Markus

Disclaimer: Mine and My co-writer, Gothdragon.

Please read and review. oh and for those that know me, this should be very different as I usually make the girl the star of the story.

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“It’s been three years since I have seen her, Patty.”

“Little brother, you said you wanted to know if your old girl friend was okay. So you stopped dating when you left for college. Classic love story. She is a freshman and you’re the senior who leaves for college. Now, three years later, she is out of school and you are in college. Oh gasp. You have both gone your separate ways but deep down, you want to be friends.”

“Patty..you are a smart ass person sometimes.” Marcus stuck his tongue out at her. “Can we go? Before mom comes home and sees me home. I do not need a ‘surprise’,welcome home for the summer, party.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She started the car. “I think they live in the same house still.”

“1314 Winship?” He rambled off.

“For someone who has ‘moved’ on, you remember a lot of things about your ex.”

“Drive.” Markus sighed.

“We’re going.” Patty drove off into traffic. “So...does she know you’re coming to see her?

“No..she doesn’t. I thought I would surprise her.”

“Ohhh..okay.” Patty chuckled. “Wait..wait. Winship..there it is.”

“That’s her house.”

Markus knew the aging home well. He and his ex girlfriend, Jade, spent a lot of time together. Either he was walking to see her or she was going to see him. They lived close by each other, so why not?

“Doesn’t seem like anyone is home.”Patty pulled up into the drive way. “Man..it has been forever since I was even over here.”

“I’ll...just leave a note for her then.” Markus got out of the car. “I kind of prepared for this.”

“College is making my dear brother smart.”

“Hush.”

He turned, walking towards the front door. Why was he so nervous about this? They had both agreed that it was probably better for him if he did break up with her. It usually never worked out between high school and college goers.

“Jade...” He still had a major thing for her. Her beautiful blonde hair. Her eyes. She was always so sweet to him. “I’m sorry.”

He knelt down to slip an envelope under door when it opened. He looked up, gasping. Jade stood before him and she looked very surprised to see him. And gods, she hadn’t changed. She was still short, slender and perfect. Right down to her blonde curls and nearly purpleish blue eyes.

“Markus?”

“J..jade..hi.” He stood slowly. “I was just in town and ..um..Well It has been a while.”

“Yes it has and I see you ..were delivering something?” She touched the envelope.

“A note..for you. I didn’t think you would be home.”

He swallowed hard. He always fell apart in front of her. Jade’s smile came. Her soft laugh rang like small bells in his ears. She made his heart still skip a beat and he knew it.

“Um..wow. Well I am here.” Jade glanced at Patty. “You actually drove over here?” She laughed again.

“Patty..wanted to bring me...” He sighed. “Can..I come in?”

“Okay...I guess.” Jade stepped back, allowing him to go inside. “Mind your step..There are toys all over and please pardon the mess.”

Patty took the closing door as a sign to go. She figured he would be inside for a while. And inside, Jade was catching up to Markus. She picked up a few toys and placed them in a toy box to the side as she passed him.

“So you have a little one around the house or something?”

Markus never remembered a child before but maybe it was one of her nieces or nephews. She had two older sisters that were terrible mothers.

“Yeah, or something.” She motioned to a couch. “Please..sit.”

“Thanks.” Markus smiled and sat across from her. A squeak made him jump. “What the?!”

“Sorry...I forgot that Mikyle hid his toy there.”

“No, no it’s okay.” He picked up the stuffed squeaking teddy. “Your nephew then? I guess your sisters have been busy.”

“Uh, yeah.” She ahemd. “What made you decide to look me up? I’m curious.”

“I’m home for the summer. I thought..maybe we could hang out and talk about what happened.” Markus glanced down as he sat. “Nothings been the same without you and I was a fool for thinking how I did.”

“You thought you needed to mature and you couldn’t do that with a girl friend that was in high school.”

“I know and for that, I am sorry. I was stupid.”

“You’re a man..I forgive you.” Jade smiled.

“Honey.” A voice called from the other room. “Come get MiKyle. He needs changed.”

“Mom..” Jade’s eyes went wide. “You’re home early.” She stood.”Please excuse me.”

“Uh..sure.” Markus was confused by her reaction.

“Momma!” Mikyle latched onto Jade. “Mommy.”

“Hey..” She hugged the cute blonde boy. “Come on.” Jade stopped a moment. “Mom..um..Markus is here. He surprised me with a visit.”

“Oh?” her mother, Vicky, came around the corner. “Markus Aaron Andrews..wow, you have changed.”

“Mrs. Janson.” He smiled. “I..hope this isn’t a ..”It dawned on him. “Wait..did the boy call Jade his mom?”

“Mmhmm.” Vicky nodded. “Two years and three months old. Cutest boy in all of Corrogan falls.”

“She had a baby?” Markus’s heart sank. Did she really move on after him?

“Yes, she did.” Vicky glanced around. “Well, please pardon me. I have to get ready to go in for my meeting.”

“Sure thing Mrs. Janson.” Markus sat down slowly. He watched the woman go back down the hall and his mind raced. “She is a mom?” He whispered.

“Yes, I am.” Jade came into the room with the small boy. “This is my son, Mikyle.”

“I..didn’t know you were with anyone else..” Markus stared at the floor. “I am sorry if this visit is inconvenient.”

“Play?” Mikyle squirmed. “Mommy..play?”

“Remember to pick your toys up.” She set him down and he was racing to the toy box. “And to answer..I am not with anyone. And yes..maybe a warning ‘hey, I’m coming over’ call would have been good but it’s okay.”

“Then...how did he come about?”

“Do you really need to ask that? Look at him Markus. Take a close look at him.”

Markus glanced up at the boy. He had blonde hair like his mom but his eyes were Ice blue. He was a cute little thing that actually reminded him of him self.

“How..old is he?” Markus started putting two and two together. “He is two years and three months?”

“Give or take a few days. Mom likes to guesstimate up so she doesn’t have to say so many months and so many days..” Jade patted the couch. “Come here Mikyle.”

“Okay mommy.” The boy toddled past Markus.

“He..I..um.” Markus looked at him self in a side mirror. The blonde hair came from both really but those eyes were unmistakable. “Jade is...he..”

“Is he yours?” She finished his sentence for him.

“Yeah..” He wiped his forehead, lightly. It was suddenly getting warm in here. “Jade is he?” Markus looked at the two together.

“Yes.” She answered honestly. “I tried to tell you a couple of times but your parents always said you were doing your studies at your fancy college and all. My mother knows and she is probably listening to us right now. “

“I have a son..” Markus whispered to him self. “Why..Why didn’t you persist. I..I would have ..I..”

“You would have what? There wasn’t anything you could do. We are broke up. It was my stupid fault for doing you know what with you. I wouldn’t trade him for the world though.” She hugged the boy, who giggled. “My mother helps me with him while I am finishing school..which I am graduating this year. Eighteen and have a almost three year old. That looks great on job applications but hey, we will make it.”

“W..what do you mean by that? I..want to help.” Markus was a lot of things but he never wanted to be a jerk. “You act as if I..am not going to be in his life.”

“Because you aren’t. Your parents don’t even know about him. No one in your family does. No one knows your D.A.D.” She spelled it out. “As far as everyone is concerned, I am keeping that information secret. This is true for the most part.” Jade shrugged. “You wanted a mature life without me. I didn’t need you then and we don’t need you now.”

“Jade...you can’t just tell me this and expect me to just walk away.” Markus looked as if he was getting upset. “If he is my son..I want to know him. I want to help and I want to help you.”

“Markus..you left. You never even called. Three years and nothing. Then one day, boom. Out of the blue you show, find out my little secret and expect me to just open my arms and say lets be a family? I don’t downshift that fast.” Jade was a little angry her self.

“This isn’t fair, Jade. Give me a chance.” He looked at the quiet, playing, boy. “I may be a lot of things and worse for leaving you like I did but I am not going to be one of those jerks that doesn’t care about their kids.”

“Give me one good reason why I should let you even talk to us.”

“Because I said I was sorry and he is my son. Reverse the situation. Would you want to be shut out if you just suddenly found out something like this?” Markus stood, inching towards Jade and Mikyle. “I’m not saying marry me. I am not saying stop what ever you are doing. I am asking you to let me help. Let me ..get to know him. I am twenty years old. I’ve grown up. Let me prove it.”

“Even If I did let you.” Jade sighed. “You’re just here for the summer. You will leave and go back to your college when it is over. Then what? Another three years before you visit again? I’m not putting Mikyle through that. I’m sorry, Markus.”

“You know I wouldn’t do that to you or him.” Sitting beside them, on the couch, he trembled. He wanted to hold the boy. He wanted to hold her. “Let me prove it to you.”

“I think you need to be going , Markus. I really don’t want to discuss this. I have to get ready for work and get Mikyle’s diaper bag packed for the sitter.” Jade shook her head. “So in other words, I am going to be late if you don’t leave.”

“Jade..I..Let me watch him.”

“What?” She quickly asked.

“Let me watch Mikyle. Please....” He touched the boys hand. “Let me help you.”

“Hi.” Mikyle looked up at Markus. “Nose.” He giggled and touched Markus’s nose. “Beep.”

“No, Markus. Just pretend you never found out.” She pulled Mikyle away. “It’s best this way. We have to move on, mature and start our lives. We can’t do that if we..hold on to our past.”

“I shouldn’t have ever said that to you. I know what you’re getting at. I said that when I broke up with you...”

“It hurts.” Jade stood. “But I am not going to put Mikyle through this. He deserves better. You would just leave and never come back again. Maybe visit once every four years. That’s not being a father. He needs someone that is dependable and someone that genuinely wants to be in his life. You certainly didn’t want to be a part of mine. Why should I expect you to want him.”

“Don’t be like this.” Markus stood. “Jade..Please. I have changed.”

“So have I. I used to think all people were smart and that everyone deserved to be treated nicely. Then you came along and broke my heart. I am not going to put Mikyle through that same kind of pain. You aren’t dependable.”

“Let me prove it to you. I will do anything. I mean it, Jade. I am really sorry for the wrong that I caused you but please...Please don’t use him against me to hurt me. Let me prove that I am sincere.” He had tears in his eyes. “Just give me a chance.”

“Okay, Markus.” Vicky came out. “You can watch him.”

“Mother!” Jade looked up.

“But.” She silenced Jade. “You have to stay here, with me. I have the rest of my day off and I believe you. You want to Prove it, we start in small steps. But heaven help you if you lied and simply fade away again. You will never see Mikyle again if you do that.”

“Mom..you..” Jade set Mikyle on the couch. “If he hurts me or Mikyle again..I am going to blame you, mother.”

“And I will let you.” Vicky picked up Mikyle and hugged him. “Now go get ready for work, dear.”

“I mean it..this goes really slow. DO not let him take Mikyle anywhere alone and no spreading it. I don’t need your parents over here constantly with instant grandparent syndrome.” Jade turned, walking off. “I mean it.”

“That’s hardly fair to not tell them. They would be happy to know.”Markus blinked.

“She’s right. Why don’t you prove to her that you’re worthy and earn her trust again.” Vicky placed Mikyle in his arms. “By just settling for this right now. That is enough. And I want you to know..I am putting my relationship with her on the line for you. So if you make my daughter hate me, you will pay.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Janson.” Markus hugged the boy, softly. “You’re right. This is enough, for now.”

“Hi.” Mikyle hugged back. “I Mikyle.” He smiled.

“Hi..” Markus chuckled. “I’m...I..” He looked at Vicky for a brief moment and then Mikyle again.. “I’m your daddy.”

“That word has a lot of meaning to it, Markus.” Vicky turned. “I’ll show you to his room and then all his stuff. His diapers, toys and clothes.”

“I Poo ..” Mikyle looked up. “Uh oh.”

“And it looks like daddies first diapering lessons starts right now.” Vicky chuckled. “This way.”

“Diaper..wait..shouldn’t he be using the potty?” The thought of changing a diaper scared him. “Right? Poo is’t what I think, is it?” Markus asked.

“Do you see any males around here that can help potty train him faster? Most babies don’t even start until they are three. And yes..Poo means a dirty diaper..for you.” Vicky opened the door. “Shall we?”

“Okay...” Markus sighed under his breath. “Lets.”

This wasn’t how he had quite envisioned it but he would have to make do and change a dirty diaper.

*End Flash Back *