A few days had gone by since the night at the Life Café. Roger had been distant during those few days after they had spent the day inside. Mimi could sense that something was bothering him, yet he denied it every time.

"Hey Roger," Mark said while they both sat on the couch, "are you ok? Mimi's worried about you. Are you feeling ok? Do you need to go to the doctors?"

Roger rolled his eyes, "No Mark, it's nothing like that. I-I.." he paused.

"You what Rog? Is everything ok?"

"IthinkimightwanttomaybeaskMimitomarrymebutimscared," He said quickly as he looked at Mark.

Mark shook his head, "Wait. Did you say you were going to ask Mimi to marry you?"

"Well I said I was thinking about it. What do you think she'd say?" Roger looked down and played with the ring on his finger.

"Well right now she thinks you're either sick or want to break up with her," he laughed, "She loves you Roger. Go for it. No Day but Today right? If you learned anything from Angel, it was that."

Roger nodded his head. He knew what he had to do. "The worst thing she can say is no, right? Will you come with me to pick out a ring? I can't afford much, but I want her to have one."

"Of course. Let's go right now." Roger's head shot up.

"Now?" Roger said surprised.

"Well…Let's just go," he patted Roger's back and put his coat on, "Are you coming? Let's do this." Mark put his arm around Roger's shoulders and led him out of the building.

There were so many different things to choose from. He had no idea that it would be so hard. He looked up and waved to the woman behind the counter, showing that he needed help.

"Hello sir, can I help you with something?" the woman said.

"Yes, I'm looking for a ring, but I'm being honest with you- I'm on a very limited budget miss."

"Please, call me Haylie," she said reaching out her hand, "and the future groom is?" she said looking between the two men.

"Roger, I, I'm Roger." Roger said taking her hand and shaking it, "As I said, I don't have very much money. Is there anything you could show us?"

Roger looked at the rings that Haylie had shown him that he could afford. He noticed Mark talking to her on the side. Great, he thought, maybe Mark will get more out of this than I will.

Roger was walking back to Mark, disappointed that he hadn't found anything he liked when he noticed a ring on the display shelf. He turned and looked at it, picturing it on Mimi's finger. It was perfect.

"Excuse me Haylie," he said motioning her over, "How much is this ring?"

"I'm sorry Mr. Davis, that ring is a few hundred more than you said you could spend, but it is beautiful."

Mark saw Roger's face drop. "Roger, here," he held out his wallet, "Take it. It's important, and you and Mimi deserve it."

"Mark I couldn't-" before Roger could finish, Mark already had his checkbook out.

"Don't worry about it Rog. You'll be able to pay me back after a few gigs. Really, I want you to have it." Roger simply nodded, tears welling up in his eyes as he pulled Mark into a hug. Mark handed Haylie the check and she placed the ring into a small blue velvet box. Roger held it tightly and put it into the pocket of his leather jacket.

Roger returned to find the apartment a mess. "Mimi," he called out, "You here?" There was no answer. She was probably downstairs. He and Mark had gone out for a drink and it was almost eleven. His room and the bathroom were a disaster. What was she looking for? He prayed to God that it wasn't a needle. She wouldn't.

He walked downstairs to find Mimi lying in her bed with an arm over her stomach. "Hey baby, you feeling alright?" he asked as he sat next to her small body.

"I think I'm coming down with something," she looked at him and took his hand, "I haven't felt good all day so I called out of work. I'm better now that you're here." She kissed his hand.

"Were you looking for something in the loft?" he asked.

Her head shot up when he asked the question, "No, I mean nothing. I Just wanted a sweatshirt. I found it." She grabbed her stomach and leaned into him.

"Have you been throwing up?" he said as he felt her forehead, "At least you don't have a fever."

"No, not yet. Just a little nausea and stomach pains." She shuddered when he placed his hand on her stomach and pulled away slightly.

"Alright, I guess I'll go then." He was confused. One minute she was telling Mark how much she loved him, drunkenly admitting that she wanted him to propose and the next she jolted at his touch.

Just as he disappeared from the room, he heard her whisper, "Please stay with me Roger."

He slipped off his jeans and went under the covers. He grabbed her face. "You know how much I love you right?"

"Oh Roger," she began to cry, "I love you." He ran his fingers through her hair and drew her into a kiss.

He hummed her a song as she held his shirt tightly. "Mimi, can I ask you something. You know how much I love you and I need to ask you this.."

"Mmm," she said quietly.

"Mimi, I know that we've had a rocky relationship but you made me alive again. I never thought I could feel this way, so complete. I love with all that I am and don't want to waste another day. Will you please marry me, Mimi. Please be with me forever."

He waited a moment for her to respond, "Mimi?" he asked brushing her hair away from her face. She had fallen asleep. He kissed her cheeked and pulled her closer.

He laughed quietly. We'll consider that practice, he thought as he drifted off to sleep.