Ch. 2 Mark & Maureen
"Oh My God!" Maureen squealed as Mimi showed the gang her ring, Roger's arm around her shoulder.
"OH MY GOD," Maureen said again. She was, admittedly, horribly jealous. She hadn't had a boyfriend or a girlfriend since Joanne. Sure, she flirted scandalously- but other than that… she would beg to have Mark or Joanne back.
"I know!" Mimi giggled, "Let's see- Mark as best man, and… ooh," she cringed, "which one of you for Maid of Honor?"
Joanne and Maureen both grinned, "how about Maureen?" Joanne said in a martyr-like voice, "I mean, the best man and the maid of honor have to dance- and they can stand each other," she joked, "Collins will give you away, Meems, and I'll be bridesmaid. Since your father's dead, I mean."
Mimi downcast her eyes for a minuet before bringing them up again.
"You okay with that, Jo?"
"Yes. I don't care, honestly- as long as I'm Maureen's at hers!"
"Sure," Maureen said softly. If I ever do get married, there are only 2 people in the world I could marry- you and Mark, Jo.
Maureen sighed sadly and cried inside- but on the outside she squealed happily and hugged Mimi.
No Day but Today, right? Might as well get back together with one of them…
Mark had made many films since his first- most for Buzzline, but others too. He was growing more successful by the second- but didn't leave bohemia.
Pan left on the happy couple… Mark was already planning the film of the wedding. That was the way his mind worked- like a camera. He was the witness to everything- he didn't have HIV, and he was straight. Plus, he didn't have to be a bohemian. Only one like that in the group.
The loner. The witness.
The martyr. The heartbreaking.
Indeed, he hadn't been able to confess his feelings to Maureen. That he loved her. He- being a martyr- never would.
The best man. The best friend.
Roger grinned at him and said they planned the wedding for April or May- no day but today.
Mrs. Davis- what a scary thought!
The loner.
Mark sighed, but kept up appearances as best he could. It certainly wasn't one of his talents.
"Good job, man," he grinned at Roger, "I know you've been meaning to for a while…"
"Yeah. But our 2/technically 3- year anniversary seemed good. I knew it was a gamble to wait- but I took a chance. Now I'm just so nervous that April/May is too late!"
"You need time to plan, dude," Mark laughed.
"As soon as we're done planning. As early as possible. No Day…"
"But today, I know, alright! Only 3 of you guys need to hear that constantly!" Mark snapped- feeling horrible immediately when seeing the look on Roger's face.
I should tell you… Maureen thought worriedly while approaching Mark.
She had given it more thought than she had given any other decision before. Joanne was too controlling of her- and too afraid of her cheating. She felt trapped in a box when they had been dating- it hadn't been that way with Mark. And Mark had always helped her and comforted her when she needed it.
Plus, Mark was alone-straight, no HIV, and didn't NEED to be a bohemian. Someone should join him.
And Maureen was perfect for the job- bisexual, healthy, and also didn't NEED to be a bohemian.
He was- as Maureen thought when she had first met Mark 6 years ago- a tortured artist type. He was- just inside. On the outside he was really good as appearing as a cheerful artist type.
Maybe- since she could see behind the disguise- she was perfect for him.
"Hey Mark," she said uncertainly.
"Hey Mo," Mark grinned (but Maureen could see his torture inside) "what's up?"
"Well um…" Maureen said uncertainly, sitting on the couch next to him. How do you say this kind of thing?
"Come on Maureen, you know you can tell me!"
"Well I … I need to choose ONE of you!" she said rather loudly.
"Erm… explanation is required…?" Mark said confusedly and humorously.
"I am SICK of being the loveless one! Joanne's had 1 girlfriend and has one now, you've had a girlfriend, yet I'm the one who's been single for 2 LONG years! I could date anyone- but I can't bring myself to it! There are only two people on this earth who I could, and do, love!"
"Erm…" Mark was beet red.
"You and Joanne! And Joanne is too controlling of me! I –had more fun with you, Mark- and I feel so bad for you all the time, being on your own!"
Mark buried his face in his hands.
"Maureen- don't lay your 2 year single hood on Joanne and me! It is NOT OUR FAULT! And we don't need to feel bad!"
"But I pick you!" Maureen cried.
"Yeah, and we've been through this before- MULTIPLE times! You're very hard to trust!"
"What do you want from me, then? I am so jealous of Roger and Mimi all the time, and I want that SO BADLY."
"What, to be engaged?"
"No! To be completely in love, knowing you have someone! Sure, it would be nice to be married- but what I really want is love!"
"And you choose me?" Mark gaped at her.
"YES! It is you or Joanne- and Joanne is too suffocating. Plus she has a girlfriend, and is over me. You had one other girlfriend for, like, 2 weeks. You haven't gotten over me- everyone can tell."
"Fine," Mark whispered, "I understand. But I have conditions."
"Okay," Maureen looked nervous.
"First of all: no flirting, especially in front of me. Even if they flirt, say 'I'm taken," got it?"
She nodded- I figured that one…
"Second: no goofy names. 'Baby' is okay- but not pookie, or honeybear, etc."
Maureen looked a little sad, but didn't say anything.
"And finally: you have to say you love me. I always told you I did, but you never said it back."
"I did, but okay," she whispered.
"Okay then. Um… you're on probation. IF you break on of these rules once, it's over."
Maureen bit her lip, but nodded.
"Okay, erm…" he looked slightly confused, "So do you actually…?"
Maureen grinned, leaned in, and kissed him. Pulling away, he was staring at her.
"Mark Cohen," she whispered seductively, "I love you."
Mark gently slid his hand to the back of Maureen's neck, his fingers through her hair.
"I love you, Maureen Johnson," he replied huskily, and kissed her.
They continued kissing until Mark pulled away in awe.
"I don't remember it being like that," Mark panted, "but its better."
"Oh yes," Maureen agreed.
"Let's not tell anyone yet, though," Mark decided, "it's a little weird."
"Yeah," Maureen laughed.
And with a final kiss, they parted.
(1,142 Words) More cuteness! But this isn't ALL fluff… bad stuff happens!