Note: Thanks so much for all of the lovely reviews, you guys do keep me going. This is longer than any of the other chapters but it is one of the best in my opinion. So try and stuck it out. Go take a break or something if need be. Sorry if the spacing is kinda weird, fanfiction hasn't been nice to me lately.Enjoy!
Roger sat on Mark's basement couch blowing up a green balloon. As the balloon got larger, the words "Happy Birthday" could be read. Collins was busy trying to tie his own purple balloon, but his large fingers were getting in the way.
"Stupid…thing…" He mumbled to himself as he attempted to slip the rubber off of his finger. The whole balloon went flying around the basement blowing out all of the air. Collins groaned and lay down on the floor spread eagle. "I give up." He sighed, "Give me a math problem or a essay to write but no…no…balloons." Collins whimpered shaking his head.
Roger raised his eyebrow while quickly tying off his balloon and flicking it at Collins, "Aren't we dramatic today? You gonna try to out do Maureen?" Roger asked with a smirk. Collins giggled putting his hands on his chest, "I can't believe that he thought that he could still get with her. I like her company…so I don't mind. But really. If she's bringing a date…" He sighed closing his eyes, "This is going to be one interesting party." The doorbell rang, Collins got up from the floor and smiled, "Angel." "You have Angel radar now?" Roger questioned with a smile.
"Naw, I can hear her voice a mile away." Collins informed him heading up the stairs. Roger nodded, "Wait…are you saying your girlfriend is a loud mouth?" Collins picked up a balloon and spiked it down to hit Roger in the head. The rocker cringed and chuckled taking up another unblown balloon.
When Collins reached the door, Mrs. Cohen was already greeting Angel and Mimi both in bright party dresses. Although Collins had only seen the woman a few times he really did like her. It was a pity that she had such a demanding job, Mark told him that she did more night shifts than day. Apparently it was effecting her brain.
"Oh who are you two pretty ladies? Have we meet before? I'm Mark's mother, Mrs. Cohen, but you can call me Peggy." She said with a huge grin at Mimi and Angel. The latter just grinned probably flattered more than anything.
"Mrs. Cohen it's me…it's Angel." She said to her gently not wanting to embarrass her.
Mark's mother stared at Angel for a moment before gasping, "Oh my…Angel…that's a nice dress." She was still in shock her hand on her chest. Angel giggled walking in, "Thank you. This is my friend Mimi-" She stopped the minute she heard Collins chuckling about Mrs. Cohen's mishap. Angel bit her lip but couldn't hide her smile.
"You're very rude." She winked at him before running into his arms and hugging him close. They loosened their hold on each other to share a few kisses.
Mrs. Cohen turned to Mimi again, "Pleased to meet you dear." Mimi held back a laugh and nodded.
"Pleasure." She switched the two gift bags which contained presents for Mark from one hand to the other. With sigh she looked to Collins and Angel who were still letting their lips getting reacquainted. "Girl, do you ever come up for air?" Mimi asked shaking her head grinning. Angel pulled back from Collins and glanced over at her friend.
"Breathing is highly overrated." Collins rested his head on her shoulder to let out a fit of giggles. Just having her near him made him feel like he was high, dizzy, and drunk all at once. And Angel didn't have any of the nasty after effects that some of the other substances did.. Angel rubbed the back of his head gently.
"C'mon, baby, we gotta go..oh! That's it!" Angel said backing away and holding Collins at arms length. "Your perfect pet name is baby!" She hugged him again. Collins didn't argue and hugged her back.
Mimi smirked, "It took you that long to come up with such a common pet name?" She teased her friend. Angel stuck her tongue out at her and pulled Collins towards the basement.
"Sadly we must be somewhat social. Being it's the cute one's birthday and all." Angel explained as they went down the stairs. She frowned when only Roger came into view. "Where's the birthday boy?" She asked.
Roger sighed, "Nice seeing you two Ang, he's getting ready. Maureen's coming so he has to look immaculate"
Angel guided Collins to a set on the couch next to Roger, "I thought she was with someone…" Angel started to say.
"She is. And he's coming with her." Collins said with a nod, "The boy is still hoping"
Angel shook her head, "Oh well I'm all for hope but…sometimes…you gotta just…move on. Oh poor Markie." Mimi inched her way down the stairs slowly. Angel held out her arms, "Sorry Mimi, sweetie, didn't mean to shut you out. Come here!" Mimi shrugged and sat by Angel feet who immediately began to braid her long dark hair.
Roger waved weakly, "Uh hi…Mimi right?" Collins rolled his eye, Angel just said that Davis, he thought to himself.
Mimi looked up to him and smiled, "Yup, Roger right?" Roger nodded with a deep grin. "Is she here yet?" A voice asked coming down the stairs.
"No hun, just me and Mimi." Angel replied, "Are you…" Angel got a good look at Mark, "Oh Markie…what did you do to your hair?" Roger laughed in his hand while Mimi bit on her bottom lip. Collins hid his head behind Angel's shoulder who remained steady.
Mark frowned trying to look up at his hair and said, "What I used some gel." He felt something drop down his forehead. He used a lot of gel. Angel patted Mimi's shoulder and scooted over to him.
"Back upstairs mister…gel is wonderful product when you don't…use it like shampoo." Angel explained pointing up the stairs. Mark did as he was told his shoulders sunken down to his feet.
Mimi watched them leave and noted, "He must really like this girl to…put his hair through that." Roger was staring at Mimi and Collins detected this smacking him upside the head. "Ow…what I do? I didn't tell him to do that to his hair!" Roger said trying desperately to defend himself.
"And I really do wonder who lent him gel." Collins said tapping his fingers on his knee. Roger gave him the finger as a conformation. Mimi just looked up at Roger and giggled, "Did you know he was going to do that? I mean I don't know about you guys but I think I would let Angel know if she was committing a fashion atrocity…not that Angel ever would"
Roger sat up straighter, "No…but I knew it was a possibility…it's all for the laugh. OW!" Collins smacked him over the head again, "If I get a concussion I'll know who to bring the hospital bills to." Mimi held back a giggle, "You guys have interesting ways telling each other you care"
Collins nodded, "We speak of love through middle fingers and noogies." He glanced up as Angel and Mark descended the stairs.
"I did my best Markie…" Mark's hair was completely gelled back.
"Man…you look like a sleazy lawyer." Roger said with a laugh. Angel put her hands on her hips and Roger stopped immediately. She pointed her finger at Roger.
"If you think that you're going to get off of this scott free, Mr. Davis, you are mistaken." She said in an oddly intimidating voice. Collins made a mental note to never piss Angel off. With a sigh Angel patted Mark's back, "Go take a seat sweetie-" The doorbell rang. "Oh my God she's here!" Mark gasped looked up at the stairs.
"I think Markie might pee in his pants. OW! Collins I'm loosing brain cells!" Roger moaned rubbing the back of his head. Mimi looked up at the rocker and smirked saying, "They are the precious few, huh?" Collins had to laugh, he could understand why Angel got along so well with this girl. Voices filled the hall, Mrs. Cohen greeting Maureen and her date. Mark headed up the stairs opening the basement door and then Collins heard it. He really didn't think he would ever hear that voice again, but he knew that he would always treasure the wonderful night they spent together…
"It's Joanne." A female voice said very firmly to Mrs. Cohen. Collins leaned his head back and laughed hard putting two and two together. His hand covered his eyes shaking his head.
"Oh it cannot be." He managed to say between laughs. Angel raised her eyebrow at her boyfriend.
"Ummm…baby, have you lost it?" She asked him.
"Oh my God…it can't be." The voice said rushing down the stairs pushing Mark out of the way as she went. Joanne spotted Collins hysterically laughing on the couch. She grinned crossing her arms.
"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes. My gay groom laughing it up." Joanne said shaking her head. Collins stopped laughing and took a deep breath.
"Ah my lesbian bride. How are you girl?" He asked going over to hug her. Joanne met him half way pulling him close.
"I'm ok. Here to party." She glanced up at Mark and Maureen who were both on the stairs looking shocked that Joanne and Collins knew each other. Maureen giggled a bit to herself and stepped down.
"So I guess you guys know each other, huh?" She said eyeing Joanne and Collins.
Joanne nodded, "What tipped you off, babe?" Mimi's jaw dropped putting all of the pieces together. She looked to Mark.
Mark's eyes were wide and he looked at Collins, "You said…lesbian?" Angel covered her mouth with her hand and grabbed Mark's shoulders. She pulled him into a chair. "PRESENTS!" She screamed out grabbing the pile of gifts on the corner.
Roger grumbled, "Presents now? Aren't you supposed to do that after-" Angel held out her index finger at Roger.
"PRESENTS!" Roger held out his hands in defeat. Mark looked like he was going to puke into the first gift bag Angel handed him.
"That's from me, sweetie." When he didn't reach out to take it, Angel plopped it in his lap, "Go ahead, cutie, open up!" Mark looked down at the present and slowly parted the tissue paper. He pulled out a set of new lenses for his camera. A small smile spread on his face. Angel sat on her knees grinning up at him. "I made sure that they would fit this time…at least when you get your camera fixed. I don't know if you have some of them already but the guy at the store said you can never have too many." Mark nodded and leaned down hugging her for more reasons than one.
"He was right. I don't have this one for sure. Fish eye…" He looked through it laughing, "I could do something trippy."
Roger chuckled, "Collins would love that. Then he could skip the weed." Collins looked over at Roger confused.
"Why would I ever do that?" Collins asked.
"You really are a pot head?" Maureen questioned him, "I thought that was just a rumor like you and Markie eloping." Collins chuckled,
"Not all of the rumors aren't fake." Angel looked over to Collins raising her eyebrow, "The one about us eloping is fake though. No worries, baby." Angel grinned to hear her pet name had caught on.
"Ok next! Mimi's." Angel gave Mark the smaller gift bag. The filmmaker shook his head.
"Oh Mimi you didn-" Mimi waved her hand.
"Yes I did, open her up." She said smiling. Mark did as he was told opening a gift certificate for a video rental store. "I know it ain't much but Angel said you were a filmmaker so I figured you gotta like other films too."
"Damn." Roger mumbled to himself. Collins glanced over at him and laughed.
"Well I know what Roger got you, Cohen." He said patting Roger on the head. Mark shrugged picking up Roger's envelope and finding another gift certificate.
"It's ok Roger…but maybe you should try changing it up every once in a while." Mark said with a slight smile.
Joanne's head snapped to Roger, "You get him the same thing every year? Aren't you two best friends?" Maureen laughed to herself.
Roger shrugged, "He always likes it…don't fix something that's not broken." Mimi patted his knee which made the rocker twitch. Maureen managed to control her laughter to push a brightly wrapped box. The wrapping paper was actually construction paper.
Maureen grinned as if she was proud of it, "I decided wrapping paper is boring and decided to use my brother's art supplies." Joanne watched her nodding twirling some on of her curly hair in her finger.
"Are you going to mention how your brother chased you around the house crying?" She asked looking less than amused. Maureen hugged her tightly.
"Oh, pookie, he was just playing!" Angel passed the gift to Mark and gave him an encouraging smile. Mark took a deep breath unsure what to suspect.
After ripping at the construction paper for a few minutes Mark opened the box to show a leather bound journal. "So you can write your screenplays in something nicer than a notebook." Joanne explained with a smile. Maureen's attention had wandered and she was now tossing a green balloon up in the air. Without a comment from Maureen, Joanne sighed, "At least she told me that you are a screenwriter."
Mark nodded hiding a slight blush, "Yeah I try to be. It's great thank you." Joanne nudged Maureen who looked at Joanne confused.
"What?" Joanne just looked away. Collins eyed her with a frown but pointed to a box by Angel.
"Could you give him mine, Ang?" He asked. Angel nodded and pulled it over giving it to Mark. Mark chuckled looking at the wrapping paper, "Newspaper?" Collins nodded, "And be sure to recycle it afterwards." Maureen grinned up at him and gave him a high five for being the odd wrappers together.
Mark peeled off the newspaper and gasped when he realized what it was.
"No Collins…this was way too expensive"
Collins shrugged, "You broke it in process of trying to help me, Mark. You deserve it anyway. Now you can make me a trippy film with Angel's lenses. We made sure they fit" Mark smiled and nodded ripping off the rest of the paper. Collins had bought him a new camera. It was the same as his older one but all of the pieces were intact. Mark's old camera was also worn out from so much use. But this one was brandy new.
Looking at the box completely unwrapped Mark held back a few tears. He sat the box down and went over to hug Collins. His friend embraced him for a moment and then pulled him down on the couch with him so Mark was laying down on Collins' lap.
"Your welcome, four-eyes." Collins said with a chuckle. Angel crossed her arms seeing Mark on her boyfriend's lap.
"The Netherlands?" She asked not sounding amused.
Collins looked down at Mark and whispered, "Could you do me a favor and switch places with Angel"
Mark snorted, "With pleasure…no offense Col…but I ain't gay." He jumped off of Collins' lap and took Angel's hands leading her to
Collins' arms that pulled her down on his kissed her gently, "MUCH better." Angel seemed to totally forget the whole Mark and Netherlands thing making herself comfortable on Collins' lap.
"I would be offended if I were you Mark!" Joanne said with a laugh with a moment for thought she continued, "Hey, Collins, you still have to marry me"
Collins grinned looking over to her, "Just name the time and place, Jo, I'll be there. Course I might not make it through the ceremony without kissing my Angel." Angel slapped him gently.
"You wouldn't be very nice to your bride." She winked at him and pushed her lips on his.
"That would be a-okay. Cause I would be pulling Jo aside the whole time trying to 'fix her dress'." Maureen chuckled kissing Joanne's lips tenderly. The other girl kissed her back without a second thought.
Mark let out a deeper sigh than he had intended. Collins glanced over at him and opened his mouth, but Mark held his hand up.
"I know soul mates and boatloads of children." He sighed and dug into the box to pull out his camera.
"Wait…" Roger said leaning forward, "You're not letting me procreate but you're letting him?" Angel smacked Roger upside the head. Collins cooed, "I knew I loved you." Angel giggled kissing him gently.
Mimi looked up at Roger, "Are they always this nauseatingly cute?" Roger sighed and nodded rubbing the back of his head.
"Usually. At least thus far." He said glancing down at Mimi his mind wandering. Mimi pulled her eyes away from Collins and Angel who were just cuddling now as Mark showed them the camera and the lenses. The girl bit her lip and rubbed the back of her neck.
"It would be nice to have something like that. Love from the start. Or at least something you know? My past boyfriend…well he was a scum bag. I found out he'd been dating the same girl for about four years and they were practically married. And he was using me like I was his little mistress or something…" Mimi stopped blushing slightly. "Sorry if I kinda just…" Roger shook his head and slipped off the couch so he could sit next to her.
"No no…it's ok. I understand. I kinda…I just broke up with a girl." Mimi's face seemed to lighten at this comment, "And I realized I never felt something for her. I like her a lot don't get me wrong but…I was just"
"Going through the motions." Mimi finished for him with a nod.
"Yeah, like I was just waiting for love to happen…but I guess you can't let it happen"
"It has to happen to you first." Mimi finished again with a smile. Roger smiled back.
"Exactly." Mimi and Roger looked into each other's eyes for a moment fully realizing the connection they made.
Collins saw them from the corner of his eye and said to himself, so much for "finding oneself before getting into a relationship". But then again goo goo eyes didn't mean a relationship. Though it did for Collins and Angel.
"Ok! Piñata? Yes!" Maureen asked jumping up, "That brightly colored burrow needs to be pummeled with a long stick in order to liberate candy goodness." "Sure, Mo, have at it." Collins said with a grin.
"What no official bat or blindfolds or lifting?" She asked seeming disappointed.
Mimi leaned over to Roger and mumbled to him, "Is it me or is Maureen's description of the piñata and blindfolds sounding slightly dirty?" Roger laughed out loud actually stamping his foot on the ground.
"Good to know I'm not alone on that." Maureen shook her head at the two of them.
"You two have dirty minds." She said pointing her finger at them but giggling. Joanne stood up and hugged her from behind.
"Oh like you didn't realize that as soon as it came out of your mouth?" Joanne retorted. Maureen turned to face her and plant a kiss on her mouth.
"You know me well." Mark got up and picked up the piñata.
"We don't have anything to hang it from…I guess one of us could hold it." Mark offered with a shrug.
Roger snorted, "Oh yeah, Cohen, so one of us can be smacked with a bat, lovely." Collins tapped his fingers on Angel's back and whispered something into her ear. She smiled and nodded getting off of his lap so he could stand. Angel stood up on the couch and climbed on top of Collins' shoulders. When she was situated she held out her hand for the donkey.
"Ok all, get smacking!" Angel called out holding the piñata out. The group clapped their hands of the ingenuity of the couple. Mimi stood up and grabbed a wiffleball bat that was laying by the couch, "Ok who's first? The birthday boy?" She gave the bat to Mark and bowed to him. Mark laughed taking the bat.
"Thanks Mimi…Angel…" Mark said looking up at her, "Watch your fingers"
"Oh Mark, stop worrying and hit the donkey!" Mark jumped up hitting the donkey with the bat. It swayed slowly on the string that Angel held without any breakage. "Nice try Mark!" Mimi said clapping her hands, "Oh shit we didn't blindfold or-"
"My turn!" Maureen grabbed the bat from Mark. Mimi looked over to Roger and they both shrugged at each other.
Maureen stuck her tongue out of the side of her mouth and hit the donkey with all her strength. It caused the piñata to hit Collins in the face. Angel held back a laugh looking down.
"Oh! Baby, are you ok?" The rest of the group burst out laughing as Collins moved his nose around.
"I think it might have broken my nose." He mumbled not finding offense in everyone's lack of concern for his safety.
Joanne shook her head, "You wouldn't be able to look like Thumper if you broke it"
"Well fine then pretty lady, you try next." Collins said to her. Maureen handed Joanne the bat planting a kiss on her cheek before hand. The girl walked up to the donkey and tightened her grip on the bat before winding up and hitting the donkey like it was a baseball. Instead of the donkey hitting Collins' face candy did. The whole donkey had exploded.
"Oh my God! How did you do that?" Mimi asked putting her hand on Joanne's shoulder trying to get a good look at the candy on the ground.
Joanne shrugged, "Three years of softball. I was their best hitter." Maureen bounced into Joanne's arms, "I bet you were." She murmured to her before kissing her deeply.
"Quick get the candy while they're making out!" Roger called out making Mimi laugh as he pushed her aside trying to get the best access to the hoard. Mark threw himself on the candy as if it was a grenade. Collins carefully bent over letting Angel hop off and drive for some candy to share with him. Maureen and Joanne caught on after a few kisses and tried to pry themselves between the others. "But I broke it!" Joanne called out as she was pushed out by the group. Maureen let out an evil laugh.
"It's mine! It's all mine!" She called out pulling the candy into her arms.
"Oh yeah real mature there, Maureen." Collins commented with a laugh. The door of the basement opened and Mrs. Cohen walked down slowly. Collins looked up to her, his smile faded when he saw how pale she was. And how hard she was holding onto the phone.
Collins put his hand on Mark's back. The filmmaker saw his mother and frowned, "Mom? What's wrong?" All of the rest of the kids stood up waiting for Mrs. Cohen to answer. She sniffed and held out the phone.
"Roger, honey, it's for you." They all watched Roger drop his candy and head for the phone. Mrs. Cohen put her hand on his back guiding him upstairs. She closed the door behind her.
Maureen blinked a few times realizing the utter quiet in the room, "What's going on?" She whispered. Collins was about to speak when he heard Roger screaming from upstairs. Screams of pain. Mark, Angel, and Collins ran up the stairs desperate to see him. Mimi made it halfway up the stairs but stopped knowing it wasn't her place. Maureen took Joanne's hand into her own, her girlfriend interlaced their fingers.
When the three reached the top of the stairs Roger came into their view. He was on the ground his head in his hands. The phone lay shattered in pieces next to a wall. Angel immediately dropped to Roger and pulled him to her body even though she didn't know what was wrong. The boy buried his head in Angel's chest and sobbed heavily, tears rushing down her dress. She ran her fingers through his hair and whispered to him that everything would be ok. Mark stooped down putting his hand on Roger's back. Collins looked up at Mark's mother and whispered, "What happened?
Mrs. Cohen wiped away a few tears and then said clearly, "April Erickson committed suicide.
Post: Next Chapter: The Aftermath