Everyone's Got Problems

[Inactive User]

Great chapter. Enjoyed reading every word of it

Mark needs to talk to someone soon and reveal everything that he's diabetic.

Update soon

[Jody]

"I know," Aden sighed once again and swallowed the lump in his throat that had formed at her words. He hated that he'd shattered Tess's image of him being able to do anything. He wanted to be the strong leader, father and defender in Tess's eyes that he'd always been and now he knew that had changed and things wouldn't ever be the same again.

How nice would it have been if he could have shown the same amount of feeling for Mark.

I'm so glad you decided to let us see things from their POV as well. It was good to see how they came to just be sitting around a table joking like it was any normal day.

I liked that scenes with Aden and Belle. I'm glad he is being supportive but not pushy. Like he wants to make everything better but he knows this is something she's going to have to deal with in her own way.

Aden reminds me of one of those people who do his kind of work, and is amazing at their job and giving the right kind of advice, but isn't as good at applying it to his own life. I don't doubt for a second that he loves Tess and Mark more then anything. But from what I've seen since the beginning, I feel him being a good enough father(I certainly wouldn't say great) comes from having Belle by his side rather than anything else. I find myself doubting his ability to be as good of a father had he not had Belle around. For example his issues with Mark earlier on in the fic, he was okay with leaving this as it was(even though he didn't like), and it took Belle being tough with him, repeatedly, to get him to realise just how much his handling of the situation was effecting their son. He also doesn't seem to show much patience with Mark. Belle as shown she as the same problem but atleast we know she is also willing to realise when it's wrong to expect Mark to just be okay. I don't think Aden truly grasps that. Maybe it's because Tess was adopted that he feels the need to shower her with extra affection, but he attitude towards both children is completely different. And the worse thing is I'm not sure if he realises that. I'm not saying he is bad father(he's really quite a good one), but he certainly isn't a great one by any means. He's a great husband but he lacks alot of qualities that would make him a great father. And I feel like Mark's inferiority complex(which, in my mind, he so has) probably comes more from Aden's obvious different treatment of both kids, more then any of Belle's. Oh and this was so not a critizism, just my thoughts on his character. I dislike Aden the father at times, but I still don't think he's a bad father, so I like the way you're showing him(whether it's your intention to or I'm just over thinking it), it gives me so much to think about. I love when writers do that.

Tess as managed to become a Cassie-like character for me. When she made that comment about him showing more respect, all I thought was, respect like while your parents are sharing stories of their horrible childhood you spend the time scanning your boyfirends face to see how he's feeling and then running of to check on him without another word. Alot of respect she showed there. And how exactly is she dealing with it, she ran off after her boyfriend then brought him back so her father can help him too. Doesn't matter if her parents had to relive the horrible memories of their childhood, and her mother was attacked twice in one day as well, her boyfriends problems are to important to wait one more night. I don't think she's dealing with anything. We saw her have more feelings on Tyler's past then her own family's. She seems to have just gotten over it in a flash. The girl needs a reality check. I know I'm hard on her but like I said she seems to have become alot like Cassie before the HIV story. And I hated that Cassie. The one who always put her relationships before her family, then came and went around acting like self righteous idiot. And everyone still treats her like she's some sort of saint. Tess has manage to become one of my worse characters in the story. And this is me critising Tess, but definitely not your writing.

I quite liked Tyler's small scene here. It was simple but still really good. You could see his remorse over the way he acted, to bad Tess doesn't seem to mind how she acted, and was sorry for it. His nervousness was nice as well. Tyler in small doses is so much better to enjoy.

I also like that you're back to typing it up like you always did. Makes it so much neater and easier to read then those huge letters. Yes I'm to picky.

Please update soon. This story gets me so hooked and worked up and I love it. I find myself having all these opinions at end, and thats what I like in a story.

[Lise]

That was great.

I loved the Aden and Belle bits. They are too sweet together.

Tess is very mature for her age. She's great.

[wrongturntaken]

"I know," Aden sighed once again and swallowed the lump in his throat that had formed at her words. He hated that he'd shattered Tess's image of him being able to do anything. He wanted to be the strong leader, father and defender in Tess's eyes that he'd always been and now he knew that had changed and things wouldn't ever be the same again.

How nice would it have been if he could have shown the same amount of feeling for Mark.

I'm so glad you decided to let us see things from their POV as well. It was good to see how they came to just be sitting around a table joking like it was any normal day.

I liked that scenes with Aden and Belle. I'm glad he is being supportive but not pushy. Like he wants to make everything better but he knows this is something she's going to have to deal with in her own way.

Aden reminds me of one of those people who do his kind of work, and is amazing at their job and giving the right kind of advice, but isn't as good at applying it to his own life. I don't doubt for a second that he loves Tess and Mark more then anything. But from what I've seen since the beginning, I feel him being a good enough father(I certainly wouldn't say great) comes from having Belle by his side rather than anything else. I find myself doubting his ability to be as good of a father had he not had Belle around. For example his issues with Mark earlier on in the fic, he was okay with leaving this as it was(even though he didn't like), and it took Belle being tough with him, repeatedly, to get him to realise just how much his handling of the situation was effecting their son. He also doesn't seem to show much patience with Mark. Belle as shown she as the same problem but atleast we know she is also willing to realise when it's wrong to expect Mark to just be okay. I don't think Aden truly grasps that. Maybe it's because Tess was adopted that he feels the need to shower her with extra affection, but he attitude towards both children is completely different. And the worse thing is I'm not sure if he realises that. I'm not saying he is bad father(he's really quite a good one), but he certainly isn't a great one by any means. He's a great husband but he lacks alot of qualities that would make him a great father. And I feel like Mark's inferiority complex(which, in my mind, he so has) probably comes more from Aden's obvious different treatment of both kids, more then any of Belle's. Oh and this was so not a critizism, just my thoughts on his character. I dislike Aden the father at times, but I still don't think he's a bad father, so I like the way you're showing him(whether it's your intention to or I'm just over thinking it), it gives me so much to think about. I love when writers do that.

Tess as managed to become a Cassie-like character for me. When she made that comment about him showing more respect, all I thought was, respect like while your parents are sharing stories of their horrible childhood you spend the time scanning your boyfirends face to see how he's feeling and then running of to check on him without another word. Alot of respect she showed there. And how exactly is she dealing with it, she ran off after her boyfriend then brought him back so her father can help him too. Doesn't matter if her parents had to relive the horrible memories of their childhood, and her mother was attacked twice in one day as well, her boyfriends problems are to important to wait one more night. I don't think she's dealing with anything. We saw her have more feelings on Tyler's past then her own family's. She seems to have just gotten over it in a flash. The girl needs a reality check. I know I'm hard on her but like I said she seems to have become alot like Cassie before the HIV story. And I hated that Cassie. The one who always put her relationships before her family, then came and went around acting like self righteous idiot. And everyone still treats her like she's some sort of saint. Tess has manage to become one of my worse characters in the story. And this is me critising Tess, but definitely not your writing.

I quite liked Tyler's small scene here. It was simple but still really good. You could see his remorse over the way he acted, to bad Tess doesn't seem to mind how she acted, and was sorry for it. His nervousness was nice as well. Tyler in small doses is so much better to enjoy.

I also like that you're back to typing it up like you always did. Makes it so much neater and easier to read then those huge letters. Yes I'm to picky.

Please update soon. This story gets me so hooked and worked up and I love it. I find myself having all these opinions at end, and thats what I like in a story.

Thank you for the detailed review! I always love reading when you've commented!

I just wanted to say something about your comments on Aden because i'm not going to make it an absolute key focus in the next few chapters but it's kind of continuance. I know Aden thinks he's dealt with his feelings about being a father to Mark and about his own father but i think it's something that will continue to be an issue for him, especially at the age Mark is now, which is why i'm trying to write it that sometimes Aden doesn't know what to do where Mark is concerned. You should see a bit more of it in upcoming chapters although of course i'm going to try and develop Aden's and Mark's characters singularly and as a relationship but you'll just have to wait and see...

I'm not sure that entirely made sense but basically I like that you view Aden's character, and position of father to Mark, that way.

Thanks!

[Jody]

I just wanted to say something about your comments on Aden because i'm not going to make it an absolute key focus in the next few chapters but it's kind of continuance. I know Aden thinks he's dealt with his feelings about being a father to Mark and about his own father but i think it's something that will continue to be an issue for him, especially at the age Mark is now, which is why i'm trying to write it that sometimes Aden doesn't know what to do where Mark is concerned. You should see a bit more of it in upcoming chapters although of course i'm going to try and develop Aden's and Mark's characters singularly and as a relationship but you'll just have to wait and see...

I'm not sure that entirely made sense but basically I like that you view Aden's character, and position of father to Mark, that way.

Thanks!

It's what I like about it. It's not that Aden doesn't care but rather he doesn't realise what he's doing or doesn't know how to handle it. Makes him interesting to read about. He's not the perfect dad but also not a bad father. I'm not fussed about it not being an absolute key focus, because it works better when we get to see small bits of their relationship in their scene with each other and others instead of having an big thing about. I'm really liking where you are going with this fic. And whatever you have planned I know I'll be as hooked as ever.

[xknomex]

any chance of an update soon? dont worry if your too busy with uni stuff, thats more important

[wrongturntaken]

I'm really sorry i haven't updated but i'm really struggling with writing. I have writer's block!!!

I have also been busy with uni, i really need to get my muse back though, that's the main thing. I will try and update soon.

Thanks for asking! I appreciate it!

[Taniya_K]

That's sucks. Being really busy and having writer's block, I mean.

Take your time with the fic. We'll still be here to read it! It's well worth the wait!

xoxo

[susanf6230]

Hope you are over your writers block, looking forward to next update.

[wrongturntaken]

I have to make a HUGE apology!!!! I can't believe i haven't updated in so long!!! I am really really really sorry but i kind of got snowed under with uni work and other stuff and just not generally having the time to write or the muse! It seems when i promise an update more quickly than the last it takes longer so if i say the next one will be in a month there's the slightest chance it could be tomorrow...

Anyway, thank you to Naomi (xknomex) for reading this through for me! It's mainly one character focused which is why i'm a bit iffy about it.

I hope you like it anyway.

Warning: Adult humour

Chapter 33.

"Can I come in?" Aden asked as he knocked on Mark's door a few days later. His son had managed the copious task of avoiding him for the last few days, claiming that he wanted to spend time with Lisa, the knowledge of the newest Summer Bay relationship now having been spread all over town. At times, Aden didn't know what to do; it was so much harder to judge how to handle Mark than any of the other teenagers he worked with. Perhaps because there was more at stake, Aden was determined to not ruin the relationship with his son that he had only just reclaimed before everything with Angelo had happened. It was out of fear that he would lose his son that caused him to back off when perhaps he should be trying to help. He knew Mark wouldn't like him to be overbearing, but too much time had passed for their conversations to stay clipped and awkward as they had done over the previous days. Aden knew he would finally have to face his fear and do something about it… or at least try.

"Hang on!" Mark shouted back. Had he not been preoccupied with his actions, he would have felt the odd sensation at the pit of his stomach; a foreboding sign of knowing what his father wanted. As it was, he was administering his injection of insulin and now had the added pressure of knowing he could quite easily be interrupted. Even after a couple of months of doing this so regularly he still at times found it difficult and now his hand had started to shake as he glanced from the door back to his arm and back again several times. He took a deep breath knowing he had to get a grip on himself to still his hand and push the needle in.

"Please let me in, Mark?" Aden said softly and Mark looked up once more to see his father had begun opening the door.

"Yeah, I will, just give me a minute," Mark yelled back hurriedly, pulling the needle out of him carefully as he gave a quick sigh of relief seeing the door stop it's movements.

"Why?" Aden chuckled slightly to himself, his ignorance to what was happening in the room causing a strange tang of longing in Mark's gut, a sign that he wanted to tell Aden what he was doing but one he would ignore nonetheless.

"…cos I'm getting changed," Mark used the first thing that came to his mind as he glanced around, using the messiness of clothes sprawled all around his room to inspire his excuse. He made sure to pack everything away that he had gotten out and place it safely out of sight under his bed until he could put it back to where he usually kept it.

Aden's worry was growing and he was slightly afraid Mark's delay to open the door would cause him to turn around and retreat to safety, "…its 7 O'clock, why are you getting changed? Are you going out?" he asked his son conversationally.

"What's with all the questions?" Mark chortled slightly as he pulled back the door to see his father there. Aden noticed how flushed Mark looked and briefly wondered why, though he tried not to let it show in his expression.

"Just wondering why it took so long to answer a door..." Aden smiled back, hoping to keep a light atmosphere to make this easier. "What were you doing?"

"I told you," Mark said but his eyes averted away from his father's as he spoke.

A look of recognition passed over Aden's face, "Oh!" he exclaimed. "Sorry, I didn't realise you were doing… that."

Mark narrowed his eyes, "What?" he asked in confusion.

"Its fine Mark, you don't have to lie about it, it's perfectly natural."

Mark suddenly realised what his father was talking about and a look of horror spread through his face, "Oh God, Dad. I wasn't doing that!"

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, you don't have to lie about it," Aden continued with a smile playing on his lips.

Mark was silent for a moment before he sighed in slight annoyance although there was an undertone of amusement to his following words, "I wasn't," he told Aden firmly.

Aden eyed him up and down for a moment, wondering whether to believe him or not before deciding that it really had no relevance to his presence there and simply settled on saying, "Okay."

"So what did you want?" Mark asked; an edge of nervousness to his voice as he backed into the room slightly in order to let his father pass.

Aden sighed and watched as Mark shut the door considerably slower than it actually had to be done, "To talk."

"What about…?" Mark answered; still not facing him as he held onto the door handle and didn't let go, even as he heard the click telling him it could be a distraction no longer.

"I don't know," Aden shrugged and looked worriedly at Mark, feeling guilt at the fact that his son could barely face him. "How's footie?" he asked, a sense of hope lining his voice as he took a seat on Mark's bed.

The teenager turned around at the question; grateful for the topic his father had chosen to start the conversation. "Yeah, it's good. We've got another game on Saturday," Mark told him as he came to sit on his desk chair to face Aden, glancing under his bed covertly, glad that he had kept his secret successfully out of view. "…are you coming?" and this time Aden was the one pleased to hear the definitive sound of hope in that question.

He smiled honestly, "Wouldn't miss it."

"Cool," Mark said with a slightly embarrassed smile.

"Mark…" Aden started. "We haven't spoken since everything happened. You said you needed time and I understand that, I just want to know how you're feeling cos you've been avoiding us…"

"I…"

"You have Mark," Aden implored him softly.

"I know," his son sighed.

"Can you just talk to me, please?"

"What's there to talk about, Dad?" Mark argued tiredly.

"I just want to know how you're feeling. What we told you… it must be hard to deal with…"

"I don't know," Mark shrugged. "To be honest, knowing that you and mum went through all that stuff… it makes me feel like crap."

"Mark…" Aden said; shocked to hear the words. "Why?"

"I don't even know," he shrugged again as he shook his head slightly from side to side. "I hate that you went through that, and I feel so lucky to have you and mum as parents but at the same time…" he trailed off, glancing once to Aden before looking at the floor.

"You can talk to me, Mark," Aden reassured him softly.

Mark never actually thought he'd be telling this to his father but he was now contemplating telling him everything that he'd told Lisa, about him being an outsider. "I feel selfish."

"Selfish?" Aden questioned; narrowing his eyes in concern. "Why?"

"…because I feel like I don't fit in here…" Mark answered him quietly.

"What?"

"I'm sorry Dad, I love you and Mum, you're great," Mark told him. "…but I'm not the same as any of you, you have this thing you bond over, you, mum, Tess and… well even Tyler…" he looked at his father who didn't look at all angry, but an understanding was on his face urging his son to continue. "…and I'm not a part of that because I can't understand it."

"Our childhoods and parents…?" Aden questioned with a weak and understanding smile.

Mark nodded, "I'm sorry…"

"Hey, Mark," Aden soothed. "You can't help how you feel, and I can see where you're coming from…"

Mark looked at his father worriedly.

"With any relationship, there's going to be a different bond, Mark. And you might feel like you don't fit in because of this but there are so many other things to your relationships with people," Aden paused, as though contemplating something, "The reason I kept avoiding footie with you… it was because I didn't want that to be our only bond. It was the only thing I shared with my father, and I didn't want to go back there. So even though I hope that we can share in the game, I want there to be more to us. I want you to be able to talk to me about anything…" Aden said; giving him a supportive smile.

"So you don't hate me?"

"Of course not," Aden told him. "Just remember that there's more to people than just one thing," he said softly. "…and no matter what any of us have gone through, we all have different experiences that make us who we are… even you…"

Mark nodded slowly, "Thanks Dad."

Aden smiled, "Any time… now, tell me about this girlfriend."

Mark smiled and let out a loose laugh at his father's sudden change of subject as he felt a sense of relief spread through him.

*

"Morning," Lisa exclaimed chirpily as she joined Mark at the lockers the next day, offering him a peck on the lips in greeting.

"Morning," Mark answered her happily, taking his hand loosely in hers as they held them waist high.

"You seem good," Lisa smiled.

"I feel good."

"Ooh, sounds intriguing… what's brought this on?"

"What? I can't be happy now?" Mark raised an eyebrow at her.

"Of course you can, I just haven't seen you happy at school in a while, you only ever seem like that when we're alone," Lisa explained easily.

"Well, me and dad had a talk and things seem better," Mark told her.

"So you told him?"

Mark's smile faded as he let go of his hand and turned back to his open locker. "No."

"Why not…?" Lisa pushed in purposefully, uncaring that she was making Mark feel awkward. He knew what she was like by now.

"We've been through this before Lisa…"

"I know, but you just said things seem better at home…"

"That doesn't mean my parents don't need this added burden…"

"Hey guys," Tess interrupted them and Mark immediately stopped talking as Lisa turned to face her, adopting the same sudden smile that Mark had put on.

"Hey," Lisa said as Mark just continued to smile.

"What's up?"

"Nothing," Mark answered immediately.

"Ooh, lover's tiff?" Tess teased to which she received a glare from both of them. "Okay," she relented looking away slowly in amusement. "Lisa, we're gonna be late, we've got Mr Copeland first today."

"Relax, the warning bell hasn't even rung yet," Lisa complained.

"Argh," Tess groaned. "My brother cannot really be this exciting."

"Not to you," Lisa said slowly and suggestively with a smirk.

"…ew," Tess scoffed, shaking her head slightly.

"There's Tyler, walk with him," Lisa told her, pointing to the figure walking away from them.

Tess rolled her eyes, "Fine, but don't be late."

"Yes Miss!" Lisa said sarcastically in a fake high pitched voice as she watched Tess turn on her heel and catch up with Tyler before returning her attention to her boyfriend. "So?"

"So what…?"

"When are you gonna tell them?"

"Lisa!"

"Fine, but you know I'm not going to let this lie."

"Well, you're going to have to, otherwise I'm just going to ignore you," he said with an undertone of amusement.

"Ooh, real mature!"

Mark laughed lightly, "Lunch at the diner?"

"Sure," she answered him as this time the warning bell did ring. "Gotta go, wouldn't want to be late to Tess's class, I might get in trouble."

"You love getting in trouble," Mark replied.

"Only when it's worth it," she leaned into him.

"…and what's worth being late for?"

"…hmm, why don't you tell me," she encouraged him as he leaned in closer so their noses were touching.

He captured his lips with hers delicately as they continued to kiss in the hallway.

"Uh hum," a voice coughed from beside them.

"Sorry sir," Mark said as he withdrew and his cheeks coloured red with embarrassment.

"Get to class," Miles said with an almost unnoticeable amused smile.

"On our way," Mark defended as Lisa just continued to smile at Mark's embarrassment. She watched the principal walk away before giving Mark one last kiss and then turning on her heel without a word.

Mark let out a slight laugh before making his way to his own class.

*

"So what did you want to do for your birthday Mark?" Belle asked him as she served out the family's dinner in the kitchen.

"Nothing," Mark answered as he read a magazine distractedly.

"You're gonna be 16, you have to do something," Belle encouraged him excitedly.

"No I don't," Mark told her, closing the magazine to look at her, widening his eyes and looking at her directly to get his point across.

"So there go my hopes of throwing you a party…" Belle hinted hopefully.

"You do that, and you can cross me off the guest list," Mark told her with a sarcastic smile.

"So seriously, you don't want to do anything, not even go out for a meal with the family?"

Mark sighed, "Fine, a meal with the family... and Lisa."

Belle smiled, "Good, any idea where you want to go?"

Mark rolled his eyes at his mother's persistence, "It's not 'til Friday," Belle gave him a look and he sighed, "…I'll think about it."

"That's all I ask," Belle said in a satisfied tone before yelling for the whole house to hear, "Dinner's ready!"

*

"Happy Birthday Mark!" Nicole said excitedly as she, Geoff and Rachel joined Aden, Belle, Tess, Tyler and Lisa at their table in the Italian restaurant that Mark had chosen in Yabbie Creek.

Nicole kissed him on the cheek and gave him a present as he smiled at her, "Thanks Aunty Nicole," he said gratefully as he put the present in the spare space on the table.

"Have you had a good birthday?" Geoff asked as they all took their seats.

"Yeah, it's been great," he said; giving Lisa a quick glance who had given him a condom as a joke when he had gotten to school that morning saying that now he was legal he should have one. He didn't tell her he'd gotten some when they had first gotten together. She had given him his real present later on which was a rare miniature car that went with his collection. He knew it would have been difficult to find and was even more grateful when she had also gotten him a new play station game. He figured she must have talked to his parents who had actually bought him the new play station.

"Irene and Lou not here yet…?" Nicole questioned Aden and Belle.

"No, I don't think they'll be long though," Belle answered her. "Oh, here they are now."

"Sorry we're late, I got stuck at the diner," Irene explained as she entered the restaurant with her husband; Lou.

"It's alright," Aden smiled in greeting as the newest couple joined them at the table.

"Happy birthday Mark!" Irene said to him and her sentiments were repeated by her husband.

"Thanks," Mark said appreciatively, although he was getting tired of the hearing that sentence, as he accepted the card Irene was handing to him.

"It's nothing much, but we weren't sure what to get you," she told him as he put the card along with the present.

"You didn't have to get me anything," Mark told them politely.

"Nonsense," Iren waved his comment away. "You're practically our grandson, I'm not going to let your birthday pass without getting you something."

Mark smiled in response.

"Are you ready to order?" the waitress approached the table, halting the exchange of greetings.

*

"I'm stuffed!" Aden exclaimed as he put his knife and fork together.

"You; stuffed?" Belle responded cheekily. "Don't make me laugh."

"I can make you laugh other ways," Aden raised an eyebrow at her before leaning his hand over and tickling her waist so that no one else at the table could see.

"Aden!" she squealed as she squirmed. "Stop it!" she hissed as they'd attracted the attention of some of the other customers.

"Mum! Dad!" Tess exclaimed in embarrassment.

Aden and Belle bowed their heads in fake shame, "Sorry," they apologised as they tried their best not to show their amused smiles. Tyler looked on at the situation and continued to smile, unable to quite believe that he was here with all of these people right now and considered to be a part of their family.

Mark just shook his head at his parent's childish antics as Lisa giggled, squeezing Mark's knee under the table. No one else at the table had even noticed.

"Would you like to see the dessert menu?" the waitress asked as she began clearing their plates away.

"Uh," Aden contemplated as he looked round at the rest of the group who were all nodding their heads the slightest amount. He looked back at the waitress, "Sure."

The waitress smiled as she eyed him up and down before leaving. Belle noticed and rolled her eyes, feeling silently powerful that she actually had her husband whereas everyone else just had to look. "I thought you were stuffed?" she raised an eyebrow at him.

"There's always room for ice cream Belle," he told her and she laughed.

"Well, I can't fault you there," she told him with a slight laugh.

When the waitress returned with the menu; they perused it for a few minutes before everyone had picked what they wanted. "What do you two want?" Aden asked Mark and Lisa, the only two to have not said anything.

"Oh I won't have anything, thanks," Lisa told him.

"Oh right," Aden said in understanding. "Mark?"

Mark closed his menu, "I don't want anything, thank you."

"Really…? It's your birthday, you should have something," Aden tried to convince him.

"No seriously, I'm fine, Dad."

"Come on, Mark, let us spoil you," Belle added in as they had now caught the rapt attention of Nicole.

"Fine," Mark relented with a fake smile which he tried to make as genuine as possible. "I'll have…"

"…a sundae, you can't go wrong with one," Belle said.

"Fine."

"Mark!" both Lisa and Nicole exclaimed at the same time.

"What?" Mark asked them a bit harshly, shocking his parents slightly with his tone.

"You shouldn't Mark," Lisa said softly.

"Why… shouldn't he?" Belle narrowed her eyes in confusion as she looked from Lisa to Mark and then over to Nicole who had averted her eyes slightly. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Mark told her with a straight face, "I'll have the sundae."

"Mark, this has gone on long enough," this time it was Nicole who gave her opinion.

"No," Mark said firmly. "You can't."

"No, but you can."

"What are you talking about?" Belle asked worriedly.

"She's right, Mark," Lisa said softly.

Mark rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Can someone please tell us what's going on?" Aden spoke authoritatively.

Mark looked once at Nicole, once at Lisa and then to his parents, pausing before answering, "I'm diabetic. So I can't have the Sundae because I've already had my intake of sugar today and when I get home I'll have to inject myself with insulin," he told them

"What?" Aden breathed in disbelief as he frowned.

"No," Belle said, shaking her head, "You can't be. I would know."

"I am."

"But I'm your mother, I would know. I'm supposed to know these things. How could I not have noticed?"

"Mum, don't feel bad, that's the reason I didn't tell you, you both had so much going on, I didn't want to add to that," Mark explained; feeling guilty at their now guilty expressions that they hadn't realised.

"Mark, you're our son, you should have told us this no matter what," Aden told him caringly before turning his attention to Nicole. "…and you knew about this but didn't tell us?"

"I'm sorry, I wanted to but… doctor/patient confidentiality…" she explained apologetically.

"I should have known," Belle repeated again.

"Mum, I'm good at hiding things, please don't feel bad…" Mark urged her.

"You've had to inject yourself and I haven't even noticed? What kind of a mother does that make me?" there was silence at the table as only Mark, Nicole, Aden and Belle exchanged any words. "…how long?"

"It doesn't matter…"

"Yes it does… how long?"

"A couple of months," Mark sighed as he looked down at the table, feeling really bad that he hadn't actually told them. He'd no idea they'd react like this. "You know now don't you?"

"Now. When you're forced into telling us?" Aden told him, biting his cheek unnoticeably to show how upset he was. "I thought we could talk about anything?" he shrugged.

"We can," Mark told him. "Please, can we just leave this be for now?"

"Okay," Aden agreed after a moment, let's just enjoy the rest of the day and we'll talk about this more tomorrow. …and we will talk," Aden told his son firmly.

"Thank you," Mark said; grateful to not have to handle any more reactions for the moment as Lisa took his hand under the table and squeezed it reassuringly. He wasn't sure if he should be mad at her but he knew really that she had done what was best for him. He needed her support so he squeezed back.

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