Author's Note: Three announcements. First, I'm sorry for the delay, but I do have a future to think about. College applications. But I'm done with most of them, but don't be surprised if a project comes up. PinkElphaba and I would also like to take this opportunity and congratulate the big screen release of Rent, and, to whoever hasn't seen it, watch it. I, myself, have seen it twice and am looking forward to a third time. Lastly, we have downgraded our story to T, as requested, because it ain't all that dirty. We hope that this story will reach a broader audience. It's quite tasteful, if I do say so myself. Wishful thinking. Any objections, feel free to contact us.
Enjoy.
Chapter Twenty-Five
So this is love... lalalala… lalala… so this is love… So this is what makes life divine, I'm all aglow… lalalala… and now I know…
Okay- who put that damn Cinderella movie on? Mark was wide awake in his bed, but he didn't want to get up. He was too comfortable. Yet for once he didn't lie awake mourning every waking hour the day was to bring. Instead he rested peacefully, happily as that stupid love song ran through his head. God, this must be it, thought Mark, half-smiling. I must really be in love. Mark wished he could just dream about Maureen all day.
"Get up, Mark, we've got a lot to do today," said Roger entering his room and fluttering the blinds open so that a blinding light blazed through. "Actually, you've got a lot to do today. So get up!"
Mark groaned softly, pulling the covers over his head. "I thought I got away from home so I didn't have to listen to 'Get up Mark'?"
Roger paused and stared at him. "This IS home," he replied followed by a maniacal laugh. He grinned and headed out of his bedroom.
"Can you get me my slippers?" asked Mark.
"I'm not your fairy godmother," retorted Roger before disappearing. Mark caught the irony of that and sighed. He tossed the bed sheets aside and sat up, stretching. He closed his eyes and took in a nice long breath before feeling a sudden pain in his head.
"Ow, what'd you do that for?" asked Mark rubbing the back of his neck. The pain had traveled pretty fast. Roger had smacked him with one of his Peanuts gang slippers that had a black fuzzy ball sticking from the toe of the shoe.
"Did your mom buy you these?" asked Roger.
"No."
"Oh. Why Snoopy?"
"Because I like Snoopy!" Mark grabbed the slipper and snuggled his left foot in it. He waited attentively. "Well?"
"Well what?" Roger stood up and walked near the doorway.
"Where's the other one?"
"I just found that one," said Roger and left. Mark groaned but then laughed afterwards. He had to admit that having Snoopy slippers were pretty dorky, but Maureen had bought it for him on his birthday when they first started dating. Mark mentioned how he used to love watching the Peanuts gang on television when he was a kid, and she thought Snoopy looked cute on him. He smiled. He couldn't wait to see her again, even though they had been seeing a lot of each other.
Ever since that night after going to the cemetery, after spilling each other's guts out at the café… they couldn't stand being away from one another. Mark felt that old fire kindling again in his heart, but the flame seemed different. He didn't know what it was, but he felt surer about this, like he knew what he wanted and how to handle it. He wasn't quite afraid of what was going to happen in the future; he wasn't worried about Maureen's second life or if she was having one. The only thing he wanted was for her to be happy, and for them to be happy. The flame was back, and this time, Mark planned to keep it burning forever.
Before following Roger into the kitchen, Mark washed up in the bathroom, feeling refreshed. He splashed some cold water on his face, put on his glasses and walked into the kitchen. He was surprised to see Roger already sitting in front of an empty plate, a fork in one hand and a knife in the other, and a napkin tucked into his shirt collar. Mark gave him an odd look.
"Oh? So you've decided to come after all?" said Roger with a pout on his face.
"Huh?" Mark questioned as he poured himself a glass of orange juice.
"You're supposed to feed me," said Roger stubbornly.
"Who am I, your fairy godmother?" asked Mark smirking.
Roger just stared at him blankly. "You've never seen Cinderella, have you?" He hammered on the table with his silverware. "Food, Chef Boyard-Marky, Food! You've been cooking for the past few days, and it's just now starting to get good. So come on. Bacon's not gonna cook itself."
"You're lucky I'm not going all Jewish on you because you're eating a form of pig," said Mark pointing a spatula at him.
"Mark, you can't eat pig, you can't eat seafood. They must have fed you like, grass, as a child," said Roger. "Make it extra crispy please."
"Fine. But I'm only doing it because you're thin and need some meat in your bones."
"I'M thin? Look again Mr. Tetherball Pole," remarked Roger.
"I thought we dropped that name in high school!"
"Sorry."
"Scrambled or poached?"
"Sunny side up."
Mark gave him a look. Roger merely grinned. Boy, he's getting spoiled, Mark thought laughing, but he was glad that Roger was finally smiling again. He continued to prepare breakfast as they talked. Mostly they talked about Mimi and how she was doing a lot better. She had just gotten back from the hospital earlier this week and Roger's been spending most of his time with her, taking care of her. The good thing was that he was happy again. For hours on, every night, Mark had to bear Roger talking on and on about Mimi. It was like he never wanted to let her go. Of course, finally, Mimi got tired of Roger being there every single day, babying her, so she told him his time frame was from 9:30a.m. to 9:30p.m. He became upset at first but he couldn't say no to her.
They then started to talk about Collins. They couldn't believe he was actually leaving for Jersey in two weeks. He said everything was going to be fine, and Mark couldn't help but agree with him. He and Maureen were great, Roger and Mimi were great- they didn't need Collins as much to fix things anymore, as much as Mark hated to admit it. But they were going to miss him so much. Collins said the work would do him good though- he needed the money.
"So are we meeting at Maureen's later?" asked Roger.
"Of course," said Mark. They were having a small get-together in honor of Mimi's recovery. But Mark would have to arrive late.
"Be sure to tell Maureen that I'll be coming a bit late."
"Yes mother." Roger rolled his eyes. "So are you sure you aren't going to tell me what you're doing behind everyone's back? Why you're so 'busy' all the time, why you've been late lately?"
"No."
"I already know it's for Maureen's birthday coming up…"
"STOP guessing!"
"It's obvious! Mark, I've been living with you for too long to not know something about the way you act. When you're mad, you film, when you're sad, you lock yourself in your room, when you're horny, you masturbate-"
"God, you pay WAY too much attention to me," said Mark smiling. "Are you gay?"
"I am NOT gay," said Roger laughing.
"Well if you were…" Mark laid a plateful of bacon, eggs and toast in front of his not-gay friend, and prepared himself a plate as well.
"So you admit it?"
"Admit what?" asked Mark.
"You DO masturbate when you're horny."
"God, Roger, shut up… You remind me of someone."
"Who?" The phone rang. Roger leapt to get it. "Hello? Mimi? I'll be right there!"
Mark noticed that he'd only been on the phone for two seconds with her before running out to help her. "Did she even say what was wrong?"
"She said hello." Roger took the plate with him and dashed to the front door.
"You're such a sucker," murmured Mark and Roger glared at him and left. Mark finished eating and began to organize Maureen's birthday dinner. It was true he had been busy lately preparing for her dinner, which was in two weeks. He wanted it to be perfect; he wanted to make a long-lasting impression. Most of all he wanted to surprise Maureen, totally throw her off guard with what he was planning. He had everything set, he was practicing his culinary skills, searching through cook books, but still something was missing and he knew what it was. Maureen's gift.
He had no idea what to get her. He didn't want to give her something meaningful- well he did but he didn't. He knew she was expecting something like a necklace or a ring that would symbolize their form of love, but Mark hated that. He didn't want to prove his devotion for her in something as cliché as jewelry… alright, the truth was that he didn't want to prove his devotion in something he couldn't afford. But he wanted to level with her- he wanted to get her something he knew she'd love.
Gah, what did she like? Mark tried to think. He wished he knew someone who was an expert at this type of thing. Did he know any romancer? Roger… well Roger doesn't know what he's doing half the time, thought Mark, women are just attracted to him. Unfair.
The phone rang. Mark walked over to pick it up thinking that it might be Maureen or even Roger.
"Hello?" answered Mark.
"Roger?"
"No… who's this?" It sounded familiar, but he didn't know who it was.
"Mark? Is that really you?"
"Yeah… yeah who is this?"
"It's Alex, Mark."
Mark froze. Alex? Oh man. They had lost contact with Alex for the longest time. Mark was pretty upset about that. No one knew what happened to him until a little over a half a year ago when Roger bumped into him one day. He wouldn't tell Mark where he had met him or anything else about why he broke contact with them, but he assured Mark that he was doing all right with a kid, Jacob. Mark wasn't surprised at all that he had a kid- he slept with so many women, he had to have knocked one of them up. That was a cruel way to put it, but he remembered Alex's sense of humor. But wow. The three of them had been the best of friends until that night… that crazy night when he'd gone missing… when April died…
"Alex, how're you? Long time," said Mark.
"I know it," said Alex.
"Were you looking for Roger?"
"Yeah, I uhh… wanted to confirm Jacob's guitar lesson."
"Confirm, huh? That's a big word," Mark teased.
"I be reading," Alex answered laughing. "Is he not there?"
"No he stepped out… I can go get him, I guess-"
"It's alright, I'll talk to him later." A short silent. "Mark… how have you been?"
"You know the story- downs and ups, but I've been doing great now."
"So I hear."
"And you?"
"Good." There was another silence. This was awkward. It's like he hardly knew him… but that was impossible. It was Alex. His character was built to the tee.
"Anything interesting happening?" asked Alex.
"Well… I'm trying to think of a gift for Maureen's birthday… any ideas?" Mark knew Alex was a natural charmer when it came with women. Never was he seen without a girl in one arm, sometimes two if he felt like it.
"Depends. Do you want 'oh I love you Mark' or do you just wanna get laid?"
Mark smiled. Same old Alex. "Is it possible to get both?"
Alex laughed. "Hmm… sure, if your name is Alex Meyers. But I guess it can work for Mark Cohen too. Let's see, a gift for Maureen Johnson… tell you what, can you meet me outside your loft in 20 minutes?"
"Sure, why?"
"Jacob's at daycare, I can take you shopping."
"Shopping? I don't know…."
"Do you have any other choice?"
Mark sighed but then smiled. "No… meet you in 20."
--------------------------
"I don't know about this…" said Mark hesitantly. They were walking down the sidewalk where Alex had just told him where they were going.
"Oh come on Mark, trust me. She looks like the type of person who'd like that kind of gift judging from what I knew about her years back… and let's not forget that unbelievable Poker night…"
Mark smiled at that thought. It was an unbelievable night. "You remember that?"
"How could I forget? Lucky for you I wasn't here to snatch her away."
"Who were you with that night?" mocked Mark. "Virginia? America? Rose?"
"God, when you say it, I sound so pitiful." Alex thought for a moment. "I don't remember."
"Well if you dated real girls instead of locations and things… Oh I just remembered her name. Gina!"
Alex grinned widely at the sound of her name. "Oh yeah NOW I remember."
They laughed and Alex cleared his throat. "So tell me something Marky. When I called Roger last Christmas he told me that you were dumped. And then I call last week and he tells me you're back together. How did that happen?"
From what Mark remembered Alex was always curious about gossip. It got his hands dirty and he had a foundation to ridicule people with. Mark shook his head. "It's a long story. Do you really want to hear it?"
"I don't know, do I? Does it have any… interesting, juicy parts?"
"You mean sex?"
"Or anything sex-related."
"The whole thing was one big mess…" Mark knew that he wouldn't be able to keep Alex's attention for more than three seconds, so he didn't want to bother telling. "Tell you what. I'll make a film out of it then I'll send it to you."
"Well that all depends on what type of film it's gonna be…"
"No Alex, it's not gonna be a porno film."
"Then forget it. So what are you going to do for her birthday?"
"We're throwing her a party. You can come too if you want."
"Sure, count me in. Beautiful girls and free alcohol? Of course I'm there. But that's not what I meant. What are YOU going to do for her birthday?"
Mark gave him a suspicious look. There will never be a day where that boy will think of something nice like ponies or unicorns…well unless… "Dinner… for two…" He tried to be vague. He knew Alex wanted all the details, and Mark wasn't giving it to him.
"Dinner for two…. Hmm…" They stopped in front of a shop and Mark stopped in horror. He didn't think Alex would actually take him here. Okay, he had small doubts, but he was so embarrassed. What if someone saw him? What would they think? Mark tried to take deep breaths as Alex led him into the lingerie boutique.
"Breathe Mark, the air's not contaminated with that much perfume…" said Alex tugging his shirt. Mark's feet glued itself to the ground.
"There are women in there!"
Alex's expression appeared shock as he took a double take in the shop. "By GOD, there ARE women in here. Come on Mark, suck it up! Be a man!"
"I can't be a man in there!"
"Oh trust me, once you get a load of these nighties, you'll be able to be a man. GET in here." He grabbed him by the shoulders and pried him off the sidewalk, dragging him inside. "You're such a wuss."
"Shut up, shut up, shut up." Mark felt kind of nervous. It was bad enough he was teased about sounding like a girl at his bar mitzvah's speech, but he felt embarrassed receiving stares and odd looks from women he didn't know. It was like holding his mom's purse… He looked around. They were the only men there. "Look, there are just women."
"I know, isn't it great? Fine women at that," said Alex winking at a curly haired brunette who walked passed them.
"You're embarrassing yourself," remarked Mark.
"No I'm not." Alex mouthed 'how're you doing' to the brunette who smiled and walked away. He leaned toward Mark. "See, still got it." He straightened up and took a look around the shop. "So! Let's start."
"Start?" Mark looked around at the surfeit of women's wear, lingerie, nightgowns, underwear, bras, and other delicates that hung on racks, mannequins, and displays. There were so many different kinds, he didn't know where to start, or how to start. He was beginning to think that Alex was off a bit. Okay, as if he didn't realize that before.
"Yes, start, Mark," replied Alex shortly. He was rummaging through a rack of assorted gowns. "What did you have in mind? Something as dorkish and hopeless as you are…" He held up a long sleeved, knee length blue cotton nightwear. "…or as sexy and hot as she is?" He held a red transparent nightgown with feathers at the neckline.
Mark observed both and looked at him uncomfortably. "Can we do a combo? Sexy, but hopeless?"
Alex grinned. "We can give it a shot. I heard pity always worked well in the bedroom, but of course, I never had to resort to that."
"You suck, you know that, right?"
"Only sometimes." Mark rolled his eyes at him, and Alex laughed. He continued to rummage through the gowns as Mark fiddled his thumbs. God, he felt like such an amateur… well, shopping for lingerie wasn't exactly a sport, but still… or was it? Alex held out a light blue nightgown that looked as if it was made in the dark. "Here's hopeless, but I think she'd wear one of your things before wearing this."
"Ha, ha," said Mark, although he wanted to smile because Maureen had worn his clothes before. Mark felt a shiver down his spine. "Man, it feels so weird being in here. Don't you feel strange?"
"Do you need to go pee Mark?"
"No I do not need-"
"Look there's the restroom, two feet behind you." Alex shoved him into the hallway. "Go. I'll be right here when you come out." He had that grin. For all Mark knew, he'd disappear and leave him there. Mark glanced around him. One door. Women's restroom. But no men's.
"There's no bathroom for us in there," said Mark walking out.
"What?"
"Just a women's room."
"Fuck, that's so sexist," hissed Alex. "I'll file a complaint later. Here." He handed him a nightie. "Wear it, you can pass for a girl."
Mark pouted his lips and threw it at him angrily. "Stop playing Alex. Why don't you wear it?"
"You've got the legs for it!"
"What? You're taller than I am!"
"I didn't shave!" Alex stopped and shook his head. "What am I saying?" Mark laughed a bit, Alex joining in and continuing with his search for the perfect nightwear. This was just like the good old days. The days where they didn't have to worry about falling in love, or being broken-hearted. The days where they just fooled around and supported each other. He wondered if it could ever be the same again.
Mark sighed. Get back to work, he said to himself quietly. Work. That's what he called this. He wandered around when something horrific caught his eye. A mannequin nearby wore a black leathered nightie with fishnets, a whip, and a Madonna-styled bra. "What the hell is that?"
Alex followed his eyes to Mark's direction and paused. "I don't think you're ready for that, Mark. Baby steps, now, small, baby steps." He looked at him curiously. "Unless you're into that sort of thing…"
"No! That's horrible," said Mark. He couldn't even think about Maureen wearing something like that. With that bra… wouldn't it be very painful?
"Not horrible, just not quite to your level yet," said Alex. "And I don't want to insult your taste, Mark, because you are dating one of the most beautiful girls in NYC… though I still don't understand what she sees in you-"
"Do you enjoy making me feel miserable or does it come naturally?"
"Bit of both."
"You know, I'm going to push you off a building one day, you just watch."
"So is it true that she dumped you for another woman, or was Roger just twisting my arm? Because I would find that really funny."
Mark suddenly blushed. "She came back, didn't she?" He didn't want to give in to Alex, he had to revert himself somehow. "Would you shut up? I've got some dirt on you as well." Mark knew that wouldn't work on Alex half as well as he liked. It was just the way Alex was programmed. He had a twisted sense of humor.
Alex continued to smile and rummage through clothing. "Man, she's so hot…"
Mark wanted to kick him sometimes. "You know, I'm not really comfortable with you hitting on my girlfriend in front of me. Would you at least give me the courtesy of doing it behind my back?"
"Marky, I could do more than hit on your girlfriend behind your back…"
"So how's your kid, by the way?" Mark asked in a pathetic attempt to change subjects. He didn't have any defense with him, so he had to take another approach.
"He's great, you should see him sometime."
"Bring him to the party. I'm sure everyone would love to meet him." Mark was interested in seeing how Alex interacted with his son. For some reason, he could definitely see Alex as a good father. Well, except for the women coming in and out of his apartment.
"Is it kid-friendly enough?" asked Alex.
"Just don't let him have any booze," said Mark smiling. He could tell that Alex didn't like to joke around about his kid, so he put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, everyone will take care of him. I think I'll invite Cindy and the kids too."
"How is your sister, by the way?"
"Cindy is doing very well, thank you." Mark looked up. I was going to say that, he thought to himself, and turned to his left. Cindy stood there with a several gowns in her arms, smiling brilliantly. Oh shit… He needed to think of a decent response for being in a lingerie shop with another guy. Alex, of all people.
"Mark, it's been a while. What are you doing here?" asked Cindy suspiciously.
"Uhh… shopping." Mark looked at Alex nervously. He flashed Mark a grin. You asshole, you're never any help, he wanted to say.
"Shopping?" she asked raising en eyebrow. "I didn't know you and Michelle were going out long enough for you to buy her lingerie…"
"Who is Michelle?" asked Alex to Mark. "Marky?"
Mark gave him a look and turned back to Cindy. "Cindy, Michelle and I broke up… We're…" he glanced at Alex, unsure. "We're buying something for Maureen."
Cindy's jaw dropped. Mark felt his heartbeat stop a few times. He hated that she had to find out this way. Cindy began to stutter. "M-Maureen? I don't understand. I thought you didn't want anything to do with her."
Mark looked down and scrunched his eyebrows. He looked at his sister earnestly. "It's complicated." His sister gazed at him uneasily. "Trust me. This is it. She's the one, I know."
"Ooh, Marky," squealed Alex, nudging him with his elbow. Mark shot him another look.
"But… are you sure about this Mark? You know I love Maureen, but she's hurt you so much…"
"I'm sure." Mark laughed. "Would I be standing in the middle of a lingerie shop if I wasn't?"
She laughed. "That's true."
"Aren't you going to invite your sister to the party?" asked Alex.
"What party?" she asked inquisitively.
"Right, Maureen's birthday party. You can bring the family, if you want. I'll call you later to fill you in on all the details. You must be so confused."
"I am, but you can fill me in later. Just tell me the date and time of the party, and I'll fit it in my schedule somehow."
"Sure thing." Mark smiled then took one step closer to his sister. "So sis… what exactly are you doing here? Planning something… special?" Mark grinned. He didn't mean to embarrass her, but he couldn't help it.
"Maybe…" She blushed slightly. "Do you guys need any help?"
"Right, like I really wanna be seen shopping for nighties with my sister," said Mark jokingly.
"It was just an offer," she said. "Well, I'll leave you then. Gotta try these on. See ya Mark."
"Bye Cindy," he quickly kissed her on the cheek. She bid goodbye to Alex, and left silently. Alex traced his eyes on her until she disappeared into the fitting room.
"You know I just got a mental picture of how your sister would look in one of those gowns she was holding…"
"Shut up Alex!" Does he ever stop, Mark thought frantically.
"No, she doesn't look half bad. Oh, wait, let me guess… she got the good genes right?" Mark glared at him. This was a guy that everyone loved to hate, but there was just something about him. Mark remembered that he was very loyal… up until he vanished without telling them. "I'm just playing with you, Mark. So shall we get back to work?"
"Sure," said Mark. After that whole scene with Cindy, he felt a bit more comfortable. Once one person he knew had seen him, he didn't feel so bad. "So how does the great Alex Meyers shop for lingerie?"
"I'm glad you asked. It's more of a seventh sense."
Mark cocked an eyebrow. "You mean sixth sense?"
"No sixth sense is smell, get with it, Mark," he said grabbing a few clothing.
Mark laughed. He could always make him laugh. Alex held up three items: a long white, low-cut gown, a short, chocolate-colored nightie, and a red two-piece set. "Which one?"
"Umm…"
"Feel, Mark, feel."
"Actually, I'm not feeling any of them."
Alex looked at him awkwardly and sighed. He placed the lingerie back. "Okay." He grabbed Mark's shoulders. "Okay, which direction should we go?"
"Huh?" Mark looked at him as if he was crazy.
"It's like a gravitational pull, don't think too hard."
"Oh, so that's why you're an expert at this type of thing?"
"Are you going to try to insult me or are you going to work with me?"
Mark sighed. He looked at some of the nightwear, and didn't really like any of them. Wait. Mark pulled out something and held it out. "I like this."
"Good, Mark…hmm…" Alex took it from him and observed it carefully. He held it against Mark's body.
"How's it look?" asked Mark.
"Not too bad at all…" said Alex. "It really brings out your eyes."
"You mean her eyes?"
"No, I mean your eyes. Hold it, see." Mark did what he was told and pulled out the lace at the hem a bit. "It looks nice, Mark."
"Finding everything alright?" they looked behind them to find one of the staff members smiling at them.
Alex gave her the gown. "Yes, can I have this in medium?"
She chuckled, and nodded. "Sure…" she continued to laugh as she walked into a back room.
"What's her problem?"
Mark laughed. "You just asked her for a medium."
"So? Maureen's got a lot of cleav-" He held out his palms in front of his chest as if he was holding to big watermelons then looked up with sudden epiphany. "Ohh… How immature."
Mark laughed even harder and continued with their shopping. It took a while to find the perfect gown, and despite all the snickers from passersby, it was all worth it. They found the perfect one and Mark couldn't help but feel proud of himself. He admitted that it was a bad idea before, but in the end, this could turn out to be a very good thing for him. He hoped more than anything that Maureen would like it. Knowing Alex, he could almost count on his expertise to bring a smile to a woman's face. Well, Alex was good for one thing. As they walked out of the shop, Mark asked if he had any sisters.
"I'm an only child," replied Alex. "Why?"
"It's just… you're very in touch with your feminine side." Mark looked at him, and although it was impossible, he had to ask. "You're not…"
"Mark, I will never get tired of the opposite sex," said Alex. "I just know what they like, and what they want. So, where are we going? This isn't the way to your place."
"I thought it would be nice if you stopped by at Maureen's. Catch up with the gang and meet Roger's girl, Mimi," said Mark. He enjoyed spending time with Alex and just wanted him to be back with his friends.
"Sure," he said smiling. "It's going to be weird…"
"Because it's not April?" asked Mark.
"Yeah," said Alex nodding. He sighed. "Maureen's not going to be too happy."
"It's because you always bug her about everything," Mark pointed out.
Alex laughed. "It's just so much fun because she fights back."
Mark suddenly grinned. "Collins will be there."
Alex almost stopped in his footsteps. He slowed his pace and looked at Mark attentively. "Does he…"
"Still have a crush on you?" completed Mark. "We'll see… Collins has changed a lot. Did Roger ever tell you about Angel?"
"No." For the rest of the way, Mark explained about how Collins and Angel were the perfect couple, always bringing each other happiness while spreading the love around. He described how she was and Alex smiled all the way through. He let Mark do a lot of the talking, which was strange because Alex was always the one chattering away. And this time Alex was actually paying attention, nodding every few moments to assure him that he was listening. When Mark finally let him talk, Alex told him about how life was with Jacob.
Mark had a few questions, things he wanted to hear from Alex himself, so he didn't hesitate to ask. But he was very vague with his answers. He asked him who the mother was, and Alex answered that it was no one he knew. He asked if he was living with her, and he told him that she just left one day. Alex didn't bother to put in any details. Obviously, he didn't want to talk about it. Mark understood. It was like they were strangers all over again. They hadn't seen each other for nearly three years. Soon, they approached Maureen's apartment, went up the stairs, and knocked on her door.
"Be nice," warned Mark.
"Yes mommy," replied Alex. They heard Collins' voice from the other side yelling "It's open!" and Mark opened the door. They went inside. Mark could see that everyone was there. Then Roger leapt up from the couch.
"ALEX!"
"Hey man," whispered Alex softly as Roger wrapped his arms around his neck. Alex patted his back and laughed whole-heartedly. They made introductions, and Mark detected the irritable air Maureen had as she said hello to Alex. He quickly grabbed her attention and pulled her close, trying to get her mind off of him. He ignored the guys' complaints, mostly Roger's, and felt so relieved that Maureen smiled back at him. Mark almost forgot that he was holding his shopping bag.
"Nice bag, Mark," said Collins skeptically, "been shopping?"
Everyone in the room looked at the rose-colored bag, and Mark smiled sheepishly at Maureen. He glanced over at Alex, who was sitting on the armrest of the reclining chair, for some help. He merely shrugged.
"It's nothing," said Mark weakly, looking at Maureen. He turned away and faced the guys. He hated lying to her. "They're just film reels and such."
"Film reels in a pink bag?" asked Collins disbelievingly.
"It was the weirdest photography shop ever. A bunch of abstract crap," said Alex nodding. At least he was more convincing than Mark.
"PINK bag?" inquired Roger.
"It was either pink or stripes, and the stripes made Mark look fat," said Alex. Mark nodded viciously in hopeful agreement, but Maureen gave him that suspicious glare. Please buy it, he begged silently. Then Collins voice echoed through.
"You didn't!" He jumped out of his seat. Don't figure it out, Collins!
"Huh? What are you talking about Collins?" Mark tried to sound shocked, but the quiver in his voice gave away his panic and slight fear. He bit his lip and looked at Alex who was grinning, waiting for the results.
Roger stood up. "You went into a PORNOGRAPHY shop?"
Maureen's jaw dropped as she let go of Mark's hand. She looked at the bag, stunned. Mark hid it behind him. He didn't know what to say. "WHAT?" she said.
"PHOTOgraphy shop, you ass, didn't you hear me before?" said Alex rolling his eyes at Roger's question. "Besides, there aren't any pornography shops around here. I know, I checked."
Maureen suddenly gave Mark a devious look, and snaked her arms around his waste. Oh God, she always uses that tactic against me, thought Mark as he backed away slowly. She pulled herself closer, and Mark could feel his heart beating faster with every second. If you give in now, you'll ruin it for yourself, he thought.
"Maureen, please, it's nothing," said Mark, about to break a sweat. He looked over her shoulder to see Alex standing, looking a bit panicked himself. Okay, I'm not the athletic type, but here goes nothing, thought Mark helplessly. "Alex, Statue of Liberty play!" He threw the bag over Maureen's head as hard as he could. Luckily Alex caught it fine.
"That's not the Statue of Liberty play, you dork!" said Alex laughing. Maureen gave Mark one more look before turning to Alex who stuffed the bag under his jacket.
"Alex, give me the bag or I'll kill you!" she demanded. She started chasing him around, with not much luck because Alex was much faster, more athletic, and was on the football team with Roger in high school. Mark tried to gain back some oxygen as he leaned against the door, watching Maureen in pursuit.
"Over here Alex!" said Roger from the other side of the room, near the kitchen. He waved his arms madly as Alex tossed it over to him.
"ROGER DAVIS!" screamed Maureen. "You're supposed to be on the good side!"
"I like football," he said simply. The two of them continued to play keep-away from Maureen, who was getting more frustrated by the minute. Maureen was able to get Roger on the floor at one point, but the bag flew over to Alex before she could get a decent hold of it. Mark could tell she was getting tired, and almost wanted to stop the game by showing her what was inside, but he couldn't let himself do that. She stopped and took a couple of breaths, then turned to Mark. She grinned.
Uh-oh. The guys immediately stopped in the background as she moved closer and closer to him. She tossed her hair back and her eyes sparkled. She smiled. He loved the way she smiled. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he could smell her strawberry scent, a scent he always placed on her since they met. For a split second, there wasn't anybody in the room except for them…
"Tell me what's in the bag Mark, or I'll make you regret it," she said in a low tone. She slid one hand down his chest. Okay, maybe I could tell her, he thought swallowing.
"Offside! Traveling! Out of bounds!" said Roger, trying to distract her. She shot him a glare and locked her eyes back with Mark's. She laid her head on his chest, and Mark wanted so much to give in. She caressed her fingers up and down his spine, and Mark could feel his body temperature rising. She glanced at him and smiled.
"Do not surrender Mark! Remember the cause!" said Alex standing on the reclining chair. "Red, white, and blue! Red, white, and blue!"
"Get down from there," hissed Collins. Alex obeyed. Mark looked at Alex, the guy who spent the last two hours or so helping him shop for Maureen. He wasn't going to give in now. He looked at Maureen seriously.
"Don't you trust me?" he asked softly.
She moved closer to his ear. "You know I do," she whispered, "but now you got me curious."
Mark kept steady. "Trust me," he said determinedly.
She looked at him, her eyes crystallizing in the light. She sighed. "If it is pornography, I'm going to kill you." She kissed him passionately, and Mark smiled in between. Finally, he did something right. He pulled her closer, deeper into the kiss.
"UGH, Jesus Christ, get a room!" said Roger.
Maureen pulled away and Mark grinned at her. "I'll go and get some snacks from the kitchen," she said. She turned around to the rest of the guys. "Coffee, anyone?"
A harmony of "please" followed, and she vanished into the kitchen. Mark sat down on the reclining chair as the party continued.
"I've got a great one," said Alex, "this cross-dresser walks into a stripper's club…"
Grumbles were heard and Alex stopped. "What? Have you heard this one?"
"No, but it might offend more than one person here," said Mark.
"Who?" asked Alex.
"Why don't you help Maureen in the kitchen, Alex?" asked Mark, hoping to get him away for a while until he forgets the joke.
"I know when I'm not wanted," he said standing up.
"But you're still here," said Collins, shaking his head. Alex grinned widely, and they all laughed. Even when he didn't say anything at all, he was funny. They watched him strut into the kitchen, and giggled a bit more.
"Did you really spend the whole morning with him?" asked Collins chuckling.
"Yeah," said Mark putting his feet up on the table.
"At a photography shop," teased Roger wrapping an arm around Mimi, and sinking into the sofa.
"So… how'd you find him?" asked Collins honestly. Mark sat up and began to describe how Alex called amidst of all his shuffling around in the loft, and what went on from there. Roger filled in the details about how he met him a while ago, but even he didn't know much about what happened either. And what he did know, he swore he wouldn't tell. Mark knew that Roger told him everything despite whether it was supposed to be a secret or not. But considering it was Alex, the most reliable friend they knew, Mark figured Roger felt like he owed him something. Alex may not be the friendliest guy, or the most truthful, or the most modest person, but he was someone they always could depend on. They all knew that.
A few minutes later, loud clamoring came from the kitchen.
"I think Maureen shoved Alex's head inside the oven," said Collins, shifting in his seat.
"Leave it at 375 degrees!" called Roger.
"How do you know about baking?" asked Mimi curiously. Roger smiled and shrugged as Mark tried to listen to their voices.
"SCORE!" a voice said. Oh God, thought Mark, this can't be good.