as told by Mark
26 June (Ella's Birthday)
I take the a deep breath and try to keep my nerves down to a minimum. Which is a nearly impossible task for me. This is a once in a life time moment for me to do anything this risky.
Sure, moving to the loft was risky, filming is risky, but at least they had plan B's that I could handle.
If she says no, I'll...well, I don't know what I'll do.
I take yet another deep breath and remind myself that so far today has gone okay, which means the next hour will go perfect.
Focus on something else. This morning.
This morning Ella had to work and I picked Kenna up to go to another preview day at the private school she'll be going to in the fall. Supposedly it so the kids feel comfortable starting school, but what they're really doing is sucking up to parents to fork out extra cash. Ella could care less, her dad is the one who's paying.
I spent two hours with thirty, five year olds, their snotty parents, and two fifty year old batty women, one of whom I wouldn't be surprised if she slip a little something into her morning coffe.
I had brought my camera along and one of the teachers came up to me.
"Usually most parents wait 'til the first day of school to film."
I shrug, "I'm a filmmaker."
She just eyes me before turning her attention to Kenna who was drawing a picture with some crayons with all the other kids.
"What is your picture about?" She asks, a little overly sweet.
Kenna smiles and before we knew it replied, "This is my mommy and Mark," she pointed to two scribbles in one corner, "They're happy because today is my mommy's birthday. And that's me."
Kenna points to a scribble in the opposite Ella and mine's scribbles.
"Are you happy today is your mommy's birthday?"
Unfortunately, she kind of walk right into this one, as Kenna shook her head,
"No, because I have to spend the night with Cade, while Mommy and Mark get to play in my mommy's room all night long."
I don't know if I could tell who's face was redder, mine or the teacher.
A dad sitting a couple sitting a few seats away must have heard as he was trying to hold back any tempting laughter.
Needless to say, I don't think that is the teahcer Kenna will be getting.
It was a little funny...
"Mark!"
I'm brought out of my recollection by Cade who, along with everyone else had helped me plan this for the last six days.
"Mark, she's coming, see."
I could see Ella had just turned the corner.
I turned to Kenna, "You remember what you're supposed to do right?"
She smiled and nodded and Cade and I headed to our spots.
I could see Ella approach the park bench, "Kenna, where's Mark? I thought I told you not to run away from us."
Kenna giggles and run towards me, then past me. I step out.
Ella sighs, "There you are, Kenna just ran off, again."
I know, but I play stupid.
"I just saw her with Cade."
"Cade? Roger said you were watching her."
I shrug and shake my head.
She kinks her head and looks at me questioningly.
"What?" I ask.
"You're right. There they are. Maybe we should go..."
"They'll be fine." I reassure her. "They're probably going to go get ice cream and head back to the loft."
"You're probably right."
"You hungry?" I ask.
She nods.
We head to a small nice restaurant, the whole way there I can see Cade and Kenna staying just out of sight. Cade holds up the camera and gives me the thumbs up.
When we reach the restaurant, the waiter, who is on the plan, places Kenna and Cade out of sight of where Ella sits.
"Mark, this is a little expensive."
"It's your birthay." I explain.
"That's sweet, Mark, but maybe we should just grab a hamburger."
"Ella, I've been planning this, don't worry, we're fine...order what ever you want...just not the seventy dollar steak dinner, please."
She laughs and nods, "You've been planning this? I didn't know I was that special."
The waiter comes and take our order, and when he's gone we just sit there. Focus, Mark, focus.
"Um, Ella...honestly...um,...your birthday is only one of the reasons...I've planned this."
I'm beginning to shake and sweat a little.
She cocks her head and smiles again, God, I love when she does that. Out of the corner of my eye I see Cade with the camera to her eye.
I take a deep breath, here it goes, "I know there's supossed to be some sort of speech, I'm supossed to make right now, and I know some people think five months is a little rushed..."
I get up and make the cliche move to my knee in front of her and the whole restaurant seems to have their eyes on us, "But, I know something else,"
"You do?"
"I know I love you and I love Kenna. I know that I want to spend forever with you. But there is something I don't know...Will you marry..me?"
"Oh, Mark." She lets out, I can see a tear in her eye.
Oh, God, is that good or bad?
She nods, "I know my answer is yes." She whispers.
She leans in and kisses me and I'm vaguely aware of the applause or the fits of giggles coming from a certain booth.
As we sit back down, I can see Cade giving me the thumbs up before leading Kenna out of the restaurant.
The rest of dinner is a blur. I don't remeber what I ate or anything besides the fact she said yes.
After dinner, "So, um, how bout we go to your place, tonight?"
"What about Kenna?"
"She's spending the night with Cade."
"Uh-huh. You don't want to tell everyone?"
"If I didn't know better I would think you were avoiding..."
"No, don't think that for a minute, I'm just excited. Don't you think we should tell everyone?"
"I'm sure, if I don't show up til tomorrow, they'll figure it out. I told you... I had this planned."
Author's Notes:
So, hehe. That was somewhat cheesy, wasn't it? But Let's face it Mark is a little cheesy and that's why we love him. Oh, Gosh! Seventy-six reviews, I'm in a euphoric state, and I'm sure it shows.
Ok, people, I don't know how many of you check out the blog and as I mentioned you should, but The Rent cast is supposed to be featured in Entertainment Weekly the 24 Jun.-1 Jul. edition and there is a awesome pictue on the blog of the whole cast in this 2 level apartment thingy...Collins is hard to see in the corner but he's there and I found very interesting that Roger is wear a blood-red shirt in the "bathroom", but all is good. THe picture is freaking amazing check it out.
Oh, and next chapter back by popular demand...well, not really demand, any how they're back! Guess who?--or what?
Oh, and before some one points out that is seems weird that Kenna is going to a 2nd during summer preview at the private school...I do know what I'm talking about. I went to a private school for 6 years and they used make the older kids help out...those 5 random days in the summer were actually fun...only days with no uniform.
BwayDiva: Hope this is another AW worthy moment. ANd I guess this chapter answers the question.
Sam: He found his someone
ShatteredTruth: Glad you were able to come back to this and hope you like the rest...
carsonheir: were you able to see the trailer? ...I'd say things worked out...yep, another good day.
Okay, well, next chapter is half way done but it might not come up until between Weds. and Sunday. we'll see.
until next time, this is me...signing out.