Chapter 5

Roger awoke that morning at around three. Mimi was sleeping peacefully beside him. He smiled to himself knowing she would be asleep for along time after what they had done. So he decided to go check on Mark.

"Hey Mark." he greeted coming out of his room. Mark gave no response just continued to stare at the wall.

"Yo Mark, anyone home?" Roger said waving his hand in front of Mark's face.

"Roger" he said slowly "Maureen loves me."

"So she told you?" Roger asked. "Congratulations Mark. She's good for you. And maybe you could calm her down." He suddenly caught sight of Mark's face.

"What's wrong?" Roger asked concerned. "She did tell you right? I thought you'd be happy."

Mark turned to look at Roger. His eyes were bright with tears.

"She said she loved me and I turned her away. I brought up all the old stuff we went through and then she left." Mark told him. Roger stared at Mark, and went to beat his head against the wall.

"Are you crazy?" Mark exclaimed.

"No but you are." Roger shouted back. "Were you not the same guy who sat right here on this very couch and complained about how lonely you were? About how you wanted Maureen back and how you still loved her? And now when she comes back here and practically throws herself at you, you turn her away."

"Roger" Mark interrupted

"No" Roger continued to shout "Do you know how hard it was for her to come over here and tell you that she loves you?"

"No" Mark shouted back. "But I know how easy it will be for her to leave me when someone better comes along."

Roger shook his head and sighed. "Mark" he said coming to sit with him on the couch. "It really wouldn't be like that. Trust me I know. I kissed her earlier and she did nothing. And if she's not attracted to me, then no one could take her from you. She has really changed Mark. I think you should give her another chance."

Mark was silent for a moment, then he sighed loudly. "You're wrong you know." he said finally.

"Mark" Roger groaned and Mark started to smile.

"You're really not that good looking." They both laughed. "Wow I'm surprised we didn't wake Mimi up with all of that."

"Yeah" Roger said smugly. "She's sleeping real deep right now. She won't wake up for a while."

"Too much information Rog." Mark said. Then he got serious. "Thank you though. I know how hard it is for you to take up for Maureen."

"Actually" Roger said thoughtfully. "I rather like her now. So if you get tired of her, send her my way."

"I feel so sorry for Mimi." Mark said laughing.

"Don't" Roger answered "She is well taken care of. Now go get Maureen back."

"Thanks" Mark said walking out the door.

During all this I was sitting outside in the snow in my front steps. I really didn't know what I was going to do. How was I going to prove to Mark that I was serious? Suddenly, as if my thoughts wished him there, Mark was walking down up the street towards me. I didn't want him to see the tears on my face so I hid it in my hands. I heard him come up beside me and sit down.

"Maureen we have to talk" he was saying.

"About what?"

"About us" was his soft reply.

"I thought there was no us." I said tearfully. "You said there was you, me and the people I had yet to sleep with."

"I was wrong." he said simply. "There has always been, and will always be, an us. I was afraid to realize that before. But everyone else saw it."

I nodded weakly. "I know, even Joanne saw it. She broke up with me earlier because she wanted us to be together."

"So do I." Mark replied. I shook my head, not daring to believe that it was going to be so easy to get him back.

"How do you know I won't cheat on you again?" I asked him. "I've already kissed Roger today."

"Yeah I know" he said. "Roger told me he kissed you and nothing happened. He said that if you didn't go for him then no one could ever take you from me." he laughed a little and I smiled.

"Actually," I said "Roger's really not that cute. I'd much rather be with a smart guy with glasses who could try and calm me down."

Mark just stared at me and I wondered if I had gone too far. Until he leaned over and kissed me firmly on the mouth.

"What was that for?" I asked breathlessly.

"You are the first girl to choose me over Roger. I absolutely love you." he said, kissing me again.

"I love you too, and this time I really mean it."

"I know" he responded. "It's cold, let's go inside and find some way to warm up." he raised his eyebrows suggestively. I laughed and let him pull me up and against his chest.

"You know what would make this moment perfect?" I asked him, looking up into those blue eyes I knew so well.

He smiled down at me, and like magic it began to snow around us. Mark leaned down and kissed me for a third time.

"Perfect" he whispered.