from undressing him on 
the spot. Thankfully Craig had only put on sweat pants and a t-shirt, which Mark quickly 
dealt with. His own jeans were a bit trickier, as Craig straddled him and was busy kissing 
him while at the same time trying to pull them off him. Finally Craig pulled the jeans and 
his shirt off and leaned down over Mark. He trailed his tongue over Mark’s lips before 
delving in between his lips; overwhelmed by the sensations, Mark let him take control. His 
mouth was explored thoroughly and just when he thought he could take no more, Craig 
broke off the kiss. 

“Don’t stop, please!” Mark tried to pull him back down, but Craig smiled mischievously at 
him and let his lips glide down over his neck and chest, kissing and licking his way down. 
When he reached his navel, he flicked his tongue in and out a few times and sucked 
lightly. 

Mark shuddered and he reached for Craig, tugging at his shoulders, barely knowing 
whether he should pull him up for more kisses or push him further down. “Craig, 
please…”

Craig pushed Mark’s hands away though and sat up again. He ran his hands all over 
Mark’s chest, giving special attention to his nipples, running his palms over and over 
them, caressing gently. Mark squirmed beneath him; his nipples tightened and the 
sensation went straight to his groin. He bucked involuntarily and the action brought their 
cocks together. Craig moaned loudly and Mark did not think that he could possibly 
become more aroused. 

“Craig…” Mark gasped, “I can…”

“Shush, just let go. I’ll take care of you.” 

“But, I should…”

“No.” Craig grinned back. “You have me now, I’ll be in charge.” Mark looked so lovely 
like this, all wanting and so aroused. Craig could not wait until he could wrap his lips 
around Mark’s cock or feel it inside him. He had never dreamed he would ever meet a 
man this ‘gifted’. He moved backwards, settling between Mark’s legs and leaned down, 
taking in the head between his lips. The taste of Mark, musky and slightly bitter, felt 
intoxicating and he swallowed him down a bit further. He didn’t think he could take in all 
of him, and wrapped a hand around the base, moving it up and down in tandem with the 
movements of his mouth.

Mark moaned and squirmed, feeling helpless to stop his thrusts into Craig’s mouth. Craig 
held his hip down with one hand, but still allowed him to move a small amount. It felt so 
wonderful, a firm hand on his hip and another around the base of his cock and a warm 
mouth enveloping more and more of him with each small thrust. 

“Craig,” he breathed, “can’t hold back much more. Please…”

Craig pulled back up and smirked. “Well, then I’d better stop, right?”

“No! Please?”

“Oh, I’m not quite finished with you yet.” Craig lowered himself and stretched out beside 
Mark. Leaning into Mark’s embrace they kissed and Mark’s hands roamed up along his 
spine and down again to cup his buttocks. Mark, deciding it was finally time for him to 
take over, took a firm hold and brought their hips together. Massaging Craig’s ass, he 
turned him over on his back and let their cocks slide together while he took control of their 
kiss. As he rocked slowly against Craig, he let the other man feel his weight as he settled 
over him, covering Craig’s body. One hand stayed where it was while his other started to 
explore Craig’s chest and tease his nipples. His kisses turned into sharp nips and licks that 
found their way down from Craig’s mouth and over his chest. Craig’s breathing became 
hitched as Mark continued to explore his body.

“Mark, please…” Craig moaned, his eyes gone completely dark and half closed. God, he 
loved this new side of Mark. He was so hard and aching now and if Mark kept this up and 
went down on him, he would come immediately. Reluctantly, he tried to move out of 
Mark’s hands but found he was held firmly in place.

Mark found he enjoyed pleasing Craig this way very much. Seeing the other man come 
undone, hearing his moans and low cries made him only more eager to find new ways to 
touch him. 

Craig could not take much more of this. He needed Mark inside him - now. He pointed 
vaguely over to the bedside table. “Mark… lube… please…” Mark looked at him with a 
knowing smile and then reached over for the bottle. He had to let go of Craig who rolled 
over on his stomach and spread his thighs invitingly. 

Mark let his hands glide down along Craig’s back. The relaxed curve of his back and his 
buttocks looked so tempting; begging to be touched. He squeezed out some lube on his 
fingers and gently put them against the puckered hole in his cleft and pushed a finger 
inwards. It was a little tight at first, but Craig soon started to loosen up.

Craig shuddered, a tingly feeling running down his spine. “More… God, I want you!” 

Mark pushed in and out of the slick heat a few times and added a second finger and then a 
third. By now he had Craig moaning and squirming, crying out for more. He crooked his 
fingers downwards, reaching for that special spot. Keeping his fingers moving in and out 
of Craig, he kissed his way downward from his neck, licking up the sweat pooling at the 
base of his spine and ending almost alongside his fingers. 

Craig was trembling with need now; he did not think he could take much more of this. 
“Mark, please!”

Mark had had enough as well; he needed so much to feel Craig around him, enveloping 
him. He lubed up his cock, lifted onto Craig’s back and placed himself along the now 
loosened opening and pushed inside. 

Oh God! How could he have lived for so long without knowing this feeling? So tight, so 
warm. He pushed inwards a bit, then stilled - letting Craig adjust to him. He lowered 
himself down as much as possible, leaning towards Craig’s back and putting his arms 
around him. Then he started to move slowly. Each thrust brought him in deeper until he 
was fully enveloped. This was right, this was what it was supposed to feel, having sex - 
making love - to someone, and they in turn making love to you.

Craig felt Mark sliding in. He was ready and fully relaxed now - this just felt so good! 
When Mark started thrusting for real, Craig pushed back, eventually ending up on his 
knees and elbows; giving and taking with all of his body. Oh, how he loved the feeling of 
Mark inside him; he’d never been taken this deep before, and he just wanted more! He 
knew he was going to be sore tomorrow but right now he didn’t care a bit; just wanted 
more of this overpowering feeling of the other man’s body inside him and around him. 
The steady pace of the deep, sure thrusts drew him into a haze of sensations. Mark had 
started to hit his prostrate with every inward thrust and Craig felt himself going off with 
no other stimulation than the cock pushing into him.

“Mark! Gonna come… keep… going!” He clenched his eyes shut as he came, spilling on 
the sheets. 

Mark followed him quickly as he felt Craig clenching around his cock, coming like he’d 
never had before. He literally saw stars, and relaxing onto Craig’s back, he felt light-
headed, floating. 

As their breathing stilled, Mark nuzzled Craig’s ear, kissing his way down his neck. “Hey. 
This was just… wow. Never thought it could feel like this. I want another go - soon!” he 
grinned.

“Oh, just wait - I’ll show you how good it can really be.” Craig said and winked at him, 
having caught his breath.

“Mmmh, really?”

“Yeah - I’d have you down on your knees, begging,” he smirked.

“Really? Like I just had you?” Mark returned the smirk while he got off him and pulled 
Craig into a tight embrace. “I can’t imagine what could be better than this though,” he 
grinned.

”You were wonderful, but there’s so much more we can do.” Craig savoured the feel of 
Mark’s arms around him and he breathed in the warm scent of the other man’s body. 

After a while Mark reluctantly got up and found a towel to clean them up. The night 
found them fast asleep, wrapped tightly around each other; neither wanted to give up his 
hold on the other man now that they’d found each other.

*****

Mark woke up late Sunday morning to find Craig kissing and licking his way down along 
his chest. Mmmh, he could get used to this!

Craig took Mark’s cock in his mouth, more than the night before. He still did not know if 
he could take all of it, but he wanted to try - maybe all he needed was a bit of practice. So 
practice he did and Mark wasn’t in any position to complain. When he came down Craig’s 
throat, he was trembling all over; it was almost too much. 

“Craig,” he breathed. “That was… thank you!”

“No need - my pleasure.” Craig smiled back, the taste of Mark still on his lips. 

“Craig, can I?” Mark moved and took hold of his stiff cock, pulling gently and twisting his 
palm over the head with each upward move, gathering the liquid and using it to smooth 
his downward movements. 

Craig moaned and thrust and quickly came into Mark’s hand. Mark brought his fingers to 
his lips and hesitantly tasted Craig’s come. It was not as bad as he had feared - a bit salty 
and bitter maybe but it was Craig’s - his taste. Slowly he licked off more until he 
discovered he’d cleaned off his hand completely. A bit surprised, he looked down at 
Craig.

Craig looked back, a little bemused by what Mark was doing. “Thanks,” he said. He 
grinned, “Well, maybe it’s a weird thing to say thank you for, but I think I appreciate it.”

Mark looked back at him, blushing slightly. “Yeah, well… it’s you, just wanted to know, I 
guess. Well, you know…”

Craig smiled back. “Yeah. It’s the best compliment I’ve gotten in a long time.”

Mark relaxed, pulling Craig towards him. God! He wished they had more than a few 
hours together this morning. 

*****

They dozed off for a while, then got up and showered. It took a long time since Craig 
wanted to show Mark just how much fun it could be showering together, but finally they 
were sitting down out on the deck, eating breakfast. 

Afterwards they cleaned up and Mark had to leave to pick up his daughters and take them 
back to their mother’s. “See you soon,” he said, a wistful note in his deep voice.

“I’ll miss you too.” Craig said, hugging him close. “I hope all goes well with Laura and 
that she understands.”

“I hope she will, too. We don’t exactly have a plan if she doesn’t,” he sighed, his shoulders 
sagging.

“Then we’ll just play it by ear.” Craig winked at Mark. “I remember someone doing just 
that; and he did just fine. I’m here; you’ll always have me to come back to - remember 
that.”

Mark grinned. “Yeah, thanks. I’m just nervous.”

“It’s going to be alright - trust me.”

“I will - and now I’m really going.” Mark leaned down towards Craig, pulling him in for a 
kiss.

*****

As it turned out, the conversation with Laura was neither as bad as he feared nor as easy 
as he had hoped. 

After he had helped his daughters out of the car, he walked over to Laura who had come 
to the door and asked her if they could talk for a bit, alone. She looked up at him, 
frowning, but accepted and after having gotten the girls inside, she took his arm and 
guided him out into the yard. Rosemarie and her sister Emma looked at them from the 
door; usually their father just dropped them off and left shortly after he knew they were 
safely home.

“So,” she said. “What is it?”

“Well, I’ve… I’ve met someone. I haven’t told the girls yet, but… and I wanted you to 
know first and all,” he trailed off. “Laura, it’s a bit hard for me to say this, but I really need 
to know if you’ll be a least somewhat alright with it?” He looked hopefully at her. God, it 
was so hard to actually say the words out loud and he silently cursed himself for not being 
able to sound more coherent.

Laura looked back at him, her face showing more and more concern. Her feelings from the 
divorce were still somewhat raw, but she also had to remind herself that she was the one 
who left. Mark had acted very decently through it all, very considerate. She should have 
expected that Mark would eventually find someone else. He was very good looking - no 
way to deny that. Still, the divorce was done, and all in all she knew that it was for the 
best. They couldn’t go back, however much she sometimes wanted to. 

Mark seemed genuinely nervous, fidgeting with his shirt and looking at everything but 
her. 

“Mark,” she said. “Please - look at me - I’m not going to kill you. I guess I knew this would 
happen sometime. After all, we’re divorced.” She threw him a small smile.

“Laura, please.”

“Yes, you’re right.” She pulled herself together and tried to put on a genuine, happy smile. 
She almost succeeded, but a little of the bitterness remained. In some ways, Mark was still 
such a wonderful man - she hoped his girlfriend appreciated that.

“Laura,” Mark paused. “I’ve met someone. And it’s really wonderful. We became friends, 
but it wasn’t until this weekend that we realised that we’d fallen in love with each other as 
well. And,” Mark took a deep breath, “and it’s a ‘he’ - it’s another man I love.”

Laura stopped still. Her Mark in love with a man? Realising she’d been holding her 
breath, she released it in a rush. “Mark?” she said. “I don’t know.”

Oh God, don’t say anything, not right now, he thought. 

He liked Laura, he really did. This was probably the hardest thing he’d ever done.

Laura’s arm tightened around his. Her life with Mark, the divorce, the possibility of 
finding someone else - for the both of them - and then finally this. Her mind reeled. Calm 
down! she thought to herself. Had it been a woman, what would you have done? Put on a 
brave smile and said, ‘Best of luck’? What else could she do? Mark was no longer with her; 
he had a new love, someone else than herself. But that it was a man came as a shock; she 
would never have thought that could ever happen. She felt so confused but Mark clearly 
needed some kind of support from her. No matter what, she had to at least try.

Mark looked down at Laura. So many feelings seemed to have shown on her face during 
the past few moments. “Laura? Please say something; say it’s alright?!”

“It’s a lot to take in. And there’s Rosemarie and Emma to think of as well.” Her voice was 
a little flat. 

“That’s why I wanted to talk to you first. I haven’t told them yet. We wanted to do this the 
best possible way.”

‘We’. It wasn’t she and him, but him and ‘him’ - some other man! “Mark, I don’t know 
what to say yet - but you know I’ll try to help you if you need it. Really, I will.” She looked 
up at him with a small, determined smile. 

“Thanks.” Mark’s smile was relieved. “I just need us to agree on what to tell the girls. I feel 
the most difficult thing is not that it’s a man I love, but that it isn’t you. They know Craig 
and like him, and I think they would get along just fine, but I hope you won’t go against 
this. I couldn’t bear it if the girls felt they had to choose between you and me.” 

“No. They shouldn’t have to. Mark, of course I’ll help you with this.” This is it, she 
thought - our final separation - and she wished it didn’t feel so painful.

“Give me a few moments, Mark, and then I’ll be alright. We’ll tell them tonight, before you 
leave. I’ll help you.” She willed herself to relax before she smiled brightly and led Mark 
towards the house. 

/Better get this over and done with,/ she thought.

*****

The house felt empty when Mark had gone and Craig was suddenly unsure about what to 
do with himself. Oh, he knew he would get used to that feeling at some time or other; it 
would happen often enough when they’d settled down a bit. It just felt a bit too soon to 
happen right now. 

Since he knew that doing something would be the best way to cure his current mood, he 
began to clean up the cottage. He started with the bedroom and smiled as he put the towel 
Mark had used this morning into the washing machine along with other things. Later, 
when he did the dishes, he was reminded of last night when they did them together. He 
hadn’t imagined he could feel so comfortable and at home with someone so soon and the 
thought of their shared intimacy settled in his stomach as a warm, tingly feeling. He was 
really looking forward to seeing Mark again this evening. But when he had finished every 
household chore that could possibly need doing, the feeling of loneliness gripped him 
again. Stop it, he thought. It’s been what, a few hours? He’ll be back soon enough. 

When Mark didn’t show up in the evening, he started to worry. They hadn’t agreed to 
anything, but it was getting late and he’d expected at least a call by now. It couldn’t take 
this long to explain your love life to your ex-wife and children, could it?

Even later Craig paced the living room; it was close to midnight and still he hadn’t heard 
from Mark. He did have his mobile with him, right? 

Then why didn’t he call? 

***** 

When Mark and Laura got back into her house, Rosemarie and Emma had unpacked and 
started to put dinner on the table.

“We’ll need one more plate girls,” Laura said. “Your father is staying for dinner.” 

They looked at her, surprised, but did as she said. It was nice to have Daddy staying a 
little longer. He had never done that before. 

After dinner, Mark did the washing up while Emma helped him. It almost felt cosy, 
family-like, the way it had been before the divorce. When they had finished, Laura looked 
at Mark. “Now,” her eyes said. Mark took a deep breath and turned to the girls who’d 
settled down on the sofa and turned on the TV. He walked over, sat on floor, and looked 
at them. They looked so relaxed and during dinner they had obviously enjoyed having the 
attention of both their mother and father at the same time.

“Rosie, Emma.” Mark started. “I have something to tell you - that’s what I needed to talk 
to your mother about. You see…” He stopped again. Even though he had tried to practice 
what to tell them, it was still hard to actually get the words to come out of his mouth. He 
took another breath. “I’ve met someone that I’ve fallen in love with and that I want to be 
with. Do you remember Craig? It’s… It’s him. That I’ve fallen in love with I mean.” He 
stopped, looking at them. 

When her father started telling them, Rosemarie had involuntarily held her breath. Now 
she let it out with a sigh. She felt weird - like it was a scene from a movie. She didn’t know 
what to say, so she just kept staring at him. Craig? /That Craig?/ And he was her father’s 
new - /boyfriend?/ 

Mark looked at them, seeing the shock on their faces. He got up and sat on the sofa 
between them, pulling them into a tight embrace. “I’m so sorry that your mother and I 
aren’t together anymore, but I wanted you to know as soon as possible, and I hope you 
can be okay with this. I’m still your father; that won’t ever change and I wouldn’t want it 
to.”

Rosemarie and Emma remained silent, but settled against him. Rosemarie did not know 
what to say and it was Emma who broke the silence. “Will you move away?”

“No.” Mark smiled. “No, I won’t move away. You’ll still come and stay like you used to. 
That won’t change, I promise. It’s only that Craig may be with me more than he used to.”

“So,” Rosemarie said, “It’ll be like it was before, only… Craig is going to live with you 
now?”

“We haven’t discussed that yet. Probably not quite yet; this is very new for us. But yes, it’s 
possible that we might move in together some time,” said Mark.

“I don’t want too many things to change all at once, but I don’t think I mind… that much. 
But I think I mind it a little though.” Rosemarie’s voice wavered. It really was not what she 
wanted to say, but then she didn’t know what she /did/ want to say either. Craig was okay 
but it was weird to think of him as Daddy’s new boyfriend. What she really wanted was 
Daddy to stay with them forever, but now it would never happen. 

As Rosemarie burrowed closer, Mark held her tightly. “I understand. I don’t like things 
changing too much either. I promise to tell you about whatever is going to happen in the 
future so we can all get used to it.” 

He stayed with them on the sofa, and Mark did his best to answer their questions. He felt 
that both of the girls was still shocked and he hoped that he could make them feel as loved 
and wanted as always. Laura did not say much, but her presence felt comforting for the 
other three and Mark was grateful for her support. 

It was getting late when she made coffee for Mark and herself, and the girls were getting 
sleepy. She and Mark spoke quietly for a little while, mostly about the practicalities of 
Mark having the girls next weekend, but also about Laura meeting Craig at some time in 
the future and how they should deal with other people knowing of Mark’s new 
relationship. When next Mark looked at his watch, it was after eleven, and Emma had 
fallen asleep. He’d better get back home. 

He took his leave, after promising Rosemarie that he’d see them next weekend as usual. 
Then he put Emma to bed, tucking her in. 

Laura smiled up at him, a little sadly. “So, this is it,” she said. “I think I still need some 
time to get used to it, but you look so happy when you speak of him. I… I wish you luck - 
and happiness.” She stepped close quickly and kissed him on the cheek.

Mark kissed her back, relieved that they all seemed to have accepted that Craig was in his 
life. It could have been much worse. 

*****

Driving home, Mark looked out into the night. He had just realised how late it was and 
that he had not called Craig. What was worse, he had forgotten his mobile and had no 
means of reaching him now. He had gotten used to being single again and had forgotten 
that Craig might worry that he hadn’t heard from him yet. Normally he would have been 
back well before now. 

*****

Craig heard the car and the wheels crunching the gravel. The car stopped abruptly, like 
the driver had been in a hurry. He ran to the door, fast enough that Mark had only just 
gotten out of his seat when Craig ran out to him and pulled him into a tight hug.

“I’m so glad you’re here!”

Mark returned the embrace and kissed him deeply, savouring the closeness. “I forgot the 
time, and my phone. I’m so sorry.”

“But it went well?”

“For now at least, but yes, it went well. I’m back home with you now.” He pulled Craig in 
even tighter.

Craig was almost choking in the embrace, they were holding each other so tightly. Craig 
let him go, grabbed Mark’s hand and pulled him inside. 

The worst was over; now they only had to face the future.

FIN