CHAPTER 34

A quick recap of some of the characters and family members:

Frank Davis: Roger's father

Sandra Davis: Roger's mother

Lindsey Davis: Roger's older sister

Marissa Davis: Lindsey's 3 year old daughter

Lisa Cohen: Mark's 17 year old  sister

Matt Hayes: Lisa's 18 year old boyfriend and father of their son, Noah.

Noah Hayes-Cohen: Lisa and Matt's 3 month old son

Evan and Travis: Members of Roger's band

Wes, Lori, and Gwen Marcaly: Wes is the drummer to Roger's band, Lori is his wife, and Gwen is their daughter.

I think that wraps up everyone.

33 Review! It's the wedding!

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"Jac?"

Mark walked out of the bathroom and kissed her on the forehead. "You swear you're going to be okay? I don't have to go if you don't want me to."

"I'll be fine Mark. It's not every day your best friend gets married. Go out and have a good time," she said, standing up.

"I promise no strippers," he said as he slipped on his shoes.

Jackie laughed. "Whatever you say. You have your own personal stripper waiting at home." She followed him out into the living room. "So your mother's still coming tomorrow for the wedding? With your dad, right?"

"Yeah."

Roger came out of the bedroom, his arm wrapped around Mimi. "Mark, you ready to go? Collins and Dan are meeting us downstairs with the cab."

"Ooh someone's excited to get a lap dance," Maureen laughed. She was sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee in her hands watching the TV.

Roger rolled his eyes and pulled Mimi into the kitchen. "You're okay with this?"

She nodded. "It's fine baby. Because tomorrow by this time we're going to be married and you won't be a bachelor anymore," she laughed. She gave him kiss as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Whatever you say Mrs. Davis," he grinned. He scooped her up and carried her back into the living room and set her next to Maureen.

"Uh uh. I'm still Miss Marquez tonight."

"I love you," he said, giving her a final kiss before heading for the door.

"I love you more!" Maureen cooed as Mimi playfully shoved her shoulder.

"Roger, come here," Jackie said, pulling him to the side near the door.

"Yeah?"

"Get Mark a stripper," she laughed. "He could use it."

Roger smirked. "You got it."

"Bye guys!" Maureen said. "Leave already! Us girls have work to do!"

Mark gave Jackie a kiss. "I won't be out late."

"Just go and have a good time. I'll see you later tonight," she said, closing the door behind them both. "Jesus, I thought they'd never leave."

Mimi grinned. "Neither did I. Let's party!"

Maureen stood up and switched on the stereo. She walked into Roger and Mimi's bedroom just as the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" Mimi hollered.

"Hey guys," Lindsey said, pushing Marissa in the room. Her arms were full with an overnight bag and presents.

"Hey Linds," Mimi said, giving her a quick hug. "Did you have a hard time getting up here?"

"Nah. A little bit of traffic on the parkway, but it wasn't that bad. Did my pain in the ass brother and his sidekick leave yet?" she joked, setting the presents on the kitchen counter.

"Sure did," Maureen piped up. "We practically had to force him out of the door."

"You ready to get married?" Lindsey asked. "Especially to my brother? Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

Mimi laughed and nodded. "I'm feeling fine. Where are you staying tonight?"

"Downstairs with Lisa and Matt, who surprisingly weren't home. So I figured I'd come upstairs and drop my present off as well as Jimmy and Kim's. Just to let you know, my mom and dad are going to be here around 11:30 tomorrow."

"I thought Roger didn't want his dad to come to the wedding?" Maureen asked. Mimi shot her a look. "I mean—"

Lindsey laughed. "Yeah well, you can't really keep Frank Davis away when he has his mind set on anything."

Just then, the doorbell rang again. Maureen stood up to get it. "Oooh!" she squealed. "You guys look!"

"Hey," Lisa greeted. Matt followed in behind her, carrying Noah in his carrier. "Guess who we brought with us?"

Mimi gave her a hug. "Oh Lisa, he's beautiful. Did he just fall asleep?"

Matt laughed and shook his head. "No way. He's faking it. He's mastered the art of doing it to look cute."

"He tried it out enough on my mom today," Lisa added. Just then, Noah started to fuss and Lisa picked him up and started rocking him back and forth. "He's been a little cranky today."

"I don't blame him. Anyone would be cranky around your mom," Matt joked. He took Noah from Lisa as she pulled out the baby's bottle and handed it to him.

"The doctor's said he's okay?"

"Yup. He's good to go. He's almost 7 pounds already." She handed Matt a bib before turning back to the girls. "So somebody's getting married tomorrow!"

"Yeah," Mimi smiled. "So what's the plan Mo?"

"Oh yeah." She stood up and pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket.

"Oh my god, she wrote it down," Jackie teased.

"We all have to be up by 8 AM to get our nails done. That means me, Jackie, Lisa, and of course Mimi. We should be out of the place by 10 latest. Then we're getting our hair done at the salon down the street at 10:30. It should take an hour, which means we'll be back at the loft at 11:30. Then before we get back, I'll call ahead and make sure the guys are out of the place, which means we have it to ourselves to get dressed. The limos will be here by 1, and we'll be at the church by 1:30 if there's traffic."

"Sound like a game plan," Mimi laughed.

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Jackie rolled over and yawned. Mark was sitting at the edge of their bed, taking his shoes off. "Did you have fun?"

"Yeah. We all had a good time. Roger is the perfect guy to take into a strip club," Mark laughed.

"Did he have a good time?"

"Of course. Even Collins and Dan had a good time, and they're both gay!" He pulled himself under the sheets next to her. "Maureen didn't drive you insane, did she?"

"Nah. I think she was grating on Mimi's nerves though. Do me a favor and set the alarm for 8 AM."

"Why?" he asked, reaching over to punch in the numbers.

"Because the wedding planner is taking us to get our nails done first thing," she groaned, resting her head on his chest. "And to think you actually dated her. You dated a psycho."

Mark laughed. "Now I'm dating you. You're about as far from psycho you can get."

"Good. Now go to sleep because unlike you, I have an early wake up call."

"Night. Love you."

"Love you too."

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Roger slapped the 'snooze' button on the alarm and rolled over, his arm draped over Mimi's side. "Good morning Miss Marquez…" he said, kissing her.

"Ugh. You're not a dog. Stop slobbering all over me," she smiled.

"Oh nice." He pulled himself on top of her and started planting kisses all over her neck and chest. "Ready to get married?"

"I thought there was something important I had to do today," she said, giggling as he moved up to her neck. "But we might have to miss it if you don't cut that out."

"You're going to be Mrs. Davis in six hours."

"No way! I thought I was going to be Mrs. Cohen!" she teased, sitting up.

"Funny."

"Ha ha. How was last night?" She pulled on a tank top and sweatpants and stood up.

He grinned. "Good. But you don't have to know about that."

"Why not?" She pulled her curly hair into a messy bun.

"Cuz we could reenact it right now," he smirked, pulling her down next to him.

"Roger Michael Davis!" she squealed.

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"Jackie do you have the flowers?" Mimi shouted out. She was standing on a chair in the middle of the living room, the train on her gown flowing over the side.

"The florist has them at the church! They should be in the refrigerator!" she added from the bathroom.

"Okay there. It's pinned enough in front so you're not about to fall on your face walking down the aisle," Maureen said. She helped Mimi down off the chair and started adjusting her veil. "I hope she's okay. She's been throwing up in the bathroom all morning."

"I think she'll be okay." Mimi looked over. "Does it look okay? I don't look fat, do I? God I hope the photographer takes flattering pictures," she groaned, running her hand over her stomach.

"You look beautiful. And for the millionth time today, you don't look fat. At all. You can barely tell in the dress," Lisa pointed out. She was trying to put in an earring and rock Noah in his swing at the same time.

"Lisa is your dress okay in the front? The stupid tailor kept fucking up the measurements!" Maureen said, running over to Lisa with a bunch of pins and fabric measuring tape.

"Yes Mo. For the final time, all of our matching bridesmaids dresses look fine," Lisa mocked as Maureen swatted at her.

Jackie, Lisa, and Maureen each were wearing matching lilac dresses with thin spaghetti straps and a low neckline. Their hair was pinned up and curled with a few wisps hanging down to frame their faces.

Mimi's dress had fit perfectly after it had been tailored. It was strapless and form fitting, but it stretched enough around the stomach that her pregnancy was camouflaged. Her hair was twisted half up and half down, and her curls were tamed and resting perfectly on her shoulders.  "Guys?"

"Yeah?" Lisa asked. She had picked up Noah in his baby blanket and had propped him up against her shoulder, rubbing his back.

"Do I have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?" she asked, her eyes widening.

Maureen froze and looked like she was about to panic. "Okay. Your earrings are old, right?"

"Yeah, I bought them a few years ago."

"And your dress is new. So is the baby!" Lisa added.

"You borrowed my silver bracelet," Maureen added, pointing to Mimi's wrist.

"Then what's blue?"

"My toenails?" Mimi giggled. "Yeah, they're baby blue."

"Then we're good to go."

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Mimi and the girls' limousine pulled up in front of the church twenty minutes later. Maureen ushered Mimi inside and into the side room quickly before even the priest could see her. Lisa had somehow found her mother and passed off Noah to her, then followed Jackie into the room as well.

Roger was attempting to adjust his tuxedo jacket in the mirror with Collins help when Mark came in, followed by Dan.

"They're here," he announced. "Why are you still playing with your jacket?"

Roger glared at him. "Because I'm fucking nervous and I have nothing better to do. Do you have the rings?"

"No Roger, they're at home on the counter. Yes I have the rings," he said, holding them out so he could see.

"Good."

"And you have the marriage license? Right?" Mark nodded. "And is my mother here yet?"

"Um, I think so." Mark checked out the window. "Yeah, she's coming up the stairs right now."

"Okay."

Collins grabbed Dan's arm and pulled him towards the door again. "We're going to see if the girls need any help."

"Yeah. Thanks," Mark said. They door closed and Roger turned around.

"Do I look okay?"

"You look fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"And you have the rings?"

"Yes."

"What if I forget what to say?" he asked, taking a seat on the couch.

Mark laughed. "Rog, the priest makes it easy for you. You only have to repeat what he says."

"I mean the vows, douche bag."

"That's why you have the piece of paper in your jacket pocket," Mark reminded him.

"Oh, right."

"Do you love her?"

Roger stared at him like he head three heads. "What the fuck kind of question is that? Of course I love her."

"Then you'll be fine."

Roger nodded and grinned. "Yeah, I guess we will be."

"You'll be married before you know it." Mark had just stood up when a soft rap was heard at the door. He opened it to find Roger's mother standing on the other side. "Hi Mark."

"Hi Mrs. Davis."

"Could you give me a minute with my son?" she asked. Mark nodded.

"I'll come get you when it's time?"

Roger nodded. "Thanks Mark. For everything."

"No problem."

Sandra walked over to Roger and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a hug and a kiss. "You look wonderful. I just saw Mimi. She looks beautiful."

"Thanks Mom. Did dad come with you?"

Sandra nodded. "He's talking with Mark's father and Mimi's stepfather right now."

"Oh."

"Honey, I just want you to know how proud am I of you. I know neither of us have told you that enough over the years—especially your father, but we really are. You're my baby boy, and you're finally getting married. Mimi's such a sweetheart, and you're lucky to have her. You really are."

Roger nodded. "I know."

"And now you have that baby on the way, and you're going to be a great father. I know it. So forget what your father says to you. You'll be great." She leaned over and gave him another kiss on the check. "I'll see you after the ceremony." She stood up and headed towards the door."

"I love you Mom."

"I know honey. I love you too." She smiled before shutting the door behind her.

"Mimi? You ready honey?"

Mimi looked up and nodded. "Yeah. I guess as ready as I ever will be. Nervous. Kind of."

Maureen nodded as she helped her pull the veil over her face. She handed the flowers to her. "Collins will be waiting right in the hall to walk you down the aisle, okay?" She gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm so happy for you."

Mimi smiled as Maureen paused before the doors to the church. Marissa was positioned in front of her, her basket of flower petals hanging off her arm. The opening music started. "Go ahead sweetie," Maureen whispered in Marissa's ear. Marissa started off down the white-carpeted aisle.

"Nervous yet?" Mark asked, nudging Roger in the ribs.

"Not really." Marissa had reached the end of the aisle and Lindsey helped her to the side as Maureen started down with Dan on her arm.

"You always were a bad liar," Mark laughed.

"Shut up, dickhead."

Dan walked back down the side of the pews and met up with Jackie, who extended her arm just as Lisa and Matt headed down the aisle. "We're short an usher," he grinned. "I guess Maureen fucked up that part."

Jackie smiled. "Just act like it didn't happen." She turned around and smiled at Mimi, who looked like she was about to cry. Collins squeezed her hand gently.

"You'll be great," he whispered reassuringly in her ear.

"God I hope so," she laughed. Jackie and Dan headed down the aisle and before Mimi knew it, so was she.

Collins gave her a kiss and pulled back her veil. She smiled in Roger's direction, but the minute she took Roger's hand, she felt herself start to choke up with tears. Here she was, a few months shy of 21 years old, getting married. How many times had she pretended to get married with her sisters when they were younger? Now she was going to be a wife—and in 4 and ½ months, a mother.

She looked up at Roger and he smiled and squeezed her hand gently in his. She could see that he was getting choked up too as the priest breezed through the opening part of the ceremony.

The priest smiled warmly down at them and he linked their right hands together. Somewhere in the corner Maureen could be heard blowing her nose.

"Do you, Roger Michael, take Marcela Concepcion to be your wife? Do you promise to be true to her in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and honor her all the days of your life?"

Roger glanced at Mimi, who had tears streaming down her face and squeezed her hand again. "I do."

"Yay! Mommy Uncle Roger said he does! Grandma ya hear that!" Marissa said loudly as everyone laughed. Mimi giggled and Roger smiled down at her.

"Sorry father," Lindsey apologized. Sandra held Marissa on her lap and smiled on at Roger and Mimi.

"Hey, it happens," he chuckled. "Do you, Marcela Concepcion, take Roger Michael to be your husband? Do you promise to be true to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and health, to love him and honor him all the days of your life?"

Mimi nodded. "I do."

The priest said a few more words before asking for the rings. "May I have the rings?" Mark fumbled in his pocket and finally pulled out the two rings. He grinned at Roger who shook his head.

The priest blessed the rings. Roger took the silver band set with a few diamonds and slipped on Mimi's finger as she stared at him. She had no idea where he had come up with the money to get such a beautiful ring in such short notice. "With this ring, I thee wed."

And it was there that Mimi lost it. Jackie passed down a tissue to her and she wiped at her eyes. Mimi took the other ring from Mark and slipped the band onto Roger's finger, still crying. "With this ring, I thee wed," she said, trying to steady her voice.

"Ladies and gentleman, may I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Michael Davis. Roger, I think it's about time that you kissed your bride," he smiled.

Roger wrapped his arms around Mimi's waist and pulled her in for a kiss, finally breaking apart as the applause rung out over the church.

"Hell yeah! Davis got hitched!" Evan, a member of the Hungarians shouted out, his arm wrapped around his girlfriend Maggie.

"Oh for Christ's—" Wes said, looking up at the stained glass windows in the church. "Yeah. Be quiet. We're in the house of god."

Roger smiled at them and held out his arm for Mimi, and she linked her own through as they walked down the aisle. "You look gorgeous."

"Thanks," she whispered. "God I'm still crying." She looked over at her mother, who was crying, and reached out her hand and squeezed her arm.

He laughed and kissed her again. "Don't worry. You're still beautiful." He led her down the steps and into the limousine as everyone behind them started throwing rice.

Mark paused by the open limousine door. "We'll meet you at the hotel? In the main reception hall?"

Roger nodded. "Yeah. See ya there," he grinned, giving Mimi another kiss.

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"Give it up for Mr. and Mrs. Roger Davis!" the DJ shouted. Roger linked his fingers through Mimi's hand and led her to the dance floor.

"Can I half ass the steps?" he asked. She laughed and nodded, resting her head against his chest as their music started.

"Sure baby. Because I don't know what the fuck I'm doing either," she giggled. His hand found her waist and they started swaying. "Everyone's starting at us, aren't they?"

Roger looked over her shoulder and nodded. He saw his mother, Mimi's mother, and Mrs. Cohen both crying into their tissues. "Pretty much. Either watching us, crying, or raiding the bar."

"Who's at the bar?" she asked.

"Evan and Travis, those shits," he laughed.

"Oh behave," she smiled.

Roger grinned at her. "Have I told you lately that I love you?" he sang, horribly off key. "I'm no good without you anyhow…"

"I hope you're not planning on singing like that at any of your upcoming gigs," she laughed. The song ended, and he led her back to the table. As soon as they took their seats, Mark stood up with his champagne glass.

"Yeah. Thanks," Mark said as everyone quieted down. "I know the best man is supposed to have this great speech prepared, but unfortunately last night I was a little preoccupied—" Jackie looked down and blushed. "For lack of better things to say, Roger, I've know you since we were five years old. We were in the fucking sandbox together, and I'm really proud of you and the person you've become. You've overcome a lot of shit to get this far. You're married and are about to become a father. Fuck anyone who gives you shit about that."

Roger looked over and noticed his father sitting next to his mother and noticed for the first time in almost a decade that he had a smile on his face, directed right towards him.

"And Mimi, you're like a sister to me. I wish you and Roger nothing but happiness. I love you guys." Mark raised his glass. "To Roger and Mimi Davis."

"Here here!"

Roger's father then stood up, at first hesitantly, but was pushed forward by Roger's mother. Mimi looked over at Roger and squeezed his hand.

Frank took the mic. "I know that I'm about the last person you'd expect to see up here, considering my son and I haven't had the best track record over the years. I know we've both said a lot of things to hurt each other, but when I see him sitting up here, married, and with my daughter-in-law at his side, I'm very proud of the man he's become. I sure as hell know I haven't said that to him, but I'm saying it now. Roger, I love you. I always have. I'm just a stubborn Italian ass, and you know it best of all."

"Thanks Dad," Roger said.

"No problem son. And Mimi, welcome to the family honey," he added.

"Thank you," she smiled.

The night progressed on, and eventually Maureen, Collins, Dan, Jackie, and just about anyone else who wanted to came up and said a few words. The cake had been cut, and the bouquet of flowers thrown, which had been caught by Jackie. Around 11:30 the reception started to wind down.

"You look tired," Mark said as he swayed back and forth with Jackie. Her shoes had long been taken off and she was dancing in her stockings.

"Mmm I am. I don't feel that great again," she groaned, resting her head against his chest. Mark looked up and noticed Maureen about to fall over and Roger and Mimi making out in the corner.

 "I think everyone's about ready to call it a night. Roger's parents are upstairs in their rooms, and mine are on the parkway back to Scarsdale."

"Your mom seemed nice," Jackie added. Mark led her to a seat and handed her a glass of water.

"Yeah. She liked you."

"Good." Jackie took a sip of the water. "Should we head up to our room?"

"Yeah. I guess we could. I have the keys in my pocket. Rog, you and Meems heading upstairs?"

He looked over and nodded. "Yeah, we were just about to go to the elevators. You guys going up?"

"In a different one," Jackie shouted over, teasing.

"Thanks. I was gonna make you take the next one anyway."

"We'll see you in the morning," Mark called as Roger led Mimi out of the reception hall and towards the elevators.

The elevator arrived at the 10th floor and Roger dug out his key and opened their hotel door. "So how does it feel to be Mrs. Davis?" he asked as he scooped her up and carried her inside. He kicked the door shut behind him and placed her on the bed. She winked and stared up at him.

"Pretty damn good. Finally."

He took of his shoes and climbed next to her, kissing all up and down her chest and neck. "How tired are you?"

"Hmm." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm pretty tired, but I'm not that tired. Let's go for our wedding night marathon, Mr. Davis."

He started to unzip her dress and grinned. "You got it baby."

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[A/N: And that kids, was the wedding. Woo.]