Disclaimer: I do not own Rent, or anything else mentioned you might recognize.
"Danny! Please don't steal Mommy's script!" Allie cried, chasing after a young blonde haired boy, carrying a large yet flimsy book. "I need to rehearse, honey!" Mark appeared in the living room, tying a basic blue tie around his basic blue shirt collar.
"Well, I'm off to 'Corporate America.'" He stated, his voice dripping with disgust and sarcasm. Allie laughed and went to him.
"You should be thanking Joanne for this job, Mark." She replied matter-of-factly. He nodded in agreement.
"I know, I know. I just can't help feeling like I sold out." Allie mock-pouted and intertwined her fingers with his.
"Well your selling out bought us this nice apartment, food, and a TV!" A look of confusion spread on Mark's face.
"I thought all the money you raked in from your stardom did that." She smiled and kissed him.
"No, that paid for the wedding." Mark laughed.
"Right." Allie pulled herself away to regain her script from her son and get her husband some coffee. He watched her dance around the kitchen, pouring coffee, milk, and sugar into a travel mug, singing show tunes. "What show are you rehearsing for again?" Allie shot him a stern look.
"Do you ever listen when I talk?" Mark shrugged apologetically.
"I do listen, but you got the part like, yesterday!" She secured the lid on the large silver cup and handed it to him.
"Nice try. I got it last week." He took the mug from her and smiled.
"Thanks. I've just been so swamped with work, you know it's really important to me." Allie glared at him and picked up a steak knife from the counter.
"I suggest you go to work, now." Mark laughed and grabbed his coat.
"Love you too babe." Allie smiled and blew him a kiss. He feigned catching it and walked out the door. Allie turned to Daniel, who sat guiltily on the plaid armchair in the corner.
"I guess it's just you and me kid!" Danny giggled.
"Mommy, were you really gonna stab daddy with the knife?" Allie laughed nervously and went to join her son.
"Of course not sweetie! You're daddy and I were just playing." She wrapped her arms around him and rested against the chair.
"Mommy, can I have chocolate?" Allie brought her hand to her chin and clicked her tongue.
"Depends." He climbed on her lap and shrugged his shoulders.
"On what Mommy?"
"What did I feed you for breakfast?" He jumped off her lap and went into the kitchen and pulled out a yellow box of cereal.
"Bran flakes. Icky yucky bran flakes." Allie sighed and grabbed the jar full of miniature chocolate bars.
"Kay, here you go." He grabbed a handful of wrapped pieces and ran to the hallway.
"I was just joking Mommy, I really got Count Chocula." Allie rose.
"Why you little!" She chased after him again, and when she caught him, he squealed, tossing candy wrappers everywhere.
"I love you Mommy." Allie took a chocolate from him, unwrapped it, and popped it in her mouth.
"I love you too, Daniel."
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"Honey, I'm home!" Mark called, entering the apartment and loosening his tie. Daniel came running out of his bedroom to greet his father.
"Daddy!" He cried, as Mark picked him up and flung him over his shoulders. Daniel giggled, just as Maureen appeared behind him.
"You haven't called me 'honey' in years." She spoke sultrily, with a smirk. Mark set his son down and rolled his eyes.
"We haven't dated in years, Maureen." She shrugged.
"True." Mark looked around the abnormally neat apartment.
"Where's Allie? And did you clean?" Maureen sighed bitterly.
"She's at rehearsal for that show she's in." She picked up her jacket off the armchair and put it on. "And no, Allie cleaned before she left. She told me to tell you she'll be home at like, eleven." Mark sighed and moved to the answering machine.
"Any calls?" Maureen nodded.
"There was a few, but when I answered, they hung up. It was like that all day." He looked at the small gray box, blinking the number 00.
"That's weird." He replied, drumming his fingers on the counter. Daniel tugged on Mark's pant leg.
"Daddy, can you make me dinner? I'm hungry!" He nodded and went to examine the contents of the refrigerator. He pulled out a ziploc bag of chicken tenders and another of mashed potatoes.
"Maureen, do you want to stay for dinner? We've got plenty of…kid food." He asked, with a small laugh. Maureen shrugged.
"Why not? I hate living alone." Mark opened the cupboard and removed three paper plates. He separated the chicken and mashed potatoes evenly onto the plates and put one in the microwave.
"You still miss her?" He asked, setting the microwave timer for two minutes. Maureen laughed nervously.
"What? No! Of course not! She left…and I'm fine." Mark cast her a reproaching glance. She returned it wide-eyed. "I am, Mark! I've got a good job, and I've been meeting a lot of great men and women. You know I can't be tied down!" He sighed.
"I know, but…you were happy with Joanne." Maureen winced.
"Don't say her name." Mark nodded.
"Sorry." The microwave beeped, and he pulled out the plate. "Here ya go Danny boy!" Daniel climbed on the barstool and attacked his chicken and potatoes. "How about a fork?" Mark suggested, handing it to the boy.
"Ok daddy. I just forgot." Mark and Maureen laughed as the phone rang.
"Can I get it daddy?" Daniel asked, his face covered in food. Mark shrugged.
"Ok, sure." Daniel picked up the phone.
"Cohen res-ee-dance." Mark laughed as he pronounced his last word, and pulled out Maureen's plate. Daniel covered the mouthpiece of the phone. "Daddy, who's-what's your name again? -Roger Davis?"
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A/N: Hey my readers! I finally got the sequel up! I wrote this one for a long time, because I wanted it to be good. Constructive criticism is expected, loving reviews are adored, and flames are hurtful. I love you all!