Everything Changes

[MisterY77]

Mark Nix drove to his daughter Emma's school for the last time. He would help Emma and her friend Paloma- Lola- bring their things home. It was bittersweet for him.

No, it was bitter bitter. He thoroughly enjoyed the routine of picking the girls up and bringing them home and having dinner with them. They were good company and he sure needed it.

Lola had been over to the house almost every day since about a month into her and Emma's ninth grade year, when they moved to the town. After Amanda walked out on him and Emma, he sold the house and bought a new one closer to his work. It made a 90 minute commute into a ten minute one, and was in a much better neighborhood.

After about a week of struggling with not fitting in in the new school Emma came home and excitedly talked about her new friend Paloma. A couple of weeks later, Lola came to the house with Emma. Then she was over for dinner every night. Now she was a part of the family and had been living with Mark and Emma for about a year and a half.

But high school was over and soon Emma would be going to the State University a couple of hours away on an athletic scholarship playing soccer. Practice would surely start soon and she'd be off on that new adventure. With Emma going to State and his wife having disappeared with only a dear John letter to prove her existence four years ago, Mark was really struggling.

Mark pulled his black SUV into visitor parking. Though the vehicle was large, it still didn't look like he could fit his 6'5" frame in there. It was actually quite comfortable though. It was a gorgeous day and the sun shone on his black hair (which was showing a little grey) as he walked to the front door. He checked in at the front office and went to where Emma and Paloma's lockers were.

 

[Kismets_Paramour]

"Look how young we were." Emma peeled a picture of the two of them from their freshman year from her locker door. "It feels like ages ago."

Paloma took the photo and smiled fondly at it. It was taken after their first game, they had lost but the two of them had celebrated as if they had won. Spreading their cheer and good nature to all those around them. "It feels like yesterday to me." She sighed tucking the picture into the office box between the two young women who were cleaning out their lockers. Both having waited until the last possible moment to do so, denying what they knew was coming.

Four years ago Paloma had been in a different place in her life. Her father had been a drug user, dealer, drunk, abuser and gambling addict. Really, he was a winner and took to beating his wife and terriorzing her young child nightly before taking all the family's money and hitting the casinos or local liquor stores. Paloma didn't remember much about her father, he died when she was five and her mother Kate wasn't the sort to speak ill of the dead. After settling his debts they moved them from their middle class cookiecutter townhouse to a worn down trail park on the 'wrong side of the tracks'.

Things hadn't gotten any easier for the two of them. Her mother worked three jobs to provide for them, trying to balance the cost of living and being there for her daughter. Seeing her mother struggle Paloma took odd jobs there and there to help out, to lessen the load for her mother. It got worse when her mother became ill, it took months before Kate broke down and went to the doctors but by then it was almost too late. The illness had progressed and while there were medications, they were costly and left Kate feeling worse then if she hadn't taken them.

When high school came about Paloma was working an afterschool job and waking up before the sun on Sundays to help deliver the paper. At that point everyone was 'new' but the city that she lived in wasn't large enough for a fresh start, for people not to know who you were. For someone's past and upbrining to follow them into their new school year. Except Emma Nix. She really was new and at first she was treated as an outsider but that wasn't who Paloma was and when she noticed her sitting alone at the lunch table she joined her with a friendly smile and welcoming greeting.

For whatever reason it was the two became joined at the hip. Emma even convinced Paloma to join the school's soccer team. The next year things with her mother took a turn for the worse and selling anything they own of worth and all her savings she moved her mother in to a care home, having her mother legally release her from her care as an adult. Things were hard for Paloma but Emma was there for her, inviting her to her house for dinners and sleepovers. It was really the only thing that had saved her and it wasn't long before she was spending more time at Emma and her Dad's house then she was at her old trailer with it's creepy landlord.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought about losing her best friend and Paloma turned away to brush the tears from her eyes. "You almost done?" Paloma gruffed clearing her throat as she bagged the last things in her locker.

Emma smiled at Paloma before throwing her arms around her best friends and sister. "I'm going to miss you too." She sniffled pulling back eyes misty. "Here." Emma closed the office box and handed it to Paloma, shoulder her own duffle and a box of her own. "Dad should be here."

With a silent nod Paloma gathered her things as well and followed Emma down the hall, sparing once last look behind her before the doors closed. As ready as Paloma was for the next chapter of her life, she was scared and it felt like it was all too soon. In her mind she bid her school and final goodbye, racing after Emma who had already made it to the visitors parking lot. Even from here she could see the SUV and tall figure that stood beside it waiting for them.

"Hey Papa Nix!" Paloma called out waving her free hand in the air.

 

[MisterY77]

Mark hated change. Seriously. But Emma going to play soccer for a division 1 school was a huge and exciting opportunity and he was determined not to ruin that for all of them. So he got his emotions in check and walked into the school. Emma was there with her box and he smiled broadly. "Hi Em," he said, putting an arm around her shoulder before taking her box.

"Hi dad!" Emma said, her voice full of the excitement that came with the last day of school and the start of a new adventure. She leaned into his side hug and relinquished her box.

"Is that everything?" He asked, surprised at how light the box was.

"Yeah, I've been bringing stuff home gradually for a week now.

"Great idea! Where's Paloma?" He asked, just as she called out to him, waving. "There you are!" He said, turning to smile at her. "Give me your box and let's get out of here! Your sentence is over!"

He loaded the boxes in the trunk and opened the back door for Paloma. "You're in back, Lola. Emma's turn to drive," he said, closing the door for her after she was seated. He saw that Emma was already at the wheel and buckled in, so he got in the passenger side.

"We going right to Ichiban?" Emma asked. He had promised them Sushi on graduation day and Ichiban had an all you can eat special on Thursday afternoons from 3 to 4.

"Yes," he replied. The thought of copious amounts of raw fish and rice and fried sushi rolls was really the only thing getting him through this day. "Let's wave goodbye forever to your school!" He said as they pulled out of the parking lot.

"Do I need to use my whole hand to wave?" Emma remarked as they drove past the school and embarked on the 20 minute ride to Ichiban.

"You're big girls, wave however you see fit. How was your last day?"

 

[Kismets_Paramour]

"You're the best Mark." Paloma smiled, gladly handing over her box. "It this was freedom feels like." She joked with a fake swoon. "What ever will I do with all this new found freedom." The southern belle accent was thick with laughter.

"Maybe get yourself a boyfriend for once." Emma teased. "Tony Clark is still single."

Tony was in the same year as they were and had been captain of the swim team and while he was a looker, he was a sharp as a spoon. "Right," Paloma made a face that wrinkled her nose. "And Cooper Lee still has the hots for you."

Em's instant reaction was to blush and hurry over to the driver's side of the SUV, sticking her tongue out as she hopped in.

"Mark-" Paloma whined tossing her duffle bag into the backseat. "I thought you said I was finished with my sentence and forced into a new one where I die an early death at the hands of Em driving skills."

"Hey!" Em pouted, turning in her seat to frown at her best friend. "That trash can came out of nowhere and who the one who got pulled over for running a red light.

Paloma sighed, she was never going to live that down was her. "Fair enough." She sighed admitting defeat.

Happy to have won Emma buckled herself in as Paloma relaxed back in her seat. Seconding the motion of Ichiban, not that it was needed as Mark quickly agreed before bidding them to wave goodbye to their school.

Paloma didn't look back or wave. She had said goodbye already. "Boring really." She answered. "Most of the teachers used the last class more as a free period, some made us play games, while others tried to fit in one last lesson or pop quiz." She elaborated, tugging on the arms of her hoodie to shed a layer of clothing. Under it she had on a simple tank top, her favorite pair of jeans and classic converse shoes, it was her typical outfit and what she wore nearly everyday just swap in a different tank and clean set of jeans.

"And how was your day Mark?" Paloma chimed turning the question back on him with a grin.

 

[MisterY77]

Mark laughed heartily at Paloma's mock melodrama. "Well, enjoy your newfound freedom while you can. You'll be going to city college whether you get a full scholarship or just a partial one."

He had to stifle a roll of the eyes when they brought up tony and cooper again. Almost every day he heard something goofy that Tony did. Which led to hearing for the hundredth time about him trying to slide down the stairs on a 2x4 and losing his shoes in the process. And Cooper's awkward attempts to impress Emma. They seemed to be nice enough guys and secretly Mark wished the girls would give them a chance. There were some real slime balls at the school that went through as many girls as they could and Mark's worst nightmare was one of the girls with one of them.

Mark chuckled at the girls argument. He flipped the visor down and opened the mirror so he could look at Paloma when he talked to her. Just then she was shedding her hoodie and he got a glimpse of her belly button. He felt his neck flush a little and he quickly looked out the windshield instead. He was typically able to keep a lid on his more carnal instincts. However, one, he hadn't dated since the banshee left, two, he was a healthy adult male and three, Paloma was a lovely young woman. So yes, it got awkward for him at times. He was determined not to let it show though. He knew she wouldn't admit it but she really needed to be part of the family right now. If this girl doesn't make it through college despite her potential, he would never forgive himself.

He looked intently out the windshield as he answered. "My day was great. I presented our project idea to the leadership and they approved it enthusiastically. A developer accepted my job offer, and we may be getting a new contract," he said, finally able to look in the mirror to make eye contact. "It was a really good day." He smiled.

As they approached their destination, he had an idea. "Hey Emma, pull to the side of Ichiban close to the CVS and go get a movie from Redbox, OK?" I have popcorn and chocolate chips for us. And cookie dough." Maybe that would encourage them to stay in this evening. He felt a little sheepish trying gimmicks to get them to spend time with him, but he wanted to make the most of the time they had.

 

[Kismets_Paramour]

"Oh, did I forget to tell you?" Paloma blinked innocently while Emma grinned up front. "Got into the nursing program, they even agreed to pay for most of my tuition.” She bragged, brushing off her shoulders like a pimp. “So with the smaller grants and scholarships I’ve been awarded payments are nearly paid for.” She smirked knowing that she had kept this from him but wanted to surprise him. "I guess that means there goes my freedom." She shrugged all full of herself.

Her excitement about sharing her good news with Mark overflowed into his good news. "That's great!" Paloma gushed leaning forward to pat his arm, winking at him as she caught his eyes in the mirror.

"Dinner and a movie?" Paloma chuckled. "This is either a date or Papa Nix is trying to bribe us into staying in tonight."

Emma laughed nodding her head as she pulled into the CVS parking lot. "This feels like bribery."

As Emma put the SUV into park, Paloma unclipped herself and stuck her head between the passenger and driver's seat. "Why Papa Nix,” Cooed the teenage girl. “If you think a movie, popcorn and cookies are going to work…” She leaned even closer to Mark and mischievous smile on her face. “You’re right.” Paloma breathed reaching out to tap the end of his nose before quickly sliding back and out of the car.

“Chick flick?” Emma asked behind a giggle.

“Totally and something scary. I’ll get the cream sodas and peanut butter cups.”

“Agreed!”

With a plan in motion the girls split up, Emma heading towards the RedBox and Paloma darting into the store for movie night goodies.

 

[MisterY77]

"Oh Lola that's amazing! Congratulations! I'm so proud of you!" Mark gushed, chuckling at her pimp-ly bravado. "I'm so proud of both of you. You're both going to do such amazing things. Heck, you already have. I'm so proud of you two."

He thought for a moment. "I bet if you try out for the soccer team and show the coach how good you are, she could probably pull some strings and get the rest of your tuition covered. She'd be a fool not to want you." Emma nodded in agreement.

Paloma's gushing made Mark feel good about himself. Really good, something he had rarely felt since Emma was young and her mother Torri - his ex - hadn't gone nuts yet. He blushed a little when she touched him, and that blush doubled down when she winked at him. That's the thing about a blush, you really couldn't control it and the harder you tried, the worse it got. She was so sweet and kind and good for his ego.

He had barely gotten his blush under control when Paloma suggested it may be a date and it surged back. "Not a date. Papa Nix hasn't been on a date since before you two met and is waaaay too out of practice for a couple of angels like you two," he said. "You got me. It's a bribe." He couldn't help but smirk.

He watched Paloma's performance with a grin as she leaned towards him, hoping they would say yes. Then she booped his nose. And the blushing came again. But he was able to cover that up with a hearty laugh.

He watched the girls scatter. His girls, at least for a little longer. He tried desperately not to look at Paloma as she walked away. He tried so hard. But in the end, he looked. And looked again. "I'm so creepy."

"Oh, not a chick flick," he thought. Not that he didn't like them; he did. Chick flicks, rom coms, he loved them almost as much as he loved sci-fi. Which he would admit to no one. It was just that he tended to shed a tear at those. And while it was perfectly fine for the girls to use up a box of tissues, he felt like less of a man because he couldn't control it.

And because toward the end Torri had ridiculed him for it. "You're not a man. Emma is more of a man than you!" she had shrieked, attacking both of them. Yes, he knew she was trying to bait him into another argument. And while he stood up to her and even said some things that he regretted, he never watched anything remotely emotional around her again.

So maybe if he kept the lights low, the ladies wouldn't notice. Or maybe the movie wouldn't affect him like that. Not likely. Not with the girls leaving him soon and with him still a little wounded from his marriage ending, a rom-com would probably be like poking a broken arm. He knew they wouldn't judge him for it but would still prefer to be able to watch a movie without... feeling anything.

Maybe they didn't both have to leave. Maybe he could offer to let Paloma stay so she could finish college... He doubted she wouldn't want to experience dorm life, but it was worth a try.

The girls returned with their spoils. "What did we get?" he asked.

"Ok, let's go fill up on sushi!"

 

[Kismets_Paramour]

Paloma knew that having Mark's approval meant a lot to her but the swell of warmth and butterflies at his praise was nearly overwhelming as she fought to keep the blush from coloring her cheeks. "I wouldn't go that far." The teen contradicted, waving her best friend's Dad off. "I'm not nearly as talented as someone else in the car but I'm sure gonna try. No harm in that and if it all works out it'll be a fair trade for in since I won't have to pick up an extra job." Paloma smiled already armed with a plan either way it worked out.

"Follow in the ways of my training young padawan." Emma recited in a horrible Yoda voice. "And Wing Forward you shall be." She cackled shutting the car door behind her.

It was so cute that Mark was the type of guy to blush, one or twice she had taunted the response from him, always playfully of course and in good humor but more and more she had ideas in her head that weren't so innocent and well meaning. "Haven't you heard." Paloma teased a wicked smile turning her lips up at the corners. "Angels are the best to practice on because we never let you fall." Sliding from the backseat she rounded the front of the car and paused to give Mark a look before pointing behind her. "It's what the wings are for." She smirked leaving him behind as she entered the store.

With an idea in mind of the goodies for tonight mentally listed, Paloma grabbed a basket and quickly picked up things here and there as she passed them. In the end she got more than she planned, a drawback to shopping hungry but knew that none of it would go to waste. What they didn't finish tonight they could just save for the next movie night.

Paloma was the last to return to the SUV and she quickly unloaded her bags of goodies in the back before joining everyone else at the driver's side of the car. "Cream sodas for vanilla floats, mini peanut butter cups, flaming hot cheetos and swedish fish." She listed when Mark asked.

"I wanted to rent The Shape of Water but it was out so we got Pitch Perfect 3 and Insidious: The Last Key." Emma read before placing the DVDs on the seat and locking the door. "Alright, let go!" Cheered Emma hooking her arm in Paloma's as she started skipping across the parking lot, the two girls giggling the entire time as they pulled in front and away from Mark. At the last twenty feet the pair broke into a sprint and Emma tapped the door first, grinning as she was made the winner between the two of them. It made Paloma the snack getter for the night, a task she was completely fine with.

"I'll get us a table, or put our names on the list if there is one." Emma offered already opening the door, halfway in the doorway.

Paloma nodded and the door closed as she turned away, back to the parking lot. "Come on Papa Nix, don't you know it's bad manners to keep a woman waiting?" She called out to Mark as she slid off to the side so she didn't block the walkway or the door before tilting her hips and shifting her weight to one leg giving the appearance of impatience.

 

[MisterY77]

Mark sat and watched the divine young lady explain the finer points of picking back up in the dating scene with angelic beings. He practically saw the wings as she floated away. He knew her playful flirting wasn't serious, but it really felt good to get some attention from a pretty and sweet and funny girl. He unconsciously sighed when she walked into the store.

He took a moment to quiet his emotions. He simply couldn't let himself be attracted to Paloma, no matter how sweet and lovely she was and how perfect she would have been for him when he was in college. So he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he checked his work E-mail. And good things he did, he had forgotten to set up his vacation auto response.

When they got back, he was very happy with their choices in snacks and movies. He liked Pitch Perfect. The second one not as much but was still interested in the third. It wasn't something he would have chosen for himself so he was glad they picked it. Insidious, he wasn't as familiar with. "Those sound great! Should be a fun evening," he said, trying to contain a huge smile. "I'll have to make sure we have milk if we're going to dig into those cheetos, which I intend to. And I can't wait for floats!"

"I'm coming! You can't expect a mere mortal to be able to keep up with soccer superstars from an angelic plane," he joked, walking quickly to catch them, a mischievous expression on his face. When he reached them, he put a han on each of their shoulder and squeezed affectionately.

As they entered, Emma had just asked if there was a wait. A young Asian man said there was no wait, and asked if they wanted dining or Hibachi. Mark asked for a booth for 3. They followed the host to the booth and Mark sat on one side, assuming the girls would sit together on the other side.

"You know what, Paloma, I still have the video from your high school games and travel games over the last 2 years. I will make a highlight video like I did for Emma." Emma really made Paloma shine sometimes. Emma would make an unreal defensive play and next thing you know, she was practically sprinting with the ball on a counter attack, passed to Paloma, who was often able to get a shot st net or a pass to the striker for a goal. Paloma had enough talent and dedication to make a college team, but things with her mother's health stopped her from really pursuing it. She just hadn't had the time to follow up with coaches. Mark would fix that for her. "I can spend a few hours on it tomorrow. Then when you e-mail the coach, you can send her a link to your YouTube highlight video, as well as links to your high school games."

The server came and Mark ordered the sushi special. A Philadelphia roll, tuna sushi and unagi to start. He ordered green tea for the table, a Diet Pepsi for him and Paloma, and Diet Root Beer for Emma.

"Emma, I need to tell you that I am really proud of you. Even if you never played soccer and never got a roster spot at a D I university, I'd still be just as proud of the young woman you have become," he said as the server brought their sodas.

"Both of you have been through a lot that would have broken some people. But both of you are diligent, sweet, and just wonderful to be around. I'm glad to have the privilege of being a part of your lives and these last years have brought me a lot of joy and healing. I know you'd say you wouldn't be where you are without me. But also, I wouldn't be where I am without you, and I'm in a really good place."

 

[Kismets_Paramour]

It was turning out to be a great day already but the addition of good food, fantastic company and a evening of movies and snacks promised to make it a perfect night. That there wasn't a wait was unheard of and the tree of them were quickly ushered to a booth, Paloma sitting besides Emma and across from Mark.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt. Try outs start next week and preseason practice the week after. Putting my name out there with a highlight video would help put me in the spotlight." It wasn't a place she liked to be but the trade off of nothing having to deal with student loans was appealing enough to let Mark work his magic. "Thank you."

When the waiter came ordered herself a dragon roll and a sashimi platter over a seaweed salad, knowing that she and Emma would both share the sashimi.

As Mark praised Emma for the young woman she had become, Paloma reached over and geld her friend's hand, giving it a squeeze that mirrored the meaning and emotions behind Mark's speech. When the server returned with their drinks, Paloma quickly poured herself a cup of green tea and set it off to the side to cool, loving the crisp taste of their perfectly brewed house mixture. Soon he was talking about them both and Paloma released Emma's hand and stared forwards towards Mark with a grateful smile.

"I feel the same way." Paloma nodded feeling the warmth of love she had for these two blossom in her chest. "Emma you've been the best friends and sister I've always wanted and Mark," She stared into his eyes and just smiled, thre was so much she wanted to saw to him. In her mind she replayed the evolution of her perception of him from Emma's hot dad, to having a huge crush on him, to him becoming Papa Nix, the father like figure in her life to now- feeling like he was her protector as he took her under his wing and treated her like another daughter, she owned him and knew she would never be able to repay him in kind. "You've been everything I've needed you to be." Looking away she blinked her eyes rapidly trying to feel from crying, using her cooled cup of tea to shield her face as she regained control.

Emma choked up and wrapped her arms around Paloma, sniffling back tears of her own. "Love you Lola."

This wasn't goodbye but it was going to be different and Paloma hugged Emma back failing to hold back the few silent tears that ran down her cheek. "Okay," Breaking the hug Paloma wiped her face and dried her eyes. "No more crying for the rest of the night, deal?" Looking around the table she pinned Emma and Mark with the same look. Getting a nod from Emma she focused solely on Mark waiting for his agreement.

Saving him was the server with bowls of seaweed miso soup and steaming mini scoops of rice. "Lets eat!"

 

[MisterY77]

"Ok. I'll make a highlight reel tomorrow," Mark said to Paloma. "I basically already know which highlights I'm going to use and I really enjoy putting the clips together. Let me know what song I should put in the background."

After he said his piece to the girls, he drank deeply of his soda. Mark smiled broadly when Lola spoke to Emma. Emma was a great girl and he was glad that he wasn't the only one who thought so. It meant a lot that Paloma thought so as well. Tori had often verbally abused her and try as he might, Mark wasn't always able to protect her from it. Therefore he was always glad when someone besides him built her up.

When Paloma spoke to him, Mark returned her gaze and smile, his eyes sparkling and really taking in the emotion behind her words. The pretty young lady's gaze almost melted him. "I'm glad I could be there for you. You've really enriched our lives so much."

After their embrace he reached out and squeezed their hands. "Ok Paloma, no more crying," he said with a smile, suddenly very glad they didn't rent anything emotional to watch, and very glad that he got out what he wanted to say without getting emotional. Well, almost. He wanted to tell them that they were his closest friends. Well, the only people he let into his life. But that would stay in his head and heart for now.

Mark poured himself a cup of tea and began to eat his soup. "I don't know about you, but I skipped lunch so I'm famished. I intended to have at least 6 kinds of sushi. I skipped the gym too since I left early so Papa Nix is going to need to go for a walk to burn off some of my upcoming gluttony!"

"Oh, poor Jim. I'm sure he missed you," Emma said in her deadpan way. Emma was quiet but rarely missed a chance to make a joke, no matter how cheesy. Mark's dad jokes had nothing on the girl who last year insisted on naming the rescue kitten Kitty McCatface or just Cat for short.

"Jim is so needy," Mark said with a smirk at Emma's pun. "He's always saying, work out or your muscles will turn to fat. Such a jerk."

The waiter brought the main course. When they finished, Mark ordered 2 more rolls. Then 2 more. Then he was done. After seeing if the girls wanted anything else, Mark declined dessert and asked for the check.

"Is there anywhere else you want to go? It's almost 4 and I'd like to get a walk and a shower in before our movie night."

 

[Kismets_Paramour]

​"You're the best Papa Nix, I'll pick something from my workout playlist." Paloma agreed with a large smile. She already had a song in mind but wanted to play once before she sent it to Mark.

A flutter of something sent chill down Paloma's spine and she wasn't sure if it was what Mark said about being there for her, the way he said it or the look that he gave her but she had to fight the urge to see him as anything but Papa Nix, best friend's dad and father figure in her life. There had been a time, not so long ago when Mark had been the image of manly perfection and she had secretly crushed on him.

It was followed by him taking her hand, well her and Emma's hand and she smiled a faint blush coloring her cheeks as her hand warmed in his, that electric spark tingling the tips of her fingers and she returned the hold. The moment passed quickly and Paloma forced the feelings she once had back into the safe little box she had tucked them in.

Paloma put on the act of shock at the amount of sushi Mark intended on ordering. "Six kinds of sushi?!" It sounded like a lot even for him but she didn't wonder if he planned on ordering that much knowing that she would 'steal' pieces off his plate. "Well it can be forgiven if you order a French Kiss roll." She not so subtly hinted, batting her eyes as if her were innocent of all misdeeds.

As Emma and Mark traded puns and jokes, Paloma sipped on the remaining broth of her soup and used the raised bowl to shield her roaming eyes. Mark was a man of impressive frame and she had a hard time imagining him fat. "I vote the Lake trails." Paloma voiced when mention of a walk was brought up.

Dove Lake Park was one of her favorite places, a mixture of sprawling multi-million dollar estates bordering protected state forests. It was etched with dozens of walking trails, the main hard pack dirt trail outlined the near by man made lake that had served at one point and time as the city's water reserve but had been out grown and then protected as part of the state part. However it was the narrower wooded trails that branched off the main trail that was the real draw for her. Eagle Creek trail being her utmost favorite, it followed a seasonal creek up hills and around a cliff like rock structure that had been craved out of water millions of years ago, poorly maintained because of it's out of the way location it was nearly almost empty. Or there was the Look Out trail that topped at a clearing that overlooked the lake and woods with a gazebo, the wilderness ruined by the lucky few that could afford the lakeside properties and had built their house near the lake shore. Unlike Eagle Creek it was a popular walking trail for couples and families who often used the large clearing to picnic and rest at.

As more food came Paloma helped herself to Mark's plate, grinning like the proverbial cat that ate the canary, as she stole a piece here and there until the plates were all gone and everyone had a satisfied smile on their faces.

"If I agree to the Lake trails do I get to drive?" Emma bargained knowing that there was an extra twenty minute drive.

Paloma pretended to mull it over, honestly they both knew she hated to drive and if that was all it took to go to the Lake she was all about it. "Deal." On second thought, she looked over at Mark. "Guess we should ask you if that's okay." She doubted that Mark would disagree but it was important that he have a say. "Unless you're okay with the idea of us kidnapping you and doing as we please." Sang Paloma, the sudden thought of doing as she pleased causing her to break eye contact sooner then she normally would have.

 

[MisterY77]

"Yeah, I am," he said in his false bravado voice. He was glad that she wanted him to make the montage. It made him feel good about himself to help her. She often had a way of making him feel good about himself.

He was just wondering about whether he should have squeezed the girls' hands when to his surprise Paloma squeezed back. Which quickened his pulse. He let the girls hands go only for Paloma day the phrase French Kiss, which didn't help. Then for her to bat her eyes at him did not help slow his now racing pulse. Does she not realize that it's more flirty than persuasion? It made him feel... no, must push that down.

Flustered, he said, "Of course, it's been a long time since I've had a French Kiss, that would be great." Then his face turned beet red at his Freudian slip. "Roll. Roll. Though that's true too," he muttered. He shook his head as Emma laughed loudly. He thought, well it's good she's laughing and not sad as thinking of his love love often made her, because it made her remember the abandonment. This is good, he surmised.

"Oh you want to come with me on the walk? Cool. Great idea about the trails. They're more secluded and I don't feel like people are watching me like I do when I walk in our subdivision." He could feel eyes on him when he walked in their neighborhood. He could also feel eyes on his girls, which enfuriated him.

"Well of course I'll let you kidnap me. I trust you with my life. As evidenced by the fact that I let you drive me," Mark said with a smirk. "Ok, bill is paid, let's go home so I can change," he said, sliding out of his booth and reaching to help the girls out of theirs. "Here are the keys, Emma."

Mark opened Paloma's door for her and then got in. "If you don't need to change then I can just run in and do it," he said as they headed for home.