Marcus awoke slowly, taking time to commit to memory the feeling of Cecilia against him. It felt right and he was content to simply lay there and spend the whole day being lazy. Though, he knew within a few minutes he would get anxious to move around. He smiled at an old memory, him recovering from wounds after the explosion. As soon as he was well enough to move around, he didn’t sit still for long. “Drove the nurses and doc crazy.” Marcus thought with a grin. The grin remained in place as he realized that it was the first time that he was able to think and laugh about such a time.

Smiling softly now, he bent to place a warm kiss on Cecilia’s neck and slipped out from underneath the sheets. Pulling on a clean pair of clothes, he opened the door slowly so that he wouldn’t wake her. He walked into the kitchen, intent on making some coffee and possibly breakfast. Whistling softly, he made a pot of coffee and turned on the oven, quickly making some scrambled eggs. Using the toaster resting on the counter, he made several pieces of toast as well.

Once the eggs were done, he left the pan on the stove and covered it to keep the eggs warm. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he sat down at the small table. Sighing softly, he ran a hand through his tangled hair and thought about what he was going to do about taking Cecilia and Max away. He wanted to do it. If it was his choice, he would simply grab the two of them and drive out. Frowning softly, he studied the simple framed picture on the wall, though he didn’t really see it, too wrapped up in his thoughts he was.

Cecilia remained quiet during their walk home. Even after he had moved her to his back. She did smile at a sudden memory though, and moved herself in tighter to his embrace.

'Cecilia come off the swing and come play with me!' cried a boy of 6 years. 'No! I want to fly..' the young girl of the same age replied. The little boy looked slightly jealous of the playground toy, and marched over to the swing set. 'If you come play with me...I'll help you fly..' the boy coaxed. The girl stopped, and stared at the boy with wide, round eyes. She obeyed him immediately and climbed down from the swing, and hesitantly approached him. 'How?' she asked skeptically, tilting her head to the side so that her pig-tails began to swing. The boy didn't answer, but instead picked her up, put her on his back, and began to run as fast as he possibly could. The girl screamed, then dissolved into giggles and cries of delight and joy. After they were done flying, the two lay down in the grass side by side holding hands. The girl leaned over and shyly gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Cecilia felt tears of bitter sweet joy in her eyes as she recalled their past, and she realized that while she had been thinking her had sat her down on her bed and was staring at her. She blushed a little, overwhelmed by the fact that he had trapped her. But as his words were uttered, her tears were released. "Oh...Marcus...I love you too..." she whispered in a sob.

She reached out to him, and for the first time in ten years, they became one person, one heart, and one mind once more.

~~~~~~~~~~~

<Time skip to morning I guess? o.o>

Marcus sighed softly and kissed her warm lips, enjoying the delicious taste of them. Her lips were like a yummy dessert, he couldn't get enough of them. "I need you too Cecilia, I've always needed you." Sitting up, he pulled her onto his lap, kissing her once more, enjoying the dark warm areas of her pretty mouth. With a smile, he wrapped an arm around her back and underneath her knees. Standing up, he pressed her tightly against his chest. "If you stayed here forever I would die a content man." With a chuckle, he leaned forward and kissed her again. This was what he had been missing in his life, Cecilia. Her lips, her scent...

Pushing aside his thoughts, he began walking towards the small farmhouse. His thoughts were nonexistent as he walked. He was simply content. Cecilia was once again in his arms. Without warning he shifted her weight so that she was now wrapped around his back, his arms gently resting under her knees. He tickled them gently. "I remember this used to be your favorite way to get around. You enjoyed using me as a your own horse." He laughed and shook his head.

Finally, they made it to the farmhouse and he walked inside, Cecilia still hanging onto his back. Making sure to lock the door behind them, Marcus walked towards the bedroom and gently placed her on the bed before turning and kneeling at the front of the bed so that his face was even with hers. Placing his hands on the mattress, he leaned forward and captured her lips with his own. "I love you Cecilia...always have." He whispered against her lips.

Cecilia felt herself drift as they kissed. No thoughts crossed her mind, except for the fact that she was kissing Marcus. Marcus was holding and protecting her. She belonged to Marcus, and he belonged to her.

Eventually, as she imagined, they ended up with Cecilia laying down on the bench, with Marcus hovering over her, gazing with intensity. Her thoughts came flooding in then.

Kyle will be home tomorrow night...This might be my only...and last chance to be with Marcus. If he leaves me again...Leaves us.

Cecilia's eyes gazed up into Marcus's. And she looked like a frightened child. Her eyes were pleading, frightened, yet hopeful and excited.

"Marcus...I need you." she breathed, and leaned up to bring her lips back to his.

The temperature was cool, but not warm enough that he couldn’t watch and enjoy Cecilia’s company. Laughing, he watched her as she took pictures of the scenery and themselves. He knew his favorite would be the one she had taken of their feet, him in cowboy boots, and her own bare feet. She had taken off her shoes in want of comfort. After awhile, he let Cecilia lead him, taking split decisions in the directions they turned until even he wasn’t sure exactly where they had ended up. Finally stopping, he simply studied the dark sky.

Marcus felt himself cringe slightly at Cecilia’s words of comparing him to a Nicholas Sparks novel. “Hey now, I’m a very macho guy as well. I like trucks and getting dirty.” He laughed in pure amusement, his eyes bright with humor. “I should take you to a bar for our next date. Show you off to all the guys.” Wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder, he let her push him onto a bench on the side of the path. Waiting until she had sat down on him, he wrapped an arm around her waist, his hand spread across her back. His other hand was gently massaging her thigh through the jeans she wore. “You don’t have to live without me anymore Cecilia.” He stated simply, his eyes intent on her own as he closed the short distance between them and kissed her.

"I can't tell if you stole that line from a book..." she breathed gently. She certainly was breathless. And they ran and walked along, Cecilia took several pictures. Of the nature, of their hands entwined, of their feet walking, of their shadows, of Marcus's lips...

Wrapping her arms around his waist, Cecilia stared up into his eyes. "I can't get over how perfect you make everything... I've known you almost my whole life, and I don't think I'll ever get used to it. I feel like you just jumped out of a Nicholas Sparks novel.."

Cecilia's voice trailed off, her eyes gazing towards the pond. She also noted the limp in his leg. Gently, she pushed him down so he was sitting. And carefully, she climbed on top of him, wrapping her legs around his waist and arms around his neck. Their noses were lightly touching, and their lips were not even an inch a part.

With one hand, she lovingly reached up and stroked his hair from his face. And happily, she ran her fingers through his hair. "Marcus...I....I don't think I can live without you anymore." she whispered.

Time went by quickly, Marcus found himself enjoying the simple evening, doing his best to duck when Cecilia took a picture of him. He was laughing at his pathetic attempt to dodge the camera. Posing with Cecilia as the waitress took their picture. He accepted the camera as it was handed back to them. Turning slightly to give Cecilia a warm kiss, he tugged her in the direction of the path. He took several steps forward, realizing that he was limping slightly, a give away to the long day that he had.

Ignoring it, he pulled Cecilia towards the lightened path. Slowly, he walked through the bushes and trees that were highlighted and outlined with tiny lights with different colors. “Takes your breath away, doesn’t it?” He turned to look at Cecilia, stopping as he studied the woman beside him. He took in the features of her face, highlighted by the lights surrounding them. Silently, he reached up and pushed away a lock of hair that had fallen in front of her face.

“Though my breath is stolen every time I look at you.” He smiled and bent forward, pressing a warm kiss on her lips. “Come on..” He gently tightened his hold on her hand, laughing as he quickly ran, following the outlined path. Within minutes, he stopped and turning Cecilia, he showed her the view of the pond. Everything was outlined in different lights, the full moon echoed in the clear water. Silently, he slid his arm around Cecilia’s shoulders, holding her against him.

For a long time, Cecilia sat staring down at the camera in her hands. She didn't move. She didn't smile or frown. Her face was expressionless as she studied the camera.

Everything seemed to cross her mind in that moment. He remembered....well of course he remembered, I used to have a camera basically permanently attached to my hand... He went to all this trouble for me... And what can I give him in return? My love...but I can't show it to the world. I can give him myself...in secrecy...I gave him Max....but Marcus and I are the only two who know about it.....

Gently, Cecilia turned on the camera. And quickly, she raised it, and took a quick picture of Marcus before he could stop her. Grinning at the camera, she giggled, despite herself. Reaching across the table again, she squeezed his hands. "Thank you." she murmured, staring into his eyes.

She felt tears in her own eyes, and she foolishly blinked them away quickly. "I'm going to make it up to you. For everything. For not waiting for you. I promise." she murmured, her eyes finally looking away from him.

Dinner came and went, and it was mostly ate in silence. Cecilia took a few candid shots of Marcus eating, some of her own food, and the view. When the waitress came over to give them the check, Cecilia handed her the camera and begged her to take a photo of them.

Gently she pulled Marcus to his feet. She wrapped his arm around her, and she tucked herself into his side, so that she was half facing him, half facing the camera. And she stood on her toes, and kissed his cheek for the picture.

After the bill was paid, Cecilia glanced towards the path. "I suppose we've got to talk..." she murmured softly. Standing up, she reached out her hand. "Time to make memories."

Marcus laughed softly at her words. “You have told me your feelings many times.” He smiled and bent his head slightly to return her kiss. After a moment, he pulled back and gave Cecilia a smile as a waitress returned with their drink orders. Marcus waited until the waitress had left with their dinner orders before digging into his pocket and pulling out a small camera. After a moment, he handed it to Cecilia. “It’s a simple, camera that only holds so many pictures, but I thought you might enjoy taking pictures. There’s a path that has some amazing views.” He pointed in the general direction, the entrance easily seen and marked with lights.

Marcus turned to look at Cecilia. “I found this place a few days ago, to be more precise, the day before. I stopped here for lunch and the owner insisted I stay until nightfall. I was amazed.” He laughed and shook his head. “I sound like I’m easily amused, huh?” He laughed again and placed the camera in Cecilia’s hands. “I expect all of the pictures to be used by the time we make it back to the house. We can start making new memories now.”