Chapter 11

*It's been 2 months since the tour has been over. Mark and Gary start to become closer and like Mark promised he'd tell Emma before it got too serious, so he doesn't cheat on her.*

Mark's POV

"Come on Owen... you can do this... it's better than cheating on her." I sit in the kitchen my hands wrapped around a hot mug of coffee. Emma was upstairs getting Lucy off to sleep. There's always too much sugar in the house on a school night.
"Finally she's off...nothing a princess story can't fix..." After about 20minutes Emma came down and turned the kettle on. She's beautiful no faults about her, a fantastic mother. This will break her... i can't do it... my nerves started to kick in now. "Mark?" I felt a hand stroke my back a little. Slowly i turned round to a half smiling Emma looking at me.
"Y...Yeah...?" I try and force out a smile. If i'm not smiling then people will know there's something bothering me.
"You seem quiet tonight...is everything ok?" She poured some hot water into her mug.
"There's nothing babe..." I drum my fingers on the table a little and feel a buzz in my pocket. Quickly i get my phone out my pocket. 1 new message from - Gaz. I take quiet deep breath and open the text. Hello lad just letting you know how proud i am of you for doing this please let me know how you are when you're feeling like it... i miss you and love you xx Gaz.
I love that man so much... i've got to do it now..
"Em..." I keep my back facing her i can't bring myself to look at her otherwise the tears will come flooding out.
"Yes babe?" She asks in her sweet voice. She'll find a better man... someone who will never break her heart... that man isn't me...
"I...er...w...we need to talk..." I sigh softly and run my hand through my hair feeling a little disappointed in myself. "Be a man Mark." I repeat in my head.
"Oh..Mark are you okay?" Already she knows somethings not right.

"Emma...s..sit down... please..." My hands begin to shake a little. Emma sits down in front of me with her mug whilst worry slowly fills her face. "I...erm...i don't know...how to say this...." I bite my lip a little to hold the tears in.
"There's someone...else isn't there...?" Her eyes look at me with deep sadness. Wow she's good...
Softly i nod and look down into my coffee focusing on the steam.
"You could at least look at me Mark.." She starts to sob a little. My heart instantly breaks a little the worst thing is to hear you loved one cry especially if you're the cause.
"I..I'm...s..sorry.." I swallow hard and slowly look up at her. Tears run down her cheeks.
"I knew..i knew there was something going on... who is she...? Do i know her?" She wipes her tears.
"N...No..." My mind drifts off it's not technically a lie.. because Gary isn't a woman... right now isn't the time to tell her it's Gary seeing as we aren't in a full relationship yet.
"Liar!" Emma gets up and walks to the sink where she continues to cry.

"Emma please... i'm not lying to you... i've told you the truth about me seeing someone... i wish it didn't turn out like this...i love you i really do... please don't ever doubt our marriage... i love you...but..." Tears start burning in my eyes.
"But what?? You set eyes on someone else?? Why did you marry me if you didn't mean your vows?? I can't believe you'd do this..." She doesn't look at me and i don't blame her.
"I love you...i'm sorry...but we can't help who we fall in love with... i haven't cheated on you...i've told you...you've got to believe me.."  Softly i start to cry.
"Believe you??? That's the last thing i'm going to do right now... just go Mark.. i can't stand to look at you anymore." Still she doesn't turn around.
"B...but the kids... can i..." My stomach churns at the thought of her not allowing me to see my children anymore.
"You'll get the divorce papers in a few weeks..." Emma sighs.
"Emma...please...what...what about the kids..." I walk towards her.
"JUST GET OUT MARK!" She slaps my left cheek which causes me to fall against the table and knocking the mugs on the floor. Loud smashes fill the kitchen. More and more tears leave my eyes. "Pack your things...and go..."

I do as she says quickly i go upstairs and pack some of my clothes. It's only a small sports bag i can find so i can't fit many clothes in. Once i've packed as much as it can hold i leave the bedroom and go back down. "Em...Emma?" I take a deep breath.
"What?" She looks at me with red eyes from her tears.
"I...If you need anything...please ring me... i'll give you anything you want... i'll pay for the house for you and the kids to keep...i'm sorry..." Quickly i wipe the tears which escape my eyes.
She doesn't reply. A soft nod was the last thing i see her do that night.
"B..Bye..." Quietly i close the kitchen door and walk to the front door wiping my eyes.
"Daddy?" A soft voice comes from the top of the stairs. As i look up i see Lucy holding her blanket rubbing her eyes. "Where are you going Dad?"
My heart feels like it's just be stabbed a thousand times. I can't tell her that i might not be around for a few days which is killing me by the thought.  "'ello princess... Daddy's just going away for a few days... he'll be back don't worry..." Again i force out a false smile.
She walks down the stairs and gives me a hug. "I'll miss you Daddy.."
I bend down to her height and hug her tightly allowing her to bury her face in my chest. "I'll be back darling... promise... look after your mummy please... and your brother...i love you all very very much...don't ever forget that..." More tears leave my eyes.
"Don't cry Daddy... i love you..." Lucy kisses my cheek.
"I love you too Angel..." I kiss her forehead. "Now go back to sleep..naughty..."

Lucy goes back upstairs to bed. I stand in the hallway for a few minutes just getting my head together. Mixture of thoughts swirl around my head. Slowly i walk to the front door and quietly as possible i close it behind me. Quickly i walk to my car throwing my bag onto the back seat i rest my head on the steering wheel where i partly break down. "What have i done?" I ask myself.

Another buzz comes from my phone. 1 new message from -Gaz. Whilst i wipe my eyes i open the text. Mark? Are you ok? Where are you i'm getting worried? Gaz xx
I need to go to Gary's house...  I put the key in the engine where i set off to Gary's house.

After a short drive i arrive at Gary's. The living room light is on. He's probably watching tv hopefully he doesn't have company. I pick up my bag from the backseat and i walk through his gate to his house. Once i reach his front door i peer through the gap in the curtains to see Gary slightly dozing off on the sofa. He's wearing a tshirt and shorts watching tv crawled up a little. Softly i knock on the door. Within seconds i see a dark shadow appear at the door's glass. As soon as i see Gary i'm going to break down... i know i am.. Softly i bite my lip when the door comes open.
"Mark??" Gary looks at me worried. "Oh gosh Mark are you okay??  He places his hands on my shoulders.
"G..Gary...i..." I couldn't even finish my sentence as i break down into his arms.