One Man, Two Lives Destroyed
Summary: AU She can think of many reasons to explain to her daughter why her fathers not around – just none of them are the truth. MCxMJ MMxRD JJxOC ADSxTC
Note: Hello again! It's me! So this chapter might seem a little confusing, but I think it's alright. I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I CHANGED NATASHA'S AGE TO EIGHT! I REPEAT, I CHANGED HER AGE! So don't get confused! Here is the newest chapter and I hope you like it! This chapter might be a little boring - sorry about that!
Disclaimer: WE DO NOT OWN RENT!
Co-writer and editor: xI'll Cover Youx
Thanks to PinkElf for all of your advice and the nickname for Maureen to call Natasha!
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Chapter 3
Normal POV
"Okay, I'll put you through in one second." Maureen repeated into the phone and the looked at her daughter who was starring into space – waiting for her to get off from her job. Natasha was on summer break and was going into third grade. Mimi and Roger usually took care of Natasha during the day, but sometimes Angel and Collins took care of her. Maureen was very grateful for them. She looked around for Alexi. Ever since Mark had left, she had taken his job – well kinda of his job, she worked for Alexi, but in a different way.
"Alexi! Phone call line one."
"Right, I'll be right there… Johnson, you may go." Maureen looked up in surprise and Alexi pointed to Natasha. "She's waiting for you and Natalie will be coming for her shift in a couple of minutes. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you." Maureen stood up and walked over to Natasha. Alexi stood near the desk.
"Johnson?" Maureen turned around.
"Yes?"
"How old is she?"
"Eight, she's eight." Alexi smiled.
"Amazing, she's beautiful and she knows how to talk… You're a great mother – it seems."
"Thank you." Maureen said and looked to Natasha who was sitting on the chair, kicking her legs back and fourth. She stopped when Maureen sat down next to her.
"You're done already Mommy?"
"Yeah honey, my boss is letting me off early."
"That's great! Let's go over the loft… Can we?"
Maureen groaned, "Are you serious? You were just over there." Natasha pouted.
"But I wanna go again!" Maureen grabbed her bag and grabbed Natasha's hand. She swung the bag over one shoulder and made their way down the stairs.
"Fine." Maureen said and walked out of the building. She remembered how she had gotten engaged to Joanne on this street. She should have known that it wouldn't have lasted. She looked around at the streets as Natasha talked about her meeting with Billy in the park. Maureen nodded – but really wasn't listening. She walked up the stairs with Natasha still in her arms. She knocked on the door and Mimi opened the door.
"Hey! What are you doing here? Didn't I just drop off Nat?"
"Nat?"
Mimi blushed, "I thought of nick-name for her!"
"I like it! It's catchy." Maureen said and let go of Natasha's hand. She ran over to the couch and climbed up on Roger's lap. Angel and Collins were sitting around the table and looked over to Maureen.
"I see that you're off work." Angel winked at her and sipped her coffee. Collins waved slightly to Maureen who waved back. "Time for the rest of your story."
Maureen groaned and fell into the lone chair near the couch. " Uncle Roger! Make Mommy tell us the story!" Roger laughed.
"I don't think I can do that."
"Of course you can Uncle Roger! You wrote me a song – you can do anything." Everybody looked at Natasha and Roger.
"You wrote her a song?" Mimi questioned and sat down next to Roger. "What about a song for me?"
"I wrote you a song already." Mimi leaned back against the couch.
"True, but I wouldn't mind another one."
"Meems…"
"Oh come on! I'm your wife!" Mimi teased and hit him playfully. "Let's hear your song to Natasha."
"Uh… Not right now, I really don't want too."
"Oh c'mon Rog, let's hear it." Collins said and Angel nodded.
"Let's hear it!" Angel echoed and Roger moved Natasha off of his lap.
"Nah, guys really, I don't want too."
"Aw! Uncle Roger – please?" Natasha pouted once more.
"Yeah Roger, you can't resist that face." Mimi said and wrapped her arms tightly around Natasha. She rested her head on top of Natasha's.
"Hey Maureen! I think it's time for you to tell your story." Roger said and sat down on the armrest of the couch.
"What? I didn't do anything – Roger, don't chance the subject-"
"Yeah Mo, time for your story!" Angel cheered and clapped her hands. She moved over to the couch with Collins following her. She sat down next to Mimi and Collins sat down on the other side.
"So – what happens after you hooked up with him?" Collins questioned.
"I didn't 'hook up' with him then! We have an eight-year-old in the room people." Maureen said and gestured to Natasha.
"What does 'hook up' mean?" Natasha questioned and Mimi placed a hand over her mouth.
"Nothing sweetie, it means nothing." Maureen laughed.
"I guess I'll tell you a little part."
"YES!" Everybody cheered and Roger leaned back against the couch – clearly relieved that he didn't have to sing his song.
"But, after Roger has to sing his song."
"What?"
"C'mon Rog, you know you want too."
"Fine – just get on with the story."
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Maureen's POV
After that day that I had told Mark my feelings, he moved into my apartment so we could leave Mimi and Roger alone. He moved in a month after I had told him – to be exact. I picked up one of the boxes that was on the street and placed it in the living room. Mark walked in after me and placed down his box. He kissed my cheek and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"You're going to love it here." I insisted and he smiled.
"Of course I am." I laughed as he rested his head against mine. He was only a little taller then I was. I sighed as we both looked out the window together. "This is much better then my old loft." Mark remarked.
"Of course it is pookie! Joanne paid for it with her own money." I wrapped my arm around his waist and smirked. "She said I could have it as a way to say she was sorry for breaking up with me."
"Wow, so she moved in with her new girlfriend."
"Yep, but that doesn't really matter – now does it?" I questioned and he kissed the side of my head. "What do you want to do?"
"Well, since we moved in all my things, I don't really care what we do."
"We could… Go see Mimi and Roger."
"Uh, we just saw them a little over an hour ago."
"Hmph! Then I don't know, what should we do?"
"Let's go out!" I suggested and let go of Mark. I walked towards our room and smiled. "How about we go and see Mimi at the Cat Scratch Club."
"I don't know Mo, maybe she doesn't-"
"Aw, come on Markie. Just this once?"
"Fine, but I'm calling Roger, Angel, and Collins and informing them." I walked into our room.
"But don't tell Meems, I want it to be a surprise!"
"Fine!" Mark picked up the phone and dialed Roger and Mimis' number.
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Normal POV
"I remember that." Roger commented.
"Me too!" Mimi cheered and placed a hand on her cheek.
"Us also!" Angel said and reached over and patted Collins' knee. "You remember, right honey?"
"Yeah… Uh, of course." Collins said and Maureen laughed.
"You don't remember, do you know?"
"Well Mo, it's been what – eight years?"
"Okay, okay." Maureen held her hands up defensively. "I know, I would probably forget about it also."
"Mommy!" Natasha whined, "Get on with the story."
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Maureen's POV
"Mark! Don't do that." I held my hands up in front of my face – shielding myself from his camera. We had been walking around for an hour and he hadn't taken the camera off of my face. "Markie!"
He lifted up the flap of his bag that was hanging at his side and placed the camera in it. "Sorry, I just wanted to film you."
"For an hour?" I questioned and linked hands with him; we fell in step with each other. "We have to get to the Cat Scratch Club soon."
"Or, we could just not go."
"Mark!" I hit his arm with my free hand. "You're so bad."
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Normal POV
"Ew, that's so gross – you and Daddy being all… In love." Natasha said and curled up in Roger's lap. She leaned against his chest and closed her eyes like she was tired. "What is love anyways Aunt Mimi?" Mimi looked up in surprise.
"Uh… You'll learn about that later."
"I don't think I want too." Natasha giggled.
"Then you don't want to hear it." Maureen said and smirked. Natasha opened her eyes again.
"No, no Mommy! I want to hear it!"
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Maureen's POV
"I'm bad? You're bad." Mark said and kissed my temple. We walked along the sidewalks in silence. We saw the Cat Scratch lights blinking and walked towards it.
"Meems is going to be so surprised."
"I know! Wait 'till she sees that everybody came for her."
"Mmhmm!" We walked into the club together and saw Angel, Collins, and Roger sitting in the back. I waved to them and then walked over there. I slid into the booth next to Angel and Mark slid in after me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I leaned in against him.
"So – are we late?" Mark questioned and Collins shook his head.
"Nope, she's just getting up there."
"What is she going to do?" I asked.
Roger winced slightly then answered. "She's singing 'out tonight'." I started laughing so hard that I fell the other way and hit Angels' shoulder.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes." Roger groaned as the music started.
"MIMI!" Everybody in the audience cheered and then Angel stood up.
"CHICA!" She screamed and Mimi looked over at us. She smiled and started her dance.
"What's the time? Well it's gotta be close to midnight…"
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Normal POV
"Those were the days." Mimi sighed and played with her hair. "Then Roger made me quit…"
"What's the Cat Scratch Club?" Natasha questioned and Maureen quickly stood up. She lifted Natasha out of Roger's lap and placed her on the coffee table. Maureen sat down in front of her.
"It's somewhere you never ever want to go… No offense Mimi."
"None taken." Mimi replied and smiled to Natasha. "It's something you never want to be involved in."
"Right! I won't go there ever Mommy and Auntie Mimi, I promise."
"Okay Roger, time for your song." Maureen said and picked up Natasha. She sat back in the chair and placed Natasha next to her. Roger stayed where he was. "C'mon Roger, I told my story, you sing your song."
"Really – it's only a verse."
"That's okay, sing it for us Roggie." Mimi teased and patted his arm lightly. Roger stood up and grabbed his guitar.
"It's not that good."
"Please Uncle!" Natasha whined and Roger started the opening chords.
"I love you, more then any other thing in the world-"
"Excuse me!" Mimi shrieked and Roger set down his guitar. He wrapped his arm around Mimi and kissed her cheek.
"It was sort of to both of you." Roger said and Natasha wiggled out of her mothers' arms.
"Uncle Roger! You didn't finish."
"I don't think I'm going too, maybe another time Nat."
"Hmph!"
"Well, I have to get going; I'm going to take Natasha over one of her friends' houses for the night. I'll be back soon."
"But Mommy…"
"C'mon Nati…" Maureen grabbed her hand and waved to the rest of the group. "I'll be back soon."
Dread washed over the whole group – knowing that those were the last words Mark ever said to everybody.
End of Chapter 3
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Note: So there's the chapter – slight cliffhanger! Sorry guys, please review! Thanks to all who did review before!