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Disclaimer: same as always. Jon owns Rent, I own my characters.
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Chapter 7: Thank You
Mark's POV
I put my hands over her eyes, as I led her into the Life café, we were giving her a surprise birthday celebration. She was giggling happily as she stumbled around.
"Mark, can I open my eyes now, please?" She begged.
I smiled, "Not yet, one more minuete."
Everyone finished getting in place. "Ok, open." I said taking my hands away.
She looked around confused at the seemingly empty restaurant. "What-"
Everyone jumped out, shocking her. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!"
She smiled and laughed, "I can't believe it."
We all sat down, ready to start the party. I turned my camera on and filmed her as she walked over to her designated seat. She was wearing these lovely jeans that fit her very nicely, and this simple blue blouse with a low scoop neck, I couldn't help but stare at her. She looked so amazing, and she didn't even seem to try.
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Rachael stared at all the presents in front of her, "You all got me presents?"
We all nodded. How could we not get her anything? It was her birthday. They wouldn't be extravagant, all the presents were probably crappy little knick-knacks purchased in St. Marks Bazaar, but hey, it's the thought that counts. She smiled, looking extremely grateful and started to open them. As predicted, they weren't anything huge, but she treated them as though they were all the most precious and brilliant gifts ever. She was such a sweetheart, thanking everyone dearly.
She finally got to the smallest, and last present, mine. I hope she liked it. She carefully unwrapped it, when she saw the bracelet, her eyes widened.
"Oh my-" Tears sparkled in her eyes.
It was a small silver charm bracelet and on it were some hanging charms. One said NY, another UK, a third was a pencil, and the fourth one was a small heart.
Her face wet, she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a hug. "Mark, its beautiful."
"You like it?" I asked, so glad I hadn't screwed up.
Her eyes were shining, "I do, thank you so much."
I leaned foreword and gave her a small kiss, a bit hesitantly because we were infront of everyone. Letting us have our own little moment, everyone went back to the drinking and singing, ignoring us.
I gulped. Could I say it now? Surely with a red nervous face, I whispered in her ear, "I love you."
Our foreheads came together, and with a slightly shaky hand, she reached up and cupped my chin, "I love you too Mark."
We kissed again, but much more passionately this time. It received several catcalls form those around us. We broke apart, both red.
Roger took and sip of his beer then said, "I don't think I want to be at home tonight." We both turned redder.
Collins put a hand on Roger's shoulder, "Well lucky for you, you don't have to be. I have some people that want to meet you, and you might as well just stay over after."
Roger smiled gratefully, "Thanks Collins. But what sort of people?"
Collins just smiled brightly, "You'll see."
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I put my arms around her as we walked back up to the lofts, "Have fun?"
She smiled, "I had a wonderful time, thank you so much for everything."
"No problem." Giving her a small little kiss, "You looked stunning."
She blushed as she looked down at her shoes bashfully, "Thanks. My mum sent the shirt from England, I thought you would like it."
"I did." I opened the door, "Wanna come in?"
She nodded, holding my hand, and followed me in. As soon as the door had shut, she pressed her lips to mine. I smiled, it had been so nice to tell her how I felt. I loved her so much, we had this connection, I hadn't ever felt with any other girl before. She was special.
I deepened the kiss, pulling off our coats. My arms then went around her waist, pulling her closer to me. Her legs went around mine.
We parted to breathe and she said softly, "I love you", before kissing me again.
My hands traveled beneath her shirt, I was so glad Roger wasn't here. That wouldn't have been awkward at all. "I love you too."
She fell against the couch, giggling as she unbuttoned her blouse. God, she was so beautiful I wanted her so badly. Whenever Maureen and I had done things like this, I had always felt weak and silly compared to her but with Rachael I felt like her equal. I kissed her again as I moved on top of her. Her hands played with the bottom of my shirt, gradually taking it off. This could be…we should probably move. If this was going to our first time, I wanted it to be special, as trite as that was. A couch wasn't exactly how I'd imagined it. I pulled away and she gave a confused look. But as I took her to my room, she blushed, hopefully understanding. We finished undressing between kisses, then made love till the sun came up.
Rachael's POV
I woke up, his arms still around me. I smiled, the sun was pouring through the windows. I turned and layed sideways on his bed, resting on my arm. He looked so adorable without his glasses on. His blond hair was messed up, sticking all over the place, it was a rather funny thing to see. His pale skin, how it felt on mine, his touch could make me do anything. I loved everything about him. I ran my hands through his hair and gave him a kiss on the forehead before slowly getting out of bed. I pulled on his shirt and my knickers, then walked into the kitchen. I was getting a cup of coffee when Roger opened the door. He smirked at my choice of clothing. He had some papers in his hand and dark circles under his eyes.
"Who were the people Collins wanted you to meet?" I asked as I got him a cup of coffee as well, he looked as though he needed it.
He sat down with a sigh, "Members of band that need a lead singer and guitarist."
I smiled, not really understanding. He was perfect for the job. The Roger I knew would be loving the challenge and daring to go after the position. "Why the sigh?"
"I just, its so hard, I haven't been in a band s-since April. There are so many memories attached to that lifestyle. I'm not really sure what I want." He said, staring down at the pages.
"What did you do all night? You look knackered." I asked, handing him the steaming cup.
"They wanted me to rehearse with them." He motioned to the papers, "These are there songs, most of them are really good. It was nice to practice with them, but I still need some time to think." He took a sip, then pulled away after burning his tongue. "I don't really to ask what you did last night." He said sarcastically, grinning cheekily.
I blushed and smiled, grabbing the Village Voice as a distraction from his smirk.
I flipped through it casually not really taking to much time to look at everything carefully when I suddenly saw an ad that popped out at me. This was unbelievable. Underneath the dates for Maureen's next show was an advertisement looking for artists at a new Art Academy. I grabbed the phone excitedly, and dialed the number.
Ring Ring "Hello?"
"Hi, is this the Art Academy? I saw the ad in the paper and I was wondering if the position was still available." I said eagerly.
Roger gave me a funny look, "You'll see." I whispered to him.
"Yes, we still have some jobs open, what type of art do you do?" the woman asked, her New York accented by the sound of her bubble gum snapping.
"I draw, and sometimes paint." There was a pause.
"Yes yes, I believe the address is on the ad, come on by later today, bring some of your work. Your name?"
I couldn't believe it, "Rachael Adams."
"Thanks for the call, we'll see you later."
I hung up, and did a little dance around the kitchen. Roger laughed, plucking along at his guitar, I looked up and saw Mark. He was wearing his boxers and a white t-shirt, he looked so cute, he was yawning, then seeing me dancing, his eyes widened.
"Why are you dancing?" He asked, coming behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
I smiled, leaning into him, "I might get a job teaching at an Art school." I told him about the phone conversation.
He kissed my neck lovingly, "That's great. I'll admit, the thought of no longer working at the Life…" He sighed. His eyes suddenly lit up like he had an idea, I could almost imagine the light bulb above his bright blond hair.
He ran and got his camera, "The thought is so amazing, I need to document this, do the little dance again."
I giggled at how excited he was and did a little mini version of my 'just-got-a-job" dance then blew a kiss at the camera.
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I was holding Mark's hand, my portfolio under my other arm, and stood outside the building. It was funky little place, vintage seeming, and very pleasant. I had worn my most professional seeming outfit, a black dress with grey tights and black boots, my makeup limited, my hair tied back. I took a deep breathe as Mark held open the door for me, then walked in. There was some amazing art up on the wall, some traditional, some New York style, some with no category, but all something unique. I hope I have what it takes.
A small woman with short bleach blond hair came over, "Rachael Adams?"
I nodded, "Great, come this way." She led me over to a small table, a pad a pencil on top.
"Did you bring anything?" She asked.
I nodded handing her my portfolio. She looked through it, her smile getting gradually larger.
"Wonderful. Would you mind doing something right now as well?" She asked, indicating towards the table.
"No problem." I said, sitting down. She put a hand on Mark's shoulder and set him down on a seat in front of the desk. He tried to protest, not understanding, but she spoke before he could stop stuttering.
"Draw him please." She said, then stepping back to watch.
I started immediately, letting the pencil flow under my grip. I took in all his features, his hair shiny, his black-rimmed glasses offsetting his ocean blue eyes, his pale skin, the way it felt as it touched mine. I let all of my memory flood into it, taking in the moment and connecting it to all I knew. Before I knew it, she was tapping my shoulder, a half hour had flown by.
"May I see it?" She asked.
I nodded and handed it to her, blinking as I tried to adjust back to reality.
She looked at it, her eyes focused, her eyes occasionally glancing back at Mark who was shaking himself out, I don't think he'd ever sat for someone before.
"An amazing likeness in your drawing, your drawing technique is flawless, yet with your own style." She murmured, appearing to be thinking out loud. She touched the drawing lightly, "Lovers obviously." I blushed, unsure of how she could see so much in just a simple drawing.
"Well Rachael, we would love to have you. Can you start tomorrow?" She asked.
It was that simple? "That would be wonderful, thank you." She smiled back, handing me some sheets of information. Apparently I was teaching an advanced class, my heart leapt, I had dreamed of something like this. College was useful after all.