"This looks great," Collins commented, as he entered what was now a nursery
in the loft.
"You think?" Roger said, looking at the pastel-colored walls and white- carpeted floor.
"Yep. Hard to believe it was a dining room yesterday," Collins said, rubbing his hand against the freshly painted wall. "How long did it take you?"
"Most of the day," said Mimi, coming up behind the two of them. "Collins, you've gotta keep an eye on Pepper. I found her with Roger's shoe in her mouth?"
"My shoe?" Roger said, puzzled.
"You leave your shit all over the floor," Mimi laughed. "She just basically ripped up everything in her way."
"Fuck," Roger grumbled.
Before he could say anything more, the phone began to ring.
"Hello?" Roger answered, picking up the phone as he jogged into the other room.
Mimi came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, and waited while Roger talked on the phone.
"Hey, Mitch! No kidding? That's great, congratulations! Tell Karen I send my regards. No problem. You too, bye!"
He hung up the phone.
"What'd Mitch say?" asked Mimi.
Roger turned to face Mimi, putting his arms around her narrow shoulders.
"Karen had the baby," he said, excitedly.
"Really?" Mimi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yup. She was almost two months late, but she finally came. Her name's Eva."
"I hope our babies cooperate well," Mimi said, placing her hands on her stomach.
"Sure they will," Roger declared, poking her in the middle, gently. "You two behave in there, you hear?"
"Stop," Mimi giggled, pushing his arm away.
At that moment, Pepper wandered into the room, her nose planted against the floor.
"Do you mind?" Roger demanded.
Pepper turned to Roger, and stared back at him, blankly. She took a few more steps, and raised her leg against the refrigerator.
"Shit!" Roger cried, diving to the floor and swooping Pepper into his arms before she could let loose on the kitchen floor.
"There she is!" Collins said, as he came into the kitchen.
"You were hiding from Uncle Collins, is that it?" he cooed, taking the dog from Roger's arms.
"Christ, Collins, what has she done to you?" Roger exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Collins asked, staring lovingly into the dog's eyes, unconsciously.
"Dogs can do that to you," Mimi laughed. "I remember I once had one. An Irish something. It was really sweet. Until Daisha broke its hind leg by accident." She made a face. "It wouldn't come anywhere near us after that."
"Sorry about that."
"Hey!" Mimi exclaimed, as she turned to face her younger sister. "I haven't seen you in forever! Is Isabella here?"
"Nope. Just me."
"How'd you get here then?" Mimi asked, frowning.
Daisha retrieved a small plastic permit from her pocket.
"Daish! You got your permit! That's great!" Mimi exclaimed, hugging her.
"Yeah, all those lessons you and Joanne gave me actually turned out to be helpful," Daisha laughed. "I got it during the week."
"You don't have your own car, though?"
"Nah, Mom let me borrow hers."
"How is she?"
"Fine. She can't wait for those kids to pop out, though."
"Tell her neither can I," Mimi said, laughing. "I don't know how much more of this morning sickness I can take."
"It hasn't gotten any better?" Collins asked.
Mimi shook her head. "It's actually gotten worse. I went to the doctor about it, and they said it's to be expected, since I'm having twins. It's a bitch."
"Well, only seven months left," Roger reminded her.
"Yeah, it's that's the only thing that gets me up in the mornings," Mimi joked.
"Where's Mark?" Daisha asked. "The three of you are like the three stooges- you're always together."
"He went for a walk," Roger said, ignoring the three stooges comment.
"Jan's at her parent's house, so he's gone into a temporary state of depression," Mimi informed her.
Daisha made a sympathetic face. "Aw, poor guy. Tell him I hope he feels better."
"Thanks, Daish. I'm sure he'll be fine, though. She'll be back in less than two weeks."
Daisha shrugged.
"Love makes us do crazy things," said Roger, jokingly.
"You ain't just whistling Dixie," Collins said, staring at Pepper.
"I think we'd better tell Frankie that Collins here is having an affair with her dog," Roger said, poking Mimi in the side.
"Hey, I'm a sensitive guy," Collins complained.
"A month ago you were ready to throw her into the street," Roger said, referring to Pepper.
"Me? No! Just look at her!" and Pepper looked up at them adoringly, as if to prove a point.
Roger rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"So . . . are you going to name one of the babies after me?" Daisha joked.
"What if it's a boy?"
"Call is Daisha anyway."
"I was thinking of maybe naming one of them after Mama."
"Alright, then. Conchita Daisha."
"Don't get your hopes up," Mimi said, rolling her eyes.
"God, I can't wait for them to be born! I can't believe I'm going to be an aunt."
"Do I get to be Uncle Collins?" Collins asked.
"And Aunt Jan and Aunt Maureen and Aunt Joanne and Aunt Frankie too?" Roger joked.
"Christ, these kids are gonna have a huge family," Daisha said.
"I'm home," Mark called, flatly, as he entered the room.
"Don't act so thrilled to see us," Roger said.
"Sorry. Not feeling to great today."
"Mark, she'll be home in less then two weeks."
"I know," Mark sighed, "But I still feel like all I wanna do is just sit around the Loft and mope around."
Pepper began to whine in Collins's arms.
"I should take her back downstairs to Frankie," he apologized, hooking her leash onto the loop of her collar. "Before she raises hell."
"No problem. See you around," Roger said.
"Bye guys. Nice seeing you, Daisha. Hope you feel better, Mark," he called over his shoulder, before leaving.
"That's not very likely," Mark grumbled.
"I should be going too. I just stopped by to say hello. Mom's probably wondering where I am," Daisha apologized.
"Don't worry, hon. I'm glad you stopped bye. I've missed you."
Daisha grinned. "Just wait until those kids are born. Then you won't be able to get rid of me."
"I'm counting the hours," Mimi joked. "Now get out of here."
"See you guys later," Daisha said, and left.
"And then there were three," Roger said.
"Make that two. I'm going to into my room," Mark said, in an unenthusiastic voice.
"Alright. Have fun." Roger and Mimi watched him go.
"I didn't think Jan leaving would be so hard for him," Mimi said, walking over to the refrigerator, and retrieving a pint of pistachio ice cream from the freezer.
"He can be pretty angsty sometimes. Where are you going with that?"
"Who're you? The Freezer Police?" Mimi asked, as she grabbed a spoon from the counter.
"You're gonna eat that whole thing?"
"I'm pregnant. I can eat whatever I want."
"I better start stocking up on the pickles and yogurt."
"Not a bad idea," she said, smiling at him.
She walked into the living room and plopped down on the couch, with Roger trailing behind her.
"So, what do you want to do tonight?" Mimi asked, shoving a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
"Um . . ."
"What's um?" Mimi dug her spoon into the ice cream and held it out towards Roger. "Want some?"
"Are you going to spoon feed me?" he asked, wickedly.
Mimi rolled her eyes. "Sure. And I'll burp you and nurse you as well."
"I wouldn't mind that last part," Roger grinned.
"Roger! I'm eating!" Mimi complained, flicking the ice cream at him. It landed on the couch.
Roger picked it up and put it into his mouth.
"Pig," Mimi said, placing the pint aside. "I think I've lost my appetite."
"Sorry," Roger said, but he was smiling.
"Ugh," Mimi said, putting her feet up on his lap. "I can't eat anything right now. I'm too scared that it'll just come up again."
"Sorry, baby," Roger said, sympathetically.
"It's not your fault." She paused. "Actually, it is," she laughed.
"Sorry," Roger said again. He lifted up her leg and began to massage her foot.
"Mmm that feels good," Mimi murmured.
"So, I got a call from Chad this morning," Roger said, continuing to massage her foot.
"And?"
"He wants the band to play at the wedding, and he wants me to come down there tonight to practice with the guys."
"Oh, NOW I see why you're sucking up?" Mimi said, grinning.
Roger bit his lip. "Are you mad?"
Mimi sighed. "No. Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure?"
"It's fine. What time are you going?"
"Eight thirty."
"Well," she glanced at the clock on the opposite side of the room. "That means you've got another half an hour to massage my feet."
"What?"
"You want to go, don't you?"
"You are very evil, Miss Marquez," Roger said, beginning to tickle her foot.
"Eek! Okay! Stop! I'm just kidding," Mimi giggled, wrestling her feet away from him.
"You'd better be," Roger warned, jokingly. Then he got serious for a moment. "So you're sure it's okay?"
"Yes, Roger, I'm sure."
"Thanks," he smiled, and leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. "So I'll see you tonight, then?"
"I don't have anywhere else to be," she said, smiling.
"Okay. Don't wait up, I don't know how long Chad's gonna make me stay."
"Okay."
"Bye." Roger kissed her on the lips.
"Bye, baby. Have fun."
"Tons," he groaned, as he headed for the door.
"Roger?" she called, just before his hand touched the doorknob.
"Yeah?"
"We'll take a rain check?"
"On what?"
"My feet?"
Roger shook his head, laughing. "You're very dominating."
"You know it. Have a good time."
"Bye." He blew her a kiss, before closing the door behind him.
***
"Anyone home?" Roger called, as he reentered the Loft.
Rehearsal had bit the big one. Chad was stressing about both the rehearsal dinner tomorrow, and the wedding in nine days.
"Mimi? Mark?" Roger called, walking into the living room. To his surprise, Mark was asleep on the couch, his blanket had fallen onto the floor.
"Mark?" Roger said, gently, shaking him awake.
"Roger?" Mark whispered, grabbing his glasses and shoving them onto his face.
"Hi. Why are you sleeping in here?"
"I was waiting for you. Mimi's in the hospital. She . . ."
"WHAT?!" Roger exclaimed.
"She got sick again while you were out. She was throwing up, and it was a lot worse than usual. She passed out, and Maureen and I drove her to the hospital. They said she was overly dehydrated, and they're keeping her there overnight. I would be there now, but they kicked me out."
"Jesus Christ," Roger breathed. "I'm going there now."
"Rog, they won't let anyone in."
"I don't give a shit. My girlfriend's in there, and I want to see her."
"How are you going to get there?"
"I'll get Maureen to give me a ride."
Roger turned around and headed for the door. He stopped suddenly, and turned to face Mark. "You coming?"
***
"This is completely against hospital policy!" a nurse shouted after Mark and Roger, as they ran into Mimi's room.
Roger burst through the door, with Mark right behind him.
Mimi's eyes fluttered open when she heard the door open.
"Roger?" she said, groggily.
"God, Mimi, are you okay?" he breathed, kneeling beside the bed.
"I'm okay now. Thank God Mark was there, though," she said, weakly. Her brunette curls were matted against her forehead, and she looked unusually pale.
"What happened?" Roger exclaimed.
"I don't know. I fell asleep, and then in the middle of the night I felt nauseous, so I ran into the bathroom to throw up. But it wasn't something that went away, I just kept on going, and then finally I guess I passed out. I woke up here."
"Jesus," Roger whispered. "I'm so sorry. I should have been here."
Mimi smiled, weakly. "It's not your fault. The doctor said since I'm having twins, the nausea's going to be worse than that of someone just having one baby. They told me the reason it was so bad was because I've been dehydrated, and they want me to keep drinking liquids, and they're going to keep me an extra night just for observation."
"I'm so sorry, baby," Roger said again, pushing a stray curl behind her ear.
"Rog, it's okay now. I'm going to miss the rehearsal dinner tomorrow, though," she said, wincing. "I'm sorry."
"I won't go either," Roger said. "I'll stay here with you."
"Roger, I don't wanna be a burden. Besides, you have to be there. You're Chad's best man."
"Damn it," Roger swore.
"Rog, it'll be fine."
"Yeah, the last time you said that I came home to find out you were in the hospital."
"That was just this once. Besides, I'm fine now."
"I just wish I could have been here for you," he whispered.
Suddenly, the nurse that had been chasing Roger and Mark early on burst into the room.
"Young man, you and your friend need to leave- NOW. This is completely against hospital policy. Unless the patient is seriously ill or dying, you cannot be here past nine."
Roger groaned. "All right, cool it. I'll come back tomorrow," he promised Mimi.
She smiled. "Okay."
Roger kissed her cool forehead. "Feel better."
"Young man . . ." the nurse said, in a warning tone.
"Jesus Christ, I'm coming!" Roger snapped, standing to his feet.
He and Mark followed the nurse out the door.
Roger waved, weakly at Mimi before the nurse closed the door, sharply.
a/n: Happy Hannumas, Mari!
"You think?" Roger said, looking at the pastel-colored walls and white- carpeted floor.
"Yep. Hard to believe it was a dining room yesterday," Collins said, rubbing his hand against the freshly painted wall. "How long did it take you?"
"Most of the day," said Mimi, coming up behind the two of them. "Collins, you've gotta keep an eye on Pepper. I found her with Roger's shoe in her mouth?"
"My shoe?" Roger said, puzzled.
"You leave your shit all over the floor," Mimi laughed. "She just basically ripped up everything in her way."
"Fuck," Roger grumbled.
Before he could say anything more, the phone began to ring.
"Hello?" Roger answered, picking up the phone as he jogged into the other room.
Mimi came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, and waited while Roger talked on the phone.
"Hey, Mitch! No kidding? That's great, congratulations! Tell Karen I send my regards. No problem. You too, bye!"
He hung up the phone.
"What'd Mitch say?" asked Mimi.
Roger turned to face Mimi, putting his arms around her narrow shoulders.
"Karen had the baby," he said, excitedly.
"Really?" Mimi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yup. She was almost two months late, but she finally came. Her name's Eva."
"I hope our babies cooperate well," Mimi said, placing her hands on her stomach.
"Sure they will," Roger declared, poking her in the middle, gently. "You two behave in there, you hear?"
"Stop," Mimi giggled, pushing his arm away.
At that moment, Pepper wandered into the room, her nose planted against the floor.
"Do you mind?" Roger demanded.
Pepper turned to Roger, and stared back at him, blankly. She took a few more steps, and raised her leg against the refrigerator.
"Shit!" Roger cried, diving to the floor and swooping Pepper into his arms before she could let loose on the kitchen floor.
"There she is!" Collins said, as he came into the kitchen.
"You were hiding from Uncle Collins, is that it?" he cooed, taking the dog from Roger's arms.
"Christ, Collins, what has she done to you?" Roger exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Collins asked, staring lovingly into the dog's eyes, unconsciously.
"Dogs can do that to you," Mimi laughed. "I remember I once had one. An Irish something. It was really sweet. Until Daisha broke its hind leg by accident." She made a face. "It wouldn't come anywhere near us after that."
"Sorry about that."
"Hey!" Mimi exclaimed, as she turned to face her younger sister. "I haven't seen you in forever! Is Isabella here?"
"Nope. Just me."
"How'd you get here then?" Mimi asked, frowning.
Daisha retrieved a small plastic permit from her pocket.
"Daish! You got your permit! That's great!" Mimi exclaimed, hugging her.
"Yeah, all those lessons you and Joanne gave me actually turned out to be helpful," Daisha laughed. "I got it during the week."
"You don't have your own car, though?"
"Nah, Mom let me borrow hers."
"How is she?"
"Fine. She can't wait for those kids to pop out, though."
"Tell her neither can I," Mimi said, laughing. "I don't know how much more of this morning sickness I can take."
"It hasn't gotten any better?" Collins asked.
Mimi shook her head. "It's actually gotten worse. I went to the doctor about it, and they said it's to be expected, since I'm having twins. It's a bitch."
"Well, only seven months left," Roger reminded her.
"Yeah, it's that's the only thing that gets me up in the mornings," Mimi joked.
"Where's Mark?" Daisha asked. "The three of you are like the three stooges- you're always together."
"He went for a walk," Roger said, ignoring the three stooges comment.
"Jan's at her parent's house, so he's gone into a temporary state of depression," Mimi informed her.
Daisha made a sympathetic face. "Aw, poor guy. Tell him I hope he feels better."
"Thanks, Daish. I'm sure he'll be fine, though. She'll be back in less than two weeks."
Daisha shrugged.
"Love makes us do crazy things," said Roger, jokingly.
"You ain't just whistling Dixie," Collins said, staring at Pepper.
"I think we'd better tell Frankie that Collins here is having an affair with her dog," Roger said, poking Mimi in the side.
"Hey, I'm a sensitive guy," Collins complained.
"A month ago you were ready to throw her into the street," Roger said, referring to Pepper.
"Me? No! Just look at her!" and Pepper looked up at them adoringly, as if to prove a point.
Roger rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"So . . . are you going to name one of the babies after me?" Daisha joked.
"What if it's a boy?"
"Call is Daisha anyway."
"I was thinking of maybe naming one of them after Mama."
"Alright, then. Conchita Daisha."
"Don't get your hopes up," Mimi said, rolling her eyes.
"God, I can't wait for them to be born! I can't believe I'm going to be an aunt."
"Do I get to be Uncle Collins?" Collins asked.
"And Aunt Jan and Aunt Maureen and Aunt Joanne and Aunt Frankie too?" Roger joked.
"Christ, these kids are gonna have a huge family," Daisha said.
"I'm home," Mark called, flatly, as he entered the room.
"Don't act so thrilled to see us," Roger said.
"Sorry. Not feeling to great today."
"Mark, she'll be home in less then two weeks."
"I know," Mark sighed, "But I still feel like all I wanna do is just sit around the Loft and mope around."
Pepper began to whine in Collins's arms.
"I should take her back downstairs to Frankie," he apologized, hooking her leash onto the loop of her collar. "Before she raises hell."
"No problem. See you around," Roger said.
"Bye guys. Nice seeing you, Daisha. Hope you feel better, Mark," he called over his shoulder, before leaving.
"That's not very likely," Mark grumbled.
"I should be going too. I just stopped by to say hello. Mom's probably wondering where I am," Daisha apologized.
"Don't worry, hon. I'm glad you stopped bye. I've missed you."
Daisha grinned. "Just wait until those kids are born. Then you won't be able to get rid of me."
"I'm counting the hours," Mimi joked. "Now get out of here."
"See you guys later," Daisha said, and left.
"And then there were three," Roger said.
"Make that two. I'm going to into my room," Mark said, in an unenthusiastic voice.
"Alright. Have fun." Roger and Mimi watched him go.
"I didn't think Jan leaving would be so hard for him," Mimi said, walking over to the refrigerator, and retrieving a pint of pistachio ice cream from the freezer.
"He can be pretty angsty sometimes. Where are you going with that?"
"Who're you? The Freezer Police?" Mimi asked, as she grabbed a spoon from the counter.
"You're gonna eat that whole thing?"
"I'm pregnant. I can eat whatever I want."
"I better start stocking up on the pickles and yogurt."
"Not a bad idea," she said, smiling at him.
She walked into the living room and plopped down on the couch, with Roger trailing behind her.
"So, what do you want to do tonight?" Mimi asked, shoving a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
"Um . . ."
"What's um?" Mimi dug her spoon into the ice cream and held it out towards Roger. "Want some?"
"Are you going to spoon feed me?" he asked, wickedly.
Mimi rolled her eyes. "Sure. And I'll burp you and nurse you as well."
"I wouldn't mind that last part," Roger grinned.
"Roger! I'm eating!" Mimi complained, flicking the ice cream at him. It landed on the couch.
Roger picked it up and put it into his mouth.
"Pig," Mimi said, placing the pint aside. "I think I've lost my appetite."
"Sorry," Roger said, but he was smiling.
"Ugh," Mimi said, putting her feet up on his lap. "I can't eat anything right now. I'm too scared that it'll just come up again."
"Sorry, baby," Roger said, sympathetically.
"It's not your fault." She paused. "Actually, it is," she laughed.
"Sorry," Roger said again. He lifted up her leg and began to massage her foot.
"Mmm that feels good," Mimi murmured.
"So, I got a call from Chad this morning," Roger said, continuing to massage her foot.
"And?"
"He wants the band to play at the wedding, and he wants me to come down there tonight to practice with the guys."
"Oh, NOW I see why you're sucking up?" Mimi said, grinning.
Roger bit his lip. "Are you mad?"
Mimi sighed. "No. Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure?"
"It's fine. What time are you going?"
"Eight thirty."
"Well," she glanced at the clock on the opposite side of the room. "That means you've got another half an hour to massage my feet."
"What?"
"You want to go, don't you?"
"You are very evil, Miss Marquez," Roger said, beginning to tickle her foot.
"Eek! Okay! Stop! I'm just kidding," Mimi giggled, wrestling her feet away from him.
"You'd better be," Roger warned, jokingly. Then he got serious for a moment. "So you're sure it's okay?"
"Yes, Roger, I'm sure."
"Thanks," he smiled, and leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. "So I'll see you tonight, then?"
"I don't have anywhere else to be," she said, smiling.
"Okay. Don't wait up, I don't know how long Chad's gonna make me stay."
"Okay."
"Bye." Roger kissed her on the lips.
"Bye, baby. Have fun."
"Tons," he groaned, as he headed for the door.
"Roger?" she called, just before his hand touched the doorknob.
"Yeah?"
"We'll take a rain check?"
"On what?"
"My feet?"
Roger shook his head, laughing. "You're very dominating."
"You know it. Have a good time."
"Bye." He blew her a kiss, before closing the door behind him.
***
"Anyone home?" Roger called, as he reentered the Loft.
Rehearsal had bit the big one. Chad was stressing about both the rehearsal dinner tomorrow, and the wedding in nine days.
"Mimi? Mark?" Roger called, walking into the living room. To his surprise, Mark was asleep on the couch, his blanket had fallen onto the floor.
"Mark?" Roger said, gently, shaking him awake.
"Roger?" Mark whispered, grabbing his glasses and shoving them onto his face.
"Hi. Why are you sleeping in here?"
"I was waiting for you. Mimi's in the hospital. She . . ."
"WHAT?!" Roger exclaimed.
"She got sick again while you were out. She was throwing up, and it was a lot worse than usual. She passed out, and Maureen and I drove her to the hospital. They said she was overly dehydrated, and they're keeping her there overnight. I would be there now, but they kicked me out."
"Jesus Christ," Roger breathed. "I'm going there now."
"Rog, they won't let anyone in."
"I don't give a shit. My girlfriend's in there, and I want to see her."
"How are you going to get there?"
"I'll get Maureen to give me a ride."
Roger turned around and headed for the door. He stopped suddenly, and turned to face Mark. "You coming?"
***
"This is completely against hospital policy!" a nurse shouted after Mark and Roger, as they ran into Mimi's room.
Roger burst through the door, with Mark right behind him.
Mimi's eyes fluttered open when she heard the door open.
"Roger?" she said, groggily.
"God, Mimi, are you okay?" he breathed, kneeling beside the bed.
"I'm okay now. Thank God Mark was there, though," she said, weakly. Her brunette curls were matted against her forehead, and she looked unusually pale.
"What happened?" Roger exclaimed.
"I don't know. I fell asleep, and then in the middle of the night I felt nauseous, so I ran into the bathroom to throw up. But it wasn't something that went away, I just kept on going, and then finally I guess I passed out. I woke up here."
"Jesus," Roger whispered. "I'm so sorry. I should have been here."
Mimi smiled, weakly. "It's not your fault. The doctor said since I'm having twins, the nausea's going to be worse than that of someone just having one baby. They told me the reason it was so bad was because I've been dehydrated, and they want me to keep drinking liquids, and they're going to keep me an extra night just for observation."
"I'm so sorry, baby," Roger said again, pushing a stray curl behind her ear.
"Rog, it's okay now. I'm going to miss the rehearsal dinner tomorrow, though," she said, wincing. "I'm sorry."
"I won't go either," Roger said. "I'll stay here with you."
"Roger, I don't wanna be a burden. Besides, you have to be there. You're Chad's best man."
"Damn it," Roger swore.
"Rog, it'll be fine."
"Yeah, the last time you said that I came home to find out you were in the hospital."
"That was just this once. Besides, I'm fine now."
"I just wish I could have been here for you," he whispered.
Suddenly, the nurse that had been chasing Roger and Mark early on burst into the room.
"Young man, you and your friend need to leave- NOW. This is completely against hospital policy. Unless the patient is seriously ill or dying, you cannot be here past nine."
Roger groaned. "All right, cool it. I'll come back tomorrow," he promised Mimi.
She smiled. "Okay."
Roger kissed her cool forehead. "Feel better."
"Young man . . ." the nurse said, in a warning tone.
"Jesus Christ, I'm coming!" Roger snapped, standing to his feet.
He and Mark followed the nurse out the door.
Roger waved, weakly at Mimi before the nurse closed the door, sharply.
a/n: Happy Hannumas, Mari!