Author's Note-This story is gonna end soon…for the people who liked it…lemme know if you want more like this or if you want more on this one.

Chapter Seven

Maureen sat straight up in bed, screamed, and lay back down again, fast asleep. Mark had been lying in the bed worrying about her…and himself. The sudden screech terrified Mark, who immediately put his arm around Maureen.

"Mo? Are you okay, honey?" Mark asked in a worried tone.

All he got in response was a soft snore. She was just asleep, had been dreaming. Mark laid down and closed his eyes. Sleep invaded his body almost instantly.

In the morning, Mark didn't get up early, he slept in. Until about eight o'clock, that is. That's when Maureen shook him awake.

"Mark! Mark!!" The drama queen screeched. "You forgot to go to Buzzline, baby. Why didn't you get up?" Maureen was frantic with worry. Mark always got up and went to work, rain or shine, sick or healthy. Something was up, and she was determined to find out what.

"Shh, Mo, it's okay. I wanted to spend the day with you today. That's all." Mark's heart was beating furiously in his chest. He was going to ask her today.

"Oh." Maureen was terribly disappointed. She wanted something exciting to have been happening.

"So what do you want to do today, Reeny?" Mark looked at her with curious, cautious eyes.

"I don't know…I kind of wanted to rehearse for my performance on Friday and then go somewhere to eat…and I wanted to take myself to the beach. But seeing as you hate the beach, I can see that that plan is out of the question."

Mark thought. And thought. And thought. He would wait around until noon or so for Maureen to get ready to look "decent" enough to go out. Then they would hang around the performance space until about 4 while she rehearsed. Mark could take her to dinner somewhere nice, not the Life Café for a change. Then they would walk to the beach, walk along the shoreline, and about sunset…it was perfect.

"No," Mark protested, "the beach sounds like fun. That sounds like a very exciting day, baby. We'll do it."

Exactly as planned, they didn't escape the loft until around noon. When they arrived at the performance center, Maureen unlocked the door, let Mark in, and locked it behind them. A sly smile spread across her face as she pivoted around to look at the blond boy.

"You wouldn't dare…" Mark looked at her warily.

"Oh, yes I would!" Maureen exclaimed. She ran at Mark, and when she reached him, she jumped and wrapped her legs around his torso.

They then became engaged in a deep, passionate kiss.

Maureen drew back after a few minutes and wiped the lip gloss off of her chin. Mark stifled a small cough.

"Um…" Maureen said as she rocked back and forth on her heels, with her hands behind her back. "I think I'll set up for rehearsing now…"

Mark got worried, but when Maureen smiled at him when she saw him looking at her, all his worries ceased to exist.

After singing her newest protest song about two million times, Maureen looked at Mark. He was annoyed and bored out of his mind, but immediately perked up when he saw the young woman smile at him like that. Then she started to sing again.

"If I have to hear that damn song one more time, I swear I'll…" Mark thought to himself. But he couldn't think of an effective way to finish the thought.

"Okay, babe, I'm done!" Maureen seemed pleased with herself.

By that point, completely on Mark's schedule, four hours of rehearsing had stuck the song in his head. He knew all the verses, the chorus, and the three bridges Mo had written.

Mark helped Maureen pack up and put everything away and they were off. He had chosen a little Chinese restaurant in Manhattan. Maureen loved nothing more than Chinese food. When they arrived at the restaurant, Mark opened they door for Maureen. No one had ever done that for her. She was absolutely astonished that men actually open doors for women. Maureen was speechless with delight.

They ate their meal with light conversation. When the waiter had made sure that they were satisfied for the fortieth time, Mark got up and paid for dinner. Maureen's hazel eyes followed her boyfriend's thin, pale body to the cash register with awe. She had always paid for her own meals, and she didn't half expect Mark to pay for everything.

Mark helped Maureen into her coat, and, with that, the two strolled along the sidewalk until they reached the beach. They could smell the salt and felt the wind nipping at their noses. Mark wrapped his arm around Maureen's slim waist and started to walk towards the sand. Maureen slid her arm under Mark's, wound her arm around his waist, and followed his lead as they walked.

They talked as they walked along the chilly shoreline. Mark had moved so that Maureen was closest to the water. Even though he had agreed to go to the beach doesn't mean that he had to go near the water. At one point, Mark leaned over and kissed Maureen's rosy cheek, which became even rosier.

When the sun was sitting half above the water and the reflection was visible on the surface of the grey water, Mark stopped walking. He stepped in front of Maureen and took a deep breath. His hand reached into his pocket and pulled something out that remained clenched in his fist. Mark bent down on one knee and…

"Maureen, will you marry me?"

Maureen looked shocked. "Wha-…Mar-…yes!" She giggled. The drama queen started crying just then. Mark flipped.

"What's wrong?!" Mark's voice had raised two or three octaves.

"Nothing…Everything's right, as a matter of fact. This is so perfect…I love you, Marky."

As she said this, Mark pulled her close as they kissed with the sun setting on the water in the background.