Chapter 23

A few days later.

“You scared the living hell out of me.” Serene told Mark as she sat next to his bedside. It was a few days later and she knew he was going to be okay. But the days before she cried for him, begged for him to live and he’ll never know.

“I’m sorry.” Mark offered, he really didn’t know what to say. The last few months since everything with Lance began were blurry. He just wanted to move past it, to go back to the way things use to be. He looked at her face, her honey colors eyes staring at him. “How are you doing?” he asked.

“I should be asking you that.” Serene pointed out with a weak smile. He just kept looking at her so she answered. “I’m fine, I’ll be better once you’re out of here.”

“The doctor said a few more days. I can’t complain, in bed all day with hot nurses coming to take care of me.” Mark humored.

“Yeah Ms. Greenburg is your future wife, you and her grandkids will be very happy.” Serene said with a laugh. They were joking but the air in the room was still very serious, she wasn’t sure if anything would ever change that.

“How’s John?” Mark asked.

“He’s fine, still blaming himself for you getting shot, for Faith getting away. It wasn’t his fault, we all made bad choices that led us here. I just want to close my eyes and go back to that week before I met Lance, that night we were all together at your place. It was just easy and fun. No worries.” Serene said as she blinked back tears. No matter what she wished and wanted, it could never come true. Everything changed between her and Mark, there was no going back for either of them.

Mark reached and grabbed her hand with his. “Lance is gone and Faith isn’t stupid, she’s gone too. Everything can go back to the way it was in time.” He explained.

Serene shook her head and whispered. “No.”

“Why?” Mark asked just as quite.

“Because---” Serene started then was silent for awhile. “Because it’s different between us, you know that and with time it’ll just get worse.”

“You said it your self, you love John. Nothing a doctor tried to do could change that and it’s true, you make your own emotions.” Mark explained as he grabbed her hand tighter.

“I know.” Serene said as she looked back into his eyes. “No of that is true with us, we make our own choices right?”

“Right.” Mark answered.

Their hands stayed together as their eyes continued to stare. Neither of them said a word until John joined them. “Hey.” He said to both of them as he sat in the chair beside Serene.

Serene pulled her hand back from Mark. “Hey, you’re back fast.” She said to John.

John studied her face. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I know I look like hell because I haven’t slept in awhile but I’m okay.” Serene said with an attempt at a happy smile but she didn’t have one. She looked into his blue eyes; he was the man she loved. The man she had always wanted, why couldn’t he be the one ‘made’ for her? She knew the only reason she was thinking of this was because she just found out. There was nothing more then friendship with Mark, that’s it, she kept telling herself. Wanting to believe it, wanting to believe everything Faith and John told them was just one big lie.

“You don’t look like hell.” John said as he softly kissed her lips then turned to Mark. “How’s everything with you?”

“Can’t wait to get out of here but other then that I’m fine, healing up and all that.” Mark answered. He felt guilty around John and he hated it. None of this was suppose to happen, they were never supposed to know how he felt. “You guys should get out of here.” he said looking between Serene and John. “You need some rest.” He said once this stare focused on her.

“Are you sure?” Serene asked as she stood from her seat. She needed to get out of that room and get fresh air.

“I’m sure.” Mark answered as their eyes met again for the last time before she left. He watched her and John walk out together, that’s how it was and always will be.

John and Serene stepped outside, she rushed to the car but John stopped her. He grabbed her arm and looked at her face again. “Something is bothering you, you’re about to cry.”

“I’m fine!” Serene snapped as she pulled away from him. “I can’t do this anymore.” She finally admitted as they stood in the middle of the hospital parking lot.

“Do what?”

“Do you love me for me? Do you want me or do you want the one you’re supposed to be with?” Serene demanded as the tears finally feel down her cheeks.

John was taken back by her question. “You, I want and love you, I’ve told you this and I mean it. What about you? Do you want me or the one you’re supposed to be with?” John asked.

“It’s always been you, that’s why this confuses me so much. I love you and what to spend the rest of my life with you and only you.” Serene explained. She would’ve thought the paperwork, everything she was told was wrong, she and Mark were meant to be nothing, except….

“We both want the same thing so what’s bothering you so much Serene?” John asked as he walked closer to her.

“I don’t know I guess everything is finally weighing on me, that’s all.” Serene answered, it was all she could tell him. Her heart beats for him, his deep blue eyes when they looked at her. She just wanted to be in his arms and never let go, just letting the world fade away.

John pulled her close to him. “It’s ok, it’ll all be over soon. Once Mark is better we’ll leave this town and start fresh.” He murmured to her ear.

A fresh start, that’s what she longed for in that moment. “Let’s get out of here.” she said as she grabbed his hand and led the way to the car.

-

AN: Yes this is the last chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. I know you’re thinking this doesn’t seem like that last chapter, there’s so much unanswered. This is the final chapter to this part of their story. I am working on a sequel that starts a new story for them but follows in their drama. Review and let me know what you thought of it all.

Thanks and goodbye to “Weak with Desire.”

Isabelle A.