AN- I have to apologize for not updating in August. I have been so busy for the past month and a half. I hope you all can forgive me, and still enjoy the story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. So, without further procrastinating, here is the official Chapter 34 of Moving On.

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Gwen pulled Mark up the street, in a brisk walk. Mark didn't bother resisting- he knew he couldn't win.

"Uh…Gwen…do you have to run?" Mark said, somewhat out of breath.

Gwen stopped and looked at him, one eyebrow raised. "No, but if you want to get to the store to get Tom's present before the store closes, then we're running." She said haughtily, starting her brisk walk again, dragging Mark along.

Mark didn't say another word. Gwen continued at the fast pace for another couple of minutes until they reached a small shop just outside Alphabet City. Mark let out a loud sigh of relief, leaning against the building. Gwen glared at him and rolled her eyes before walking into the shop. Mark looked into the window, watching Gwen talk to the store clerk.

The clerk handed Gwen a large, flat, gift-wrapped package, which she took and handed some money to the clerk. Gwen walked out of the shop with a little difficulty- the package was almost as big as she was tall. Mark watched her struggle for a minute.

"Hey would you mind giving me a hand?" Gwen asked with an irritated tone in her voice.

Mark immediately helped Gwen hold the package. They walked up the street, each of them holding one side. Several people shot rude stares at Gwen, but she ignored them and kept walking.

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Meanwhile, Roger puffed contently on his joint, the room slowly turning into a blur around him. He stared at bug flying around one of the restaurant's lights, and he was unaware of the fact he was laughing hysterically.

Mimi and Maureen walked into the Life Café, each holding several dozen balloons. Roger hadn't moved, and none of the tables were decorated. Mimi saw Roger holding a joint and turned to Maureen.

"Could you hold these?" Mimi asked, handing the balloons to Maureen. Mimi stormed over to Roger and took the joint out of his hand.

He looked at her, slightly disoriented. "What the fuck?" He mumbled.

"Roger, why haven't you decorated anything?" Mimi dropped the joint on the floor and smothered it with her shoe. "Everyone was supposed to do something, and you failed us yet again."

Roger got up and glared at Mimi. "Well then you can decorate the fucking tables by yourself. I'm outta here…" Roger turned to leave, just as Mark and Gwen walked in.

"Roger, where do you think you're going honey?" Gwen asked, setting the package down, leaning it against the wall, with help from Mark.

"Uh…forget it…" Roger rolled his eyes and walked back to the tables, beginning to decorate them.

Joanne came out of the kitchen; she was sweating profusely, but smiling. "Everything is under control in the kitchen. The food should be done for the party. Is everything out here all set?" She asked.

Roger looked up. "You could help me decorate the tables…" He said, picking up a box of decorations.

"Ok…" Joanne joined Roger and the two decorated one of the tables, chatting contently.

Maureen was putting the balloons strategically around the room. Making sure each and every one of them looked nice where she put them. Mark and Gwen brought Collins' present into a back room. Mimi bounced from person to person, helping out whenever needed.

Guests started arriving about half an hour before the party started. Maureen acted as the hostess, checking each person off on the guest list. Gwen remembered that they still didn't have a cake.

"Mark! We still don't have a…" Gwen was cut off by Maureen.

"Gwenny! The cake's here!" She yelled across the room.

Gwen smiled at Mark. "Never mind honey." She walked to the door and met the delivery man. "Thank you so much sir!"

"No problem…uh…miss." He handed the cake to Gwen, who handed several twenties to him in return.

After thanking him again, Gwen went back into the restaurant and placed the box containing the cake on a table. She carefully removed the cake from the box and put it on the cake stand on a card table. She looked up at the clock. "OK PEOPLE WE'VE GOT TEN MINUTES BEFORE TOM AND JESSE GET HERE!" She yelled.

About five minutes before Collins was set to arrive, Mark ordered everyone to find a hiding spot. He went to the door and flipped the light switch off, and stood next to the door quietly. "Ok quiet everyone!" Mark said loudly.

Just as he finished talking, the door slowly opened, and Jesse poked his head in. He saw Mark. "Are you guys all set?" He whispered. Mark nodded.

Jesse opened the door for Collins, who walked in. Mark turned the lights on. Everyone stood up. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY THOMAS!" Everyone yelled.