Note: Okay this chapter's a bit of fluffy sappy Maureen/Roger. Didn't plan on them staying together, but it's getting a positive response so we'll see where it goes. Please review. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Belongs to Jonathan Larson, musical genius extraordinaire, and his estate.
Roger felt Maureen's breathing slow and eased his arm away from her. When she didn't wake up, he shifted slightly. The action slipped her head from his chest to his pillow. Roger stared down at her. She's so beautiful. She's so beautiful and she's carrying my baby. Roger bit his lip, shaking his head at the irony: a beautiful woman was carrying his child and he knew he could never be with her.
Maureen's lids fluttered and she opened her eyes slowly. "Roger? Where you going?"
"I'll take the couch tonight. You go back to sleep," he said as he slipped out of his tee-shirt.
"Rog, don't be stupid. Get back in bed," she hoped he didn't hear the pleading in her voice.
"But…"
"I'm tired and pregnant. Don't argue with me, please. Just get back in bed."
Roger hesitated and climbed back into bed. "Night, Mo."
"Night," she said, rolling over.
Maureen held her breath, praying for his arms to slide around her again. They didn't.
Roger woke first. He stared up at the ceiling and tried not to think of Maureen. He tried not to think of the baby she was carrying, of how much he wanted to see that baby. Maureen rolled over onto her back and yawned as her eyes opened.
"Morning," she mumbled.
"Morning. Want coffee?" he asked, jumping from bed.
"Sure, that'd be nice."
In the kitchen, Mark already had a pot waiting. Roger poured two mugs.
"Morning," Mark said.
"Morning. How'd filming go?"
"Oh, it was okay. You guys were passed out before I got home."
"That wasn't what it looked like. Nothing happened."
"Rog, you don't have to explain anything. You were both fully clothed," Mark said with a laugh.
Roger blushed. "I just didn't want you to think…"
Mark raised an eyebrow. "What difference would it make? I'm not with her."
"I know…but there's, I mean, it's not like that with Maureen and I."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"
"There's not. There can't be. There's not."
"Roger, calm down. It's fine. I know nothing happened. Go bring her some coffee and take your AZT. I've got to go meet someone."
"Who?"
Mark frowned and looked embarrassed. "Buzzline."
"Mark! That show—"
"Rog, I'll explain later, okay? Just, I gotta go."
Roger nodded and picked up the coffee mugs. He carried them back to the room. Maureen sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Roger set the cups on the nightstand, shaking his head at her.
"Uh-uh. Stay there," he said. Maureen smiled as he lifted her legs back onto the bed. She took one of the cups and shivered as she took a sip.
"Nice and hot," she said.
"Mark made it." Roger stood by the bedside for a minute and then picked up his own mug and headed for the door.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
"I was going to—"
"If I have to stay in bed, the least you can do is keep me company," she said with a teasing frown.
Roger sighed, smiling, and sat on the bed beside her. "You, uh, you sleep okay?"
"Yeah….you?"
"Yep."
Maureen's eyes widened and she let out a laugh. "Oh! Oh my God! Roger! Oh my God!"
She set the mug down on the nightstand.
"What? What is it?" he asked, leaning over her to set his own mug down.
"The baby!"
Roger's face fell. "What is it? Something wrong? Should I call the doctor?"
"No, no, I can feel him! He's kicking!"
"What?"
Maureen seized his hand and laid it on her stomach. "There! Feel that?"
Roger smiled. "I…yeah…that's—that's him?"
"That's him!"
"That's him! He's kicking!" Roger laughed.
Maureen giggled and decided not to tell Roger that the baby had kicked before. He deserved this. He deserved to be there the first time his baby kicked. She kept her hand over his on her belly even after the baby stopped kicking.
Roger looked down at her. Without moving his hands, Roger leaned down and kissed her gently, first on the forehead and then her lips. She brought her hand up to his cheek and smiled. His stubble scratched at her hand. He turned his head so her hand now covered his mouth. Kissing her open palm, Roger pulled back.
"I'm sor—"
Maureen's hand was over his mouth again. "Don't. Don't apologize, okay? I…just don't be sorry."
Roger nodded, kissed her cheek, and left. Maureen lay in his bed and sighed. When she heard him go out to the fire escape, she pulled the blankets up around her. They smelled like him. She smiled and closed her eyes, drifting back to sleep.
