When Marc had summoned him earlier, Marcus hadn’t expected Marc’s first words, apart from asking him to close the door was, “You told me you hoped I never regretted my decision thirteen years ago. I need to tell you, I do. I’m sorry, Marcus. I’m sorry that both you and Annie were unhappy for so long because of that. I’m sorry you got the impression you were not good enough because that is not true. I’ve projected my own experience on you and Annie, and it was wrong. I was wrong. Please forgive me.”
Marcus sank on the chair in front of Marc’s desk and frowned, “What do you mean your own experience? You and Mum were not that young when you got married?”
Marc sighed, leaning back in his chair. “No, you’re right. I’m talking about my parents. You’ve never known your grandmother. My mother was a bitter lady, and there wasn’t a day gone by she didn’t resent my father for getting her pregnant and made her a stay-at-home mother. She believed she had a destiny, bigger and better than living on a farm in the sticks, as she called it. That was not the whole truth. Yes, my parents had married young, before my mother’s twentieth birthday, but that was her choice, not because she had to. I’ve learned later that she was just an unhappy person and instead of accepting her choice, she blamed everyone else because she didn’t make it big as a singer. The fact was: she wasn’t good enough. Unfortunately, I allowed my experiences growing up with someone like her cloud my judgment when I’ve made that decision. It scared me to think that either of you might be as unhappy as my mother was. I couldn’t let it happen.”
Marcus first wanted to lash out, but for the first time in a very long time, he noticed the tired lines on Marc’s face. His father was getting old, but it was not only the years that transformed his face. The worry lines enhanced the tired expression.
Before Marcus could reply, Marc muttered, “I was wrong, Marcus. I was so wrong. We brought you and Annie and all the other children up to make your own life choices, your own decisions. Even at eighteen, Annie had been a wise child. You were—are—strong people. I should’ve seen that what you had was true love. That night, Anna had convinced me to give you a chance. I was looking for you the next day, but I couldn’t find you the next day. You left without saying goodbye.”
Marcus heard the pain in Marc’s voice. Had he misjudged it so badly? Should he have waited? In hindsight, yes but he was young and hot-headed and hurt. He didn’t think straight back then.
“Marcus?” Marc pleaded, “It’s not too late. You and Annie are still young.”
Marcus’ head shot up in shock. “Are you serious?”
Marc nodded, “I am. I said I wouldn’t interfere in your lives again, but please think about it.”
Marcus leaned forward, burying his head in his hands while he thought about his father’s words. After that fateful conversation with Marc and Anna, this was only the second time he and his father were discussing his personal life. The previous time was when Marc ordered him to marry Linda. How could he trust Marc now when every time Marc’s decisions had shattered his life?
He looked up, about to tell Marc to mind his own business but he just couldn’t do it when he again noticed how Marc had aged. Not only that, but there was also no doubt that Marc had troubles and regrets he had to deal with these past thirteen years. It reflected in his eyes and the lines edged on his face.
Marcus took a deep breath and exhaled, making an instant decision. It was time to bury the past, once and for all. And it has to start now.
Before he changed his mind, he admitted, “I had thought about it. Annie and I had just connected again when Brodie came back, and she pulled back.”
“She’s scared,” Marc nodded.
“I know she is. She’s vulnerable. All I want to do is hold her and Maddie and protect them, but is Annie ready for it yet?” Marcus admitted. “I thought…”
He swallowed, “I thought of asking her to marry me so that I can be in the position to take care of her.”
“Why?” Marc urged.
Marcus looked up, holding Marc’s eyes as he stated, “Because I love her. Because I’ve never stopped loving her.”
“So why don’t you tell her that?”
“Trust? I don’t know if Annie is ready to trust me again. I think she needs time. But if I can convince Annie to marry me, I’ll give her time. I’ll give her a chance to learn to trust me. And maybe she will learn to love me again,” Marcus admitted.
“Why don’t you tell her how you feel, Marcus? I said I would not interfere, but I still think you should tell her. Maybe that’s what Annie needs to know.”
“I don’t think so, Dad.” He licked over his lips and, looking Marc straight in the eye, he spoke for the first time about his marriage. “You know I’ve never spoken about my marriage, and I don’t want to speak ill of Linda now. She’s dead, but I need to tell you that if Linda hadn’t had cancer, we would have gotten a divorce after Cody’s birth and I would have gotten full custody.”
Marc looked surprised, but Marcus didn’t allow him to respond before he continued, “My marriage had been a sham, built on deceit from the beginning. Throughout that time, my love for Annie had stayed as strong as ever. I guess I’m one of those people who only fall in love once. If it can’t be Annie, I can’t marry anyone else.”
Marc nodded, but again Marcus spoke, “I’ve put my cards on the table now. I know Annie and I are grownups and don’t need your permission anymore but if she agrees, are you willing to give your blessing?”
Marc stayed quiet, “I would have rather you be honest with her, telling her how you feel, but if this is how you want to do it, I’ll give you my blessing. I hope my instinct is right this time because I think you and Annie belong together. I wish I had seen it sooner.”
Marcus nodded. “It’s water under the bridge now, I guess, and there is nothing we can do to change the past, but at least I now understand where you were coming from.”
He stood up and walked towards the door, but then he turned back towards the desk, this time walking around it to stand at Marc’s chair. His father looked surprised, but he stood up, facing Marcus.
Marcus held out his hand and said, “Thank you for telling me this.”
Marc looked at his hand and reached out to take it. When he looked up at Marcus, there were tears in his eyes.
Marcus did something he had never done in his life before. He dropped his hand and slipped his arms around his father. For a long time, they hugged, both struggling to deal with emotions they had cropped up for far too long.
When they stood back, Marcus knew that all the bad feelings between them now belonged to the past.
And they could now move forward to a happier future.
Annie hadn’t seen Marcus since the attack. The week since Kent had waited for her in the dark, had been a nightmare of doctors’ visits, police interviews and statements. The whole family supported her, except Marcus. He was missing in action.
Annie accepted it. It had been like that since she returned two years ago with Maddie in tow and moved into the guest cottage. If it hadn’t been for family functions, Annie would never have known that Marcus lived on the same estate. It was as if he avoided her.
She had expected nothing different this time either.
This time, however, she would’ve liked to see Marcus, to thank him for saving them from Kent’s wrath. Annie didn’t know how it would’ve ended if Marcus hadn’t arrived.
When she learned earlier at dinner that the boys were in the big house with their grandparents for the night, Annie knew it might be her only opportunity to speak to Marcus alone.
If the mountain does not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain.
The old phrase by Francis Bacon sprung to mind and Annie might have laughed at the silly thought if she hadn’t been so nervous. It did, however, about summed about the situation. If she wanted to speak to Marcus, she would have no choice than to take the drive up the hill to his house. A house she had avoided since her return.
The fear fisting in her stomach again over the last weeks, however, stopped the laugh before it could start. She had hoped she would never have to experience that fear again. Now Kent was back, and he had promised that he would take revenge on Annie for leaving him. Since the attack, Annie had slept in the big house, but she couldn’t do that forever. If she did that, living in fear, Kent would’ve won, and she refused to give him the satisfaction. He had manipulated her for too many years.
She could not only blame him. It was her fault, her stupidity and her biggest regret were that she had ever married him.
Annie took a deep breath. She couldn’t postpone this meeting with Marcus any longer.
She left Maddie with her parents, although she would’ve loved to have her little girl close by as a buffer. When it came to Marcus Walker, she always needed someone for protection—not protecting her from Marcus. No, it was instead protecting Marcus from her. Still. After all these years since he had broken her heart at eighteen, Marcus Walker always made her knees weak and made her feel things no other man had ever managed—especially not Kent.
Annie exhaled and picked up her keys. The moment she opened the front door, she saw the fist. She flinched and screamed at the same time. Not again! How did he get back in, so soon?
Her instinct was to flee, but her legs felt if they couldn’t carry her. What followed, however, wasn’t what she expected. There was no fist hitting her face nor any pain or even verbal abuse. Instead, two strong arms encircled her, pulling her against a chest that felt familiar.
When Annie realised what was happening, she cried. Between the sobs, she breathed the spicy aroma of his deodorant and listened to his warm, soothing voice when Marcus whispered, “Shh, Annie-baby. Shh. Everything is all right.”
Annie didn’t want to move. It felt like a dream, but no, Marcus’ hands on her back felt too familiar. Warm and comfortable. She didn’t know how long they stood there and Annie didn’t care, because it almost felt right—as if this was where she belonged.
It scared the hell out of her.
It shouldn’t happen. Annie couldn’t allow it because how would she cope if Marcus rejected her again?
When Marcus moved his hands from her back up to her arms and pushed her away, Annie sighed. She had expected it. That brief relapse was over.
Or not. Marcus’ hand slid under her chin to lift her face so she could meet his eyes. Annie’s breath hitched when she felt his warm fingers wiping the tears from her cheeks, just as he had at Christmas. It was so tender and sweet that she almost burst into tears again.
Then he stepped back, dropping his arms from her.
Marcus scowled, “Where were you going this time of night?”
Yep, back to normal. That brief interlude when she imagined that Marcus cared was over.
Stupid. Stupid, Stupid.
She should’ve known it won’t last.
Annie turned, back into the room, hoping he didn’t see he could still hurt her.