We pull up just outside of Annabella’s house earlier than we need to be. We have about forty minutes until we are due here, but I know what he is like. Mark is so worried when it comes to seeing her. I find it sweet that he thinks so much of her, but I don’t like to be rushed. I know why he does it, though; he never arrives too close to the time, or he is scared she will panic thinking something has happened to him.

“Hey,” Annabella says, tapping on the window of Mark’s side of the car. He drove as he always does. He never lets me drive when we are together. I think it’s a man thing. I don’t mind him driving today. Since my head is banging, I don’t think it would have been advisable for me to get behind the wheel.

Mark sends down the automatic window. “Hey, have you been out gardening?” he questions.

“Yes, I have. I have been pruning back the rose bushes,” she replies, pointing over the grass to some roses. I notice her hands are covered with her forest green gardening gloves. She always has them on when she is outside dealing with the roses. They have some type of thick padding under them, which protects her hands from being damaged by the thorns on the rose bushes.

“Hi, Annabella. It’s so nice to see you again,” I say, closing the car door gently and walking towards her.

“Megan, you look stunning,” she responds, taking hold of my hand and looking me up and down. She always checks everyone out to see what they are wearing.

“Thank you.” I pause. “You’re looking well. Have you gotten over your cold?” I enquire. Annabella had been really unwell a couple of weeks ago.  She ended up spending several days in bed because the cold went straight into her chest.

“Yes, thankfully. It was the worst one I have had in years. I’m sorry if I seemed rude while I was sick. I just didn’t want you or Lucy to get it.” We were supposed to come over and see her, but she told us all to stay away, including Mark. She didn’t want him getting it either.

“I totally understand what you mean,” I reply because I thought it was very considerate of her.

“There she is,” Annabella says, holding her arms out to take Lucy from Mark. I stand there smiling while watching Annabella and how she reacts with Lucy. I love seeing her with Lucy; it makes me think about what she must have been like with Mark. I’m so happy that he had someone strong and loving around him as he grew up. It’s been a great thing for him. He has become such a lovely man. I can see him being a caring father too since he is a wonderful father figure to Lucy now.

“Right, shall we let Annabella get all ready to go out for lunch?” Mark asks, looking down at Lucy, who is sitting on her hip.

Annabella peers up at Mark. “I thought I would just cook. It will be easier,” she says, smiling at him while giving him a fluttery eye look. Even I know that will not wash with Mark. When he has made plans, they are final. No way he is going to change his mind that easily.

“No, I said we were going out for something to eat. I want to treat three of my favourite ladies,” he says, kissing her on the forehead.

“But…”

“No buts, please,” Mark challenges, fluttering his eyes back at me.  I can’t help but laugh at him. I love it when he tries to mimic one of us. His eye fluttering isn’t as good as Annabella’s or mine.

“Megan, watch out for those fluttering eyes,” she says, pointing at Mark.

“I will,” I answer as I shake my head.  “I know all about them.  I think those eyes are dangerous.”

“I will agree to going out for lunch if you will let me take these two to see something special in the garden,” she states matter-of-factly, pointing at me with her head.

“Okay, deal. I’ll go see my favourite little four-legged friend.” He leans over and places a kiss on Annabella’s cheek before walking into the house.

“See, I always win,” she says, laughing. “Let’s go. I have something special to show you.”

“Have fun, ladies,” Mark tells us.

“Oh, have you got your key, Mark? I have locked the door,” Annabella states.

“Good, you should always have it locked. That way you are safe,” Mark adds. “And, yes, I have my key.” He pulls it out of his pocket and waves it at her.

I follow alongside Annabella to the side of the house where the shed that Mark had already pointed out to me sits. Lucy is cooing in Annabella’s arms, and all I can do is smile. She is secure. I have no worries.

“Here we are,” she says, opening the creaking door to the shed.  I might have to get Mark to take a look at that for her.  She will let him, but I don’t think she will let me.  She sees something like that as a man’s job.

“Oh, wow!” I exclaim. It is a room full of different types of roses. They are all various colours and sizes, and their smell is amazing. It hits you in the face as soon as the door opens.  “This is where Mark gets his passion for roses.”

“Yes, it is. He knows the meaning of every one of them. When I first came over here, I only wanted rose bushes in my garden. With every pay check, I bought another bush, and here they all are,” she says, pointing at all the bushes lined inside the shed. The shed is very deceiving. Although it looks like a shed, it is more of a greenhouse inside. It’s full of different pots with little roses. Annabella explains that once they have matured to be transplanted, she will plant them outside. They are all still too young to go out yet. It’s lovely listening to her tell me about something that means so much to her.

“They are amazing,” I state.  I’m truly overwhelmed with how many beautiful roses I see in here.  

“This one down here is new,” she says, pointing at a little bush that just looks like it’s starting to grow. “It’s actually called Lucy and dates around 1997. It grows medium-sized pink roses. They are not full doubles, but semi.”

“Oh, wow.”

“I bought it the day Lucy was born,” she says, bringing Lucy up closer and placing a little kiss on her head.

“That was so sweet of you.” A tear rolls down my cheek.

“That way Lucy can enjoy this space just like Mark did all those years ago.” She smiles adoringly at Lucy before turning her attention back to me.  “What’s that in your hair?” she questions with a raise of her eyebrow. 

“Oh, pooh,” I exclaim, covering my face as I feel myself start to burn up with embarrassment.

“Megan?”

“I couldn’t find a hairband this morning when I was in a full-on rush to get ready, so I grabbed the first thing in sight,” I explain.

“It looks so pretty with the lace effect. It’s like a hair net,” she adds.

I slip it out of my hair, sliding it into my jacket pocket.

“What is it?”

“A thong. A clean one, I promise.” I cover my face in shame.

Annabella stands there laughing. “That made my day.”

As we walk back towards the house, I see Mark lying face down in the front yard.  The puppy is running around him and barking loudly.  I start to walk faster towards him, leaving Lucy in Annabella’s arms. Is he just playing around?

“Mark?” I enquire as I approach him. “Mark!” I yell as I fall to my knees beside him.