Dinner and Surprise(s)

Even though Katie's side hustle was taking in a good amount of money especially for two freshly graduated high schoolers. It was no where enough for a down payment for a house that would store the collection of dolls that they had amassed. Mark did not start his new job with the police department unto the fall. Though that job paid good it was not as good as it would have been if he was a full fledged cop. Community college was a lot cheaper than a four-year university but it was still costly. Mark could not pay for Katie's tuition yet but she had enough money from he business to get that taken care of. That still bough things back to the house. Mark's parents and Regina would be returning home in less than a month so a new place was a bit of priority.

Mark and Katie fell back into the routine for the next week or two. They wake up Mark searches the net for a place while he plays with some dolls. Katie trains, it was hard for now as she was doing it alone. Every since the whole thing with Rachel her other teammates have been keeping away from her. She could not help to think that Rachel had spread rumors about her or something. It was pissing her off but she focused and just trained as best as she could. As side fitting meals in they played with her dolls every day. It would have saved them money since they did not go out at all. Katie however was buying costumes and outfits for the dolls along with a new camera and laptop for her 'business'.

One evening Katie got a surprising call from her parents asking her to come over for dinner and to bring Mark along. Mark joked that he nervous as it was the meet the parents thing for the long time boyfriend. Katie countered that her parents Charles and Andrea Lawrence had known Mark since he was a baby so it definitely was not that kind of meeting the parents thing. She was curious though as her parents never this, because of their work they rarely ate as a family.

Mark feeling that needed to ended up dressing up for the occasion and urged Katie to do so a well. She wanted to a joggers and hoodie thing which looked ridiculous compared to his khakis and polo. In the end Katie refused. They were in the car when Mark stopped time. He stripped Katie naked and enjoyed her for a bit before he went back into the house and dressed her in a nice sundress and flats she didn't dress her underwear though.

"Ugh...gross you undressed me and then put in me this?" Katie groaned as Mark started his car and backed out of the driveway.

"Dinner with your parents, you can't look like you're going to track meet everyday..." Mark said as they started off to Katie's place.

"You didn't give me underwear though...this feels weird," Katie huffed crossing her arms.

"Its hot..." Mark smirked and gave her side-eye. She blushed slightly. Katie never considered herself as hot. Though she was athletically toned and missing some curves that other girls would have, she was pretty attractive. She did not notice but she often got looks from other men on her runs. Katie was always excited when Mark called her hot.

Five minutes later the pulled into Katie's driveway and they noticed there was another car in the driveway. It looked like an unmarked police cruiser. Mark was a little nervous immediatly thinking someone was on to them. Was this an ambush? He wanted to back out and run. Katie read his thoughts. "You control time...if this is bad which I doubt stop time and we'll leave and figure something out," Katie simply said massaging Mark's shoulder. He looked over and smile and nodded at her. He smiled more broadly as he noticed the sundress did nothing to cover her breasts. If Katie was more chesty the dress would have bulge just right around bust. Since she sported perky A-cups there was some space and the lack of the bra did not hide anything. "What?" Katie asked and followed Mark's gaze. Her eyes went wide and Mark laughed. "Oh my god! You were about to have me flash my parents!" she screamed covering her chest up.

"Oh man...I didn't know..." Mark laughed now relaxed. "I have a hoodie in the back seat.

"You are something Mark Donovan..." Katie grumbled as she pulled on the hoodie.

Inside Katie was surprised not to find her parents alone. There were two other women there, both looked around her parent's age. She was glad that Mark had change her, as everyone was dressed a little nice. Her father sporting a jacket and tie even. Her mother who had not worn a dress since her graduation was in dress once more. A sundress similar to Katie's even. Her mother's curvy frame filled it better.

"Hello Katie, my name name is Gloria Hayes...I work with your father," A blonde woman greeted extending her hand. She was dressed in black dress that was low cut enough to show off her decent rack. The dress fitted her just right to display her hour-glass body. Gloria was on the tall side and her face looked like she had some work done to it. She had a very nice smile with perfect white teeth. If Katie had to guess this woman sold things for her father's contracting firm.

"Hi, Mrs. Hayes this my boyfriend Mark Donovan," Katie greeted and pointed back to Mark.

"A pleasure Mrs. Hayes," Mark greeted taking the blonde woman's hand. She was really hot and Mark had to remind himself from to keep his eyes up.

"Oh it's just Ms. Hayes...I'm not married...at least for now," Gloria laughed and shot a look at Charles who quickly just smiled bashfully and looked away. "Its pleasure to meet you Mark, Charlie has told me how you stole Katie's heart!" she then added with high laugh was all business.

Mark just nodded and looked over at Katie who was a bit wide-eyed at this woman and the interaction she had with her father. Before the couple could recover, Andrea was to them. She hugged both Mark and Katie before looked over her shoulder. A tall dark-haired woman appeared and smiled a warm smile. She was in dressed in business suit. It looked like it tailor fitted as it wrapped around her tall frame just right. Her hair was tied back in a bun and there was some grey strands running through it.

"Mark, Katie this is Jacklyn Rose she's a fire marshal with the department," Andrea introduce. She was smiling a bit much and Katie sensed some nervous energy from her mother. She was a veteran fire fighter, show her nerves was a rare.

"A fire marshal? Mark asked as he shook Jacklyn's hand, She was attractive though not as hot as Gloria. She had green eyes and her olive skin gave Mark the impression that she was mixed probably white and African-American if he had to guess.

"Oh, you can just call me Jackie...its really nice to meet you both your Andrea...I mean your mother has told me a lot about you two. A fire marshal is basically a detective for the fire department that's all."

"How do you know my mother?" Katie asked. She was a bit suspicious now. She glanced at her father who was talking and laughing with Gloria.

"Katherine," Andrea warned calmly. She was trying to hide her annoyance. Mark could see where Katie got her annoyance to things from.

"Oh...it's okay Andrea..." Jackie smiled kindly. "She's curious, marshals don't really hang out with the rank and file. "On top of being a marshal I'm also the in charge of annual qualification exams. I work with the house officers closely in that regards.

"I see..." Katie said her eyes narrowed as she looked over to her mother. Mark took her hand to calm her. Luckily it worked.

"Let's have dinner!" Andrea blurts leading everyone to the dinning room.

After that introduction dinner was quiet. Mark did not want to be there. It was obvious that Katie was about to go through some sort of family issue. When desert of ice cream cake was being served. Charles cleared his throat to get everyone attention. Mark thought he was about to announce he was having a affair with Gloria. If that was the case Mark was just going to stop time and leave.

"Katie you worked really hard this year. I know things were hard with your sister running off. But you kept your focus and got things done," Charles said pulling Andrea in close.

This gave Mark some hope. He looked over at Gloria, her bright smile faltered a bit when Charles touched Andrea. Oh that was not good. He glanced over at Jackie, the woman had blank face and did her best to ignore the PDA between Charles and Andrea. Oh this was not good at all, Mark thought.

"You did so well and we're so proud of you sweetie," Andrea chimed in and she looked at Charles and he nodded. "As reward for your hard work, your father and I have gotten you a house!"

"Oh my god!" Katie screamed in joy and sprang from her seat hugging her parents. Both Gloria and Jackie smiles at this. Gloria even had tears in her eyes.

"Its fully paid for so all you have do is worry about the utilities...but your father and I can help you out while you get on your feet..." Andrea said teary eyed as she hugged her daughter along with her husband.

"You earned it baby..." Charles added.

Once everyone composed themselves and were seated again. Her parents explained the house was in the center of town and walking distance from the community college. It had a garage, but no basement. Two floors, two full bath and two bedrooms. It sounded like a dream come true to Mark. This was a huge weight off his shoulders. Much better than the gift of Ashely's old car for when he graduated.

"Okay..." Andrea than began. The table went silent. All eyes fell on her. Charles took her hand. "Katherine..." she started. "Your father and I have decided to separate."

"What!" Katie blurts

"Katie, we've sort have been separated for a long while now. We just wanted to wait until you were done with school," Charles explained.

"Its not your fault honey, things haven't been same between us for years. Our jobs were just so busy..." Andrea said. "We don't hate other...It's just time..."

"On a lighter note everyone!" Gloria suddenly blurts getting everyone attention. Jackie looks across at her annoyed. Andrea had gone from sincere to pissed in no time. Charles looked mortified. "Charles and I are getting married and everyone here is invited!"

Katie looked at Mark shock and tears on her face. Mark simply nodded.

STOP!