Take me Home - S01 E50

Story 2 years ago

Take me Home - S01 E50

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 50

The week flew by much quicker than Jade wanted to. Each day became harder and harder and there felt like there was a deadline on their relationship. Each night before she went to bed Jade prayed that he wouldn't have to go that the call was a mistake, but that day never came.

She was clutching Marcus's hand tightly as they drove towards the airport. Yesterday she had broken down in front of Sophia and Noah and cried for hours. She was trying to be strong, but it was so hard to see the man you love, leave to go somewhere she didn't know and somewhere she wouldn't be able to contact him.

She had dinner with his family last night as his brother gave both the boys a teary farewell. Jade during the whole dinner was quiet as she tried to sort through all the emotions that were racing around her head. 3

"You okay?" Marcus asked, and Jade looked up at him with a frown. He had stayed over every night this week and each night once she knew he was asleep she would cry. It made her feel weak, but her heart was breaking. She wanted to be selfish and demand he not go. She wanted to be selfish and keep Marcus with her forever, but she knew she couldn't.

She knew it was his job, and she knew she had to come to terms that this would happen.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Her voice was raspy with unshed tears the closer they drove to the airport. Sophia was driving them knowing Jade would need the emotional support after Marcus had left. Jade leaned her head on his should as he kissed the top of her head.

"I'll drop you guys off at the front and I will come back after I find a parking space," Sophia whispered and watched the couple in the back.

"Thank you, Sophia." She nodded her head at Marcus as they pulled up to Sydney's international airport. Marcus got out first and set up Jade's chair and watched as she moved from the car into it. She had improved so much in the past few months and he wondered how much more she would improve while he was away. He smiled at her as he grabbed his duffle bag and threw it over his shoulder. Today they required he dress in civilian gear until he arrived at his destination where he would change into his uniform was in his bag. He walked beside Jade as she pushed herself into the busy terminal. He looked around and saw his team was already here and saying goodbye to their loved ones. Their flight still wasn't for another 2 hours, but they had to check in and go through some paperwork before they could leave.

He looked at Jade and found he wasn't sure what he wanted to say. He had never had to say goodbye to someone he loved, and he found himself at a lost for words. 2

"Is it selfish for me to say I wish we could go back to the car and drive back to mine." Jade looked up into Marcus's brown eyes and saw them swimming with an emotion she couldn't quite place.

"No. I wish for that too." He sighed and looked at his watch knowing he had to check in soon.

"Please come back safe." She watched as Marcus leant down to her height and grabbed her hands. He leant down and kissed them before wiping off the few tears that had fallen down her face. Jade wasn't sure when she started crying and she wasn't sure if she could stop.

"I will, I promise." She nodded her head and knew she had to say goodbye even when she didn't want to. She wanted to beg him not to go to stay with her. She wanted to be selfish, but she couldn't he had a duty and she understood even if she didn't like it

"I love you and remember I'll be waiting, so please don't keep me waiting forever." Marcus understood Jade and nodded his head because there was no way he could express the way he was feeling. He leant forward and gave Jade once last kiss before he had to leave.

Jade knew she was crying, as she savoured the feel of his lips on hers praying this wouldn't be the last time. She kissed him like it would be their last just in case and she prayed nothing would happen to him. His mouth was warm and soft as he gently grabbed her face into his large, warm hands. Jade expressed all her worries, doubts and love into the kiss trying to portray what she was struggling to say. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gently ran her fingers through his thick dark hair.

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When Jade broke the kiss to breathe Marcus wiped away her tears gently with his thumb as he rested his forehead against hers.

"Be strong for me Jade and I will see you soon. I promise." He placed his lips on her forehead and she savoured the warm feeling and smiled softly through her tears. Marcus pulled away, stood up and picked up his bag. He wanted to linger around, but last night they promised each other not too because it would make it all the harder to say goodbye. Marcus smiled at Jade one last time, blew her a kiss before he turned his back and didn't look back. 2

Jade watched Marcus until he was out of site and let out a huge breath. Goodbyes were always hard, but she never remembered them being this hard. She wrapped her arms around herself as a sinking feeling set into the pit of her stomach. She tried to breathe through this sinking feeling and she almost yelled out for Marcus to come back. 3

She let out another breath as she reassured herself that he would be fine and he would come home. She sniffled and wiped her eyes willing herself to stop crying. She inhaled and exhaled deeply as she finally pushed the sinking feeling out of her mind. She knew short goodbyes were always best but being on the opposite side was different. She wanted a long goodbye to hold on as long as possible and for the first time; she realised what it was like to watch the person you love leave.

It made her heart feel heavy, and she felt like Marcus took a part of her with him when he left. Sighing, she grabbed the sides of her chair with shaky hands and turned herself around and saw Sophia watching her with a soft smile on her face. She pushed herself over to the other women and smiled when she got there.

"You okay Jade?" Sophia asked, and Jade nodded.

"I will be. It will take some adjusting, but I will be fine." Sophia smiled at Jade as they both went to the car and left the airport back to Jade. 2

***

The first week was the hardest. Jade tried to stay strong, but she broke a little. Every night she cried herself to sleep and woke up always tired. Her days felt lonely and she would often call Marcus just to hear his voice through voice mail. Sophia and Noah tried to keep her busy, but every moment made her miss Marcus more. She missed curling up in his arms at night and missed having someone to talk to.

"Jade, you okay?" Andrea asked her, and she was sick of people asking her that. Would you be okay if the person you loved went away to fight for the country and you did not understand where, when or what they were doing? If you did not understand when they would come home and had no way to contact them. No, you wouldn't be.

"Not really but I will be." Andrea smiled at Jade and gave her more exercise to do during the week. She went home afterwards and found herself in bed clutching Marcus shirt to her chest. She struggled to get out of bed each day and when she got up she soon found herself back in bed. 1

***

It was during Jade's 2nd month without Marcus she decided she wanted to go back to school. She was searching through the different TAFE courses with Noah to see if there was anything she would like.

"What do you think about me becoming a personal trainer for people like me?" Noah looked up from the computer to Jade with a smile on his face.

"I can see you doing that Jade." She smiled at Noah and looked at what she needed to do.

"Going back to the gym has helped me a lot and I want to help other people a well." She felt herself become excited at the thought of helping other people. For the first time since Marcus had left she felt lighter and excited.

"So, let have a lot at what you need to do." They spent the next hour looking into the course and found out to become a certified personal trainer she had to do her cert 3 and 4. They found out it would take 8-10 weeks to complete the course. Jade knew she had a lot of time on her hands so she could complete the course in about 8 weeks. Jade signed up to the course an hour later and soon they had enrolled her in her new course.

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"I am so proud Jade." She smiled at Noah and her first thought was to ring Marcus. She wanted to ring him and share her exciting news and knew she couldn't. She tried not to feel sad about it, but it was hard not to. Noah watched as Jade frowned as she got that sad look on her face whenever she thought about Marcus.

"It's okay to be sad Jade. I am sure wherever he is he will be proud of you." Jade gave Noah a sad smile as her heart constricted in her chest. So, felt so lonely a feeling she hadn't felt in so long it was so foreign she didn't know what to do.

"Thanks. I miss him. It's different. I didn't think it would be this hard. I didn't think I would miss him this much. Why did it have to be one of these tours at least if it was a normal one I could still contact him? I think that's what is killing me the most, is not knowing what is going on. Is he okay? Is he hurt? I don't know." She shrugged her shoulder than she sadly sighed.

This was his job and not so long ago it had been hers. She knew this was part of it and for the first time; she hated it. She hated what the job demanded and how little it gave in return. Yes, she had received a very large payout fee, but that was it. They treated you amazing while still in service with all these benefits to make up for taking your loved one away. However afterwards once you had left there was no word from them asking how you are doing? Are you okay? 2

She knew the defence had better things to do, but it was still sad that the moment you left no matter how many years of services you gave they wanted nothing to do with you.

"Well, Jade the best you can do is keep moving forward towards your goals." Jade knew this, but some days were harder than others to move forward. She had her support group of people, but there was still this feeling of loneliness she felt, and she hoped that as the months went on, it would go away.

***

Jade smiled as she walked into her first day at her new job. She was excited to be starting work again. She only had 1 client at the moment and she was okay with that. She walked into her local gym and smiled at the other pt that was there. She had signed her contract last week, and they finally set her business up. It had been 4 months since Marcus had left and Jade finally felt like she could do this by herself. 9

She had changed over the last few months and all the changes that were good. She found herself both physically and mentally stronger and felt like she had gained back her independence she had lost. Working towards her certificates and creating her own business was a huge part of it showing she could do this for herself.

She missed Marcus every day, and that was okay. He was out there doing his thing while she was at home waiting for him to arrive. She dedicated her personal training business to helping people with injuries get back into fitness. Her first client was a new woman who had recently joined her support group who had a stroke that left her with brain damage much like Jade.

She had lost a lot of mobility on her right side and like herself forgot how to do certain activities.

"Hey, Chrissy." Jade smiled when she saw Christina sitting on the couch waiting for her.

"Hello, Jade." She smiled as Jade wheeled herself over.

"So today I want to take it easy to get a feel for what you can and can't do. Your OT sent me a list, but I want to see and then we can work out a fitness plan." Chrissy smiled at her as she stood up and Jade led her over to the cardio section.

"Okay, I want you to go for a like walk for 5 minutes okay as a warm-up." She watched as Chrissy got on the treadmill and started her walk. It amazed jade at how easily being a Personal trainer came to her. The local gym had hired her as their new personal trainer, and she felt so proud of herself this morning when she put on her work shirt with personal trainer written on the back in big, bold letters. 1

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Once Chrissy finished her warm-up Jade to her through a series of basic exercise to see where she was at. Jade had to show her a few times different exercise when she forgot, but Jade was patient as she understood what it was like to forget something, after learning it

"You did great today Chrissy. Same time next week?" Jade said once there they finished the 45-minute session. They would start off with 30minute session, but Jade knew that with Chrissy's injuries they would need a little more time.

"Sound good Jade. You coming to tomorrows meeting." Jade watched as she wiped her face and limped over to her bag. 1

"Yeah. Savannah is coming over to my place for dinner. She wants to ask me some questions for a school project she is doing." She had grown close to the young girl over the last few months and though many would find it weird that Jade liked to hang out with a teenager she didn't care. It was like having a younger sister.

"Well, I shall see you tomorrow and thank you for today." Jade watched as Chrissy left the gym and a wave of satisfaction filled her. She wished Marcus was here to share this moment with her, but she knew that she would share it with Emily and Nicole tonight when they came around for their weekly dinner. She still wasn't talking to her brother, and she was okay with that.

As Chrissy was her only client at the moment so Jade waited for Noah to come and collect her to take her to the hospital to hand out some flyers. She handed out flyers to the hospital who knew her by name and to a few local physios.

She didn't expect to get many calls but the following day she had received two calls about two new potential clients looking for a personal trainer. She felt over the moon with excitement; she called all her friends and family. She waited to call Marcus last as she left a voice mail on his phone to receive when he returned. 6

"Hi, you have reached Marcus phone. Please leave a message and I will get back to you." She waited for the beep and smiled at the sound of his voice.

"Hey me again. So, I had my first day of work yesterday and for the first time, I felt so productive. It felt so good to be helping someone else. Also, I got a call about two new potential clients I will meet next week. I hope you are safe, and I love you. Come home soon okay." She hung up the phone with a smile still on her face. 3

She had left voicemails for him last month when Helen suggested that it would be a good idea to help her cope. Sometimes she was crying and other time she was happy, but she knew that when Marcus could finally come back, he would receive all the messages she had sent him.

*** 2

Christmas approached during the 5th month along with the summer heat. She spent the day with her family and invited Anne to not wanting her to spend Christmas alone. She had started family therapy the month before and she was slowly rebuilding her relationship with her brother. It still had a long way to go, but at least they could be in the same room with no hostility. 5

Her business was kicking off, and she now had 6 regular clients each week. She was so proud of herself and her little business and couldn't wait to share the news and show Marcus.

"Aunty Jade when is your boyfriend coming back?" Emily asked and everyone at the dinner table turned and faced Jade. She missed Marcus every day and though she had gotten used to life without him, there were still days that were harder than others.

"Hopefully soon Miss Emily." She smiled at her niece and smiled at everyone at the table. Emily smiled at her as she shoved chicken and talked with her mouth full.

"Good, because he made you smile more, and I miss you smiling all the time." Jade looked at her niece flabbergasted and sat there shocked for a few moments before she asked if she could open her present soon. Jade suddenly felt alone and had to excuse herself from the table. She rolled herself into her room as they were having Christmas at her place because she was the only one to have a pool.

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She felt her heart constrict in her chest as she tried to breathe through her pain. It had been a while since she had this sinking feeling in her chest. She placed a hand on her erratic heart as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Jade, you all right, sweetheart?" She looked over her shoulder and saw Anne had followed her into her room. She opened her mouth the say something instead she choked on unshed tears. She didn't realise how much she would miss Marcus at Christmas. She wanted him here to spend it with him and he wasn't. She hadn't realised how hard it would be.

"I miss him so much." She sobbed out and Anne came over and wrapped her arms around her. It was an awkward hug, but it was what she needed. 3

"I know, honey. He will be home soon. You just need to hold on a little longer." Anne pulled back as Jade wiped her eyes.

"I just want him home. I feel like he will never come home. It's this sinking feeling that something has gone wrong and we don't know." She felt like she would vomit at the heavy feeling in her stomach. She had been trying to shake this feeling but every morning she woke up with the same sinking sensation that something had gone wrong. 16

"Oh, Jade doesn't think like that. He will be fine and soon he will be home." Jade nodded her head. She knew this but every day she had to remind herself that he promised he would come home to her. Anne left her alone after giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Jade took a few moments to collect herself before putting on a fake smile for her niece and nephew and joined them for the rest of the Christmas lunch.

They finished lunch, and Emily was bouncing off with her brother Eric who had walked for the first time a few months ago. They waited by the Christmas tree looking at the mountain of gifts that were waiting to be opened.

"Emily you have to wait until we clean lunch up okay," Nicole said as she shook present to see if she could guess what was inside.

"Well hurry, please. Aunty Jade can I pretty please open just one." Jade laughed as her niece tried to give her the big puppy dog eyes she hardly said no to.

"Soon. I promise." Emily pouted and crossed her arms and her brother followed in suit.

Everyone quickly cleaned up lunch and soon everyone was sitting by the tree with Jade being the pretend Santa. 1

"Okay before we open present I just want to say something." She looked at her family and though she was still on rocky ground with her brother she still smiled at him.

"I want to thank everyone for coming and helping me through the year. Last year I didn't expect to be where I am now, and I am eternally grateful for everyone in this room. It was a rough start, but I finally got there. Also, though Marcus and Marco couldn't be with us here today, I know they would want us all to have a merry Christmas and enjoy ourselves so let start the presents." She grabbed the first present and gave it to Emily knowing the girl was itching to open her first present.

During the gifts, Anne came over and gave her a gift.

"This is from Marcus. He told me to keep hold of it in case he didn't make it back for Christmas." Jade smiled and grabbed the small box that was wrapped beautifully. She carefully opened the box and cried when she saw what was inside. She pulled out the silver chair that had a copy of Marcus's dog tags attached to the bottom. She flipped them over and saw an engraving on them.

My love, may you wear these with pride and remember I will also come home to you 22

Tears ran down her face as she sipped the chain over her neck and the tags sat between her breast. She gently grabbed the tags and placed a kiss on them as she opened the card and read what was inside.

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Sorry, I couldn't make it to Christmas and I am sorry I missed our first Christmas together. I love you with all my heart Jade and I can't wait until I can hold you in my arms again. Say strong and remember my promise to you. Have a Merry Christmas love and give my wishes to the family.

Love Marcus

She smiled through her tears and looked up at her family who was watching her.

"Happy tears everyone I promise happy tear." They all smiled at her and soon they all were laughing as Emily and Eric continued to rip through the mountain of presents that were left for them.

***

It was during the 6th month that Jade got the call she had been waiting for. It had been an ordinary summer's day, and she was in the pool with Noah when her phone rang. Noah helped her over to the side of the pool when she answered the phone.

"Hello, Jade Jennings speaking." The line was silent, and she got a sinking it was THE call. She held her breath as her heart was pounding in her chest. Her hands shook as she tried to keep a calm composure

"Hello, Ms Jennings. I have called to inform you with an update from Sergeant Marcus Blackwood." She made a noise in the back of her throat that resembled a high pitch whine. Tears fell onto her face as she covered her mouth with her hand to stop the sobs from coming out.

She could hear Noah in the background asking what was happening as she tried to listen to the person on the other end of the phone praying it wasn't THE call. The type of call that no one wanted. The call that informed you that the person you loved wasn't coming back. She felt like at any minute she would throw up and she could feel her heart slowly shattering each millisecond that was they kept her waiting.

"I am pleased to inform you that Sergeant Marcus Blackwood will return home in 3 days. He has given us your number as his pickup and shortly you will be sent his flight details. Happy New Year Ms Jennings." The call ended as quickly as it began as Jade felt frozen. Her brain was trying to play catch up and process what had just happened. 42

She heard her phone buzzed showing an email had been sent through and it was then she realised she was crying.

"Oh, my god." She whispered in a state of shock and disbelief.

"Jade what's going on. Has something happened?" Jade nodded her head because she was in shock. He was coming home.

"Oh, my god." She continued to cry as she smiled through her tears.

"He is coming home, Noah. He is coming home." Noah exhaled and placed a hand over his erratic heart. For a second, he thought something had gone wrong. Jade looked at her phone still shocked as she opened her email with all of Marcus's flight details. 4

She asked Noah to help her out the pool and the moment she was out she was on the phone to Anne. She cried with Anne when she told her the news and not long after she hung up the phone she had gotten a call about being Marco's pick up.

She was so excited and nervous to see Marcus again it had been 6 months of waiting she wasn't even sure where to being. She knew she never wanted to be apart from him and would ask him to move into her home. He was already half moved in, but she had an official key waiting for him when he returned home.

Jade spent the next 2 days cleaning her house and getting everything ready for his return. She was giddy and excited that she was almost bouncing off her chair. Noah would drive her to the airport tomorrow while Sophia stayed behind to start dinner. Jade had decided on a roast dinner even though it was the middle of summer. 1

She laid out her summer dress she would wear tomorrow which was white with yellow sunflowers all over it. That night when she went to bed she bought her dog tags to her lips and kissed them. Since she had gotten them for Christmas, she had never taken them off. Every night she kissed them and prayed that Marcus would return safely to her. 1

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She was too excited to sleep and felt like a kid at Christmas time. Jade wasn't sure what time she got to sleep, but soon she found her alarm clock blaring telling her to wake up. 1

Jade knew she didn't much sleep, but she was too excited to care. She got herself up and ready, taking a little extra time doing her hair and makeup. She knew Marcus didn't care for such things, but she wanted to look nice for him. She wheeled herself out of her room and made herself a cup of coffee as she was too nervous to eat.

Noah and Sophia arrived not long after she finished her coffee and they could both feel the excitement coming off Jade. They were both happy for her and hadn't seen her this happy since Marcus had left.

"I can't believe he is coming home today. It feels like a dream." She said to Noah an hour later as they drive to the airport. She was looking out the window as she bit her nails from nervousness. Her stomach was in knots and her heart was pounding in her chest.

She was nervous, scared, excited and happy that Marcus was coming home. She felt a thousand emotions running through her it was hard to pinpoint of exact feeling. As they pulled up to the airport, she felt a sense of Déjà Vu only this time instead of sadness surrounding the visit it was excitement.

Noah pulled up into the unloading bay and grabbed Jade's chair out and let her out as he went to find a car spot. She wheeled herself inside the international airport and waited for Marcus to come out. She looked at the board of flights and saw his plane had landed 5 minutes ago and knew he would be waiting for his luggage to arrive.

Her palms became sweaty as she wrung her hands together in her lap. Her tags sat proudly between her breast and she noticed other families waiting for their loved ones to arrive. As a soldier, this was her favourite part watching families reunite and now she was on the other side. People move around the busy airport and Jade couldn't see above all the people hanging around

Soon the crowds thinned out a little when she saw him. Her heart stopped for a second in her chest as the man she loved strode towards her. He hadn't seen her yet as he was looking around. He looked more tanned and bigger since the last time she saw him. He had a dark thick beard that covered his face that suited him well. She sat there in shock for a few seconds not being able to move or think as he walked towards her direction. In those few short seconds, Jade had begun to cry tears of joy and once she was over her initial shock, she pushed herself towards him.

She saw the moment he noticed her moving towards him because he stopped for a second staring at her before he moved more quickly towards her weaving in and out of people. Jade unclipped her safety belt as Marcus dropped his bag on the floor not caring if anyone would trip over it and soon Marcus pulled her out of her chair and into his arms. 12

She cried as his large warm arms curled around her body and picked her up swinging her around. She cried as she gripped onto his back not believing that this was real. That after 6 months he was finally here. She cried as she inhaled deeply savouring his scent she has missed.

She cried as she ran a hand through his soft hair and he nuzzled his face into the side of her neck. She cried as she felt tears slide onto her bare shoulder as Marcus's body shook with sobs. She cried when she glanced at his handsomely rugged face and gently cupped his face into her hands. 4

He kept a tight grip around her waist keeping her up straight as he nuzzled into her left hand. She sobbed lightly as she wiped away his tears and placed her warm wet lips onto his. This kiss was gentle and held so much longing it caused a new round of tears to stream down her face.

She felt so many emotions that this moment almost didn't feel real. The kiss wasn't long and when they pulled away Jade smiled through her tears while still cupping his face in her hands.

"I missed you." She sobbed out because it was too hard to say anything else. She felt immense joy and happiness at this moment that her heart felt like it would burst open at any second.

"I missed you too love." Marcus descended his lips onto Jade again and soon Jade found herself laughing while crying.

"God, I am so happy you are home. I love you so much." Marcus smiled down at her and at this moment, it was only the two of them. They didn't care about everyone else around them because they were the only two people that mattered.

She couldn't believe that after 6 long months he was finally here, and she was in his arms once again. She clung to him like he would disappear and when he went to place her back in her chair she protested.

"Hang on just a second." While still kneeling at Jade height he reached into his back pocket and pulled out the ring that had been sitting close to his heart every day he was away. 17

"I wanted to give this to you before I left, but I kept it with me as a reminder to what I have to lose." Jade's hands flew to her mouth as Marcus present her with a beautiful silver ring with a single diamond ring on top and two smaller diamonds on either side. Her heart quickened, and she sobbed tears of happiness.

"Jade, my love. I can't imagine life without you. Being away from you for so long made me release I don't want to spend another second apart from you. You are my everything. You are my friend, my lover and one day I hope my wife, so marry me, Jade." Jade didn't know how to speak so she pushed herself off her chair and flung herself at Marcus who was still kneeling on the floor before her. He caught her in his arms as she gently took hold of his face. 8

"Yes, yes, I will marry you. However, on one condition." Marcus raised her eyebrow at her as she smiled at him with the biggest brightest smile she could muster.

"What would that be my love?" She gently stroked the side of his face before placing a kiss on his forehead.

"I will marry you if I can walk down the aisle. It may take a while, but I promise I will walk down the aisle on my own two feet." Marcus smiled as he slipped the ring on her finger giving her hand a kiss. Jade felt the weight of the ring slide onto her finger and never in her life had she felt so complete in this moment 8

"I love you Jade, and I will wait for the rest of my life if I can see you walk down the aisle." Jade smiled at Marcus through her tear-stained face and kissed him on the lips conveying how much she truly loved him.

All around them, they could hear clapping and cheering as they sat on the floor in the middle of the airport, but neither of them cared. They pulled away from the kiss smiling happily at each other as their foreheads pressed together.

"Move in with me," Jade whispered to him and Marcus threw his head back and laughed.

"I thought that was already a given, love." He bought her ring finger to his lips and kissed her head now holding the ring he picked out months ago. Jade felt giddy as he pressed his lips to her hand and laughed as Marcus got off the floor and placed Jade in her chair.

"Well, here is the official key. You beat me to the grand declarations." Jade pulled out a new key and handed it over to Marcus. Marcus looked at the key and gave another kiss on the head. All around them, people were smiling in their direction but there was only Marcus and Jade. They only had eyes or each other as Marcus picked his bag off the floor.

"Take me home Jade."

****