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Chapter 15: Valentine's Day

February 14th

10:13 AM

The Loft

"Come on, guys," Mark complained as Roger and Mimi passed each other in the living room for the third time that morning, still refusing to speak. "It's Valentine's day. You can't spend the entire day fighting."

"Mark, shut up," Roger muttered, digging through the kitchen closets for some unknown treasure.

"No." Mark answered stubbornly.

"What?"

"I said no. I will not shut up. I've had it with you two acting like you'll start a fire if you so much as give each other a civil glance. This is Valentine's Day, everyone will be here in less than an hour, and I refuse to let you and your abominable temper ruin the party for everyone."

Roger stared at him in shock.

"Wow. I didn't know you knew how to say that many words at one time."

"Well you know what they say. You learn something new everyday. And I'm just full of surprises. Now go talk to her."

"Will you shut up if I do?"

"Yes."

Roger sighed.

"All right then."

Roger walked into their bedroom where Mimi was lying on the bed, staring listlessly up at the ceiling.

"Mimi?" Roger said softly.

She didn't answer. Didn't even move.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Whatever."

"Look. . .um. . .maybe I overreacted the other day. . .but. . .I really think you need to give this some more thought before you make a decision."

"My decision is made."

"Mimi. . ."

"What, Roger?" she snapped, sitting up suddenly, her eyes blazing with anger. "I am having this baby. I don't care what you think, or what you're going to do. If you're going to leave, fine. If you're going to throw me out, fine. If you have a problem with this commitment, then let me know now because I'll need time to figure out how I'm going to do this without you. But I will do it."

"Mimi, this has nothing to do with commitment."

"Then what, Roger?"

Roger turned away from her and began to pace the length of the room silently. Mimi watched him closely, her eyes cold.

"I'm waiting."

"I'm scared, Mimi."

She snorted.

"Nice try."

"Mimi. . .It'll kill you! Please, please don't do this to yourself."

"Roger. . ." Mimi stood up and walked over to him, laying her hands on his shoulders. "It'll be fine. I talked to the doctor about it. It's safer for me to have the baby."

Roger studied her closely.

"You're sure this is what you want?"

"Yes!" she insisted vehemently.

Roger sighed.

"All right."

Mimi smiled weakly.

"So then. . .are we okay?"

Roger nodded reluctantly.

"Yeah. . .yeah, I guess we are."

Mimi laughed in relief and wrapped her arms around his waist. Roger leaned down and kissed her gently.

"So. . .we're gonna be parents." Roger murmured, his voice filled with wonder.

"Yeah."

"With. . .a child. . ."

Mimi laughed.

"Very good, Einstein. Come on, it sounds like the others are here."

She grabbed Roger's hand and led him out into the living room where Maureen, Joanne, Collins, and Aimee were gathered around the counter.

Everyone stared at Mimi for a moment, then Maureen stepped forward and regarded her shyly.

"Can I touch it?"

Mimi gave her an odd look.

"What?"

"Your stomach. You know, can I touch it?"

Mimi glared at Maureen.

"What?" Maureen asked innocently.

"Could you be a little more obvious?"

Maureen looked at the ground and grinned sheepishly.

"We already know." Collins said from behind her.

"You. . .what? Maureen!"

"I'm sorry. . .they just. . .I had to tell someone. I'm just way too excited to contain myself."

"Maureen. . ."

"Hey, hey, guys!" Mark interrupted.

"Well if it isn't Marky the peacemaker emerging." Aimee commented from her seat on the couch.

Mark smiled at her then turned back to Maureen and Mimi.

"Enough standing around. Let's do something."

"Was that a come-on?" Maureen asked.

"No!" Mark yelped. "You know what I meant. It's Valentine's Day. Let's play a game or something."

Maureen grinned slyly at him.

"I think I have just the thing." She turned and walked into the kitchen.

"Oh, God, no." Mark groaned.

Maureen held up an empty soda bottle from the night before.

"Spin the bottle. The perfect Valentine's day game."

Mark groaned louder.

"Do we have to?"

"Yes!" Mimi chimed in, grabbing the bottle from Maureen.

She placed it on the floor in the center of the room and motioned for the others to sit in a circle. Everyone obeyed, and sat eyeing the bottle as if it were a lit explosive.

"Mark spins first." Maureen instructed.

Mark groaned, but did what he was told.

The bottle flew a few feet across the circle and landed in Aimee's lap. Mark blushed crimson and looked at the floor.

"Okay, lovebirds," Maureen cooed, "Time for the kissypoo."

Aimee got up and walked across the room.

"I refuse to be put through the indignity of this game." She turned and walked across the room and out onto the fire escape.

"What?" Mark asked, stunned, "The indignity of kissing me? That's undignified?"

He followed her out, closing the door behind him.

"What's wrong?" he asked softly when he saw that she was crying. "It's only a game."

"I know. . .I just. . .I can't. I want to and I can't. Jake. . .he'd kill me."

"Which is exactly why you need to break things off with him."

"I'm afraid, Mark. Afraid of what he would do."

Mark gently took her chin in his hand, tipping her face up until she was looking directly into his eyes.

"Whatever he does, it can't be worse than what he's already done to you."

Aimee looked thoughtful.

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess you're right."

She stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around Mark's neck, burying her face in his shoulder.

"Hey." He murmured, "Hey, it's okay. It's okay."

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with tears.

"Thanks."

Mark smiled shyly.

"Do I get that kiss now?"

Aimee smiled back.

"Sure."

She leaned up, and caught his lips in a long, tender kiss. Mark closed his eyes, thinking that this was the closest he'd ever get to heaven.

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Yeah, I know. Sappysappysappy. Please review.