Disclaimer: I don't own or am affiliated with RENT or any of it's characters. None of them are mine. They belong to the late, great Jonathan Larson.
Notes: This is a new story I've been trying to work on for a while. I'd like to dedicate it to Lael who has been such a great inspiration to me... And our wonderful SL. Thank you love!
This story takes place Post-RENT. Mimi's long gone. Col and Angel as well. Roger's the only one of them left. He and Mark decide they want to start a family with an assist from Maureen. It's different, I know, but I like different. I've never really written Maureen much before so if I've written her not to anyone's liking, forgive me in advance. I'm writing her as best I can. But if you like her, that's great too. Please read and review. It would mean a lot to me.
I know I should be working more on SASMTO, but lately, I can't think of anything right now. I am trying though. Chapter 16 should be up soon. Hopefully! Cross your fingers. Okay, so now on to the new story. Enjoy!
Leap Of Faith
Chapter 1 - Mark… Junior?
Roger and I had been talking about it now for almost a year, and we both finally came to an agreement. This was something we both decided we really wanted and we'd been discussing it with Maureen as well, and although Maureen wasn't exactly our first choice, she was the only one we both knew and well, the only one willing. The hard part would be figuring out how we'd make this happen.
"Pookie, are you really sure about this?" Maureen stepped into my and Roger's bedroom to 'entice' me. I should be used to this. After all, we did date, and I have had sex with her before. So why does this seem so much more difficult?
"No, but this is the only way we can do this." I sighed, wishing we didn't have to do it this way.
"You know Mark, we could just go to the sperm bank and do it that way." I don't think she wanted to do this any more than I did.
"That would be a great idea. But I thought you wanted to do this the 'old-fashion' way, as you put it."
"Yeah, I thought about that last night and realized, I'm just not interested in sleeping with you again." I can always count on her to be blunt with me. But thankfully, she was thinking the same thing I was.
"Wonderful," I nearly shouted enthusiastically. "let's go." I got dressed quickly, tripping over my jeans in the process and fell flat on my face. She laughed at me and my face reddened a deep crimson. I glared at her, trying to be mad, but that didn't last. I started laughing too.
She reached down a hand and pulled me up. "You okay there?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." I jumped to my feet and pulled up my jeans, my face still burning a little.
"I guess you don't want to sleep with me either."
"Is it that obvious?" I said, pulling on my favourite scarf completing my ensemble.
"Well I remember a time when you couldn't wait to get me into bed. You know, I miss that sometimes Marky." Maureen brought her face really close to mine, tracing a finger over my jaw line.
"Maureen, that doesn't work anymore. It did years ago, but not anymore." I pulled away from her and walked toward the door.
She stood there pouting at me, expecting me to fall for her whims again. I rolled my eyes, exiting the bedroom and propped myself onto the table to check my camera to make sure the batteries were charged.
Maureen came out of the bedroom a few minutes later fully dressed and sat down beside me. "I'm sorry pookie. You know how I get sometimes." She kissed my cheek and smiled.
"Yeah Maureen, I know." I hopped off the table with camera in hand, heading toward the front door. "But I'm gonna go do some filming right now. I've got another project due by next week."
"You're always working now Mark. Are you sure you and Roger can handle the responsibilities of parenthood with both of you working all the time?"
"That's why we're working so much. We want to make sure we can provide for the baby."
She started laughing. I looked at her curiously. "What's so funny?"
"You. Hearing you say baby. It's weird. I just never pictured you as a father…or is it mother." She continued to laugh.
"Hey!"
"I'm just kidding with you. You'll make a great father."
"And you'll be a great mother Maureen."
The color in her face drained hearing me say those words. "Oh god. I'm gonna be a mother. How did I let you talk me into this?"
"'Cause you're the only one who'd help. Besides, you wanted to do this too."
"Oh yeah." She smiled unnervingly.
"You know," I didn't really want to say it, but… "you don't really have to do this." Although you only promised us you would.
"Oh, Marky. I said I'd do it," She rolled her eyes and sighed like it was extremely painful for her to say. "I'll do it. Don't worry."
It's kinda hard not to when you're having second thoughts Mo. "Okay, I'll try. But I've gotta get going. Are you gonna head home?"
"Yeah, Joanne's expecting me. Can you believe I've stayed faithful to her this whole time Mark?"
How does she expect me to answer that? "Uh, yeah I suppose…" I trailed off not really sure how to respond. "Look I've really gotta go Mo. I'd love to continue this conversation," I ran back to the table and pulled her off. "but I can't talk right now. Gotta go." I pushed her out the door and closed it before she had any chance to protest.
I opened the door leading into the loft after several hours of filming, and found it to be rather warm. Roger was sitting on the table holding his guitar plucking out a few chords. He looked up and smiled at me. I smiled back. "Hey, how was work?"
"Hard. I hate working there. It's so tedious, and my boss is such an asshole." Roger laid his guitar on the table and jumped off, greeting me with a kiss.
I removed my coat and scarf, and threw them on our worn out couch. "I know, but we agreed to work so we can have a family. Unless you don't want…"
"No, I do. I really do, it's just, well, I just wish I had a different job." We sat back down on the table together and he laid his head on my shoulder. A sigh escaped his lips.
"I know Rog." My fingers stroked through his hair gently. I kissed him sweetly on his forehead. "I love you Roger."
"I know. Love you too."
"Have you taken your AZT today?"
"Shit, I knew I forgot something."
"Go take it now. Remember, you wanna be as healthy as you can for our child."
"Yeah I know. I'm trying. I really am Mark." He jumped up from the table a little perturbed.
"And you're doing a great job Roger." I touched his shoulder lightly to keep him calm, and to let him know it's okay. A reassuring smile formed across my lips.
"Thanks. That means a lot Mark." He flashed me a simple smile and darted off to the bathroom to take his meds. I sat there on the table just thinking. What if this really isn't a good idea? What if what we're doing will only make things harder for ourselves? I mean, we really want to do this. We really want to raise a child together, but can we do it? Can we really do it?