Chapter 15: The Desperate Kingdom of Love
Things were looking bright for Roger and Mimi after declaring their love for each other at the Dance Competition. It was fortunate that Roger did come back early to watch Mimi place first in the competition and win. However, even though their relationship seems to be stronger than ever, their dreams and ambitions of music and dance was what seemed to cause some conflict of interest. They were pursuing life careers they worked hard to achieve but at times they question their reasons behind their relationship or where they wanted to go.
After Roger came home from work, he picked up Courtney from school and headed back home to find Mimi reading a letter. Roger and Mimi kissed as Courtney looked on to see her dad and his girlfriend make out. It was Memorial Day long weekend the weather was getting extremely warm and nice outside. However, Mimi tried to hide the letter she was reading as Roger was trying to read it as they headed to the loft.
"Hey baby…what do you have there?" Roger asked as the two made out, "Can I see?"
"It's actually a letter from Ms. McRae," Mimi replied, "Remember what happened after the competition that night when Ms. McRae took me aside?"
"Why is it important?" Roger asked, "Did something happen that I'm not aware of?"
"The letter…was actually an audition, actually more like a job interview," Mimi added, "I handed in a two weeks notice to my manager at The Cat Scratch Club saying I'm quitting definitely this time. The audition…is sometime next week for sure for a teaching gig at The Avalon School of Dance in London."
"Wow…London, England, that must be exciting," Roger said as he pulled back a bit, "I'm very…happy for you Mimi you're finally achieving your dream."
"You seem upset Roger what's wrong?" Mimi asked, "C'mon baby talk to me then?"
"It's just I…it's just…" Roger replied as suddenly Courtney passed out again as the two saw her on the floor, "Oh my God Courtney! Mimi get me her insulin in her backpack! Courtney!"
"Daddy," Courtney whispered as her eyes opened, "Daddy…I feel dizzy."
"C'mon sweetie here I'm giving you your insulin okay?" Roger replied as the two of them brought Courtney to the couch, "Okay sweetie remember don't look at the needle okay? Look at Mimi okay?"
"Okay daddy," Courtney replied as Roger injected her with the needle, "It…hurts daddy."
"Don't worry kiddo we're here trust us okay?" Mimi smiled as she sat next to Courtney, "I'm not going anywhere okay?"
"Then does that mean you're not going to London Aunt Mimi?" Courtney suddenly asked, "I don't want you to go…if you go then whose going to play with me? Who's going to read A Walk to Remember and teach me how to dance? I like it when you're here with us because you make daddy smile and you make me smile too."
"C'mon sweetie just rest first okay?" Roger replied as Courtney fell asleep on the couch, "Just take it easy okay honey?" After Courtney fell asleep Mimi went into the kitchen and got herself a glass of water, "Mimi…listen I'm sorry for what Courtney said to you and stuff and I'm sorry for my reaction…"
"Roger it's alright…I understand maybe we shouldn't talk about our careers in front of her because honestly I think she likes to see us together," Mimi replied, "I'm beginning to fall in love with your daughter and she adores me like no child I've ever met. I love you Roger I really do…but sometimes I feel that I'm only in this relationship because of Courtney. I feel like I'm obligated to you and…"
"Is that how you see things?" Roger asked, "Do you feel I'm using my daughter to keep you in this relationship because I would feel guilty for doing that. I love you Mimi and I just…I just don't want to screw things up the second time around. Don't ever think that you're only in this relationship with me so I can try to make you play mother to Courtney. However, I do appreciate that my daughter does love you a lot and I really do love you a lot. She always used to tell me on how much she adores you for redecorating her room and all."
"I'm surprised she hasn't even asked if you and I were going to get married soon. Most kids with single parents dating someone else that isn't their mom or dad would ask if their parents' new boyfriend or girlfriend would get married one day. However knowing your circumstance do you ever plan to remarry one day Roger?"
"I've…never thought about it unless I felt like it was something I wanted. I spent almost six years now wondering if I'm ever able to remarry and give Courtney the family she always wanted. Would…you ever consider marrying a guy like me? I love you a lot and despite being HIV positive knowing that our relationship is one complicated broken road…I would walk it with you all the way."
"I love you and that is all that matters now," Mimi smiled kissing him, "I would marry someone like you one day."
During the long Memorial Day weekend, Benny dropped by the loft unexpectedly one morning while the others came by for breakfast. Unfortunately, they didn't have any plans to go away for the long weekend until Benny pulled up in his Ranger Rover.
"Roger! Mark! Are you guys up there?" Benny called, "Let me up! I got something for you!"
"I thought the rent wasn't due yet!" Roger yelled, "What the hell are you doing here? I thought Muffy was pregnant still! Where's Marcus?"
"She went upstate this weekend to visit some relatives and took Marcus with her," Benny replied entering the loft, "I was at the office this morning with my investor a.k.a father-in-law and I finally got it. So what are you guys waiting for? Do you Bohemians tend to spend the entire long weekend in the loft doing nothing c'mon are you guys going to pack?"
"And exactly where are we going Benny?" Maureen asked.
"Is this some sick cruel joke or something?" Roger asked suspiciously, "What are you talking about?"
"Remember that land that I was talking about a few years back?" Benny asked as he gave a land title deed to Roger, "You remember that time we went up to Westport and we were wondering around that residential area of developed model homes?"
"Yeah I remember what about it?" Roger asked.
"Where is Westport anyways?" Mimi asked, "Oh sorry I forgot…Muffy lives there doesn't she?"
"It's Allison and Westport is just a few miles outside the city," Benny added, "We like to describe Westport as well sort of New York's Orange County of California. Anyways I wanted to give you guys this particular title deed, especially you Roger. I wanted to give this to you as a gift and show you the new property…it's kind of a long weekend getaway. Allison is not around and the entire family is going upstate so do you guys want to camp out?"
"Okay the first time we went up there you almost got us arrested for trespassing," Mark argued, "If you didn't shack up with Allison back then…well hey what the heck let's go!"
"Alright let's go then…at least it beats around staying in," Roger smiled as him and Mimi took the land deed, "So…what particular land is it anyways?"
"I'll show you guys when we get there," Benny replied.
After Benny convinced the others to pack, they all headed up to Westport to show the others the developed model homes, and the particular model home he bought the ownership. But the car ride up to Westport took nearly the entire afternoon that it was nearly sunset when they got there. Since Benny couldn't fit everyone in his Ranger Rover, Joanne brought her car to carpool herself, Maureen, Mark and Angel in her car while Benny drove Collins, Roger Mimi and Courtney in the other car. They arrived at the developed model home in Westport.
"Okay here we are," Benny smiled coming out of the car, "This is where we're spending the long weekend. Joanne you can park your car next to mine." After everyone unloaded their stuff and the cars were parked, everyone took their flashlights and looked around the place.
"Where the heck are we?" Joanne asked, "What is this place?"
"It seems so dark," Angel replied, "I can't see a thing in here."
"Hey…I recognize this place," Collins replied, "This…isn't the old Grey family model home?"
"Daddy it's so dark in here," Courtney replied, "I can't see anything."
"Oh Benny…the deed you gave me is to this place?" Roger asked shocked, "This is the old model home we almost got arrested at but why?"
"You wanted this place the most," Benny replied, "You talked about one day living here and I was just going to buy this place as another investment. The Greys designed this house to replicate the one they used to own in Orange County, California. The Greys used to own a lot of housing developments up here in Westport and parts of the Hampton, they wanted to work on renovating this place…however the contractors never got to finish renovating this place. So far this place has been under renovations for 7 years. You remember the first time we came here?"
"Yeah we went up here after one of Roger's gigs that night," Mark replied as they all wonder around the place, "Most of us considered the old Grey Model Home the look out point for us to have make out sessions and beat down on stolli. Benny met Allison here 7 years ago and she was actually the one who prevented the cops from arresting us. Since this place has a lot of memories I thought it would be nice to hand it over to you guys…since I have no use for it. I don't care who ends up owning this place, but consider this a present."
"Roger should keep it," Maureen replied, "Knowing that since it's one of those charity gifts from Benny the lapdog…he does have a point. I mean considering the fact that technically this isn't a finished property if anyone should keep that title deed Roger deserves it. The few times we were up here as roommates before Roger always had an eye for this place and what would any of us want with an unfinished house."
"Okay so now you all voted I should keep this dilapidated house let's hit the road then," Roger replied as Benny stopped him.
"Actually…this is where we're spending the long weekend," Benny added, "Hey I thought it would be a change for once you know to squat in Roger's new model home and camp out here that's why I asked you guys to pack some camping gear."
"Are you insisting we spend the long weekend here?" Mimi asked, "Benny this is considered illegal and trespassing is also another criminal offense here. Are you sure you're actually acting like Benjamin Coffin III, the lapdog landlord and friend we know about? I mean…out of all places to spend Memorial Day weekend…you want all us to spend it in a developed model home?"
"Is that a problem?" Benny asked, "This is like going Bohemian in the higher class isn't it?"
"I hate saying this sometimes but Benny does have a point and I do think this maybe a bit orthodox," Roger said setting up a sleeping bag and tent, "But I say since this is technically now my house legally…are you guys going to make yourselves welcomed or not?"
"This has illegal boundaries written all over it but what the hell?" Mimi smiled as she and the others started setting up tents throughout different parts of the house, "I guess we get to occupy the dining room shall we? My boyfriend got himself a new model home although it may never be finished…but it's still cozy."
Later on, Roger and Mimi continued to tour the model home as they noticed that there was still lot scaffolding. In the backyard, they spotted an empty cement pool and plastic hanging from the doorframes. The walls and molding has only been partially completed and translucent plastic hanging on the parts that are supposed to be the glass windows. Joanne and Maureen were lighting the camping lanterns that they retrieved from Joanne's car.
"I haven't been here in ages but I'm glad to come back," Roger smiled, "This may sound stupid…but I dreamed about living in a house like this one day when I became a famous songwriter. I would move upstate with my family and give them a life that is anything other than the Bohemian lifestyle in Alphabet City. I really don't have much of a family left after April died and my own family disowned me for April's death. I consider you guys as my only family and Courtney…and I truly consider you Mimi as the closet thing I have to a family."
"You wanted to live here to raise Courtney," Mimi added, "I believe it can come true one day whenever they decide to finish this house. I would want to live a house like this outside of the city where you don't have to worry about drug addicts running around, facing eviction, and the crime rate. If I lived in this house I would go swimming every day during the summer and I would raise our children here. I would want to live upstate or maybe live somewhere in Europe and we could probably enroll our kids in good decent schools."
"Have you…thought a lot about our future together?" Roger suddenly asked, "I'm sorry…I shouldn't put you on the spot like that because I haven't thought about life after April. All I know is focusing on Courtney. I know we've been dating for about 5 months now and I really don't think about that stuff much. I sometimes think about this stuff too privately to myself and the one thing I always think about is Courtney's future and give her the one thing she'll probably need the most in her life…a mother. If we leave Alphabet City together with Courtney and finish up the model home, we can move up to Westport together. I see myself living here one day with you and Courtney as a family together because you two are what I got left to live for."
I'm sorry…you said you see you, me and Courtney as a family together?" Mimi replied, "I'm trying to analyze the situation here. One minute we're talking about seeing this house be finished soon, and then the next minute we're discussing about starting a family together and me becoming a stepmother to Courtney and moving to Westport. This is an idealistic future that also has its upsides and downsides to it…and the main one that will be a concern to us is the fact that any kid I give birth will have a high chance of being born with HIV. You say you love me and I'm grateful for that…but do you think we're jumping the gun here and planning about maybe the next 20 years of our lives?"
"Look ever since I first met you, I was a complete mess nearly wishing everyday I would be forgiven for killing the mother of my daughter," Roger sighed, "I had no intentions of looking forward to the future ahead of me because I thought that I'll let my baggage claim me. But you changed my life in ways I couldn't imagine. I am learning to open up to people, and I am valuing what I have with my daughter and for the first time in a long time, I am actually planning now where I want to see my future with you. You might have to deal with living with a guy who now wants to plan his future despite the crap I'm going through because I see myself regaining everything I've lost with you now. I see myself spending the rest of my life with you and Courtney and if it scares you…then deal with it."
"But how can we be sure we'll still end up together even after the end of the year or maybe in the long run?" Mimi asked, "You and I are sick with HIV and we are fully aware that one day it will kill one of us and leave the other in grief. However, I don't like having my entire life planned out for me because I had to deal with that when I was living at home. I ran away because of that and for other reasons that I will not disclose right now. I like not knowing what will happen right now because all that matters to me is what happens today instead. I like to expect the unexpected and not have my whole future dictated to me. If that scares you and you don't want to be with me…then fine but deal with it."
"Okay then fine I'll stop because all that matters to me is that you and me are in love and I'm happy with what we have," Roger smiled as the two kissed.
The next day, the others started exploring the area around the housing developments at Westport. First they had to make sure to hide their stuff in a secure area in case the police were patrolling the area. Angel and the girls took Courtney up ahead to another developing model home while the guys were outside drinking strolli. They noticed Roger staring at Courtney and Mimi together up ahead with Joanne, Maureen and Angel.
"Hey can I ask you a question?" Roger asked the guys.
"Okay fire away," Mark replied, "What is the matter?"
"When do you know is it's the right time to marry someone?" Roger asked as he turned to Benny, "Hey Benny…out of curiosity what made you marry Allison besides the fact you got her pregnant with your kid. You two are always constantly at each others' throats and practically screwing around with other people. After nearly seven years of marriage, why did you still stay with her? Was it because you had to for your son's sake or you loved her?"
"Allison and I will always have our differences and each of us was at fault for the flaws in our relationships," Benny replied, "Don't get me wrong but I love Allison and I married her because I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. It was true I sold out the day we eloped to get married in the Hamptons. Originally she planned got accepted to Berkley and she gave it up for me...even if she went against her father's wishes. You marry someone to endure everything in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till deaths do you part."
"Wow you never told us that," Collins replied, "Seeing Benny being opened and honest is kind of a surprising trait. All I remember you as is being stuck up and egotistic and the rich yuppie we've come to known you as."
"People do surprise you Collins," Benny added, "So…Roger why suddenly the curious question of marriage all of a sudden? You never talked about remarrying or evening dating for that matter after April died. If you love someone with all your heart and soul is willing to commit yourself to spending the rest of your life with that person, then you know you're ready. I married Allison because I knew she was the one for me…I married her out of love, commitment and obligation. I promised I would spend the rest of my life with this woman without running from her and sticking by her through all the shit that's happened."
"What if you loved someone so much you would do anything to prevent losing them for the rest of your life?" Roger asked, "Would you marry them in a heartbeat?"
"It all depends on your logic and motives behind it," Benny replied, "All I can suggest to you Roger is if you're planning to spend the rest of your life with Mimi then think about. Marriage is a lifetime commitment and you have to be if this is what you want for you and Mimi. Then there is Courtney to consider accepting the concept of a stepmother. Will there some other motives to consider marrying Mimi than what is on your mind?"
"I…just don't want to lose her that's all," Roger sighed, "She is what keeps me in line next to my daughter. All I want is to give Courtney the family she was deprived of for six years. I promised April that I wasn't going to let Courtney turn out like me and I going to get my redemption for everything I did. I know that I don't want to make the same mistake twice and I want to make things right for once in my life…I'm afraid of losing Mimi!"
"Is…that true?" a voice said with Courtney in hand. Roger turned around and found Mimi, "Is that true…you're afraid of losing me?"
"Yes…you heard what I said?" Roger suddenly asked, "The two of you heard every word?"
"Do you want to marry Aunt Mimi daddy?" Courtney asked as she turned to Mimi, "I heard you want to marry her…you want me to have a mommy."
"Oh gosh Mimi I didn't mean to put you on the spot," Roger replied nervously, "Please…at least say something to show I'm not scaring you."
"Okay…what's there to say except I just overheard my boyfriend he wants to marry me because he's afraid of losing me," Mimi answered, "Next to Courtney…I'm what keeps you in line. Look I love you a lot but this…is also what I had on my mind too after your trip to Santa Fe. I…have to think about this for a little while. Courtney I just need to think for a little while I'm leaving you with your dad."
"Aunt Mimi what's wrong? Is it me?" Courtney asked, "Is it what daddy said? I'm sorry if it's my fault."
"No sweetie nothing is your fault," Mimi and Roger both replied, "You're not at fault for anything."
"What your dad is saying is we just need some time to ourselves alone," Mimi said as she walked off away, "If…you need me Roger I'll be around and we'll meet up after sunset. I should tell you something then."
"I'll wait till after sunset," Roger said, "We'll just find each other then."
After Sunset…
Roger was waiting by the cars as he pulled out from his pocket a ring which once belonged to his grandmother…he was hoping maybe he'll give it one day to Mimi. In his mind basically he thought this engagement was an act of desperation. He leaned against Benny's Range Rover with Courtney pondering.
"Hey sweetie…would you be happy if I ever considered marrying Aunt Mimi?" Roger asked.
"It wouldn't matter but I would like her to be my new mommy," Courtney smiled, "She's the nicest and prettiest lady you ever liked daddy. You two look cute together as Uncle Mark says. I don't want her to go away…and I don't want you to go away too daddy."
"I know kiddo and I don't want to lose either you or her," Roger replied holding his daughter's hand, "You two are all I got left that matters to me."
"Just like how you matter to me," Mimi came out replying, "Now you know what it feels like to fear losing someone that matters to you. I admitted I was scared that you leave once you got the job in Santa Fe just like how you were afraid of me getting the job in London. We may love each other Roger but our dreams is what will separate us somehow in the end because it is something we've been pursuing for years…what you call your one glaze of glory."
"Look if I scared you in any chance with a surprise proposal of some sort I'm sorry," Roger added, "It might have been a desperate act of something because of fear…but I didn't know what I was thinking at first. However, I know now why I was talking about the concept of marriage earlier because I wanted to make things right for once…if you would consider it."
"Consider the matrimony of marriage?" Mimi smiled as she held Roger's hand, "Will…you be willing to go through this all the way if I said yes?" Roger got down on one knee and held Mimi's hand as he pulled out a ring.
"Mimi Marquez…will you marry me?" Roger smiled, "Will you be a family with Courtney and me?"
"If this is what you truly desire in your heart," Mimi smiled, "Then…I will accept. Yes…I will marry you tonight."
"Okay then that's settled then," Roger replied as the two kissed, "Fine we'll find a wedding chapel somewhere in Westport and get hitched tonight then…just you and me and Courtney as our witness."
"I know this seems like a big rush…but I do like the whole eloping thing," Mimi smiled kissing Roger back, "Seems very Romeo and Juliet like by getting a quick marriage to announce their true love just like us."
"So will that mean by tonight Aunt Mimi is going to be part of our family?" Courtney asked.
"That's right my little miracle girl you're finally going to get a new mommy," Roger smiled as he hugged the both of them, "And the three of us will be a family."
"Hooray daddy and Aunt Mimi are getting married!" Courtney smiled giving them hugs, "I'm going to have a new mommy! I finally have a new mommy! We're going to be a family!"
"But first daddy needs to hotwire Uncle Benny's Range Rover so we can drive to Westport and get married," Roger replied as he found the driver door to the Range Rover opened, "He wouldn't mind would he?"
"This so Bohemian and juvenile of us," Mimi laughed as she tried to help Roger, "Some quick wheels to get us hitched by tonight."
"And what wouldn't Benny mind huh?" Benny said as he saw Roger and Mimi trying to hotwire his car, "I wouldn't mind sticking my nose in unnecessary business but would I wonder why you two are trying to hotwire my car?"
"Well you see it's just huh…" the two of them tried to explain as Benny looked on suspicious.
"Daddy and Aunt Mimi are going to get married tonight!" Courtney replied, "But they want to get married now so they said it's a secret!"
"You two…are seriously going to elope tonight?" Benny asked, "This is no joke right?"
"A desperate act of love between two people who truly don't want to lose each other," the two of them replied holding hands, "It's a rush and this is our way of expressing it. Please…don't breathe a word to the others Benny."
"If it's in the name of true love…then elope," Benny replied as he pulled out the keys, "C'mon Courtney we're going to a wedding and watch Roger and Mimi get married."
"Thank you Benny," Roger replied, "So are you ready for the next step?"
"Ready as I will be with you," Mimi smiled as Benny drove the newly engaged couples to a nearby wedding chapel with Courtney to witness Roger and Mimi get married.
