~Marcus, at dinner with everyone~<br/><br/>The words had been uttered from his heart and they felt right but he wasn’t sure if anyone would add to them until Mila spoke next.  Her choice of words was interesting and showed a bit of what she was feeling just then, at least in his eyes.  Respect was something she deserved, especially now when words had been said that had accidentally wounded her, and he’d make sure she got it from him at least.  Mari came next but she contributed nothing more than a raised glass of water, her silence telling in its own way.  Clearly the tension in the room had caused her to pull back some, a defensive gesture Marcus could understand.  Bo then went, acknowledging Mila’s respect and adding understanding, something that was also very fitting for the moment.  Vince graced them with a warm smile and a raised glass last, ending the round of thoughts that Nicci had started.<br/><br/>As everyone began to eat the beautiful dessert that had been brought out for them, Nicci suddenly stood and excused herself.  Marcus wasn’t sure why she’d want to find a coat closet until he realized that she’d been talking about the bathroom, bringing a smile to his face.  It was a completely innocent action on the face of it, the need to visit the restroom and all, but he suspected it was more than that.  Perhaps she had a need to distance herself a little from the tension in the room and collect her thoughts or just to get some fresh air away from the rest.  Either way, it was her right to do it and he wouldn’t stop her, waiting until she was gone before looking at the others.  Vince was making love to his dessert, keeping to himself as he enjoyed the treat, and the others were also being far to quiet for his tastes.<br/><br/>Focusing his attention on Mari, the woman across the table from him, he nodded.  “So, Mari, I’m curious about your family as I grew up without any siblings.  I think you mentioned you were the 2nd oldest?   What are the rest of your siblings like?”  He paused, casting a grin her away as he continued.  “Are the rest as beautiful and sexy as you or did you get the monopoly on that?”   The words were kept light and airy on purpose, his attempt to get the rest of them back into the conversation and on the path of learning more about each other.<br/>