Doing a sweep.
Enjoy and review!
NJPNJPNJP
"Where's Baby Mama?" Puck leans against the locker by Mercedes'.
"She has a doctor's appointment so she won't be at school. We'll see her at dinner."
"So I have you all alone today?" He tosses his salacious grin.
"Yes, we'll be alone at lunch." She shuts her locker solemnly.
"What's wrong, Mama?" Puck frowns.
"Daddy was supposed to come home last night. He didn't even call." Mercedes isn't a crier but the situation with her father worries her. "My mom told me not to worry but he never overstays at a conference. Once he thought he was but he called."
"I'm sure your parents will be fine, Mama. Some people are meant to make it. They're just having a fight." He pulls her into a tight hug.
"I hope so." Her voice is muffled by his chest.
"I promise you!"
She smiles and leans back. "I told everybody you were sweet."
"Don't spread that around, Mama! I gotta protect my rep!" He throws his arm around her and walks her to the choir room.
"I don't care about your rep." She looks up at him shyly. "I care about you."
He blinks then smiles slowly. "I care about you, too." He leans down and kisses her. "I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise? I love surprises!" Mercedes' eyes widen and she halts.
He stops as well. "You'll have to wait until lunch."
"No fair!"
"Way fair! If I told you; it wouldn't be a surprise." Puck continues walking and the motion forces her to keep up.
"Okay. Fine. I'll wait." She pouts.
"Stop pouting. You're too cute to pout." He kisses her softy.
"Are you gonna kiss me every time I pout?"
"Yep."
She makes a point to pout.
My kinda girl!
MJ
"We have a song!" Mike jumps up.
The rest of the boys follow him and they sing Never Knew I Needed by Ne-Yo from the Princess and the Frog soundtrack.
Mercedes claps the hardest. "That was amazing, guys!"
"Who else has a song?" Mr. Shue asks. He's so relieved to not hear relationship talk; he'll let them sing whatever they want!
Mercedes stands. "I've been working on something with Finn."
"Finn?" Rachel asks. "When?"
"Last night." Finn answers. "Don't worry though. Part of Team Quick is in it, too."
Puck stands as well. "Yeah, Mama wanted to rock out. Called the best rockers she knew." He fist bumps Finn.
"I've waited for another opportunity to hear your voices since that Marky Mark fiasco." Artie nods in approval.
Mercedes rolls her eyes before grinning and nodding at Finn to countdown.
After the last note fades, everyone looks on in shock.
"Mercedes, I didn't know you could do that!" Mr. Shue claps slowly, clearly in awe. "How did you do that?!"
She shrugs with a small smirk. "Everyone pegs me as an RandB diva. Yes, rhythm and blues is my bread and butter but I like all music. Except scream-o - I need my ears."
"I'm definitely remembering this!" He takes his seat, breathlessly. "We have time for one more performance before school starts."
Brittany raises her hand. "I wanted to sing by myself." The willowy blonde walks to the band. After she explains her choice, they all nod and begin.
Brittany sings Neon Lights by Natasha Beddingfield beautifully. The girls all get up by the second chorus and dance around her. At the end, she poses then swings Mercedes around.
"My mom said that you're too young to let people make you unhappy." Brittany hugs her again.
"Thanks, Britt-Bratt! Your mom is very wise. Tell her I said thank you." Mercedes smiles warmly.
"Okay, guys, the bell is going to ring any minute. See you after school or in History." Mr. Shue announces.
Coach Washington stands. "See you at practice, Evans. Team Lovans!"
"No practice today guys!" Coach Beiste advertises. "Got a date night with Cooter. See ya in the weight room or on Monday."
They leave the room before Coach Sylvester barks out that the Cheerios practice is cancelled as well. She refuses to give a reason; instead stating it's none of their business. Ms. Pillsbury simply shakes her small red head and follows Mr. Shue into his office.
Everyone packs up to leave when Mercedes skips over to Puck. "Please tell me what the surprise is! I'll act surprised later."
"Nope. Want to meet in the library? I'll grab lunch and head there." He wraps his arms around her.
"No. I made you lunch again."
"Really?! I will totally get used to this!" He grins before letting her go. "Who do you want to walk you to class?"
Santana and Sam approach.
"Mike again." She says.
"What?" All three turn to the lanky Asian walking towards their small group.
"Mike and I have a project due for AP Calculus so we need as much time to talk about it as we can get."
"How can you have a math project?" Sam asks, bewildered.
"We have to write a paper explaining the advantages and disadvantages of calculus in both higher and lower education and what job opportunities await students when pursued in each academic setting." Mercedes explains.
"That made my brain hurt." Puck says solemnly.
"That was a lot of big words." Sam scratches the back of his head in confusion.
"That sounds incredibly boring to me." Santana admits. "But if anyone can do it, it's you two."
"Thanks." Mike grins. "Ready?"
Mercedes nods. "Yeah. See you guys later." She gives them each a kiss and leaves with Mike. "I think we should place a heavier emphasis on calculus paired with chemistry. There's more job opportunities and it's more versatile."
"Ever feel like she's too smart for us?" Sam asks Puck and Santana without taking his eyes off Mercedes' retreating form.
The pair nods slowly.
MJ
"We can study in here. I got around to reserving this room for us for the rest of the year." Mercedes leads Puck to one of the private rooms in the back of the library. There's four of them and they each have a light and airy feel to them.
"Got around to?" He asks, shutting the door behind them.
"Yeah. I've been meaning to since Quinn and I started doing this but suffice to say, things happened. I reserved them yesterday."
"I didn't know you could reserve them. I just thought they were here."
"Yes, you actually have to reserve them. But it'll give us more privacy but also a more relaxed atmosphere to study. I want it!"
Puck is taken aback by her last statement. "What?"
"My surprise. I've been patient and I want it." She closes her eyes and holds out her hands.
He smirks before kissing her softly. Before it goes too deep, she presses her hands flat against his chest. "Wait. What's my surprise?"
Panting, he rests his forehead against hers. "You'll feel in a minute."
"Huh?"
Puck throws their belongings on to the table and leads her to the grey couch in the middle of the small room. He forces her onto her back and climbs between her legs. "Feel?"
"Puck, I'm not having sex with you on school grounds!" Mercedes is scandalized… and very aroused at the thought.
"I know, Mama. I'd never ask you to. Unless you wanted to beg me. I'd definitely be up for the challenge then!"
She slaps his bicep. "Peacock."
"What?" He nuzzles her neck.
"You. You're a posturing peacock." She presses her lips together in an effort not to moan.
"I'm good with that." He kisses his way to her collarbone and sucks at the skin there.
She whimpers softly. "Do you even know what it means?"
"Nope." He grazes his teeth across the plump skin of her exposed breasts.
"Do you… do you even care?" She wraps her legs around his waist loosely, unable to lie there without doing something.
"Nope." He gently rocks into her.
She's trying to distract herself from the fire he's causing but can't think of anything. "This is…"
"Badass?" He smirks against her skin, opening her legs wider in order to press himself tighter against her.
Her voice squeaks as his hands come in contact with her inner thighs. I just had to wear leggings today! "This is against school rules, Puck."
"No, it's not." He trails his fingers down her arms and gloats internally as she shivers. "I made sure to read the handbook. There's nothing against school policy for us to neck in the library."
She's amazed at his thoroughness and foresight before his increased pressure has her gasping. He's hot and hard through his rough jeans against the soft, cool linen of her leggings. She wraps her arms around his neck and arches into his advances.
He kisses his way down both arms before pinning them above her head. "Oh no. This is the Puckzilla Show. You're just along for the ride."
He ducks his head and captures her mouth briefly before angling his hips in a way that has her biting her lips hard. "Puck!"
"You have to be quiet, Mama. Can you be quiet for me?" The friction of their clothing has his voice raspy and deep and it's spurring her on more.
She nods; eyes wide with desire. There's a ringing in her ears and she feels like she's going to explode but she tries to keep as quiet as possible.
As he rocks into her, she meets his pressured thrusts with small pushes of her own. He closes his eyes tight and concentrates on his breathing. She tightens her legs around his waist and brings her body more firmly in contact with his.
He can't help but be a little rough with her. She's driving him crazy but he wants this to be about her. If she doesn't stop soon, it'll be all about him. He tries to slow down but she's not having any of that. She squeezes her thighs and he sees stars.
He increases his pace in retaliation and she whimpers. Payback! He grins as he grinds into her core and she thrashes around desperately.
She's trying her best to be quiet but all she wants is to beg Puck to rid her of the ache he's created. He can feel the heat pooling in his belly and knows he has to make her come soon. "C'mon, Mama."
She undulates her hips as if she's dancing and his eyes cross. He gathers her wrists into one hand and trails the other to her hip. Shaking the overwhelming lust from his head, he slides his arm under her, using the small elevation to his advantage. He juts forward roughly, wildly, silently pleading with her to let go.
Seconds later, her eyes pop open in shock and her mouth opens in a silent scream. Her face flushes a dusky rose and she squirms against him deliciously. As a reward for her silence, he presses a bruisingly hot kiss to her open mouth. He delights in her movements and less than a moment later, he's riding out his own release.
She sprinkles kisses over his face. He loves the way she's so red. He loves the places she's so red and wishes he could see them now. Panting, he leans his head against hers. "Surprise!"
MJ
"Okay, Regionals is tomorrow! Everyone get some sleep. Try to preserve your voices and strength. I'll see you all here bright and early in the north parking lot." Mr. Shue reminds the excited kids. "The bus leaves at eight o'clock on the dot! Be here!"
The room explodes with nerves.
"Can we do this?"
"Are we ready?"
"I think I'm off pitch!"
"What if I fall off the stage?"
"Guys!" Finn shouts. "Enough of this! We're ready. After everything we've been through for the past three years, we are ready. Regionals is our coming out party for Nationals and we have to show those people what McKinley's all about! Am I right?!"
Mercedes stands. "Damn right! We're all wicked talented and it's time the rest of Ohio got with the program."
"Once we're all famous, we'll look back on this moment as the pivotal turning point. This is the moment we realized that we will make it. We will win Nationals!" Kurt gushes.
"Let's savor this moment!" Rachel trills, closing her eyes. She holds out her hands and everyone gets into a circle, holding hands, closing their eyes.
"Moment's over, guys. Go home! Get rest!" Mr. Shue leaves.
"See you guys in the morning!" Mercedes gives Sam and Santana a kiss before clasping Puck's hand. She waves to the rest of the group.
Puck gives a short wave as well and walks out. "Are you sure you want us to come over? You probably want to call your dad."
Mercedes tosses her head before opening her locker and frowning. "If he wants to talk, he knows my number. I'm with my mom; he's being a big baby! So what if I had sex before marriage?! I bet he did!"
"Mama, you should forgive him." Puck leans against the lockers.
"Have you forgiven your dad?" She looks at him.
He winces. "My dad's a deadbeat. Your dad is just hurt."
She sniffs and closes her locker after putting on her backpack. "I'll think about it. You're not so innocent either."
"What I do?!"
"The library. At lunch. What do you think he'd do if he found out about that?" She takes his arm and walks to the front door.
"Pull all my teeth out without anesthesia?" He suggests. "It was worth it though. Getting my girl to glow for the whole day put a smile on my face!"
Mercedes blushes. "Puck!" She hits his arm. "I'm just kidding anyway. Daddy will never know about that! No one will ever know about that!"
"You don't wanna brag?" He grins.
"We could have gotten into trouble. We barely got situated before the librarian asked us if we heard any strange noises!" She stops by her car.
He opens the door after she unlocks it and she throws her stuff on the passenger seat. "I don't understand how she didn't guess. Your skin was still so pink and shiny."
"I can't believe you were able to get off me and grab a book to put over your…" She waves in the general area of his private parts. "package in time. She came out of nowhere and you went into ninja mode!"
"You weren't so bad yourself. You fixed your hair and pulled down your dress fast."
"It was kind of exciting." She throws up a hand to halt his excited gasp. "I'm not saying it'll happen again but the thrill of almost getting caught? the danger in such an obvious place? It was… hot."
You don't know it, Mama but you're definitely doing that again! "You should get going. I'm gonna head home and get dressed. See you in thirty?"
Mercedes gives him a deep kiss. "Yeah. Don't be late!" She gets inside her car and drives off, hitting the horn on her way out of the school parking lot.
He waves though she can't see him, making his way to his black truck.
MJ
Mrs. Jones wipes her hands on her apron. "Honey, I wish you would have told me sooner!"
"I didn't know!" Mercedes shrugs. "He told me he'd be thirty minutes. You didn't guess he'd be here sometime after school?"
"Don't get sassy with me, young lady! You could have called me the moment he said so!" Rose pouts.
"What's the problem, Momma Rose?" Quinn asks. "The food is nearly done." She reaches for a radish that Mercedes is slicing.
Mercedes smacks Quinn's hand away and turns to her mother. "Momma, you are worrying for nothing! The lasagna is in the oven, Quinn and I are almost done with the salad, the bread is fresh from the oven and I bet the cannolis are good in the freezer."
"Oh no! The cannoli!" Mrs. Jones slaps her hands to her face. "I don't have any powdered sugar!"
"Momma, you don't need powdered sugar. Puck is Jewish; not Italian! I doubt he knows the difference."
"My mother is Italian and she would roll over in her grave if I didn't put powdered sugar on her famous cannoli!" Mrs. Jones snaps.
"I know, Momma. I'll go to the store and get some." Mercedes rolls her eyes, not remarking on the fact that her grandmother is alive and well.
"No, I'll go. Hopefully I'll get back before he gets here." Mrs. Jones rips off her apron and runs to her purse.
The doorbell rings. "I'll get it!" Quinn yells.
Puck is standing on the steps looking pretty nervous. He's never met a girl's parents before. Especially when those parents are super rich. The house alone impresses him and makes his palms slick with anxious sweat. Quinn answers the door to his surprise. "Q?"
"Come on in!" Quinn bounces on her toes. "Dinner's almost ready!"
"You're happy?" Puck steps inside and she closes the door behind him.
"My checkup went really well and I'm spending time in my favorite place again. Of course, I'm happy."
"Did her dad call?" He pulls at her elbow to stop her from going into the kitchen.
Her eyes mist over and she audibly swallows. "No. Momma Rose called him a few times today but he never picked up."
"Why is he doing this to them? Especially Mama?"
"I don't know. What ever is his real problem, I hope he gets over soon!" Quinn leads him into the kitchen.
"Ten minutes, I swear!" Mercedes says as she puts the salad bowl into the refrigerator. "I'll take it out of the oven and put it on the stove to cool."
"Good. I shouldn't be gone too long." Mrs. Jones promises.
"Hello." Puck speaks up.
Rose freezes. "Hello, young man!"
He grins and stretches out a hand. "I'm Noah Puckerman. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Jones."
"It's good to meet you, too Noah!" She shakes his hand. "I'm sorry to have to do this but I have to run to the grocery store quickly! I'll be right back. Make yourself at home." She runs towards the door. "Be good, girls!" She slams the door behind her.
Mercedes shakes her head. "That woman is a whirlwind! But she's my momma and I love her."
"I love her, too and she is a tornado!" Quinn grins.
Mercedes reaches over and kisses Puck. "Wanna go up to my room? This kitchen is very warm and I definitely want to change my shoes."
"I see you're wearing different clothes from earlier. The leggings a bit too moist for you?" Puck teases.
"Stop being dirty!" She hits his stomach.
"Dirty? What'd you do, Puck?!" Quinn crosses her arms.
"I'll tell you upstairs." Mercedes leads the way to her room and goes into her walk-in.
Puck takes off his shoes and hops onto Mercedes's bed while Quinn sits at her desk. "So spill it! How is he being extra perverted?"
Mercedes pokes her head out and sighs. "He made me do a bad thing."
"What?! I didn't make you do anything you didn't want to do! And you had just as much fun as I did!" Puck exclaims.
"Fine! I did but I would never have thought to do something like that! That was all you!" She comes out with a pair of simple black heels on. "What do you think?"
"Nice." Quinn comments. "What did he make you do that you gave permission for?"
"We… uh we…" Mercedes is at a loss for words.
Puck huffs and rolls his eyes. "We got it on in the library!"
Quinn gasps. "You did what?! Merce!"
"It wasn't like that!" Mercedes throws a heel at Puck, who catches it easily. "It wasn't exactly intercourse. I guess it'd be third base."
"We came at the same time. It was sex." Puck states.
Mercedes purses her lips and limps to her bed. She sheds the other heel and climbs atop Puck with difficulty. I really need to grow! "Yes, it was a type of sex but it will never happen again. You're getting me into these situations that look bad! Sex while a parent is at home? Sex on school grounds? That's not me!"
"It's not you because you refuse to let go and have fun. You're a total badass, Mama! Own it!" He pulls her down and kisses her.
"Quinn, back me up!"
Quinn shakes her head. "I agree with Puck. You gotta open yourself up to more experiences! You never know what could benefit you if you never try."
Mercedes laughs. "Remember The mind is like a parachute; it doesn't work if it's not open? I love that quote."
Quinn smiles. "Exactly!" She turns on Mercedes's computer. "What's your password?"
"Oh no, you don't!" Mercedes climbs off Puck and races to the desktop. "You're not getting my password again!"
Quinn laughs softly, remembering the last time Mercedes told her the password. It did not go well for Mercedes. She lets her put it in without trying to find out what it is. "Is it the same as before?"
"Hell to the no! I changed it right away! Here. What are you trying to do?" Mercedes climbs back onto the bed and crawls over Puck's body.
He wraps his arms around her and nuzzles her neck. She tries not to giggle.
Quinn clicks away on the keyboard. "Finding some music. There's this song I wanted you to hear."
"Who sings it?" Mercedes bites her lip as Puck sucks on the flesh exposed above her bra that's pushed up past her dress.
"This girl named…" Quinn thinks hard for a moment. "Kristina Train. She sings that song you used to sing to Beth while I was pregnant."
"Aretha Franklin's I'm Wanderin'? Does she sing it well?"
"It's so good!" Quinn clicks on the mouse and moves out of the way so the pair on the bed can see.
"I really like this!" Mercedes exclaims. She hums a few bars. "I might have to favorite that." When the song ends, Quinn looks up other songs to listen to as Mercedes and Puck make out. "I gotta take out the food. Be right back!" Mercedes jumps off the bed and races downstairs.
"Really, Puck?! Sex at school!"
Puck knows Quinn isn't looking at him so he doesn't make eye contact either. "She dug it. She just needs to lighten up."
Quinn doesn't say anything and Mercedes is back before too much time has passed.
"Momma's not back yet but she texted to say she's on her way." Puck pulls her back on top of him and she squeals slightly.
"You two are sickening!" Quinn pouts.
"Come over here!" Mercedes snaps. When Quinn complies, she pulls her into a deep kiss. "Now stop all that!"
Quinn smirks and returns to the computer. Progress!"I'm favoriting a bunch of videos!"
"I don't care!" Mercedes sings out. She continues to kiss Puck.
Moments later, the front door slams. The trio assume it's Mrs. Jones but suddenly a deep masculine voice says, "Hey, Babygirl! I didn't know you were here!"
"Pop?" Quinn's eyes widen as Mercedes freezes.
Dr. Jones pushes open his daughter's door to fully come in but stops when he sees a boy he doesn't know on her bed, underneath her.
"Daddy?" Mercedes is a second away from panicking. She knows this situation is going to get very, very ugly very, very soon.
"Who the hell is that?!" Dr. Jones roars.
"Daddy, calm down! What are you even doing back?!" She slides off Puck, who immediately scrambles off the bed. He stands awkwardly on the other side, eyeing Dr. Jones fearfully.
"I'm going to kill you!" Marcus dives across his daughter's bed to reach the Mohawked teen. Puck skirts the bed and is running down the stairs in a flash, Dr. Jones on his heels.
"Daddy!" Mercedes grabs Quinn's hand and they follow. "Pop!"
The girls crash into the dining room where Dr. Jones is chasing Puck around the oblong table, shouting curses.
"Daddy, leave Puck alone!" Mercedes yells.
"Puck?! What the hell? This isn't Sam?" Dr. Jones looks at his daughter in confusion. He stops chasing the boy for the moment.
"Sam's blond, Daddy! This is Puck." She throws a hand his way and he waves to her father.
It angers him anew and he resumes the chase.
"Pop, Puck isn't that bad! He's there for Beth so much. He's a good father, just like you!" Quinn is half making trouble, half being in earnest.
"This is the one who got you in trouble?!" Dr. Jones grits his teeth. "You are dead!" He lunges for Puck and barely manages to catch the back of the boy's shirt.
"Daddy, no! I love him!" Mercedes throws herself between the two.
"You love me?" Puck's eyes widen.
"You love him?!" Quinn and Dr. Jones shout.
Did I say that? "Yes. I mean of course I do. I mean… can we talk about this later? When my daddy's not trying to kill you?!" Mercedes wraps her arms around Puck protectively.
He smiles gently and wraps his arms around her. He rests his cheek atop her head and breathes her in, happy to know he's loved by someone so amazing.
"Get your filthy hands off my Princess!" Dr. Jones is seething and wishes Mercedes wasn't around so he could wrap his hands around this boy's throat like he wants to.
Quinn is furious as well. She loves him?! Already?! This can't be happening! She didn't love Shane! Dammit, it's actually him. I have got to let Pop get to him!
"What is going on in here?!" Mrs. Jones voice is clear in the room. The group turns to her.
"Momma! I'm so glad you're back! Daddy is trying to kill Puck!" Mercedes wants to go to her mother but she doesn't dare release Puck.
"Marcus, what is wrong with you?! Why are you even home? How dare you not call me and say where the hell you've been for 24 hours?!" Mrs. Jones puts her hands on her hips.
"I… this boy… upstairs, Rose!" Dr. Jones sputters.
"I know they were upstairs. Mercy told me when I texted her not even ten minutes ago!"
"So she texted you that she let a boy in when there wasn't anyone home?!"
"He was let in when I was here! I want to talk to you! In the den." She crooks a finger to her husband and turns to the teens. "Girls, set the table and bring the food out. I'll have a word with your father in the other room."
The kids nod as the elder Joneses march from the room. They let out a breath when the coast is clear.
"I thought I was a goner!" Puck squeezes Mercedes in his arms. "I've had to run from husbands before but not fathers."
"I can't believe him! He's so embarrassing!" Mercedes stamps a foot before moving out of Puck's arms.
"He caught you making out with a boy on your bed." Quinn reminds her.
Mercedes frowns at her. "Shut up, Quinn. C'mon, so we can be done before they come back."
The girls gather the food and utensils and bring them back to the dining room. Puck grabs the china that has already been set out and arranges the place settings. Soon everything is ready so they sit and wait for the parents.
They can hear the raised voices in the next room. They can only hear snatches of dialogue and they are not pleasant!
"Unreasonable man!"
"Just a little girl!"
"Inconsiderate jackass!"
"Innocence…"
"Hypocrite!"
"Lock her in a closet until she's fifty!"
"No trust! No trust at all!"
"I'd rather have both daughters in a convent!"
At this, Mercedes gasps. "I don't wanna go to a convent! Marcy says it's awful!"
"That's because Marcy's a demon." Quinn remarks. "I'm sure you'll do fine in one.
Mercedes' eyes widen in fear and her mouth trembles.
Puck side-eyes Quinn. "What she means is that you probably won't go." He takes her hand.
Mercedes blinks back tears. "I don't understand how everything got so messed up."
Boys! Quinn folds her arms. "You need to focus on you, Merce!"
"And not a word in front of the kids!" From the way the line is loud and clear, the teens know Rose is near. She and Marcus return to the dining room moments later.
Dr. Jones narrows his eyes when he sees Puck holding Mercedes' hand. "Good evening; girls, young man. I'm Dr. Jones."
Puck stands nervously and walks to Dr. Jones to shake his hand but the older man refuses to give it until his wife elbows him in the back. "Nice to meet you, sir."
Dr. Jones grunts and goes to kiss Quinn on her head. "Hello, Babygirl. How've you been?"
Puck resumes his seat in defeat as Quinn answers brightly. "I'm good, Pop. I'm back on the Cheerios."
"That's lovely, dear!" Mrs. Jones claps.
Quinn beams.
Dr. Jones crosses to give Mercedes a kiss on her head as well. "How have you been, Princess?"
"Better if you had called!" Mercedes pouts as tears fill her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Princess. I couldn't handle your news and I behaved like a child. I wanted to surprise you and your mother but I see I'm the one with the surprise instead!" Dr. Jones glances at Puck, who tries to loosen his collar.
"Daddy, this all happened fast for me, too! I don't understand why you want to kill my boyfriend over it though!" Mercedes tries to stop pouting but she's angry and this is the only way she knows how to let it out respectfully. Plus, her father could never stand to see his girls pout.
"Boyfriend?!" Dr. Jones clears his throat. "What happened to Shane?"
"I broke up with Shane last week, Daddy!" He is so late! "I'm with Puck now."
"What kind of name is Puck anyway?!" Marcus grumbles.
"It's short for Noah Puckerman." Puck slips in.
"Biblical name." Dr. Jones nods.
"I'm Jewish, sir."
"Go to temple a lot?"
"I make it most Saturdays."
Dr. Jones nods in approval again. "Let's eat!"
Everyone fills their plates and bows their heads to pray. After blessing the meal, Dr. Jones resumes his questioning. "Who are your parents?"
"I doubt you know my old man but my Moms is Nadine Puckerman." Puck tucks into his lasagna with gusto.
"That sounds familiar. Do you know what dentist she sees?"
"I don't know. I know my sister comes to you."
"What's her name?"
"Nicolette."
"Sweet girl! Almost nine, straight teeth, flosses thoroughly. I show her teeth to other kids who hate to floss!" Dr. Jones grins.
Mercedes smiles to herself. I knew Daddy would like him! "Nic's a good kid, Daddy. Really smart. And she has the best big brother ever!"
"Better than Sam?" Quinn asks.
The table stills and looks at her with various expressions. Dr. and Mrs. Jones are surprised. Puck and Mercedes are livid.
Mercedes reacts first. "They are equally good big brothers." She kicks Quinn under the table.
"Now about that boy. I'm glad you left him alone." Dr. Jones waves his fork. "I told you he was trouble and now you've found yourself a good upstanding law abiding young man!" Puck and the women blanch. He looks at them all. "I don't know if that kid actually broke any laws or not but I don't trust him. Especially after last week!"
"Pop…" Quinn starts.
"Quinn, no!" Mercedes rises from her chair as Mrs. Jones throws her hands in front of Quinn's mouth.
Puck hides his face behind his hands. This is not going to go well!
"What?" Dr. Jones looks at the group again. "Somebody tell me what's going on."
"I can't lie!" Quinn looks genuinely remorseful.
"Just don't say anything!" Mercedes says through clenched teeth.
"Quinn, there's a time and a place for honesty!" Rose agrees.
"Babygirl, just tell me!" Dr. Jones orders. Quinn tries to come up with a believable story. "And you better not lie to me!"
Quinn gulps and mouths I'm sorry to Mercedes and Puck. "Puck's been to juvie."
"Oh no!" Mrs. Jones whispers.
"Juvie?! Young man, are you a convict?!" Marcus thunders.
"Sir, I messed up a lot in my life but I would never drag Mama into anything!" Puck swears.
"What'd you call my Princess?"
Puck cocks his head in confusion. "Mama?"
"He's always called me that." Mercedes defends.
"And what does he call Babygirl?" Marcus raises a brow.
"Baby Mama." Mercedes can't even try to make that sound good so she says it simply. "Or Q."
"Makes sense." Dr. Jones is remarkably calm. For two minutes. "Have you lost your mind bringing a delinquent to our home?!"
"Daddy, he's not a delinquent! Anymore." She adds honestly. "Daddy, everyone's made mistakes."
"Even Sam." Quinn says helpfully. At least helpful to her.
"What about Samuel?" Dr. Jones grinds his teeth.
"Quinn, stop helping!" Mercedes pleads.
"Is there something wrong with Sam?" Mrs. Jones asks.
"No, Momma! I swear he's fine!" Mercedes pleads for her mother to understand. "Remember when I said everyone has personal things I couldn't tell?" Mrs. Jones nods. "I promise Sam is good."
"Except for the stripping." Puck mutters.
"What'd you say, young man?" Dr. Jones strains his ears.
"Nothing, Daddy!" Mercedes side-eyes Puck and elbows him in the chest. "He's just sensitive about Sam."
"Let him speak his peace, Princess. If he has reservations about Samuel, he should get it off his chest." Dr. Jones nods for Puck to speak.
Puck eyes Mercedes dolefully before addressing Dr. Jones. "Sam used to strip. I wouldn't want my daughter to date an ex stripper!"
Mrs. Jones' jaw drops. "Stripper?!"
Dr. Jones shakes his head. "You will never see that boy again as long as you live!"
"Daddy!" Mercedes protests.
"Don't you "Daddy" me, Mercedes Catherine!" Dr. Jones rises from his chair.
"Marcus, we don't want a repeat of last week." Dr. Jones takes his seat. "I wish you would have told me about the stripping but I think we need to meet Sam." Rose says.
Mercedes shakes her head. Hell to the no! "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?" Dr. Jones asks honestly.
"Because this dinner is insane?" Quinn offers.
"Like a two-way thruple isn't insane!" Mrs. Jones retorts and immediately snaps her mouth shut.
"A what way to the where now?!" Dr. Jones is confused.
Mercedes quickly explains the situation as her father's face darkens.
"This is unbelievable! You are in high school, young lady! You should not be running around in so many relationships!"
"Daddy, I have to be honest. I love Sam. I'm… I think I… I'm sure I… I'm- I-I love Puck." Mercedes blushes as she stammers out her confession.
"Already?" Mrs. Jones looks whiplashed. "You started dating last week!"
"We became official two days ago." Puck interjects. "I like to pretend it's been two years though."
"You can't count two years ago." Quinn cuts in. "That was only a week."
"A week? Two years ago?" Dr. Jones looks at Puck carefully, who avoids eye contact.
"They dated two years ago for about a week." Mrs. Jones huffs. "Keep up, Marcus. What I want to know is how it became love after two days!"
"Momma! This is private! I haven't even told him yet!" Mercedes blushes.
"You could tell me now?" Puck grasps her hand.
"In front of them?!" Mercedes feels like melting through the floor. "Don't you wanna hear this in private?"
Puck shakes his head. "I just need to hear it."
She looks around the table before taking a deep breath. "I love you, Puck. I started to care for you the moment you trusted me with the secret about being Beth's father."
"But you told people." He points out.
"And you never let it go!" Mercedes clears her throat and goes on. "It was our secret for a while and then we dated and I saw a side of you. You were such a geek about Super Mario Bros., it was so cute! We even had fun rehearsing for that Marky Mark number. Then we hung out during the summer."
Puck nods solemnly, remembering just how that summer was for him and just how much Mercedes made it survivable.
"Last year, we hung out a lot and I knew you were different when you came back from juvie. Being a badass wasn't important to you anymore. You got closer to Artie and you started dating Lauren. I was so proud of you. You were being who I knew you could be. Who you already were but was hiding.
And this year was even better. You tried to get me to stay in glee club while it seemed everyone else wanted me to leave. I appreciated that even if I felt you were betraying me at the time."
She takes both of his hands. "But last week really showed me how much of a man you are. You're a great dad and all the paternal skills you possess helped me through school. You completely had my back and I wouldn't have made it without you. You had patience and understanding. You let me talk when I needed to and didn't push when I wouldn't. So yes, Puck. I love you."
"I love you, too Mama!" Puck leans over and kisses her but cuts it short when her father clears his throat. "I started to love you the moment you told me I didn't like who I was either. I never had anyone call me on my bull before and you did it in a way that didn't make me feel like dirt." He cuts his eyes at Quinn but continues. "You were always honest with me. That's something I really never had until you. I really thought it was crazy that I didn't impress you. I remember waiting for you to pay attention to me in the choir room the day I told you I was the one who got Q pregnant. It was like I was invisible and had to jump through hoops to get you to notice me. Then you went on and on about Finn and I got a little jealous."
"That's why you told me?!"
"Yeah. You were waxing poetry about what a saint Finn was for trying to do the right thing and I snapped. I was jealous that all of you seemed to think I was a Lima loser while Finn was a hero."
Quinn winces.
"I don't believe I said the word hero." Mercedes deadpans. Puck gives her a look.
"What do you mean "all of you"?" Mrs. Jones asks.
"I was dating Satan kinda when Q was first pregnant. When I found out, Q didn't want anything to do with me, Satan dumped me because of my credit score and Mama basically told me that I was supposed to disappear." Puck answers.
The Joneses glare at their daughter.
"I was only trying to help Quinn!" Mercedes defends herself. "I apologized the same day, anyway."
"Speaking of which, you're the only reason I survived it and every day after." Puck taps her cheek. "You made me want to go on even if I didn't have my daughter." Puck omits everything to do with his hormones while in the presence of her parents but he hopes she can tell from the look in his eyes all the desire he has for Mercedes.
"You helped the both of us." Quinn stretches across the table for Mercedes' hand. "We owe you for that."
"As the only woman to give me constructive criticism after chewing me out, I listened. After juvie, I tried to be a better man. For Beth. For you. I cared about Zizes but she knew how I felt about you. When I got Ozzie for you, she told me that if we ever got together, I better treat you right or she'd hurt me." He smiles at the memory. "At the beginning of the year, I was going through some stuff. With Beth and Ms. Corcoran. I should have defended you better."
Mercedes pats his hand. "We're past that. All is forgiven."
He swallows gratefully. "I was so excited for you to come back to glee but I was kinda jealous."
"Of what?" Dr. Jones asks.
"Sam!" Puck pulls a face.
"Sam was gone most of the year!" Quinn exclaims.
"What about Shane?" Mrs. Jones wants to know. "How were you jealous of only Sam?"
"Though we didn't hang out this past summer as much as the summer before, I still saw her. I knew she was hurting and I was jealous she was crying over him. I wanted to be there for her but that guy was around by then." Puck explains.
"The full grown adult she dated?" It's a statement and everyone knows Dr. Jones means it as such.
Puck smirks. "I wasn't worried about him. They were dating but dude was so deep in the Friendzone he might as well have been her brother!"
"No, he wasn't!" Mercedes is shocked at the accusation.
"You barely held his hand. You almost never kissed. You never talked about him when he wasn't around. You never wore his letterman's jacket." Puck ticks off. "You only said I love you after he did. You never really looked him in the eyes. You didn't touch him at all."
"Because she's a good girl!" Dr. Jones rages. "She shouldn't be touching boys!"
"Look at her now." Puck points out. Everyone looks at their clasped hands. "She's still a good girl but she's touching me more than she ever had him. Until Sam showed up."
"What do you mean?" Rose is enthralled by Puck's passionate speech. She's so Team Quick.
"When Sam came back, she stuck to Tinsley like glue. Like she knew if he wasn't on hand, she'd forget he existed."
"And she did!" Quinn pipes up.
"No, I didn't." Mercedes protests. "That's insane. I cared about Shane!"
"I'm not denying you cared about him." Puck starts. "I'm just saying you cared about him like a friend or a brother. Not someone you seriously liked and wanted to be with. I think deep down you knew that."
Mercedes purses her lips as she sees herself in an unflattering light. I'm sick of people saying that! She doesn't want to think about it now so she states, "Fine!"
"When you rejoined the New Directions, I was happy. We were a family again. I couldn't do anything while you were with Tinsley because I gave up trying to scoop other guys' girls. I knew you were going to dump him sooner or later and with Sam around, it was going to be now or soon. When you broke up with both, I was going to make my move but then last week happened."
He shrugs. "I wanted to be there for you like you've always been there for me. When you showed the slightest bit of interest, I admit I ran with it. I'll take what I can get!"
"Puck, you don't have to take everything people give you just because you think you'll end up with nothing! Have more self-respect than that. You deserve to have standards, too. Just the same as everyone else." Mercedes fits Puck's cheek into her palm.
"I'd rather have you than every other girl in the world." Puck says honestly. "You make me feel like I'm playing catch up or jumping through hoops just to have you notice me."
"I'm sorry!" Mercedes' face falls. "I never want you to feel you have to be anyone other than you. You are worth as much as anybody else."
"No! It's a good thing. With other girls, I can just stand there and they'll flock. For you, I have to be a man. You push me to be a better human being. You expect it and I have to meet it. Remember when you told me you didn't like me being a bully?"
Mercedes nods so he continues. "There's been some people who told me that but you're the only person who realized I didn't like it either. You're also the only person who realized it was just a front. You saw something worthwhile in me and bugged me to death until it came to the surface."
"Jones women have that effect, son." Dr. Jones snipes.
Mrs. Jones rolls her eyes. "It's called being a good woman. I'm proud that you are one for Noah, Mercy. That's my girl."
"Hopefully, she'll be mine, too." Puck pulls his smirk into a smile.
Mercedes squeezes his hand. "This turned mushy faster than expected!"
"Love is mushy!" Mrs. Jones claps in delight.
"Plan the wedding!" Quinn mutters.
"What was that, Babygirl?" Dr. Jones lifts a brow.
"Nothing, Pop! Just glad Merce is in love!" Quinn feels queasy telling the lie.
"You helped me realize this, too Q-Card." Mercedes says.
"What?!"
"You reminded me about Puck last week. It wasn't exactly flattering but it put him back on my radar."
"Joy!"
"Stop that! Whenever this whole mess is over-" Mercedes looks at Puck. "And if I end up with Puck, I want you to be my best friend. I really like how we've gotten so close again."
Quinn doesn't respond for a moment. "I like it, too."
"I thought you were together?!" Dr. Jones shakes his head in confusion.
"Oh, Marcus!" Rose tries not to show her exasperation with her husband but it's difficult sometimes.
"Daddy, it's hard to explain." Mercedes is quite tired of talking and only wants to enjoy the rest of the night. She really wants to reflect in the knowledge of her love for Puck and his returned affections.
"I thought we'd be picking out china patterns! I could see an apartment with Princess and BabyGirl. Purple and silver everywhere!" Marcus is serious though.
The table laughs at Dr. Jones antics and just like that, the tense emotional atmosphere is calm and relaxed.
MJ
"Are you sure you don't want to take more food, Noah?" Mrs. Jones hands Puck the bag of leftovers she's prepared for him.
"This is more than enough, Mrs. Jones." Puck answers. "Moms and Nic will love it. She won't admit it but my mother loves Italian food. Which is weird cuz she's half Italian."
"I'm glad! I'm so glad you came for dinner." Mrs. Jones gushes. She leans in and whispers in his ear. "I'm Team Quick!"
Puck smirks and turns to Mercedes. "I'll call you when I get home."
"Okay. I just want to make sure you're safe." She gives him a hug and kiss.
Quinn and Mrs. Jones give him hugs and kisses on the cheek before Dr. Jones shakes his hand.
"I had a great time. Nice to meet you." Puck opens the front door.
"It was an experience." Dr. Jones says slowly.
"Daddy!" Mercedes reprimands. "Talk to you later. See you tomorrow."
"Night!" Puck salutes and saunters to his truck. He honks the horn twice as he drives off, his lights bouncing off the homes on his way down the street.
Dr. Jones shut the door. "He's alright. Gotta give it to him; he's whipped!"
"Marcus, you were just as troubled!" Mrs. Jones reminds him. "But you got through it. I think it's admirable and I think I'm going to have to find more kosher dishes to make!" She bounces into the kitchen.
"Momma!" Mercedes is horrified. She races up the stairs in pure absolute embarrassment. Quinn laughs as she trails behind Mercedes.
Dr. Jones shakes his head. I love that woman!
MJ
"Why are you so embarrassed?" Quinn asks an hour later. She and Mercedes are fresh from baths and lying on Mercedes' bed. They both put down their phones and face each other.
Mercedes narrows her eyes. "Because he was so mean and if I didn't know any better, I'd think she wanted Puck more than I do!"
Quinn laughs hard. "So did you mean what you said at dinner? With loving Puck, that is?"
"Quinn, we need to go to sleep. We gotta get up early." Mercedes turns off the lights and gets under the covers.
"So you're not going to answer?" Quinn smirks.
"Aren't you going to sleep in Marc's room?" Mercedes turns on the alarm.
Quinn climbs under the covers, too. "What I'm hearing is you don't love Puck."
Mercedes huffs in defeat. "I do! I just couldn't say it all at dinner. I hope he was able to read between the lines."
"You said you hung out a lot. Especially after Beth was born. Was it then?" Quinn asks quietly.
"Yeah. Like I said we had fun during the school year a little but it was really during the summer that we got closer. When I wasn't with you or Marcy or Kurt, I was with him." Mercedes swallows audibly. "It was hard on him. Harder than anyone actually realized. He didn't leave the house a lot. Cleaned a few pools but really stayed home. That's how I got close to his mother and little sister. His mom works a lot. You know how it was."
Quinn nods. "Yeah, I remember her working two shifts all the time."
"Sometimes all he wanted to do was play video games or watch movies. I think it helped him escape or let loose some energy. I'd cook for them and he would eat until he got sick. Freaked me out but he almost never wanted me to leave."
"Eating until he was sick?!" Quinn is horrified. She never would have thought about Puck being in so much pain.
"He didn't do it a lot but it was enough to make me keep up with him. I'd even portion out his food until he stopped. We talked about why he did it and I thought I'd die. I never heard of anything so heartbreaking in my life. It was like everything that had ever happened to him caught up to him when he signed over his rights.
Sometimes, I'd sneak out in the middle of the night because he'd need me. I'd be back before you woke up. We talked a lot. I was surprised because everyone knows Puck's more of an action man than a poet but he had to talk so I let him. We had some good conversations."
"What did you talk about?" Quinn props herself up on her elbow.
Mercedes thinks. "Everything! His dreams, his worries, what he hoped for with Beth. It was like things he never told anyone. He trusted me with who he was and I'll always cherish that."
"Won't he get mad about you telling me?"
"I'm not telling you anything specific. I wouldn't betray his trust. But I want you to understand I'm not saying the "L" word because we had sex last week or he paid a bit of attention to me last week. I'm saying it because I just realized that I love him more than a friend. I thought it was just as a friend. I mean we were really close. I thought that it was platonic. Though I still had a tad bit of feelings for him. Puckasaurs is hot!"
Quinn and Mercedes laugh. "Yeah, he has mad swagger. I can see it. I know you said you didn't sleep with him two years ago but was last week your actual first time with him?"
"That's private, Quinn!" Mercedes shuts her mouth.
"It's me, Merce! We're in this thruple together. You can tell me anything." Quinn hopes for an answer she can live with.
Mercedes screws up her face before answering honestly. "As something serious, yes. Last week was the first time. But we did have no strings sex before. It helped him. He talked to me a lot but you know at the end of the day, he'd rather do something. Sex is his way of communicating. Sometimes when it was too much for him, we made out or rounded the bases. He was so hurt."
"You did stuff a lot, huh?"
"Remember all those times you asked me if I needed to borrow your Chapstick? Or when you asked me about bruises and I said I was being clumsy? He was serious."
"He'd leave bruises?!" Quinn isn't sure how to take the information.
"Usually just hickeys but sometimes, yeah. It was like he thought I was leaving him so he'd hold on a little tighter. By the time summer ended, he was better. We didn't have to make out so much. We didn't have to talk a lot. The sex wasn't as rough. He didn't need to have me on speed-dial anymore."
Quinn nods. She remembers she was just as clingy with Mercedes after giving Beth up for adoption. "It was really nice of you to do that. Puck was a jerk before. I was a jerk before. But you were there for the both us. You didn't wait for us to ask. You didn't want anything for it. You're truly a good person, Merce."
Mercedes smiles in the dark. "Thanks. I think that's why I flipped out so much about what I did to Shane. I always felt like a good person but being in love made me selfish and I didn't like that. I just needed time alone so I could get back to me."
"It didn't take long."
"It felt like it! But I got a call from Marcy recently. I wrote her a bit ago telling her what was going on and Satan gave me some actual good advice. It made a lot of difference."
"What did she say?"
"That people make mistakes. You own up to it, try to fix it and move on. You can't dwell on the mistakes you made because you're more than your shortcomings. Then she told me that love makes people do the crazy but as long as I try to do the right thing and be honest with myself and everyone else; I won't lose myself in love again."
"I can't believe she said something so profound!" Quinn is amazed.
Mercedes laughs. "I know! But it helped a lot for me to forgive myself. That call really came at the right time."
"I'm glad the devil was able to help you. I know you wrestled with your conscience."
"Thanks, Q-Card. I still do sometimes. Especially with what's going on now. We need to get to sleep though. It's almost eleven and we need to be ready to leave at 7:30."
"Do you think we'll win?"
"Of course. We're stronger now and we can do this. We've come so far and this is just the beginning."
"Promise?"
"Promise! We'll get through this together forever." Mercedes takes one of Quinn's hands.
Quinn squeezes tightly. "I'll hold you to that."