Sorry this is late. I had severe phone problems yesterday and I was out all day. I was able to upload a story last night but I literally didn't have the energy to edit this chapter before going to sleep. But I did have the energy to WRITE another chapter. This story has 57 chapters so far but there's not much left to the story. This story is crazy but I think you'll enjoy it.
The song is Really Don't Care by Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd and the song Mercedes and Marcy covers is Fade Away by Cipes and the People. It's a great song. Check it out. As always, enjoy and review!
NJPNJPNJP
Mercedes tapped the spring loaded handle on her curling iron and watched as the barrel slid out of her hair, leaving behind a big bouncy curl. "Who needs the curling iron?"
India stood. "I do."
Mercedes handed the hot tool over and grabbed a comb to disrupt her new curls. She took a second to look over her closet at her sisters and cousins in the different stages of getting dressed for the evening.
Most were stuck on their hair while a couple (Coraline, Karou) were pulling on clothes.
"Who wants this?" Marcy asked as she finished straightening her bangs.
Paris went to her. "Me."
"It's really hot."
"That's because it had to work extra hard on all that curly hair."
"Don't get burnt, heifa."
"Love you, Cuz."
Marcy handed over the flat iron and went to Mercedes. "Do you need help putting your dress on?"
"Yes, please." Mercedes smiled.
"Where is it?"
Mercedes pointed to a tulip shaped dress hanging up out of the way of a happily frolicking Ozzie. "Thank you!"
"Welcome." Marcy got the dress and brought it over.
Mercedes left her hair alone for a second to step into the dress. Marcy pulled it up her body then zipped up the long back. Mercedes adjusted the strapless top around her chest.
"How are you going to do your makeup?"
"Well I'm wearing peach so I'll go light." Mercedes went back to styling her hair.
"I don't know what possessed me to choose black." Marcy motioned to her shirt and skirt combo. The soft lawn shirt was short sleeved and most importantly black.
Mercedes smiled. "It's night. It'll be okay."
"It better be. I'll strip."
Mercedes laughed. "Get dressed, crazy girl!"
Marcy went to pull on her clothes.
Quinn stepped into her dress that was the exact replica of Mercedes dress except it was gold. "Zip me up, Sissy?"
Mercedes zipped up her dress. "There you go. Are you about to put on your makeup now?"
"Yeah." Quinn already knew how she wanted her makeup.
"Help!" Natalia called out.
London went to her. "What's wrong?"
"I can't get this stupid zipper!"
London laughed. "None of us can. We need help."
London and Natalia also wore dresses like Mercedes's and Quinn's but Natalia's was a lime green while London's was a soft pink.
London finished zipping up the dress and patted Natalia's back. "There you go."
Laura groaned as she pulled her sweater dress over her head. "Just think; I'm going to have to get bigger clothes!"
China helped her. "That has been known to happen."
"I'm going to get fat."
"I'm sure you'll still have admirers, Twin."
"Really?" Laura teared up. "I won't be bloated like a puffer fish?"
China looked at her.
"Tell her the truth!" Marcy shouted.
Laura glared at her. "Shut up!"
Marcy smiled.
China laughed. "You won't be bloated, I'm sure."
"Yes, she will! She'll carry high and look like a whale!"
Laura swiped at her. "You are just the devil!"
Marcy went over to her and hugged her. "You know I'm just kidding, Big Sis. You'll look breathtaking no matter how far along you are."
Laura smiled and hugged her hard.
Mercedes snapped a picture on her phone. Marcy didn't hug often so she had to document it. "Are we all getting dressed now?"
"Yes!" China pulled on her sweater dress and pushed it down.
Natalia and London nodded. "Yes!"
Coraline helped India with her hair. "Yes!"
Karou, wearing a shirt and skirt combo, held up a thumb. "Yes!"
Paris ran to her own shirt and skirt combo. "Yes!"
Santana was still doing her hair. "No."
Mercedes laughed. "I'll help you. You're putting in big curls?"
Santana nodded carefully. "Jimi likes hair."
"You've got hair." Marcy helped Paris get dressed. "Is his fetish more pronounced than having a strand?"
Santana blushed. "He likes curly hair."
"Dude's a freak." Marcy grinned.
"I can get with that." Paris twisted her skirt around.
Marcy slapped her bottom as Santana glared. "Stop it, thirsty."
Paris lifted her chin. "I need to get laid tonight."
"I think that should be the team mission!" Marcy's eyes widened.
"Marcy!" Mercedes laughed. "You have a boyfriend! Quite a few of us are taken!"
"Dammit!" Marcy swore low before she tossed back, "You and Quinn can come back and have sex with your boyfriends. I'll live through you."
"Why don't you just have sex with your boyfriend?" Paris started putting her makeup on.
Marcy was silent.
Karou looked at her face. "Have you never had sex with Pierre?"
George nearly dropped the curling iron wrapped around her light brown hair. "What?! You?!"
Marcy got huffy. "So what?!"
"But why not?" Quinn was truly confused. "You knew Ellen two days and had her on her back. Why haven't you slept with Pierre yet?"
"Because I want to do things different." Marcy sighed as she went to do her makeup to avoid everyone's eyes. "I'm quick to jump in bed and when it's over, I want to hop out and disappear. I don't want to lose out on a good relationship."
Mercedes's heart melted. "You really like him!"
Marcy blushed and rolled her eyes hard. "He's okay."
Quinn smiled smugly. "You care about him."
"Whatever. Don't tell Mal! It's none of his business!"
Her family raised their hands in surrender and went back to dressing and putting on makeup.
Santana looked at Mercedes in the mirror. "So she likes him cuz she won't sleep with him?"
"Marcy is a sexual creature. She thinks about sex so much, I don't know how she functions sometimes. I suppose she's actually thinking with her head this time and not her libido." Mercedes answered.
"Shouldn't she be thinking with her heart?"
"That's not gonna happen." She snorted.
Santana smirked. "Where are we even going?"
"To dinner first."
"You believe in eating before drinking." Santana teased.
"You should never drink on an empty stomach." Mercedes took the curling iron out of Santana's hair. "Done. Now get dressed and I'll style it for you."
"I want to leave it like this. He likes them like this." Santana pulled on her mini dress.
"Oooh!" Mercedes taunted.
Santana slapped her arm.
Mercedes went to put her makeup on then put on her shoes. They were three inch burnt orange heels. She liked them because they looked outrageous.
She looked around to see most of them were ready. "I think we should take a picture!"
"We do look good!" Pat tousled her hair as she ran her other hand over her bandage style dress.
George was wearing a matching one and checked to make sure everything was covered. "I agree. Who's going to take the picture?"
"One of the guys can." Quinn decided.
"Do you think they'll like what we're wearing?" Paris asked.
"For what? You don't have a boyfriend." Marcy raised a brow.
"I'll have you know I've gone on a few dates with a bloke back in England!"
"Ooh! A few dates!"
Paris hit her.
Karou laughed. "Is he cute?"
"He better be!" Marcy made trouble. "We don't do ugly!"
"Marcy!" Mercedes laughed. "You know beauty is only skin deep!"
"That's just an old Temptations song! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we don't behold ugly!"
Laura rolled her eyes. "Stop being so shallow."
Marcy scoffed in hurt. "I'm not-! I am shallow."
Karou and Paris burst out laughing.
"Come along and stop being bad." Laura bossed.
"I'm not bad!" Marcy snapped. Everyone looked at her. "I'm not!"
"Uh huh." Karou lifted a brow. "What I want to know is how you went on a date with Sam and kissed him a bunch of times but I can't get near him! And you gave him to Nat!"
"One, he's not a pair of boots. I didn't give him to anybody. Two, he asked me out and I said yes."
"I can't believe you went out with him and you think he's dirty." Santana smirked.
"I don't think he's dirty!"
"What's the cutoff?" Paris wanted to know. "How many partners can your man have before you don't want him?"
Marcy sighed. "I don't know. I just know I don't want him to have as many as me."
"Nobody has had as many as you. Not even Puck, Tana or Britt." Quinn teased.
"Shut up, Fabray!" Santana snapped.
"I'm pushing you into traffic! Don't get comfortable!" Marcy shouted.
Quinn laughed. "I sorry, Marcy."
"What about me?!" Santana demanded.
"I guess I'm sorry."
"Gallant." Santana sniffed.
"I try."
"What I want to know about is Lila getting a boyfriend." Mercedes said. "When did she start dating?"
Santana smiled. "I know the exact day she started dating."
"Artie told you?" Quinn asked.
"Nope. It was the same day Gomez started dating."
"Your brother?" Marcy remembered. "Wait a minute! You are not saying what I think you're saying!"
Santana grinned. "Oh yeah!"
"What are you saying?" Quinn felt lost.
Mercedes shrugged. "Would does one have to do with the other?"
"Come on!" Marcy snapped. "They went on a date with each other!"
Mercedes screamed happily. "Lila is dating Gomez?!"
"Yep!" Santana nodded happily. "My mom is too happy! She's babying him so much! My dad is so proud! It's not Gomez's first relationship but they like that we're dating siblings."
"It's so cute!" Mercedes gushed. "I wish I could see them!"
"We've gone on every date with them so far. They've gone out every Saturday since summer started. Tomorrow will be their first date without us."
"Gomez is so cute! Has he gotten better looking?" Quinn teased.
Santana laughed. "He thinks he's the best looking guy on Earth!"
"He probably is!" Mercedes sassed.
Santana laughed again.
"I want to see pictures!" George demanded.
"He's fifteen!" Mercedes hit her.
"I can have a boy toy!"
Santana wagged her finger. "Not my baby brother! It's bad enough he's dating Jimi's sister."
"You don't want to share your baby brother?" Mercedes teased.
"Do you share yours?!"
"Nope!" Quinn said readily.
"So Little Chang is gonna live his life alone?"
"Until Marcy decides to stop deluding herself and they get together." Quinn had no shame.
Marcy glared at her. "May you always find one grey hair somewhere on your body."
Quinn gasped. "Never!"
The others laughed.
Marcy glared forcefully. "I'm not going to be with Jr.! At all!"
"Well he'll always be alone because we're not sitting through another Ellen situation." Quinn crossed her arms.
"Laura!"
Laura sighed. "Stop fighting. You don't have to be with Mal, Marcy. Quinn…, we'll continue to block Mal."
Mercedes (and the others) laughed. "So it's agreed that Mal will be getting no love?"
"Yep!"
Marcy shook her head with a smirk. "I'm so getting him a girlfriend."
"I can't believe you hook him up." Santana grinned.
"I'm an amazing sister."
Mercedes sent Mike a text. "Come on, guys. We need to go."
The girls gathered their things and left the closet. Mercedes turned the lights off and they went downstairs.
Mercedes locked the door behind them and turned towards the stairs. Mike was walking down them as Puck and Artie took the elevator.
"You guys look great." Mike reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Thank you, Mikey!" They chimed.
Mike went to Mercedes and hugged her. "Remember you have someone at home."
She slapped his chest. "How's my hair?"
"Curly."
"Do you like it?"
"I wanna mess it up."
"Go, Mikey!" Marcy hooted.
"Mikey!" Karou and Paris hollered.
"Don't encourage him!" Mercedes hid her face in his shirt.
"You need to be encouraging him! Get it, Mikey!" Marcy yelled.
"Stop it!"
"Oh Mike gets it in!" Puck flexed. "He has her screaming her head off!"
"Go, Mike!" Artie cheered.
"Shut up, Puck! Be quiet, Artie." Mercedes blushed.
Mike kissed her quickly. "Why'd you want us down here?"
"To take pictures of us!" She perked up.
The door to Marcy's and Mal's apartment opened and Mal and Marc walked out.
Mal whistled sharply. "You guys look good!"
"Thank you, Mal!" They waved.
"Most of you look good!" Marc corrected.
"Nobody cares what you think!" Laura sniped.
"Oh geez, not this again!" Marcy rolled her eyes. "Let's just go so we don't have to worry about them fighting."
"Yes! Let's!" Laura raised her chin.
"Go!" Marc waved a hand.
Mike huffed. "Whose phone am I using?"
"Mine." Mercedes gave it to him. "Come on, guys. All together. Smile. Say "famous"!"
The girls gathered together and smiled. "Famous!"
Mike snapped a couple pictures before giving Mercedes back her phone. "Have a good time. Be safe."
Mercedes tapped his nose. "Thank you. I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well."
"I won't be with you."
"Aww!" She brought him down for a kiss.
"We'll be here all night if you keep being cute!" Marcy yelled.
"We can be cute." Mal waggled his eyebrows.
"We are cute; I don't know what you're talking about!"
The others laughed.
Puck tugged Quinn over and kissed her. "Don't pick up no other dudes."
"I barely want you." Quinn kissed him back.
"You know you want me."
Quinn just kissed him again.
Santana kissed Artie. "You better think of me all night."
"I'll think about it." He pulled her onto his lap and gave her a deep kiss.
Mal kissed Marcy's cheek. "Don't cheat on your boyfriend."
Marcy swiped at him as he laughed. "I don't like you, Chang!"
"You love me."
"Come on, guys." Mercedes pried herself away from Mike. "Dinner is in sight!"
A cheer went up and the girls spilled out onto the sidewalk. The guys waved them off and they started walking north.
"They won't get into too much trouble, will they?" Artie pushed his glasses up.
"Some of them are bad. They might." Mal shrugged.
"They'll be fine." Marc waved a hand.
Mike shut the door. "I'm hungry. They're going for dinner; what are we eating?"
The guys were at a loss.
MMC
"I'm full, Wheezy!" Santana rubbed her stomach.
"Good. We're going to the club now." Mercedes finished touching up her lipstick.
"Where is this club? These shoes were not made for walking."
"It's close." Mercedes promised.
Santana stood up. "Let's do this! I'm ready to party!"
Marcy jumped to her feet. "That's what I'm talking about! Let's hit it!"
A cheer went up and the women cleared out of the restaurant. They went west and took in the sights and sounds of the nightlife, talking excitedly about their plans.
They made it to Oke, a karaoke bar. They went inside and found the bar and began ordering drinks.
Laura got a virgin daiquiri but everyone else got alcohol. Marcy took one whiff of her drink and nearly vomited on the spot. She gave it to Karou, who knocked it back, then went to the bathroom to throw up.
"Is she okay?" Santana asked.
"She's been like this all week." Quinn dismissed it. "She'll be better soon."
"Why is she throwing up from alcohol?"
"She can throw up from anything. She has a sensitive nose and stomach."
"That's got to suck."
"It's just in spells. Last month it was coffee. Next month it'll be vanilla."
"How can she take throwing up like that?"
"She's used to it. You should have seen her when we were younger. She'd throw up and keep playing."
"Ew!"
Marcy walked back, holding her stomach.
"How are you doing, Marce?" Mercedes rubbed her back.
Marcy stopped her. "I need some Ginger ale."
Laura pushed her hair from her face. "You're burning up. Maybe we should go home?"
"Oh no. I'm out and I'm going to have fun if it kills me."
"It just might."
"At least I'd have died having fun."
"Stubborn girl."
Marcy swallowed hard and went to the bartender. "Ginger ale please."
He filled a glass with ice then the soda. He put in a straw and set it in front of her.
She sucked down half of it before burping loudly. "Excuse me. Okay, I'm better. Let's do this."
"Yay!" Karou hugged her then ignored when she tried to get away. "What are we gonna sing first?!"
"We have to sign up first." Laura said.
"Santana, get ready to see the Pink Palmers in person!" Mercedes was excited.
"The who?!" Santana blinked.
"That's us." Quinn sucked on her martini.
Laura went to go sign up then came back. "We're doing a Demi Lovato song to start. I want us to ease into it."
"What song?" Mercedes asked.
"Really Don't Care."
Marcy frowned. "Why do I have to go first?!"
"It's like your anthem. You got this!"
"I just threw up! Maybe I don't want to open my mouth?!"
"Too bad. I already put it on the list."
Karou hugged Marcy. "At least I'm doing Cher Lloyd's part."
Marcy gave her a heavy lidded look. "Yay."
"You got this, Marce!" Mercedes cheered. "Then we can do Round and Round."
"We think just alike because that's our next song." Laura smiled.
"Next song?" China asked.
"I signed us up for the next ten songs."
"You can't do that. Can you do that? You can't do that." Marcy said.
"I asked and the man said I could." Laura turned to wave to the man by the machine, who perked up at her wave and waved back enthusiastically.
"And you talk about Marc." Quinn mocked.
Laura glared at her. "I'm nothing like Marc!"
"Except for the flirting to get what you want." Marcy blinked.
Laura narrowed her eyes. "Shut up and get on stage."
"Is it even our turn?"
"We're next."
The music stopped and people in the bar began clapping.
"See? Go!"
Marcy rolled her eyes and set her glass down at an empty table. China sat at the table with George and Pat. India ordered another drink first.
Marcy led the group to the stage.
Santana sat at the table. "Why aren't you going up?"
"They're the Pink Palmers." China pointed to the stage.
"What's up with the name?"
"Laura came up with it. Her favorite color is pink and she likes Arnold Palmers. Plus she likes pink lemonade. The name just came to her."
Santana nodded. "This should be good."
"They are." China smiled.
Marcy lifted the microphone to her lips. "You wanna play
You wanna stay
You wanna have it all
You started messin with my head
Until I hit a wall"
Mercedes and Quinn chimed in with her.
"Maybe I shoulda known
Maybe I shoulda known
That you would walk
You would walk
Out the door
Hey!"
Marcy tossed her head and sung to someone in the front row.
"Said we were done
Then met someone
And rubbed it in my face
Cut to the part
She broke your heart
And then she ran away"
Mercedes and Quinn sang along.
"I guess you shoulda known
I guess you shoulda known
That I would talk
I would talk"
They all came together.
"But even if the stars and moon collide
I never want you back into my life
You can take your words and all your lies
Oh, oh, oh
I really don't care
Even if the stars and moon collide
I never want you back into my life
You can take your words and all your lies
Oh, oh, oh
I really don't care
Oh, oh, oh
I really don't care"
Marcy took over.
"I can't believe I ever stayed up
Writing songs about you
You don't deserve to know the way
I used to think about you"
Mercedes and Quinn chimed in.
"Oh no, not anymore
Oh no, not anymore
You had your shot
Had you shot
But you let go!
Now if we meet
Out on the street
I won't be runnin scared
I'll walk right up to you
And put one finger in the air"
Marcy sang solo again.
"And make you understand
And make you understand
You had your chance
Had your chance"
They all came together again.
"But even if the stars and moon collide
I never want you back into my life
You can take your words and all your lies
Oh, oh, oh
I really don't care
Even if the stars and moon collide
I never want you back into my life
You can take your words and all your lies
Oh, oh, oh
I really don't care
Oh, oh, oh
I really don't care"
Karou lifted her mic.
"Yeah
Listen up
Hey, hey
Never look back
Dumbstruck boy
Ego intact
Look, boy
Why you so mad?
Second guess him but shoulda hit that
Hey, Marce
You picked the wrong lover
You shoulda picked that one
He's cuter than the other
I'm just wanna laugh cuz you're trying to be a hipster
Kick him to the curb
Take a polaroid picture"
They came together once more.
"But even if the stars and moon collide
I never want you back into my life
You can take your words and all your lies
Oh, oh, oh
I really don't care
Even if the stars and moon collide
I never want you back into my life
You can take your words and all your lies
Oh, oh, oh
I really don't care
Oh, oh, oh
I really don't care!"
Everyone in the place started clapping loudly and there were even a few whistles.
They bowed and blew kisses as the next song started up.
MMC
Santana wiped away tears. "I just never had much luck in love! I don't wanna lose him!"
Marcy groaned softly. "Why am I sober?"
"Because you're staying dry for me." Laura smiled.
"That ain't it."
"Wheezy thinks I should tell him but what if he goes away? What if he only wants the thrill?" Santana hiccuped.
Marcy watched her other sisters and cousins dance on the dance-floor and wished she was as drunk as them. "RT's not like that. I'm sure he loves you."
"He's never told me!"
"You've never told him."
Santana blinked as Laura slapped Marcy's hand. "I have to protect myself!"
"Well you do have to beware the Evil Eye."
Laura drew back and Santana shuddered. "Marce, that's not funny! You know you should never call upon "it"."
"I'm not. I'm just saying. It's understandable why she doesn't want to jinx it." Marcy shrugged.
"Yes!" Santana bobbed her head. "I couldn't take it if another one of my loves went away!"
"Didn't you break up with Brittany?"
Laura swatted her. "Don't listen to her, Santana. She's in denial."
"If I am, you're submerged in it."
Santana wiped away more tears. "They said you love your brother."
Laura frowned. "No!"
Marcy leaned on the table. "Oh whatever!"
"If I love Marc then you love Mal!"
"I guess I was wrong."
Laura narrowed her gaze, sure she'd lost somehow. "Yeah."
Mercedes skipped over. "Come on you guys! Why are you sitting here when you could be dancing with us?!"
"You're flying high, aren't you, Big Sis?" Marcy fit her chin in her hand.
Mercedes waved her away then pulled at Santana. "Come on! Stop crying and dance!"
"Happy drunks. Gotta love 'em."
Laura smiled. "Mercy is the best drunk. We should go police Quinn though. She might pick a fight with someone. You know how she is when she gets drunk."
"Yeah. Let's go." Marcy stood up.
The foursome walked to the dance-floor of the club they were at. Mercedes and Santana started dancing right away.
Laura and Marcy sought out Quinn, who was scream-singing the words to the song playing. Both wrapped their arms around her and she quieted down and swayed in their embrace.
MMC
Mercedes tripped on a stair and fell out laughing. She shushed herself and kept climbing.
Quinn, Natalia and London were right behind her, giggling.
"Come on." Marcy herded them up the stairs. They came to the top and she waved Santana to her room. "Go on. Get in bed."
Santana crossed to the bed and climbed in. She kicked her shoes off and pushed her hair out of her face. "Make the room stop spinning."
Marcy turned her so she was on her stomach then put the trashcan right by the bed. Then she shut the door amidst the girls calling out goodnight.
George and Pat stumbled into a room together and climbed into bed. Laura and Marcy made sure they were on their stomachs and had trashcans nearby.
"Bye-bye!" London waved.
Marcy shut the door. "India, help Cora upstairs please."
India sniffed. "I can do it."
"I'm a aeroplane!" Coraline laughed loudly.
Marcy sighed. "By the time you make it upstairs, I'll be back."
India nodded and helped Coraline down the stairs.
Laura meanwhile had been pouring China into her room. She put a trashcan by her side of the bed and hoped she didn't roll over.
Both she and Marcy took Mercedes, Natalia, Quinn and London to Mercedes's room. The foursome climbed in the bed and got under the covers.
"Can I have a kiss, big sister?" Mercedes asked with a sleepy giggle.
Laura kissed her cheek. "Go to sleep."
"Okay." Mercedes closed her eyes. "Sleep, Marcy?"
"Yeah, go to sleep." Marcy hugged her gently then she and Laura left with Karou and Paris.
Mercedes laid there for an entire two seconds before she got up for her purse. She rooted through for her phone then climbed back in bed.
She dialed a number and waited.
"Hello?" Mike's voice was rough with sleep.
"Hi!"
He was quiet for a moment. "Mercy?"
"I love you so much! You don't even know!"
"What time is it?"
"It's love you o'clock!"
London flailed a hand until she found Mercedes's face and tried to push it down. "Shhh!"
Mercedes pushed London's hand away. "I missed you so much!"
Mike grunted. "Mercy, it's two o'clock in the morning."
"But I love you." She pouted. "Will you come see me?"
"I can't move."
"Oh no! What's wrong?!"
"I'm still asleep!"
"Maybe I can come up there?" She giggled.
"How drunk are you?"
"Not a lot. Just a little bit. I swear."
"You sound really drunk."
"No, I promise. Please, pretty please? I want to see your face and kiss it, kiss it better!"
"I'm not sick."
"See?! I'm so good, I make you better through the phone!"
Mike was silent. "I'll come down there."
"Okay! I'll wait for you!"
"Okay." He hung up.
Mercedes put the phone on the night stand and laid back. She thought of Mike and puppies and candy as she waited.
She was going to kiss him until she didn't see so many stars anymore. As dizzy as she felt, she knew that was a lot of kissing.
She was up to it.
MMC
Mike pushed open the door and crossed the room. As expected, Mercedes was asleep.
He smirked and went to cover her with the blankets and kissed her cheek. She smiled in her sleep and he tiptoed out.
He couldn't wait to tell her about herself in the morning.
MMC
Mercedes reached out to turn off her alarm but it wouldn't shut off. She cracked open her eyes as the shrill high pitched sound droned on. "Ahh!"
Marcy raised a brow but kept singing off key. "Get up! Get up! Get up!"
She sat up slowly and looked over her bed. Natalia, Quinn and London were waking up blearily and were just as upset at having their beauty rest interrupted. "What's your deal, Marce?"
"We're shooting our music video today so get up or I'm doing it by myself!"
Mercedes's eyes flew open then she winced at the light shining in her eyes. "Ow! Can you shut the curtains?!"
"Nope! Get up!"
Mercedes slid from the bed slowly and nearly collapsed on the floor. "I can't walk!"
"You're probably dehydrated."
"Can I have some water?"
"I brought you all water. Over there." Marcy pointed to the sitting room, where four bottles of water sat on the coffee table.
Mercedes glared at her. "You are so mean!"
"And I'll get meaner if you don't get your ass out of bed in the next five minutes."
Mercedes groaned. She tried to stand up but her legs felt like dead weight. She crawled into the sitting room and grabbed a bottle of water. She drank thirstily but the taste of old alcohol would take toothpaste and mouthwash to get rid of.
Natalia, Quinn and London crawled after her and grabbed their water.
"Good. Now that you're up, get dressed and grab some fruit. We're getting started in your studio in ten." Marcy left, slamming the door loudly.
The girls flinched.
Mercedes tried to stand again and found she was able to. She walked to her closet and gathered a robe. "I'm going to take a shower."
"Me too." Quinn dragged herself up.
Natalia and London nodded.
The trio left and Mercedes entered her bathroom to shower. She felt a billion times better by the end then went to dress in her first change of clothes.
She went downstairs, where everyone was gathered in the kitchen. She grabbed strawberries from the fridge and hulled them before pouring sugar on them and eating them standing up.
"Damn, Mama. You look hit." Puck was shocked. He'd never seen her with a true hangover before.
She glared at him. "Shut up! Shut up!"
"Don't take it out on him because you got trashed." Marcy wagged a finger. "Eat faster so you can get your hair and makeup done. We're burning daylight."
Mercedes stuck her tongue out and continued eating.
Artie wheeled in. "Are we getting started or what?!"
"She needs hair and makeup." Marcy shook her head.
"You have no sympathy!" Mercedes groused.
"Nope! But I also have no hangover so win-win."
Mercedes could have cried. "Let me get through my breakfast at least!"
"Stop talking and maybe you can chew."
Mercedes glared but kept chewing. When she was done, she set the bowl in the sink and washed her hands. "I'm done."
"Indy will do your hair and makeup. Your hair actually looks better than it did last night so she probably won't do anything to your head but you need to be in makeup stat."
Mercedes sniffed loudly. "Where do I have to go?"
"Sunroom."
Mercedes marched out and went to the sunroom so her cousin could do her makeup. When she was done, she left the sunroom and went back to the kitchen. "Where are we starting?"
"Your studio." Laura pointed her in that direction.
Mercedes went to the studio and stood outside the door. Marcy was in the booth with headphones around her neck, talking to Artie, who was setting up a machine that would let him see what the camera was recording. "Hey?"
"Come in! We're ready for you!" Artie waved a hand. "Damn, MJ! You look tired!"
"You should have seen her before the makeup." Marcy raised a brow.
Mercedes glared. "I can't wait for your next hangover!"
"Whatever."
Mercedes ignored her then looked over to see Mike taping down wires. She crossed to him. "Good morning."
He looked up at her. "My morning started at two."
"Why?" She pulled at him so he would stand up.
He stood up and raised a black brow at her. "Somebody woke me up and made me come upstairs to watch them sleep."
Her mouth fell open. "I didn't!"
He looked at her.
Red flooded her cheeks. "I am so sorry! I can't believe I called you! I can't believe I drunk dialed you!"
Mike cracked a smile. "It's okay. You were cute."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shirt. "I can't drink anymore!"
"Nah, you're good." He kissed her softly.
"Sorry if I taste like stale alcohol. I brushed twice but I still taste mojitos."
"It's alright. So are you ready to start?"
She sighed. "I guess so. She'll have my head if I mess this up."
"I'll save you."
"Will you bring me an ice later?"
"Sure." He kissed her one last time and pushed her towards the booth.
She walked inside and saw Mal making sure he had room to move around. "Hey, Mal."
"Hey, Big Sis. Heard you had a night." He backed all the way to the wall then marked the distance to Marcy mentally.
Mercedes huffed. "I'm never drinking again!"
"You always say that."
"I mean it this time."
"Uh huh. Put these on." Marcy handed her another pair of headphones.
Mercedes put them on with attitude. "I dislike you."
"I'm crying." Marcy waved to Artie. "We're good in here!"
"Cool!" Artie yelled back. "Ready, Mal?!"
Mal held up a thumb. "Let's roll!"
A silent Paris snapped the taker and Mal started rolling. Artie started the music. Mercedes and Marcy began dancing smoothly. Mercedes started singing quietly but enunciating clearly.
Marcy sang the chorus with her before singing the second verse. They ran through the song twice. Mal captured everything on camera.
Artie called out "cut" and they left the room. "That was a good take."
"I'm feeling much better!" Mercedes smiled.
"Good. We're going up to my studio." Marcy said. "The light should be at an all time maximum and we need to get there as soon as possible."
"Okay."
"Change clothes and meet me up there."
"Aye, aye, Captain!"
"Funny!" Marcy walked out.
"She's such a drill sergeant."
"She's just really professional." Artie smiled. "For some reason it's important to her."
Mercedes huffed. "That means I have to take it seriously."
"Don't sound so upset about it!" He chuckled.
"Where is your girlfriend? I'm sure she has a bigger headache than I do!"
"She's in the kitchen, last I checked. Still nursing coffee your sister made. Boo Thang woke everybody up."
"Demon child." Mercedes muttered.
Artie laughed. "Go get dressed! She's not about to chew me out!"
Mercedes laughed and ran upstairs to get changed.
MMC
Mercedes shivered. "It's so cold in here!"
"It's the ice rink!" Marcy side-eyed her.
"I know but it's so different than outside."
Marcy rolled her eyes. "Can you glide with that thing?"
Mal nodded. "I got it. I won't drop it."
"I'm more worried about you breaking your neck."
"Aww! You do care!"
"Just for that, I hope you do."
Mal puckered his lips.
Marcy ran her hand over his face. "Are we ready?"
Mercedes adjusted her scarf. "Yes I am ready."
Marcy held a thumb up for Artie. "Let's do this!"
People were milling around, looking at them. They wanted to know what was going on but were too shy to ask.
Paris snapped the taker and moved out of the way. "Rolling!"
Artie started the music and Marcy and Mercedes started skating in leisurely circles. They started singing while doing tricks and flirting with the camera.
Mal captured it all and they packed up to leave.
A little girl skated up to Marcy and pulled on her skirt. Marcy looked down at her. "What are you doing with the cameras?"
"Making a music video." Marcy told her.
"Will I be in it?"
"I'm sure we got some shots of you."
The little girl brightened and skated back to her mother. "They're making a music video! We're gonna be in it!"
A cheer went up as people clapped for them.
MMC
Mercedes rubbed her back as much as she could reach. "I'm glad we're doing this while it's still light."
"What all we don't get today, we'll do next Thursday." Marcy didn't want to but she couldn't perform miracles.
Mercedes nodded. "Come on, Artie! We're ready!"
"Whose got the balloons?!" Artie wanted to know.
"I do." Karou skipped over to him.
"Good. we'll get the balloon shot first." He paid no attention to the legendary fountain in front of him and was focused on his checklist.
"Here's the extras you asked for." Paris waved behind herself.
"Good. We'll need them."
"We're ready to go, Wheels." Puck said.
"Okay. Take this. Mal, let's go!"
Mal nodded to Paris. "Get the extras in."
Paris waved the people into the shot. "The music's gonna come on and you just dance to the beat."
The people gathered around Mercedes and Marcy.
She snapped the taker.
Mal rolled camera and Artie turned the music on. Mercedes and Marcy started singing and dancing. It took a take but then the people with them loosened up and began dancing as well.
Karou released the balloons and Mal got it all on camera. Artie called "cut" and asked the extras to hang back.
Mercedes and Marcy took off their shoes and climbed into the fountain. Karou took their shoes from the shot and Artie called for rolling again as he started the music.
Mercedes and Marcy played in the water and danced around as they sung. An officer blew his whistle and came over.
Mal looked back at Artie, who motioned to keep rolling.
The officer tried to stop Mercedes and Marcy from playing in the fountain but both girls ran in circles around him. He fell in the fountain and they laughed. Everyone laughed.
The officer dragged himself up and blew his whistle again. He climbed from the fountain and approached Mal to get him to stop but Mal just walked backwards.
Marcy stole his hat and threw it to her sister. Mercedes ran with it and hid behind the fountain. The officer ran after her. She threw the hat back to Marcy, who put it on and blew a kiss to the camera.
The officer ran to her and she skipped away. He chased her all around the fountain. Everyone laughed as he slipped on a wet patch of gravel and fell.
Marcy went over to help him up as the song ended.
He stood up and held his hand out for his cap. She gave it to him. "What exactly are you doing here, Miss?!"
"We're making a music video. And you're in it." She smiled.
"A music video?"
She pointed to the camera. Mal waved.
The officer looked back then fixed a steely eyed glare to Marcy. "This fountain is not for playing in. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"And it is never okay to run from an officer of the law."
"No, sir."
"My hat is not a toy!" He slammed it onto his head. "Carry on." He walked off.
Marcy smiled as he left then ran to Artie to bust out laughing. "Did you see that?!"
"It's going to make the bloopers reel." Artie high-fived her.
Mercedes smiled as she walked over. "What's next?"
"Your bedrooms. We saved them for last. So let's go. Pack it up, people!"
MMC
"I'm so tired. I don't get how you're going out on a date." Mercedes pushed her foot against the carpeted floor in her sister's closet as she rocked in her circle chair.
Marcy did her makeup. "I didn't see Pierre all week. I probably won't see him until the weekend so I have to make time for him."
"Why am I going again?" Karou sighed.
"You need to get laid."
"Oh right."
"We'll all be asleep by the time you come back." London sulked. "Stupid early flights."
"Call me as soon as we land." Paris commanded. "I want to know how it goes."
"How about you call me when you land?" Karou suggested.
"Fine." Paris rolled her eyes.
Quinn sprayed perfume on the two going out. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
"You don't want us to do anything, do you?" Marcy teased.
Quinn sprayed her again. "Get out."
"This is my house."
"I don't care."
Marcy smirked. The doorbell rang. "They're here."
"Can we meet him?" George wanted to.
"There's a lot of you. I don't want to overwhelm him or his friend."
"If you get married, he'd have to meet us anyway."
"We're not getting married and you know that."
"Does he?"
Marcy narrowed her eyes. "Leave my house. Now."
"You better go before she sics her dog on you." Laura teased.
George shuddered. "I have no idea why you have such a large dog."
"To keep people away." Marcy stood. "Seriously; get out."
They all left her closet and her room before going downstairs. Mal was waiting at the bottom.
"What?" Marcy didn't trust the look on his face.
"Nothing. You look beautiful."
"Uh huh."
He smiled. "Stop being so suspicious!"
"Whatever you're up to, I will fight you."
"Don't I know it." He kissed her cheek. "Have a good time with Dr. Snooze."
"He's not boring!"
"Sure." Mal walked upstairs to check on the sleeping twins.
Marcy growled. "I can't stand him!"
"I wish I had someone to not stand." Paris sighed.
"Go to bed."
"I'm trying but there's no one there with me!"
Marcy giggled. "Come on, Rou."
They moved through the house until they met Pierre and his coworker by the door. Luckily for them, the dogs were shut up in Marcy's room.
"Hello." Marcy smiled at Pierre.
"Good evening." Pierre bowed slightly. "Ladies."
His coworker nodded to them. "Hello, ladies."
"This is Claude Tireu."
"Is he French, too?" Marcy whispered.
"Yes."
"Why do so many Frenchmen work at your job?"
"It is excellent work."
She nodded. "Hello, Claude. This is my cousin, Karou Seon."
Karou gave her hand to Pierre then Claude. "Hello."
Claude kissed the back of her hand. "A pleasure to meet you."
"These are our cousins. This is George, Pat, Coraline, China, India, London, Paris and Natalia; my sisters, Laura, Mercedes Catherine and Lucille and our friend, Santana." Marcy introduced them.
Santana elbowed Mercedes. "What are they saying?"
"She's just introducing us." Mercedes elbowed her back.
"Tis a pleasure, ladies." Claude bowed.
Pierre did, too. "A pleasure."
"Let's go." Marcy suggested. "We have church in the morning."
"Ah, yes!" Pierre nodded. "After you." He held the door open.
The two couples left as their family listened at the door.
"We have to wait for them to be gone before we leave." Laura said.
"They're cute." Santana noted. "Too stuffy though."
"I'd take stuffy! I'd take anything right about now!" Paris cried out.
China sighed heavily. "My sister."