One BIG Happy Family

Author's Note: I am accepting Fan Mail for another intermission after the upcoming Challenge. Feel free to message me here, comment on this chapter or let me know on The Harem Hotel Discord. I am very active there. (Fan-mail Closed, but will always except fan-mail for a future chapter.)

Laura was lying on her back confused. How in the hell? How were the orgasms that strong? That was like using Delayed Gratitude and having a bunch at once.

+2VP Cause Laura to Orgasm

Talia lay next to Laura smirking. “You were just thinking about how mind shattering your orgasms were. Weren’t you?”

“A little, I wouldn’t call them mind shattering but damn they were intense.”

“Mark told me that might be the case. When watching anime with him he explained some things. Most seemed like simple common sense, but I understand that is because of my TF. Some of it though wasn’t just automatically common sense. Specifically what Mark called hentai, which is really just anime porn. Apparently it is common in hentai for women to completely lose themselves to pleasure if they have too much sex all at once.”

“Yeah, I sort of figured it was that. Nothing against you dear, but I assumed it had to involve magic with how good they were.” Talia looked a little hesitant but clearly wanted to ask something. “Go ahead and ask, whatever it is, Talia.”

“Well I was wondering if you might charge your outfit and give me a blessing.”

“I can give you a blessing but I’m not sure about using the extra charge. I might need it tomorrow.”

“That’s fair.”

“Now let’s see how this works…” Laura concentrated, Ah, oh… I see… what if I wanted to… OH COME ON! Laura pursed her lips in annoyance.

“Laura what’s wrong?”

“So there is a ritual of sorts to bestow my blessing upon others. The ritual for Mark and Mary is a… bit different. Also you might not be happy with the ritual. Here this is your response to me when I finish.” Laura wrote down on a piece of paper what Talia had to say.

“Seriously? Do I have to mean it?”

“I don’t know. Still want me to try?”

“Screw it, why not.”

Laura nodded, “Talia, your goddess is pleased by your devout offering and praise. I acknowledge your devotion and bestow upon you my divine blessing. May it guide you towards success, tomorrow during the challenge.”

“I humbly accept your boundless grace, Laura, goddess of desire. My heart is filled with gratitude for your sacred gift and I swear my continued devotion.” A golden light shimmered around Talia and then faded. “I don’t feel any different.”

“Probably because I specified a specific time, during the challenge tomorrow. I don’t know how it will work but I sort of thought about something that would sort of make you lucky. I put my full mana into it but not the extra charge. So… was it weird for you to say that?”

“A little bit, but I also genuinely feel something spiritual about what just happened to me.”

“Well how about you show me some more of that continued devotion, I need to recharge my mana.” Laura said with a smirk and Talia slid back under the covers and went to Laura’s altar.

Cassandra was in her office on the upper floor of the dragon’s lair auditorium. She was getting things ready for the competition the next day. The nine wands were set out. The targets had been assigned, not exactly how she wanted them to be but That Prick was determined to screw her over. Mark accepted my deal so things should be fine. Her office was enveloped with divine golden light. Who the hell is paying me a visit?

When the light faded she didn’t notice anyone. She walked over to where the light originated from and immediately noticed two things. One was a file and the other was that all the targets had been reassigned. WHAT THE FUCK! Cassandra tried to reverse the change but couldn’t. Cassandra rushed over and pressed one on her speed dial.

The person on the other end of the phone said, “Hello Cassandra, is your Producer giving you problems again? We settled his involvement with the challenge. Did he do something else?”

Cassandra was fuming and spoke through gritted teeth, “Apparently not, Zara. Because all the targets just got reassigned AGAIN! I’ve tried changing them but I can’t.”

“One moment.” It was a very long moment for Cassandra. “Sorry Cassie, nothing I can do. It wasn’t your Producer that caused this. It was actually something one of your contestants did. Your producer could override the change but we both know he won’t simply because of how you have already reacted. I’ve already prepared the paper work to make sure he doesn’t override at the last second. Would you like me to submit it and try and salvage things on your end?”

“Yeah, thanks Zara.”

“No problem Cassie. Just remember us little folk when you make it big.”

“Zara, when this season is over and I’m a producer you are going to be my exclusive lawyer. Hell, you can be my second host if you want. Sorry but my first host slot is reserved.”

“I’m honored but I’ll decline being a host. Not looking to meet a man… at least yet.”

“Zara, how many times have I told you that a host is not supposed to fall for the Master.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I bet you have something set up to get yourself added to the harem near the end while still allowing yourself to be a host and eventually producer.”

“I am not interested in Mark.”

“What about Mary…” Zara teased.

“I made a mistake okay. Just because I find her attractive doesn’t mean I want to sleep with her.

“Sweety, I want to sleep with that delicious little fairy, and I’m straight. You did excellent work on that TF.”

“Thanks Zara, I need to go see if I can clean up this mess. Bye.”

“Laters.”

Cassandra hung up the phone. Now how the hell am I supposed to fix this and just why and how did you do this Laura?

Mark met Allie and Isabella at the tavern. The two wore matching red sundresses. Is Allie wearing makeup?! She’s gorgeous! “Wow. Allie, you look so beautiful.”

Allie smiled. “Thank you, Isabella and I wanted to go all out for our first real date as a throuple.”

Isabella smirked. “Nah, this is because Allie wants to be your number one woman.” Isabella poked Allie’s cheek teasingly.

“Isabella!” Allie pouted.

“Allie, just be honest with him. It isn’t that hard to say ‘I got dolled up because I want to look good for you’.”

Mark asked. “Allie, is something the matter?”

Allie sighed, “Not really. It isn’t your fault. When I walked in on you, with… with Chloe and Aubrey… Afterwards I realized I’m less okay with this than I thought. I’ll get there especially once everyone marries you but, right now… well it hurt a bit having to actually see you with the others.”

“Allie, I’m sorry but you do know that I can’t not do things with them, right?”

“Yeah, just keep your promise and don’t do it where I need to sleep or in front of me. I just realized though, I need to try more. I have to compete for your attention now.” Allie held up a hand to stop Mark. “It is a competition, you’ll have to make a choice between spending time with me and the others. I want as much of that time as I can get. So, I need to give you a reason to pick me over them. Which means I need to put in more effort. Now I don’t want to continue talking about this, let’s go enjoy our date.”

“Okay, where to first?” Mark asked.

“The store.” The ladies said in unison.

After Sam had finished her run with Allie and Isabella, she showered and then went to the BP store. “Hi Slevia.”

“Good day Samantha. Can I help you? You missed the crowd.”

“Yeah, I wanted to wait until after they were done. I was wondering if this is where I should go if I want something specific but don’t know if it is in the store.”

“Probably. Might be Petra’s if it is clothing. What do you want?”

“A rope that even Laura couldn’t break. Preferably one that I can somehow separate into segments and will return to me upon command.”

“Hmmm… I think I get the idea. You want a way to bind people. Using your boon.”

“Yeah that’s the idea.”

“What’s your budget?”

“I have a little more than 2000BP right now. I’d like an option now even if it isn’t everything I want and something else later, if it is out of my price range now.”

“If you want unbreakable, that is pricey. Returning is also pricey. May I make suggestion?”

“Of course Slevia.”

Slevia went into the back of the shop. She came out with a rod. “I suggest this.” Slevia pressed a button and what appeared to be silk rope shot out fairly quickly. Slevia took a knife and cut the rope off of the rod. She pressed the button again and a new rope shot out. She then pressed a different button and the rope retracted. Slevia put down the rod and picked up the severed rope. “This will last for about an hour. Generate too much rope, it could fade sooner. It is durable. Not unbreakable. Also has grappling hook.” Slevia pressed a button and it shot out a grappling hook attached to a rope. Then retracted the rope and hook with another button press.

“How much is that?”

“2000 BP. Unbreakable version. That still severs from the rod, is 10000 BP.”

“Is there anything that prevents the item from just being taken from me and used against me?”

“Yes and no. Outside challenges can’t be stolen. During a challenge, it can be taken. Not used though. Not without permission.”

“In that case I’ll buy it. Thank you very much Slevia. I’ll see you later.”

-2000 BP Samantha -> 25BP

Sam turned to leave when Slevia said, “Samantha… If you need someone to practice knots with… don’t be afraid to come visit me someday.”

Sam looked a little surprised at Slevia’s forwardness, and nodded then left.

Mark, Allie and Isabella entered, Allie’s and Isabelle’s Arcade Attire and Intricate Items. There were two dresses on the main display. Both were clearly meant as wedding dresses. One a sleek white while the other was a vibrant red.

Mark glanced at Allie. “OH NO! Absolutely not! Mark, if you even think of suggesting I change my dress, you will be sorry.”

Isabella came to Mark’s rescue. “Allie dear. Consider two things first, Mark was very clear that as far as dress things were concerned the only opinion that mattered was yours, as long as you stayed on budget. Second, maybe he was just thinking about your upcoming wedding. Speaking of which… Are you two going to wait until after this craziness is over to tie the knot?” Allie looked at Mark and her brow furrowed. “I ask because you two have been here for twenty days now? But your wedding date isn’t really all that much closer back home. My understanding is we could be here for a rather long time. Do you really want to wait more than half a year to get married?”

“No I don’t…” Allie said. “And the longer I wait the more likely Mark will marry someone else first.”

Mark cut in. “Allie under no circumstance am I marrying anyone besides you first. Period. If I didn’t think some people in our families might **** us if we just eloped I’d take you to the chapel here and just marry you. I’m also extraordinarily wary of having a wedding on this show though.”

“Why…” Allie asked, squinting at Mark.

“Well… let’s just say that we might be expected to consummate the marriage.”

“Of course we would be having sex Mark. A lot of it. It’s our wedding night.”

“I meant as part of the ceremony. In front of everyone.”

Allie blinked rapidly a few times, “Excuse me… I think I misheard you. You mean we would need to have sex… in front of each of our families?”

“It is a definite possibility, yes.”

Allie got out her phone and pinged Cassandra.

~Pop~

“Hi Allie, how can I help?” Cassandra beamed.

“If I wanted to marry Mark could we make that happen? And what would the cost be?”

“Okay wait a second I feel like if I play back the conversation this will go faster.” Cassandra’s eyes glowed. “First no, I would not have you have sex in front of your family members. As for costs it depends on what you want, and how much magic is expended. If you just want to go back and have a small elopement where you invite your immediate family and wedding party. Essentially nothing. If you want to bring a bunch of people here for it, that will cost a bit. I can also do complicated stuff that allows us to essentially go forward in time to your wedding date, have your wedding and you come back here. This also costs quite a bit and is a bit more complicated as you will have had your wedding and it will also still be in the future. But rest assured Allie, any and all of you who want to officially tie the knot with Mark, I will be VERY accommodating to. That is the whole point of the show to have you bound eternally to Mark. So just tell me what you want and we will make it happen.”

“Okay thanks. I’m definitely marrying him, I’ll think about how much I want to move things up.”

“No problem. No problem at all my dear. Now would you two run along and browse the store while I talk with Mark. I need a moment alone with him.” Allie looked like she was about to object. “Allie, I wasn’t asking you. Go.” Isabella grabbed Allie’s arm and dragged her further into the store. “Mark, please step outside with me for a moment. Please also don’t make a fuss going ‘what if I refuse’. This is important.”

Mark nodded and stepped outside seeing Cassandra’s grave expression. “Okay Cassandra what’s the problem?”

“I’m still trying to figure out exactly how… but your goddess fucked with the challenge. My lawyer assures me it was within the rules so I can’t do anything about it. My Producer won’t because he is a prick. Now about our deal.”

“Cassandra if you think I’m letting you out of paying me—”

“I have no intention of going back on our deal. I am offering you the choice to amend the deal to more favorable terms for the both of us at no cost to you.”

“What did you want to change?”

“What the impulses are.”

“Cassandra, you said I would have two days.”

“Yes and I actually gave you three. Your goddess somehow messed with things. If she gives those impulses now, things would go poorly. I told you I want to help you. You don’t want the deal, fine. I'll let you back out. You want to insist on continuing the deal, okay, but that’s on you. Alternatively you can swap to the new impulses I’m suggesting because I want to help you.”

“What are they?” Cassandra motioned for him to lean over. Mark simply shifted to Mary instead as that was easier. Cassandra whispered into Mary’s ear. Mary looked outraged. “You can’t be serious!”

“Sorry, but those are what I want. Look I bet you can guess how things are going to go, knowing what the challenge is. Are you sure you want the same impulses given when things have changed?”

“Fuck.”

“Fuck indeed.” Cassandra nodded.

“Fine, but I want something from you Cassandra. It isn’t much and if this isn’t a trick you should be fine with it. I want you to promise me what you promised Laura as part of her recent deal with you.”

“Done. I promise I’m not doing this to intentionally make you upset. I’ll see you tomorrow. I need a nap after the time I spent figuring out how to fix this shit.”

~Pop~

Mary reverted back to Mark and reentered the store. As soon as he did Allie and Isabella came back with matching lingerie. Allie’s was white with red trim and Isabella’s was red with white trim. Allied said, “Mark, we would like these. We’ve already talked with Astrid. You just need to go pay for them. Then we can move on.”

“Interesting. Fine. I guess this explains why Merida wasn’t pulled here.” Mark went over to the ASTRID present and paid.

-1000 BP Mark -> 4625 BP

Then he rejoined the two at the entrance. “So you two, where to next?”

“We’re going to the auditorium.”

Mark, Allie, and Isabella took their seats in the Auditorium as the screen came down. Mark was properly sandwiched between the two women each clinging tightly to an arm each. “Okay why does it feel like you are both trying to hold on to me to keep me in my seat and not because you want to be affectionate.”

“No clue what you are talking about.” Allie said.

“Why would you try to run away?” Isabella asked.

“We’re just going to watch something that the two of us have been trying to get you to finish for a long time.” Allie said, smirking.

“Oh… oh no. Please tell me we aren’t.”

“Yep.” Isabella nodded. “From beginning to end.”

“I thought you were going all out for this date, this seems like the opposite of that. You know how much I don’t care for that particular series. Then with Cassandra making fun of me.”

Allie and Isabella burst out laughing. Isabella playfully shoved him “We’re just teasing you Mark. We’re watching my alternate histories with you.”

Mark let out a sigh of relief. “Just yours?”

Allie chimed in, “Yeah. Cassandra said that while we could watch mine, she wouldn’t recommend it. Could result in us becoming resentful that things weren’t as good as our alternate selves had it. Frankly I’m interested to see how you end up with Isabella not through me.”

The narrator, who Mark really hoped agreed to participate in this instead of being kidnapped. Began to speak as the title of the movie, ‘One Big Happy Family.” played across the screen.

The melodious voice began “Mark's early years were, in many ways, a testament to simplicity and structure. He was raised, as many are… Okay now wait a second.” The narrator interjected, a slight shift in his usual deliberate cadence. “This is the same script as last time. No. I’m just skipping to the interesting bits then.” The movie started fast forwarding through Mark’s early life. While it did so the narrator continued. “Alright, so you know how this story goes by now. He’s raised Catholic, attends school, and eventually makes his way to college. Now, here is where things diverge.” The movie stopped on Mark kissing Isabella on their wedding day. “Whoops too far.” The movie rewound and stopped as Mark went off to college. This time going to a school in New York. “Mark spent his early college life forging connections, making friends. And much like in his other lives, he ceased competitive running after his freshman year. It was one of these friendships, however, that would ultimately be responsible for changing his life forever.” It showed this guy who was clearly infatuated with him, and Mark was oblivious towards, asking for him to go see a Broadway show together.

Isabella spoke up, “Why does that guy look familiar? The one clearly checking out your butt.”

“I don’t know, never seen him before in my life.” Mark replied.

It showed Mark going to see ‘The Book Of Mormon.’ Afterwards Mark’s sudo-date, took him to meet up with some friends he knew in the city. Which was when Isabella entered the picture. “OH I remember now!” Isabella exclaimed. “That prick is Javier’s ex-boyfriend. I think his name was Chet or Bret? Don’t know, don’t care anymore.”

The aforementioned prick finally realizing that Mark just wasn’t into him started hitting on Javier like it was an old pastime. Leaving Mark to awkwardly talk with Isabella. Isabella though was happy to do most of the talking for him. When Mark finally had to go Isabella said, 'Hey give me your phone.' Isabella simply took it from his hand before he even responded. Then handed it back after a minute. 'Call me sometime if you are ever in the area, or just feel like talking.' She winked and waved goodbye.

Mark and Isabella started a relationship about a month later. Mostly because Isabella got tired of waiting after Mark not bothering to call her for two weeks. She would take him dancing, and to parties. While bingeing anime on the weekends when they stayed in.

As they continued to watch, Mark commented, “You know, you seem rather forward here.”

“That’s because you are oblivious. Sorry Mark but it’s true. You didn’t notice Javier’s ex’s flirtations the entire time you went out on a date. Then you ignored mine. Probably why I gave you my phone number, because I realized you weren’t picking up that I was into you.”

Things sped up as it showed a rather extended but simple romance. Which ended up with the scene of the two marrying each other they saw before. Which was when Allie entered the picture. She was Isabella’s maid of honor and this Isabella had a very similar idea to the Allie sitting on the other side of Mark.

Allie was surprised “Wait what? I mean sure Isabella and I were good friends but… wow. So you invited me to a throuple after marrying Mark. Oh, and… we have kids. Like both of us with him.”

Isabella blushed slightly. “Allie, I’ve had a crush on you since high school. I just didn’t act on it for, well for a lot of reasons.”

The movie rewound and the narrator spoke again, “Okay this time the story is something Mark will recognize the beginning of.” Mark did, he was in undergrad and Laura was dragging him to the party. He and Laura start dating. They graduate and Mark goes off to grad school. Laura spots Allie one day and suggests a three way to Mark. One thing led to another and soon Allie was a full member of the relationship. Which is how Isabella got involved too. In fact this repeated rather a lot. Only a question of how many people were in the polycule and the exact relationships involved changed each time.

“Is it just me or does it seem odd that we are never monogamous here Isabella?”

“Makes sense.” Isabella said. “I like women more than men. Also you clearly don’t have a problem sharing with women, just other men. You’ll also notice not one of the people in the polycule has a boyfriend besides you.”

“Yeah I just find it odd that I almost never start dating you first.”

Allie said, “Well that makes sense. You met her through dating me. You would have had to have a way to meet her besides that which doesn’t look all that common.”

They kept watching and it finally came to an end, showing a situation that was rather surprising to everyone watching. Mark was lying in a massive bed, with seven women snuggling up on either side of him. There was Allie, Isabella, Laura, Chloe, Aubrey, Flora, and Sadie. They all lived together in a large estate and while there were other relationships it really seemed like this Mark had simply stumbled into a harem all on his own.

“And so, our story ends yet again, culminating in one large, undeniably happy family. But the question lingers: is that how your story will unfold? Mark, please, I implore you, do not watch more of these. I truly do not wish to keep reading Cassandra’s horrib—”

Mark just sighed. “I figured he was kidnapped.” Mark got out his phone.

Mark: Cassandra could you please release him? I like the guy and his performances. Please just let him go.

Cassandra: I’ll consider it.

Mark just sighed, “Well I tried.”

Allie frowned. “Mark… was I not enough for you?”

“Allie, you’re plenty. I would be happy with just you as my wife. I know we talked about maybe bringing in a third but you were the one who had an actual plan to ask someone.”

“Just seeing you naturally having multiple partners seems really odd to me.”

“Allie, in case you missed it you had multiple partners in every one of those situations. Not just Isabella and I either.” Mark was getting riled up a little and just breathed. After a few deep breaths he asked, “Allie, right now I feel like you are judging me for having multiple partners both now and in those other lives but aren’t really seeing any issue with the fact you have multiple partners. I know you are working on your insecurities about things, dear. But did you really think about your question? Because I feel like I could ask it of you.”

Allie deflated a little. “I know. I like the answer less. It makes me feel guilty hearing your response and knowing I can’t honestly give a similar answer. I would have chosen you even if you said you weren’t open to sharing but I would have wanted more.”

Mark reached over and scratched her wolf ears. “Well I have good news for you. That’s okay with me. You can have relationships with the others. You seem to be satisfied with the three people you have right now though.”

“I am. Thanks Mark.” Mark stopped scratching her ears. “I didn’t tell you to stop that.” Mark chuckled and resumed with one hand.

He looked at Isabella, she said, “Pet me and I’ll bite your hand off.” Mark gently put an arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him. “This is fine though. I will say, I never really considered myself polyamorous but seeing that we naturally would fall into that does make me smile.”

“So what now?” Mark asked.

Isabella grabbed Mark’s hand and got up. “You and I are dancing on the stage.” Mark was quickly led up to the stage with Allie pushing him along. “Now let's see how well you learned what I taught you.” Salsa music began to play. Mark froze. “Mark. Mark? Don’t tell me you forgot everything.” Mark was still frozen but breathing heavily. “Mark?” Allie stopped the music. Isabella snapped her fingers in front of Mark’s face. No response. She noticed Mark breathing heavily.

Allie realized what was happening, “POKEMON IS BETTER THAN DIGIMON AND YOUR A LOSER IF YOU DON’T AGREE!”

“Allie what the hell?” Mark turned around to face her, “I’ve explained to you numerous times why Digimon is a better show and franchise than Pokemon is. Do I need to go over it again?”

“No, I just knew that would snap you out of this. Let’s get you off the stage.” Allie grabbed Mark’s hand and pulled him away before it became an issue again. Once they were back at their seats, “Mark, what happened? You’ve done that before, I’m just glad I could stop the full on panic attack this time.”

Isabella began, “Mark I’m sorry—”

"Don't be and if Cassandra takes away points for that I’m going to be very cross. You were at less fault than Laura was. Laura wasn’t at fault either, that was on Cassandra for not telling Laura. I just got drawn into a memory that was… unpleasant. It happened when I was a kid. Just being on stage and what you said sent me back there.”

“What happened?” Isabella asked.

“I froze, during a performance in front of a rather large group of people. I couldn’t remember anything I was supposed to do.”

“Stage fright. It happens to the best sometimes. Don’t let that get you down. It is odd though you never seemed to have an issue when I taught you to dance. You seemed to enjoy it rather a lot.”

“I like dancing. Like I said, just a combination of things sent me back there. It’s probably stress as well.”

“What would you like to do Mark? Would you like to just go back to the suite?” Isabella could see Mark was still breathing a little heavily.

“Yeah I think I would.”

“Alright let’s go.”

They walked in a peaceful silence together with Allie and Isabella each holding an arm of Mark’s. Once they got in the carriage Isabella brought up a topic Mark hadn’t expected. “Mark, I need you to buy me a contraceptive option from the store.”

“Wait really? You mean you want to…”

“Yes. No. Maybe. We’ll see, but not tonight. I want it in place so when I’m comfortable it isn’t an issue.”

“Sure not a problem. Which one do you want?”

“Not overly fussed as long as you don’t try knocking me up without permission.”

Mark went ahead and bought the option where he could set the chance and immediately set it to 0%.

-1000 BP Mark -> 3625 BP

“Hmmm, I need to spend a little more.” Mark browsed through the store. “Allie you sure you don’t want me to just knock you up?”

“If I got the bonus victory points I would tell you to do it. But I won’t get them. You have to knock up, Isabella for us to get the first time bonus.” Allie glanced at Isabella. “I don’t think Isabella is okay with that.”

“I am very much not okay with that.” Isabella confirmed. “My mamá would kill me if I got pregnant out of wedlock. I still find it odd, that is what she has an issue with, and not me being bisexual.”

“Hmmm…” Mark continued to look through the store. “Okay well that’s simple enough.”

x4 Vigor Potions
-800 BP Mark -> 2825 BP

“Hilde you don’t need to rush on the delivery.”

“Thanks bossman.”

They pulled up to the suite and went inside. Mark flopped down on the bed exhausted. Allie and Isabella each crawled in next to him grabbing an arm each.

“Mark, I’m concerned about tomorrow.” Allie said. “I’m worried about having to choose between protecting myself and Isabella and helping my friends. Why can’t we all just get nice transformations. Heck why can’t we just stop, if we are all in agreement about being with you.”

“I’m sorry Allie, that just isn’t how the show works. I don’t know why they run the show beyond entertainment but sending us all home isn’t entertainment for the audience. That’s why it will continue. I’m not looking forward to tomorrow either. We got lucky last round that we could mitigate the unfavorable TFs. I don't think we will get so lucky this time.”

Isabella said, “Any idea what the challenge tomorrow will be.”

I know exactly what it is, I just can’t tell you. “If I did I couldn’t tell you.”

“Isabella, he knows but he literally can’t tell us, don’t ask more.” Seeing Isabella’s curious glance. “It’s his tone and scent. I’m willing to bet that whatever Cassandra came to talk to him about dealt with the challenge. He hasn’t been in a great mood since then. Also pretty sure I heard him swear at the store. Mark, just rest. Honestly I could use it too. I want to make more of an effort, but…”

“Allie it’s fine.” Mark pulled both of them close. “I’m the one that wanted to be done.”

Allie kissed him and then resumed snuggling. The three lay there for quite some time just relaxing. Drifting off to sleep one by one.