DECEMBER 22nd
"Miss Marquez?" the nurse called, as she walked into the waiting room.
Mimi turned to Roger, whose head was rested on her shoulder.
"You want me to come in with you?" Roger offered, lifting his head up.
Mimi shook her head. "No, it's okay. I probably won't be that long."
"Okay," Roger said, sleepily. It was six in the morning, and they were at the hospital, so the doctor could have a look at Mimi's shoulder.
"So, how've you been, Mimi?" the doctor asked, as he closed the door behind the two of them.
"Well, my shoulder aches sometimes. But the doctors gave me some painkillers, so most of the time, it's okay."
"Yeah, it's going to ache for a while," the doctor said, smiling sympathetically. "Could you please roll up your sleeve, so I can take a look at the wound?"
Mimi did so, and the doctor gently peeled the bandage back so he could see.
"That DOES look pretty nasty," the doctor observed. He examined her arm further. "Well, luckily the area isn't infected. You clean it and change the bandage every day?"
"Yes."
"Good. Have you been using the sling?"
"I stopped wearing it after the first two weeks. I didn't really seem to need it."
"That's fine. The point of the sling was just so the pressure would be taken off from your shoulder. But t seems to me that it's feeling better, right?"
Mimi nodded.
"Well, then, it seems you're doing alright. You're really lucky that bullet didn't hit an artery."
"I know," said Mimi.
"Well then. I can give you another prescription for some more painkillers in case you're running out. Keep cleaning the wound and re-bandaging it- and do you have any other questions or concerns about anything else disregarding your arm?"
"Well, yes," said Mimi, rolling down her sleeve, "There is ONE thing."
***
Maureen woke up later that morning, and sat up in bed, yawning.
She looked to the other side of the bed, and saw that it was vacant.
"Joanne?" she called, rubbing her eyes as she padded barefoot into the kitchen, where she heard the water running.
"I'm in here," Joanne said, flatly, as Maureen entered the room.
Ever since they had fought a few weeks earlier, the two had been uneasy around each other.
Maureen walked over to the refrigerator to grab something to drink. She settled on a bottle of Sunny Delight, and sat down at the counter, taking a long sip.
Joanne watched her, silently for a moment, and then went back to washing the dishes.
"You know you don't need to do that," Maureen said, as she swallowed a mouthful of Sunny D.
"Well if I don't do it, nobody else will," Joanne replied, haughtily.
"I would."
"That'll be the day," Joanne scoffed.
Maureen sighed. She hated keeping things from Joanne. Oliver kept trying to call her, and every time she turned him down.
She would tell her now, Maureen decided. She needed to get the weight off her shoulders.
"Pookie?" she asked, quietly, as Joanne rinsed her hands on a dish towel.
"Yeah?"
"I haven't been quite honest with you about certain things."
Joanne frowned. "Like what?"
"Well . . . like Oliver, for instance."
"Yes?" Joanne urged her to continue.
"We didn't exactly talk about the collection when I saw him that one time . . ."
"What DID you talk about?" Joanne asked, impatiently, dreading the answer.
"Other things," Maureen said, weakly. "Out of nowhere, he kissed me."
Joanne was silent.
"And I suppose you led him on," she said, coldly.
Maureen shook her head. "It didn't happen like that, Jo," she insisted. "One moment I was talking to him about the collages, and the next I knew his lips were against mine, I finally pulled away from him, and I told him I had to go. He keeps calling me now. He just won't accept no for an answer."
"Is that who's been calling us all the time?" Joanne asked, quietly.
Maureen nodded. "I wanted to tell you," she whispered. "That first day when you picked me up from his office, I wanted to tell you. But I was just to shocked and frustrated by what happened. And then I started to feel really guilty, like I'd betrayed you. And then we got into that stupid argument, and that obviously wasn't a good time to bring it up."
"You promise he came onto you on his own?" Joanne asked.
"I swear, Jo."
Joanne sighed. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch lately."
"Pookie, I'M the one who's been a bitch. I've been like that to everyone lately. Oliver just tries to call me every single hour of the fucking day, and it's been stressing me out a lot."
"I'm sorry," Joanne said.
Maureen shook her head. "It's not your fault. He's just a creep. A really, really desperate creep. I TOLD him I have a girlfriend, but obviously he doesn't see that as an obstacle. I don't even like him like that, Joanne. I promise you."
"I believe you," Joanne said. "I just wish you would have told me earlier so we wouldn't have gotten into a fight."
"I know. I should have. I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Joanne forced a smile. "At least we're okay now, right?"
"Right," Maureen agreed, forcing a smile.
"We should get caller ID or something. Or find a way to block Oliver's number. Is that possible?"
Maureen shrugged.
"What about the art collection? He was offering you a good amount of money, Mo."
"Money isn't worth what we have," Maureen said.
Joanne smiled. "Thanks, Honeybear."
"Welcome, Pookie."
"So we're okay now?"
"Of course."
Just then, the phone rang.
Maureen and Joanne both stared at it.
It continued to ring.
Finally, Maureen reached for the phone, to Joanne's dismay.
Maureen turned to her and winked, as she put the phone on its side.
Joanne smiled, and gave her a quick kiss as the dial tone began to ring, obnoxiously.
***
"You almost done packing?" Jan asked Mark, as he stuffed random articles of clothes into two blue duffel bags.
"Almost," Mark replied.
He grabbed his camera from off his bureau, and put it into its leather case.
He then struggled to zip the bags.
"Ready," he said, standing to his feet.
"Great," Jan said, smiling. "Let's go put them in the car, okay?"
"Hold on," Mark said. "I want to say goodbye to Roger and Mimi first."
"Roger?" he called, tapping on Roger's door.
Roger opened the door.
"You leaving now?" he asked, looking disappointed.
Mark nodded. "Sorry, pal."
"Hey, whatever makes you happy, Mark," Roger said, smiling.
"Where's Mimi?" Mark asked, sticking his head into the room. "I wanted to say goodbye to her too."
"She's staying a bit longer at the hospital than she had intended to. She told me to go on without her, and she'd take the subway back."
"Is everything alright?"
"Yeah. I mean, I hope so."
"I'm sure everything's fine," Mark said, encouragingly. "Tell her I said goodbye, alright"?
"No problem. Bye, Mark. Bye, Jan."
"Bye, Roger," Jan waved, as she helped Mark take his bags outside.
***
DECEMBER 23RD
"You sure we need all this stuff?" Collins asked Frankie, as they pushed their overflowing cart through the party goods store.
"Yup. Maureen gave me a list of what to get," Frankie replied.
Collins, Frankie, Maureen, Joanne, Roger, and Mimi were having a Christmas party on Christmas Eve in the loft.
"Okay, let's see," Frankie said, retrieving the list from her pocket. "Christmas lights, ornaments, Candy Canes, wrapping paper, eggnog, America's Favorite Christmas Songs Volume 1. We have everything?"
"Yes," Collins said, relieved. "What are we going to do for a tree?"
"Roger's bring a tree back up to the loft. I don't know how the hell he's going to get it up there," Frankie said, shaking her head.
"Oh. Well, here. I couldn't wait 'til Christmas to give you these," Collins said, handing Frankie a small velvet green box.
"Collins, you didn't need to get me anything," she giggled, uncovering a pair of emerald-jeweled earrings.
"I didn't really know what kind you'd like," Collins said, quickly.
"Oh, Collins, I love them! They're beautiful!" she exclaimed, as she slipped them through the holes in her ears.
Collins grinned, pleased with himself.
"I got you something too," Frankie said, grabbing a small book from her pocket."
"A book?" Collins said, interested. He read the cover. "Pet-Owning for Idiots." He grinned. "Thanks, Frankie."
"I thought you might want to study how to become friends with Pepper," Frankie giggled. "You like it?"
"Of course," Collins said, kissing her, not caring if anyone else was staring or not.
***
CHRISTMAS EVE
"Merry Christmas!" Collins greeted Roger and Mimi, as he, Frankie, Maureen and Joanne entered the loft, each of their arms bundled with presents. Except for Frankie, who was holding Pepper.
"Hey guys," Roger greeted them, cheerfully.
"Hey Roger. Mimi, you look so adorable," Maureen exclaimed.
Mimi had on a sleeveless velvet cut dress, with red and green dangly earrings.
"You don't think I look like a nerd?" she said, blushing.
"You look gorgeous, Mimi," Frankie told her. In her arms, Pepper was wearing a holiday Doggie outfit, on sale at Petco.
"I've got eggnog waiting," Maureen reminded Roger, holding up a covered pitcher.
"Oh yeah. Just put that in the kitchen," Roger told her.
Maureen disappeared into the apartment.
"The tree looks great," Joanne said, impressed.
"Maureen helped me decorate it," Mimi said. "I've got all these old ornaments from when I was little in a bunch of cardboard boxes, and I never thought I'd have to put any use to them."
"It's great," Joanne said, poking a little porcelain Santa Clause, who dangled near the bottom of the tree.
"What's that at the top?" Collins said, frowning.
"Can't you see? It's a star," Roger said.
Collins squinted, trying to see it better.
"Roger made it out of paper machette," Mimi laughed.
"Hey, I wanted to do SOMETHING."
"It's a beautiful star, baby," Mimi reassured him, trying to smother a giggle.
"Why aren't the Christmas lights on?" Frankie asked, as she lowered Pepper to the ground.
"I didn't want to pay extra on our electricity bill," Roger shrugged. "Hey, don't let that dog eat the tree!"
"Is Daisha here?" Joanne asked Mimi.
Mimi shook her head. "She and Isabella are with my mom for Christmas."
Joanne nodded, understandingly.
"Anyone up for eggnog?" Maureen sang, as she came back into the room. She'd fished a tray out of the kitchen, and had poured glasses for all of them.
They all politely took a small sip from the glasses, and tried to cover the squeamish looks on their faces.
"It's um, delicious, Pookie," Joanne said, grimacing.
Maureen sighed. "If you don't like it, don't drink it. It's as simple as that."
"Sorry, Mo," Joanne said, smiling.
"I'm gonna go get a glass of water to wash it down," Mimi said, making a face.
"I'll go with you," Roger said quickly, following her into the kitchen.
"Hey, Rog," Mimi said, once they were alone in the kitchen.
"Yep?"
"You're standing under mistletoe," she said, waving it above his head with a girlish grin.
"Meems, I'm not anywhere near UNDER it," he laughed. Mimi had raised it so it was only under his chin.
"Are you making fun of me?" she demanded, jokingly, placing her hands on her hips.
"Of course not. You get a kiss anyway," Roger said, and leaned his head down to kiss her.
"Besides," he added, once they'd pulled away, "I've always wanted to meet one of Santa's elves."
"Fuck you!" Mimi laughed. "I'm not THAT short. I've grown at least two inches over the past year."
"Yeah, and that makes you what- five feet?" Roger teased.
Mimi stuck out her tongue.
"Roger, you better get some paper towels or something," Collins called from the other room. "Pepper just took a dump beside the tree."
"Fuck," Roger muttered, grabbing a roll of paper towels as Mimi laughed.
***
"So, Mark, you grew up in Westchester?" Mr. Rosenberg asked Mark, over dinner.
"Yes. I grew up in Scarsdale."
"Oh, I have many friends who live in Scarsdale," Mrs. Rosenberg said, with a smile. "Of course, they've all probably moved away by now."
"You two want anymore Latkes?" Jan's father offered.
Mark shook his head.
"I'm stuffed," Jan declared, putting a hand to her stomach. "So, how do you like the folks?" she whispered to Mark, once her parents had gotten into a conversation with each other.
"They're nice. I like them," Mark told her.
"Good. That means they made a good first impression," Jan laughed. "So how's it feel to be away from Roger and the others this Christmas?"
"Well, actually, I'm Jewish, so I don't really mind anyway."
"I know."
"You know what?"
"I know you're Jewish."
"How?"
"You have the Jew-Vibe going on," Jan grinned.
"What? You mean the traditional big honker?"
"If by honker you mean nose, then yes."
Jan laughed. "Besides, my mom always wanted me to marry a nice, Jewish boy," she winked.
"What's that?" Jan's mom asked, looking up.
"Nothing, Mom," Jan giggled.
"Oh. Alright." Mrs. Rosenberg went back to talking to her husband.
"It's weird to only have us four at the table. I mean, not having April here," Jan said to Mark.
"Of course, I completely understand," Mark said, though he wasn't sure he did.
"Did you tell Roger about April's whole rehab thing?"
"Not yet," Mark admitted. "I will, though. Eventually."
"It's okay," Jan smiled.
Mark was silent for a moment. "Jan?"
"Yes?"
"I know that neither of us are catholic, but I made you a little Christmas present, anyway."
"Even so, Christmas is tomorrow, Mark," Jan laughed.
"Well, I think we can bend the rules a bit, since we're Jewish," Mark said, winking.
Jan laughed again. "Alright then."
"I sort of need to use the TV set to show you."
"Okay." Jan turned to her parents. "Mom, Dad, do you mind if Mark and I excuse ourselves?"
"Of course not. Go ahead, hon," Mr. Rosenberg said, smiling.
"Thanks," Jan said, as she and Mark scrambled into the living room.
"It's not much," Mark said, as he hooked his camera up to the VCR. "But I think you'll like it."
He turned the TV on.
Mark had put together clips of him and Jan together from that day they went to Central Park together, and other scenes from the park, and the city in general.
First it showed a group of pigeons, pecking at a crust of bread. Then came Jan and Mark sitting on a bench together, smiling broadly at the camera.
Then it showed a close-up of the piece of gum Mark had shot in the phonebooth.
Mark laughed when he saw the look on Jan's face.
The video went through a bunch of different shots from around Central Park, and several other ones of Mark and Jan together.
It ended with a shot of the two of them sitting on the grass, smiling at the camera, with the words, 'Merry Christmas, Jan," scribbled over it.
"Mark, this is so great," Jan exclaimed, as Mark switched off the TV.
"Really? I thought it was kinda sappy."
"Sappy is good," she assured him, with a smile.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Well then I hope you can excuse this sappiness," Mark said, as he leaned in to kiss her.
"Happy Chanukah, Mark," Jan giggled.
"Oy vay."
***
"So, I got you a little something," Roger told Mimi, once the others had left.
Mimi giggled. "Roger, you didn't have to get me anything.
"I wanted to," he insisted, retrieving a small cassette tape from his pocket.
"What is it?" Mimi asked, squinting at the small lettering along the side. "Your Eyes- For Mimi. Aw, Roger," Mimi smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I thought you'd like to have a recording of it," Roger grinned, sheepishly, as Mimi kissed him on the cheek.
"Now what did you get me?" he asked, jokingly.
Mimi held up a finger. "Un momento."
She disappeared into the bedroom, and then came back with a flat white box.
Roger uncovered it, slowly. "Aw, Meems, these are great," he grinned, pulling out a pair of green and red checked boxers from the box. An 'R' was monogrammed on the side."
"And they're tight, too," Mimi teased. "I got them a size small on purpose."
"They're perfect," Roger smiled, hugging her. "I guess that's it for the Christmas gifts, then?"
"Well, there's one other thing," Mimi said, slowly. "I don't know if it really counts as a present though."
"What is it?" he asked, sitting on the couch beside her.
Mimi twirled a stray curl around her finger, nervously. "You know how I stayed a little later than I was supposed to at the doctor's office?"
"Yes."
"Well, I stayed because I'd been feeling really crappy lately. It wasn't just cramps, I've just felt nauseous sometimes when I wake up in the morning."
"You never told me about that."
"I didn't want to bother you."
"Is everything alright?" Roger asked, concerned.
Mimi nodded, a smile coming over her face. "Yes, everything's more than alright. Roger- I'm pregnant."
Roger was silent for a moment.
Mimi shifted uncomfortably on the couch. "I wanted to wait until tonight to tell you," she said, nervously. "What do you want to do?"
Finally, Roger spoke. "Keep it, of course," he said, to Mimi's relief. "Christ almighty, I'm going to be a father!" he grinned, sweeping Mimi off the floor and into his arms.
"Me- Roger Davis. I'm gonna be a Daddy!"
Mimi laughed. "I'm glad you're happy."
"Of course I'm happy. Aren't you?"
"Yes. When the doctor first told me, I was a bit nervous. But then I started to feel really excited about the baby."
"So where would it stay?" Roger asked, looking around the Loft.
Mimi laughed. 'It's not an 'it,' Roger. And we can put a crib in our room. Or we can convert the dining space into a nursery, since we never use it anyway. My mother gave me some money after I told her about the baby."
"You told her before me?"
"Rog, she's my mother."
"Good point. How much?"
Mimi rolled her eyes and told him.
Roger's eyes widened. "Whoa. That's like enough to BUY a baby!"
"Roger, don't exaggerate," Mimi laughed.
"Sorry, Meems. God, I'm so happy for you! For US!" he exclaimed, kissing her on the lips.
"I'm happy too," Mimi said, glowing.
"So, uh. Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"
"I won't find out for a couple of months," Mimi laughed.
"Oh yeah. I don't know a lot about this stuff," Roger said, in an apologetic voice. "So, when do you get your belly?" he asked, placing a hand on Mimi's stomach.
"Not for a while, I hope," Mimi said, making a face.
"God, I still can't believe it," Roger said, shaking his head. "Are you going to tell the others?"
"Tomorrow, I guess."
"What about Mark?"
"I'll tell him when he gets back. He gets back tomorrow, right?"
"Right."
"When should we start shopping for furniture?"
"Roger, the thing's only a seedling now. We don't have to worry about baby furniture for a couple of months.
"Right, right. I knew that."
Mimi smiled, and buried her face into his chest.
"I love you," she murmured, feeling the material of his shirt rub against her cheek.
"I love you to, Meems," he sighed, kissing the top of her head.
Mimi lifted her head and smiled, kissing him on the lips.
"Merry Christmas, Roger."
"Miss Marquez?" the nurse called, as she walked into the waiting room.
Mimi turned to Roger, whose head was rested on her shoulder.
"You want me to come in with you?" Roger offered, lifting his head up.
Mimi shook her head. "No, it's okay. I probably won't be that long."
"Okay," Roger said, sleepily. It was six in the morning, and they were at the hospital, so the doctor could have a look at Mimi's shoulder.
"So, how've you been, Mimi?" the doctor asked, as he closed the door behind the two of them.
"Well, my shoulder aches sometimes. But the doctors gave me some painkillers, so most of the time, it's okay."
"Yeah, it's going to ache for a while," the doctor said, smiling sympathetically. "Could you please roll up your sleeve, so I can take a look at the wound?"
Mimi did so, and the doctor gently peeled the bandage back so he could see.
"That DOES look pretty nasty," the doctor observed. He examined her arm further. "Well, luckily the area isn't infected. You clean it and change the bandage every day?"
"Yes."
"Good. Have you been using the sling?"
"I stopped wearing it after the first two weeks. I didn't really seem to need it."
"That's fine. The point of the sling was just so the pressure would be taken off from your shoulder. But t seems to me that it's feeling better, right?"
Mimi nodded.
"Well, then, it seems you're doing alright. You're really lucky that bullet didn't hit an artery."
"I know," said Mimi.
"Well then. I can give you another prescription for some more painkillers in case you're running out. Keep cleaning the wound and re-bandaging it- and do you have any other questions or concerns about anything else disregarding your arm?"
"Well, yes," said Mimi, rolling down her sleeve, "There is ONE thing."
***
Maureen woke up later that morning, and sat up in bed, yawning.
She looked to the other side of the bed, and saw that it was vacant.
"Joanne?" she called, rubbing her eyes as she padded barefoot into the kitchen, where she heard the water running.
"I'm in here," Joanne said, flatly, as Maureen entered the room.
Ever since they had fought a few weeks earlier, the two had been uneasy around each other.
Maureen walked over to the refrigerator to grab something to drink. She settled on a bottle of Sunny Delight, and sat down at the counter, taking a long sip.
Joanne watched her, silently for a moment, and then went back to washing the dishes.
"You know you don't need to do that," Maureen said, as she swallowed a mouthful of Sunny D.
"Well if I don't do it, nobody else will," Joanne replied, haughtily.
"I would."
"That'll be the day," Joanne scoffed.
Maureen sighed. She hated keeping things from Joanne. Oliver kept trying to call her, and every time she turned him down.
She would tell her now, Maureen decided. She needed to get the weight off her shoulders.
"Pookie?" she asked, quietly, as Joanne rinsed her hands on a dish towel.
"Yeah?"
"I haven't been quite honest with you about certain things."
Joanne frowned. "Like what?"
"Well . . . like Oliver, for instance."
"Yes?" Joanne urged her to continue.
"We didn't exactly talk about the collection when I saw him that one time . . ."
"What DID you talk about?" Joanne asked, impatiently, dreading the answer.
"Other things," Maureen said, weakly. "Out of nowhere, he kissed me."
Joanne was silent.
"And I suppose you led him on," she said, coldly.
Maureen shook her head. "It didn't happen like that, Jo," she insisted. "One moment I was talking to him about the collages, and the next I knew his lips were against mine, I finally pulled away from him, and I told him I had to go. He keeps calling me now. He just won't accept no for an answer."
"Is that who's been calling us all the time?" Joanne asked, quietly.
Maureen nodded. "I wanted to tell you," she whispered. "That first day when you picked me up from his office, I wanted to tell you. But I was just to shocked and frustrated by what happened. And then I started to feel really guilty, like I'd betrayed you. And then we got into that stupid argument, and that obviously wasn't a good time to bring it up."
"You promise he came onto you on his own?" Joanne asked.
"I swear, Jo."
Joanne sighed. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch lately."
"Pookie, I'M the one who's been a bitch. I've been like that to everyone lately. Oliver just tries to call me every single hour of the fucking day, and it's been stressing me out a lot."
"I'm sorry," Joanne said.
Maureen shook her head. "It's not your fault. He's just a creep. A really, really desperate creep. I TOLD him I have a girlfriend, but obviously he doesn't see that as an obstacle. I don't even like him like that, Joanne. I promise you."
"I believe you," Joanne said. "I just wish you would have told me earlier so we wouldn't have gotten into a fight."
"I know. I should have. I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Joanne forced a smile. "At least we're okay now, right?"
"Right," Maureen agreed, forcing a smile.
"We should get caller ID or something. Or find a way to block Oliver's number. Is that possible?"
Maureen shrugged.
"What about the art collection? He was offering you a good amount of money, Mo."
"Money isn't worth what we have," Maureen said.
Joanne smiled. "Thanks, Honeybear."
"Welcome, Pookie."
"So we're okay now?"
"Of course."
Just then, the phone rang.
Maureen and Joanne both stared at it.
It continued to ring.
Finally, Maureen reached for the phone, to Joanne's dismay.
Maureen turned to her and winked, as she put the phone on its side.
Joanne smiled, and gave her a quick kiss as the dial tone began to ring, obnoxiously.
***
"You almost done packing?" Jan asked Mark, as he stuffed random articles of clothes into two blue duffel bags.
"Almost," Mark replied.
He grabbed his camera from off his bureau, and put it into its leather case.
He then struggled to zip the bags.
"Ready," he said, standing to his feet.
"Great," Jan said, smiling. "Let's go put them in the car, okay?"
"Hold on," Mark said. "I want to say goodbye to Roger and Mimi first."
"Roger?" he called, tapping on Roger's door.
Roger opened the door.
"You leaving now?" he asked, looking disappointed.
Mark nodded. "Sorry, pal."
"Hey, whatever makes you happy, Mark," Roger said, smiling.
"Where's Mimi?" Mark asked, sticking his head into the room. "I wanted to say goodbye to her too."
"She's staying a bit longer at the hospital than she had intended to. She told me to go on without her, and she'd take the subway back."
"Is everything alright?"
"Yeah. I mean, I hope so."
"I'm sure everything's fine," Mark said, encouragingly. "Tell her I said goodbye, alright"?
"No problem. Bye, Mark. Bye, Jan."
"Bye, Roger," Jan waved, as she helped Mark take his bags outside.
***
DECEMBER 23RD
"You sure we need all this stuff?" Collins asked Frankie, as they pushed their overflowing cart through the party goods store.
"Yup. Maureen gave me a list of what to get," Frankie replied.
Collins, Frankie, Maureen, Joanne, Roger, and Mimi were having a Christmas party on Christmas Eve in the loft.
"Okay, let's see," Frankie said, retrieving the list from her pocket. "Christmas lights, ornaments, Candy Canes, wrapping paper, eggnog, America's Favorite Christmas Songs Volume 1. We have everything?"
"Yes," Collins said, relieved. "What are we going to do for a tree?"
"Roger's bring a tree back up to the loft. I don't know how the hell he's going to get it up there," Frankie said, shaking her head.
"Oh. Well, here. I couldn't wait 'til Christmas to give you these," Collins said, handing Frankie a small velvet green box.
"Collins, you didn't need to get me anything," she giggled, uncovering a pair of emerald-jeweled earrings.
"I didn't really know what kind you'd like," Collins said, quickly.
"Oh, Collins, I love them! They're beautiful!" she exclaimed, as she slipped them through the holes in her ears.
Collins grinned, pleased with himself.
"I got you something too," Frankie said, grabbing a small book from her pocket."
"A book?" Collins said, interested. He read the cover. "Pet-Owning for Idiots." He grinned. "Thanks, Frankie."
"I thought you might want to study how to become friends with Pepper," Frankie giggled. "You like it?"
"Of course," Collins said, kissing her, not caring if anyone else was staring or not.
***
CHRISTMAS EVE
"Merry Christmas!" Collins greeted Roger and Mimi, as he, Frankie, Maureen and Joanne entered the loft, each of their arms bundled with presents. Except for Frankie, who was holding Pepper.
"Hey guys," Roger greeted them, cheerfully.
"Hey Roger. Mimi, you look so adorable," Maureen exclaimed.
Mimi had on a sleeveless velvet cut dress, with red and green dangly earrings.
"You don't think I look like a nerd?" she said, blushing.
"You look gorgeous, Mimi," Frankie told her. In her arms, Pepper was wearing a holiday Doggie outfit, on sale at Petco.
"I've got eggnog waiting," Maureen reminded Roger, holding up a covered pitcher.
"Oh yeah. Just put that in the kitchen," Roger told her.
Maureen disappeared into the apartment.
"The tree looks great," Joanne said, impressed.
"Maureen helped me decorate it," Mimi said. "I've got all these old ornaments from when I was little in a bunch of cardboard boxes, and I never thought I'd have to put any use to them."
"It's great," Joanne said, poking a little porcelain Santa Clause, who dangled near the bottom of the tree.
"What's that at the top?" Collins said, frowning.
"Can't you see? It's a star," Roger said.
Collins squinted, trying to see it better.
"Roger made it out of paper machette," Mimi laughed.
"Hey, I wanted to do SOMETHING."
"It's a beautiful star, baby," Mimi reassured him, trying to smother a giggle.
"Why aren't the Christmas lights on?" Frankie asked, as she lowered Pepper to the ground.
"I didn't want to pay extra on our electricity bill," Roger shrugged. "Hey, don't let that dog eat the tree!"
"Is Daisha here?" Joanne asked Mimi.
Mimi shook her head. "She and Isabella are with my mom for Christmas."
Joanne nodded, understandingly.
"Anyone up for eggnog?" Maureen sang, as she came back into the room. She'd fished a tray out of the kitchen, and had poured glasses for all of them.
They all politely took a small sip from the glasses, and tried to cover the squeamish looks on their faces.
"It's um, delicious, Pookie," Joanne said, grimacing.
Maureen sighed. "If you don't like it, don't drink it. It's as simple as that."
"Sorry, Mo," Joanne said, smiling.
"I'm gonna go get a glass of water to wash it down," Mimi said, making a face.
"I'll go with you," Roger said quickly, following her into the kitchen.
"Hey, Rog," Mimi said, once they were alone in the kitchen.
"Yep?"
"You're standing under mistletoe," she said, waving it above his head with a girlish grin.
"Meems, I'm not anywhere near UNDER it," he laughed. Mimi had raised it so it was only under his chin.
"Are you making fun of me?" she demanded, jokingly, placing her hands on her hips.
"Of course not. You get a kiss anyway," Roger said, and leaned his head down to kiss her.
"Besides," he added, once they'd pulled away, "I've always wanted to meet one of Santa's elves."
"Fuck you!" Mimi laughed. "I'm not THAT short. I've grown at least two inches over the past year."
"Yeah, and that makes you what- five feet?" Roger teased.
Mimi stuck out her tongue.
"Roger, you better get some paper towels or something," Collins called from the other room. "Pepper just took a dump beside the tree."
"Fuck," Roger muttered, grabbing a roll of paper towels as Mimi laughed.
***
"So, Mark, you grew up in Westchester?" Mr. Rosenberg asked Mark, over dinner.
"Yes. I grew up in Scarsdale."
"Oh, I have many friends who live in Scarsdale," Mrs. Rosenberg said, with a smile. "Of course, they've all probably moved away by now."
"You two want anymore Latkes?" Jan's father offered.
Mark shook his head.
"I'm stuffed," Jan declared, putting a hand to her stomach. "So, how do you like the folks?" she whispered to Mark, once her parents had gotten into a conversation with each other.
"They're nice. I like them," Mark told her.
"Good. That means they made a good first impression," Jan laughed. "So how's it feel to be away from Roger and the others this Christmas?"
"Well, actually, I'm Jewish, so I don't really mind anyway."
"I know."
"You know what?"
"I know you're Jewish."
"How?"
"You have the Jew-Vibe going on," Jan grinned.
"What? You mean the traditional big honker?"
"If by honker you mean nose, then yes."
Jan laughed. "Besides, my mom always wanted me to marry a nice, Jewish boy," she winked.
"What's that?" Jan's mom asked, looking up.
"Nothing, Mom," Jan giggled.
"Oh. Alright." Mrs. Rosenberg went back to talking to her husband.
"It's weird to only have us four at the table. I mean, not having April here," Jan said to Mark.
"Of course, I completely understand," Mark said, though he wasn't sure he did.
"Did you tell Roger about April's whole rehab thing?"
"Not yet," Mark admitted. "I will, though. Eventually."
"It's okay," Jan smiled.
Mark was silent for a moment. "Jan?"
"Yes?"
"I know that neither of us are catholic, but I made you a little Christmas present, anyway."
"Even so, Christmas is tomorrow, Mark," Jan laughed.
"Well, I think we can bend the rules a bit, since we're Jewish," Mark said, winking.
Jan laughed again. "Alright then."
"I sort of need to use the TV set to show you."
"Okay." Jan turned to her parents. "Mom, Dad, do you mind if Mark and I excuse ourselves?"
"Of course not. Go ahead, hon," Mr. Rosenberg said, smiling.
"Thanks," Jan said, as she and Mark scrambled into the living room.
"It's not much," Mark said, as he hooked his camera up to the VCR. "But I think you'll like it."
He turned the TV on.
Mark had put together clips of him and Jan together from that day they went to Central Park together, and other scenes from the park, and the city in general.
First it showed a group of pigeons, pecking at a crust of bread. Then came Jan and Mark sitting on a bench together, smiling broadly at the camera.
Then it showed a close-up of the piece of gum Mark had shot in the phonebooth.
Mark laughed when he saw the look on Jan's face.
The video went through a bunch of different shots from around Central Park, and several other ones of Mark and Jan together.
It ended with a shot of the two of them sitting on the grass, smiling at the camera, with the words, 'Merry Christmas, Jan," scribbled over it.
"Mark, this is so great," Jan exclaimed, as Mark switched off the TV.
"Really? I thought it was kinda sappy."
"Sappy is good," she assured him, with a smile.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Well then I hope you can excuse this sappiness," Mark said, as he leaned in to kiss her.
"Happy Chanukah, Mark," Jan giggled.
"Oy vay."
***
"So, I got you a little something," Roger told Mimi, once the others had left.
Mimi giggled. "Roger, you didn't have to get me anything.
"I wanted to," he insisted, retrieving a small cassette tape from his pocket.
"What is it?" Mimi asked, squinting at the small lettering along the side. "Your Eyes- For Mimi. Aw, Roger," Mimi smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I thought you'd like to have a recording of it," Roger grinned, sheepishly, as Mimi kissed him on the cheek.
"Now what did you get me?" he asked, jokingly.
Mimi held up a finger. "Un momento."
She disappeared into the bedroom, and then came back with a flat white box.
Roger uncovered it, slowly. "Aw, Meems, these are great," he grinned, pulling out a pair of green and red checked boxers from the box. An 'R' was monogrammed on the side."
"And they're tight, too," Mimi teased. "I got them a size small on purpose."
"They're perfect," Roger smiled, hugging her. "I guess that's it for the Christmas gifts, then?"
"Well, there's one other thing," Mimi said, slowly. "I don't know if it really counts as a present though."
"What is it?" he asked, sitting on the couch beside her.
Mimi twirled a stray curl around her finger, nervously. "You know how I stayed a little later than I was supposed to at the doctor's office?"
"Yes."
"Well, I stayed because I'd been feeling really crappy lately. It wasn't just cramps, I've just felt nauseous sometimes when I wake up in the morning."
"You never told me about that."
"I didn't want to bother you."
"Is everything alright?" Roger asked, concerned.
Mimi nodded, a smile coming over her face. "Yes, everything's more than alright. Roger- I'm pregnant."
Roger was silent for a moment.
Mimi shifted uncomfortably on the couch. "I wanted to wait until tonight to tell you," she said, nervously. "What do you want to do?"
Finally, Roger spoke. "Keep it, of course," he said, to Mimi's relief. "Christ almighty, I'm going to be a father!" he grinned, sweeping Mimi off the floor and into his arms.
"Me- Roger Davis. I'm gonna be a Daddy!"
Mimi laughed. "I'm glad you're happy."
"Of course I'm happy. Aren't you?"
"Yes. When the doctor first told me, I was a bit nervous. But then I started to feel really excited about the baby."
"So where would it stay?" Roger asked, looking around the Loft.
Mimi laughed. 'It's not an 'it,' Roger. And we can put a crib in our room. Or we can convert the dining space into a nursery, since we never use it anyway. My mother gave me some money after I told her about the baby."
"You told her before me?"
"Rog, she's my mother."
"Good point. How much?"
Mimi rolled her eyes and told him.
Roger's eyes widened. "Whoa. That's like enough to BUY a baby!"
"Roger, don't exaggerate," Mimi laughed.
"Sorry, Meems. God, I'm so happy for you! For US!" he exclaimed, kissing her on the lips.
"I'm happy too," Mimi said, glowing.
"So, uh. Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"
"I won't find out for a couple of months," Mimi laughed.
"Oh yeah. I don't know a lot about this stuff," Roger said, in an apologetic voice. "So, when do you get your belly?" he asked, placing a hand on Mimi's stomach.
"Not for a while, I hope," Mimi said, making a face.
"God, I still can't believe it," Roger said, shaking his head. "Are you going to tell the others?"
"Tomorrow, I guess."
"What about Mark?"
"I'll tell him when he gets back. He gets back tomorrow, right?"
"Right."
"When should we start shopping for furniture?"
"Roger, the thing's only a seedling now. We don't have to worry about baby furniture for a couple of months.
"Right, right. I knew that."
Mimi smiled, and buried her face into his chest.
"I love you," she murmured, feeling the material of his shirt rub against her cheek.
"I love you to, Meems," he sighed, kissing the top of her head.
Mimi lifted her head and smiled, kissing him on the lips.
"Merry Christmas, Roger."