"Ello?" Erin asked.
"Erin..." Elena sniffed.
"Ele, what's wrong?"
"It's Mark...he's gone." Elena cried.
"Whoa, wait. What do you mean he's gone? Slow down and talk to me."
"When I got home, I was going to call Mark and tell him to come over. There was a message flashing and it was from him. He said he had to go to New York last minute with Natasha and Jeremy to work on on International case." Elena explained before she began sobbing.
"Oh God Ele, I'm so sorry. How long is he gonna be gone?"
"He said a week at the least. He wanted me to tell you that he'll be back in time for your wedding, cos he wouldn't miss it for anything in the world. Mark did say he'd call once he got settled and let me know where he's staying."
"Did he say anything else?"
"He said he loves me. I was so ready to talk to him and get everything out in the open."
"I know you were luv. But, unless you're gonna talk to him over the phone, you're gonna have to wait till he gets back."
"I know, I know." Elena said wearily.
"Are you alright? Do you want me to come over?"
"I'm ok, just disappointed. Don't worry about coming over, I'm fine. I do appreciate you offering though. I'm just gonna relax and probably go to bed."
"Ok. Well, if you need anything, call me. I love ya, Ele."
"Love you, Erin. I do hope John knows what a wonderful woman he's marrying." Elena smiled as she laid the phone down beside her. "I'll tell Mark when he gets home." she said to herself.
Elena busied herself around her flat, finding things to occupy her. She decided a soak in the bath would relax her, but found herself even more anxious. She pulled on her robe, poured a glass of wine and settled back on the sofa, silently wishing she could've spoken to Mark before he left.
"Ello?" Elena said still half asleep.
"Ele. Did I wake you?" Mark almost purred.
"Mmmm...what time is it?"
"It's late, luv. I just got settled in my hotel."
"Where are you? Which hotel?"
"The Plaza. You can call me anytime and if I'm out, you can leave a message for me."
"Ok." she said, taking down the number.
"You will call won't you? I miss you terribly. I hate that I had to leave without seeing you."
"Of course I'll call. It's ok, we'll see each other soon, when you get back."
"Go back to bed...I'm sorry I called so late."
"It's ok, I'm glad you did."
"I love you, Ele. Good night."
"Good night, Mark." she said with a smile and tears in her eyes.
***********
"Why do I have the feeling everything's gonna go wrong?" Erin asked as she checked and double checked things for the wedding.
"That's what all brides think the day before her wedding." Elena laughed.
"It's not funny. I don't remember you being this nervous before your wedding and it was huge."
"Yeah, you're right. And, if I remember correctly, most of London was there." Elena noted. "But, I could've cared less about them. I was marrying Mark and everybody could've just disappeared that day. Tomorrow is your day and John's day, don't worry about anything else."
"What if something does go wrong?" Erin asked, disappearing into the kitchen.
"Erin, everything will be fine, you'll see. It'll all be beautiful." Elena assured her.
"I've tried telling her that, but she won't listen." John said.
"She's just nervous John. It's not you. She'll be fine tomorrow, trust me." Elena winked.
"You're gonna give her a valium tomorrow, yeah?" John snickered.
"Maybe I should." Elena joked. "No, I'll just keep her busy tonight while she's with me."
"Ele, maybe I should stay here in case something happens." Erin said.
"Now Erin, it's the night before your wedding. You're not staying here cos you're not to see the groom til you walk down the aisle. Nick is here and he'll take care of John and anything else that might happen. Everything will be fine, so get your nervous ass moving and let's get going, shall we?"
"Oh alright." Erin pouted.
"I'll see you tomorrow, luv." John said, embracing her and kissing her.
"You'd think they were never gonna see each other again." Elena chuckled.
"They'll be fine. I'm sure they'll live a few hours without seeing each other." Nick whispered to Elena.
"Ok Ele. I'm as ready as I'm ever gonna be." Erin said.
"Alright, let's get going then. Nick, John...we'll see you tomorrow." Elena smiled, closing the door.
Erin and Elena reached her flat.
"Time for you to calm down. Go get a glass of wine." Elena said, walking to her phone.
"Have you heard from Mark?" Erin asked, sipping her wine.
"Yeah, I've spoken to him several times."
"Any word of when he'll return? I mean the wedding is tomorrow."
"Not yet." Elena said, hitting the play button.
"Ele." Mark's voice purred "Sorry I missed you.I'll be home as soon as I can. Tell Erin I will be there. I love you."
"I sure miss him." Elena sighed.
"Jesus, Ele. Tell the man how you feel as soon as you see him, would ya?"
"I plan on it." Elena grinned.
"Good...Hey, do you think John and Nick are ok?"
"Oh my God, Erin. You're going 'round the bloody bend! They're grown men, they're fine and don't even think about calling them either."
"I'm sorry, Ele."
It's ok. I know you're nervous. You're gonna be fine. John's gonna be fine. Your wedding will be beautiful and you and John will live a long, happy life together."
"Thank you, Ele." Erin said, hugging her friend.
"Only for you would I do this." Elena said, returning Erin's hug.
******
"Ele!" Erin yelled.
"What is ist? What's wrong.?"
"What if I start crying again when I see John or when he says his vows, or when I say my vows? All my makeup will come off."
"Erin, you'll be fine. You've got waterproof eye makeup on and such a glow on your face.....you look beautiful, radiant."
"You're gonna make me cry, stop it!"
"Sorry. Go get your dress on already, would ya? You're set to walk down the aisle in about 15 minutes, and I don't think John can stand to wait any longer."
"Oh shit! I'm never gonna make it." Erin panicked.
"Sweetie, calm down...breathe."
"Who the hell is knocking on the door?" Erin asked.
"Just be calm. I'll see who it is. Elena said, pulling the door open.
"Mark!" she gasped.
"Ele....you look stunning."
"Thank you." she blushed. "When did you get back?"
"About 10 minutes ago. I told you I wouldn't miss Erin's wedding."
"Ok, I'm ready." Erin almost whispered.
"Oh Erin, you're so beautiful." Elena said.
"You truly are breath-taking." Mark added truthfully.
"Thank you." she whispered on the verge of tears.
"Ele, we're ready." Nick said, entering the room and catching the sight of Erin. "Erin, you're going to render John speechless when he sees you. You look gorgeous, luv."
"Ready?" Elena asked.
"Ready." Erin said with a nod.
Mark went into the chapel as the music started. Elena and Nick made their way down the aisle arm in arm. They took their places and joined everyone as they watched Erin enter the chapel. John's heart felt as if it would melt or explode. Erin was a vision of beauty in her white, off the shoulder gown, with cathedral length train. John's smile and the look in his eyes calmed her immediately. He was perfection to her. He took her hand, kissing it gently as she stood next to him. Once she turned to face him, she locked eyes with as he mouthed the words "I love you."
Elena surveyed the room from where she stood. She saw that Mark was seated with her parents,everyone looked so happy.Suddenly the room started to spin.Her head felt as if it would explode. She had been in excruciating pain for days...non stop. She had done her best to hide it knowing that Erin would need her.Nothing was going to ruin this day.Her best friend was marrying the love of her life and nothing should stop that.
Elena tried hard to concentrate on the words the Minister was saying, but it all sounded so far away...like she was drowning.nervously she glanced at Nick on the other side of the alter.
Nick could see there was something terribly wrong. "Are you ok?" he mouthed to Elena.
Somehow she managed to very lightly shake her head no.
"I do." John said as she was asked if he would take Erin as his wife.
"C'mon Ele. Hang in there. It'll be over in a minute then you can go get yourself together." Elena said to herself.
"I do." Erin replied when the questio was asked of her.
"You may now kiss the bride." the Minister said.
"I love you." Erin told John through her tears.
"I love you, Mrs. Taylor." John said as his lips met Erins for their first kiss as Husband and Wife.
The Church errupted in applause.Everyone wiping tears away and smiling.
Elena turned to walk back down the aisle but the room went black.She tumbled to the floor.
"Elena!" Erin shouted as she watched her best friend fall to the floor like a rag doll.
Within seconds Erin, John and Nick were in the floor next to her.Erin looked up to yell for Mark to see he was already running down the aisle.
"Somebody call an ambulance!" Nick shouted.
"What happened?" Mark asked falling to his knees at Elena's side.
"I don't know." Erin cried.
It seemed like an eternity before the paramedics arrived, when actually, it had only been a few minutes.
"We need someone to ride with her to Hospital." a paramedic said.
They all looked at each other.Trying to decide who it would be.
"Mark. You ride with her. You're her husband. John, Nick and I will follow right behind." Erin said trying to comprehend the situation.
"Right." he said as he turned and followed the paramedic.
"I can't loose her.We've been like family our entire lives." Erin sobbed as John held her tight in his arms.
"Shh..Let's get going. She needs us now." John said rounding up Nick and Elena's parents.
Erin, John, Nick and Elena's parents were led into a private waiting room where they waited anxiously for some word on Elena.
"Mark!" Erin cried, jumping up from her seat when he entered the room. "How's Ele? Is she ok?"
"I dunno...the doctor is with her right now." Mark explained.
"They didn't say anything at all?" Erin sobbed.
"Shhh sweetheart. They're gonna take care of her. We'll find out something soon." John said, going to her and holding her in his arms as she sobbed.
"Was Ele ok while I was away?" Mark asked Nick, taking a seat beside him.
"She seemed fine, she didn't act as if anything were wrong. But during the ceremony, I noticed something wasn't right with her and asked her if she was alright and she shook her head, saying no." Nick explained, still in shock.
"Yeah, she did seem fine earlier before the cermemony. I just don't understand." Mark sighed.
"Touchstone family?"
"How is she?" Erin asked, as she, John, Nick and Mark surrounded the man who had entered the room.
"I'm Dr. Tilson. I'm Elena's doctor. She's doing ok, but she's still not conscious."
"What happened? What's wrong with her?" Erin questioned.
"Well, that's what we're going to find out. Has she been feeling ill lately? Any complaints at all?" The doctor asked.
"The only thing she's had are headaches." Erin said.
"She said they were migraines." Nick added.
"Had she complained of being dizzy or nauseated at any time?"
"Yes, sometimes." Erin and Nick answered.
"We're going to run a few tests and see what's going on. I'll keep you informed of what's happening."
"Thank you Dr." Erin, Mark, Nick and John said as he left the room.
The group sat and waited for what seemed like an eternity, anticipating the doctor's return. They all sat together, trying to keep it together for each other and for Elena's parents.
"Finally." Erin whispered when he came in.
"How is she?" Nick asked.
"Well" the doctor began "We ran some tests and did an MRI on her, due to the information you provided about her headaches." he explained.
"How did the tests come out? What happened that caused her to pass out?" Mark asked.
"Elena's MRI showed a mass on her brain. It's very close to the surface. We're going to need to operate now so we can find out what we're dealing with."
"Could it be cancerous?" Erin managed to whisper.
"We'll know more once we operate." Dr. Tilson answered.
"Do whatever you have to do." Mark said.
"I'll need the consent forms signed." the Dr. advised.
"Right. I'll sign for her, since her parents are in a state right now." Mark replied.
"Are you a relative?"
"Actually, I'm her ex-husband and her lawyer."
"Ok, Mr. Darcy. We'll get her to the O.R. and I'll let you know what we find once the operation is over." The Dr. said, leaving the room."
"A mass on her brain?" Erin whispered as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Everything will be alright." John said in a soft tone as he comforted her.
"But what if it's not?" Erin cried.
"We have to belive that it will be." Nick replied.
"I love her Nick....I can't imagine not having her in my life." Erin said in tears.
"I know you do. We all love her." Nick whispered hoarsely, laying his hand on Mark's shoulder.
*********
A few hours later, the doctor returned to the watiting room as promised to find Erin still in her wedding dress, Nick and John in tuxes and Mark in his formal suit, anxiously awaiting his return.
"How's Ele?" Erin asked nervously.
"She's fine, she's in recovery right now. Elena did great during the operation."
"Is she going to be alright?" Mark asked.
"Elena will be fine. The mass was benign, so it was a very slow growing tumor. She has what's called a meningioma tumor, which are very accesable and easily removed. Her's was superficial, so it was near the surface of her brain, so there's no damage to the healthy tissue. The pain she had was caused by the growth of the tumor pushing on her surrounding normal brain tissue, so her pain increased in severity over time as it grew." Dr. Tilson explained.
"Thank you Dr." Mark said, shaking his hand.
"You can see her now if you'd like. Just remember, she's still unconscious and may be for awhile."
Erin, John, Nick and Mark made their way to Elena's room. They entered quietly and stood by her bed.
"I'm here, Ele." Erin whispered. "We're all ehre and we love you." she said softly before going into John's arms and crying tears of relief.
"C'mon...let's wait outside so Mark can be with her." Nick said, opening the door.
"Thank you Nick." Mark said.
"Not a problem. We'll wait out here. Take your time." Nick replied.
"Ele, Im right here and I promise I won't leave." Mark whispered. "I love you. I've always loved you." he said as tears slid down his cheeks.
Mark sat in the quiet holding Elena's hand...hoping she knew he was there.He was about to get up when there was a knock on the door.
"Mark..are you ok?" Erin asked as she came through the door.
"Yeah." Mark replied rubbing his face.
"You look exhausted. Why don't you get some rest?"
"I'm not leaving her, Erin."
"But Mark..there isn't much we can do til she wakes up."
"I'm not leaving." he stated again firmly.
"Ok..Why don't you give me your keys? John and I can go get you some clothes then."
"Thank You." he said taking his keys out of his pocket.
"It's nothing." Erin said hugging him before she left to go find John.
"Wow.." John said as he walked into the foryer of Marks home.
"Yeah...this is such a beautiful house." Erin replied."Ele did all the decorating." Erin continued before she broke into tears.
"Shh...don't cry Erin.Let's get Mark some clothes and get back to the hospital." John said gently.
"Ok." she whispered.
Mark and Nick were out in the waiting room when Erin and John returned.
"Is everything ok?" Erin asked in a panic.
"Yeah. Gerald and Patsy are in there with her now. They are a right mess." Nick replied.
"Erin..you're still in your wedding gown. Why don't you and John go on home." Mark said.
"I don't know..."
"I promise I will be here all night and that I will call if anything happens.This is your wedding night. You should be alone together." Mark continued.
"You promise you will call?"
"You know I will."
"Ok.I'm gonna see if Gerald and Patsy want us to give them a ride."
"Go ahead,luv." John said as Erin disappeared into Elena's room.
"Erin, luv. Howare you?" Gerald asked, hugging her.
"I'm doing ok. How are you two holding up?"
"Doing the best we can dear." he replied.
"John and I are going home now, would you and Patsy like a ride?"
"Somebody needs to stay with her just in case."
"It's ok, Gerald. Mark said he's going to stay with her. He refuses to leave her."
"He still loves her so much." Patsy said, with tears in her eyes.
"I know he does. C'mon, let's get going. It's late and we have a bit of a drive." Erin said, opening the door for Elena's parents.
"Nick." Erin began "Please get some rest. Don't wear yourself out."
"Do you want to come with us?" John asked.
"No...thanks though. I'm going to stay on for a bit longer. You two go home and spend some time alone. It's your wedding night after all." Nick said, hugging Erin and John.
"Mark, please get some rest. You won't do Ele any good if you're worn out." Erin said, embracing him.
"I know. I'll try." Mark replied. "Congratulations, John. Erin is a wonderful woman and friend." Mark continued, shaking his hand.
"Thanks, Mark. Keep us posted." John said as they began to leave.
Mark sat down next to Nick, heaving a sigh and running his hands through his hair.
"Mark, why don't you get away for a bit? It'll give you a chance to get changed up and clear your mind." Nick offered.
"You're going to stay on for awhile then?"
"Yeah. I can't bring myself to leave just yet."
"Thanks Nick. I appreciate it." Mark said, collecting the clothes that Erin brought him.
Nick entered Elena's room and stood by her bed. He gently ran his fingers down her cheek before he bent down, next to her face.
"Ele, we're all here for you. Mark's here and he's hardly left your side. He loves you, y'know. We all do." Nick said softly.
Mark stood silently at the door, hearing Nick's words before he entered the room.
"Hiya." Mark said softly.
"Feeling better now?" Nick asked.
"Yes, much. Thank you."
"No problem." Nick said with a smile.
"You really love her, don't you?" Mark asked.
"Yeah, I do. But, things just weren't going to work out with us. We decided it would be best for us to be friends." Nick explained.
"She cares for you a great deal." Mark added.
"She's an incredible woman. I know why you love her so much."
"I do love her. I appreciate you being such a good friend to her, Nick. I know she appreciates it too." Mark said truthfully.
"Are you going to be alright here tonight?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. I can't leave her."
"I think I'm going to excuse myself for the night. It's late and I'm sure I look rather silly walking around here in a tuxedo."
"Sure, go ahead. I'll call you if there are any changes."
"G'night, Mark. I'll be back in the morning."
"G'night, Nick. Thanks for everything." Mark said, shaking Nick's hand.
Mark stood beside Elena for a long while before he took a seat next to her bed. He covered her hand with his and held on tight. When exhaustion finally claimed him, the sun was making it's appearance.
*******
"Good morning, Mr. Darcy." Dr. Tilson said as he entered the room.
"Morning, Dr. Please, call me Mark."
"Alright. How's she doing? Did she have a good night?"
"She appeared to have had a restful night."
"Well, everything looks really good."
"Ummm...Dr. Tilson, how much longer do you think she will be unconscious?"
"It's hard to say Mark. She could wake up in 5 minutes or 5 days. There's no way to tell really."
"Will Ele be alright when she wakes up?"
"That's something else that's really hard to say for sure. Elena could wake up and be fine, she could have some problems with her motor skills, she could have speech problems, memory problems or she could be paralyzed. It's so hard to tell after any kind of brain surgery, no matter how simple or accessable the tumor is." the Dr. explained.
"Thank you, Dr. Tilson."
"Sure thing. I'll check on her a little later." he said, leaving the room.
********
Erin, John, Nick and Elena's parents sat in the waiting room, letting Mark spend a little more time with Elena, before they went in to see her.
"Mark was here all night, wasn't he?" Erin asked.
"He was." Nick answered. "He's not going to leave her side."
"Were you here late?" Erin questioned.
"Yeah, I left around 3:00am."
"Well, I hope Mark got some sleep." Patsy said.
"I'm sure he did, Mrs. Touchstone." Nick replied.
"Oh Holy Jesus..." Erin whispered in shock as Daniel entered the room.
"Hi." Daniel said.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Erin seethed.
"I heard about what happened to Elena last night, but it was late. I thought I'd wait till this morning to see her." Daniel answered.
"After everything you've done, you just thought you could show up? You've got a lot of nerve." Erin said.
"Please.....let's not do this here. It's not going to help Elena if we all attack Daniel, no matter what our problems are with him." Patsy said calmly.
"I'm sorry Patsy. You're right." Erin said, sinking into John's arms.
"Look...I know everyone here hates me.You have every right. But I'm not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to know if Elena was going to be ok." Daniel stated.
"Fine...whatever." Erin said waving him off and going back to have a seat.
After a few minutes Mark emerged from Elena's room.
"What in the hell are you doing here, Cleaver?" Mark asked as soon as he laid eyes on Daniel.
"I heard about what happened with Elena. I tried calling, but they wouldn't tell me over the phone how she was, so I came to find out."
"Like you care, you bastard!" Mark almost shouted.
"Mark!" Patsy said in a harsh whisper."I'll tell you the same thing I told all of them...this will not do Elena any good.Just deal with the fact that Daniel is here and let it go. This is not the time or the place." Patsy finished.
"Yes..yes... You're quite right." Mark conceeded walking to the other side of the room.
"Gerald and I are going to go in for a bit...all of you try to behave." Patsy scolded as she and Gerald went into Elena's room.
The rest of them sat behind in silence..none sure what to say to the other that wasn't going to start World War III. After a bit Daniel found his courage.
"Did they have to operate?" he asked.
"Yes...she had a tumor on her brain. Was causing her to have headaches. That's why she passed out at the wedding." Nick answered.
"So, she's not been conscious?"
"No." Nick replied.
"I see." Daniel croaked.
"Any chance I can see her?" Daniel asked looking at Mark.
Mark studied him closely.All Mark could see was genuine concern and fright.
"Yeah..when Patsy and Gerald are finished." Mark answered.
Mark,Nick and Daniel were all together in Elena's room. Not a word was being spoken.The only sound was the sound of the machines in the room.Mark sat in a chair next to the bed. Nick was standing at the foot, and Daniel was on the far side of the room standing against the wall.This was the first thing Elena saw when she opened her eyes.
At first the figures were hard to make out, but after a few seconds they came into focus.
"Dear God...either this is a dream...or I'm dead." she thought to herself as she recognised the faces.
She tried to speak..her voice a low whisper.
"Mark?" she somehow managed to get out.
Mark turned and saw Elena's open eyes.
"Elena..Thank God." he cried.
"What's going on?" she whispered.
"I'm gonna go find the doctor." Nick offered as he headed out the door.
"Shh...it's ok.You're in hospital.But everything is going to be fine." Mark said as the tears ran down his face.
"Hospital? Why?"
"The Doctor will be here in a few.Let's wait til he gets here, ok?"
"Ok." she whispered.
"Welcome back." Dr. Tilson said, entering Elena's room.
"Hi." she managed in a whisper.
"I'm Dr. Tilson, I've been taking care of you."
"Why am I here?" she asked.
"Do you remember anything at all?"
"The last thing I remember is being at Erin's wedding, feeling dizzy and Nick asking me if I was ok."
"Well Elena, you passed out after that. Your friends told me you'd been having headaches for awhile."
"Ummm-hmmm....they were migraines." she said.
"They weren't migraines, Elena. We did an MRI and it showed a mass on the surface of your brain. That mass was causing your headaches and the severity of pain became worse as it grew." Dr. Tilson explained.
"Am I ok? Am I going to die?"
"You're fine now Elena. We did surgery immediately and removed the tumor. It was benign, so you're in the clear."
"Thank you." Elena said with tears in her eyes.
"You're more than welcome. I'll check on you a little later, right now you have a lot of people that want to see you." Dr. Tilson said, leaving the room.
"Nick...." Elena whispered as he entered the room.
"I'm right here, luv. I let everyone know you're awake. Erin, John and your parents are very anxious to see you."
"I want to see Erin." Elena said.
"Right. Why don't we step out so Erin and John can come in." Mark suggested as he, Nick and Daniel left the room.
"Ele...." Erin said, hugging her close.
"Hiya." Elena replied.
"Ya know, of all the things I thought would happen at the wedding, you passing out wasn't one of them." Erin chuckled.
"I had to show you up somehow." Elena replied dryly.
"Well, you still have your twisted sense of humour." Erin noted, with tears in her eyes.
"What's this?" Elena asked, seeing Erin's tears.
"I was scared to death, Ele. I was so worried about you. We all were. I'm just so relieved that you're alright." Erin said, holding her hand.
"Do you need anything, luv?" John asked.
"I'm fine, thanks John."
"I know your parents are waiting to see you, as are Mark, Nick and Daniel." John said.
"Yeah, John's right. They are anxious to see you. Mark hasn't left your side. He's been beside himself."
"I never got to tell him Erin."
"It's ok Ele. You just concentrate on getting out of here, ok?"
"I will."
"We'll see you in a bit. I love you." Erin said, hugging Elena close before she left the room with John.
"Elena, darling." Gerald said, hugging his daughter.
"Hello dad." she replied with a smile.
"Oh Elena." Patsy said with tears in her eyes.
"Hi mum."
"We shant stay long since Mark, Nick and Daniel are waiting."
"We're just glad you're ok sweetheart." Gerald added.
"I'll be fine...I've just gotta get out of here first." Elena sighed.
"You will luv, don't worry. We'll see you in a little while. We love you." Gerald said as he and Patsy left her room.
*********************************
Elena sat up in her bed waiting for the surreal line of men to come through the door. The thought of them all in the same room...well...was more than a little odd for her.
After a few moments they made their appearance.
"You ok?" Nick asked as he hugged her.
"Yeah..just feel odd."
"I imagine you will for awhile." Mark said."Nick and I are going to excuse
ourselves...Daniel has somethings he would like to say." Mark added as he kissed Elena's cheek.Daniel waited til they closed the door.
"Elena..I am so sorry." he said as tears came to his eyes.
"For what?"
"For being such a bastard..and so many other things. When I heard what had happened to you I was crushed."
"It's ok..but how on earth did you ever work your way in here?"
"On Mark's kindness. He could have told me to go to hell...and he almost did. But he could see that for the first time in my whole life I was scared."
"I see." Elena whispered.
"I care about you...I always have Lena. If I was a different man I could have very well fallen in love with you."
"Thanks..I guess." Elena said with a slight chuckle.
"Just know that Mark has been here the entire time from what I understand. He is still in love with you...isn't he?"
"Yeah...I think so."
"Well...I'm gonna send Nick in. I know he wants to see you." Daniel said standing from the chair.
"Daniel." Elena said.
"Yeah."
"Thanks."
"Anytime." he replied as he opened the door and motioned for Nick.
Nick made his way in and occupied the seat Daniel had just vacated.
"We're gonna have to get a revolving door for this place." Nick said with a laugh.
"I know...I'll be exhausted." Elena said with a smile.
"You really scared the hell out of us Ele."
"I can imagine. Nick can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Has Mark really been here the entire time?"
"Yes..he has. Erin and John went and got him some clothes because he said he wasn't leaving you.With the excepton of a very few minutes he has been right here in this chair."
"Wow." Elena whispered.
"He's mad about you.Really and truly."
"I need to tell him."
"I know..and that's why I'm leaving. He is a good man Ele. You're doing the right thing." Nick said as he kissed her cheek.
"Nick, I love you."
"I know you do..the feeling is mutual." he said as he walked out the door.
Elena laid her head back trying to collect her thoughts. So much to say.
Mark quietly made his way in. Elena opened her eyes and smiled at him. He looked tired...exhausted actually. But his eyes lit up when he smiled back at her.
"Come sit." Elena said as Mark made his way to the chair." I have some things to say." she continued.
"Ele..it's ok." he said.
"No...but it will be."
"Alright." Mark replied as he braced himself for what she was about to say.
"First..Thank you. Everyone keeps saying how wonderful you have been."
"I did what anyone would do."
"No..it's more than that Mark...and you know it." Elena said taking his hand." I was going to talk to you about something at Erin's reception but obviously we didn't make it that far."
"About what, Elena?"
"About us.We had been together quite a bit, and it had been nice."
"Nice... I see." Mark croaked.
"Let me finish.It had been more than nice.I found myself realising alot of things.You were the first man I ever loved...we'd been together since I was what...16?"
"Yeah."
"I finally took responsibility for my part in things.Our divorce wasn't about you and my feelings for you. It was about me...and me being really confused.I let the best thing in my life go...over nothing."
Elena brought Mark's hand to her lips and kissed it and held it against her face.
"I love you, Mark." she managed in a whisper as the tears slid down her cheeks.
"You do?" he asked in shock.
"Yes...I do. I always have."
Mark stood from the chair to take a seat on the bed. He gently took Elena in his arms. Her words were music to his heart.
"I've imagined a thousand times in my mind you saying those words." he said in a hoarse whisper.
"I love you." she said again as their lips met in a gentle kiss.
