Welcome to another chapter! No, we don't see the proposal but you'll see why next chapter. Or you can probably guess now. But as I was editing this chapter, I played hits from the '80s and '90s like I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston, Tell It to My Heart by Taylor Dane and Africa and Susanna by Toto. Seems to kinda fit.
As always, enjoy and review!
NJPNJPNJP
Mercedes washed the coffeepot out. "I wish Marc would have called to tell us what happened after he proposed."
Mike and Puck told Mercedes and Quinn that Marc was going to propose Sunday night.
Quinn washed a plate. "Maybe they're celebrating? She'll tell us today."
"I'm so excited for you guys." Kurt swiveled on his stool. "Now you'll be sisters through marriage."
"It's just another link." Mercedes smiled.
"Now if only we could get Marcy to marry Mal." Quinn rolled her eyes.
"You heard Mrs. C. They're getting engaged before this year is up."
"Who's Mrs. C?" Kurt asked.
"Stands for Mrs. Chang."
"Oh. She really thinks they're getting married?"
"We all do. She just put a time stamp on it."
"Before this year is up is a long time. It's almost August."
"I know!" Mercedes squealed.
"I wish we could stay through tomorrow." Kurt pouted. "I hate missing your birthday."
"I know, boo but you have work."
"I can't believe Santana quit. She always has to be so dramatic."
Quinn laughed. "How else would she let Artie stay here a month? Not without her she wasn't."
Mercedes broke down in giggles. "I remember when she called to say she was going to cripple him further if he thought he was staying here a whole month."
"Santana is a different breed." Kurt shook his head. "But since I won't be here for your birthday, I have a present for you."
"Ooh! Can I have it?"
"Sure." He stood up. "Let me go get it."
Mercedes and Quinn finished cleaning the kitchen by the time he got back.
He set a purple wrapped box on the island counter. "Here you go."
Mercedes picked it up excitedly and began ripping the paper off.
"Now it's nothing expensive but I thought you'd like it. It's in honor of the chance you gave me."
Mercedes lifted the top off and melted. "It's a necklace."
"Yeah. I remember that saying "a hag and her fag"? So I got that printed on two lockets. A picture of me is inside yours and a picture of you is inside mine."
Mercedes looked at the word "hag" printed on the heart shaped locket and rubbed her thumb over it. "Thank you, Kurt."
He smiled. "You're welcome."
"What'd you get me for my birthday?" Quinn demanded.
"I put it in your room."
She smiled. "Okay."
Mercedes threw away the box and paper before giving the necklace to Kurt. "Put it on me?"
"Sure." He stood up and came around the island to put the necklace around her neck. "You look beautiful."
Mercedes hugged him. "Let's go upstairs and hang out with everybody before we take you to the airport."
"I'm in."
MMC
"We have to go." Mercedes looked at her phone.
"Me too." Marcy stood up. "It was nice seeing you guys."
Blaine hugged her. "It was really nice visiting and thanks for showing me the satchel trick. I'm going to put them all over my room when I get home."
"Aw you're welcome, suge."
"See, you're anglin for a naughty word, miss." Sam hugged her.
"You say it if you want to." She slid her hands to his butt and squeezed.
He jumped. "I'm not ready for you."
"Why can you touch and I can't?" Karou hugged Sam.
"Because you're a man-eater." Marcy pushed Karou away and gave Sam Mickey.
"I'm so offended right now!"
Sam nuzzled Mickey's cheek with his nose as Marcy snapped a picture. "Be offended."
Mal took Mickey from Sam and gave him a manly hug. "Nice to see you again, man."
"You, too. Take care." Sam hugged him back.
Blaine hugged Mal. "Just keep at her. She loves you."
"Traitor!" Marcy gasped.
"How do you know I was talking about you?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Humph!"
Kurt hugged Mal. "Invite me to your wedding."
"Of course." Mal smiled.
"Now you don't get a hug." Marcy pushed Kurt away.
"You don't know I was talking about you." Kurt grinned.
"Now I have to hug you."
Sam, Blaine and Kurt hugged Mike and Puck. "See you guys."
"Bye!" The two waved them off.
The trio hugged the twins then picked up their bags. Blaine patted Secret on the head on the way out.
Mercedes kissed Mike. "Remember we're going to the shop right after so you have to be on time to get Tana and Artie."
"I remember." Mike nodded.
"Don't make him miss them." Quinn warned Puck.
"I'm not gonna mess him up." Puck rolled his eyes.
"I'll keep him on schedule." Mal volunteered. "I'm going right after I get in a couple quick shots."
"Thanks, Mal." Mercedes kissed his cheek.
Quinn kissed his other one and they left.
"I gotta go. I have to be there early." Marcy picked up a twin. "You don't have to come but I'd appreciate it if you guys rolled through."
"Marcy, we will not miss your grand opening for anything." Mike assured her.
"We'll definitely hit you up, Mini Mama." Puck promised.
"Kay, thanks. Come on, Rou." Marcy gathered her purse, the kids' diaper bag and another bag and she was gone with Karou and the twins.
Mal straightened. "Okay, I'm out. I want to take a few pictures of the streets and get them developed before I head over. Get out."
Mike laughed. "We don't want to be in your house no way."
"There's the door." Mal patted the camera around his neck.
"You're boorish today."
"Get out."
Mike and Puck laughed and went to the door. Mal followed them out and locked the door behind them. He went to the elevator and rode it down to exit the building.
Mike unlocked their door. "What do you wanna do?"
"Wanna play video games?" Puck closed the door behind them.
"Sure. We'll stop in plenty of time."
MMC
Mike's phone buzzed so he picked it up. "Yeah?"
"Are you ready to go?" Mal asked sharply.
"Go where?" Mike concentrated on killing the war criminal in front of him.
"To pick up your friends, jerk."
"Friends?" Mike still wasn't paying attention.
"Santana and Artie?"
"San- Santana and Artie!" Mike remembered. "Ah! Thanks, Mal! Gotta go!" He hung up without another word and threw his phone aside.
"What's up?" Puck never took his eyes off the screen.
Mike paused the game and ignored his "Hey!". "We have to go! We're late picking up Santana and Artie!"
Puck blinked. "Whoops."
Mike hopped up and turned the TV off. "Come on, let's go!"
They left the condo and rode the lift down to the first floor then took the door to the garage. They hopped in Rhonda and Mike drove towards the airport.
He found a parking spot and they got out to rush inside. They found the correct gate and looked around to spot their friends.
"I don't see 'em. Do you?" Puck looked Mike's way.
Mike shook his head. "No."
Someone cleared their throat behind them. They whipped around. Artie and Santana were there with crossed arms.
Mike grinned. "Hey, guys."
"How you doin?" Puck chuckled.
"You forgot about us. Didn't you?" Artie had his don't-BS-me look on his face.
"No! No. No. No. Yes." Mike dropped his head.
"Nice to know you care." Santana snarked.
"We were playing video games." Puck explained.
"I guess I get it." Artie unthawed.
"I don't!" Santana snapped.
Mike bowed over her hand. "Please accept my humblest apologies, dear lady."
She smiled. "I guess I can forgive you."
Artie pushed his glasses up his nose. "Don't be romancin my woman, Chang! I already lost one chick to you!"
Mike pressed a hand to his chest. "I thought you got over that?"
"I am but I like throwing it up in yo face." Artie grinned.
"Come on. We have somewhere to be." Mike waved an arm.
They followed him out to his car and piled in. Mike drove back into the city to his neighborhood.
"Wow." Artie looked out the window.
"This place is crazy." Santana agreed.
Mike pulled into the parking lot of Fresh and found a parking spot as someone was leaving. He parked the car and they got out.
"So this is Boo Thang's shop?" Artie looked at the outside.
"I can't believe she actually did it." Santana craned her neck to see.
"Yeah, Mini Mama was on her P's and Q's." Puck held the door open for them all but there was barely any room to get in.
The bakery was just that packed. People were standing up and sitting down, ordering and chatting to others.
"Damn, this is a crush!" Artie looked around.
Santana got behind his chair and began pushing through the crowd. "Excuse us! Paraplegic coming through!"
People moved disgruntledly. They were not happy to be pushed out of the way.
Santana stopped at the counter. Artie grinned. "Special K?!"
Karou lit up. "Artie! How are you?! I've missed you so much!"
Santana frowned. She cleared her throat loudly.
Karou flicked her gaze to hers before returning it to Artie's. "Do you want anything? Everything's half off today only."
"Yeah, let me get a dozen orange cookies." Artie would take a cookie any day.
"Got it!" Karou dropped twelve cookies into a small bag. "That'll be three dollars."
"Six dollars for some cookies?! She better be glad I've had them before and know they're worth it!"
"Yeah but they're three dollars today so you win."
He handed over three dollars and took his bag of cookies.
Santana waited but Karou did nothing. "I'd like to order."
Karou's mouth twisted. "What do you want?"
"Special K, that's rude." Artie remarked.
"You're right. What would you have, Queen of Everything?"
Santana was glad Artie stuck up for her but Karou was getting on her last nerve. "I'd like a cup of hot chocolate."
"What size?"
"A medium."
"A dollar fifty."
"It's three dollars for a medium cup of cocoa?!" Artie gaped. "She got those Starbucks prices!"
Karou chuckled. "I'll be right back with your hot chocolate."
Santana leaned down. "I don't want you anywhere near her."
"Are we gon start this again?" Artie dropped his head back. "She only wants to get a rise out of you. That's how she and Boo Thang get down."
"Yeah but your Boo Thang don't want in your ugly pants."
He frowned. "Why you gotta mock my fashion choices?"
"Jimi-!"
"Just calm down, woman! Nothing is gonna pop off."
"It better not."
Karou returned with a recyclable paper cup of cocoa. "Here you go."
Santana hoped she hadn't spit in it. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Karou was just as insincere.
"Where's your cousin?" Artie asked.
"In the back, making cookies."
"Tell her we're here."
"I already did. She said she'd be out here as soon as she got the next batch of cookies in the oven."
"RT!" A yell was heard over the din.
"BT!" Artie shouted.
Marcy appeared and gave him a hug. "I missed ya, buddy!"
"I missed your cookies, girl!"
"Saucy Santana." Marcy blew a kiss.
Santana smiled. "Patti."
"Where's Mikey and Puck?"
"We left them by the door."
"Plebs. They should have been right behind you. I'll look for them in a bit. Find a table and relax. Did you get anything?"
"We got cookies and cocoa." Artie assured her.
"Cool. I gotta mingle but I'll definitely see you later." Marcy patted his shoulder and disappeared.
"She's a whirlwind." Artie tried to find out where she'd gone but the crowd was too dense.
"I have to keep taking orders but I'll come find you later, okay?" Karou said.
"Yeah." Artie threw up a hand. "Hit us up."
MMC
"Wheezy! Queen!" Santana yelled.
Mercedes and Quinn made a beeline for their table while they had a few seconds. "Hey!"
"What's up, girls?!" Artie waved them over.
They gave him a hug before hugging Santana. "How are you?"
"I'm good. You've been busy all morning I see!"
"Yes!" Both fanned their faces.
"So what are you making back there?" Santana asked.
"I made about five different ice creams." Quinn wiped sweat off her forehead and grimaced.
"I made six different pies." Mercedes added. "How do you like the shop?"
"It's pretty." Santana looked around. "Real soft."
"It looks like a mom and pop shop." Artie nodded.
"That's what she was going for." Mercedes smiled. "Were you late picking them up?"
Mike looked up. "What? No. No. Yes."
"Mikey!"
He grimaced. "We were playing video games!"
"How'd you remember?" Quinn wanted to know.
"Mal called me."
"Where is Mal?"
"I told him to take the twins home." Marcy said.
The group jumped. "Ah!"
"Damn, Mini Mama! Are you a ghost?!" Puck yelped.
"Funny." She rolled her eyes. "I just came out to tell you that you can go to dinner or something. The crowd won't pick back up until after so enjoy your time off."
"Yes!" Quinn was glad. Europe didn't really have air conditioning but Marcy hated the heat so she had it installed but it was doing nothing during this heatwave.
"Are you sure?" Mercedes asked.
"Yeah. Rou's here with me and I'm closing up at ten." Marcy confirmed. "I'll see you guys later."
"Okay, let's get some dinner." Mercedes watched her walk away before saying.
"I'm kinda full off cookies." Mike rubbed his stomach.
"Me too." Puck cosigned. "But it was worth it."
"Well I'm starving." Mercedes stood up. "I haven't eaten since breakfast."
"Me too." Quinn stood as well. "I want real food."
"We can grab dinner but I'm telling you, I won't eat a lot." Mike promised.
MMC
"Why are you eating my food?" Mercedes stared at Mike as he reached into her plate again.
"Sorry, Mercy. I got my second wind." He grinned sheepishly and gave her back her shrimp.
"Damn, Queen." Artie grinned at Quinn. "You wasn't playin!"
Quinn wiped her mouth on her napkin. "Sorry. I was hungry."
"So was I." Santana swallowed what was in her mouth. "The food is really good here."
"This is real deal Italian." Artie smirked. "It better be good."
Mercedes saw Mike was eyeing her last shrimp again and just gave it to him. "The after dinner rush should be starting soon. Let's go back to the shop."
"How are Boo Thang's hours gonna look?" Artie wiped his face and hands on his napkin.
"Well for the first month, she's gonna work every other day. She'll switch up her hours so she can be with the twins and also be with Pierre."
"How's that going?" Santana wondered. "I know they totally hooked up at the party but she hasn't said anything about it to me since she found out."
"She's pretending it didn't happen." Quinn rolled her eyes. "She's so deep in denial."
"She has to figure out for herself what she wants but she's taking her sweet time figuring out it's Mal." Mercedes went on.
"How did Pierre take them going to the opera together?" Mike asked. "She never told me."
"They had their first fight."
Puck sat up, completely interested. "Really?! Is he leaving her?!"
"How do you ship them harder than we do?!" Mercedes laughed.
Quinn smiled. "They're his OTP."
Puck blushed. "Just tell us."
Mercedes giggled. "They made up by the time they left their coffee date."
"That is not fair."
"Why do you want them to break up so bad?" Artie demanded.
"So her and Mal can get together. You should see them together. Really see them. They fight but it's more than that."
"Wow, Puckerman." Santana sniped. "I didn't know you believed in true love."
"Of course I do." He took Quinn's hand. "And those two got it."
"They do." Mercedes agreed. "But there's something holding her back. I don't know what it is but it's powerful. Usually Marcy goes after what she wants with a single minded intensity that is unnerving but she's letting Mal go."
"I don't understand it either. But I don't understand Pierre. He knows Mal's back in the picture. Why doesn't he just go away?" Quinn grumped.
"You'd just be happy if he dropped dead, wouldn't you?" Mike taunted lowly.
Quinn made a face but didn't deny it.
"Quinn!" Mercedes shoved her lightly. "Come on, guys. Let's go."
They paid and left the establishment to go back to the shop. They weren't that far away and had just walked. They walked back now, enjoying the summer night air.
"There's so many people walking around." Santana looked all over.
"The nightlife is alive." Mercedes swung Mike's hand.
"We've got to go out!"
"We are. For our birthday."
Santana frowned a little and cocked her head. "Huh?"
"You know Quinn's and my birthdays are seven days apart. We pick a day in between them to celebrate together. We always have. We picked Friday."
"What are you going to do?" Artie asked.
"Just go out for drinks. Our cousins are getting in and hopefully Laura." Quinn told him.
Mike held open the door to Fresh. "Who's all coming?"
"London and Paris are flying in. Nat will be there of course. George and Pat are thinking of showing up but there's no guarantee. You know how flighty they are."
"Is Pat's husband dead yet?"
"Mikey!" Mercedes hit him.
"I didn't mean it like that!" He facepalmed as the others laughed.
"You don't like your cousin's husband?" Artie wiped away tears.
"Eugene's awesome. He's just old. And sickly." Mike shrugged. Marcy came from the kitchen and approached them. "Hey, Marce? Isn't Eugene old?"
"Pat's husband? Old as dust." Marcy stopped when she got in front of them.
Puck and Artie fell out laughing.
"Marcy!" Mercedes bubbled up with laughter.
"It's picking up." Marcy ignored her. "I need more pies and a bit more ice cream."
"How much?" Quinn wanted to know.
"We ran out of three so maybe just do one more?"
"Did you run out of all the pies?" Mercedes frowned.
"Yeah. A rush of people came in after you left and took pie to go."
Mercedes squealed happily. "They like my pie!"
"They really like the cocoa. It's hot as Satan's crack but people have been buying it by the drum."
"Marcy, that is so gross!"
"It's just hot chocolate." Marcy frowned.
The boys were chuckling.
"Need any help, Patti? I'm sure Jimi can take orders." Santana offered.
Artie looked at her as Marcy's lips twitched. "Thank you, Santana but we're good. I just need them."
Mercedes, Quinn and Marcy went to the kitchen.
"Stop volunteering me for stuff!" Artie snapped.
"Let's find a table." Mike pursed his lips to keep from laughing.
Puck had a wide grin. He didn't want to laugh either. Not out of politeness but so he could hear.
Santana just shrugged as she sat down. "Are we staying here until ten?"
"We can." Mike shrugged. "I have nothing to do tonight."
"And you say you have a room for me downstairs?" Artie asked.
"Yeah, we lugged a bedroom suite down to a spare room downstairs and put stuff in a bathroom down there. You're set."
"Cool. I wish I could see upstairs though."
"We'll tote you up there but there's nothing to see. We each chose a plain bedroom but you should see the girls. Their rooms are amazing and detailed."
"I like Mini Mama's bathroom the most then Q's then Mama's." Puck said. "Mama has all this purple and gold in her bathroom. It's too much for me. Q just has a bunch of grey but Mini Mama's is like a jungle. I want to take a shower in hers."
"That's not weird." Santana crossed her legs.
"You have to see it." Mike came to his rescue. "I'd rather take a bath in her tub. That way I can see the bathroom."
"You two are weird."
"What kinda girl are you?" Artie taunted.
Santana gave him major side-eye.
MMC
Marcy switched the sign from OPEN to CLOSED with a happy sigh. "I want to thank everybody for a great first day. I won't be in tomorrow but feel free to call me if anything pops up. I'll be in Wednesday."
Her staff clapped then gathered their things to go.
She went through making sure everything was clean and put away before turning off lights. She came back to the outer space. "Are you guys ready to go?"
"Yeah." Mercedes stood up. "Are we watching movies tonight?"
"The twins are long sleep." Marcy waved a hand.
"We can just watch for us. Watch one of our movies."
"I don't know. I'm tired."
"Come on, Twin." Karou wrapped her arm around Marcy. "We can watch Against All Time."
"Ugh! I hate that movie."
"I don't understand why. It was one of your best movies." Quinn set her chair on the table.
Marcy pursed her lips. "I'm not making popcorn."
"Boo!" Puck yelled.
"We can just have chips." Quinn pushed his hands down.
"Fine. Whatever. I'm taking a bath first. I'm covered in flour and sugar." Marcy grabbed her things.
They all went to the front door and she turned off the lights and locked the door.
"Are we watching this movie with you?" Mike asked.
"You can. We'd like for you to be there." Mercedes wrapped his arm around her.
"No, we wouldn't." Karou teased.
"Yes, we would." Quinn hit her.
They got in Travis, Rhonda and Mercedes's unnamed car and drove around three blocks. Four blocks over and they were home.
"Whoa!" Artie and Santana looked up at the expansive building.
"Which do you want a tour of first?" Mercedes asked.
"Mine can be last. That way I can hurry and shower." Marcy hit the button for the elevator.
"Okay, we'll see you." Mercedes turned to Artie and Santana. "Let's go to the boys'. They don't have much besides their den."
"I'm offended, Mama." Puck sniffed.
She rubbed his chest. "You'll be okay."
"Wow, dang."
She giggled and got on the elevator. "Sorry; not sorry."
"Bad girl." Santana approved.
"I'm a good girl."
"Who likes sassin and throwing mad shade." Artie teased.
She rolled her neck and lifted a finger. "Don't play with me, Abrams! I'll take you to the carpet!"
"Girl, ain't nobody scared of you."
She pushed him out of the elevator and parked him in front of a wall.
"That's not nice, Ms. Good Girl!"
She laughed and pulled him from the wall. "Don't mess with me!"
Mike kissed her before opening the door. "She's like a koala bear. Cute but will mess you up."
Mercedes beamed. "Koala bears are cute."
"And dangerous. Just like Mama." Puck hugged her.
"But they're soft and huggable." Quinn hugged her next.
Mercedes rocked with the hug. "You're huggable, too."
"But Tubbers ain't soft." Santana taunted.
"Neither are you." Quinn stuck her tongue out.
"Stop it, guys." Mercedes rubbed Quinn's back. "Okay, Mikey. Take us through your house."
Mike led them through downstairs (as sparse as it was) then he and Puck brought Artie upstairs. He and Santana poked around the rooms but they were just as sparse as downstairs.
They traveled back below stairs and Artie put his stuff in his room. "Why don't you have a dance studio?"
"I can just use Marce's." Mike shrugged. "We've been using it to come up with a new dance routine and it works fine."
"Cool. Can't wait to see it."
They traveled down to Mercedes's and Quinn's condo and went inside.
"You have color!" Santana looked around.
"So?!" Puck exploded.
Mike and Artie chuckled.
Santana smirked. "It looks good in here."
Puck rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
They went through the rooms downstairs (with Santana and Artie liking each room more than the last) before going upstairs.
"Girl!" Santana clicked her tongue. "I love your room!"
Mercedes smiled. "Thanks."
"I see what you mean about the bathroom." Artie whispered to Puck, who nodded.
"Your closet is my dream!" Santana continued.
Ozzie barked. Mercedes had had Mal feed him when he got home so although full, the dog was lonely.
Puck picked him up. "What up, Oz Man?!"
Ozzie yipped happily to be with his dad.
"Dust-mop." Artie smirked.
Mike snickered.
Puck held Ozzie out. "Don't talk about my little dude."
"I thought Mally was your Little Dude?"
"He is. He's my human Little Dude. Ozzie's my dog little dude."
"When are we going to see the kids?" Artie petted Ozzie.
"Probably tomorrow. They're already in bed." Mike said.
"I didn't get a chance to really get to know them when they came in June."
"Yeah. A few hours in nothing. But they'll be excited to see you. Mally doesn't really care for men but he really took to Kurt."
"Really?" Artie was impressed.
"And Secret took to Bowties." Puck added.
"Who?"
"Secret is one of Marcy's dogs. He likes Blaine." Mike explained.
"She named her dog Secret?"
"Yup."
"Why?"
"Never asked."
Artie lifted a shoulder. "I'll ask her one day."
"It's not urgent?"
Artie smiled. "I see you still have a bit of devil in you."
"I'm so offended by that. I'm an angel!"
"Pull any pranks on your sister?"
Mike grinned. "I'd never pull a prank on Marcy."
"Because she'll light your ass up! You know I'm talking about your older sister!"
"Yeah, he messed her up." Puck snickered. "He made her think her hair fell out."
"What?! How?!"
Puck beamed. "He put a skullcap on her while she slept and put pieces of blonde weave on her pillow."
Artie fell out laughing. "How did she find out you pranked her?"
Mike beamed. "She screamed so loud, we could hear her upstairs. The girls ran in and they found out. They ran their fingers over her hair and removed it."
"You know you wrong but man, is that funny."
Mike did a small jig.
"And you feel zero regret."
He shrugged lightly.
"Guys?" Mercedes called. They looked over. "We're going to change clothes. We'll meet you upstairs."
"You're putting on pajamas?" Mike asked.
"Yeah."
"Okay, we'll be there in probably ten minutes."
"Make it fifteen. You know I gotta tie my hair up."
"Why don't you leave it down?"
"You're not putting your fingers in my head, Chang!"
"Pimp!" Artie stared at Mike, who had an unabashed expression on his face.
"Yeah, Mike's a pervert." Puck laughed.
"Shut up! You're the pervert!" Mike rolled his eyes.
"You're both dirty." Mercedes snapped. "Now go home so we can get dressed."
"Why can't we stay?" Both spoke in unison by mistake.
Quinn laughed as Mercedes steamed. "No! Get out!"
"This blows. Let's go, Mike." Puck hooked a thumb at the door. "She don't never want to show the goods."
"Can I get a kiss at least?" Mike grumped.
"For what?!" Mercedes was incredulous. "I'll see you in fifteen minutes!"
"See how stingy she is with the good stuff?"
"Boy, get outta here!"
Mike snuck a kiss and ran out. Puck and a wheeling Artie laughed as they followed him.
Mercedes swiped at empty air. "I could just kill him!"
"Why you holdin out on him?" Santana found it funny.
"He didn't need a kiss."
"Now I feel like I should have kissed Puck." Quinn giggled.
"Get away from me. Both of you." Mercedes indicated both of them.
Quinn and Santana laughed as they left.
Mercedes shook her head with a smile and went to change her clothes, thinking about the kiss she would lay on her boyfriend as punishment.
MMC
Mal opened the door. "You don't have to worry about Secret. He's asleep."
"Thank heavens!" Mercedes was serious.
"Who's Secret?" Santana wanted to know.
"Mini Mama's demon dog." Puck muttered.
Quinn patted his chest. "No, he's not."
"Yes, he is." Mal sneered. "He was bred by Satan in the fiery pits of hell."
"So was Marcy but you love her." Mike blinked innocently.
Mercedes hit him as Mal turned a dark glare on him. "Mikey!"
Puck held up a hand. "Bro! Up top!"
"I'm telling her you said that." Mal narrowed his eyes.
"Man, you can't take a joke." Mike sighed.
"Because you're not funny. You're just an asshole."
"Mal!" Mercedes swatted him.
"Yeah, Mercy! Get him! Call me an asshole!" Mike helped her hit him.
"Mikey! There are kids in this house!"
"They're sleep."
She huffed. "Where's Marcy, Mal?"
"In the kitchen. She's making drinks." Mal waved a hand towards the kitchen.
"Mal, show Artie your house. We'll take Tana to the kitchen."
"I'm not a tour guide."
"Mal!"
"Fine! I should be getting paid for this!"
"But you're not so suck it up." Quinn inspected her nails.
"Get out. Right now. Turn right back around and go home."
Santana laughed. "You do have a sense of humor, Little Chang."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because he's a loser." Mike hit his shoulder.
"Quinn, take him with you."
Puck laughed. "Q still gotta go?"
"Stop it!" Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Mal, take them on a tour. Tana, Q, come on."
Mal walked off.
Mercedes pushed Mike in his direction. "Follow him!"
"I don't want to follow his rude self." Mike just wanted to make trouble.
And Mercedes knew it. "You're cut off. You gets no kisses."
He jumped. "Come on, guys!"
"Wanna follow him now, don't ya?" Artie smirked.
"He's my only little brother."
"That's why you treat him like crap." Puck snickered.
Mike stalked off.
Puck and Artie followed him. "We don't hear nothin!"
Mercedes shook her head at them and vowed to stop talking to strange people. "Come on, guys."
The trio walked to the kitchen.
Karou looked up. "Hey."
"Hey." They responded as they took seats around the island.
"Sup?" Marcy poured something into a large punch bowl.
"What are you making?" Mercedes asked.
"Don't know. It's just a bunch of juice and soda. With grenadine."
"She opened a bottle of Schnapps and got dizzy." Karou reported.
Mercedes put her arms on the counter. "Marcy, maybe you need to see a doctor. You've been sick for a while."
"Nope. Doctors always find something wrong with you. I can just lay off alcohol for a while."
"Wow." Quinn teased. "You're giving up alcohol. You must really be scared of the doctors."
"One, I am not afraid of doctors. That's her." Marcy pointed to Mercedes. "Two, I can give up alcohol. You keep forgetting there were no spirits at the convent."
Quinn snapped her fingers as Mercedes gasped loudly. "Excuse you! I'm not afraid of the doctors!"
"Ever since Papa Mike first checked you out, you've been afraid of doctors."
"You have." Quinn threw in.
Mercedes was so offended. "He hit me with a tomahawk!"
"It's part of the exam, chicken." Marcy didn't laugh but her eyes danced.
"I'm no chicken!"
Karou flapped her arms and imitated a chicken clucking.
Mercedes threw a bottle top at her. "Shut up!"
"Stop being ornery and taste this." Marcy gave Mercedes the ladle.
Mercedes drank what was in it. Her eyes lit up. "Wow! That tastes really good!"
"Good. Mal's going to have to bring this in."
"For someone that's not your boyfriend, you sure work him." Karou lifted a brow.
"Where's your boyfriend? Oh wait. You're lonely."
Karou's face cracked as the others laughed. "I'm alone! Not lonely!"
"Whatever."
"You're mean, Cuz."
"Have a sip and a smile." Marcy handed her the ladle. "It's not that bad."
Karou glared at her. "I'm telling Mother."
Marcy blew her a kiss.
"Marcy, show Tana your house." Mercedes commanded.
"This is my house."
"This is the kitchen!"
"Which is in my house."
Santana laughed as Mercedes facepalmed. "I like it. It's spicy in here."
"Thank you. Let's just watch the movie. I'll show you the house tomorrow. It looks better in the light." Marcy grabbed plastic cups.
"This is the kitchen." Mal walked in with the guys.
"This seems like a kitchen to cook in!" Artie wheeled in slowly.
"Check out the pizza oven. She never uses it." Puck muttered.
"I will never do a thing for you again, Pucker Up." Marcy raised a brow.
"You hate doin stuff for me now."
"Not hate."
"You complain a lot."
"Duh. You're too soft."
"I'm not soft!"
"Are your feelings hurt cuz I called you soft?" She put on her baby voice.
"Mama!"
"Marcy, leave him alone!" Mercedes frowned.
"I swear, I can't wait for her to be away." Marcy sulked.
"You're gonna be tarred and feathered." Mal said.
Mike shook his head. "Drawn and quartered."
"Beaten black and blue." Karou threw in.
"Mama!" Puck was flustered.
"Stop it, guys! He's going to think you're serious one of these days!" Mercedes chastised.
"We're serious this day!" Marcy snapped.
Mercedes glared. "Stop it!"
"You know what? We're gonna get you, too. I'm sick of you always on my case."
"I'm not on your case." Mercedes sulked slightly.
"Yes, you are. You always police my words and actions like you're the boss of me. It's irritating."
"And you're always telling on us." Mal threw in.
"Because you're bad!" Mercedes clapped a hand to her mouth.
"Who said you were perfect?!" Marcy spat.
"I'm sorry."
"Come on, guys." Mike waved his hands and went to Mercedes and rubbed her back. "She's just trying to look out for you."
"You're only saying that because you want what she got." Marcy wasn't in a forgiving mood. "If you weren't together, you'd be mad at her for always snitchin on you."
"I can overlook certain things because we are in love but she's still only trying to make you into decent human beings."
"Tell that to Laura cuz that's all she's doin."
Mike narrowed his eyes. "Just let me win once, will you?!"
Marcy rolled her eyes. "I need a drink."
"What'd you make?" Mal was distracted.
"It's nonalcoholic. I need a real drink."
"What about your dizzy spell?" Karou crossed her arms.
"I'll lie down and drink."
Mercedes bit her lip. "I don't want you to snap at me but that's not healthy."
"Your doctorate is awe-inspiring. Oh wait! You're not a doctor!"
Puck and Artie fell into laughs as Santana snickered and Quinn covered her mouth. Mal and Karou bust out laughing.
"Marcy!" Mike snapped.
"You got to go. I already had a long day. I'm tired and sleepy and dizzy and you both are a pain in the ass sober." Marcy rubbed her neck.
"We'll be quiet." Mercedes promised.
"Don't give into this dictator!" Mike bit off. "She's probably only doing this because she knows how much it'll hurt you."
"You're a real asshole." Marcy glared. "You really got to go."
"Stop calling me that!"
"Stop being an asshole." Mal pointed out.
"I'm not an asshole!"
"That's what an asshole would say."
Mike jumped at him. He hid behind Marcy. Mercedes wrapped her arms around Mike's middle. "Stop it, Mikey. Maybe we're being antagonistic?"
"You are." Marcy blew out a breath. "But I like you so I guess you can stay."
Mercedes got up and went to hug her.
Marcy leaned away. "I didn't say touch me!"
Karou got in on the hug. "Love you, Twin!"
Quinn piled on. "You're sweet, Marce."
Puck took another picture. Mike facepalmed. "We're too weird."
MMC
"What language is this?" Santana snarked.
"It's Romanian. Shhh!" Marcy put her finger to her mouth.
"I don't understand Romanian."
"Neither do we but we're enjoying it." Quinn tossed.
Santana glared at her.
"This is one scary movie." Artie whispered as he snacked on chips.
"Who's goin around snatching up all the kids?" Puck was terrified.
Mal shushed him. "You'll see."
"But-"
"Shhh!"
"But-"
"Shhh!"
"But-"
Ding! Dong!
Almost everyone in the den jumped. Marcy paused the movie. "Who could it be this late at night?"
"It's the monster." Puck whispered.
"There are no such things as monsters." She stood up. "You can continue watching the movie. I'll get it."
"I'll go with you. Crazy people are out." Mal stood up, too.
"Real nice, Chang."
"Other types of crazy." He rolled his eyes.
"I was just mocking your he-man ways." She walked out.
Mal pulled a face and followed her.
Karou turned back on the movie.
"How are you just gonna play it?" Puck hissed.
"She said we could!"
"We should wait. And maybe turn on a light."
"Are you scared?" Santana turned incredulous eyes on him.
"Never!" His voice wavered.
"Hell, I'm scared." Artie kept crunching. "I don't understand this movie or why people keep dying or why the people in this village don't just move."
Mike laughed.
~MMC~
Marcy stared at her drunk brother. "What the actual f-?!"
"Marce!" Jamie grinned. "Just help me!"
Mal grabbed Marc's other side and hoisted him up. "Why is he so plastered?"
"I don't know. He just showed up at my house and said he wanted to get rip roarin drunk. Of course I accommodated but he started slamming back shots and slurring about how Marcy was right."
"About what?" Marcy asked.
"No idea." The Italian shrugged. "He wouldn't say anything else and then he threw up."
"Joy. Why'd you bring him here?"
"Because you wouldn't ask questions and you wouldn't judge."
Marcy's lips twisted. Damn her apathy. "Fine. Bring him upstairs."
Jamie (with Mal's help) brought him upstairs to a guest room and laid Marc facedown in the bed. "You got a bucket?"
Marcy put the trashcan by the bed and set Marc's bag on the dresser. "He's going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow."
"What are you doing?"
Marcy looked from opening the blinds. "I'm making it worse."
Mal snickered. "I'm so in love with you."
Jamie grinned. "You're a bad sister. I love it. Whatcha doin?"
"What do you mean?" Marcy led the way out of the room.
"Before I came. What were you doing?"
"Watching a movie."
"What movie?" Marcy told him. "I love that movie. It's scary as shit. I wanna watch it."
"I thought you'd want to go home."
"Ain't nothin there. Plus I should stay off the roads until I sober up more."
"Were you driving drunk?!" She put her hands on her hips.
"Driving tipsy mostly."
"You might as well sleep over. At Mikey's." She headed for the stairs. "Come on."
They walked downstairs and into the den. The room's occupants looked up. "Jamie!"
"Hey!" He hugged his cousins.
"Jamie, remember Santana and Artie?" Mercedes asked.
"The guy with the girlfriend?" Jamie pointed to him.
"She's an ex now." Artie acknowledged.
"I'm his girlfriend now." Santana put a hand on his shoulder.
Jamie offered his hand for a high-five. "Nice!"
Artie slapped it. "I know."
"What's up, Puck?" Jamie sat down.
"Hey, Jamie." Puck bit his lip.
"Puckerman's scared of the movie." Santana told.
"No, I'm not!"
"It gets worse." Marcy sat on Mal's lap.
"How?!"
"How?!" Artie echoed. "It's pretty terrifying now!"
"You'll see." Marcy promised.
MMC
"I'm never going to sleep again." Artie murmured.
Santana looked to Marcy. "I'm sorry you died."
Marcy shrugged.
Puck blinked. "Q, sleep with me."
Quinn smiled. "Puck, relax. Krampus only attacks children."
"I was a child five minutes ago."
Marcy giggled. "Not to put you out but get out. I need sleep."
"We're leaving. We're leaving." Mike yawned widely.
"Wheels, can I sleep with you?" Puck asked.
"Hell yeah! I'm not sleeping by myself!" Artie was serious.
"Mike, sleep with us."
"Not ever." Mike rubbed his eyes. "I'm going to sleep in my own bed by myself. Unless I get a better offer?"
Mercedes smiled. "You can sleep with me."
"Alright, I'll see you two tomorrow." Mike pulled her out.
Marcy herded the others out. Jamie went upstairs with Karou and Mal.
"Have a good night." Marcy shut the door.
Puck glared. "What's wrong with her?! Who stars in a movie like that?!"
"Stop being a girl and go to bed." Mike taunted.
"Quinn, I'm serious."
"I know. That's why you need to sleep by yourself." Quinn kissed his cheek then went to the elevator.
"San." Artie caught her hand.
"I'll sleep with you tomorrow." Santana promised.
"Why aren't you scared?"
"I am." She admitted. "I'm definitely keeping the light on."
"Come on, Tana." Mercedes called from the elevator.
Santana kissed Artie then went to the elevator. "See you in the morning."
Puck and Artie looked at each other before going inside. They turned on every light they could.
The foursome rode down then went to Mercedes's and Quinn's condo. They went inside and went upstairs. Quinn went to her room and Santana went to hers with wishes of goodnight.
Mike and Mercedes went to her room and climbed in her bed. They wrapped their arms around each other. "Happy birthday."
Mercedes smiled. "Thank you. Goodnight."
"Night."
The chapter is acting wonky. I apologize for that.