Enjoy part seven! Thanks all readers and reviewers! No flames but I love reviews! Happier chapter though!
Disclaimer: I don't own Rent ):
Turn This House Into A Home
Chapter 7: Fall For You
Lily POV:
Waking up, I noticed I wasn't in my own room. I felt much better. Turning I looked at a clock. 7:28am. I rubbed my eyes as memories of yesterday came flooding back. I'm in Mark's room. I got up slowly and cautiously left the room. Looking around I guessed everyone was still asleep, so I got a glass of water then, I almost turned around to leave until I saw someone lying on the couch. I tip-toed over and saw Mark lying on his back, fast asleep, a blanket draped over him. I couldn't contain the smile that crossed my face. He looks so innocent. His glasses were on the table next to him and his breathing was slow and calm. I bent down toward him and, hesitantly, reached my hand out and stroked the side of his face. He took a sharp breath and slightly nuzzled his face into my hand, then slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times before slowly grabbing my hand and kissing it. Awww…
"How ya feeling today?" He asked stroking my hand with his thumb.
"Much better, have you heard from Joanne yet?"
"No…she said she'd call. Where is everyone?" He looked around.
"Still sleeping…its not even 8 yet…Sorry about taking your bed."
"Don't be. I'm just glad your better. Should we get up." He started to sit up but, I stopped him.
"Not yet…its to early." I smiled before climbing under the blanket with him. Putting my head on his chest he instantly wrapped his arms around me. This is where I felt truly safe. I felt him relax under me as he began falling back to sleep. With the sound of his heartbeat in my ear, I too was lulled back to sleep.
Sometime later the smell of food woke me up. Opening my eyes I saw Roger, Collins, and Maureen in the kitchen. The door to Roger's room opened and Mimi walked out.
"Look whose up." She smirked. "I take it your feeling better?" I blushed when everyone looked over at me lying on a still sleeping Mark.
"Much better." I started to shake Mark awake. I got off him allowing him to sit up. "Smells good in there."
"I thought a hot breakfast would be nice for once," Roger looked up from his pan.
"I think I'll shower first." I started toward the bathroom attached to Mark's room. Grabbing a towel, I took a quick but really nice shower. Then I realized, I had no clothes to change into but my dirty ones from yesterday. I wrapped the towel around myself and asked Mimi for a change of clothes. She gave me a long sleeved red shirt and black skirt. The clothes fit me okay so I changed and headed for the main room. During breakfast, I nervously tapped my fork against my plate.
"Something on your mind?" Maureen asked.
"Just anxious to hear from Joanne," I replied picking up my plate and washing it in the sink. A knock at the door caused me to jump, Roger got up and quickly answered it.
"Lily here?" Joanne asked walking in. I rushed to her.
"Well?" I bit my lip.
"I'm here to inform you, that because of the evidence, your testimonies, Travis's record with the police, and his attempted murder on you, he was given 30 years in state prison." She smiled. "And you've been given a restraining order against him." She handed my the paperwork. "Congratulations Lily" She smiled as I hugged her tightly.
"Thank you so much Joanne." I'm free.
"The guards that tazered him really did a number on him. Asshole went to prison looking like a mummy." She explained. It's over…finally. I pulled away from her and rushed over to Mark wrapping my arms around him. I pulled away happily and kissed him fully on the lips right in front of everyone.
" Is that a blush Marky-boy?" Maureen joked
"No!" He said quickly as his cheeks grew red. We all laughed. Things are going to get better now…
"Time to celebrate now, we can forget this whole mess because we have a certain wedding to focus on…" I piped up.
"Yes we certainly do." Mimi kissed Roger. I smiled, Much better.
"How about we get started, we could take Mimi to that cute little bridal shop down the way." Maureen suggested excited. "Come on, just us girls hanging out!"
"The sounds nice." Mimi replied. "Lets go!" We began grabbing our coats and shoes.
"Sorry boys." I giggled. "…girls day!"
"What are we supposed to do now?" Roger pouted. Mimi kissed him quickly.
"Have a boys day with Mark and Collins!" She replied laughing.
"Joanne, you coming?" I asked her.
"Sure." She replied, and we were off leaving the boys alone.
"What do you think the boys are up too?" I laughed.
"Who knows! Whatever it is boys do I guess…" Mimi giggled.
"You know their lost without us right now." Joanne added. We laughed in agreement. Arriving at the bridal shop we were all excited to help Mimi pick out a dress. The dress shop wasn't huge but it was really cozy with racks of dresses everywhere.
"May I help you ladies with anything?" A store clerk asked nicely.
"Yeah! We're here to find a dress for our friend Mimi here!" Maureen stepped forward excited gesturing to Mimi. The clerk smiled.
"Well, I can pick some things out for you and we'll see were it goes, Mimi do you have anything special in mind." The clerk, whose nameplate read Sarah asked.
"Not really." Mimi replied.
"Ok, I'll be right back." The clerk disappeared. We started browsing through some of the dresses idly.
"I never thought I'd end up here.' Mimi turned to me. "With Roger."
"He loves you so much." I smiled to her. "Your wedding is going to be beautiful."
"I'm glad we're making some more money now." She replied. "I want this to be special, you know."
"It will be." I told her. The clerk returned with some dresses and ushered Mimi to the dressing room. Maureen, Joanne, and I waited for her outside on some sofas.
"This is so exciting Pookie." Maureen was about to bubble over with excitement. Mimi came out in the first dress and stood in front of the mirror.
"Well…?" She asked, turning slowly.
"Hmm, its nice but…its not you." Maureen stated. Joanne and I agreed at Mimi began trying on more dresses. After about six dresses, she found one that caught our attention. It was a fitted, strapless dress with a sweetheart top; at the waist it flowed out, gracefully hanging around her. It was simply elegant and look really gorgeous on her.
"Mimi, that dress is…" I trailed off.
"Perfect!" Maureen jumped out of her seat.
"I agree. Your look great Mimi!" Joanne added.
"I love this dress…I'm so happy…" Mimi sighed as her eyes filled with tears. I hugged her as she wiped her eyes. "I want this one."
"Great!" Mimi changed out of the dress and paid for it, thanked the nice clerk, and left the shop.
"Well, that one of like a thousand things we have to do, Roger and I are still considering the wedding date, depends on where we get married." Mimi spoke.
"Well, you have us to help you!" I offered.
"Once we get some more money together, we could do more. Ugh…which reminds me, I have work later." Mimi sighed. "I should get home.."
"Yeah, I should get home and work on some paintings." I agreed.
"Pookie and I are going to dinner later." Maureen took Jo's hand.
Joanne and Maureen departed as Mimi and I enter the building. I said a quick goodbye to her and enter my apartment. After grabbing a quick meal I changed into a big white t shirt and jeans, both were covered in paint then set the clothes Mimi lent me aside to give to her later. I walked into my studio which was full of blank canvases, paint, along with other supplies. Soon I went to work. I didn't have a particular topic that I painted all the time. Usually whatever inspires me. Flowers, buildings, people, landscapes; living in New York defiantly helps my creativity. So much to look at, I love the buildings and skylines through the city. After on painting I'd set it out to dry then move to another and so on, I usually worked fast depending on what I was painting. I don't sell all of my painting, some I keep in a large closet attached to the room. Hours later, after finishing up some paintings of the beautiful architecture within New York. I picked up a really large canvas. I had to prop this one against the wall, it was so big.
"Hmmm…" I muttered tapping my chin. I picked up a piece of charcoal and began to draw. Soon faces and people began to take shape as the first thing the came to mind were my new boho friends. I smiled as each of their faces came to mind, I hope this one turns out. This could be my masterpiece. I giggled at the thought. Minutes later someone knocked at the door.
"Mark!" I exclaimed happily, hugging him. "What are you doing here?" I asked, noticing he had his camera with him.
"I was out filming and thought I come bother you for awhile." He grinned. I stepped aside letting him in, then took is arm and led him to the couch. "How was your "girls day," he joked with air quotes.
"Fun, Mimi got her wedding dress. How was your "Boys day?" I mocked him.
"We talked about the wedding for awhile actually, then the issue of money." He sighed. "We should start taking bets on who completely sells out." He let out a quiet laugh. "Then again, anything is better then Buzzline, can't believe I worked there." He set his camera down on the table
"Aww the wondrous life of a starving artist." I teased. He nodded in agreement.
"Well, selling footage only gets you so far…speaking of art, actually…you look like you got into a fight with a paint brush…or two." He teased back and gestured to my clothes.
"Well, I was on a roll….till a certain someone interrupted me." I crossed my arms and turned away pouting. He just laughed.
"I think you'll forgive me." He smirked, as I turned back to him and playfully glared.
"Now why would I forgive you Mister Cohen?" I asked. He smiled and pressed his lips to mine. I instantly responded but he pulled away from a second.
"That's why.." His hand caressed my cheek and he kissed me again. I got closer to him wrapping my arms around his neck. The kiss got deeper and I felt his tongue boldly caress my bottom lip, I opened my mouth and our tongues met. I moaned lightly. Is it hot in here? He broke the kiss and moved to my cheek, planting light kisses down my jaw and neck. I gasped running my fingers through his hair.
"M-mark?" I let out a shaky breath.
"Hmm?" He mutter against my neck.
"I love you." I really do…
"I love you too."