Thank you all again for the great reviews and reading. I'm sorry it took so long to update, but I should have another chapter out in another day or so! Hope you like it!

Chapter 13:

Still in the Dark

Mark pulled his jacket around him tighter as he made his way back to the loft, feeling the cooler autumn breeze of September around him. He slid the heavy door to the loft open and set his bag on the ground.

Since his break up with Haylie the month before, he had been sure to keep himself busy with work. Mimi had been extremely emotional and miserable, so Mark didn't mind having an excuse to leave her alone with Roger or Collins.

September meant back to teaching for Collins, but the doctors at the clinic urged Mimi to work as little as possible. Against Roger's requests, she was still working three days at week at NYU library.

Maureen had made a permanent home on the couch and hadn't spoken with Joanne since she returned from Seattle three weeks earlier.

Mark took off his jacket and looked around the empty loft. He noticed Roger and Mimi's door slightly open and peered inside.

Roger was sitting on the bed with his back against the wall, carefully reading one of the many books that Mimi had brought home about pregnancy and parenting. Mimi's head rested in his lap and her eyes were tightly closed. He was humming a low tune, but would stop every few seconds when he scrunched his face in disgust, cocking his head to the side. Mark could only imagine what he was reading to make react that way.

"Hey Marky, you're home early today," he heard Maureen say from the couch.

"I finished early," he said while shaking his head, waking him from his daze.

"I was just going out to get some coffee. Do you want to come?" She smiled through her small pout.

"Fine Maureen," he laughed, picking his jacket up again while Maureen grabbed onto his arm.

Maureen latched onto his arm as they strolled down the street. For once, Mark wasn't annoyed by Maureen's behavior, as she laughed and teased him. He opened the door for her once they reached the café, and the woman behind the counter poured them two cups of coffee.

"Hey," Maureen said putting a hand on Mark's shoulder, "how you holding up?"

"Good, I guess," he shrugged. "A part of me misses her. I don't know. There's so much going on that I barely have time to think about it anymore. What about you?"

Maureen shrugged, "Just great." She looked down into her coffee, swirling her spoon around in the liquid with a pasted smile.

"Have you talked to her?" he questioned.

"I'm not ready to yet. I left Mark, and I'm not ready to admit that it's over." She inhaled and put her head down. "I haven't said that out loud yet. I loved her and now it's over."

Mark put his arm around her. She smiled and leaned into him, resting her head on his small shoulder.

"I can't believe in another two months there will be a baby around here," she said trying to discretely wipe a tear away from her cheek.

"I know," Mark laughed, "Roger and Mimi as parents. I would never have imagined any of this a year ago."

"And next month we have a wedding," Maureen added before looking up at Mark. "You know, I think I'd want a family someday."

"Really," he said surprised before looking back up at her, "Me too." She smiled and put the lid on her coffee while holding her arm out to him.

"Let's go home, Mark."

As the five bohemians sat around the large metal table, Roger took a moment to look at Mark. Although he was laughing, he had known Mark long enough to see the pain in his eyes. He hadn't been the same since Haylie had left the loft that morning. Roger still felt partially responsible.

Collins looked at Mimi, who was beaming. He was honestly surprised at how responsible the young girl was handling motherhood. He found himself smiling at her as she took another piece of pizza and ripped at it with her teeth, leaving a string of cheese dangling from her lips. She had been so optimistic. He would hate to see this baby be sick for Roger and Mimi, but he knew that the odds were not in their favor.

Mark took a moment to turn his attention from the banter of baby names to notice his best friend sitting across from him. His hand was placed flat on Mimi's round stomach as he laughed at Collin's name suggestions. His eyes were laughing and he flashed a bright smile. He was the only one who could see how nervous he truly was about becoming a father, not being there for his child, and about not being there for his future wife. Mark looked at the couple, who for once wasn't bickering, and decided to put his camera away. He didn't need the moment on film to remember it.

Mimi stretched her arms over her head and yawned. She started giggling and grabbed Roger's hand. "The baby has hiccups," she laughed putting Roger's hand to her belly.

"Mimi, I don't feel anything," he said raising his eyebrow as she pressed his hand down a little harder.

"You can't?" She looked up at him and giggled again. "It tickles." He shook his head at her and laughed again before getting up from his seat.

"It's late and I have to work tomorrow," Roger groaned, kissing Mimi's hand.

"I'll come with you," Mimi yawned and wrapped an arm around his waist as they walked back to the bedroom.

Roger laid in bed on his back with his hands behind his head, letting out a long sigh. Mimi curled up next him, placing her head on his chest and kissing it lightly.

"Are you nervous, Mimi? You always seem to know what to do and so sure that everything will be ok." He spoke so quickly and suddenly that Mimi's head shot up.

"A little, are you?" Her brown eyes met his.

"I mean," he rubbed his face nervously, "we're doing everything right. You're eating right, taking your meds, and reading and resting."

"I know, but it's ok to worry, Roger," she pressed her lips against his cheek, dragging her nose across his face.

"What if I'm a horrible dad? What if I drop the baby, or forget to feed it, or hold it too tight?" His eyes grew heavy and he looked at her lovingly.

"Impossible. My mom says that once the baby comes, that all the small stuff is just natural," she said, her face now only inches from his.

She took his face in her hands and delicately placed a kiss on his mouth, slowly parting his lips with her tongue. He let out a small moan as one of her hands ran through his hair. "I love you," she murmured, pulling back from him.

"Love you too." He slid a hand onto her thigh and rubbed it gently.

"Roger, how can you even touch me right now? I'm huge."

He laughed and leaned over her, "You're more beautiful than the day I met you." He pulled her into another kiss and then leaned lower to drag his lips across the peak of her stomach. He placed several quick kisses on it before sitting up again and smiling again.

"And since when did you become such a romantic?" she said as he began to knead her shoulder and neck with his calloused hands.

He laughed as she rolled her body back to rest against his chest. She reached up and wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him into another kiss.

"I told you," he laughed, "No one can resist me. I'm just too sexy."

She laughed and slapped his arm. "Don't let it go to your head," she giggled, "Today I was turned on by Mark eating a hotdog. These hormones are out of control."

"Mark turned you on more than me? I'm much cuter than Mark. Look at my arms!" He pleaded, making a pouting face and making a muscle with his left arm.

"I was talking about the hotdog Rog," she said laying back down and resting her head against the pillow. "You're still sexy, don't worry," she added in a tired voice.

He stroked her hair until she fell asleep. He smiled down at her and cuddled close to her body, putting his head under her chin and an arm under her stomach.

The next morning Roger was pouring a bowl of cereal, yawning and still stretching when Mimi came out of the bedroom. "Want some?" he asked, waving the box in the air.

She nodded and sat at the table. The voices made Maureen moan and shift on the couch. "Is Mark up?" she asked.

"Shower." Roger pointed to the closed bathroom door.

Maureen rubbed her hands together, "Good. I'm taking his bed. This couch is so uncomfortable." She tiptoed into his bedroom and shut the door behind her, leaving Mimi and Roger smiling and shaking their heads.

"I think she still loves him," Mimi stated bluntly taking a bite of her cereal.

"Who Maureen? Are you kidding me?" Roger laughed. "No offense Mimi, but I've known those two for years. If something was going on, I'd know."

"Well I didn't say anything was going on, but I still think they're both in denial." Roger rolled his eyes and muttered something about lesbians under his breath.

"What are you two arguing about now?" Mark said emerging from the steamy bathroom.

"Oh nothing," Mimi smiled as she winked at him.

"Mark please, go put some pants or something on. I'm trying to eat," Roger said jokingly as he pointed to the filmmaker in his boxers. She grabbed onto Mimi's shoulders and shook her. "Plus, my girlfriend has raging hormones. We can't have you getting her all excited."

T

"I thought that was your job?" Mark raised his eyebrow at Roger and Mimi laughed.

"Not lately," he said under his breath.

Mimi glared at him, "I heard that."

Mark laughed and made his way to his room while Mimi got up from her seat to get dressed. "I think today will be my last day at the library. The doctors really think I should be getting more rest."

He kissed her cheek as she disappeared into the room. He was already dressed for work and dreaded the long ten hour days at the bar. The only good thing about working during the day was that he was home by eight, which meant that he could eat dinner with everyone and spend time with Mimi.

Mark was changing when he heard something move in his sheets. He grabbed his chest and jumped to see Maureen pop her eyes open.

"Shit Maureen," he squealed, trying to cover himself.

He blushed. "It's ok, I've seen you naked before in case you've forgotten," she laughed. "Have you been working out?"

"Out Maureen," he pointed to the door, still covering himself with a towel.

It was nearly 8:30 that night when Roger came home to the empty loft. Mimi and Mark had left a note saying that they were going to pick up some Chinese and would be back soon.

Mark came through the door holding a large paper bag. "Where's Mimi?" Roger asked, lifting his head out from behind the couch.

"She said she promised to say hi to an old friend and it was on the way home," Mark said putting the food down. "She should be right back."

Ten minutes later, Mimi came running through the door and made her way straight to the bedroom. She slammed the door shut. Confused, Mark and Roger exchanged glances and Roger rose from his seat.

He wiggled at the door handle but it was locked. "Mimi, let me in."

"Get away from me Roger. Leave me alone." She said through her tears.

"Baby, what happened? Just talk to me," he pleaded, pressing his head into the door.

"I hate you Roger Davis. I can't believe you'd do this to me. Just leave. Go away. I don't want to see or talk to you again." She screamed louder, banging at the door from the other side.

"What did I do?" he pleaded, tears now streaming down his face. "I don't understand. Just talk to me!"

The door flung open, and Roger lost his footing and nearly tripped. Her face was red and stained with tears. She looked at him with disgust.

"You'll never change," she yelled into his face, "I can't believe you'd do this to me Roger." She repeatedly hit her fists into his chest several times screaming, "I hate you. I hate you."

He grabbed her by the shoulders, genuinely confused with tears running down his face. "Baby, I didn't do anything," he pleaded trying to make eye contact with her.

"Please leave," she said quietly, "I can't do this anymore. I trusted you Roger. I quit smack for you. I risked my life to give us the child you never had. How could you do this to me?" The door shut again, leaving Roger on the other side of it alone.

He placed his head in his hands and cried. He looked up at Mark. "Do you have any idea where she went?"

"The Chinese is on 14th and 1st," he paused to think, "and there's only one person I know who lives over there." He took a deep breath and looked at Roger. "You don't think she," he paused and shook his head, "she wouldn't go see her."

"Who wouldn't she see?" Roger stood up.

"Well, Haylie lives over there," Mark said looking down, "I should have realized it."

"Shit," Roger muttered under his breath. He grabbed his coat and ran out the door. Mark yelled to try and stop him but he was already gone.

A moment later, Mark heard a loud crash from the stairwell and looked over the railing. Roger was lying at the bottom of the stairs, his limbs twisted around him and his eyes closed.

Thank you to all my reviewers again! Keep the reviews coming and let me know what you think..suggestions are welcome as usual!