I wanted to upload this yesterday but circumstances ya know? Anyway, it was have been great because the day the story starts (this chapter) is May 1st and I thought it'd be cute but just like I dropped the ball about the last story in this series, well… you know.
This story is Marcy centric but it will still have all of the Fabanges. Hopefully it hasn't been so long and you remember these characters! This is a Melcy (Mal/Ellen/Marcy) story with Minke (Mercedes/Quinn/Mike), Bartana (Brittany/Artie/Santana) and Karnia (Karou/Arnold/Yuria) ships as well as their parents, friends, Sam, Maddie (whoa!) and Pade (Paris/Jude).
This is set in 2017 but if you want, you can pretend it's 2019.
Hope you enjoy and review!
NJPNJPNJP
Marcy Chang yawned and turned to face her husband. She didn't want to get up but she had to deal with the kids.
She stretched and kissed his nose before throwing the covers back. She got out of bed and waddled to the bathroom. She used the toilet and washed her hands before getting to the business of brushing her teeth and washing her face. It was a long drawn out affair as she brushed her teeth with more than one product along with flossing and mouthwash. She also washed her face (and neck) with soap and a scrub and a homemade facial wash.
After she felt more human, she hopped in the shower. She had a relatively easy time washing herself although she was six months pregnant. Once she was finished, she dried off and went to the closet to pick out her outfit for the day.
It was balmy in May so she chose jean shorts, a grey short sleeved shirt and a long billowing kimono style jacket. She chose a pair of her favorite black chucks (a guy crowd surfing) and knee high Christmas style socks.
She got dressed after putting on powder, fragrance, deodorant and lotion. She wore makeup more now than she did as a teen but she still picked and chose when she did so she only put on eyeliner and lipstick.
She took her shower cap off and began brushing her hair. She hadn't straightened it in a week so it was completely relaxed and very full. Since she cut her hair in 2013, it'd grown back down her back but also further past her thighs. She knew she looked like she was Amish but she felt no need to cut her hair so she wouldn't. Plus, Mal loved playing in her hair at night.
She tossed her hair over her shoulder and got up to go to the nursery. Their youngest baby, Aisling would be sharing a room with the new baby (which they didn't know the sex of). In the meanwhile, she had the room to herself and seemed to revel in it.
Marcy picked the baby up and made a face at her. She was awake and cooing so Marcy sat in the rocking chair and began feeding her. Aisling was hungry and suckled thirstily. Marcy had to switch breasts.
After feeding her, Marcy took her daughter to the hall bathroom and washed her body. It was a bit difficult because Aisling liked to splash and Marcy didn't relish changing. Finally the baby was clean so Marcy dressed her and put her back in her crib.
"Wait right there, terror." Marcy blew out a breath and went to wake the twins. That was easier said than done because Mally slept like his father and hated being awoken just like him.
But Marcy had a trick for both. She kissed them awake. Mickey woke up from Mally's giggles. "Good morning, Mommy."
"Good morning, baby." Marcy went to Mickey's bed and gave her kisses.
Mickey held her mom's face to hers and giggled.
Marcy gave her one last kiss. "Okay, it's time to get up for school. Come on. Up, up, up."
Mickey threw back the covers and climbed from her bed. "Mommy, can I wear my purple dress with the polka dots? Annalise is gonna wear hers and we want to match."
Marcy smiled. Annalise was Mickey's best friend. "Of course. You want to pick out Bro-Bro's clothes?"
"Yeah!" Mickey giggled.
"Ugh!" Mally groaned, still in bed.
"Get up, boy!" Marcy barked.
"But Mommy,-!" He whined.
"I don't wanna hear it. Get up and go brush your teeth."
Mally got up, pouting.
"Make your bed." Marcy smirked. He was just like her and hated making the bed. Luckily for her, she had Mal, who made the bed every morning.
Mally sulked as he made the bed.
Mickey happily made hers before skipping to the closet for her polka dotted purple dress. She gathered a pair of jeans and a soccer jersey for her brother.
Marcy was sure they could get dressed without her so she went to wake up Riley, calling over her shoulder. "Make sure you wash behind your ears, Mally!"
Mally grumbled under his breath but he'd do what his mother said.
Marcy went to Riley's room and woke the three year old up. She wasn't happy about it. "Stop it, Rye. Get up."
"But Mommy,-" She whined.
"You have preschool. Don't you want to see your friends?"
Riley thought it over. "Okay."
"Go wash up and brush your teeth with your brother and sister." Marcy set about making Riley's bed, knowing that she'd do a better job than the little girl picking out her outfit for the day.
Marcy left and went to the triplets' room. Each was still in a crib but Marcy knew they'd want their freedom soon. She went to each crib and lifted a sleeping child out to kiss awake before moving onto the next one.
"Morning, Mommy!" Cheyenne squeezed Marcy's neck.
"Morning, my potato latke." Marcy gave her an extra kiss before setting her on her feet.
"Good morning, Mommy." Christian said in his serious way.
"Good morning, young sir." Marcy teased.
"Morning, Mommy." Calliope yawned, not fully awake.
"Morning, blueberry compote."
Calliope gave a sleepy smile at her nickname.
"What do you want to wear today?" Since the triplets were only two, Marcy still picked out their clothes.
"Red!" Christian became animated.
"Green!" Calliope awakened.
"Grey!" Cheyenne lobbied for her favorite color.
"Well let's see." Marcy went to their closet and searched through racks of clothes. She found red shorts and a red top for her son, a green dress with blue tights for her eldest triplet daughter, Calliope and a grey dress with white tights for her youngest triplet daughter, Cheyenne.
The kids began cheering when she handed over their clothes. She herded them into the bathroom, where the oldest three were brushing their teeth after getting dressed.
She ran water in the sink and grabbed three towels to wash the triplets with. Once they were clean she made them brush their teeth. She reminded the older little ones to get their things for school and head down to the kitchen.
When the triplets finished brushing their teeth, Marcy brushed their hair then cleaned the bathroom before going to Aisling's room for her then leading her child troop downstairs.
She went to all the rooms to open curtains and blinds before going to the kitchen. The triplets went to the booth while Marcy put Aisling in her highchair.
Marcy got out pots and pans before going to the fridge to look for ingredients. She decided to make an egg scramble and toast so she grabbed the items and got started.
By the time there was an impressive stack of toast, Riley and the twins had made it down.
Making the scramble was easy but Marcy did it in batches so the kids could hurry and eat. By the time they all dug in, Mal walked in.
He went straight for his wife and kissed her. The kids were the only people she consented public displays of affection in front of. "Good morning, my lovely bride."
"Did you sleep well?" Marcy got started on making coffee for them both.
"I was wrapped around you. Of course I did." He sat at the booth and greeted his children.
"Daddy!" They all shouted.
They all began talking at once, telling him of their plans for the day. He grinned and nodded like he could understand them.
Marcy brought him his coffee then went about feeding the animals. After, she mixed up cereal for Aisling then sat at the table to feed her and herself.
Time passed as they all ate and talked. When they were finished, a person walked in. Marcy's mother, Rose. "Hi, my grandbabies!"
"Gram!" The kids shouted.
"Good morning, Mother." Mal drained his coffee mug.
"Good morning, my son." Rose stuck her cheek out so he could kiss it. He did.
"Morning, Momma." Marcy stood up.
"How'd you sleep, dear?"
"As usual but I don't think I woke up so that's a plus."
Rose hummed. "I don't know if I like that."
Marcy shrugged. "Okay, it's time for school. Say goodbye to Gram."
"Bye, Gram!" Riley and the twins waved as they crawled out of the booth.
"Say goodbye to your younger siblings."
The trio hugged Aisling and the triplets. "Bye! See you afterschool!"
"Where's my hugs?"
The three giggled before attacking her in hugs and kisses. "Bye, Mommy!"
"Bye, my little cherubs." Marcy would miss them like she did whenever they weren't in her sight.
Mal kissed her again. "See you after work."
"Bye." Marcy hugged him.
"Come on, road warriors! Let's get going!" Mal took the kids to school every morning.
Riley and the twins ran out screaming. He followed, chuckling.
Marcy gathered up the dirty dishes and loaded up the dishwasher before ushering the triplets out. "Go play!"
They ran to the playroom.
Marcy handed Aisling to her mother. "I'll be back."
"Be careful." Rose warned- again. "You're six months now and Scotch and Shaggy are extremely playful."
Marcy sighed. "Can I just walk my dogs?"
"You're going to listen to me one of these days."
"I listen now." Marcy clicked her tongue and all the dogs sat at attention. "Let's go for our walk!"
The dogs went crazy before running to the front door.
Marcy waved to her mom before going to the front door and hooking each dog up to a leash. She grabbed bags and the pooper scooper out of the hall closet.
They were wildly excited and the other animals were there to send them off. In addition to Secret, Smith, Shaggy, Sully, Scotch and Sabrina (and Socrates), there was a white kitten, Salem; a kid goat, Shū; a lamb, Shea and an iguana named Snowball along with Mickey's fish (that'd been replaced countless times without the little girl's knowledge), Blue.
Marcy closed the other animals up in the house and took the dogs downstairs. They were careful of her (she repeatedly told her mother this) and went down the steps slowly.
She went to the condo downstairs and rang the doorbell. She could have used her key to go inside and look for who she wanted but she didn't feel like it.
Quinn answered the door. "When are you going to stop ringing the doorbell? We're in the kitchen."
"I'm not. Especially when I get further along."
Quinn sighed heavily.
Marcy smiled. "Good morning."
"Noelle still likes to throw her breakfast." The blonde monotoned.
"Throw it back."
"Marcy!" Quinn laughed.
"Tell Mercy I'm waiting on her. And that Momma's upstairs."
"Ok-"
Quinn was cut off by Mike. "Excuse us."
Quinn stepped back. "It's time for you to leave already?"
"Yup."
Quinn wrinkled her nose. "Okay. Have a good day at rehearsals. Have a good day at school, Beth."
"Bye, Mommy." Beth waved from Mike's arms. "Hi, Tia! Bye, Tia!"
"Have a good day at school, Betty." Marcy blew her a kiss.
Beth smiled as she waved to the dogs.
Mike scooted by before kissing Quinn then Marcy's cheek. "See you guys later." He walked to the garage to get to Rhonda.
"I'll get Mercy then I'll take the kids up to Mother." Quinn said.
"Alright." Marcy nodded.
Quinn left the door open as she went back inside. Two cats ran out and began playing with the dogs.
"Hi, Fluffy. Hi, Oliver." Marcy patted both on the head.
It took no time at all for Mercedes to come out with Ozzie. "Hi, Marcy!"
"Morning, Mercy."
"Go back inside." Mercedes urged Fluffy and Oliver, who ignored her. She sighed and picked both up to toss back inside the apartment before shutting the door on them. "Ready to go?"
"Yep."
"Let's go."
MMC
"It's so crazy. I never thought I'd be able to work with Sydny Black! I'm so excited, I wasn't able to eat today."
Marcy looked at her sister in puzzlement. "She's just another person."
"I know you don't get fandom but I'm a fan of Sydny's. I have been since I was born. It's like how people feel about Momma."
"It's been two years and I still can't believe Momma put out another album. They would have just had to have sued me."
Mercedes giggled. "I love that it shot to number one and stayed there for ten weeks. People really remembered her."
"Oh they never let that dream die. They're lucky producers are greedy for money."
"I think it's more execs than producers but I know what you mean. Speaking of albums and working with people, what's going on with your latest album?"
"Ugh!" Marcy stopped when Smith did, pulling all the dogs to a halt as he decided if this was where he wanted to poop. "I keep writing all these love songs!"
"You always write love songs." Mercedes pointed out.
"Yeah but it's always intersped with heartache and party songs. For the past three weeks, I've written nothing but sickeningly sweet love songs. I feel like Céline Dion."
Mercedes laughed. "I'm sorry. Why do you think that is?"
"It's May." Marcy knew why.
"It's almost your birthday?"
"No, Mercy. School just ended."
"Yeah, and I'm so glad! Med school is way harder than I thought. The lectures go by so fast! And they don't go back!"
"One, I'm sure you're alright seeing as you made the Dean's list. Two, think. What did I say I was gonna do as soon as university ended?"
Mercedes's eyes widened. "Not Operation: Thruple!"
"Yes." Marcy scooped up Smith's poop and put it in a bag.
Mercedes smiled widely. "You're still doing this? I'm so happy for you!"
"I think we're still doing this. We talked about it when we went to see Karen in America this weekend but we haven't said anything since."
"What did you say?"
Marcy tied the bag and threw it in the nearest rubbish bin. "I was more telling Karen and Mari about the plan and when we were all together, he just confirmed it. We didn't say anything else."
"Hmm." Mercedes tapped her bottom lip as they continued moving. "Maybe you need to talk to see if it's still something you want to do?"
"I'm sure it is. I love her."
Mercedes squealed, still not used to those types of declarations from her little sister. "I'm sure she loves you, too."
"She hasn't said it yet. Then again I haven't either."
"That's okay. Now that you're all out of school, you can take time to get to know each other."
"Mercy, that's bloody brilliant!" Marcy stopped walking.
"It is?" Mercedes blinked as she stopped, too.
Marcy started walking again. "Yes! We need to get her here so she can spend time with us!"
Mercedes beamed. "You're welcome!"
MMC
Marcy opened the door and let the dogs off their leashes. They ran to their favorite places in the house as she put away the pooper scooper.
She went upstairs to wash her hands and take her medicine then she gathered her things for the day. She went downstairs and filled her water bottle with fruit infused water before she went back out the front door and went down to the garage for Travis.
She got in him and drove to the studio. She had a song to record and it'd been playing nonstop in her head for days. She made it and parked before going inside. She went straight to a studio that she'd booked in advance and sat her things down.
She had producing rights so she didn't need anyone with her as she fiddled with the controls. She started adding music before hitting record and going into the booth.
She put on her headphones so she could hear it and began singing. She made it through the whole song before hanging her headphones up and leaving the booth.
She sat in a comfy chair and played it back. It didn't sound exactly as it did in her head so she went for another take.
She kept at it all morning, adding layers and riffs and tweaking it just right. She ordered in and ate lunch at the console.
Her manager, Gianni walked in. "I heard you booked recording time."
Marcy nodded, her mouth full.
"What are you working on?" He sat next to her.
Marcy played back the song.
He grinned widely. "I love it! Is it about your hubby?"
"I hate that word." Marcy swallowed what was in her mouth.
"Stop being a sourpuss. You're pregnant. Be happy."
"You're right." Marcy's hormones kicked in.
He smiled. Those hormones worked in his favor. "I love the song. But I don't think it fits with the album. How about we release it as a single?"
"Whatever you want."
His eyebrows wiggled. "Leave your husband."
"I don't think your wife would like that." She raised her eyebrows.
He smiled. "She'll be fine."
"She's going to kick your ass one day."
"I'll just buy her something shiny."
"That's only holding it off. You can't buy jewelry everyday."
His expression turned sly. "Hey! That's a great idea!"
"Alright. Don't listen to me. She's going to leave your flirtatious ass. Don't say I didn't warn you."
He blew a raspberry. "Nah!"
"Get out. I'm tired of talking to you."
"No, rude girl! We need to go over some details about the album and the tour."
Marcy groaned. "Do we have to do that now?"
"Yes! Now you've been putting it off because quote unquote "I have to prepare for finals" but school is over. You have a career."
It was Marcy's turn to blow a raspberry.
"I don't care." He sat up. "Now lets talk about the album. You need to finish it."
"I can't get a moment's rest, can I?" She drawled.
He simply stared at her.
She sighed. "I'll finish it."
"When?" He pressed.
"Soon."
"Not good enough." He knew her loopholes after three years.
She rolled her eyes. "Give me a week."
"Good." He opened his ever present folder and went to his checklist. "Now about the tour-"
"I still don't think I should go on tour. I'm pregnant. What if I give birth on the road? My husband will never forgive me."
"I told you I'd schedule you a week off around your due date."
"Not good enough." She threw his words back in his face. "Besides I miss my kids every time I go on tour."
He sighed heavily. "How about we bring your whole family on tour? Then will this be over?"
Marcy thought about it. "I'll have to talk it over with Mal. His boss is shitastically nutballs."
Gianni smirked. "You complain about this man all the time-"
"He has a crush on my husband!"
"He's his mentor!"
"Whatever." She folded her arms over her chest.
He smiled. "Don't be like that. He just wants what's best for him."
She stared him down.
"Or don't believe me. Let's get back to the tour."
MMC
Marcy went through the swinging doors into the kitchen of Fresh. "Hey."
"You're late." Quinn gasped.
"Gianni wanted to talk about the tour." Marcy put on an apron.
Quinn smiled. "I can't wait to go on tour. Everyone's so excited about the album."
"Ugh! Don't remind me. I have a week to finish mine."
"Why are you putting it off?" Mercedes spoke up.
Marcy turned to her quickly.
"Marcy, you're putting it off. You could have been done weeks ago. What's holding you back?"
Marcy stuck her tongue out. "I am not putting it off! The songs aren't right!"
"They sound great." Quinn slipped in.
"No, they don't."
"Yes, they do." Mercedes put her foot down. "What's going on, Marce? Is it what we talked about earlier?"
"What'd you talk about earlier?" Quinn wanted to know.
"Marcy's apprehensive about approaching Ellen."
Marcy's mouth fell open. "I am not!"
"Yes, you are."
"I'm about to punch you."
Mercedes pouted. "Well you are."
"Why are you nervous?" Quinn didn't get it. "You talk to her every day. You send each other gifts for every holiday. You're meant to be."
"You don't understand. You married Mikey." Marcy frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Both Leos were upset.
"You've known Mikey since before you knew what relationships were. The fact that your roads led to him is hardly surprising and I only wonder what took so long. I have that with Mal. But that's not the case with Ellen."
"You don't feel like your love is foretold." Mercedes could cry. Literally. After having her daughter a few months ago, she was still a mess of hormones.
"I guess." Marcy sighed.
"Marcy, it's not about how long you've known her."
"I know. Intellectually. But Mal knew her for years and had a real connection with her. They shouldn't have ever broken up."
"You're lovable, Marce."
Marcy said nothing.
"When's your next therapy appointment?" Quinn demanded.
"I don't need-"
"When?!"
"Tomorrow." Marcy sighed.
"Tell her how you're feeling."
"Fine."
"For the record, I think you three are made for each other. Just like us."
MMC
Marcy grabbed the mail out of the postbox and went back inside the building. She rode the elevator up to her apartment and opened the door.
Animals came to greet her as she shut the door behind herself. "Hi! Did you have a good day?"
Dogs barked happily.
She smiled before going to her office. She put away things from Fresh before flipping through the mail. It was mostly catalogs so she took them to the den then went upstairs to put away her other things from the day.
She took off her jacket and put it away before going downstairs. She went straight to the kitchen and spotted her mother-in-law chopping vegetables. "Hey."
"Hi, sweetie." Jeanette smiled. "How was your day?"
"Long. I shouldn't have gone to the gym."
"Why did you?"
"I had energy to work off."
"How's my grandson?"
"Now you know we don't know if it's a boy."
"I know."
Marcy smiled and shook her head. "Okay, Mother."
"What did you do at the gym?"
"Just walked on the treadmill then lifted some weights."
Jeanette gasped. "Lifted weights?! Marcy, that's so dangerous!"
"No, I mean I did arm curls with weights!" Marcy waved her hands.
Jeanette took a breath. "Good!"
"What are you making?" Marcy changed the subject.
"Irish stew. I know your stomach has been upset lately and you still can't keep anything down but you need a hearty meal before you die of starvation and malnutrition."
"Thank you. I'll make the salad." Marcy made a salad to accompany dinner every night.
Her phone went off as she pulled veggies from the fridge. She pulled her cell from her back pocket to check the screen.
"Who is it?" Jeanette asked.
"Sam. He wants to go to the comic store." Marcy set the veggies on the island counter.
"Right now?"
Marcy shrugged. "He didn't say."
"Mal and the kids will be home soon. Sam can spend hours at the comic book store."
Marcy smiled. "Yeah, he can. I'll just tell him we can go tomorrow."
"What's your plan for tomorrow?"
"Go to the studio, go to therapy then nothing."
Jeanette grinned mischievously. "Now that you're out of school, you have all this free time."
"Vaguely. At least until I start prepping for the tour."
"I can't believe you're going on tour pregnant. You're just like your grandmother."
"Lucy's going on tour and she's pregnant!"
"Lucy's barely pregnant. You're heavily pregnant."
"I am not! I'm only six months!"
"Anything more than four is heavily." Jeanette declared.
Marcy stuck her tongue out.
"Stop that. Besides the kids are going to miss you."
"They'll be fine. All of you guys are here."
"They still need their mother. They love you."
Marcy was quiet for a moment. "I love them."
"What are you going to do if you give birth on tour?"
"My manager said I can come home the week I'm due."
Jeanette stared at her.
"I know." Marcy rolled her eyes. "I think it's stupid, too."
"The baby could come early! Does he not know anything about babies?!"
"Apparently he was nowhere around when his own kids were born." Marcy shrugged.
"Men." Jeanette scoffed with an eye-roll.
Marcy's brows lifted momentarily in agreement. "He thinks I should bring Mal and the kids on tour with me."
"Really?" Jeanette was dumbfounded.
"Yeah. I can only ask but he can bring the kids when they get out of school then take them back when it starts again. If he wants."
"Just talk to him." Jeanette advised.
Marcy sighed. She had a headache from overthinking.
MMC
"Mommy!" Mally, Mickey and Riley stormed the playroom.
"Hi, babies!" Marcy smiled widely.
The trio began talking as one, telling her about their day and greeting their younger siblings at the same time.
She just let them talk even though she had no hope of understanding them.
Finally they wound down.
"How much homework do you have?" She asked.
"Not a lot." Mickey pouted. She actually liked homework and school.
While her twin viewed it as a necessary evil. He beamed. "I can do it really fast!"
"Oh, can you?" Marcy lifted a brow. "Go upstairs and do your homework. Dinner is soon."
"I'm really, really hungry." He got his appetite from his father.
"The faster you get done, the sooner you can eat." She enticed.
He kissed her cheek then ran out.
"Mommy, Mally's fat." Mickey reported.
"Just like Daddy." Marcy patted Mickey's legs. "Go do your homework."
"Okay, Mommy." Mickey kissed her cheek and walked out.
Marcy turned to Riley, who was too young for homework. "Did you say hi to Gram?"
Riley nodded. "She gave me a piece of bread."
"Was it yummy?"
She grinned. "Uh huh!"
"Good. Where's Daddy?"
"With Gram."
"Okay, you stay here and watch them. Make sure Ais doesn't eat anything." Marcy knew Riley would keep a close watch on her youngest sister.
"Okay, Mommy." Riley sat next to Aisling and took her hands.
Marcy got up and went to the kitchen. Mal was there with Jeanette. "Hey."
Mal smiled and opened his arms for her. She moved into them and he kissed her. "How was your day?"
She lifted a shoulder. "Okay. You?"
"Antoll's not happy. Lately all his shots have been "trite and contrived"."
What a wackadoodle… Marcy thought. "At least you're home now."
"Yep. I've been thinking about it all day. I just want to be with you."
She nuzzled his chest. "Do you have any work to do?"
"It's not necessary."
"Then let's go upstairs. We have to talk."
His brows lifted but Jeanette was the one to speak. "Don't take too long. I have to go soon."
"We won't." Marcy took Mal's hand and led him up to their bedroom.
He waited for her to speak when they got up there but she stared out at the balcony. "Marce, what is it?"
She turned around. "Gianni- do you want to come on tour with me?"
A brow raised. "Huh?"
"Do you and the kids want to come on tour with me?" She waited for his response.
He rolled the idea through his head. "I'd love to but Antoll's not going to let me disappear for three months."
Marcy didn't know how she felt. Did she even want him on tour with her? She'd miss him of course but when she was working (which touring was), she thought of little else but the job at hand.
He pulled her into his arms. "I'm going to miss you though."
She smiled, her retrospection broken. "I'm going to miss you, too."
"Where all are you even going?"
"Just Europe and Asia."
"Are you going to be doing press, too?"
"Unfortunately. You know I hate doing interviews."
"I know. So do I but they're necessary."
"Being famous is stupid."
He squeezed her. "Is this all we had to talk about?"
"No." She stared at him.
He shook her. "What else?"
"What are we going to do about Ellen?"
"What do you mean?" He frowned in confusion.
"University ended."
He blinked before sitting on the bed and pulling her to stand between his legs. "I don't know. We had a plan but is it too soon?"
Her eyes widened as if to say she didn't know. "Is she expecting us to make the first move? We shouldn't have told her what we planned."
"We wanted to be upfront and honest." Mal could kick himself for that.
Marcy exhaled sharply. "We love her, right?"
"Right." He nodded.
"And if you love someone, you should be with them barring extraordinary circumstances, which there are none for us. Right?"
"Right."
"So we should stop being scared and- and-"
"And?"
"I don't know." She blinked. "It's not like we can ask her out. She lives in America." She hadn't gotten much farther than somehow spending uninterrupted time with Ellen since walking the dogs with Mercedes that morning.
He put a hand to his mouth. "Maybe we have to think outside the box? Our situation isn't normal so we can't interject normal ideas into it."
"Okay, okay, how about we invite her here?"
"Here? For a date?"
"No. Like a mini vacation/trial run. To see how she'll fit in."
He thought about it. "That could work. But we're busy."
"You have days off and I have a ton of free time since I'm almost done with the album."
"You're almost done with the album? Congratulations!"
She smiled. "Thanks. I'm going into tour prep soon but I can just bring her. Would that be fun?"
He took in her worried countenance and pulled her in for a kiss. "It's very fun."
She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "Maybe you can take her to your job? I'm sure she'll love to be at a studio."
"That's a good idea. She'd love to meet Antoll."
Marcy said nothing about that man. "We got this! What about sleeping arrangements though? I don't want to push or assume."
"We can put her in the guest room and have an open door policy. It's going to be zero pressure."
She blew out a breath. "Zero pressure."
"Yes. On all of us. We're just going to see how we get along. It's going to be fun."
"Fun." Marcy repeated.
"Fun."
MMC
Marcy dried the last dish and went about wiping down the surfaces of the kitchen with a dishrag. She hummed to herself to the song playing on her phone.
When she was done, she grabbed a spoon and a pint of ice cream before picking up her phone and going to the den. After dinner, Mal had put on a movie for the kids and gone to the den to wait for his wife. Now they were going to watch their own movie.
Marcy sat close to her husband and curled her legs under herself.
"Are you sure you can eat that?" He asked.
"I don't care."
He smirked and wrapped an arm around her. "What do you want to watch?"
"Immortals."
He slid her a sideways glance. "You just want to see Luke Evans."
"That's true."
"No."
"Please?" She stuck her bottom lip out.
"Marce, I don't want to see you drooling over another guy."
"I won't drool. And besides, he'll get me halfway there. Less work for you."
"I'm not afraid of work."
She rubbed her nose against his. "I know you're not and I appreciate it but please? Please? Please? Please?"
He melted. "Fine."
"Yay! I love you." She kissed his cheek.
"Love you, too." He was so whipped.
She grinned and began eating her ice cream as he found the movie.
MMC
Marcy lifted the kids out of the bathtub and had them rub themselves down with bathtowels. She unplugged the tub and set about cleaning it as they put on their pajamas.
When she was finished, they were mostly dressed. She fixed what was necessary before picking up Aisling and dressing her. After, she led the kids out.
"Go to your rooms. Daddy and I will be there soon." She told Riley and the twins.
The trio scampered off.
Marcy went to the triplets' room and sat in the rocking chair. "Go get your books."
The triplets ran to the bookcase and each found a book they wanted read to them.
Mal came in as they were getting settled on her lap. "Story time?"
"Come on, Daddy!" They yelled.
He pulled a chair up to Marcy and sat down. Cheyenne slipped from her mother's lap and climbed into her father's. "What's first?"
The triplets spoke as one.
"How about this one?" Marcy picked a random one.
Christian cheered.
Marcy handed the book to Mal, who began to read. The kids were enthralled as he spoke deeply but still made voices for the different characters.
Once he finished with that story, he started another. When he finished with that one, he began the last. The triplets were nearly asleep but were fighting it.
Marcy began singing. The triplets didn't stand a chance.
Mal picked them up one by one to put in their cribs. Both parents kissed each before tiptoeing out.
They went to Aisling's room and put her down as she was asleep as well.
They traveled to Riley's room. She was in her bed, talking to her favorite stuffed animal.
"Ready to go night-night?" Marcy asked.
"No, Mommy. I wanna stay up with you guys." Riley shook her head.
"You gotta go to sleep, Sweetpea." Mal told her. "You'll be so tired in the morning if you don't."
"But Daddy, we can build towers and knock them down."
"That sounds like fun but you need your rest."
She pouted and widened her eyes.
He melted. "Maybe just one tower?"
"Yay!"
"No." Marcy killed that. "You're going to bed."
Riley crossed her arms.
"Come on, Rye." Mal sat on her bed. "Don't pout."
"But Daddy,-"
"But nothing." Marcy was unmoved. "Pick your book so you can go to bed."
"I don't want a story." Riley was being churlish.
"Then we'll turn out your light and you can go to sleep."
Riley's eyes filled.
"Don't cry, Sweetpea." Mal was hurt on her behalf. "Of course we'll read you a story."
"I want the fairy story."
"Okay." He kissed her cheek before getting up and getting it. He came back and began telling the story.
Riley hugged her stuffed alligator closely and closed her eyes.
Marcy began singing to her and she was fast asleep in no time.
Both kissed her and left the room to see about the twins. Both were doing different things while they waited for their parents.
"Daddy, take a picture." Mickey ordered.
"I don't have my camera on me." Mal declined.
"Can you go get it?"
"No, it's time for bed." Marcy turned down both beds.
"Please, Mommy?"
"No. Daddy can take the picture in the morning."
"Okay." Mickey climbed in bed.
Mally climbed in his bed. "Daddy, what do you do?"
"What do you mean?" Mal pulled the sheets up to Mally's neck.
"What's your job?"
"You know I take pictures, Mally."
"No. What's the job? My class has to say what jobs their parents do."
"Oh. I'm a photographer."
Mally sounded out the word. "What do you do all day?"
"I go out and take pictures of things I like or I feel need to be photographed then I go back to the studio and develop them."
"Is that hard?"
"Not for me."
Mally smiled. "That's so cool!"
"Thanks. I think so."
"What do you do, Mommy?" Mickey asked. She was in the same class.
"I do a lot." Marcy shrugged. "I'm a singer. I'm an actress. I'm a scientist. I'm a business owner. I'm a dancer. But my most favorite job is being your mommy."
Mickey beamed. "You do a lot!"
"Yeah, I'm busy. Plus, Daddy and I are students. Just like you and Mally."
"Yeah, you go to school." Mally remembered.
"Can I do a bunch of stuff when I get big?" Mickey asked.
"Of course you can." Marcy kissed her cheek loudly. "You can do anything you set your mind to."
"Yay." Mickey giggled.
"Are you ready for your stories?"
"Yes!"
"What do you want?"
Mally and Mickey made their choices. Mal read them then Marcy sang to them. After kisses, the twenty-one year olds left.
They went about the house picking up things. They put dirty laundry in the laundry room, stray toys in the playroom and trash in the garbage. They shut the curtains and blinds and turned off all the lights after making everyone's lunch for the next day.
They went back upstairs and began getting ready for bed. Marcy did her nightly routine of washing her face and brushing her teeth that reflected her morning routine.
Mal brushed his teeth twice and washed his face once. While Marcy was still going, he jumped in the shower.
When he was done, she took her turn while he took his medicine. He went to the closet to put the towel in the hamper and put on his pajama pants.
Marcy left the shower and went to take her medicine before going to the closet for a nightshirt. She turned that light off and joined Mal in their bedroom.
She climbed in bed and looked at him.
"What?" He had his camera in his hands and was reviewing shots.
"Nothing. I just love you."
He smiled. "I love you, too."
She climbed from the bed and went to the mist sprayer. She added water and a few drops of essential oil before turning it on. Then she went to the i-Home and turned on music.
Mal smirked when he heard the first words. "I see you're in a mood."
"I told you he'd get me halfway there." She climbed back in bed.
He set aside his camera. "How about I put in the same amount of work and really blow your mind?"
"You sweet-talker you." She threw herself on him.
He laughed and held her close as she kissed him.