-1Chapter 6

The drive back to Long Island was quite enjoyable. Mostly because of Ana's wonderment of the ferry and things outside of the city. It was all so new to her. Then they got to the house and she was the first one out of the car.

"Wow." she said breathlessly. "This place is great. Looks much better than the loft sounded."

"How do you know about the loft?" Roger asked.

"Maureen told her." Mark answered. Roger looked at Mark with a worried expression. Mark signaled with his eyes that she had left out all of what they now called the "April Years". Roger sighed with relief and went to unlock the door. Ana ran inside.

"So." Roger said "Let's do the whole tour thing. Then we'll get your stuff and help you unpack. Then we'll grab some dinner. How does that sound?"

"Okay, sounds like a plan." Ana said.

"Aw, look at my Roger being all organized." Mark said grinning and wrapping an arm around Roger's waist.

"I have to go you guys." Maureen said quickly. "I need to go relieve Jo of Jaylah duty and do some mother like things. Plus you two are getting way too cute for my taste. So I'll see you all at the Life tomorrow. Bye Ana."

When she was out the door Roger turned to Anastasia. "Maureen is a very scary force Ana." he said. "She is one of the most loyal people you will ever meet, but if you get on her bad side. Let's just say don't do it."

Ana grinned. "I like her. She's so cool and liberal. But don't worry, I like you guys too. I like how you are always touching each other. It's cute." she told them.

Roger and Mark grinned at each other. "We're cute." Roger said. Mark kept his arm around Roger as they showed Ana the kitchen, the living room, the bathrooms, their bedroom, her bedroom, and finally what Roger called the idea room. It was really just a small room off of the living room that had huge windows and comfortable chairs.

"Why is it called the idea room?" Ana wanted to know.

"Because," Roger explained. "sometimes I like to sit in here with my guitar and write songs, and Mark likes to come in here and think up ideas for Buzzline episodes and his own films. It was in this very room that I decided to ask Mark to marry me and we also made the decision to adopt you while we were in this room."

"Plus he couldn't think of anything better to call it." Mark put in.

"Oh shut up." Roger said and kissed Mark lightly on the lips.

"See?" Ana said smiling. "So cute."

"Why don't you go unpack and we'll see what we can fix for dinner?" Roger suggested. "Any preferences?"

"Anything that's food." Ana said skipping off to her room.

"Ah, a child after my own heart." Roger said proudly.

The day was passed with jokes, unpacking, and getting to know each other. In other words they were clicking as a family. Anastasia felt her heart swelling with hope. The way Mark and Roger loved each other made her think that this new family would stay together for a while, unlike her old one. For the hundredth time that day, she thanked God for those two lovable guys who had adopted her.

Later that night Mark and Roger were tucking Anastasia in to bed. Mark said his good nights and then went to make some business calls. Roger stayed longer.

"Sing to me?" Ana asked.

Roger walked out and got his guitar. He came back in and sat on the bed and started playing and singing.

Your eyes

As we said our goodbyes

Can't get them out of my mind

And I find I can't hide

Then he stopped. It was still a little painful to sing that song. Ana sensed that something was wrong with him.

"Was that for Mimi?" she asked.

"It was." Roger confirmed.

"Why'd you leave her?"

Roger looked at her and sighed. Then he began to tell the story.

Eleven years earlier…

Roger was walking back into the loft after having come back from a Life Support meeting. He was very angry because Mimi hadn't shown up. When he walked in the phone was ringing. That better be her, he was thinking.

He snatched up the phone. "Hello?" he said.

"Yes, is this Roger Davis?" a female voice said.

"Yeah it is. Can I help you?"

"Mr. Davis my name is Lanna Harbin and I'm a talent agent for Columbus Records. I would like to offer you a contract. I've heard a lot of your music and I think it's just great. So what do you say?"

"First," Roger said. "Call me Roger. Mr. Davis makes me feel old. Second, are you serious?"

"Yes Roger, I am. We are prepared to offer you a starting pay at $50,000 a year plus 80 of whatever you make from your record sales. How does that sound?"

Roger was sold then and he told her that he would contact his lawyer and get back to her. Of course that just meant he was going to call Joanne. She did a little research and found out that the record label was legit and that the pay amount was more than fair. So Roger called Lanna back and accepted, just like that.

Hours later Mimi came back. "Roger I know you're mad I didn't go to Life Support today. But just hear me out." she said quickly as she came in the door.

"No, hear me out first." Roger said. Mimi braced herself for the yelling. "I got a record deal today!" he said excitedly.

"Oh Roger baby that's great." Mimi said. "We should go down to the Life and celebrate."

Roger told her that he was tired and that he needed to sleep. "I have to finalize everything with her tomorrow and I don't need to be drunk when I talk to her. We can celebrate after that." he told her. Mimi agreed that that was best and went into the kitchen while Roger went to bed.

The next morning Lanna called and announced that in order to male the deal Roger had to move to L.A. That changed things. The opportunity was great, but he didn't really want to leave. But every one told him to go. Then he asked Mimi. He told himself that if she said he should go and that she didn't need him to take care of her than he would go.

"You should go Roger." she'd said. "I'll be fine. Mark will take care of me, you go pursue your dreams."

And so he left.

Roger looked up after telling his story to Ana. There were tears in his green eyes.

"So that's what happened." he said.

Ana was silent for a while. Then she said, "You only did what you thought was right. And what everyone told you was right. And look you and Mimi both got something out of it in the end."

"You're right Ana my dear." Roger said. "Why is it I always get the best advice from kids?"

"What do you mean?" Ana asked.

"I'll tell you tomorrow, sleep now. Goodnight." he said kissing her forehead. Then he pulled back. "Was that too forward?" he wanted to know. "It just seemed like the fatherly thing to do at the time."

"I'm glad you did it. I need a father." she replied.

"Goodnight Ana-daughter." Roger said.

"Goodnight Roger-dad."

Author's Note: And goodnight to you guys too. (Even though it will be day time when I get this up.) I just finished my research paper and I'm beat. So it's off to bed I go. I just wanted to get this chapter out first. It was a burst of inspiration and my subconscious has a habit of not letting me sleep until I get those bursts on paper or typed up. Hope you liked it. Let me know.