Mark figured that he must have heard Nico wrong. He wouldn't have tampered with love potion number nine. Rosemary had told him that it was dangerous. That would be too cruel...right? Mark cleaned up all the broken glass, before getting a new plate to gather up Jack's breakfast on.  Flipping a few chocolate chip pancakes onto the plate, he made his way into the living room. Jack was stretched out across the couch watching the TV, while his mother was sitting in a recliner with Nico in her arms. As she stroked Nico's head, she told Jack sweetly. "I wanted to talk to you both about... Well, about what your plans are. Have you two really talked about what you will do after these babies are born? Or what the risks are to even have them in the first place"? Mark swallowed nervously, tapping his hand against Jack's leg. Jack lifted his legs up, allowing Mark to sit down, before he lowered his legs back down over his lap. Handing the plate of food off to Jack, Mark told them in a reluctant undertone. "Actually, I was going to bring them up today. That call I got last night... It was from Rosemary". 

Nico straightened up on his mother's lap, answering honestly. "I know. I overheard you from the roof". Mark shot Nico a stern look. He didn't like the idea that Nico had been hanging around like some kind of creeper. Jack sat up a little against the arm rest, his voice turning worried when he asked. "What did she say? Has she found a spell to reverse this"? Mark shrugged, honestly replying. "I don't know. Maybe. I told her that we were thinking about keeping the babies...". Nico's tail flicked like a silent whip. His mother glanced between Jack and himself, saying lightly. "Ok. So, why do I feel bad news coming on". Nico stared down Mark with hard eyes, chiming in bluntly. "Because the pregnancy is accelerated. Which means that it may already be too late if Jack has changed his mind, right"? Jack's eyes widened and he sat up farther, asking Mark anxiously. "Mark... Is that true"? Mark wanted to swat Nico off his moms lap for putting it out there so rashly, but nodded to Jack.

Jack took a deep shaky breath, then asked him only slightly calmer. "How much time have I got to make up my mind"? Mark rubbed Jack's leg to try and comfort him, stating out in a grim voice. "Until your third trimester... Which Rosemary isn't certain when that is for you. She told me that a mans body wasn't designed to share nutrients like a woman's... So, her potion might have accelerated the process in order to make sure that your body could handle it". Jack set the plate of food on the table close by and began to breathe more heavily. Mark reached out to rub his arm, hoping to calm him down. When his mother mumbled out scarcely. "That sounds about right. The babies might be a bit premature due to the acceleration too...". Nico moved to the arm of his mother's chair, leaning closer to Jack as he asked a little too bluntly. "Are you sure you want to go through with this? What if they can't get you to a hospital in time? What if they have to choose between saving you or the babies? These are things they should know now. I can honestly tell you if it is too late, if you want? I just have to-".

Nico had started to reach a paw out to Jack's arm, but Mark shoved Nico off the arm of the chair. His mother smacked Mark's wrist in quick response, shouting out. "MARK EDWARD FISCHBACH! Why did you do that! Apologize, right now"! Mark wrapped his arms around Jack's shoulders, pulling him against his chest as he told both Nico and his mom apologetically. "I'm sorry... but Jack is allergic to cats. If Nico touches him, he could break out into an itchy rash and... I don't want to risk something serious happening to him". Nico shook his body like he was suffering from a brief cold chill, before stating sourly. "You could have just told me. You didn't have to shove me so hard". Nico trotted out into a more open area behind the coffee table and just out of sight. Then just a mere second later, Nico rose up from behind it as a young man.

Nico stretched as he stood up, continuing on where he had previously left off. "Now, as I had been saying. As a familiar, I just have to touch you and my animal instincts will tell me the rest". Jack pried himself from Mark's arms, mumbling out. "I need to get some air". Nico shrugged his shoulders, brushing his hand over Jack's exposed arm as he left, calling out to him. "You can't just leave now. There are answers we need"! Jack ignored them to walk out onto the back porch. Mark watched him lean over the porch railing and even without hearing the sound through the closed door, He could tell Jack was hurling. His mother leaned forward to touch his knee, telling him in a soft gentle voice. "You will need to inform his doctor about this. C-Sections take time to prepare for and if he goes into labor... Their going to need to have everything ready". Mark rubbed his hands together nervously, answering her honestly. "I'm actually worried how this could be handled by normal doctors... Rosemary knows a doctor that has delivered babies... Home births. I've been thinking...".

His mom squeezed his leg, staring him down with those strong motherly eyes, when she told him firmly. "Mark... You need to run this by him. You're suppose to be a team". Mark nodded, climbing to his feet. She was right. He had a lot to discuss with Jack. Important things. He started to make his way to the door, when Nico's voice broke his strong hopeful demeanor. In a cold numb voice, Nico sent the room into a cold silence upon telling him outright. "Mark... It's too late. We should inform Rosemary... We are going to need Trey". Mark stared out at Jack, who was leaning against the porch railing and watching the clouds pass overheard with a teary look. He wondered if Jack had known he was too far gone... Or if he was just haunted by the idea that there was no going back.

Removing his cell phone from his pocket, he handed it off to Nico without looking at him. He knew that Rosemary had to be informed, but he was more concerned about Jack. As Nico took the phone from his hand, Mark told him grimly. "Tell her to bring her friend here as soon as she can. If this is going to happen... Than it should be done here". Mark didn't wait to hear Nico answer or to hear his mom comment on the situation. Jack needed him right now. Closing the door on their growing conversation about where to set up, Mark joined Jack on the railing. Leaning on it together, Jack stared out at the grass, asking numbly. "I know that look. Something is wrong, right? Did Nico tell you that I was past the point of no return"? Mark leaned more heavily against the rail, replying gently in his deep soothing voice. "Yes. I'm so sorry".

Jack let out a heavy sigh, but told him positively. "Don't apologize. I've known this might happen... I came to terms with it awhile ago". Mark gripped the railing tightly, looking at him curiously as he asked. "I don't understand... Than why did you walk out"? Jack didn't look at him, his voice cracking a bit upon telling him. "Because... Because just now I wasn't worried about myself... but about how I would feel if we lost them". Mark draped his arm over Jack's shoulder, letting him bury his head against the nape of his neck. Jack hefted the blanket tighter around himself, sniffling softly. Mark rubbed his back, reluctantly mumbling out. "Jack... If something happens and I have to choose...". Jack jerked his head up to finally look into his eyes, saying seriously. "Mark, don't tell me. I don't want to know. I'd be happy with whatever you'd pick. Just don't tell me. My heart is better off not knowing".

Jack slipped from Mark's arms, heading back to the door. Stopping at the back door, he told Mark over his shoulder in a soft tone of voice. "I will love you no matter what you decide. You know that. Just promise me something...". Mark turned to face him, leaning his lower back against the railing, when he told him confidently. "Anything". Jack flashed him a bright smile, answering a little worried, but hopeful at the same time. "Promise me that if you don't get a chance to choose... That you won't blame them. They will need you". Mark shuffled his feet uncomfortably, but reluctantly nodded. He hadn't even considered that he might not get a choice to save him. He was afraid that he might be making a promise that he couldn't keep. Jack turned back around to face him, mumbling out with worry. "Don't do that, Mark. Please". Mark bit his lower lip and shrugged innocently.

Even with the blanket wrapped around him, Mark could tell that Jack had crossed his arms. Jack's accusing look helped give it away. Jack rolled his eyes at him, muttering back dryly. "Don't play innocent with me. You do that when you plan on defying me. I'm serious, Mark. Promise me". Mark dropped his hands on the railing in a semi-shrug of uncertainty, replying stagnantly. "That is not going to happen... Why should I have to commit to something that won't happen". Jack inched closer, his eyes locking on his, seriously stating aloud. "I'm asking so that it will give me peace of mind. Otherwise, I'm going to come back and haunt you with the creepiest doll I can find, until the end of your days". Mark smirked back, happily whispering a breath away from Jack's lips. "Without that peace of mind, you'll feel inclined to keep fighting to stay with me. I can't live without you. So, don't ask me too".

Jack unfolded his hands with a loud sigh, placing them on Mark's broad chest, before whispering over Mark's lips. "We may not get a choice... and I need to know that they can count on you. You won't be without me. They will be part of me". Mark shook his head, defiantly growling out through clenched teeth. "That is not enough of you. Not by far". Jack brushed his lips teasingly over Mark's, before whispering lovingly the one thing that tore at Mark's heart strings. "If you love me... You will promise me". Mark started to rock slightly against the railing. His fingers clenching and unclenching the rail. Closing his eyes, he felt a tear run down his cheek, but he swallowed passed the lump in his throat to strain out in a weak tender voice. "I promise". Jack pressed his lips to his in a loving kiss of acceptance and Mark wrapped his arms around Jack tightly. Holding him against him and hoping against hope that he would never have to keep such a promise. To Be Continued...