Thanks again to everyone who keeps reading! There will only be another three chapters left to this story, but I was thinking about maybe doing a prerent story that went along with this as well. Let me know if you'd be interested in reading that. Anyways, hope you like this chapter..

Ch 15

The Eyes Gaze

Nearly three weeks had gone by since Roger's birthday and tension were rising in the loft. Mark had barely spoken to Maureen since the drunken kiss, even though she told him over and over not to worry about it. Mimi was now in her eight month and her doctor at the clinic had ordered her to stay in bed, making her impossible to please. Even Roger had a hard time bringing a smile to her face.

October seemed to be going by quickly. Maureen tried to excite Mimi by helping her make her wedding dress and helping her make phone calls to the few guests that were attending. Roger had even invited his mother, much to Mimi's surprise. Mark was consumed by his promotion at Buzzline, and only ate and slept in the loft. Collins was in the midst of midterms at NYU and was rarely seen other than during the weekends. Fall wasn't beautiful. It meant things dying, and everyone was reminded of the anniversary of Angel's death.

Roger slid the door to the loft shut and kicked off his boots, making his way to the bedroom. Mimi was lying in bed with a look of discomfort across her face. "You ok baby?" he asked leaning over to kiss her as her eyes shot open.

She pressed her lips together and replied, "I hurt so bad Roger. I just want the aches, and pains, and heartburn to end." She rolled over and looked at the clock. "Roger, it's only five. Why are you home so early?" she asked stretching her arms above her head and yawning.

He laughed as her shirt lifted up a little, letting him get a view of her stomach. "I have that gig tonight, remember?" He hoped she hadn't forgotten. The smile dropped from his face and said, "You don't have to come if you're not up for it. I understand Mimi. You shouldn't be out walking around anyways." He kissed the palm of her hand and brought it into his lap.

"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world. You worked so hard for this," she said smiling and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"That's the smile I miss," he said with his eyes dropping to her stomach and placing his hand firmly against it. "Just think," he took her face in his hands, "we're getting married in two weeks." He smiled and kissed her again before getting up.

He returned with a rose and a chocolate bar from the other room. She had the candy unwrapped before he even handed it to her. He laughed and spoke again, "I'll be in the shower. Mark just got home if you need anything."

"I'm fine Rog," she motioned for him to leave, "Go get ready so you can impress me. I actually feel really good today." He smiled, disappearing behind the door. Mimi closed her eyes and let her head fall back onto the pillow, stretching her limbs out like a cat.

The next thing she heard was Roger throwing clothes around the bedroom. She yawned again, taking a sip of water and said, "What're you looking for babe?"

His head rose from a pile of clothes. "Something to wear," he said frustrated, holding up a black and red tank top waiting for her approval.

"Well what pants are you wearing?" she asked lifting herself from the bed. He motioned down to the black leather pants that he already had on. He shifted a little, as if he was still getting used to their tightness.

"Well, if you're wearing those pants, you're not wearing that shirt. The girls will be drooling," she laughed taking the tank top from his hands and ruffling his hair before sifting through the pile. She picked up a light blue button up shirt. "Here," she said handing it to him, "Unbutton the top three buttons and roll the sleeves."

He put the shirt on and looked at himself in the mirror. "I look pretty good," he laughed. His focus drifted to the red glow of the alarm clock in the corner. "Shit," he muttered, "I'm late."

He sat on the bed and tied his boots. "You and Mark will be there around 8, right?" he asked. She could hear the nerves in his voice. He had worked so hard for the opportunity, and after all he had been through, it was finally his time.

"Of course," she answered. "Good luck. I'll see you up there. I love you." She smiled into his mouth as he gave her a final kiss and waved as he mouthed love you too before leaving the loft with his guitar case.

Mimi walked over to the sink and refilled her glass of water. She was Mark sitting on the couch playing with his camera. "What time are we leaving?" she asked walking over to him.

"Whenever you're ready and Maureen gets here," he laughed. "Go get dressed." He could see her shaking in anticipation for seeing him on stage again. "Hey Mimi," he said quietly causing her to turn around, "He'll do great." They both smiled, and Mimi shut the bedroom door.

Only seconds after Mimi went back into the bedroom, Maureen burst through the door to the loft mumbling to herself. "You okay?" Mark asked laughing.

"Yeah," she said taking a moment to notice him staring her up and down, "What? Is what I'm wearing okay?"

He choked on his words. "Yeah, I mean, uh, you look great." She twirled a piece of her long brown hair in between her fingers. Her shirt was blue and tight and she was wearing dark black pants that cut off just under her knees. Her boots were tall and tight and black. He gulped again as he looked at her.

"Hey Mark, about the other week, I don't want things to be weird. I just wasn't sure about Joanne, but I just wanted you to know that I wanted it too." It took Mark a few seconds to comprehend because she spoke so quickly. She stood in front him, hands on her hips, and waited for his reply.

"Alright," he said quietly, still taking in the events of the past minute.

"Alright? It takes me three weeks to say all that to you and all that I get is an alright?" she lectured.

Mark moved from his seat on the couch and walked up to her. "Well, I mean," he began, but something inside him stopped. He grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her into a kiss. She pulled him closer, leaning him into the arm of the couch as his hands roamed her back. Neither of them noticed when Mimi walked out of the bedroom.

"Um," she spoke quietly until they broke apart, "Mark, something's not right." She held her stomach and turned her head in pain as Mark rushed over to her side.

"God Mimi, what happened?" He was immediately alarmed by the look of terror in her eyes. He waved for Maureen to come over and whispered something in her ear.

"Oh god, it hurts Mark." He nodded and placed his coat around her shoulders.

"Come on Mimi. We're going to the hospital now," Maureen yelled from the doorway.

"It's too soon," she said pleading with Mark as he led her out the door.

At the bar, Roger was standing on stage tuning his guitar. He glanced down at his watch for the hundredth time. 8:26. The bar owner, Rick, had already given him an extra fifteen minutes. Roger scanned the room again, looking for Mark or Mimi. They were supposed to be there over half an hour ago. Where were they?

Roger looked up as Rick quieted the crowd, "Roger," he looked at the young man onstage, "There's a Maureen Johnson on the phone for you." Roger flung his guitar over his head and ran over to the bar.

"Maureen," was all he mustered out before he felt a warm tear roll down his cheek. He threw the phone back at Rick.

"Where the hell do you think you're going," Rick yelled as Roger went back on stage to grab his jacket.

"I gotta go man," he yelled slipping his leather jacket on.

"Listen, Rog. If you leave now, you're never coming back. I went through shit to get this manager to come listen to you," Rick shouted at him and grabbed at Roger's arm, digging his fingers into his skin

"My girlfriend's in the hospital Rick," he spat back in his face, "Keep your manager and go to hell."

Roger ran through the crowded streets. He couldn't feel his legs moving anymore. His chest was pounding and he leaned over, holding onto a street sign. He took a moment to catch his breath before continuing. His head was spinning. How could Maureen not know what was happening? She was crying. It couldn't be good. Roger's mind focused on one thing: Mimi. Before he realized it, he had run almost twenty blocks and rushed through the doors of the hospital.

The only thing Maureen had told him on the phone was that they were moving her from emergency to the maternity ward. He looked at the nurse sitting at the front desk and panted, "Maternity?" She pointed to the left and Roger paced down the hall, not noticing the looks his tight leather pants were getting from the nurses.

He pushed through another set of doors and saw Mark and Maureen. Maureen was sitting in a chair with her face in her hands while Mark was leaning back against the wall with his eyes closed. He took a deep breath as Mark turned his head to look at him standing still in the hallway. Roger hadn't noticed that tears were coming from his eyes again.

Mark walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "She's right in there, room 205. She's been asking for you." Roger ran into the room, sighing in relief as he saw Mimi laying in the bed sleeping.

He sat beside her, watching her breathe in and out. He instinctively reached around her to place a hand on her stomach, but soon felt that something was missing. His stomach dropped and he closed his eyes tightly. He looked up to see a nurse standing in the doorway. "You must be Mr. Davis," she said quietly. He nodded and looked back to Mimi, pushing her hair out of her face. "Please come with me."

Roger followed the nurse down the hallway with his head down, only looking up every few seconds. The nurse stopped and smiled at him. He found himself in front of a large glass window, staring at a dozen small babies. Roger wiped the wetness from his cheeks, for a moment thinking that everything may be alright.

"Would you like to see her?" the nurse asked motioning to the window. She noticed the slight look of surprise in the young man's face. Roger's eyes widened as he looked at the small baby wrapped in pink. He smiled, looking back and forth between the baby and the nurse before nodding. His lips parted, making a small smile, as the nurse went behind the window and picked up the newborn from her plastic basinet.

She came out of the door and placed the newborn in Roger's arms. It took him a moment to adjust to her, and the nurse assisted him in supporting her head. Roger looked at his daughter. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He smiled as she took on of his fingers and sucked on it. "Is she?" Roger began, looking back up at the nurse.

"They had to do a Cesarean because she was a few weeks early and her mother's HIV status, but she's doing beautifully. She's strong at five pounds nine ounces," the nurse smiled, "They'll be starting her on medications soon."

The nurse left Roger alone with his daughter for a few seconds. He looked down at her in wonderment. How could he have doubted that he wanted this? He twirled the hospital bracelet around her wrist and squinted to read it. Danielle Eva Davis. He smiled again, realizing the significance of the name. Mimi had remembered. A tear rolled down his cheek as he lightly bounced his sleeping daughter in his arms. Roger was so consumed in the glory in his arms that the commotion of doctors and beeping monitors behind him seemed to disappear.

Thank you again for all the reviews for the last few chapters. I wrote this chapter a few different ways, but this was the one I ended up going with. Hope you liked it. I'm still not sure it came out the way I wanted. I love reading what you think, so keep the reviews coming!