Jack hefted a sigh at Mark's behavior. He was all for having fun, but was this really the time? Mark dropped the other snowball in his hand, blurting out timidly. "I'm sorry, Ma." Mark's mother started to storm out across the lawn, snapping out loud. "You're sorry?! Not as sorry as you're going to be, young man!" Jack shifted on the icy ground to watch her scoop up snow as she added. "If I didn't want my grandbabies to be fatherless! Mark, I'd... I'd-!" Forming a snowball, she threw it and pelted Mark across the face with it. Mark didn't even dodge it. Jack felt the tension in the air and took a shallow breath. Watching the snow fall off Mark's face though, she began to burst out laughing to herself. Her laughter was contagious as it spread to Mark and Jason. Jack sat confused. His mother would have torn him limb from limb had he done that. Yet, she was laughing? Was it an inside joke that he didn't understand? Jason scooped up snow and threw it at his mom, causing her to squeal and throw snow back at him. Within seconds, the three of them were racing around the yard throwing snow at each other and laughing.

Jack grabbed the door of the car to pull himself up, then looked back at them with slight envy. He had never been that close to his parents. Dusting the snow off his wet pants, he turned his attention back to the kids. Making sure that they were buckled in and happy, he yelped when hands grabbed his waist from behind. Pulling him away from the car, Mark kissed his neck. Mark's skin felt as cold as ice, making him squeal and thrash to get away from him. Releasing him, Mark laughed and leaned in to check the kids. Frustrated, Jack lightly kicked Mark in the ass. The kick made Mark jerk, before he flashed him a smirk over his shoulder. Eventually, Mark's mom herded her boys into the car and Jack slipped into a seat set behind the kids with Mark. The SUV easily fit six people and it was needed. It was harder to hear anything that Jason or Mark's mom said from the very back, but it was at least roomy. Jack sat at the edge of his seat, leaning over the seats in front of him to distract his kids. They giggled and bounced in their car seats, completely unaware of the adult chaos going on. Mark's hand discreetly ran up his back under his jacket, telling him softly. "Jack, sit back. They are fine."

Jack glanced back at Mark, stating out bluntly. "I know that." Mark grabbed the hem of his pants, pulling him back by force. Jack scowled at Mark, but Mark brought his lips to his ear and whispered to him shamelessly. "Have I told you how sexy you look today?" Jack blushed, his eyes going to the rearview mirror when he whispered back. "Mark... No." Mark turned to face him, propping his head up with his hand. Jack shook his head, watching Mark grin wickedly. Mark's free hand trailed up from Jack's knee to his thigh slowly, his fingers feeling out every curve and warm spot. Grabbing his wrist to try stopping him, Jack uttered out between clenched teeth. "Mark. Your mother-" Mark leaned in more to interject playfully. "Is too far away to hear. Just act natural." Mark's wrist forced its way between Jack's tightly closed thighs, while Jack pleaded breathlessly. "Mark, we agreed to go slow..." Mark brushed his lips over Jack's cheek casually, whispering back confidently. "We are. Couples touch. Relax. Spread your legs."

Jack shook his head, trying to shift to the side to help keep his legs closed. Glaring at Mark, Jack growled out to him sternly. "Mark, stop. This isn't the time!" Mark shushed him, his hand reaching the crotch of his jeans. Squeezing his crotch, Mark purred into his ear. "I can't help it. You are so warm. I can't resist you." Jack rolled his eyes, mumbling under his breath. "I know... Damn it!" Mark's fingers unzipped his pants, causing Jack to squeeze Mark's wrist with both hands as he pleaded desperately. "Mark, stop..." Mark kissed his ear, his warm breath making Jack quiver from the pleasant sensation. Mark's fingers slid their way into the open zipper, feeling around the fabric of his underwear to cup his crotch. Biting his lip, Jack shifted forward to lean on the seat in front of him. Panting heavily, Jack spread his legs as wide as he could. He didn't want to give him what he wanted, but he just couldn't fight Mark. Mark's fingers caressed and squeezed Jack over the fabric. It felt so good that for a bit Jack forgot where he was and just enjoyed the bliss of it.

It wasn't until Mark's mom called out with concern that he snapped back to reality. "Is Jack ok?" Jack tensed up, but Mark casually replied. "Ya, he's fine. Just a little lightheaded from hunger." Jack peeked up from hiding his face in his arms to glare at Mark groggily. Mark smiled wickedly at him, his fingers finding the hole in his underwear to slip in and touch skin. Jack jerked his knees closer together, whining softly as Mark's fingers teased his shaft more personally. Jack did everything to think of things that turned him off, but Mark's warm hand was aggressive in its need to hold his attention. Unconsciously rocking his hips a little, Jack found that he was having trouble sitting still. His feet slid across the floorboard, eager to find a way to prop them up or brace on something sturdy to push on. Mark added to his madness by leaning in to whisper the dirtiest things in his ear. Things he wanted to do to him without his mother EVER knowing about. Jack sank his teeth into his arm to fight off the urge to moan. He hadn't felt like this since he was a teenager! The shame of doing something so shameless in front of a parent. Combined with a growing powerful thrill of lust. It was torture that was maddening.

Mark's lips moved up the rim of his ear to the tip and nibbled on it. Jack's toes curled in his shoes, making his heart race. He lifted his head, bringing his lips to Mark's in the hopes for a kiss. Their lips drew close for a kiss, until Mark's mother called out to them with a chuckle. "You going to join us inside? Or should we go get a seat?" Jack dropped his face back in his arms to hide his blush. Mark discreetly removed his hand from Jack's pants, telling his mom casually. "We are coming." Jason slipped out of his front seat, muttering out with a chuckle. "Ya, I bet you are." Mark waited until his mom wasn't looking before flipping Jason off. Jason chuckled in response. Climbing out of his seat, Mark helped his mom unbuckle the kids. Allowing Jack a few minutes to calm down his hard on in order to zip his pants back up. Climbing from the car, Jack took Sam from Mark. Together they crossed through the icy parking lot to the Cracker Barrel restaurant. The warm cozy cabin feel of the building added a beautiful charm to the winter season. The place wasn't that busy which allowed them to snag the table closest to the game table and massive stone fireplace.

The fireplace had a roaring fire going that warmed the entire restaurant. They only used it in the winter and it really added to the feeling of home. Jack had only been here a handful of times with Mark, but he could easily see why it was his favorite restaurant. Mark helped him and his mom slip the babies into their wooden highchairs. They were even more pleased to have their puffy jackets taken off. With the babies secure, Jack unzipped his jacket to let it slide down his arms. The heat from the fireplace was intense this close, but in a good way. Jason and his mother had been sharing a conversation about his work, when she suddenly reached out for Jack and asked perplexed. "Jack? Are you ok? You have... Oh." Jack blinked, watching her recall her hand from touching his neck with a blush. Subconsciously, Jack touched his neck, asking her nervously. "What?" She waved the question off, taking a seat as she replied nonchalantly. "Nothing. I thought... Just the trick of the light on your skin, dear." Jason snorted, prompting her to swat him upside the head.

Jack thought about going to the bathroom to look for himself. Their stares and snickering had made him uneasy. Composing herself when she saw his face, she touched his wrist and calmly told him. "I thought it was a rash... but it's a hickie. I'm sorry. Just caught me off guard. Old habit as a nurse..." Jack slipped into the seat, giving Mark a glare across the table as he growled out. "How bad is it...? What did you do to me?" Mark bit his lip, picking up his menu as he cleared his throat and changed the subject quickly. "So? What are we having?" Locking his jaw, Jack kicked Mark's shin beneath the table. Mark grunted in pain but didn't retaliate. Jason chatted with Mark over specials and who was paying. While Mark's mom removed a pocket mirror from her purse to give to Jack. Popping it open, Jack's jaw dropped as he stared at his neck. The sides of his neck were spotted in light pink spots. There was one though that looked more like a large bruise. The skin had been sucked on so much that on his pale skin it looked awful. Snapping the compact mirror shut, Jack narrowed his eyes on Mark.

Taking her mirror back, she told him lightly. "Well, it is good to see you two were getting along." Feeling so embarrassed, Jack propped his arm on the table and leaned his neck against his hand to hide some of the hickies as he looked over his menu. He listened to them chat about Christmas plans without commenting. He didn't feel like it was his place to say much. So, he focused on his kids to keep them relatively quiet. He'd never seen Barry so awake and active. He chewed on a water ring and giggled at things that confused Jack. Sam bounced in her seat, sucking on her thumb as looked around at all the antique decorations on the walls. It wasn't until Jason asked Mark something silly that drew his full attention back. "So? You think you'll be the one to find it this year, Mark?" Mark raised an eyebrow, asking his mom curiously. "You're doing that this year? Why?" She shrugged, telling him honestly. "I found it in the box of decorations and thought it would be fun to do again since we are all here." Mark groaned, mumbling out. "Not that..." Jason chuckled, retorting excitedly. "Yes, THAT! Come on! The Christmas pickle is a tradition!"

Jack sat up a little, asking with a blank and slightly concerned look. "The Christmas... What?" Jason laughed, leaving his mom to answer more calmly. "It's this weird German tradition that their father got them hooked on as kids. It's a Christmas ornament in the shape of a pickle. On Christmas Eve, the parent hides it on the tree. In the morning, the first person to find it gets a surprise." Cautiously, Jack asked her. "What kind of surprise? Exactly...?" She giggled, then told him. "Could be an extra gift. Or a kiss. I've heard people usually spring engagements or pregnancies with it. It's just something fun. Like Mistletoe." Jack smirked to himself. It sounded like something dirty to him. After placing their order, Mark nudged Jack's foot to get his attention. Looking over at him, Mark pushed a triangular piece of wood between them with little plastic pegs in it of different colors. Jack groaned; every time they ate here Mark would make him play this stupid game that was left on the tables to entertain the customers. Chuckling to himself, Mark told him simply. "Come on, Jack. It's just a strategy game." Jack rolled his eyes, mumbling out. "One I never win."

Mark pushed it closer to him, purring to him like a kid. "Come on, Jack. Play with me. Please?" Jack inhaled deeply, then made the first move. Jumping one of the pegs over another to the single empty spot. Removing the jumped over peg, Jack couldn't help smiling at Mark's excited grin. The idea was to jump all the pegs until only one was left, but a peg can only jump over another as a move. If the pegs weren't next to each other, then the peg was stuck. It was originally a single player game, but Mark had established that the winner was the one to make the last jump. This was a game that Mark rarely lost since this restaurant was his favorite place. He had lots of practice. Mark made his move quickly, asking Jack curiously in a low voice. "Want to make this game more interesting?" Jack glanced at Mark's mom and Jason that were distracted with a conversation about going Christmas shopping after breakfast, before telling Mark in a low voice. "How do you plan to do that? And keep in mind that there are kids present." Mark licked his lips, leaning more on the table as he beckoned him closer with a tempting finger.

Rolling his eyes, Jack leaned forward to listen as he made his move. Against his ear, Mark whispered in a deep buttery voice that made Jack's cheeks flush a bright pink. "I win... You meet me in the bathroom. Where I'll finish what we started in the car." Jack forced himself to swallow, then cleared his throat as he pushed the game to Mark. Leaning back, Jack told him seriously. "I think the heat is getting to you. Maybe you should go roll around in the snow for a bit." Mark looked over the game, smiling brightly to himself as he shot back. "Sounds kinky." Mark made a move, then pushed the game back toward Jack. Jack reached out to grab it, when a drop of blood splashed the table. Sitting back, Jack looked up at the ceiling, only to feel something run down from his nose. Mark reached out for him, asking with sudden concern. "Jack? You ok?" Touching his nose, Jack saw the blood on his fingertips and jumped from his seat. He never got nosebleeds. Mark's mom tried to tell him something, but Jack had already turned and was rushing to the bathroom.

Rushing into the bathroom, Jack felt a wave of nausea hit him so hard that he stumbled. His shoulder slamming hard into a stall door, bringing him down to his knees. For a few seconds, the room began to spin wildly around him. Reaching into his pocket, he dug out his phone, but his eyes refused to focus on the words on it. Holding the phone to his chest, he closed his eyes and huddled against the stall wall as he stated aloud in a shaky voice to his phone. "Siri, Call Rosemary." Siri pinged, then began to put the call through. When the room stopped spinning, Jack forced himself to get up and staggered to the sink. Setting his phone down on the counter, he turned on the water and then vomited into the sink. Unable to stand up, Jack sank to his knees in front of the sink and began to plead out breathlessly. "Rosemary... Pick up..." The phone clicked over to Rosemary's voice asking curiously. "Jack? Everything alright?" Jack straightened up to grab his phone, but another hand beat him to it. The hand took his phone and pressed the end call button, before stashing it into his pocket. Jack's heart sank to the pit of his stomach, upon saying a little scared now. "Mark? What are you doing?" To Be Continued...