Chapter 4
The next morning, Mark and Callie quietly let themselves into her apartment, letting the door shut behind them. They cautiously walked toward the living room, making sure not make too much noise. Stepping through the doorway, Callie stopped dead in her tracks, causing Mark, who was right behind, to crash into her back.
"Oh! Sorry ba-" But he was cut off by a sharp elbow to his ribs.
"Shh..." she hissed and pointed to the sleeping forms on the couch. Mark grumpily rubbed his side and followed her finger to the teenagers who were cuddling on the couch. A slow smirk spread on his lips as he watched his nephew subconsciously tightened his arms around Santana as she stirred a bit.
Callie observed them closely and then narrowed her eyes, "You don't think-" she shook her head, "-no-" She looked up at Mark, "You don't think they-you know-"
Mark chuckled as he watched Callie duel with herself, when he was the recipient of a harsh glare he quickly quieted, "Cal, I am pretty sure they didn't do anything."
"But they're just so-" she gestured toward the peaceful sleepers, "cozy."
"Callie," he started, and pulled her toward the kitchen, "They did not do anything." he said firmly, his arms resting on her shoulders.
"Yeah, but-" Before she could finish she was cut off once more.
"I know my nephew, and you know your niece, and we both know that they wouldn't do it," he said genuinely, "at least not in your apartment," he added jokingly, and watched as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips, "Besides, I'm pretty sure after last night, sex is the last thing they're thinking about."
Callie laughed and leaned forward to rest her head on his chest. Mark hugged her closer to him and smiled when she wrapped her arms around his waist. He dipped his head lower and met hers as she reached up at placed a soft kiss on his lips.
"Cmon Manwhore," she joked and playfully slapped his ass, "Help me make breakfast." she stepped out of his embrace and started working around the kitchen, gathering the things to make them some much needed food. Instead of doing as he was asked, Mark hopped up on the kitchen counter and simply watched her move expertly around her kitchen. He had to admit, she looked damn sexy in that apron.
"Aren't you gonna help?" Callie asked as she pulled eggs, bacon and bread out of their respective places.
Mark simply shook his head at her and rested his chin on his palm, "Nope, I'm pretty comfortable right here." Callie scoffed as she cracked some eggs in a bowl and began mixing, "It's not like I can cook anyway, you said so yourself."
Placing bacon in a pan, Callie spoke, "Well, if your lazy ass isn't gonna help with anything, the least you can do is wake the kids up."
"Why?" Mark whined, "I like watching you cook," he smirked at her, "It's kind of like foreplay."
Callie reached over and slapped his thigh, "Go!" she ordered, giving him the look that could bring a hundred down to their knees at her beck and call. Being one of those men, Mark hopped off the counter with a fake huff and stomped his way to the living leaving.
A smile spread across his face as he thought of a 'special' way to get up the sleepers. He raced over to his apartment and grabbed his air horn then sneakily let himself back in. Ever so quietly, he went to the side of the couch where his nephew was sleeping and positioned the horn right beside his ear.
On a count of three, he pushed the button and watched with glee as Santana and Puck jumped from their sleep and landed in a heap on the ground.
Mark stood there laughing so hard that tears had began to run down his face as the kids came to realization of what had just happened.
"Dammit Uncle Mark!" Puck bellowed as he rubbed his head, which had broke his fall. Santana groaned and started muttering in Spanish, desperately hoping her aunt wasn't around to hear it.
"Good! Now you're up!" Mark said proudly, "Callie's making breakfast, best not keep her waiting!" He called over his shoulder making his way out of the living room.
Puck, who was still coming out of his sleepy haze, looked down at Santana, "Are you okay?"
Santana pushed herself into a seated position, laying her head against the couch, "Yeah," she let her eyes drift close for a bit before saying, "I hate your uncle."
Mimicking her position on the floor, Puck threw his head back, "I hate my uncle too."
Eventually dragging themselves up from the floor, the two of them grumpily padded their way to the kitchen and plopped down on the bar stools.
Callie who was finishing plating everything looked up at them and smiled, "Morning!" She received mumbled greetings from each teen and chuckled to herself after hearing how they were awoken.
"So, what do you guys want to do today?" Callie asked, setting a plate in front of both of them, "Mark and I are both off."
Perking up in her seat, Santana asked, "Oooh, Can we go shopping?"
"Hell yeah." Mark answered, before Callie could, coming into the kitchen and setting himself behind Callie, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Puck groaned, "Are you serious?" he asked his uncle, "Shopping? Men don't do shopping."
"Well it's good thing your not a man yet." Mark shot back at his nephew, "Besides I love watching Callie try on clothes." He lightly pinched her side, causing her to squeal and elbow him in his stomach.
"Ew!" Both Santana and Puck complained, "Do not, I repeat do not bring up sex again, we're still trying to get last night out of our heads."
"Speaking of last night," Callie started taking a bite of bacon, "What did you guys do last night?"
"We had a movie night." Santana said rather nonchalantly. Puck nodded his agreement.
Callie released a sigh of release that she had secretly been holding back, "Oh! Well, after shopping, we can do what you want Puck." Puck smirked at her and received a smile in return.
"Seriously Aunt Callie?" Santana asked, "He doesn't even like to do anything, other than sex, and you can't do that, Mark would kill him."
Puck shot her a look and watched his uncle smirk, "Damn right I would," Mark agreed, "But, you my boy, are definitely a Sloan." The two men shared a high five as Santana and Callie shared an signature eye roll.
"Well we can't do that," Callie pointed out, "But I'm sure we'll find something." she looked up to Mark who nodded his head.
After a quick breakfast, Mark and Puck left the apartment to get ready for the day, leaving Callie and Santana to get dressed.
An hour later, Callie was in the bathroom, trying her hardest to tame her unruly hair while Santana finished putting on her make-up. Finally styling her hair to perfection, Callie smiled as she heard the front door open then slam shut.
"Come on, ladies!" Mark's voice rang out through the apartment, "Chop, chop, we're burning daylight here!"
Rolling her eyes Callie popped her head out of the bathroom and glared at him, "Hold your horses, Sloan," she commanded than tilted her head skeptically, "Why are you so in a rush to go shopping? You hate shopping."
Mark made his way over to the bathroom and came to stand behind Callie, "I hate shopping for myself," he clarified and moved to rest his hands on her hips and leaned forward to kiss her neck, "I like shopping for you because you let me watch you try on clothes." he said huskily against her neck.
Callie put down her eyeliner that she had been applying and arched her neck to allow him more flesh to lather. A soft moan slipped pass her lips as Mark began to lick his way up her collarbone and across her jawline.
Sighing, she turned in his arms and wrapped her own around his neck. She then reached up and placed soft, feather-light kisses to his lips. Pulling herself away from him slightly, she smiled up at him, "If you're lucky," she began seductively, "I might let you do more than just watch."
"Really?" Mark raised an eyebrow at her.
"If you're a really good boy."
Mark leaned down and bit her ear before whispering, "I think you and I both know how good I really am, Callie." he wiggled his eyebrows, "You've learned all about the Sloan Method that I so graciously taught you." she simply shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know," she teased, "I might need a refresher course."
"I think I may be able to squeeze you in."
Callie laughed as she tilted her head up to kiss him, but before she reached his lips she heard her niece call from the living room.
"Aunt Callie! Let's go!" she yelled, "We have money to spend and shoes to buy." With a groan, Callie dropped her head against Mark's chest. Mark laughed and hugged her tightly before letting her go and grabbing her hand, leading her out of the bathroom.
Santana stood with her arms crossed over her chest shaking her head at her aunt as she entered the living room. "No tener suficiente anoche?"
"Shut it." Callie snapped as she moved around the apartment grabbing her purse and jacket, then continued to slip on her knee-length boots. "Everybody ready?" They all nodded, she opened the door and gestured for them to follow, "Then let's go."
All three of them followed as she strutted her way down the hallway. Puck grabbed his uncle's arm before they left and whispered, "Bossy, isn't she?"
Mark smirked and watched, mesmerized by Callie's hips as they swayed down the hall, "You have no idea, man." They both shared a laughed but instantly stopped when Callie and Santana shot them a look over their shoulder, then quickly jogged to catch up with the fiery Latinas.
A little over 2 hours later, Callie and Santana were squealing in joy when they found, yet again, another store that sparked their interest. They walked through the doors, their arms linked and immediately started pulling things off the racks.
Mark and Puck tiredly slugged their way into the store behind them, each man holding their fair share of handbags that they had gotten roped into holding. Although they were tired and hungry, Mark was happy. Callie had made good on her promise and let him do much more than watch while they were the dressing room at Versace. Needless to say, they were no longer allowed to step foot there.
"Why is it necessary for woman to want so many shoes?" Puck grumbled as he plopped down on one of the benches in the store.
Mark sighed as he slumped next to his nephew and openly enjoyed the way Callie's dark jeans hugged her every curve, "Have you ever seen what heels do to a woman's calves?" Puck shrugged and Mark clapped a hand on his shoulder, "Trust me, they are very necessary."
Puck nodded as he watched with appreciation as Santana bent over and put on a pair of black peep-toe stilettos. His eyes wandered from her feet, and up her legs. He was beginning to see what his uncle meant by necessary, and boy was he enjoying it.
He leaned over and said, "I see what you mean." Mark chuckled and nodded as they both enjoyed watching the stunning Latinas try on pair after pair.
"So," Mark started breaking their gaze, "How are things going with you and Santana? Find a way to get her back yet?"
With a sigh, Puck shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know." he admitted honestly, "Things are-" he paused, "-confusing."
"You could say that again." Mark said with a hearty laugh.
"How did you do it with Callie? Santana told me that her aunt told her that you were scared in the beginning too and ran, how did you get over the fear?"
Mark shook his head, "Man, that woman can't keep a secret to hold her life." he turned his gaze to the curvaceous beauty, she caught his eye and flashed her brilliant smile at him that he couldn't help but return, "But yeah, I did run, and yeah, I was scared, but-" he looked over at his nephew, "One day I realized that I didn't want to be alone forever, I wanted a woman who I could come home to after work, and wake up to every morning. I wanted lazy Sunday afternoons with her, and late night dates. I want the family and the kids thing, and I want it all with her."
He smiled as he watched Callie admire a new shoes she had put on in the mirror, "Even if I would be 'whipped', as you so delicately put it, I wanted to be whipped, and I wanted to be whipped by her. Callie is everything I didn't know I wanted, and I wouldn't change anything even if I was given a chance to."
Puck nodded as he watched the biggest smile he had ever seen his uncle wear adorn his face. Mark turned back to him and tilted his head,
"So, what do you want?"
Before answering Puck watched Santana laugh at something her aunt had whispered to her, and he watched as she flipped her hair over her shoulder and smile at herself in the mirror, "I want her."
Mark nodded and smiled at his nephew, "Then it's settled," he concluded, "You get her back, nd I will be right by your side if you need anything."
"Thanks, Uncle Mark."
"That's what I'm here for."
"So," Callie started and looked over at her niece, "You and Puck, how's that working out?"
Santana sighed and down in a chair, "I don't know," she resigned, "I mean, I like him and I want him, but-" she closed her eyes to stop the tears from building up, "-I don't know if I can trust him." Callie put down the shoes she had picked up and sat next to her niece and put a arm around her.
"And you can't trust him because..." Callie trailed off, waiting for her to finish.
"Because he left, he dumped me and-" her voice cracked as she spoke, "I don't think I could handle if he did it again." Callie hugged her closer and gently rubbed her back.
Santana took a deep breath and looked up at her aunt, "How'd you do it?" she asked, desperately needing an answer, "Uncle Mark left you, but then he came back," Callie nodded, "How did you learn to trust him again? Weren't you afraid he'd get scared and leave again?"
Callie looked over her shoulder at Mark, he had that twinkle in his eye he only got when he was looking at her. She smiled at him before turning her attention back to Santana, "You have no idea how scared I was, mi sobrina." She smiled at the shocked face that Santana shot her, "When he came crawling back to me, I almost didn't take him. It took a hell of a lot of groveling on his part," she smirked, "And a lot, I mean, a lot of forgiveness on mine, but, there was no denying how I felt about him. So I took him back and I couldn't regret it even if I tried."
"But how can you trust him to not get scared and run again?"
"One night, he showed up at my door and started rambling about all his hopes and dreams that he ever wanted out of life. I couldn't help but see that every single one that he confessed, matched mine. He said he wanted kids, and I want kids. He wants the big house, and weekends spent barbecuing and chasing our kids around the backyard, and that's all I've ever wanted out of life. I believe that he wants those things with me, and I trust that, yeah, if he gets scared-which I know he will-that he'll at least come to me and we'll help each other through it." Callie used her finger to bring her niece's eyes up to hers. "I'm still scared for what life has planned for me, but I know with Uncle Mark by my side," she lit up at the thought, "I can get through anything."
Santana took a deep breath, "I want to trust him, and, for the first time, I think I'll be able to."
Callie hugged her niece and placed a kiss atop her head, "And I'll be right here to help you every step of the way."
"Thank you, tía," She turned to look up at her aunt, "for everything."
"What do you think I'm here for?" The two women laughed as they stood up and walked back over to the men. Callie sat down in Mark's lap and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.
"I think It's time for lunch, how about you?" she asked. Mark nodded and turned to Santana who had taken a seat next to Puck.
"You ladies finished here?"
Santana nodded, "I think that's enough retail therapy for one day." Puck laughed as he stood up and hauled her bags into his arms.
"Let's get out of here, I'm starving!" he exclaimed. They all laughed as they walked out the store. Mark lead Callie out, and slipped an arm around her waist. Puck and Santana followed behind them, looking for the right thing to say to each other.
After strolling in silence, Santana spoke up, "Here," she gestured toward her bags, "Let me take some of those." Puck began to protest, but she took one armful off his hands, "Besides," she said, "You can't hold my hand when you have two full ones." She reached down and wordlessly took his hand and laced their fingers.
Puck looked down at their joined fingers before looking back up at her and smiling wider than he had in months. He tugged her closer to him and placed a tender kiss to her temple. Santana grinned up at him and together, they followed their aunt and uncle out of the mall.