Find table space to say your social graces
Bow your heads, they're pious here, but you and I we're pioneers
We make our own rules, our own room, no bias here
Let'em sell what they are sellin', there are no buyers here
~Alessia Cara, Wild Things
Mikey was in the shower when she woke, she could hear the water through the wall. Their new place wasn't so much bigger than either her or his old one, but it did have a second bedroom. It really just meant their bedroom was smaller, which, to them, was fine. The updated kitchen and bathroom were nice perks. Denim liked it, and as long as she and Alli were happy and the neighborhood satisfied him, Mikey was, too.
Denim loved the large bedroom window, although the view from it wasn't great. The blinds were open enough to let morning light filter in, and she liked waking up to that. She snuggled under the comforter, picking up Mikey's scent on her pillow. Her insides whirled and she breathed in deeper then rolled over, finding a lump behind her.
"Ow, Mommy, you're squishin' me," Alli grumbled.
Denim laughed. "It's time to get up anyway, misses."
Alli sat up, her eyes bright, hair sticking up in the back. "Oh, I'll get dressed. Is it going to be hot or cold out?"
"Must be nice to pop up like that," Denim stretched and groaned. "What did the weather say? Oh, cool today I think. Wear long pants and a t-shirt."
When she opened her eyes, Alli was darting out the door. Denim slipped from the bed, dressed and made her way down the hall. The water was still running, but when she checked the bathroom door it wasn't locked. She stepped inside, washed her face, brushed her teeth then looked up to find Mikey peeking around the shower curtain.
"Morning, Blue Jeans," he chirped.
She couldn't help the smile on her face. "Morning, Mikey. I'm going to make breakfast. Pancakes okay?"
He grinned. "Pancakes sound great!"
She pecked him quickly on the lips, just evading the thick arm that threatened to drag her in the shower with him. "Uh, no, I'm dressed!" She swatted him off. "And Alli is getting dressed. I have to go."
His bottom lip formed a pout, then he disappeared behind the shower curtain again.
She stepped into the kitchen, turned on the little Bluetooth speaker she'd gotten for her birthday, then picked up her phone and selected her morning playlist.
"So gather all the rebels now, we'll rabble-rouse and sing aloud. We don't care what they say, no way, no way. And we will leave the empty chairs to those who say we can't sit there. We're fine all by ourselves."
Alli bounded into the kitchen in a pink polka dotted bouncy skirt. She twirled in little circles and shook her butt.
"So aye, we brought our drum and this how we dance. No mistakin', we make our breaks, if you don't like our 808s then leave us alone, cause we don't need your policies. We have no apologies for being…"
Denim laughed, grabbing bowls, measuring cups, flour and baking soda all while dancing with her daughter.
"Find me where the wild things are. We'll be alright, don't mind us, yeah. Find me where the wild things are. We'll be just fine, don't mind us, yeah. Find me where the wild things are."
Denim was in a low dip when she felt a hard body step up behind her and pick up the rhythm. Her insides ran hot, her cheeks a blaze. Caught up in the moment, she'd forgotten they weren't alone anymore.
"We will carve our place into time and space. We will find our way, or we'll make a way, say hey, hey. Hey find your grace, don't hide your face. And let it shine, shine, shine, shine."
Mikey grinned against her neck and her heart fluttered. One thing was certain, the boy could move. She was going to stop dancing, but his hands found her hips, guiding her close to him. She turned her head, her lips finding his cheek. "You know we have an audience."
Mikey stepped back, spun Denim around and there was Alli, arms crossed, pouty-lipped and foot tapping. With an amused chuckle, he reached down, took her hand and she twirled. With Mikey's attention on her, Alli was elated, shaking her little hips from side to side, her little skirt bouncing and swirling. She stuck out her little hands, opening and closing them while tapping her feet, then clapping to the beat well for a three-year-old.
Denim watched the two dancing in her tiny kitchen, the music was good, the company better, and for the first time since she could remember, her life, her little family, was whole.
A/N: Well now. That was quite the ride, eh? I would like to extend a special thanks to Illusionna, Phoenix500, and Katstories for helping me throughout this story with brainstorming and beta-ing. Special thanks also to Stitcherbell, Bubblyshell, Wakasta, Nlingford, Baker1413, Leetah1999, Beautyandharmoney, Wolfjade28, Xahraxs, Frostwhitestorm1614, Dragonchild157, Theblackbirdaska, Cute-and-nerdy1202, Koriat Cyredanthem, sxilxi1231, Jensfolly, StrangeAngels, Maflopala, collegemutant10, Deadhero, Dreamgreen, harmony-77, Donatellosgirl36, sommeabitch and every guest who reviewed or left kudos. Guys-n-gals if you hadn't encouraged it this story wouldn't exist. That is the power of your reviews! That is the difference they make. You have inspired and encouraged me and I hope that I have entertained you.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT I PROMISED:
One last thing before this story closes, for now (there might be a part II), Illusionna was beta-ing for me and mentioned several times that she kept wanting to insert her OC's from her story The Other Side of The City into my AU. Then Baker1413 reviewed saying she kept wanting Zoe to show up and kick butt (I actually had to resist the urge to put her in while writing). Well, Illusionna, Phoenix500 and I have been working on an AU for this AU, with a pretty incredible cast. If you have read the original Zoe story, want more Denim and Mikey, Raph and Zoe, and are familiar with Illusionna's OC's from The Other Side of the City you might be interested in Have Dinner With Me's AU, Their Side of The City. Find it on Deviant Art as a group called TheirSideofTheCity (no spaces it has to be smooshed together or we wont pop up in the search). You can find me under Mysteryred1. Until next time, Happy Reading!