Puck frowned as he packed his bag. He didn't need much but he felt like he was forgetting something.

"What are you doing?"

He jerked and looked up. His mother stood at his door. "Packing."

"Why? Where are you going? Why are you leaving me?"

"I'm not leaving you. Not that you'd care." He rolled his eyes. "I'm going to see Bubbie and Nic."

Nadine made a face. "Why are you seeing them?"

He gave her a look. "They're family."

She rolled her eyes. "Mom never does anything for me."

"She took your daughter in when you lost custody."

She narrowed her eyes and drew herself up to her full height. "She did that to rub it in my face! She doesn't care about me! She's never approved of my choices! She was hard on me since the day I met your father-!"

"She shoulda been harder…" He stated flatly.

Nadine glared at him. "You know nothing!"

"I know Dad left."

"He's coming back!"

"Wow!" Puck picked up his bag and started out.

She followed him. "He is coming back! He loves me!"

"We haven't seen him since the day Nic was born!" He didn't even know why he was getting worked up.

"We're still married! He's only gone to figure things out but he'll be back!"

"It's been eight years!" He yanked open the front door.

"You don't know love! You're sixteen! You don't know anything about how we are!"

He turned sharply. "One, I'm seventeen! Two, you were fifteen when you got pregnant with me so it's not like I'm too young! And you don't know what I know but I'll tell you this; if love is the way you two are, I never want to be in it!"

She blinked but couldn't retort because he'd slammed the door behind him. She opened it and saw him jumping in his truck before speeding off. She crossed her arms angrily. He just didn't understand. She and Steven had a once in a lifetime love. It was stronger than anything and he would come back to her.

cell

Ruth Pirelli opened the door and hugged her grandson. "Noah! I'm so happy to see you!"

"Hey, Bubbie." Puck had stayed mad the entire three hour trip.

"What's wrong, Dumpling?"

He came inside and let her lead him to the kitchen. "Nothing."

"Don't tell me that lie." She began fixing tea, knowing he didn't really like it but drank it for her. "What's going on?"

He sighed as he dropped into a chair. He told her about his mother, her daughter. "She just makes me crazy thinking he's coming back."

"I'm sorry, my kiddle." Ruth sighed heavily. "Sometimes I wish I would have let your grandfather run Steven off. But then I wouldn't have you and Nic. That man did a lot of damage."

"You're telling me." Puck took his mug from her and dumped in a lot of sugar.

"One of these days, she'll be free of him." She sat down across from him.

"Yeah and what about the drugs and the sleeping with men to get them?" He raised a brow.

She felt miserable at this whole conversation but especially hated that he even knew about all this. "I have faith your mother will see the light soon."

"You're a good person, Bubbie."

"Your mother is, too. Somewhere down deep."

"Down, down, down deep."

She swatted him.

Footsteps echoed as seven year old Nic ran in. "I'm done with my homework, Bubbie! Noah! Hi!" She threw herself on her brother.

He perked up and settled her on his lap. "Hey, Runt."

"I'm not a runt!" She hit his chest.

"Whatever. I got some news for you."

"What is it? Did you bring me anything?"

"No, I didn't bring you anything but I have big news for you and Bubbie. What do you say about a trip next month?"

"A trip?! A trip where?! Yes!"

"A trip where?" Ruth echoed.

He bit his lip. "A trip to India."

"India?! Like halfway around the world India?! How?! We don't have the money for that! Who do you even know in India?!"

Puck sighed. He wasn't sure how this was going to go. Ruth was a wild card. "I'm getting married."

"One more time?" Her voice grew cold.

"I'm getting married." He repeated.

"Explain." She crossed her arms.

So he did. About how Mercedes's parents wanted them married and how Mercedes wanted it with Anna. About how the parents had gotten together and how the moms were getting excited.

"Really?!" Ruth stared wide eyed.

"Yeah."

"Noah, don't let those people bully you into this!"

"I'm not being bullied. I want to marry Mama and Kick. I want my little girls to know I love them and their mothers."

She pouted. "I haven't even met these girls."

"Come up next weekend. You'll love them. They're so sweet."

"So I'm going to have new sisters?" Nic asked slowly.

"You're going to have new sisters and new brothers. Mama has seven brothers and sisters and a lot of them are getting married, too." He told her.

Nic felt conflicted. On one hand, she was excited for more family but on the other, she was terribly shy. "I'll meet them next week?"

"Yeah. It'll be fun."

"Humph!" Ruth crossed her arms. "We'll see!"

"Don't be like that, Bubbie."

"I'll see for myself."

He rolled his eyes. Nothing he said would dissuade her. "You did all your homework, Runt? What'd you have to do?"

cell

Mercedes closed her notebook. "I'm finished."

Celeste nodded. "What about you, Marceline Anne?"

Marcy handed over her notebook.

"Malcolm?" The tutor looked at him.

Mal handed her his book.

The college student flipped through their books but already knew that if not every single answer, the majority was correct. "We're done for the day. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thanks." Mercedes shook her hand.

"I can walk you out." Mal offered.

"Thank you." The pretty coed smiled. "Goodbye, Mercedes Catherine, Marceline Anne."

"Bye." Both girls waved as the duo left.

Marcy started straightening up the smaller parlor, where they do their lessons.

Mercedes rubbed her belly. "Want to go see how construction is going?"

"On the nursery?" Marcy looked back briefly. "Yeah."

"Let's grab a snack first. I'm so hungry!"

Marcy smirked. "Aren't you always?"

"Well!" Mercedes gasped, affronted.

"I told you pregnancy gives you cravings." Marcy walked out.

Mercedes followed her. "What are you craving?"

"Fruit. I should make a juice!"

"I want to chew something."

"I'm getting apple slices. But I still want juice."

"You're gonna make a juice or get juice?" Mercedes was confused.

"Make a juice. I want pineapples, watermelon, raspberries and mango. It's going to be delicious!"

Mercedes moaned. "It sounds delicious! Can I have some?"

"You know I don't know how to make just one."

Mercedes hugged her as they made it to the kitchen. "I'll get the fruit."

"Frozen." Marcy went to the pantry for a bottle of passion fruit juice.

"Got it!" Mercedes grabbed the bags.

Marcy went to the blender and pulled it out so it was close to the counter's edge. "Ice, too."

"It is hot!" Mercedes went back for ice.

"It better not be a heat wave this summer. I'll lose my mind."

"I'll lose mine with you."

Marcy put the ice in the blender, followed by the frozen fruit and passion fruit juice. She blended it together. "How thick do you want it?"

Mercedes peeked inside the device. "Uh… let me get a spoon."

Marcy waited for her to try the mix. "Need a straw or is it thick?"

"No, it's perfect." Mercedes snuck a second helping.

Marcy grabbed two glasses and poured the contents of the blender in them. "I have a lot left. Where's Mal?"

"We kinda left him." Mercedes admitted.

Marcy brought out her phone and texted Mal. "I'll leave it in a glass for him." She poured the remaining mix in another glass and began cleaning out the blender.

Mercedes put away the fruit and juice. "This is really good though."

"Thanks. I wish I would have strained it though. Damn raspberry seeds."

Mercedes laughed accidentally. "Stop cursing!"

Marcy grabbed her drink and left.

Mercedes quickly shuffled after her. "What are we going to do with our afternoon?"

"Seating charts." Marcy frowned.

"Oh poo!" Mercedes deflated. "We need a guest list for that though!"

"Mal and I know all the same people and Ellen gave me a list."

"Really? How many people are on it?"

"About ten besides her immediate family. They don't have a big family and she doesn't have any friends."

They started up the stairs. "Annie's not inviting anyone cuz of her parents and she doesn't have any friends either. Noah hasn't said anything."

"I thought you said it was just his grandmother and sister?"

"He might want to invite his parents. I'm afraid to ask."

"You probably should though. Unless you want everyone to fight it out. Oh crap! Momma wants to see us later."

"Why?"

"Same thing. She wants to send out invitations. She also wants us to pick out flowers."

"Annie likes white roses."

"Daisies and white roses will look nice. But what about your bouquets?"

"I have no idea. Maybe I should just let Momma pick?"

"She runs your life enough."

Mercedes sighed. "Let's take a break."

"I wasn't aware we were dating."

Mercedes laughed. "No, you silly girl! Take a break from climbing these steps!"

Marcy's mouth formed an "O".

Mercedes giggled. "Never change!"

"Seasons change; people don't."

Mercedes frowned. "Stop saying that! People change!"

"No, they don't. They hide who they really are and lie."

Mercedes poked her. "You never know."

"Our parents aren't changing, Mercy."

Mercedes pouted. "I can't accept that."

Marcy touched her elbow. "Don't cry."

"I'm not crying." A tear slipped down her cheek.

Marcy hugged her carefully. "It's not wrong to wish we had different parents. But we don't. We just have to be better than them."

Mercedes sniffled. "And we will be."

"You're already ahead of the curve."

"Me?! You're already a mom and you kick ass at it!"

Marcy huffed and looked miserable. "I don't know. I missed two years of my kids' lives because of a dumb choice. And for what? To say I fit in with this defunct family?"

"Marce." Mercedes hugged her tight. "We all want love and acceptance from our family. You're not crazy. But you know now. You know what's important to you. Your family."

"I wish I didn't drag you guys into it. You never liked stealing money or killing people."

"I know but I wanted their approval as much as you did. I still do. But we have to find another way."

"Fuck that; I'm done. I just need my kids."

"I know that's right."

"Are you done resting? I'm trying not to fall down the stairs."

Mercedes laughed. "Yeah, come on."

They went up the rest of the stairs to the third floor then to the door at the end of the hallway. The door was open and sounds of construction echoed down.

They climbed the steps and went into the brightly light area. It was one continuous room but had wall dividers every so often. There was tan carpet from baseboard to baseboard and the windows had locks.

There was an area for changing diapers, a bathroom and a playroom. The workers were putting the finishing touches on the bathroom before they began painting the next day.

The lead worker stopped sealing the window he was working on and came over to the two teenagers. "Do you like it?"

Both nodded. "It looks good."

"We've put in the tubs and sinks and the toilets are finally dry. We just have to finish the windows and clean up and we'll be done for the day. We'll get started painting tomorrow and put a couple coats on before we go downstairs next week."

They were doing mild work on the third level for the new couples then doing the second floor for the parents before doing any work on the ground floor that the adults will probably think up.

"Do you have your colors picked out?" He asked.

"Yes." Marcy nodded. "We wrote them down. Do you want the names before you leave?"

"Yeah, that'll work."

"We'll let you get back to work." Mercedes said.

"Good day." He tipped his cap and went back to work.

The girls went down to their rooms.

"What time do we have to meet Momma?" Mercedes asked.

Marcy looked at her phone. "Uh… three hours."

"What are you going to do until then?"

"Work out the seating chart. I need to call Elle and ask her how her people are so I know who to put them with and who to avoid."

"I should really call Noah then."

"See you." Marcy went to her door.

"Where's the twins?" Mercedes stopped her.

"I have no idea. Marc and Laura took them to the zoo so we could do schoolwork in peace but that was hours ago. I should call them."

"I want to see them before we leave with Momma. I want to play with them."

"Can't get enough of them?" Marcy grinned.

"They're so cute!"

"I know. They don't want to sleep in their cribs anymore."

"So you're going to get them their first big kid beds?"

"Yeah. They've been sleeping with us and it's rough. Mickey sleeps like Lucy."

Mercedes laughed. "No, she don't!"

"Yeah, she does!"

Mercedes cracked up. "Does she sleep straight across the bed?"

"She sleeps on top of Mal. I told him that's what he gets. Always sleeping on top of me! Just what he gets!"

Mercedes giggled. "I wonder how Noah sleeps? After a week with Annie, I get how she is."

"How was it?"

"Okay. The bed is big so we didn't run into each other a lot."

"So she's not a cuddler? Surprise, surprise."

"Shut up! We start out cuddling! We just drift apart in the night."

Marcy moved jauntily. "Whatever."

Mercedes stuck her tongue out.

Marcy opened her door and disappeared inside, slamming the door shut.

Mercedes screeched loudly. "How rude!"

cell

"Noah, I'm not sure about this." Mercedes rubbed her stomach.

"Me either." Anna worried. "Do we have to do this?"

"Relax." Puck soothed them. "It's just my grandmother and sister. They're easy."

"Like our parents?!" Mercedes bit off.

"She's going to size you up but once you have her approval, she's going to flirt hardcore."

Mercedes and Anna looked at each other in disbelief.

"I promise." He vowed. "Now come on. I said we'd meet them at the food court." They were at the mall.

"Okay, No-No." Mercedes called him by his special nickname.

He smiled. "Thanks, baby. Ready, Kick?"

Anna looked totally stressed out but took his hand. "Ready!"

"Let's do this!" He escorted them over to the food court and searched out his family.

Ruth and Nic were sitting near the outskirts of the court. He led them over. They both looked up. "Noah!"

"Hey!" He hugged both. "Bubbie, Nic? This is Mama and this is Kick."

"Hello." Both young women smiled fearfully.

"Hi." Nic said shyly.

"Hello." Ruth was cool.

Puck pulled out their chairs and sat them. "Guys, this is Ruth Pirelli and Nicolette Puckerman. Bubbie and Nic."

"What are your real names?" Ruth demanded.

"Anna." Anna squeaked.

"Mercedes Catherine." Mercedes answered.

"Humph!" Ruth sniffed. "So you two are going to marry my kiddle? Why should he marry you when you got pregnant on purpose?"

"Bubbie!" Puck glared.

"I want to know." She crossed her arms.

Mercedes chewed on her bottom lip. "We want to get married because we love each other."

"Your parents are making you."

"They want this, yes but if I didn't want to get married, I wouldn't."

"I kinda have to." Anna whispered.

"Why?" Ruth sat up.

"My parents are kicking me out."

Ruth felt anger but concealed it. "Hmm. And your parents want Noah in their family?"

Mercedes stilled, not wanting to lie but dearly not wanting to tell the truth. "They want what's best for me."

"Noah, take Nic to get food."

"Bubbie,-" Puck started.

"Go away." She flicked her wrist.

He frowned but got up. "Come on, Runt."

Nic stared at the women around the table before getting up. She took Puck's hand and let him lead her away, not even caring that he called her a runt.

Ruth stared hard at the young girls. "Let's lay our cards on the table. I want to know what kind of girls you are. I love my grandson very much and I'm not letting him be conned into anything."

Anna shook her head. "No! We wouldn't do anything like that!"

"Really?" Ruth didn't believe her.

"We're good girls." Mercedes looked her in the eye. "We were put in Sly's for different reasons but we're still good girls. We're good for Noah and he's good for us. We want to make him happy every day of his life."

"And that's why you got pregnant on purpose?" Ruth dug in.

"We got pregnant because my sister got pregnant. We didn't want her to be alone. It was my idea and it was probably a stupid one but this baby has already made my life better. I'm out of Sly's and I'm getting the chance to be with two people who mean the world to me forever."

"You're teenagers. What do you know of love?"

"We know what it's not. Our parents aren't the best so we know what not to look for."

"You come from dysfunctional families."

"With all due respect, so does he."

Ruth blinked. Well she had her there. "I don't want my baby hurt."

"He won't be. We'll take care of him." Mercedes took Anna's hand.

"You know he's not perfect. He'll make his own mistakes. You can't go into a marriage with rose colored glasses."

"We're not under the illusion that he's perfect." Mercedes shrugged. "We know he's not the cleanest, most thoughtful, conventionally smart or particularly calm but we fit together. There's something in us that needs him and something in him that needs us."

"I struggled with my sexuality for a long time and I didn't think I'd ever love a boy." Anna went on. "Noah is the first man I feel I can open myself up to and trust."

"I never thought I'd be able to trust a man after my family. The fact that he's a good man blows my mind. I couldn't ask for anyone better."

Ruth frowned. "Are your fathers neglectful?"

"I don't know." Anna shrugged.

"What I mean is, do you get enough attention from them?"

"No." Both girls shook their heads.

"Maybe you're just looking for attention? From your fathers and barring them, Noah?"

"I do want my father to notice me but I wouldn't use Noah to get his attention." Mercedes shook her head. "That's cruel and hurtful. I want Noah's attention. I love him."

"I don't think I'll ever have my father's attention." Anna lowered her eyes. "But I'd rather have Noah. He's the only man I'll ever need."

"I met Noah's grandfather when I was eighteen years old." Ruth said. "He was a hustler from New York and was constantly in trouble here. But I saw him. Who he really was. And I loved him. When I got pregnant, my parents hit the roof.

He was Italian and my parents wanted me to marry a Jewish boy with a cleaners in the family. I just wanted my Antoine. When I told him, he proposed right away and we went to tell my parents. They wanted me to break it off with him and get an abortion.

Antoine wouldn't hear of it and I wouldn't either. He told them we were getting married. My father told him we'd be broke and on our asses and Antoine said we'd be in love at least." Ruth smiled. "He enlisted in the Army that day and we got married. We lived happily until the day he died."

"I'm sorry for your loss." Mercedes said.

"Me too." Anna nodded.

Ruth blinked back tears. "Do you like children?"

"Very much so." Mercedes said immediately.

Anna bit her lip. "I like them but I haven't been around any."

"I know you're pregnant but it's your child and not everyone can deal with another's child." Ruth started. "But I'm in a pickle and I need your help."

"Our help?" Anna was surprised.

"Has Noah told you anything about his parents?"

"Yes." Both girls nodded.

"Then you know I have custody of Nic?" They nodded again. "Well I have a brother, the only brother I talk to anymore. He's very sick and his nurse is pregnant as well. She is going to be going on maternity leave very soon and I'm going to go take care of him."

"That's nice of you." The girls spoke in unison.

"He's the only brother to keep in contact with me after I married. None of my other siblings could be bothered with the black sheep of the family."

Mercedes took her hand.

Ruth patted hers. "The problem is that his living situation doesn't allow children. I have nowhere for Nic to go. Nadine can't be trusted with her own child so I have to rely on someone I trust."

"Noah?" Mercedes nodded.

"And you." Ruth smiled for the first time.

"You trust us?" Anna choked up.

Ruth took their hands. "I don't know you well but I trust my instincts. They're telling me that you are good girls. I need some place for Nic to go and this works out perfectly. If you think your parents will be okay with a seven year old around."

"They won't even notice." Mercedes promised. "We have the third floor to ourselves."

"Third floor? You live in an attic?"

"No." Mercedes giggled. "We have three floors, a basement and an attic. The nursery is in the attic. It was just finished."

"Noah said you had money. I didn't think of how much. Are you a princess?"

Mercedes laughed. "My brothers think so but then again, they're the ones who never tell me no."

"Are you spoiled?"

"Honestly? a little. I don't hear the word no a lot but I don't throw fits whenever I do."

Ruth nodded. "What about your parents?"

"My father is a lawyer so we have some money but not as much as them." Anna touched Mercedes's shoulder. "I didn't know people like them existed."

"Wow." Ruth blinked. "I usually have more etiquette than this but how rich are you?"

Mercedes shrugged. "I don't know. I've never had to measure it before."

"Can you buy a house?"

"Me solitarily? Yes."

"You as you are, a sixteen year old can buy a house?"

"Yes. I have money in my bank account."

"So can your family buy like a plane?"

"We have seven planes and one jet in our family."

Ruth's eyes widened. "How much does a small carrier cost?!"

"I don't know about a small carrier but they're big. Like a commercial plane."

"My word!"

"Really?!" Anna was shocked.

"Yeah. We have a lot of family all over and when we get together, we need the space." Mercedes nodded.

"So can your family buy an island?" Anna wanted to know.

"Pop-Pop has always talked about it but that's only because he hates English weather. Nana wants to be somewhere warm, too but nothing concrete has ever been decided."

"My grandson marrying a millionaire." Ruth blinked.

"Billionaire." Mercedes corrected.

"Billion?!"

"It's really close to trillion. We need to start working and add our income."

"We?"

"My siblings and I."

"You're too young to work!"

"My oldest brother has a job. He created a video game company with a few of his friends when he was seventeen. He does really well. My older sister takes jobs a couple times a month to design homes."

"She's an architect?"

"No, she's getting her degree in interior design."

"Oh wow!"

Puck came back with Nic. "You'd never believe the line!"

"What'd you get?" She asked Nic.

"I just wanted a hot dog." Nic shrugged.

"All that time for a hot dog?!"

"That line!" Puck was mad.

"Hmm. Well we were talking about Mercedes Catherine's family but I want to know about the wedding now. How am I supposed to get to India?!"