Chapter 9:
A/N: The Spanish translations aren't a hundred percent accurate, they're the general idea. I'm just telling you now. They're basically what's already said, so some parts aren't even translated. Just read the chapter, you'll get it!!
Tina101
Mark picked up the phone and dialed the number to Angel's place. It was Christmas Eve, and nobody deserved to be alone, least of all Angel. Angel picked up after a few rings.
"Hello?"
"Hi, it's Mark. Do you want to come over? I finished my film and all." Angel didn't answer right away.
"Umm, sure. Thanks honey. I'll be right over." Mark said goodbye to Angel and hung up the phone. He still had to set up the projector.
Roger watched Mark set up his projector from his seat on the couch. He picked up his guitar and strummed it absent-mindedly. He wasn't really in the mood to celebrate Christmas. What was there to celebrate; the breaking up of their Bohemian family? Collins was dead, and hope of finding Mimi was wearing thin. A year ago things had been so great, but now…
Half an hour later, Angel joined Roger and Mark at the loft. In his hand was a full bottle of Stoli.
"For
Collins," he said even though both Mark and Roger already knew that. Mark grabbed three plastic cups off the
counter and handed them out. "Are the
girls coming over?"
"Yea, they should be here any
minute," Roger replied as Mark poured the vodka. Angel held up his cup.
"Cheers," he said almost grimly. Roger and Mark held up their glasses in remembrance of Collins. Angel held his cup up towards the sky before downing its contents. It was weird to see Angel out of drag as 'one of the guys;' at least to Roger. He couldn't tell how Mark felt about this.
Mark, Roger and Angel were all sitting around waiting for Maureen and Joanne. Mark refused to show his film until they showed up.
Roger was
about to call them when a frantic voice from the street below called,
"Mark! Roger! Anyone!? HELP!"
"Maureen?" Mark asked. He, Roger and Angel all rushed out to the
fire escape. Maureen and Joanne were
both on the street below. Cradled in
Joanne's arms was Mimi.
"Mimi," Angel breathed.
"We can't get her up the stairs," Maureen exclaimed. "Hurry up!" The three men scrambled inside and down to the street below.
Joanne was struggling to keep her hold on Mimi. Finally, Mark, Roger and Angel came rushing out of the building.
"Here give
me," Angel said firmly as he took Mimi from Joanne. Mimi mumbled something under her breath. "Shh, it's okay chica. We've got you now."
"Let me help you," Roger
said. He and Angel rushed Mimi up to the
loft.
Joanne was the first one up to the loft. She slid open the door and went inside. Everyone followed her.
"No room on the couch!" Joanne announced.
"Put her on the table," Mark ordered. Maureen and Joanne swept everything off the table and onto the floor. Mark put a blanket and pillow on the table before Roger and Angel laid Mimi on it.
"Roger…Roger!" Mimi cried. Roger rushed to her side.
"Shh, I'm here. I'm here," he soothed. Mimi's gaze wandered over to Angel.
"Angel." A soft smile played across Mimi's face. "You're here." Angel leaned over and stroked Mimi's thin cheek.
"I'm right here, chica. Don't you worry." Mimi began to cough violently. When she was done, she focused on Roger.
"I finished my song for you," he said. Angel reluctantly took a few steps backwards so Roger could share with Mimi his latest triumph.
Mimi found herself walking towards a warm, white light. Out of nowhere, a shadowy figure appeared. The image of the person focused.
"Collins!" Mimi exclaimed as she threw her arms around Collins' neck. Chuckling, Collins returned the hug. Mimi backed away. "Am I dead?"
"No, you're not. You have to turn back. Roger's been through enough shit to lose you. Listen to that boy's song, he loves you." Mimi gave Collins another warm hug. "Tell Angel that I want her to go on with her life. Tell her to start dressing up again." Mimi nodded.
"I will. I will," she promised.
"I love you, Meems."
"I love you too."
Mimi felt herself being pulled away from Collins by an invisible force. The next thing she knew, she was back at the loft. She rolled over and began to cough. Angel rubbed her back as everyone rushed to her side.
"Mimi!" Roger exclaimed, clearly shocked. Mimi sat up on the table.
"I was heading towards this warm, white light, and Collins was there!" angel's hand flew to his mouth. "He told me to turn around because Roger' been through enough shit to lose me." Everyone chuckled. Mimi turned to Angel. "Él quisiera que te enciendas con tu vida y que comenzaras a vestir en la fricación otra vez como antes." Angel nodded. He wrapped his arms around Mimi and kissed the top of her head.
"Voluntad," he swore. I promise. "Yo prometo que." I promise that. The rest of the Bohemians wanted to know what was going on, but no one (not even Maureen) dared to ask and ruin the moment. Mimi gently pulled away from Angel and leaned against Roger. She saw the projector and smiled weakly.
"You finished your movie," she said to Mark. Mark blushed slightly.
"Yeah, I'll show you guys another time."
"What's it
called?"
"Actual Reality." Angel
smiled. Mimi closed her eyes. She felt so safe with all her friends around
her. Roger got up and held Mimi to her
feet.
"Let's get you to bed." Mimi didn't object. She said goodnight to everyone and went to bed, safe in Roger's strong arms.
Later that night, Angel was searching through the closet for something to wear tomorrow. When he came across Collins' jacket, he pressed his face against the cool fabric and took a deep breath. It still smelled like Collins' aftershave and marijuana smoke. Angel stood there for a second, breathing in Collins' scent before going on in search of an outfit. Finally, she decided on one, her white flowered skirt and bright green sweater.
The End
