Chapter 16- Got to Get You Into my Life

December 27th, 1991, 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

We finally pull up in front of the loft. I don't go straight inside, though. I really don't feel like walking in on Roger and Mimi, which, knowing them, is exactly what I'd do if we were to waltz in. Instead, I go to the traditional phone booth.

"SPEAK!"

"Hey guys, it's me, Mark. Uhhh… Maddie and I are home three days early. I'm, uh, down at the phone booth, I just wanted to warn you that we're back, because I don't feel like walking in on you guys. Okay, see you in a sec."

I hang up the phone and turn to Maddie.

"You're shivering."

Maddie shrugs. "It's DECEMBER, Mark. It's cold. Of course I'm shivering."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. Let's just go inside. We need to tell them that we're engaged."

"Oh all right. Let's go." And I rush inside, pulling Maddie in behind me.

I don't bother with knocking- it's my loft too. Instead I use a more direct approach, sliding the door open and screaming, "ROGER! IF YOU'RE HAVING SEX, STOP! MADDIE'S HERE!!"

"God, could you be more annoying?" I open my eyes to see Roger and Mimi sitting, fully clothed, on the couch, laughing their asses. Collins is in the chair, smoking a joint and cracking up.

"Oh, hi, guys," I say as nonchalantly as I can. Maddie loses it, too.

"So why are you guys home early?" Mimi asks, after she's caught her breath. Maddie and I exchange glances.

"Let's just say that our parents are too… alike," Maddie finally says, skating around the events.

"We each went home and got into massive family blowouts over our relationship. My dad was drunk," I say flatly, and Roger and Collins immediately start to nod. They know about my issues with my father. "He called me a pansy and Maddie a shiksa." Mimi winces- even though we joked about this before the trip, it was weird to realize that that was exactly what happened. "Maddie's parents were definitely better than mine. Their criticism was all out of concern for her- how we've only known each other three weeks, for example."

"It doesn't matter, Mark. It was still unacceptable. They shouldn't have said it like that."

"Whatever, Mads. My dad actually apologized to us, which was a nice surprise. And my mom and Cindy put us up in a really nice hotel for the night."

"Oh really?" Roger snorts, and together he and Collins shout, "Bow-chikka-bow-wow!"

I start blushing and Maddie and Mimi roll their eyes in unison.

"Oh, and Mimi?" Maddie says, holding up her left hand.

"What?…ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Mimi screeches. She pulls Mads in for a hug.

"What?" Roger and Collins are suddenly out of the loop. They look over at me and I nod.

"Maddie and I are engaged," I say, beaming at her.

"WHAT!?" Roger and Collins are in an uproar.

"My favorite student's marrying my favorite roommate?" Collins pulls Maddie and I into a bear hug.

"I'm part of the family now," Maddie's obviously thrilled.

"Congrats you guys! This calls for a celebration! Mark, you are drinking this time. No sitting out!"

I look over at my beautiful fiancee, who I know will not drink tonight. I hand her my beloved camera, and turn it on for her. "You may need this."