Even though they had momentarily split up just over a year ago for a period of time, Mark had never stopped loving Layla, and no one had ever doted on a partner like he did for her. If possible though, the last few months had made him love her even more. When Mark had learned that Layla was pregnant, he was scared and nervous, but Layla had always been there to hold his hand and show him everything would be alright. As he had got less scared over the months, he found himself becoming more and more excited about becoming a parent, about moving onto the next stage with his dream girl and starting a family. Even though they weren't married anymore, Mark still knew that inside they were, and he was sure they would make it official again some time soon. For now, all three Talleys were resting after what had been a big day for them. When Layla announced she was going into labor, Mark had become strangely calm and cool, knowing he had to hold it together for Layla. She had done wonderfully too, with a smooth pregnancy largely being helped by her cool demeanour and the way Layla always was, managing to take everything in her stride. Now here they are a few hours later, everything calm and quiet again. Mark sat beside the bed, his head laid on her shoulder as she relaxes. From there, he could see River asleep, looking as peaceful as anyone ever had. He was perfect in every way in Mark's eyes. He had never known how much a parent could love their child until the moment he saw River for the first time. "Are you ok, Lay?" he asks, whispering so he doesn't wake River.

Mark smiles when Layla says she's doing ok. She had gone through a lot last night, and he just wanted to know that she was feeling good. "I love you too," he says quietly, raising her hand and kissing it softly. He looks from Layla to River and smiled. He looked just like his mother in Mark's eyes and he had the perfect complexion, a beautiful mix of their own two skin tones that Layla had always talked about. "Can you believe we made someone so amazing?" he asks quietly. It meant the world to him that he had managed to start a family with his one true love. "I'm feeling great," he says. He was very tired, but he didn't want to sleep in case Layla or River needed him.

Mark smiles at Layla's response to his question. "He certainly has a beautiful mother anyway. He has your eyes too." He looks across at her as his thumb lightly strokes the back of her hand. This was perfect to Mark, to be with the one girl he had ever loved and to know that this was for real, that they had a family together. When she tells him to sleep, he laughs a little. "I look tired? After what you went through last night, I have no right to pretend I'm tired," he says gently. "Besides, you barely slept. You must be knackered after everything last night." He looks across at Layla and then River. "I know you will take good care of him. I can see that motherly look in your eyes."

"Like his grandfather? I guess so. He certainly didn't get my eyes anyway. I think he definitely has your nose though," he says with a smile, looking over at River when Layla does. "I can't wait until we get to take him home. We'll get to be a family in our own house. It will be the best," he tells Layla with a smile. "He does? That's really sweet. I guess I'll need to try to make peace with Logan's dad then huh?" He didn't want to think that his own arguments with Scott would ever spoil even a second of River's birthdays. He was less than a day old but already Mark knew he would do anything for him. "More? Let's wait until we work out how to look after this one," he smirks. "It's fine. I need to be awake to make sure you guys are ok anyway," Mark smiles.

"Some people would call it a naive stare. You put such a positive spin on me. That's why I love you," he says with a smile. He felt so at home with Layla and their son, happier than anything to be able to start a family with her. And he knew that their love would now only grow stronger now that they had River to care for and bring up. "I'll try not to," he says, gently stroking her hair. "I know what you mean. But I don't think he's going to walk or talk today. Not yet anyway," he smiles. "It'll be fine. You won't miss anything." He looks at River for a second and nods. "I'll try my best to make up with him. I can't promise, but I'll try," he nods, holding her hand again. "Do you need anything?"

Mark laughs gently when Layla tried to be stern with him. Part of the reason they worked so well together was because Layla never pushed him. Mark was a great guy, but he was inexperienced and perhaps not as socially comfortable as most people, so Layla's patience was perfect for him. When she tried to be stern like now, it was so unlike her that it seemed a little odd. "Ok. I'll try to rest, Lay," he says with a smile. "Are your parents around right now? I bet they're excited to be grandparents, huh?" he asks her. Mark had not had too much contact with Layla's parents, but they seemed like nice people. When she asks for a drink, he nods and stands, but then stops at the door. "Oh...not coffee, right? I read in my book that a mom isn't supposed to have coffee if she wants to breastfeed." He had studied hard for this day. He didn't want to get it all wrong when River arrived.

Mark laughs a little and shakes his head. "Don't be sorry, I know you just care," he says, gently squeezing her leg. When she mentions her parents will be there soon, he raises an eyebrow. "I guess I better make sure my hair is done. Don't want people seeing me without it being just right," he winks. "Water it is. I'll bring you a sandwich too. Don't want you to waste away to nothing," he smiles. "I'll be right back," he adds, stepping out of the room and hurrying down the hallway. He didn't want to be away from the two of them for too long.

Mark smiles when Layla said he was perfect to her. All he ever wanted to do was treat her right and show how much he loved her. "Not as perfect as you are to me," he says, kissing her on the head. Mark smiles as he walks out of the room and closes the door quietly. When he returns a few minutes later, he sees that Layla is feeding River and he smiles. To see them bonding so closely already was amazing. "Hey, you two," he says quietly, moving to sit beside them. He puts the water and sandwiches down on the bedside table and looks across at Layla. "Is he managing it alright?"

Mark smiles contentedly as he watches River drink. It was a relief for any parent to know that their kid was alright, and even though River had been very quiet since he was born, he seemed to be making great progress when it came to eating. "It must be hungry work, being born. I'm not surprised he's eating well," Mark jokes, gently stroking his head. "He's probably getting more used to you now, like bonding and stuff. That's sweet. You'll be his favourite person in the world right now," he says with a little smile. It made everything seem amazing to see his family so close like this.

"I think he will settle when he's at home with us. It can get a bit hectic in here at times with all the nurses fussing and stuff so he'll probably just be unsettled by all that." He takes a drink of water and looks at Layla. "I think you've both taken to that quite well. I guess it does just come naturally to a mother, huh? You're gonna be the best mom ever as well, Lay." Layla's naturally caring demeanour meant anyone could see she would make a wonderful mother, Mark had no doubt about that.