#slg1e4

MARK- “See isn’t this more comfortable here?”

SETH- “Yes, but making love to you outside on the deck sounded like a lot more fun!”

MARK- “There were people out there on boats, silly.”

SETH- “So? We wouldn’t have seen them, we would have been busy..”

MARK- “You are funny, I like being alone with you, not showing off to people.”

SETH- “I love showing you off, Mark.”

MARK- “You know what I mean. Now kiss me again. We can make our last night as an engaged couple, one to put in the history books!”

SETH- “Sounds good to me, but you showered already, I need to, okay?  Let me go shower real quick, you keep that thought.”

MARK- “I will be here waiting for you.”

When Seth returned, Mark had already fallen asleep. Seth just caressed him and watched him slumber.

SETH- “You are a beautiful man, Mark Matthews. You rest now, tomorrow is going to be a big day for us. And tomorrow night I can call you my husband.”

MARK- “Okay, but how..I mean WHY!?”

MARISA- “Well, I thought you would be happier about it.”

MARK- “I am, but I am just surprised. I thought everything was paid off back home and Dad was going to retire soon.”

DON- “Oh, I already retired, thanks to Marisa. She got a new position she is---”

MARISA- “No, no, let me tell it, let me tell!!!”

GABE- “Here we go, get ready Seth.”

MARISA- “You know that I have been working at Landgraab Pharmaceuticals for almost 15 years now, before Gabe was ever born. Put in the best years of my career there I did. Not once did I get a thank you or “good job” Marisa.  So when I got a call from this big shot headhunter from Avalon Pharma, I thought, “okay Marisa, hear him out”  He said that Avalon Pharma was looking for some new blood in their corporate office here in Brindleton, and they would like for me to interview.  For what?  Go ahead ask me for what...”

MARK- “Okay, what did they ask you to interview for?”

MARISA- “Thanks so much for asking. You are not going to believe it.  Not only did I interview for it, I got the position!!  Your step-mother is now the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Research for Avalon Pharma!  Can you believe that!!??”

 DON- “The salary is twice as much as she was making, so I retired, we sold the house and here we are!”

MARK- “Wow... that is awesome!”

Gabe looks over at Seth and rolls his eyes.  Seth already likes this kid.

GABE- “You know how many times I have had to listen to this?  So to change the subject... I play football, does Brindleton have a football team?”

SETH- “Yes, actually they do, a pretty good one. My nephew Jackson is the starting quarterback for the freshman team this year.”

GABE- “Awesome!  I play receiver and I am a freshman too, So I think I am going to try out.”

SETH- “Yes go for it, the receiver they have is short and doesn’t run all that quick.  You are taller than me at 13,--”

GABE- “And I also run track. Cool, so his name is Jackson?  I will look him up at school. I start tomorrow.”

Seth heard him, but it was kind of muffled as he just heard the last of Mark’s conversation with his dad and Marisa...

Early the next morning, Seth wakes up early and cuddles up next to Mark who was sleeping so peacefully. Today was the day that they officially become married. He really never thought he would have a day like this. he whispered his name as he ran his hand over he shoulder and arm...

SETH- “Mark?....”

Mark stirs a little, and Seth moves up a little to look over at him as he opens his eyes.

SETH- “Good Morning, husband to be.”

MARK- “Good morning... it’s finally here.”

SETH- “Yes, today is the day. So get up sleepy head, let’s get a shower and make the most of this day we become a family.”

MARK- “How about we just stay here a little while and celebrate, seeing how I fell asleep on you last night?”

SETH- “Ooooo, I like that idea better!”

MARISA- “Oh my word, Seth Schrieber!!  You are even more handsome in person!!  I am so glad to finally meet you.  I am your biggest fan!  I watched every episode of Big Brother and the Bachelor.”

SETH- “Thanks, I thought you just watched the Bachelor because Mark was on it. Really glad to meet you too Marisa. Mark has told me a lot about you and the family.”

MARISA- “It’s all lies!  Nothing he said is true. Mark doesn’t see things the way most people do.”

SETH- “It was all good things.”

MARISA- “In that case you can believe him then...LOL”

SETH- “Come on in, relax, I know you guys had a long trip.”

MARK- “Dad, I am so glad you came.  And I am sorry---”

DON- “Mark, what did I say? Don’t worry about it. I am happy for you. Now give the old man a hug, will you?”

MARISA- “Awe, look at those two. You know they both have been diagnosed as Schizophrenics, right?”

MARK- “So why are you guys looking for property here in Brindleton?”

MARISA- “Your dad didn’t tell you?”

MARK- “No...”

MARISA- “Don?  You should have told him! We are moving here.  Going to live right here in the Bay, aren’t you excited!!??”

MARK- “Seriously?  This isn’t one of your silly jokes, where you say something outlandish?”

On the other side of the Bay, someone else is having a visit as well. Jackson meet Rowan.

HAILEY- “Jackson, meet your sister, Rowan Lila Schrieber.”

ROWAN- (screaming at the top of her lungs)

JACKSON- “OH my Watcher...why is she screaming like that?  Does she do this all day!?”

ENOCH- “No, she probably just needs her diaper changed, or wants a bottle.”

JACKSON- “Did I scream like that when I was a baby?”

ENOCH- “Oh, trust me, you were even louder.”

JACKSON- “How can something that small make so much noise??”

HAILEY- “Go ahead, just pick her up Jackson.”

JACKSON- “Okay, how? I don’t want to hurt her.”

LILA- “You are not going to break her. You can throw a football, but you can’t pick up a baby?”

JACKSON- “Footballs don’t scream. If I pick her up will she stop?!”

ENOCH- “Very possible.”

JACKSON- “Okay, here goes nothing....”

The minute Jackson picks her up and starts cradling her in his arms, she quiets down and looks at him.

ENOCH- “I think she likes you Jack.”

JACKSON- “Hi there Row Row, that will be my nickname for you. I am Jackson, your big brother.  You can call me Jack, okay? You and me, we are gonna be tight. I will toss a football with you and take you fishing.  And the boys? They better not even think about coming around.”

ROYCE- “Listen to me Jack, go back home with your Grams tonight, and Uncle Seth and I will stay there with you, or even come back early in the morning. We will take care of everything. Are you going to be okay?”

JACKSON- “I don’t want to leave mom.”

ROYCE- “Jackson, there is nothing we can do now. We can see her in a couple days. Let us take you to Grams.”

JACKSON- “No... I don’t want to go there. Dad is there. I don’t want to see him. This all his fault.”

SETH- “Jack, this is no ones fault, bud. This was an accident. If you don’t want to go to Grams, that is fine. Do you want to go home, I can stay with you there tonight if you want?”

ROYCE- “I can as well.  Whatever you want, Jack.”

JACKSON- “I want to go stay with Uncle Seth.”

SETH- “Okay. that is fine.  You can stay as long as you want. Stay here right now with Royce and Grams while I go pull the car around.”

Jackson finally sat down, and then he just started sobbing. His heart was broken. If his dad wouldn’t have left, his mom wouldn’t have had to take on the second job. She would be safe at home right now. Uncle Seth is wrong, it was his fault. His thoughts were running all over the place, and he couldn’t hear his grandmother trying to comfort him.