Maureen and Joanne had left the loft, leaving only Mark, Mimi and Collins sitting in silence waiting for Roger to wake up and come out of the bedroom. The two men watched as Mimi got up and made her way to the fire escape, with a blanket caped around her.
She and Roger had placed an old sofa cushion that they had found in the street out there a few weeks ago, and Mimi sat on it, leaning against the building. She felt her eyes growing heavy when she felt someone curl up against her. She knew it was Roger without opening her eyes.
He took her hand in his and rested his head on her lap, resting their hands on his chest. She felt it rise and fall and smiled gently, her eyes still shut. He spoke quietly, "I don't want to be like him." He paused. She could feel him take a deep breath. "I never knew I was loved. I never thought I'd have that chance."
Mimi leaned down and kissed him lightly. "I don't know what will happen Rog," she was silenced when he put a finger to her lips.
"We'll deal with it when it happens. Sick or healthy, this baby will be loved." She hadn't expected Roger to react this way. His eyes glazed with tears, and he spoke again, "You know, I never would have gone through with it."
She looked puzzled, "Gone through with what?"
"The smack," he said sitting up and grabbing her face, "I have too much to live for." Pulling her into a tight embrace, he noticed Mark and Collins giddily smiling, peering out the window.
"Roger," she placed a firm kiss on his lips, "I don't know how we'll make this work, but we're really gonna do this, aren't we?"
He smiled, "I never imagined I'd get married, never mind have a family. Right now, I couldn't want anything else." He said smiling, pulling her up from the old cushion.
He laughed. "What?" she asked fluffing his long hair.
"I was just thinking how much our lives have changed. It's funny," he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
They crouched back through the window. "So, we're having a baby?" Collins asked grinning widely.
"So, wait," Roger paused to look back at Mimi, "everyone knew but me?"
She looked guilty and pouted at him, "In my defense Roger, you don't take change very well." He laughed and tickled her side, his hand landing on her lower stomach and looking up at her.
"Me and Collins are making you guys dinner," Mark added. The two men retreated to the kitchen. Roger rushed over to the phone.
"Who are you calling?" Mimi asked. All of their friends, other than Benny, knew about the baby.
"Someone, I'll be right there." She raised an eyebrow at him and sat on the couch. He came over to her in only a minute.
"So," he said intertwining their hands and smirking, "When do I get to meet Roger, Jr?"
"Oh, don't you start that," she slapped his stomach. "And the answer to your question is November 13th."
"Mimi, it's already June. That's soon. I should probably get another job, right? Babies cost money. We need a crib, and diapers. We have so much to plan." She was laying in between his legs with her head resting on his chest.
"Roger, let's just enjoy this right now," she said quietly resting her head under his chin. "First, I just want to marry you and worry about keeping this baby healthy. I can't keep teaching dance classes, so Collins said he'll find me a job filing papers or working in the NYU library. He offered to move back in. Everyone wants to help us. Mark's being himself, nervous and worrying about heat and money and us being sick, but this baby will never be alone."
"Well thanks for filling everyone in," he laughed, "I'm glad someone felt so compelled to tell me." He playfully rolled his eyes.
Roger and Mimi had fallen asleep on the couch. When they awoke, the loft was lit with candles and there were four places set at the table.
"Mark," Roger said walking over and pushing one of the settings to the side, "You'll need to add another one."
"Why Rog?" he asked, just as there was a knock on the door. Roger rushed over and opened the door, revealing a pretty brunette with piercing amber eyes.
"Well, hello miss," Roger said, escorting her into the loft.
"Haylie?" Mark asked, holding out his hand, "Why are you here?"
"Well, isn't that a nice way to greet your guest Mr. Cohen? I thought I'd invite Haylie to join us for dinner." Mimi still was standing with her arms crossed, looking at Roger and waiting for him to explain.
"Well, come sit down Haylie," Mark pulled out the chair as Collins finished setting her place.
The dinner felt like they all been friends. Roger and Collins managed to make everything sound dirty, Mimi talked about wedding plans, and Mark joked about being an uncle. Roger and Mark told the others how they met Haylie that day at the jewelry store. Mimi and Haylie seemed to hit it off right away. Mark touched her arm several times throughout the meal. Roger watched as Mark smiled. It had been a long time since he had anyone to smile about.
The dinner ended and Roger did the dishes, while Mark and Haylie walked out onto the fire escape with two cups of coffee.
"They're a little much to handle all at once," Mark laughed.
"No, I like them," she smiled and leaned into him. By his facial expression, she could tell that he was surprised when her head rested on his shoulder.
The surprise turned into a smile and he wrapped an arm around her. She looked up to him, "Can we do this alone sometime?"
"We are alone," he laughed.
"No," she touched his face, "I meant dinner."
"Of course," he said leaning in and placing a quick peck on her lips.
Roger peered through the window. Mimi walked over and wrapped her arms around him, "Let them have their time. Let's go to bed," she smiled seductively at him as he led her to the bedroom.
She put on a big tee shirt and fell into bed, bringing the covers up to her neck and curling into a ball.
"What?" she asked when he stood over her pouting.
"Well?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Baby, not tonight," she smirked, "I'm tired."
"You can't just tease me like that," he said leaning down, breathing in her hair.
"But I like getting you all worked up. You're cute when you squirm." She laughed and sat up in bed.
"Please?" he asked, nuzzling his head into her neck, "I can't go nine whole months without it. I don't know what I'll do."
"Actually five months," she laughed, but was cut off by his kiss. He kissed her with more passion than he ever had before.
"Well, I can't say no to that now can I?" she said wrapping an arm around his back and pulling him down onto the mattress.
"Nope," he smirked, putting a hand on her stomach. "Do you think we're hurting the baby?" Mimi looked down and back up at Roger. He had a look of concern on his face.
"We're celebrating," he hissed into his ear, "Plus, you've been a patient boy all week."
"Mmm," he moaned as she kissed his neck.
"And by the looks of things," she laughed and pulled away for a second, "you're already all hot and bothered. It would just be mean of me to stop now." His face turned red, but he quickly pulled her down into another kiss.
He bit her bottom lip as she moaned his name. He peeled the loose tee shirt off of her body and kissed her neck and shoulders. She wrapped her legs around his waist as his lips trailed down her collar bone.
Mimi giggled as his lips tickled down her front and stopped at her stomach, which he took care in kissing. She sat up to unbutton his jeans and slide them down. He kicked them to the floor, and moved back to pull her into another kiss.
When they made love that night, it was different. It was passionate and slow. Roger wasn't rough, but gentle and loving. His steady rhythm made Mimi hungry for his touch and she couldn't get enough of him. They laid in the afterglow, getting lost in each other's eyes. She rolled on top him and played with his hair. He was sweeter and more understanding. He took her hands and kissed them. She put her head onto his bare chest, playfully patting it.
"Love you," she whispered, fingering his chest. She looked up to see his eyes already shut, peacefully sleeping. She smiled and looked at the ring on her finger.
"Just the three of us," he whispered, pulling her head back down onto his chest.
"I thought you were sleeping," she kissed him and nuzzled her body into his, "Mmmm.." she agreed as she closed her eyes and he pulled her in closer.
On the fire escape, Mark kissed Haylie again, holding her tightly. She hadn't expected him to be such a good kisser, which he was. She leaned into him and pulled him closer. He led her inside, her head never leaving his shoulder, and into his bedroom.
Thank you so much for all the reviews on the past few chapters. They really make me keep writing! I love hearing what you guys all think. I've been really busy with work so I don't know when I'll get another one out. Hope this holds you over.