Okay, chapter nine, here goes nothing. Only three weeks (including weekends) until I go back to school. Disclaimer: I don't own RENT

Mark and Marie had rented a car and packed three days worth of clothes. They were now on their way to Scarsdale.

"You okay with this?" Marie asked from the passenger seat.

"Sure, but I forewarn you, my parents and sister are going to interrogate you, and they aren't the most accepting of people."

"I don't care; after all, they're going to be my family too. It's not like they can stop us."

"Hopefully they'll be more accepting of you than they were of Maureen."

"They didn't like Maureen?"

"No, and I'm pretty sure my mother was overjoyed when she dumped me."

"And your father?"

"He was a little more understanding, sort of."

"I think we all have shitty parents."

"I think you're right. Do you want the radio turned on?"

"Only if you do."

"Not really, we're almost there."

"You ready?" asked Marie as the turned down a side street.

"I suppose." Mark pulled over to the side of the curb. He sighed as he got out. Marie pulled her hair into a loose ponytail. Together they walked up the front path. Mark knocked on the front door; slightly hopeful that no one would be there. His hopes were soon dashed; his mother opened the door within seconds.

"Markybear!" Mrs. Cohen trilled, pulling her son into a hug. Marie had to fight the urge to laugh. "And this must be your fiancé, um, Molly."

"Its Marie mom," Mark said, he was tomato red from his mother's outburst.

"Very nice to meet you Mrs. Cohen," Marie said. Perhaps all those years with Lorana is finally rubbing off.

"Same to you," said Mrs. Cohen, giving Marie a once over.

"Uncle Mark!" a small boy with light blonde hair raced out of the front door.

"Steven come back here!" a girl with long blonde hair hollered while chasing Steven. Marie could only assume that this girl was Steven's sister. "Uncle Mark!" she exclaimed, obviously surprised to see him.

"Hello Susanna, hey Billy," Mark said to the two children now clinging to his waist. "Hi Cindy, I haven't seen you in a while." Cindy was a woman who was about Mark's height.

"What's all the hubba about kids? Who was it at the door? Mark! Is it really you?"

"Hi Dad. Uh, everyone, this is Marie."

"Hello," Marie said with a small wave.

"Kids, why don't we go inside, let go of your uncle Mark."

A half hour later they were all seated in the living room. Susanna and Steven were putting a puzzle together.

"So where did you two meet?" Mark's mother asked.

Mark recounted the night they had met, but had left out a few things. "Uh-huh, and what were you studying?" asked Mrs. Cohen.

"Child Development," answered Marie casually.

"Well that's a notch or two above that Maureen girl," Mrs. Cohen said.

"What career are you planning on?" asked Mr. Cohen.

"Daycare Provider, or Psychology."

"An okay choice, and do you have the start up money?"

"I was recently offered a job, so I will soon." Mark was impressed; Marie seemed to be ready to answer any question his parents might ask her.

"Gramma, I'm hungry," Steven complained. Indeed, it was already after 6pm.

"Oh goodness, well, I'll go fix dinner," Mrs. Cohen said checking her watch.

After Mrs. Cohen had left, the two children following her, Cindy leaned over to her younger brother, "How did you get her?"

"She's the one who chose me, and I'm glad she did." He kissed Marie.

"Eww, that's so gross! Uncle Mark, why do you do that?" Steven had returned to avoid having to help make dinner.

"Because we're going to get married," Marie answered, "it's so gross." For good measure Marie stuck out her tongue in disgust. Steven giggled, he decided that Marie was cool, and was glad she was joining her family.

"Should we call you Aunt Marie?" he asked.

"If you want to, Marie is fine though."

"Do you baby-sit anymore?"

"Sometimes, but in New York City though."

"Damn," muttered Cindy under her breath so Steven couldn't hear.

"Dinner's almost ready!" alerted Mrs. Cohen from the kitchen.

"Any idea what your parents think of me?" muttered Marie under her breath.

"They think much better of you than they did Maureen. And Cindy approves of you, which always helps," replied also in an undertone. He quickly kissed her on the cheek.

The dinner conversation was light. Though both talked periodically, Mrs. Cohen kept an ever watchful eye on Marie.

"So Cindy, will your husband be joining us?" asked Mrs. Cohen.

"Daddy's away on business," Steven said.

"He's always away on business," Susanna complained.

"Susie, behave yourself," Cindy scolded her daughter.

"Sorry Mom." The next few minutes were filled only with the sounds of silverware and dishes scraping each other. Marie, who had always hated awkward silences, was beginning to feel uncomfortable. She glanced over to Mark; he was sporting a small frown. It was evident he did not want to be there. "Are you guys gonna have kids?" Susie asked.

Mrs. Cohen looked as if she was going to choke. Cindy's jaw dropped slightly, but she quickly closed her mouth. "We haven't really talked about it yet," answered Marie calmly. In truth, she would love to have kids, but the decision wasn't hers alone to make.

Since Mark had driven there, Marie insisted that she drive home. Eventually, Mark being exhausted drifted off to sleep. Marie fought the urge to ruffle his hair.

A while later, they found themselves back at the car rental shop. Glad they had dropped their stuff off at the loft before hand, they began the journey to a comfortable bed in which they could sleep better than they had for the past two nights.

Okay, so that was chapter nine. I really want to know what you all think, so please, tell me! Even if you think it totally sucks, I wanna know! I'll update when possible, and I swear, I'm almost done writing it. It's just a matter of updating it. Much love!

-Diva Actress