Hello all! Thanks for reading! I love me some reviews, no flames pretty please. Enjoy the update, the stories almost over. OMG and I just now realized my Brittany/Brittney mistakes, sorry! We all make mistakes and it won't happen again! I PROMISE!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's. I wish I owned RENT...

Turn This House Into A Home

Chapter 22: It's Not Your Fault

Lily POV

It was dark when we got home from the hospital. They wrapped the scratches on my hands and gave me some pills for anxiety. Maureen and Joanne are coming over tomorrow to check on us, Collins is staying with Roger and Mimi upstairs, and we don't know were Luke went; he disappeared after being questioned by the police. I, honestly, didn't want him in trouble so I made sure the police knew he was on our side. Beth was fast asleep in my arms, as I held her close. I kissed the top of her head.

"I love you so, so much baby girl..." I whispered into her hair.

"Let me take her to bed love...I'll meet you in the room..." Mark's voice took me out of my thoughts. I quietly nodded and he took Beth out of my arms. I entered the bedroom and stripped down to my shirt and panties then went into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, washed my face and took a pill. Entering the bedroom again, I sat on my side of the bed. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I put my head in my hands. A few tears slid out my eyes as I remembered that look Brittany gave me as she started to fall. I feel so...numb. Brittany's screams started to echo through my head. I clammed my hands over my ears. Make it stop! Please...

Mark POV

After putting Beth in her crib, I pulled off my coat and shoes and went into our room. I froze. Lily was on the bed with her hands over her ears. Her knees were pulled up to her chestand her eyes were squeezed shut. She was rocking slightly and tears leaked out of her eyes. I took her arm.

"Lily...?" I pulled her body onto my lap as she began to sob. "Talk to me please..." I begged. "Tell me how to make you feel better..." She clung to me, shaking more.

"Its m-my fault...she d-died. Everything t-thats h-happened to a-all of u-us...Its all my fault Mark!..." She cried into my chest.

"Lillian, none of this because of you...Look at me..." I took her chin and tilted it so her eyes met mine. "Brittany did that to herself...you hear me...she made a choice. Hey, were going to get married and everythings going to fall into place. Beth's going to grow up perfectly fine and she'll be as beautiful as you. I can't wait to marry you." I wiped tears off her face and kissed her. "Go to sleep now..." She started to relax against me. I ran my finger through her hair in an attempt to calm her. Soon enough, she was asleep; closing my eyes, I followed soon after.

Later the next day: Lily POV

"Are you sure you don't want to go out?" Mark sat on my side of the bed. "Roger and Mimi are in the living room and Maureen and Jo want to see you...Collins is supposed to meet us there to after he gets some work done..." He explained.

"I know..." I replied quietly. What's wrong with me?

"You could use the fresh air and the company..." He reasoned. I averted my gaze from his. "You can't stay in this bed forever...this isn't you." He got closer to me. "Your stronger then this Lillian...get up..." He said firmly and somewhat impatient now.

"No..." I started to get upset and turned away from him.

"I'll be back..." He huffed, got up, and went into the bathroom. I heard the shower turn on behind me. What the...? I jumped when Mark was suddenly behind me again. Before I could react his arms went around my waist and he pulled me from the bed. I gasped loudly.

"Mark! What are you doing!" I shrieked flailing around before he slug me over his shoulder with some unknown strength. Everything went by fast and suddenly my clothes were soaked as he practically dropped me in the tub. The lukewarm water coming from the shower covered me; my hair stuck to my face and my legs were still slug over the side of the tub. I looked up at him in shock, my mouth agape and unable to form any words. I can't believe he just did that... He stared down at me with and unreadable expression...then he smiled..."What's wrong with you?"

"I don't have my camera...that's what's wrong..." He laughed then. "I just thought some water would clear your head..." He took of his glasses and clean the water off them.

"C'mon jokes over now!" I whined and reached out toward him for help. He put his glasses on the sink and took my hand. I tightened my grip, grabbed his arm and pulled him in with me. Revenge is sweet... He gave me a look of shock before we burst out laughing. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed him.

"I thought you were angry..." He grinned.

"Thank you..." I ran my hand through his wet hair.

"Is this a sex thing?" An amused voice from the door spoke. Roger stood there with Mimi, who was holding a giggling Beth.

"Roger...," Mark rolled his eyes.

"You know Meems, this is why we're never invited over..." He flashed a large grin and walked toward us and sat down in the tub between Mark and I. The water showered over him, matting his hair down over his face. I giggled as he flipped his hair out of his face.

"Look at the children Beth." Mimi smiled down at her.

"Jealous." Roger simply replied and put his arms around Mark and I. I love these people.

Later

After the "shower," the three of us got cleaned up and changed our clothes. Collins, Maureen, and Joanne were probably already waiting for us. I was waiting outside the loft with Beth when Roger came back down the stairs. Mark was grabbing his camera.

"How ya' holding up?" He asked.

"Better actually." I replied, Beth's little fingers playfully tugged on my hair."Hey Roger...can I ask you something?"

"Yeah...anything..." He smiled

"I asked Mimi to be my maid of honor and well...you've become someone I can really talk to, like an amazing older brother." I paused. "Would you...walk me down the aisle at my wedding?" I smiled hopefully.

"Wow...yes of course," He grinned back "...it would be my honor, future Mrs. Cohen." I hugged him with one arm then.

"Thanks Rog..." Soon Mimi and Mark joined us and we left. The weather was nice today. Beth coo'ed happily in her stroller. When I entered The Life Cafe, I almost got tackled down when Maureen threw her arms around me.

"Thank god your okay! Collins filled us in!" Maureen said in a rush. We sat down at the table with them.

"I'm fine guys...really...everyone is safe. I, honestly, just feel sorry for Brittany, her life could have been so much different..." I replied setting up Beth in a highchair.

"Yeah..." Everyone agreed as I took a seat next to Mark. We all chatted for a while about the wedding plans, Maureen and Joanne's now upcoming adoption, and ordered some food. Maureen abrubtly looked up at something behind me and glared.

"What do you want?" She said harshly. I turned around and saw Luke, he nervously looked down at his feet. "How could you even show your face here?" She tried to stand but Joanne held her down, as couple people at tables around us looked over..

"He saved me..." I looked at her.

"I have something to say..." Luke said quietly.

"Lily! He was still helping her." Maureen reasoned with me.

"Let him speak..." Collins spoke up finally. Luke approched the table then.

"I know, nothing I can say, to any of you, makes up for what I've done...I helped Brittany for my own selfish reasons. I did whatever she told me to because she paid for me. I'm sorry...for everything. For beating Mark up, for lying, and for betraying all of your trusts. I'm sorry for hurting you too Collins, I hope we can fix our friendship. I should've stopped this from happening, I don't deserve to be forgiven. I know I don't...I'm a horrible person..."

"Sit down..." I told him. He looked surprised but grabbed an empty chair a sat by me. I felt everyone eyes on us. Mark took my hand comfortingly. "I know what a horrible person is...your not one..." Luke gazed at me confused. "Sometimes...we get ourselves into situations...that...well, we aren't proud of..." I paused. "Hopefully, we're lucky enough to escape those situations, and learn from them...we're supposed to grow and move on with our lives. I learned a long time ago that regrets just hold us back. No matter what, the days will just keep passing, we need to live our lifes, in the best possible way we can...Luke I forgive you..." I put my hand over his to put him at ease and gave him a smile. Slowly he returned it.

Later that night

"You did a good thing today." Mark smiled as he stripped down to his boxers.

"I did, didn't I? It felt like the it was right thing...we're going to be okay, aren't we, Mark?" I got into bed.

"Yeah...I think we are." He pulled the covers over us and pulled me into his arms. "Did you notice that Luke and Collins seemed to be really getting along?"

"Yeah...I think they might be growing closer now...I think they'll be good for eachother..." I said honestly. "Angel wants him to be happy again." I nuzzled into his chest and sighed content. "Night Mark..."

"Goodnight, love."

AUTHOR NOTE: Hey allll! Probably going to have one more chapter now! Thanks for reading. XOXO.