The next morning, Mark was driving Jack out to his mother's house. Jack sat slumped in the passenger seat, staring blankly out the window. Mark checked on Chica in the backseat, then turned down the music on the radio to ask Jack. "You're not still sore at me, are you"? They hadn't talked hardly at all since leaving the hospital yesterday. He wanted to give Jack space, but this 'one word' answer stuff was starting to worry him. Jack didn't turn to look at him, he simply told him in an undertone. "No". Mark gripped the steering wheel tighter, getting himself under control before he tried again. "You've been quiet lately. What's on your mind"? Jack shifted to place his feet on the dashboard, slumping farther in the seat, answering dryly. "Nothing". Mark shot a glance at his driver side mirror, biting his tongue. 

After a minute, Mark tried to just break the silence between them by saying lightly. "If you're worried about my mother, you don't have to worry. I'm sure she'll just be excited to know that she'll have grandchildren. She was a nurse and is a woman. So, she can calm your fears about-". Jack shifted uncomfortably in his seat, cutting him off to say darkly. "Can we not talk about this"? Mark shrugged, stating out a bit sharply. "I'm just trying to help. I don't know how to help you if you don't tell me what's wrong". Jack finally turned his head, glaring at him with tired eyes as he snapped back. "Mark, just drop it. I'm serious. I don't want to talk about this anymore". Mark stared straight ahead, snapping back. "Boy, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning".

Jack's voice turned stern as he retorted back bitterly. "Mark. Just STOP TALKING! I don't want to think about it". Mark huffed sarcastically, unable to stop himself from saying. "You think burying your head in the sand is going to make this all go away? Cause I got news for you, it won't. So, you can stop blaming me for this shit any day now"! Jack dropped his feet to sit upright, yelling out loud enough to make Chica whine. "MARK! PULL OVER! NOW"! Mark rolled his eyes and pulled off to the curb to park, shouting back. "FINE"! Jack climbed out of the car and slammed the door so hard that the car rocked. Mark watched him with cold eyes. Where did Jack think he was going to go? They were on a long stretch of road with nothing, but open plains on either side for miles.

Jack walked out on the grass, before dropping to his knees and hurling loudly. Mark's mood immediately started to fade away. Rolling down the windows enough to allow the cool breeze to enter the car for Chica, Mark turned off the car and climbed out. Slowly walking over to Jack, Mark asked him much calmer. "Jack? Are you alright"? Jack didn't answer, but he shook his head. Mark inched closer to him, asking really worried. "Anything I can do to help"? Jack growled out over his shoulder still in a fowl mood. "You've done enough". Mark felt those words like a stab to the heart. Turning away he started to head back to the car to give Jack his space, when Jack sat back on his heels and started to cry. Mark wanted to comfort Jack, but forced himself to walk away. Climbing back into the car, Mark pulled out his phone and called his mother.

He just needed someone to talk to him that wasn't so hormonal. He needed advise and reassurance. Petting Chica's head, he quickly explained what was going on to his mother. When he finished, he listened to his mother's soft voice tell him. "Honey... Take a deep breath. When you get here you can explain to me how this happened better. But for now... This is a scary time for him. It sounds like you're stressing each other out. What Trimester is he in"? Mark peeked out the window to check on Jack, answering more relaxed. "He's in the second trimester". His mother reassured him as she warmly stated out. "Well, there you go. Honey, his mood is normal. Woman in their second trimester tend to feel absent minded and don't tend to sleep very well. He's probably tired and feeling very scared. It's possibly that you're making him sick with worry". 

Mark sighed heavily at his own mistake, telling his mom in a bit of a rush. "I've got to go mom. I'll see you soon". His mother quickly rushed out before he hung up. "Just avoid the subject and talk about something else for now. I love you. See you soon". Mark hung up and slipped out of the car to find Jack heading back to the car. Jack reached for the passenger door, but Mark slipped in to stop him. Jack's eyes were red and he looked lost in thought. He didn't even yell at him, when Mark kept him from opening the door. Mark stepped in to cup Jack's jaw tenderly in his warm hands, whispering to him sweetly. "I'm sorry. Please, forgive me? I-". Jack slid his hands along Mark's arms, pressing his forehead to Mark's as he interrupted him in a low drained voice. "Shhh, It's not your fault. I just haven't been feeling well. I didn't want you to worry...". 

Mark chuckled out to him lightly. "You don't hide your suffering well, Jack". A small smile pulled at the corner of Jack's lips as he admitted quietly. "I guess not". Mark lifted his head to kiss Jack's forehead, before pulling him in against his chest to give him a hug. For a moment, Mark just rubbed Jack's back and held him in his warm embrace. When Jack told him a bit muffled. "I'm sorry, I threatened to fix you at the hospital. I don't know why I said it". Mark chuckled a bit louder, replying playfully. "It's ok. Just know that if my boys go, than so do yours". A laugh broke from Jack and Mark tightened his arms around him. Jack's laugh was the most beautiful thing he had heard in a while. He missed it. Jack eventually pulled away, telling him with a smile. "Let's get going before another cop shows up".

Mark smirked, shrugging as he playfully threw out. "I'll just tell him that we thought we saw one of your long lost relatives in the grass". Mark discreetly started to scoot away as Jack looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He didn't get the joke. Mark bit his lip, pointing to the sky over the open field. Jack turned to look and the second he saw the rainbow, he turned to glare back at him. Mark grinned back innocently and jumped away, preparing for Jack to lash out at him. Instead, Jack smirked back and simply stated aloud playfully. "Haha. Go on and make fun of the Irishman. It won't make you any taller, Mark". Mark clutched his chest, bending over in front of the car as he groaned out. "Oh, it burns. That was a low blow".  Climbing back into the car, Mark turned the car back on, listening to Jack mumble out to him innocently. "Hey Mark... along the way do you think we could make a stop off at a store"?

Mark rolled the windows back up, asking Jack curiously. "Why? What do you need"? Jack blushed, tracing a finger along the dashboard, mumbling out reluctantly. "I suddenly got a craving for... Lucky Charms". Mark slowly turned his head, failing to suppress his smug grin. Jack straightened up, removing his finger from the dash to point a stern finger at Mark, ordering out firmly. "Don't you fucking say it, Mark! You're the one who got me thinking about them in the first place"! Mark shook his head, shifting the car into drive as he giggled out. "I didn't say anything. I thought it. Didn't say it". Mark drove the car back onto the road, before he couldn't contain himself anymore and mumbled out quietly. "Trying to get to them before the kids do, are ya"? Mark didn't want to look, but risked a look at Jack. Jack was staring him down with narrowed eyes, but didn't say anything. A laugh burst from Mark and once it started he couldn't stop it.

Jack's face was just too priceless. His outburst had even gotten Jack to chuckle, before he nestled back down in his seat. At the nearest rest stop, Mark filled up on gas. Then ventured inside to do some shopping. All while Jack stood outside with Chica on the small patch of grass by the car. They were only a few miles from his mother's house, but he had the munchies just as much as Jack did. When they slipped back into the car, Mark unwrapped a small cheeseburger for Chica, allowing them to all share a meal together. After Mark finished eating his meal, he started to drive again. Letting Jack continue to eat at a slower pace. Jack eventually finished with his burger and fries, moving on to his box of cereal. Jack had almost eaten his way through an entire box of Lucky Charms cereal, before he pulled into his mother's driveway.

Shifting the car into park, Mark noticed Jack was staring at the house uneasily. Was he worried about what his mother would say about his condition? Reaching over, Mark intertwined his fingers with Jack's, telling him very softly. "Everything is going to be alright. Trust me". Jack sighed, squeezing Mark's hand as he confidently answered Mark. "I do trust you. I'm just worried that she won't like me". Mark smirked, leaning closer to Jack as he lovingly told him. "She's going to love you. I know my mother". Jack shifted uncomfortably, mumbling out. "What if she doesn't? I've never met her before and this is going to be awkward...". Mark pulled Jack's hand up to his chest, telling him comfortingly. "You're a good person, Jack. She'd be crazy not to like you. But if she doesn't... We'll go back home. I love you and that isn't going to change".

Mark lifted Jack's hand to his lips, kissing the back of it as his mother stepped out onto the lawn. She raised her hands a little confused as to the reason why they hadn't gotten out yet. Then gestured for them to come inside with a warm smile. To Be Continued...