Mercedes: POV

I dressed in my special dress and twirled in my mirror. I looked pretty as a picture. I smiled and blew kisses to myself because today was a good day. My hair was straight with a slight curl at the ends, my makeup was on point and my dress fit right.

It had a square neckline with tiny rosebuds dotting it with an empire waist. It fell to mid thigh and when I twirled, it spun out. It was a light lavender color and matched my tiara nicely.

"You would be admiring your reflection."

I jumped and turned towards the door. "Marcy! You scared me!"

"You scare me." She raised a brow.

"Shut up. I do not."

"When you have one of your mood swings, I run for cover."

"I do not have mood swings!"

"You're having one now. I'll see you later."

"Marcy!" I whined.

"Girl, come on here. Your ride has arrived."

"My ride? I thought I was riding with you?"

"Nope. Momma sent a limo."

I clapped happily. "I love limos!"

"Come on, your highness. Your carriage awaits."

I picked up a jacket and grabbed my purse before leaving my closet and room. I followed Marcy downstairs and went to the front door. Like she said, a limo was outside.

I was so excited. "Come with me!"

"That's just for you three. I'll take my car, Princess."

I pouted. "Please."

"Nope." She tapped my nose before leaving.

That sucked. That usually worked. I shrugged and locked up the house before going to the limo. The driver was waiting and opened the door for me. "Miss."

"Thank you." I smiled at him as he shut the door.

He tapped his hat before going around to get in the driver's seat. He turned the car on. "Is this station pleasing to you, Miss?"

I gasped as I heard Grandmom's voice. "Yes! Thank you!"

He nodded and drove off.

I sang along to my grandmother's songs until he pulled up to a yellow house. He exited the car and went to ring the doorbell.

Annie opened the door with a stunned expression. I waved to her through the window. They walked down the walkway and he opened the door for her. "Wow! We have a limo!"

"I know. Momma said she wanted this to be a fairytale." I hugged her and rubbed my nose against her cheek.

She kissed me and hugged me back. "This is insane. I've never been in a limo before."

"They're amazing."

The driver drove to Noah's and got out to ring the doorbell. When Noah opened the door, we giggled at his shocked face. We waved to him.

They came to the car and Noah looked a little freaked out for someone to open a door for him. "Thanks, dude."

"Sir." The driver bowed before shutting the door.

"Hi, Noah!" Annie leaned against him.

He kissed her. "Sup, Kick. How you feeling, Mama?"

"I'm fine, Noah." I wouldn't mention how awful my vomit had been this morning.

"Good." He leaned over to kiss me sweetly.

"Does this sound familiar?"

He frowned. "No."

"It's Grandmom!"

"Oh wow."

"I can't wait to see her. She just got to town and she said she had a big surprise for us."

"Cool."

We talked a bit as we went through town to get back to the Adjacent but we mostly listened to music as I sang parts to them.

We arrived at Bigg Lounge and the driver let us out. There were a couple photographers outside waiting for us. I waved like the queen as Annie laughed and Noah looked around.

"Really?" He asked.

"I'm a princess. Let me have this." I didn't even look at him.

"You really are."

I glared at him.

He jumped. "You're always royalty to me, Mama."

I smiled. That's better. "Thank you. Now let's go inside."

As we walked to the entrance, the double doors opened and we could hear horns going off. We stood just inside the door as a man announced us. "Presenting Princess Mercedes Catherine, Lady Anna and Sir Puck!"

"Yay! I'm a lady!" Annie hugged me.

I laughed. "You are a lady!"

"Your mom really went there, didn't she?" Noah looked around us.

And he really should have. It was beautiful inside. All the decorations were yellow and blue with traces of purple. Everything was reminiscent of royalty. Three thrones were set up at a table in the front while smaller tables surrounded it.

Everything was truly beautiful.

I moved forward. "Let's go sit down. My feet hurt."

"Come on. Let's get you off your feet." Noah tried to hurry me along.

I bowed my head and let him. We made it to the middle of the place before everyone rushed us. My aunts and cousins all wanted to hug me or touch my stomach.

I smiled through it all because I loved them but I wanted to sit down. They were all talking at once and all I could do was nod.

A piercing whistle rang through the air and all I heard was, "Beat it, you vultures!"

I had never been so happy to hear Marcy in my life. I sagged with relief.

She suddenly appeared and took my hand to drag me through the crowd and she didn't stop until we were at the main table. "Sit."

I sat. "Thank you."

"You'd think those hags had never been pregnant." She frowned.

"Stop talking about them." I smiled.

"Nope!" She turned. "Get over here, Pucker Up!"

"Marcy!" I laughed. "You know he's conflicted on that name."

"He'll live." She waved him over.

Noah inched closer with Annie on his heels. They finally made it over and took the seats on either side of me.

"Wow!" Annie looked a little freaked out. "That was a lot of people."

"And they mobbed you like idiots." Marcy rolled her eyes.

"It's alright." Noah looked uncomfortable. "But someone pinched my ass."

"Probably Aunt Daisy."

I pursed my lips. "She needs to stop! Uncle Gus will leave her if she keeps flirting with other men!"

"Please! The only person who gets left is Aunt Marigold."

I kept my laugh inside. "Marcy! She is married right now!"

"Operative words: right now."

I giggled. "Where is everybody? Where's Maddie, Marc and Laura?"

"I just got here."

"Oh. I want to see them though."

"I'll go see if I can find them." She finally turned to me. "Where the hell did Mal go?"

"Was he with you?"

"Who do you think whistled?"

She had a point. She couldn't whistle to save her life. "Was Ellen with you?"

"Yeah." She looked away again. "I gave her Mickey."

"Where's Lucy? And Mikey?"

"You'll have to call them. This is a thick crowd. I can't see anybody."

I opened my mouth but someone broke through the crowd and barreled into me. They gave me a huge hug and smelled like Chanel n.5. Momma. "Hi, Momma."

"Hello, sweetie!" She cupped my chin. "I'm so glad you're here! Have you seen anyone?"

"Some people but we didn't talk long. Marcy saved me."

She turned around and looked at Marcy. "Hi."

Marcy made a face that I guess was supposed to be "hello" but it could go either way.

Momma took a breath. "Are the twins here?"

Marcy nodded.

"Can I-? Can I see them?"

This was painful to watch. Marcy just stared at her. Emotions flitted across her face but it was hard to tell what they were.

Momma looked down. "Nevermind. I can just see pictures on our next visit."

"Yes."

"Okay." Momma nodded and I could tell she wanted to cry.

"Yes, you can see them."

Momma looked up quickly. "Really?! I can?!"

Marcy looked at me. She was really unsure of this but I hoped this could be the start of healing for us so I nodded. She looked back at Momma. "Yes."

Momma sniffled as tears raced down her face. She shot forward but Marcy stepped back. She lowered her arms and drew back, too. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to hug you."

Marcy looked really uncomfortable as she looked back at me. I looked between her and Momma. Momma obviously wanted to touch her but I don't think Marcy is ready.

"Puckerman!" A shout clobbered us.

I looked at Noah before searching out for the voice that called his name. It sounded like Uncle Jason.

He appeared suddenly with Uncle Antonio and Uncle Frankie. He hugged me hard. "Look at you, Mercy! Pretty as you wanna be!"

I beamed. "Thank you, Uncle Jason!"

"Mercedes Catherine." Uncle Antonio hugged me. "I trust you're well?"

"I'm doing great, Uncle Antonio."

"Look at my little girl!" Uncle Frankie put his arms around me. "About to be a mommy!"

"What's up, Sis?" Uncle Jason hugged Momma.

"Hello, Jason." Momma hugged him back and wiped her eyes.

"Aww! Who made you cry?" He pouted at her.

She swatted him. "Shut up!"

"Who made your mummy cry, girls?"

Uncle Jason was a nut. I rolled my eyes. "Stop it, Uncle Jason."

He hugged her again before going to Marcy and picking her up. "How's my kids?!"

"Shouldn't you know? You came with them." Marcy said flatly.

He set her down and rubbed her head. "Ah! You're so bad!"

"What's your job description again?"

"I'm a contractor."

"Nobody talkin bout yo government job!"

He tapped her nose. "Stop it, little girl."

"Go away, old man." She tapped his nose back.

"How are you, Marceline Anne?" Uncle Antonio hugged her.

"I'm alive. What more can you ask for?"

"Happiness." He said promptly.

"That's a bit much, ain't it?"

"Life's not worth living if you aren't happy."

"Are you?"

He stopped. "In the traditional sense…-"

"It's taking too long. You're not happy."

He huffed. "Jason's right; you are bad."

"And you do what in your spare time?"

"I crochet." He said proudly.

"Ah, Tony!" Uncle Jason made a face. "Don't tell people that!"

"I do! It's therapeutic!"

"What's wrong, big brother? You don't like your night job?" Uncle Frankie clapped him on the back.

I should probably point out that Uncle Jason and Uncle Frankie are just like Granddad. They like to fight, cuss and party. They're always smiling and nothing gets them down. You see where they're his sons. But Uncle Antonio? He's somber and serious and they say he takes after Grandmom's mother. He takes everything seriously.

"My "night job" is a necessary evil." Uncle Antonio said stiffly.

"You didn't have to do it." Uncle Frankie pointed out.

"Father would never allow us to not follow in his footsteps."

"C'mon. Dad didn't force us to join." Uncle Jason sighed. "It was up to us."

"You really think he would have wanted me to be a doctor on my own?"

Uncles Jason and Frankie wrinkled their noses but couldn't say anything because they'd be lying.

"We're not talking about your filthy underbelly occupations." Momma waved her hands. "We're here to celebrate Mercy and her child."

"Right, right!" Uncle Frankie nodded. "How you doin, Big Sis?"

"Hello, Frankie." She hugged him.

Uncle Antonio hugged her next. "How has your life been?"

Momma looked at Marcy, who stared back. "It's been going."

"Good."

It was quiet for a minute as we all just stared at each other uncomfortably until Momma clapped her hands and put on a cheery voice. "Have you met Puck and Anna?"

"Yeah, I remember Puckerman!" Uncle Jason play punched him.

"Hey, Mr. Jason." Noah smiled.

"Where's your mum?"

He lost his smile. "She's still married."

"Jason, stop it!" Momma pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Oh, you're no fun, Buddy!" Uncle Jason frowned.

"Stop calling me that!"

We never knew why he called her Buddy. I mean they and their siblings knew but they wouldn't tell us. Even Daddy didn't know. We just knew she gets mad at him like Lucy and I get mad at Jr.

"You're so sensitive. Lighten up, Buddy." He leaned his weight against Noah's throne.

"Would you quit antagonizing her, Jason?" Uncle Antonio sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Stick in the mud."

Uncle Frankie snickered. "I want to meet the lady that entices Jay."

"I saw her first!"

"You're married! Act like it!" Momma snapped. "Where's Terri anyway?"

He lifted a shoulder. "Don't know."

"She's going to leave you one day."

He rolled his eyes.

"And take your kids!"

He straightened and began cursing in Italian.

"Stop cursing!"

He glared at her. "She's not taking my kids!"

"It'd serve you right if she did." Uncle Antonio crossed his arms.

"Which means you gotta act right and I get to have this mystery lady." Uncle Frankie grinned.

Noah pulled a face. "My moms is not up for grabs."

"I need kids anyway…"

"That much is true." Uncle Jason muttered.

"He's a miniature you." Uncle Antonio rolled his eyes. "He needs to settle down but instant children won't make it so."

Uncle Jason put Uncle Antonio in a headlock. "What was that, *?"

"You're an overgrown child, Jason!" Uncle Antonio was officially ruffled.

Uncle Frankie laughed. "Don't let him put you down, Tony! Buck up!"

"Oh, so you're on his side?!" Uncle Jason grinned and grabbed Uncle Frankie by his neck.

It devolved from there…

"Stop it! Stop fighting right this second!" Momma used her scary voice.

They knew to act right and got up from the floor. They stood in front of her with bowed heads.

"What is wrong with you three?! You're in your twenties and thirties! My youngest is twelve and still more mature than you! My daughter is having a baby and you idiots are fighting like puppies!"

"Sorry, Rosie." They murmured.

"You make me sick! Always picking at each other and carrying on! Grow up!"

"Sorry, Rosie."

"We're here to celebrate Mercy! Either get on board or go home!"

"Sorry, Rosie."

"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to the kids!" She pointed at us.

They turned as one. "Sorry, kids."

Momma rolled her eyes and tossed her head with a scoff. "Men!"

"It's okay, guys." I know it's wrong but I really felt like laughing. They looked so shamefaced. Like little boys.

"Humph!" Momma apparently didn't think so. "Now introduce yourselves to Mercy's spouses. Use your manners! Act like we were brought up right!"

Uncle Jason rolled his eyes (he was rebellious). "I know Puck. But nice to meet you, young lady. I'm Mercy's uncle, Jason."

Annie had wide eyes. She looked at me briefly before facing him. "Hello, Mr. Jason. I'm Anna."

"A pleasure to meet you, Anna."

"Hello, Anna." Uncle Antonio took her hand. "I am Mercy's uncle, Antonio. Pleased to meet you."

"Hello, Mr. Antonio." Annie shook his hand.

Uncle Frankie (an even bigger flirt than Uncle Jason) kissed the back of her hand. "Enchanted to meet you, dear."

"Uncle Frankie, she's seventeen and mine." I warned.

"She's got to turn eighteen sometime."

Noah and I glared as Momma popped him upside the head. "Shut up, Frankie!"

"Ow! I'm kidding! Damn, Rosie!"

She hit him again. "Don't curse around the children!"

"Ow! Okay!" He growled. She left him alone and he grumbled under his breath in Italian.

"Noah, this is Uncle Antonio and Uncle Frankie." I introduced them. "This is my boyfriend, Noah."

"Jay calls him Puck. Why?"

"His last name is Puckerman. He goes by Puck."

"That's asinine." Uncle Antonio said immediately.

"It's what he prefers."

"I'm not calling him Puck."

Momma hit him. "Call him what he wants!"

"Ow! Rosie!" Uncle Antonio glared at her.

"You want people to call you Antonio; call people by the name they prefer!"

"Fine!" He grumbled. "Devil woman!"

"I heard that!" She punched his back.

"I'm telling Marigold!"

"Oh crap; is she here?!" Marcy came alive.

"I would assume so. She said she was coming."

"Let me leave."

Momma's lips twitched as Uncles Jason and Frankie laughed. Uncle Antonio tried to look stern but his lips were moving more than Momma's. "Marceline Anne!"

"Don't say my name like you don't wanna avoid her." Marcy saluted us. "I'll see you three later."

And then she really left!

"Go sit down." Momma cleared her throat.

"You're a spoilsport, Rosie." Uncle Jason rubbed his hands together.

"Why didn't they stop having children after the twins?" Momma asked the heavens.

Uncle Jason scoffed in hurt.

Uncle Frankie laughed.

Uncle Antonio rolled his eyes. "That includes us, nit."

Uncle Frankie scowled. "You're mean, Rosie!"

"Shut up and go sit down." Momma shooed them off. They went (calling her all kinds of names in Italian under their breath). She rolled her eyes and stuck her hand out to Annie. "Hello. We haven't met. I'm Mercy's mother."

Annie smiled. "Hi, Mrs. Jones. It's nice to meet you."

"Thank you, dear. Puck, where is your family?"

"I don't know." Noah shrugged. "They left before me."

"How are your mother and sister?"

"They've been good. Moms has been working like a dog and Nic loves camp but we've been gettin by."

"Good. Now, Anna. I sent your parents an invitation but they declined."

"I know." Annie sulked. "They had a wedding today."

"Oh shoot! Too bad. I'll send them pictures."

"Thank you. They'd appreciate that."

Momma hugged me and kissed my cheeks. "I'm going to go find your father and we can start."

"Okay, Momma." I wanted to begin. I was really excited about this.

She left and as soon as she was out of earshot, Noah leaned over. "So your uncles fighting. That was unreal."

"It's a brother thing. Marc, Mikey and Mal fight like that. All our cousins fight like that. Get them in one place and they act a fool. It doesn't matter their ages." I waved a hand.

"I always wanted a brother but that kind of freaked me out." Annie admitted.

"They don't mean anything by it."

Noah had a weird look on his face but it passed. "Are any more of your relatives going to fight?"

"What time is it?" I asked.

He frowned in confusion.

"Just give me the time."

"It's noon."

"There'll be more fights."

MAP

Puck: POV

Today has been kinda good. This go round was nicer than Mini Mama's shower because more people talked to me in English. I got to know a couple of Mama's male cousins but not a lot because not too many guys were there.

But fuck there was a lot of women! Pretty, beautiful women. Mama got a cousin named Arabella or something and she talked my ear off in Italian but watching her lips move was magic. I didn't even care that I had no idea what the hell she was talking about; I just wanted her to keep talking.

Mike said she was a model and that she married a model. But he wasn't there and I listened to her until another cousin stole my attention.

But that wasn't the best part. The best part was when two of Mama's aunts got into a fight over which would get to pinch my cheeks. One was the one who grabbed my ass. They were two of Moms Jones' little sisters and they moms had to get after them. Then she turned around and gave me a kiss on both my cheeks!

It was awesome!

We played a bunch of games and then we started opening presents. Mama got a brand new crib and changing table. She got a shitload of diapers. She got a bunch of those things that a baby "just needs". A temperature taker and snot thingy and junk like that.

Our friends all got her stuff that Rae would need them for. Like Finn got her drumsticks and Bowties got her boxing gloves. Even Sam sent something. A comic book called the Adventures of Super Raven. Apparently he drew and wrote it himself.

All in all, it was a good haul.

Until Mama started opening gifts that were clothes. Most were for Rae but then some ended up being for her. It wasn't bad at first. Special shirts that allowed for breastfeeding, special bras, stretchy bottoms. Shit that made sense.

But then Mama opened "the box". It was a normal white box but what it had inside was not normal.

She pulled out a dark purple teddy. Her mouth opened. "George!"

One of her cousins smiled. "What?"

"Why'd you get me this?!"

"For you to wear it! Duh!"

Mama burned and dropped it quickly. "George! When am I supposed to wear this?! Why am I supposed to wear this?!"

"To keep your man and woman interested, honey!"

She glared at her. "You are the devil!"

"The devil's right here." Another cousin pointed to Mini Mama, who pushed her. She fell to the ground and popped back up. "Told ya!"

Q laughed. "I can't believe you got her a teddy, George! Puck and Anna can keep interest without her wearing that!"

This George woman said something in another language that had the older people gasping, the little kids confused and the young people my age dying of laughter.

Mama was not one of them. She looked seriously pissed. "George!"

George didn't give no damn. "I stand by it."

The cousin that Mini Mama pushed raised her arms above her head and shouted something.

Mini Mama snatched her up quick.

Mike and Mal had to separate them.

Mini Mama was yelling and the cousin was yelling back and it was crazy.

Q waved her hands and I think was trying to calm them down but then another cousin grinned and asked her a question. Q paled and shook her head.

The cousin smirked. "Who here is dating Lucy?!"

Finn and Rachel looked at each other. "We are."

"No!" Q waved her hands but it was too late.

The cousin went over to Finn and hugged him.

Q (I am not shitting you!) ran for this chick and knocked her down! Got Finn, too since the girl was still hugging him.

A guy that looked exactly like Marc but dark skinned and bald said something that had Mike letting the cousin go and actually socked him in the eye.

The cousin taunted Mini Mama, who stepped on Mal's foot and threw herself at her.

Mal tried to break them apart as Marc and their cousin, Joey (who I met an hour ago and was told was Marc's "twin", even though Joey was an actual twin with a girl) tried to get Mike off the dark cousin.

This was totally crazy as more and more cousins began fighting. It was insane. Even Mama was still arguing with that George girl.

A tall Asian man stood up and whistled sharply. He started yelling in Japanese (?) and they stopped fighting.

He must have made them feel bad about themselves because they started backing away from each other but should have known Mini Mama wasn't about to be ashamed of shit.

She sat up (on her cousin's lap) and bit off something in the same language.

He rubbed his temples and said something back.

George pouted and asked something.

He narrowed his eyes.

She stuck her lip out further and crossed her arms.

He began yelling again then sat down.

They all began shaking hands with the people they were fighting with and giving them hugs and kisses.

Mini Mama told her cousin something that had her smirking but they hugged and kissed even as Mal hugged her from behind.

I leaned over to Mama. "What was that about?"

She looked at me. "Nothing."

"Mama."

"It was nothing!"

"Then why were you so mad?"

"I was not mad. I was… unsettled. But I am now so let's move on."

"Uh huh." I lifted a brow.

"As long as you're calm." Kick took her hand. "I don't like you riled up."

"I'm fine." Mama patted her hand. "Where's the next present?"

MAP

Mercedes: POV

I cannot believe how today went. After opening the presents, we stayed for about an hour longer partying then went our separate ways. I took most of the stuff home with me but Noah and Annie got to keep a bunch of stuff.

I had Marc, Mikey and Mal put together the crib and stuff then rearranged my room the way I wanted. Now all I needed was the baby.

A knock sounded on my door before it opened. "Hey?"

I turned from turning on the mobile that Noah bought. "Hey."

Marcy came in further. "Did you have a good shower?"

"Besides all the fighting? Yes."

She sat on my bed so I sat in the settee at the end of it. "I can't believe George."

"Me either!" That made me mad all over again. "She's married!"

"Kristof is sexy, too so what's she doin?!"

"I don't know but if I wasn't pregnant, I'd take her to the carpet!"

"I meant what I said."

The corner of my mouth jumped. "No, you didn't. Nothing's going to come between you and Rou, not even Ellen."

"Me being alive and her being dead seems like a lot between us."

I laughed softly. "You're not going to kill her."

"Like I said; if she goes near Ellen, I'ma kill her." Marcy said incredibly slowly so it'd sink in.

"You still couldn't say you loved Ellen though?"

"Don't start." She put her hand over her forehead. "I almost murdered my twin. I've been through a lot today."

I laughed again. "I feel so bad for Lucy. Pat actually had the nerve to touch Finn!"

"Rude, heifa. But the way Mikey straight rocked Monty though?"

I giggled. "He shouldn't have said that about Tina. You know Mikey's in love with her."

"Which is why Mon can't be mad. He deserved it."

I sighed and leaned on my hand. "As much trouble as they are, I miss them when they're not around."

"I don't."

I bubbled up with laughter. "Marcy!"

"I don't! Rou is enough! Did you know she started hitting on RT? Tana almost split her wig and Britt was so hurt! Especially since his trifling ass flirted back!"

I groaned. "It's Marcia Cambridge all over again!"

"RT better quit before Tana stops fighting these other chicks and starts fighting him!"

I laughed. "Stop that!"

"It's even worse because it's my fault since I introduced them. And I brought Paris over and she started flirting with him! Thirsty, I swear!"

I facepalmed. "What happened to her boyfriend?!"

"Which one? She was juggling three."

"Ooh! They gon snatch her up!"

"I told her to be honest but P ain't got an honest bone in her body. One dropped her, she dumped another and the last one is only for dinners and fluffing her ego."

"She would play with a man like that!" I rolled my eyes. Paris was a trip. "She gets it from London!"

"How's her boyfriend?"

I leaned back dramatically. "He broke up with her because she was also dating his brother."

Marcy began laughing.

"That's not funny! She hurt him! He got into a fight with his own brother over her!"

"I'm just thinking that- weren't we in a situation like that? Lond is so late."

I sighed. "I'm so glad we're over that. I really would have let you have Sam though."

She moved her hand. "I might have taken him."

"You really weren't attracted to him?" I couldn't believe it. Sammy is so good-looking.

"Sam's hot but nope. Our chemistry was all about friends. I almost threw up kissing him."

I laughed. "You're so bad!"

"It just felt weird." She wrinkled her nose. "It's nothing like kissing Mal."

"How's kissing Mal?" I sat up.

She shrugged but I noticed her intense focus on my bedspread.

"Come on. You can tell me." I persuaded.

"I should go." She slipped off the bed.

"Come on, Marce." I pleaded softly.

She opened the door and bowed her head. "Magic."

I squealed long and loud as she huffed and slammed the door behind her. But I didn't care. She admitted to a real feeling! In a manner of speaking…

But I took it! Marc and Laura were staying at the Fabrays this week instead of going back to camp so I had to call Laura. I texted Lucy to go to Laura so I could tell them both at once.

Marcy would probably kill me but I'm pregnant and she can't touch me. Score one for the pregnant lady!