"Welcome." Mark said, greeting Nick and his date at the door.
"Thank you, Mark." Nick replied as he neared Elena. "Ele, you look
wonderful."he continued, as he kissed her cheek.
"Thank you. I've missed you." she replied.
"Mark, Ele, I'd like you to meet Jenna Almon. Jenna, this is Mark
and Elena."
"It's very nice to meet you, Jenna." Mark said, taking her hand.
"Thank you, nice to meet you too." Jenna replied.
"Hi, Jenna. It's so great to meet you." Elena said.
"Thank you, Elena. It's good to finally meet you. I've heard so many
wonderful things about you."
"Why don't we all go in the living room? We can chat for a bit
before dinner is ready." Mark suggested, as he led them from the
foyer. "Make yourselves comfortable, I'm going to check on dinner."
he continued as he excused himself.
"I'm so glad you could make it on such short notice." Elena said,
taking a seat across from Nick and Jenna.
"Thank you for inviting us, Elena. I was so excited when Nick told
me. I've been looking forward to meeting you." Jenna said.
"Yes Ele, I've told Jenna all about you." Nick added.
"You're welcome, Jenna. I've been looking forward to meeting you
too, and if Nick's told you all about me, don't belive a word of
it." Elena laughed, relaxing everyone.
"Dinner's ready." Mark said, taking Elena's hand as they made their
way to the dining room.
"Your home is so beautiful." Jenna commented.
"Thank you." Elena replied.
"Elena decorated the whole house by herself."Mark added.
"Everything looks wonderful, Mark. You've outdone yourself once
again." Nick said.
The two couples ate, chatted and enjoyed their dinner and each
other's company.
"Shall we take our dessert out in the garden?" Mark asked.
"Wonderful idea, luv." Elena replied, leading the way for their
guests.
"Oh wow...." Jenna sighed upon seeing the garden.
"Such a nice night." Nick said, slipping his arm around Jenna's
waist.
"Elena, your garden is absolutely gorgeous." Jenna said.
"Thank you. This is Mark's baby." Elena chuckled.
"Here we go." Mark said.
"Hmmm...this looks very familiar." Nick said, eyeing his dessert.
"Actually, I got it from Erin. She said you loved it." Mark replied.
"Of course...chocolate morte'." Nick smiled.
"You've got it."Mark laughed.
Mark, Elena, Nick and Jenna relaxed in the garden, enjoying the
evening. The hour grew late and Nick and Jenna started saying their
goodnight's.
"Thanks again for inviting us, Elena. I had such a wonderful time."
Jenna said.
"You're very welcome. We'll have to do it again soon. Maybe you and
I can get together soon too."
"I'd really like that." Jenna replied.
"Lovely to meet you, Jenna." Mark said.
"Likewise, Mark. Dinner was wonderful."
"G'night, luv." Nick said, hugging Elena. "So good to see you. Let's
get together soon, ok?"
"Yes, we'll have to. By the way, I really like Jenna." Elena
whispered in his ear.
"Mark, good to see you again." Nick said, shaking his hand.
"You too, Nick. Mark smiled.
"G'night." Mark and Elena called as Nick and Jenna left.
"What's that smile?" Mark asked.
"I like her. I'm happy for Nick." Elena answered.
"I like her too. He seems happy."
"I"m glad. I want him to be happy."
"I know you do, luv." Mark said, holding her close.
"Have I told you how wonderful you are?"
"Well, not lately, no." Mark teased.
"You are wonderful." she said, staring deep into his eyes.
"Ele..."
"I love you, Mark. I love you more than you'll ever know."
"Music to my ears, luv." he whispered as he kissed her deeply.
*******
"Erin Taylor." Erin answered.
"Ah yes, Mrs. Taylor." Elena said.
"Hiya Ele. What are you up to?"
"Just missing my best friend."
"Awwww Ele....how sweet."
"Ok, ok. Don't get all mushy on me." Elena laughed. "So, guess who I
spoke to?"
"Who?" Erin asked.
"Nick."
"And?"
"Well, we chatted and he told me about Jenna. Mark and I had them
over for dinner last night."
"Really? How'd it go?"
"It was great. She's a lovely girl and Nick's very happy."
"That's great. I'm happy for him."
"Yeah, me to." Elena said. "So, how are my 2 favourite love-sick
puppies doing?"
"Ha, ha...very funny." Erin laughed. "We're perfect. I honestly
don't think things could be any better."
"God, you two are so perfect, it makes me ill." Elena chuckled.
"And you and Mark aren't perfect?"
"Mark and I are just fine, I'm just ready for more."
"Like what Ele?"
"Well, besides wanting to be with him intimately, I've realized I
want something more."
"What's that?"
"I want to be Mrs. Darcy again. I should've never stopped being his
wife in the first place."
"That's great, Ele. Does Mark know?"
"No. I've not mentioned it to him and I don't want you to mention it
either."
"Ele..."
"I'm serious, Erin. Not a word. I don't know if he feels the same. I
don't know if I could handle it if he didn't." Elena sighed wearily.
"How could you even doubt that he feels the same?" Erin asked.
"I dunno, I mean...would you want to marry me again after all the shit I did?" Elena asked honestly.
"You know I can't live without ya, babe." Erin said in hysterical laughter.
"Oh sod off." Elena replied with a laugh of her own.
"Nick, it's Ele. Could you do an emormous favour for me?"
"What's that luv?" Nick asked with curiosity.
"Well..I was wondering if you would get Mark out of here for awhile. I want to plan something special to thank him for everything, and I just can't do it with him here."
"Ah....I see." Nick said teasingly.
"Please." Elena begged.
"When?"
"Ummm...now, if that's possible."
"Sure. I'll call back in a few minutes and ask him if he wants to go down the pub for a bit or something."
"Thank you, Nick." Elena squealed.
"Anything for you, you know that."
"Are you sure you'll be fine?" Mark asked for the third time as he stood at the door with Nick.
"I'm fine. Go on. It'll be good for you to go out for a bit." Elena encouraged.
"I'll be back soon." Mark said as he closed the door behind him.
Elena set about creating the mood she was looking for. Nick kept Mark out for almost 2 hours. Elena was surprised that Nick had managed to pull it off. She took one last look around, satisfied with the work she'd done and went to the bedroom to change clothes.
Mark entered the house and noticed it was dark, except for a faint glow from the living room.
"Elena." he called.
"In here." Elena replied.
Mark bounded up the stairs to see Elena in the living room, surrounded by candlelight. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her hair was swept up loosely on her head and she wore a sheer black dress.
"Ele." he breathed as she walked to stand in front of him.
"Shhh." she said. "I wanted to do something to thank you. To tell you how much I love you." she whispered.
"You're gorgeous." he said, almost afraid to touch her.
"So are you." she said as she lovingly stroked his cheek.
"I love you, Elena. There was no need to ever thank me." Mark said as he seized her hand and brought it to his lips.
"Make love to me." she said looking into his soft, warm eyes.
"Are you sure Ele?"
"I've never been more sure about anything. I need to be near you, I need to feel you, Mark." Elena said in a throaty voice before she kissed him hungrily.
Mark's hand slid from her waist to the small of her back, pulling her closer, crushing their bodies together. Elena ran her fingers through his hair, down the nape of his neck, down his back, stopping on the waist of his trousers. His kisses were warm and full of want. A throaty moan escaped Elena as Mark's lips made their way down her neck. He pulled away slightly and gazed into her deep green eyes. Elena gave a sly grin, kissed his lips and began unbuttoning his shirt as her lips moved over his chest. She pulled his shirt tails from his trousers and tossed it to the side. Elena felt Mark's hands on her face, his fingers under her chin, tilting her head back. He gazed into her eyes, seeing the hunger and longing. Mark's lips crushed against Elena's in a powerful kiss. Her parted lips welcomed his tongue as it probed her mouth. She ran her fingers down the smooth skin on his back and back up his chest, rolling his nipples between her fingers. He broke their kiss as his lips slowly kissed her neck. Elena moved back slightly, making a space between them. She stood before him with a smile playing on her lips. "What are you up to?" he asked in a raspy voice as Elena stepped back again and kicked her shoes off. Her hands lowered the zipper on the back of her seethrough dress. Once unzipped, she shed the sheer material and stood bodly in front of him as he drank her in completely. "Gorgeous." he managed to whisper as she walked toward him and placed her finger on his lips. "Shhhh..." she whispered softly as she ran her finger down the centre of his chest down to the soft hair that disappeared under the waist of his trousers. Elena dropped to her knees, unbuttoned the trousers, letting them fallat his feet before she hooked her fingers into the waist of his silk boxers and lowered them, giving Mark both pleasure and relief as his almost painful erection was released. Elena gathered the clothes laying at his feet and tossed them across the room before she began kissing his legs, slowly working her way up his thighs. Mark's fingers ran through her hair as she kissed her way around his stomach, giving him playful bites along the way. Her fingers ran up his thighs as she slid her lips down his swollen shaft. "Ele..." she groaned, grabbing handfuls of her long hair. His moans filled the room as he neared orgasm quickly. "Please Ele, you've gotta stop." he begged. Elena pulled away slowly and looked up at Mark. He put his hands around her's and pulled her up, pulling her close to him, her warm, soft skin against his sending pulses of pleasure through him. Their lips met again in a long, hot kiss. He lifted her up, her legs circling tightly around his waist before she lowered herself, taking in his length. Sighs of relief, pleasure and months of sexual tension escaped them both as her body took him in and tightened around his erection. Elena's back pressed against the wall, her body rocked back and forth as Mark's mouth closed over her tight nipples. She grasped his hair, head thrown back as her whole body arched and tightened around him. A scream of pure pleasure escaped her as the rush of uncontrollable waves hit her hard. The clinching of her muscles made Mark drop to his knees. He gently lay her down, lips on hers as his weight settled on her. Elena's hips ground into his, hard and fast as her body tensed again. "Slow down." Mark panted. "I can't. I don't want to....I've waited so long." Elena cried, clinging to him. He plunged into her, his thrusts harder and faster. He clinched his teeth as a tingling wave of release ripped though his whole body. He clung to Elena for dear life, their bodies arching togehter while their sounds of pleasure, release and months of waiting filled the room.
They held each other, still breathing hard and covered with sweat. Mark shifted his weight and lay beside her, propped up on his elbow, staring into her eyes,that were full of tears.
"What's wrong luv? Did I hurt you?" he asked with concern in his voice.
"No, I feel wonderful." she whispered.
"What is it then? Why are you crying?"
"Cos, I've waited so long for this. I've wanted you so bad for so long, but there was nothing I could do about it."
"Ele..."
"I love you, Mark. I want to be with you completely."
"I love you. And, I really loved the surprise." he replied, kissing her gently.
*****
"Erin." Mark said, greeting her at the door.
"Hiya." she replied, hugging him.
"Ele's out in the garden."
"Thanks." she smiled, heading out to see her friend.
"Hey you." Elena said, standing to hug Erin.
"My God Ele, you look incredible. You're almost glowing."
"Thank you. I feel incredible." she giggled.
"What in the world is up with you? You've got the biggest smile on your face. Come to think of it, Mark was sporting a rather large smile too."
"Well, I had Nick invite Mark down to the pub yesterday and whie he was gone, I cooked up a little surprise for him."
"You got Mark to leave your side for more than a few minutes? God you're good. So, what was the surprise? Obviously it was something great, cos you're both smiling like you're lunatics." Erin laughed.
"Well, you've heard me whine and complain about how badly I wanted to be with Mark."
"Yes, you've mentioned....wait, are you telling me that you and Mark?"
"Yes!" Elena squealed. "I didn't tell him it was ok, per my Dr., I wanted to surprise him and that's exactly what I did."
"I'm so happy for you, Ele. I know you've been waiting for a long time. I'm sure it was terrible not being able to make love to someone you love so deeply."
"It was terrible, but God was it well worth it." Elena sighed.
"Yes, judging by the look on your face, it was worth the wait." Erin chuckled.
"Well, there was more than an *it*." Elena grinned.
"Sorry? Do you mean what I think you do?"
"Probably." Elena snickered.
"Jesus Ele, what did you do to the poor man? Pounce him straighaway?"
"Pretty much, followed by a few more pouncings."
"My God Ele. Quite the little nympho aren't we?" Erin laughed.
"No different than you, Mrs. Taylor. You and John were like little rabbits on more than one occasion when you were dating, hell you probably still are."
"Ah, touche' my friend. I'm only teasing. You know I'm happy for you and Mark."
"Yeah, me too. Now we've got everything back on track."
"I sense a but somewhere."
"But, I still want more."
"Ele, you know and have known for years that Mark wants you back. Admit it."
"Yes, I know, but he hasn't mentioned it."
"Ele, you've just been through a traumatic few months...give everything a chance to settle down. Everything will turn out fine. You two belong together."
"Maybe."
"Ele..."
"Ok, ok. You're probably right. You're right about everything else."
"I know I am." Erin laughed, hugging her.
