Jack stared into Mark's eyes with fragile his ones. The female driver turned to look back at him briefly with wide eyes, then shook it off to look ahead without commenting. Mark lowered his cup, asking perplexed. "What...? But we haven't..." Jack waited patiently to see if Mark would put it together for himself. Mark thought about it, his face contorted in distressed thought. After a few minutes, Mark rolled his eyes and growled out. "The candle... Jack... If you planned this..." Jack huffed, leaning back as he muttered out distastefully. "Yes, Mark. I planned on having another kid. I wasn't traumatized enough the first time..." Mark's mood cooled, asking him curiously. "How? I thought that we fixed that?" Jack rolled his eyes, replying honestly. "No. I went home to recover... Then things happened. I got depressed. I... Didn't think about it." Mark set the cup down, leaning forward to bury his face in his hands. Jack shifted uncomfortably beneath the blanket. He wanted to ask him what he was thinking but was afraid too. Mark just looked so distressed by the news.

Running his hands through his hair, Mark didn't look at him or even lean back. Taking a deep breath, Mark asked him softly. "How long have you known about this?" Jack stroked his warm cup, answering honestly. "Since the mall. It's what caused my asthma attack... The idea of being... of doing this to you again." Mark bowed his head, his voice saying a bit firmer. "I guess, we'll need to tell Rosemary..." Jack winced, upon replying. "I already did." Mark jerked his head in his direction, his eyes looking hurt as he said. "You told HER before me? How? I have your phone." Jack licked his lips, struggling to admit truthfully. "I was afraid. I wanted to hear what she thought... Because I might have... I used your brother's phone." Mark sat up, glaring at him a little as he said. "Does my brother know? My mother? Why am I the last one to know this?!" Jack exhaled heavily, blurting out. "Your brother doesn't know anything. It's just your mother and I've been trying to tell you. But... I didn't want to upset you. You've hated taking care of our kids... I didn't want to add to that-!"

Mark raised a hand to stop him, interrupting sternly. "Whoa! When have I EVER said that I hated taking care of my kids?" Jack shrugged, stating out. "You didn't have to say anything. You were miserable before. And now this kid might turn out wrong because of ME!" Jack looked away, covering his mouth as tears formed in his eyes. Mark inched closer, sliding a comforting hand along his leg as he asked very softly. "What do you mean by that? Why would it turn out wrong?" Jack swallowed the lump forming in his throat, turning to look back at him as he answered. "I've just... put myself through a lot lately. I've put you through a lot. And I'm afraid that my actions have... damaged this kid." Mark raised a hand to brush an icy tear off his cold cheek. Mark's mood seemed gentle now. Wrapping his arm around his neck, Mark coaxed him up against him. Snuggling against him, Jack tried not to cry. While rubbing his back, Mark whispered to him. "For the record, baby... I love our kids. I'm more hurt that you leave me out of everything. But... I know you're scared. I just wish you'd come to me for comfort."

Jack lifted his head up from Mark's chest, bring his lips to his warm neck. Kissing a spot under his ear, he whispered to him lovingly. "I need your comfort now...?" Mark smirked a little, hugging him tightly and kissing his head. Keeping his cheek to his forehead, Jack hummed a little and snuggled closer to show how much it meant to him to have him close. Mark leaned back to let Jack snuggle up to him a bit more, pulling the warm blanket around them better. They watched the snow fall and listened to the soft jingling bells on the horses' harnesses. The carriage took them to places with houses lit up in decorative Christmas lights. Then it drifted down into a park trail with lots of snowy forest scenery. It was peaceful and brought them lots of smiles. By the time the ride was over, they took the picnic basket with the food and drink that remained. Feeling fresh and happy, Jack swung the basket a little like a kid as they walked back to the hotel. Walking beside him, Mark kept his hands stuffed in his pockets to keep them warm. In a low worried voice, Mark asked him after a short time of silence. "Jack? When you contacted Rosemary. What did she say?"

Jack glanced over at him, biting his lip before asking sweetly. "Why?" Mark only watched his feet trudge through the snow, telling him nervously. "Did she tell you that you could... not have the baby?" Jack slowed to a stop on the sidewalk, fear filling his voice as he mumbled out. "She did..." Mark stopped to meet his eyes as he said neutrally. "What did you say?" Jack turned on his wheel to walk on with less joy, asking defensively over his shoulder. "What did you want me to say?" Mark's hand grabbed his arm gently to stop him, turning him to face him. Leaning close to his face, Mark told him in a deep buttery voice. "Jack... It's your body. I don't have say. I just wanna know if you've decided..." Jack shrugged, avoiding his eyes as he said a bit guarded. "Why? So, you can be mad at me for having the option and turning it down...?" Mark's warm hands cupped his face, bring his lips to his before whispering with a small smile. "No. It's so that I know if I can be excited or not."

Jack blushed, giving Mark a light kiss that made Jack's heart twirl in his ribs. Mark kept the kiss so soft that Jack savored the powerful feeling it gave him. Lowering his hands from his face, Mark told him lovingly. "Am I going to be a dad to a new little one?" Jack nodded, sliding his free hand up Mark's chest to hold his neck. Looking deep into those teddy bear eyes, Jack blushed as he told him. "We'll both be there for this one." Mark brought his lips to his in a much deeper kiss, moaning into it just enough to give Jack goosebumps. Forcing Mark out of the kiss, Jack chuckled out. "Let's go inside. I can't feel my toes." Mark chuckled, telling him teasingly. "I told you those shoes are crap." Jack rolled his eyes, telling him firmly. "They keep out the rain fine. Just not the cold." Behind him now, Mark chuckled out. "Useless then." Jack turned to start a playful agreement, when Mark threw a snowball at him. Squealing, Jack kicked snow at Mark. Mark leapt away to avoid it with a laugh, prompting Jack to set down the basket to make a snowball to throw at him. For a time, they ran around the empty part of the parking lot throwing snowballs at each other.

When they were practically soaked and shivering, Mark ran up to him to pick him up and twirled him around a little. The people that were either just arriving or just leaving for the nighttime events all giggled and laughed at the fun they were having. Upon releasing him from the twirl, Jack took Mark's hand and started to lead him back toward the hotel. Snatching up their basket, they giggled and stumbled up to the elevator. In the elevator, Mark pressed the button, then stepped up against Jack to share a passionate kiss with him as the cold snow melted down their faces from their frosted hair. Chuckling, Jack had to push Mark backward out of the elevator to their room. Slipping into the room, Jack squealed as Mark pinched his ass to get him in faster. Setting down the basket, Jack scrambled off to the bathroom as Mark chased after him to beat him there. They both wanted a hot shower. Stripping off their wet clothes in the bathroom, Jack pulled Mark into the tub with him. Pressing himself nervously against the tile wall, he watched Mark pull the curtain closed. Mark's hand turned on the faucet, changing the lever from the tub faucet to the showerhead.

The warm water rushed down between them and Jack took deep breaths to calm himself. He was having so much fun that he didn't want to ruin it by turning Mark down again. Yet, he couldn't afford to lose him by giving in to temptation. Mark's hands reached out, his fingertips gently caressing his exposed slender hips. Jack arched his back a little, moaning softly at his gentle touch. Stepping into the water, Mark told him in a powerful low voice full of affection for him. "Show me what you want. I'll follow your lead tonight." Jack blushed, sliding his foot forward as he pried himself from the wall. Taking Mark's wrists, Jack smirked as he slid them across his lower back. Mark's hands pulled him against him, his fingertips clawing lightly at Jack's ass. Giggling so lightly, Jack leaned in to press his lips to Mark's. He wanted to feel him. He missed real contact with him. Wrapping his own arms around Mark's neck, Jack moaned into the kiss. When their kiss got heated enough to leave them both breathless, Jack whispered to Mark hopefully. "Wash me. And I'll wash you. Then we'll go to the bed..."

Mark's kiss drifted over to his throat, his hands caressing over the curves of his skin. Jack tilted his head back, letting Mark take his time to soap up his hands. Kissing his lips, Mark let his hands set to work. Massaging him as he lathered the soap over his pale smooth skin. Working his way down to his shoulders and torso. Jack even bit his lip with a moan as Mark kissed a trail down his body. Reaching a nipple, Mark compressed his lips to it with needy desire. Starting it off as a sloppy kiss, before sucking his nipple to a hard point. Whining softly, Jack leaned back weakly against the wall as Mark's lips moved to give his other nipple the same treatment. While ripples of pleasure went from his nipples to his groin, Jack ran his hand through Mark's hair to encourage him for more. Mark pinned him to the wall to help keep him from falling, trailing his lips down from his nipple to follow a line down to his belly button. Jack laughed as Mark's scruffy beard tickled his stomach. Mark held him firmly to the wall though, bringing his lips to Jack's belly button to hum against his skin teasingly.

Jack let out strained sounds that were a mix between squeals and giggling. Cute sounds that made Mark grin. Kissing his belly in different places, Mark buried his face lower, causing Jack to lean forward with a vocal moan. Grabbing Mark's bare shoulders, Jack breathlessly panted out. "Mark... Not there... I'll fall..." Mark kissed a tender spot between his groan and inner thigh, making Jack laugh from how his beard tickled him into thrashing a little against him. Mark leaned back to soap up his hands, then spread Jack's legs to run his hands down them better to his ankles. The soap barely stayed on his skin because of the water running over him, but Jack didn't care. He was just enjoying the way Mark handled him. Kissing his thighs and playfully biting his hips. Wrapping his arms around his legs, Mark kissed a trial back up his body, while his hands squeezed and clawed at his ass. The moment Mark was back on his feet, he raised his lips to claim Jack's in a hungry kiss for attention.

Jack mirrored his kiss, his own desire boiling over. He was so distracted by the kiss, that when Mark's freshly soaped hands went to his groin, Jack broke the kiss to gasp. Mark grinned, his fingers running through his thick public hair and far between his quivering thighs. Jack felt like his legs were turning to Jello and the only thing holding him up was Mark's invasive hand between his legs. Moaning loudly as Mark started stroking his shaft, Jack panted out. "Oh fuck... Mark, I can't..." Mark's lips moved to his ear, purring against it in a buttery voice. "Hang onto me. I won't let you fall." Draping an arm over Mark's shoulder, Jack clawed at his back to grip him tightly. Mark positioned one of his legs in between Jack's, forcing Jack's legs a bit wider but also helping to support him upright from lower down because it brought their hips closer. Leaning into him more, Mark growled playfully against his neck. "Close your eyes. Relax." Jack moved his head to lay it on Mark's shoulder, giving himself to the pleasure as he trusted Mark to hold him up. Mark's lips went to his other ear, starting to whisper things that made Jack blush from how dirty they were.

While in the middle of purring into his ear on exactly what he wanted to do with his tongue, Jack tensed as Mark's soapy fingers found their way into his ass. Rising to the tips of his toes, Jack panted over Mark's drenched shoulder. "Mark! Not here!" Against his ear, Mark replied in a devilish purr. "Here is fine. I've got you." Jack shook his head but began to moan as Mark gently stroked his prostate. As much as he worried about slipping and falling because of weak legs, Mark supported him perfectly. Keeping him comfortable and safe. Raising a leg to brace on the edge of the tub just to give Mark more room, Jack began to moan louder. Mark didn't rush and had no reason too. Building up his pleasure slowly, until Jack's body was jerking as he drew closer to his release. Reaching down, he started jerking himself off to Mark's rhythm, until he could no longer hold back. Burying his face against Mark's neck, Jack's whole body tensed up against him as he his voice strained out his orgasm. Mark kept playing with him a little bit to make sure he was done, kissing his neck lovingly and whispering how much he loved him.

Afterward, Mark very carefully helped Jack down to sit on the edge of the tub. Cleaning themselves off, Mark got out first to get a towel. He dried himself off, while Jack panted out. "Why did you do that? Now how am I going to do you...?" Jack's whole body felt so drained that he was barely sitting upright. Mark rushed over with a fresh warm towel when he saw Jack waver a bit. Wrapping him up and lifting him out of the tub, Mark purred into his shoulder with a chuckle. "Don't worry about me. I want you to feel good, baby." Mark laid Jack across the bed, starting to walk away, until Jack wrapped his arms around him to pull him into bed with him. Flipping Mark over onto his back, Jack snuggled his barely dry body up against Mark's dry one. Resting his head on him, Jack mumbled out sleepily. "Don't get dressed yet. Stay like this with me. Let's snuggle under the blanket... like we used too. Remember? At Pax?" Mark stroked Jack's wet hair, warmly purring out. "I remember. I think about it all the time..."

Jack closed his eyes, listening to Mark's heartbeat as he sleepily asked. "You do? Why...?" Mark pulled the blanket up over them to keep them warm as the fake fireplace crackled in the corner, answering in a whisper. "Because... The best memories I have there are because of you." To Be Continued...