Mark glanced over to Kevin as he slid his car into one of the few free car spots near the Filans house. He glanced quickly across at Kevin, who was staring out of the car window, chewing nervously on a hangnail. He smiled to himself as his gazed shifted to the ring on his finger. It already looked like it belonged there, despite only have being placed on it only a few hours earlier.
He reached out and gently tugged Kevin’s hand away from his mouth.
“You ready to go and face the music babes?”
Kevin looked at him and swallowed hard, “Yeah I guess so.”
Mark chuckled softly, “Don’t sound so enthusiastic! Don’t worry, everyone will love you. Just like I do.”
Kevin blushed and leant in for a kiss, their hands linking together and Kevin’s finger gently rubbed across the ring.
Eventually they had to break for air, and Kevin leant into Mark’s shoulder, trying to get himself under control.
“You really are a fantastic kisser Mark.”
It was Mark’s turn to blush, and he fidgeted with the ring, twisting it on his finger.
“C’mon, let’s get going before Barry or Colin starts spreading rumours to why we haven’t appeared yet.”
He looked back at Kevin to find Kevin’s puppy dog eyes going in full force, directed towards him.
“Oh stop it! Let’s go, I promise no one will try to eat you. Anyway, that’s my job!”
Reluctantly Kevin got out of the car and followed Mark down the side of the house, round a corner and into a massive backyard crammed with people.
Kevin paled slightly under his tan, “Ah, Mark, there seems to be a fair few people here.”
Mark laughed, “Well, in a word, yes. Remember, Shane is the youngest of 7 and Kian the 3rd youngest of 7.”
Kevin let out a low whistle, “That’s what I call a lot of kids.”
Suddenly a voice was calling out to them, announcing their arrival to everyone in the yard.
“MARK! KEV! What took ya so long?”
Kian came hurrying over, a petite brunette on his arm.
Not sure what to say, Mark automatically twirled the ring, which caught Kian’s attention.
“Marky! Gonna explain that?”
Mark shook his head, “Later Ki. Now you going to introduce Jodi or do I have to do it?”
Kian looked a bit guilty as he slid an arm around the girl.
“Jodi, this is Kevin, Mark’s boyfriend. Kev, this is my girlfriend Jodi Albert.”
Jodi held out her hand and Kevin, being ever the charmer, took hold of it and kissed the back of it.
“Pleasure to meet you.”
She laughed and shook her head at Kian, “You never told me he was such a charmer!”
Kian smiled back at her, “You never asked!”
Mark reached for Kevin’s hand, tugging on it gently.
“C’mon, let’s get the introductions over and done with, then we can enjoy ourselves.”
Meekly, Kevin followed Mark to where Shane was standing next to a very pregnant woman, surround by people.
Realising that Shane hadn’t spotted them yet, Mark walked up quietly behind him, dropping a hand heavily onto Shane’s shoulder.
Shane jumped, almost spilling his drink as he spun around, “What the… Mark! You’re here!”
He didn’t get any further than that when an shortish, older woman came bustling up, opening her arms up to Mark.
“Mark! Oh it’s so good to see you again.”
“Hello Mae.” Mark wrapped his arms around her, and Kevin couldn’t help but think it looked a bit like David and Goliath. Mae was so tiny and Mark seemed massive next to her.
Mae pulled out of the hug and gave Mark a resounding kiss on the cheek.
“Now is this who I think it is? Now don’t be shy lad, come and say hello!”
Nervously Kevin stepped forward, holding his hand out to shake Mae’s hand.
“Hi, I’m Kevin.”
She made a slight tutting sound and knocked his hand away, instead enveloping him in a hug as well.
“It’s nice to finally meet you Kevin. I’m Mae, Shane’s Mam. Shane keeps mentioning you, say’s you’ve made our Mark very happy!”
Both Shane and Mark coloured, with Shane hissing, “Maam! Don’t embarrass him.”
But Mae was already gone to check on the food and drink, making sure everyone was comfortable and well watered.
Shane shook his head, “Sorry about that. You would think Mam didn’t have seven children of her own the way she’s acts with other peoples. Now, Kevin, I want you to meet Gillian, my wife.” He slipped an arm around and drew up to them a stunning woman, who reminded him of someone but Kevin wasn’t quite sure who.
He shook the hand Gillian was offering him, “Nice to meet you. Forgive me for staring, but Mark neglected to tell me that you were pregnant!”
Mark looked away, smiling slightly, “I just forgot to mention it that’s all. Not something you drop into everyday conversation that.”
Gillian laughed, “Bless you Mark, you always were a bit scatter brained!” she turned and addressed Kevin, “Here’s hoping you can cure him of that. Our Marky would forget his head if it wasn’t screwed on!”
Mark pushed her playfully, before Kevin gently grabbed him. “Tut, tut, tut. Bad boy. Didn’t you ever get taught not to beat up pregnant women?”
Mark elbowed him in the stomach, causing Kevin to let him go. “Nope, must of missed that one. But I do remember getting told I could beat up boyfriends us much as I want!”
“Not if I have my way you won’t!”
Laughing, Mark tried to dodge away, but Kevin caught him and started tickling him, making Mark nearly scream with laughter.
Over the other side of the garden, Pat and Kevin Egan watched the display unfold, both smiling as Mae approached them.
“We’re guessing that’s Mark’s new boy?”
Mae looked at them, Kevin had the upperhand and wasn’t giving in anytime soon.
“Yes, that’s Kevin. It’ so nice to hear Mark laugh like that. It’s been so long.”
Pat and Kevin nodded in agreement, “As long as he keeps Mark laughing like that, then he’s more than welcome around here!”
Finally Shane decided to intervene. They had quite an audience, and he could see Barry and Colin trying to hide and pretend that their brother wasn’t be so uncool around family and friends.
“Okay you two! That’s enough! Kevin! You’ll give Mark a hernia if you don’t stop soon…KEVIN!”
Rolling his eyes, Shane grabbed Kevin’s arms and pulled him up.
“Give him a chance to breath mate!”
Laughing, Kevin shook Shane off and tried to catch his breath. Mark meanwhile was laid on the grass, still giggling softly to himself. Eventually though he sat up and looked around. The smell of food was heavy in the air and his tummy rumbled.
“C’mon lets go and meet everyone else!”
A few hours later found them cuddled up, Mark leaning against a tree, Kevin leaning into him. Both felt stuffed to the gills, Kevin had wanted to try everything and Mark, being foolish, had tried to keep up with him.
Never again.
Someone had turned music on, and a few people were dancing, enjoying themselves, but Kevin knew better than to ask Mark to dance in public. Beside he was happy and comfy where he was.
The music changed and a slow song came on, and to his surprise, Kevin felt Mark tense up a bit.
“What’s the matter?”
“This song, this is us. Me before I found you, and us now. You’re my everything Kev,” Mark dropped a kiss onto his head, “I love you.”
“Love you to, but I don’t understand…”
“Shh, and just listen,”
The loneliness of nights so long
The search for strength to carry on
My every hope had seemed to die
My eyes had no more tears to cry
Then like the sun shined from up above
You surrounded me with your endless love
And all the things I couldn't see
Are now so clear to me
You are my everything
Nothing your love won't bring
My life is yours alone
The only love I've ever known
Your spirit pulls me through
When nothing else will do
Every night I pray on bended knee
That you will always be
My everything
Now all my hopes and all my dreams
Are suddenly reality
You've opened up my heart to feel
The kind of love that's truly real
A guiding light that'll never fade
There's not a thing in life that I would ever trade
For the love you give and won't let go
I hope you'll always know
You are my everything
Nothing your love won't bring
My life is yours alone
The only love I've ever known
Your spirit pulls me through
When nothing else will do
Every night I pray on bended knee
That you will always be
My everything
You're the breath of life in me
The only one that sets me free
And you have made my soul complete
For all time
For all time
You are my everything
Nothing your love won't bring
My life is yours alone
The only love I've ever known
Your spirit pulls me through
When nothing else will do
Every night I pray on bended knee
That you will always be
My everything
Mark and Kevin sat in silence as the song finished. Kevin could see what Mark meant. First verse was Mark before he had found him, then from then on it described their relationship to a tee.
Kevin twisted around and wiped Marks tears away, a silent understanding passing between them. They were each others everything, for all time.