"Rachel, I'm tired!" Sam complained. "We've been at this all day! I want a break!"
"No!" She shouted. Marcy winced. "I want this to be perfect."
"Rachel!" Finn dragged his hands down his face. "It's eight o'clock. We've been at this for twelve freakin hours."
"& we'll keep at it until I-"
Marcy stood up. "Rachel. Let's have a chat, shall we?" It wasn't a question.
"Sure." Rachel stuttered.
Marcy took her arm & led her from Finn's room to outside. "Why are you being a nutcase about this? Either way, she'll love it. You're not going to disappoint her."
"How did you know?" Rachel's voice was small.
"Rachel." Marcy broke out of her comfort zone & hugged the girl. "She loves you. Winning Nationals won't matter to her. You do. Shelby, Hiram & Leroy love you no matter what you do in life. They want you happy. Sing for you."
"Thank you." Rachel reigned in her tears.
"Are you crying?!" Marcy recoiled.
"How can you be sweet one moment & so anti-emotion the next?" She laughed.
"We have very different ideas of what sweet is." Marcy blinked. "Anyway, we need a break. We're still going to practice every Monday so it's not like we're going to be rusty. The guys need time to pack. Sam needs time with Quinn. I want sleep!"
Rachel smiled. "Okay. I guess I can relinquish you all. Since I'm staying here alone."
"Ellen, Tina & Karofsky will still be here. & your boyfriend." Marcy added as an afterthought.
"He'll be busy with finals but I get it."
"Let's go tell them the good news." They walked back in & traveled to Finn's room. "Good news, boys! We're free!"
Sam & Finn cheered. Rachel shook her head. "I'm sorry I got a little crazy back there. I appreciate you guys giving up your Saturday to help me instead of enjoying your break."
"No problem, Rachel." Sam put away his guitar as Marcy packed up her keyboard. "We want to win just as much as you do."
M&Q&M
Mal winced as he saw himself being extra brutal on the other team. He & the men in his family were reviewing the taping of the game Marc had recorded & he felt very foolish letting his emotions get the best of him in such a way.
"Dude, you're a beast!" Puck cheered.
"You were wide open here, Malcolm." Russell pointed to the screen. "You need to protect your blind spot."
"Who's this guy?" Michael pointed as well.
"Josh Mankin." Mal said.
"He needs to protect you better. You wouldn't have gone down if he was where he was supposed to be."
"Who is this guy?" Marcus asked. "Is he the captain?"
"Yes. For the other team. Chase something."
"Why are you so focused on him? You could have scored more goals if you'd left him alone."
"I wasn't really focused on him." No one believed that so he went a different route. "He was talking to Marcy."
"Train some of that aggression to other team members if you can next time." Marcus told him dryly. "But I think if we can continue shooting tapes, we can send them out & scouts will fall over themselves to sign you."
"You really think so?" Marc asked his father.
"Of course." Michael shrugged. "He needs to focus on his game. Football has been a great help. Maybe he needs to pick up another sport to help him with his arm movements."
"I play basketball." Mal eyed him. It wasn't as if Michael ever asked.
"You need work on your passing." Russell told him. "If you can do that & stay the course; you will have scouts sniffing around."
"It looks good for colleges which in turn makes it look better for jobs." Michael added.
"Speaking of jobs; have you decided which medical field you're thinking about studying?" Marcus asked slyly.
It grew quiet as Mal gaped, Puck said nothing (glad to know more about the touchy subject) & Marc & Mike became very uncomfortable while the dads wore hopeful expressions.
"Uh…" Mal didn't know what to say.
Marcy walked into the theater. "Momma said you guys had to get ready for dinner because she refuses to have Martha think she can fit in with us just because you all look like a bunch of low class vagabonds." It looked like it hurt to remember all that.
"Your mother-"
"Yeah, I don't care." Marcy cut her father off. "She paid me a hundred bucks to pass the message. I'm going to bed."
Mal jumped up & ran to her. "I'll help you."
"You'll help me sleep?" She looked at him like he was crazy.
"Yup." He tried to communicate with his eyes that he needed help.
"Thank you. For helping me take a nap." Her tone was bone dry. She walked out. Mal followed behind her closely.
"Rose-" Russell started.
"I know." Marcus rolled his eyes. The dads left.
Mike & Marc let out their captive breaths. "That was close!"
"& hella awkward!" Marc agreed. "I should get dressed then go pick up Magna."
"Where are we going?" Mike asked as he stood & cracked his back.
"Just the club. Who's all coming?"
Puck stood, too. He really wanted to know Mal's answer. "Sam, Ellen, Tina & me."
Marc waved him away. "Of course you'll be there. I'm glad Sam & Ellen will be there. Curb Q's & Moppet's tongues."
Mike snorted. "Okay."
Puck laughed.
"Somebody, please remind the demon child that her name is Magna. I don't know why she lets other people tell her that Magna's name is something different." Marc begged.
"I can remind her." Mike promised as they left the theatre.
Marc halted Mike before he could leave as Puck went upstairs. "Help me out, little bro. I'm going to need you tonight. You got my back?"
"Of course." Mike slapped his back.
"Good. She doesn't have to know they hate her."
"She doesn't know?!" Mike's jaw dropped.
"No. & if I can help it, she never will."
M&Q&M
Mercedes stood in her slip as she looked over the choices in her closet.
Quinn held up a dress. "This looks very nice." She was in her bathrobe because she hadn't found anything to wear either.
Marcy was dressed & bored to tears pretending she cared about what either of her sisters wore. "Just pick something! It's dinner. We have it every week."
"You heard Momma." Mercedes shook her head at the dress Quinn chose. "We have to show her that she doesn't fit."
"I bet Laura isn't having this much trouble with Maddie." Marcy moaned to Puck, who was lost. Mercedes always picked out his clothes.
"Aunt Rose is right." Quinn went over a section of dresses. "She doesn't belong & she needs to know that."
"Because clothes will tell her that?" Marcy side-eyed her. "I'm sure our mouths will make it abundantly clear."
"You need to go shopping, honey!" Quinn snapped. She held up a red dress.
Mercedes shook her head again. "I think I should wear black."
"It's not their wedding." Marcy quipped. Puck fell out.
Quinn flung the dress at him. "You cannot wear black because you don't have a suitable black dress in your current size. That is why you need to go shopping!"
"We'll go shopping in Milan." Mercedes waved it away. "Blue is a good color."
"Somber." Quinn thought as she looked over the choices. "Here."
Mercedes looked at the dress. "Perfect!"
"Now help me!" Quinn cried.
"Wait! I need accessories & makeup." Mercedes gripped the blonde.
"That's easy." Marcy picked out pearls. Pearl earrings, a necklace & a pearl & lace bracelet. "Pearl matches blue well."
"Doesn't know a thing about fashion but a true artist." Quinn shook her head in amazement. "I can do your makeup but you have to do mine in return."
"Deal." Mercedes shook on it.
"Come to my room. I need a color."
"How about a noose?" Marcy suggested as the two made to leave the closet. Puck snickered.
"Bring it, Daddy!" Quinn yelled without stopping or turning around.
Puck snorted again. Marcy glared at him. "Just get dressed!"
He raised his hands in surrender & waited for them to leave so he could.
M&Q&M
Laura pulled on the sash rougher than she meant to.
"Ow!" Maddie glared at her.
Laura looked down. "Sorry, MadCap."
"I know you don't want to meet this girl but you don't have to snap me in half!"
"Just put on your shoes." Laura commanded as she gathered the jewelry her sister would be wearing.
Maddie sighed before doing so. "Why am I riding with you & Robert?"
"Because Mikey is picking up Tina." Because you'll keep me calm.
"I go with them sometimes."
"I know, honey. I just need you." Laura patted her hair.
Maddie wrapped her arms around her middle when she finished buckling up her shoes. "Marc won't want her for long."
Laura squeezed her tight. "Thank you, baby. Let's finish up."
Maddie sat down & let Laura put her jewelry on her. Laura quickly did the ten year old's hair. Maddie looked in a mirror after & smiled. She looked nice.
M&Q&M
Marcy & Mal waited impatiently for Quinn. They expected it from Puck & Mercedes but Quinn was too slow. "C'mon, Queen Quinn!"
Mal shifted his weight as he leaned against the wall in front of Quinn's room. "What could she possibly be doing?!"
"Getting left!" Marcy bit off. Quinn had wanted them to wait for her so they could drive to get Sam & Ellen at the same time but Marcy had reached the end of her patience.
"Is she still not ready?" Mercedes opened her door.
"I don't know what she isn't but she is about to be by herself." Marcy grabbed Mal's arm. "See you in a few."
Mercedes waved as they went to Marcy's room to pick up her bag before going downstairs. Quinn is too slow!
She shut the door & returned to her closet where Puck was putting on his shoes. He hated wearing them so he always left it for last. "Quinn is still getting ready."
"Does she make new clothes when she gets ready?!" He shook his head.
"Marcy & Mal just left." She shrugged as she slipped into her shoes & spritzed her hair. She ran a brush through it again to help it shine.
"That's what she gets." He stood & readjusted his clothing.
She put away everything she'd used to make herself "Fabanges perfect" & readied her purse. "I want to stop by Kurt's before they leave."
"They?" He put his wallet in his pocket.
"The Hudmels." She smirked as his face cleared. "I just want to wish him a safe trip."
He shrugged. "Okay." She turned off the light. "Hey!"
"That was your cue to come on." She giggled as she went into their bedroom. She gave him the keys to her car after turning off every light but the one in the bathroom.
"Come on." He side-eyed her as she tried to control her laughter. He took her arm & closed the door behind them.
Quinn exited her room at the same time. "You look so good, Mercy! Where's Moppet?"
"She left." Puck smirked. "You took too long."
Quinn gasped in outrage. "How could she just leave?!"
"The way she did." Mercedes reminded her. "You know she hates waiting."
"I wasn't ready!" Quinn insisted.
"What do you do in there? Paint your face for real?" Puck teased.
"Shut up." They walked downstairs & to the coatroom.
Puck helped Mercedes into her coat before shrugging into his own.
"Why are you guys leaving so early?" Quinn questioned.
"We're going somewhere else first." Mercedes told her. "We'll still be there before you guys because of the time it takes getting to Lima & back but it won't be a long time."
Quinn put on her coat & took her keys from her purse. "I can't believe she left me."
M&Q&M
Kurt opened the door in surprise. "Diva!"
Mercedes waved happily. "Diva!"
Puck snorted at their excited greeting. "Hey, dude."
"Come in! Come in!" Kurt ushered them in. They walked through the door & stood watching him as he closed it. "What are you doing here?"
"We just wanted to stop by to say goodbye before you leave." She smiled.
"Why didn't you call?!" He swatted her arm gently. "You look so fancy! What's going on?"
"We're on our way to Family Dinner & she wanted to stop by." Puck shrugged.
"Oh! Family Dinner." Kurt nodded. "I like that you stopped by."
"I don't want to interrupt any father/son bonding time you guys will have in Washington so I don't know how often we'll talk. I just want to make sure you have a safe trip & have fun." Mercedes swayed gently.
"We will!" He hugged her tightly. "I've never seen you dressed for dinner. You look so good!"
"Quinn said I need to go shopping so I can have more choices as I get bigger so I decided we should go when we're visiting Grandmom. It took forever to decide on this!"
Puck nodded. "It sure did!"
Kurt couldn't decide whether he wanted to laugh or scream so he settled on a combination of both. "No way!"
Finn, Burt & Carole ran from various parts of the house to see what was wrong. "Kurt?!"
Kurt meanwhile was still flailing about. "No way!"
Mercedes blinked. "Um… Kurt? Are you okay?"
"No! You're going shopping in Milan!"
"You're going shopping in Milan?!" Carole switched gears completely.
"Yes?" Mercedes didn't like the looks she was receiving from the pair.
"Who cares?" Burt was confused.
"Girls like that sort of thing." Finn whispered to him.
"My grandmother lives in Milan. We're going to visit her for break. We leave in the morning. Quinn thinks I need new clothes in my new size so I said we'd shop this week while we're away. It's not a big deal." Mercedes explained.
"Your grandmother lives in Milan & you're going to see her tomorrow & shop?" Carole tried to wrap her mind around it.
"Yes. It's just Italy."
"It's just Italy." Kurt almost fainted.
"Yeah. A country in Europe."
Puck laughed. "Let's tell him our first stop during summer vacation!"
"Where are you going?!" Carole wanted to know as soon as possible.
"He wanted to see the cities where I was conceived & born." Mercedes said. "I was conceived in Mercedes, Brazil; which is why my name is Mercedes Catherine. Marcy & I are named where we were conceived. I was born in Versailles, France."
"You are…" Kurt couldn't find the words.
"My hero!" Carole screeched.
"Why?" Burt asked.
"Who do you know shops in Milan?!" Carole swatted him. "Rich & famous people, that's who! I can't believe our little Cedes is going shopping in Milan!"
"I've been before. Remember? My grandmother lives there?" Mercedes frowned.
"Dear, we shouldn't act like crazed stalkers around a celebrity." Burt put his hands on Carole's shoulders.
"Right!" She calmed instantly. "But you have to show me everything when you get back! When will you get back?"
"Saturday. What about you?" Mercedes asked.
"Friday." Carole pouted.
"I'm going to go finish packing." Finn hooked a thumb behind him. "See you guys. You look nice, Cedes."
"Thanks, Finn." Mercedes waved as he left. "Hello, Papa Burt. I haven't been able to greet you properly so hey."
"Girl, give me a hug!" Burt opened his arms & laughed when she went into them. "How's our little girl?"
"She's good." She giggled when he rested his hand on her belly.
"She's moving!" Burt exclaimed.
Puck's smile faded. "Oh come on!"
Carole moved her husband's hand & replaced it with her own. "I remember being pregnant with Finn." She sighed happily. "It was awful!"
Mercedes & Kurt cracked up. "Why?"
"I gained forty pounds, vomited every dang day, went through ten mood swings a minute & had the worst gas!"
Burt wrinkled his nose. "I should finish packing."
Carole yelled at his retreating back as she followed him. "Oh no you don't, Burt Hummel! You never pack right!"
Kurt shook his head at his parents. "I don't know them. But I want a ton of pics. You have to take a picture of everything you try on. I'm going to miss you, Diva."
Mercedes sank into his hug. "I'm just going on vacation. So are you. We'll see each other in six days."
Puck (leaning against the door) almost slid to the ground. "You act like you'll never see her again!"
"It's six whole days!" Kurt cried.
Mercedes patted his back before moving away from him. "I understand what you're saying but you need to finish packing & we need to go to dinner."
"Are you packed?"
"Yes. We all packed yesterday. Marcy packed after brunch. It never takes her long." She waved away that piece of information.
He sighed deeply. "It's going to be so boring! Live an exciting life for me, will you, Diva?"
She giggled. "Of course. I'll take pics of everything!"
Puck had to pry them apart & drag her from the house. At this rate, they'd be on time for dinner! "Let's go."
M&Q&M
Mike knocked & waited patiently. Mrs. C-C opened the door with a bright smile. "Good evening, Mike."
"Hey, Mrs. C-C. Is Tina ready?"
She let him inside. "Yes, she is."
They walked into the living room, where Mr. C was watching television.
"How's it going, Mr. C?"
"Hey, Mike. Where are you guys going tonight?"
"Just the club. We're meeting my brother's new girlfriend."
"That's nice." Mr. C changed the channel.
"That depends on who you ask."
"Is this the same brother, who asked a girl to be his girlfriend & your sisters reacted negatively?" Mrs. C-C asked in concern.
"Yup." Mike was wondering when they'd notice.
They both looked at him in horror. "Oh no!"
"Oh yeah." He smirked. "But it shouldn't be that bad. Hopefully. If it is, it's only three hours."
"What about After Dinner? Won't he show up with her?" Mrs. C-C looked towards the stairs to make sure Tina wasn't coming down already.
"We're not having it. We have to get up early to fly to Italy in the morning so after dinner, we're going home."
"That's wise." She mumbled really thinking it was a good diversion. "Tina! Honey, Mike's here!"
Tina flew down. "I'm ready. Let's go."
"You want to meet Marta?"
"Mike! Her name is Magna." She shook her head as she kissed her parents.
He facepalmed. "Crap! How am I supposed to remind Moppet if I can't remember?"
Mrs. C-C eyed the door after the two left. "That dinner is going to be a disaster."
Her husband didn't look away from the TV. "Yup."
M&Q&M
"How am I here before you?" Quinn demanded.
"Mama had a hard time letting go." Puck explained with a smirk as he sat his wife.
Sam looked confused. "Letting go of what?"
"Kurt." Puck sat down.
Quinn was going to respond but she caught sight of six people coming towards their table. "You left me!"
"Yes, I did." Marcy sat beside Puck.
"You took forever!" Mal added as he helped Ellen into her seat between him & Marcy.
"I did not!"
"You probably did." Laura rolled her eyes as Robert helped her sit. "You have to be mindful of other people's time, Quinn."
Quinn narrowed her eyes. "Sit by me, MadCap. Lady's a meanie."
"No! She's my support! You have a boyfriend." Laura pulled the ten year old to her side.
"You have a husband!" Quinn fired back.
Laura snorted. "I dressed her so she's staying with me."
Maddie looked so confused. "Where am I supposed to sit?"
"By me." Mercedes patted the seat by her. "These two are nutballs."
Maddie fled to Mercedes's side & sat beside her.
Rose, Judy & Jeanette walked over, in a snit. They had a waiter sit them & tried to calm themselves.
"Are you okay, Mommy?" Maddie asked.
"Yes. I just want this dinner over with as soon as possible." Jeanette glowered.
"Did your father get dressed?" Rose asked Marcy.
"How would I know?"
"Marceline, I told you to tell those men to get ready-!"
"I did! It's not like I stayed to watch!"
"Insolent!"
"Uncaring." Marcy shot back.
"They're here." Laura interrupted.
True enough, the dads walked in laughing. They sat around the table, leaving four seats open for the remainder of their party.
"Where is Michael?" Judy looked over the table. "& Tina?"
"Here! Here! We're here!" Mike rushed over. Actually, he was pulled by Tina but all the same.
"You're just in time." Marcus checked his watch.
Just in time to have to be the one to sit beside them. Great. Mike rolled his eyes as he sat Tina one seat over from his mother. If he'd been thinking (about something other than how much he wanted to be adopted at seventeen), he would have realized he should have sat Tina by Quinn & she'd be far(ther) away from Jeanette & poor Magna wouldn't be subject to Queen Quinn's icy stare the whole night. As it was, they were stuck & the new girl was hit.
"Any drinks to start you off?" The previous waiter asked. He & two other attendants were catering to their large party. One of whom was Tammi.
They went around the table ordering. Unfortunately (& possibly illegally; I'm pretty sure it's illegal yet not unheard of [especially where I'm from, which is seriously sad]) the club served alcohol to minors so 20 year old Laura ordered white, 16 year old Quinn had red while 15 year old Marcy wanted white & whiskey. Age remembrance aside, it was def. necessary.
The dads (of course) ordered scotch while the moms stuck to red wine. Sam, Mal, Puck & Maddie had soda while Tina, Ellen & Mercedes had tea. Robert ordered a gin & tonic (everyone noticed & quite a few judged).
"We'll get that right out for you." The waiter noted. "Will you be waiting for the remainder of your party before ordering?"
"We could." Rose started.
"We will." Russell rolled his eyes. "It's too early, Rose."
The waiter, Tammi & the other waitress left.
"They have less than a minute." Laura noted.
"Starting badly already." Mal massaged his temples.
"Strike one." Jeanette murmured.
Mike checked his watch. "They have twenty seven seconds."
Judy side-eyed him. "You really think they can make it in-"
"Hello!" Marc waved, out of breath. He clutched a woman's hand tightly as he spotted open seats & rushed to them. "We're here. Just in time."
Mike wanted to laugh at the cracked look on his aunt's face. "Just in time."
Marc helped Magna into her seat before sitting himself. "So how is everyone?"
Rose glared at him. "We are just lovely, Marcus. Aren't you going to introduce us to your little friend?"
Not if he wants to keep her. Puck thought to himself.
"Oh. Uh. Yeah. Everyone, this is Magna Rodriguez."
She smiled warmly. She was a very pretty girl, not unlike Sofia Vergara in looks. Not the same vivacious personality mind you (& that's saying something) but she was pretty. "Hello."
Most of the guys returned her greeting & only Tina & Ellen for the female count.
"Well-" Marc gulped. He could see this was a bad idea already. "This is my brother Mike's girlfriend, Tina. & that's him. She's super sweet. Him; not so much."
Tina giggled as Mike glared at him (just the way he wanted). "That's my Aunt Jeanette & Aunt Judy. There's my Uncle Russell & my mother, Rose. That's my dad, Marcus Sr. & my Uncle Michael. That's my sister, Laura & her husband, Robert."
He didn't even flinch as he said that. "That's my brother, Mal &-"
"This is Ellen." Mal took over. They all looked at him strangely. "She's our girlfriend."
"Labels." Marcy sat back.
Marc raised an eyebrow. "Congrats, dude. Ellen is now Mal & Marcy's girlfriend. That's Marcy, by the way. She's the devil."
Cue evil eye. "That's Puck, my sister Mercy's husband. That's her right there & my sister, Maddie beside her. Sam is on the other side of her. He's my sister Quinn's boyfriend & she is sitting on the other side of you."
"Nice to meet you all." Magna said politely.
"Is that your real voice?" Marcy asked in all seriousness.
Quinn snickered as Mike facepalmed. He should have ridden with her & coached her on how to speak to people. "Marce!"
"What?!" She honestly wanted to know.
Magna gulped. "Um… I suppose."
"Shouldn't you know?" Maddie asked.
Magna was saved from answering as the waitstaff returned with the drinks. "What would you two like to drink?"
"Scotch would be nice." Marc muttered.
"Oh. I'm only eighteen." Magna waved him away.
No one said anything for a minute before Marc shook his head. "It's alright. You can have whatever."
Magna blinked. "Oh. Um… can I have a Cosmo?"
"A Cosmo?" Quinn mouthed.
"Sure thing, hun." The waiter noted. "Will you be ready to order in a few?"
"Yes." Marcus looked over his menu.
"We'll be right back." The waitstaff left.
"We're here all the time but we always look over the menu like we're new." Marcy observed. "Is that weird?"
Everyone looked down to realize she was right.
"Force of habit." Judy murmured.
The waitstaff returned & the family placed their orders. As they were leaving, Tammi dropped a cloth napkin. "Oops!"
Marcy picked it up. "Here you go."
"Thank you!" Tammi batted her eyelashes.
"No problem." Marcy turned & took a sip of her wine.
Ellen finally closed her mouth & glared at the waitress. "You should be more careful."
Tammi only smirked as she flounced away.
Mal bit his lip but everyone paying attention knew he was laughing.
Sam's eyes twinkled as he asked, "So how's it coming in her being your new friend?"
Marcy looked up, confused. "Huh?"
Quinn grinned. "How in the world do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Stevie said she wanted to be your new friend." Maddie looked over. "Is she?"
Marcy shrugged. "I never really thought about it."
"Don't be friends with her." Judy shook her head. "She's doomed to spend her life in the working class while you are destined for better things. Most assuredly, better friends."
That wasn't snobby… Ellen wondered where that left her.
"What do you do, Martha?" Rose asked after a moment of silence.
"Magna." Magna gave a small uncomfortable smile. "& I'm a model."
"How long have you been working?" Judy wanted to know.
"Are you even good?" Jeanette demanded.
"Do you keep your clothes on?" Laura mock whispered.
"Which talent did you rely on?" Quinn sniped.
"Or do you suck at that, too?" Mercedes stared coldly.
Puck wasn't sure if she realized the pun or not.
Poor Magna looked ready to melt into the floor. Marc glared at the women in his family. "She's a good person."
"Which has nothing to do with what they asked." Marcy threw in.
"Why doesn't she just answer the questions?" Maddie added as she crossed her arms.
"You don't have to answer that." Marc snapped.
"But she should." Jeanette said calmly. "Tina did."
Tina lit up at the unexpected praise. Jeanette had never said anything good about her before. "They only ask because they care."
Marc recoiled like she'd slapped him. "Tina!"
"What?" She shrugged innocently. "I'm helping."
"You're doing a terrible job." Mike whispered in her ear.
Magna took a breath. "I've been modeling for a little over two years. I have done mostly magazine work in ads for clothes. I think I'm pretty good. It's why I'm attending LeFlur's.
"I heard the school is run by a perv." Quinn shrugged.
"It is most certainly not." Magna defended.
"What's a perv?" Maddie asked.
"LeFlur?" Mercedes quipped under her breath. Puck almost choked on his soda.
"Lucille!" Michael huffed. "You get to explain what it is."
Quinn smiled a tight lipped grin. "A perv is that little girl that was bothering you. What she did to Stevie was perverted."
"That's a hell of an explanation, Q." Laura drained her glass.
"I don't have a way with words!" She snapped. "So what? She gets it."
"I really don't." Maddie shook her head.
"How do you define a perv?" Tina wondered honestly.
"Easy." Marcy looked around for Tammi. She wanted a refill. "A perv is a pervert, which is a person who does, says, believes or thinks things that the general public (or common decency) deems inappropriate. Usually in a sexual setting. But you can call someone a perv if they just really think about sex all the time. Sometimes, it's an insult because it is one but mostly it's just a word that people throw around without its proper meaning like "safe", "fun" & "love"."
Sam's mouth fell open. "It's like a switch."
"Shut up, Samantha." She finally spotted Tammi & waved her over.
"Is that the textbook definition?" Quinn demanded.
"Hell if I know." Marcy shrugged as she watched Tammi approach the table. "May I have a refill on my wine, please?"
"Sure thing." Tammi smiled & left.
"Do you have to be so… nice to her?" Ellen scowled.
"Nice?" Marcy looked confused. "That's not nice but if it got me more wine, I'd tell her she was pretty."
Puck couldn't take it. He had to laugh. Eventually, they all did (excluding Marcy, who was trained on watching for her wine).
When Tammi returned, she smiled gratefully. "Thank you!"
"If you need anything else, just call!"
"I will." Marcy took a few happy sips.
"You're such a lush." Ellen twisted her mouth after Tammi left. "You're trying to kiss the alcohol."
"Don't be jealous." Marcy set her glass down.
"That's easy for you to say." Mal smirked. "You're never jealous."
"It's a wasted emotion."
"Agreed." Michael put in.
"It's a little more complicated than that." Laura said.
"How?" Maddie asked.
"It's not something you can really help." Mal inclined his head.
"& it snowballs." Puck knew that all too well.
"I still don't get it." Marcy shrugged.
"I don't believe in jealousy either." Magna slid in.
Quinn grimaced. "Of course you don't."
"You better start." Laura gave a dry laugh. "Marc has always had a fan club."
"A fan club?" Magna looked worried.
"Oh yeah." Mercedes added. "Groupies. Everywhere he goes."
"Quite a few stalkers, too." Quinn went on.
"& girls willing to kill for him." Laura finished.
Magna's eyes grew. "Excuse me?"
Rose gave an insincere giggle. "Marcus has always had little girls trailing after him. It's quite a sight."
"They're all so pretty." Quinn gushed. "He has a thing for blondes though."
"Blue eyes are his thing." Mercedes tilted her head. "Kinda short. Shapely. Completely goes gaga for them."
"But he likes brunettes, too." Mike threw in.
"He doesn't discriminate." Mal added.
Laura, Mercedes & Quinn gave them dirty looks.
Marc mouthed a quick thank you to his brothers. "That doesn't matter anyway."
"So you're planning on being faithful?" Judy snorted.
He opened his mouth but the waitstaff returned with their food.
Tammi smiled brightly at Marcy. "I gave you a few extra croutons."
"Like she'd notice." Ellen gave her an irritated glare.
Mal pulled her over & whispered in her ear. "You better dial it back or she'll spit in your food."
"Would she really?" Her face showed her disgust.
"I don't know but do you really want to push it?"
"Hey, Elle?" Marcy turned to her. "Do you want to taste this?" She pointed her fork towards her plate.
"Sure."
Tammi rolled her eyes & walked off.
Puck whispered to Mercedes. "That chick is going to drop Elle's food the next time she comes here."
Mercedes bit her lip to keep from laughing. "No, she won't. She'll get fired."
"How are they going to find out?"
"There's cameras everywhere."
He looked at her, his mouth hung open. "Really?!"
She did laugh then. "You didn't know?"
"Didn't know what?" Sam asked.
"He didn't know there were cameras all around."
"There's cameras here?!"
Marcy started laughing. "I quit!"
"This is a country club, guys." Mike shook his head in mirth. "Why wouldn't they have cameras everywhere?"
M&Q&M
Jeanette handed Magna her contract. "You can look it over & sign it before dinner's over."
Magna blinked. Marc had told her about a contract but she didn't know he was serious. "I can't have my lawyer look it over?"
"I'm a lawyer." Jeanette smiled.
Marc dropped his fork. "Marcy!"
"What?" She looked over.
"Aren't you going to help her?"
"Why the hell would I do that? Do I look like a lawyer? Better ask Q."
Quinn looked at her, dumbfounded. "I don't think so!"
"That's not fair!" Marc protested as his mother & aunts snickered. "You helped Elle."
Marcy threw him a look that clearly said she wondered about his mental dexterity. "Really?!"
"Bad example." He admitted. "Tina. You helped Tina."
"I lost a bet?"
He glared at her. "Help her, Moppet!"
Marcy groaned. "Don't say I've never done anything for you."
"I would never." He grinned as he handed over the stack of papers.
"I wasn't talking to you." She looked at Robert. "Still got your lucky pen?"
He raised an eyebrow. "No."
"You finally realized thirty year old men don't have emotional attachments to their writing utensils?"
Russell snorted as everyone but Robert laughed. "I have a pen."
"Thank you, Uncle Russell." She took it & went over the contract. "What exactly do you want me to do?"
"I don't know." Marc shrugged. "Make sure it's fair."
"To whom?" She clicked the pen.
The women were suitably impressed.
"Marcy!" Mike ran a hand down his face. "Just protect Magna."
"Who?" She glanced up.
"Mike!" Marc scowled.
"I was a little busy!" Mike defended himself. "She's Magna."
"Really? Magna? That's the "m" name your parents went for?" Marcy was serious.
"Marcy is unusual." Magna said.
"No, it's not." Marcy yawned. "Okay, I can try to care. You gotta tell me what you're okay with & what you're not."
"Like what?" Magna's shoulders slumped.
"Random drug testing."
"What?!" Marc stared at Jeanette, who simply shrugged.
"DNA testing if you become pregnant."
"Really?!"
"Background check on your immediate family." Marcy went on.
"Now that's invasive!" Marc swore.
"Pap smear, mammogram, STI tests, mental health exam, pregnancy test & IQ scores are to be submitted to the family before one full calendar month."
"That's extensive." Tina murmured.
"& your permanent record from high school along with your SATs scores." Marcy frowned as she read.
"That's too much." Marc shook his head.
"A copy of your drivers license & birth certificate?" Marcy glared at Jeanette. "Really?!"
"To make sure she's who she says she is." Jeanette defended calmly.
Marcus inclined his head. "Excellent point."
"You didn't do that for these guys!" Marc protested.
"Yes, we did. They just signed without complaining." Russell reminded him.
"That's what I signed?!" Sam's mouth fell open.
"What did you think the paperwork was for?" Quinn asked.
"Is that all on record?" Puck gulped. He'd only been able to get most of his paperwork in but thanks to Raven, it no longer mattered. He was glad but he still didn't like thinking about Jeanette reading over his old report cards.
"Yes." Michael eyed him.
He chuckled nervously before staring at his plate. Great.
"How good are you at time management?" Marcy asked Magna.
"Time management?" Magna looked confused. "I don't know."
"If you're going to date Marc, you need to know. You're busy, he's busy. How are you going to spend time together if you don't know?"
Magna thought it over.
Marcy rolled her eyes. "They have workshops for that. Look it up at OSU. Until then, I can't help you in terms with this contract. You're stuck."
"Wait. No." Marc threw out a hand to halt her turning the page. "I can help her. She'll be good. Just give her time."
"Your sisters need time, too." Rose pouted. "Are you going to stay away again?"
He looked down. They're never gonna let that go, are they?! "I promise I won't disappear again. She won't take away all my time."
"You have classes & you need time to study." Marcus told him.
"& we need time." Quinn put in.
"& us." Mal muttered.
"You're in a fraternity, which takes up a lot of time." Russell threw in.
"& the football & golf teams do as well." Michael added.
"Plus, you work." Mercedes said.
"& you need downtime." Marcy raised an eyebrow. "Being around people sucks. You need your space."
"Maybe a girlfriend is too big of a commitment for you at this time." Laura suggested slyly.
Marc felt like they were all ganging up on him. "Wait a minute!"
"I can do it." Magna said quickly. "I'll do whatever he needs."
Laura rolled her eyes & scoffed. "I just bet."
"I will." Magna ignored that. "When I'm not working, I can try to help him."
"I don't need you to be my servant." Marc frowned at her.
"Of course you do." Marcus felt that was a lie. "That's her job; to make your life easier."
"Before I throw up my dinner," Marcy blanched. "Will you or won't you get into time management?"
"I will." Magna nodded resolutely.
"Okay." Marcy made a few notes.
No one knew if that was a good okay or a bad okay. It could go either way.
"How are you with children?"
"Excuse me?" Magna looked startled. This dinner was going to give her gray hair!
"How are you with children?" Marcy repeated as she reviewed the next page.
"I've never been around any that weren't peers."
Marcy clucked her tongue & shook her head.
"Why is that important?" Marc demanded.
"In case you've forgotten, Mr. Invisible Man, we're still children." Marcy glared at him. "She's an adult. If she can't handle us, how is she going to handle anything else?"
"Nice point." Judy cheered.
Marc scowled. "Why would she handle you?"
"So she's not going to be around us? This will be a one time thing?" Marcy threw him an exasperated look.
"No." He admitted.
"When you're a kid, the nearest adult is responsible for you. You might have forgotten because you're responsible for us anyway but that's what the world sees, ding-a-ling. Plus, if you haven't noticed, Mercy is seven months pregnant & Maddie is still ten."
"Perfect counter!" Jeanette praised.
"Oh crap!" He'd clearly forgotten. "She has a point. I'm going to be the best uncle in the world so I'm going to be around a lot. You don't want me to leave you every time I visit, do you?"
Mike & Mal glared at him.
Magna shook her head. She never really liked kids but she wanted Marc so badly, she could taste it. "Could you teach me?"
"No." Marcy didn't spare her a glance. "It's one of those things where either you got it or you don't. You can, however be taught to not kill it just because you both share the same universe."
Magna gulped. "Okay. I have a while to get it. Maddie, is it? I can practice with her."
Quinn looked at her in horror. "You're not practicing how to be a bad babysitter on my little sister!"
"Also, Nic will be here during the summer & we don't want Bubbie to think you'll let just anybody around her." Marcy added.
Puck blinked. He never thought about that. He'd previously kept her away from shady characters but it wouldn't be just him this time. "She's right."
"Okay. How about I train her?" Marc suggested. "Get her used to Mike & Mal?"
"No." Tina meant to ask why but she let it stand.
"Tina." He pleaded.
"No." She wouldn't budge.
Mike hung his head as he tried not to laugh. "Why not? We're old. She can't ruin us."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Ellen agreed.
"If she can handle teenaged boys, I think she can handle a ten & seven year old." Mal told her.
"Even I know that's a bad idea." Marcy couldn't believe they were that dense. "She can practice with Mercy & Quinn."
"What?!" Both girls took offense to that.
"You're sixteen so she can't do too much damage. Mercy is one of the nicest people on the planet so you luck out, Naomi Campbell. & Quinn, because she's going to need more than one person & a not pregnant one at that."
"I think that would work!" Marc snapped up the proposal.
"Why can't Maddie or Laura do it?" Mercedes wanted to know.
"Maddie's an impressionable ten year old & we all know why Laura shouldn't do it." Marcy was going to ask Magna another question when Quinn cut her off.
"Why not you?"
"He wants me to help her, not burn her at the stake." Marcy replied dryly. "How many languages do you speak?"
"How is that relevant at all?!" Marc wanted to pull out his hair.
"It's just a question. Calm the hell down."
"I know English & Spanish." Magna answered.
Marcy wrote a few notes. She clicked her tongue. "Are you going to school? A real school?"
"Oh." Magna was majorly offended. "I do not take classes anywhere but at LeFlur."
"I guess that means you don't have a backup plan." Marcy mumbled.
"I plan on being a model for a while."
"I plan on eating cannoli tomorrow but I could die in my sleep tonight."
Magna's mouth hung open. "Excuse me?!"
"I don't care if you model for twenty years or twenty minutes." Marcy shook her head. She swore at that moment that she would never become a lawyer. "Sign the contract or don't. I'm not the one who wants you here."
Magna's cheeks burned as Laura laughed.
"I thought you were only that mean to me." Sam murmured.
Marcy cast a bleary eye on the blonde. "I'm not being mean. Looking over contracts isn't exactly a walk in the park when you're not a lawyer. & I'm only fifteen. So I'm cranky? Sue me."
"Cranky?" Puck looked at her. "That's what you call it?"
"I'm going to call you something if you keep it up." She replied sweetly. "I'd like to get this done with so I can focus on my wine."
"How much more is there?" Marc asked.
She thumbed through the pages before just throwing it on the table. "Just sign the damn thing! I'm tired!"
Marc facepalmed. "I'm sure she took care of you."
"I can sign it." Magna hoped she wasn't making a big mistake. They passed her the pen & stack of papers. She signed it quickly. There wasn't applause like before.
"Would you care for dessert?" The waiter returned for their dishes.
"Yes." Maddie rejoined the conversation. She'd ignored plenty of it before because she either didn't understand it or it didn't involve her but dessert was her language.
Tammi set out a few dessert menus (leaning between Ellen & Marcy suggestively at times). "We'll be right back to take your orders."
"Did she just press up against you?!" Ellen demanded.
"I don't think so." Marcy shook her head. "I think she has a bad back. Did you see her wincing a few times?"
Ellen broke out into a sunny smile as the table erupted & Marcy looked at them all like they were crazy. "Yes, I did!"
"What is wrong with you people?" Marcy asked.
"Why do you think she was wincing?" Puck asked instead.
"Because of her face." Marcy eyed him.
"She was looking at her face?" Maddie whispered to Mercedes.
Sam turned beet red. "Oh my goodness!"
"You are the very best sister ever." Mike quipped. He wasn't sure if he was referring to Marcy or Maddie.
"What is everybody getting (since a sugar rush can't make your highs any higher)?" Marcy bit off.
Tina perused a menu. "Cheesecake."
"What kind?" Sam picked up one, too.
"I want New York style."
Sam wrinkled his nose. "Cherry all the way."
"We're in public, Samson." Marcy reminded as she selected what she wanted.
The kids chuckled.
"I think a cherry cheesecake is the perfect thing." Quinn squeezed his knee.
"I would order something but we both know I'm just going to eat off your plate." Puck looked at Mercedes.
Ellen slapped a hand over Marcy's mouth.
"Thank you, Ellen." Rose inclined her head. "I want the Crème brûlée."
"I do, too." Judy's eyes lit up.
"I want this chocolate liquor cake." Jeanette wrinkled her nose as she passed the menu to Mike.
He looked it over. "Chocolate torte." He shrugged carelessly. "That sounds good."
"I want baked Alaska." Maddie said. "What is it?"
"Cake, ice cream & meringue." Mercedes told her.
"I hate meringue." Maddie made a disgusted face.
"I want baked Alaska." Mercedes decided. She looked at Puck. "Will you eat it?"
Ellen clapped her hand back over Marcy's mouth.
"Sure." Puck wished Ellen had been a tad bit slower.
"I'll have a chocolate sundae." Ellen removed her hand & gave Mal the menu she held.
He thumbed through it. "Chocolate cake."
"Rum cake." Laura handed Robert her menu.
"Same." He handed it back.
"I want this Lemon chiffon cake." Marcy chewed on her bottom lip.
"I want a strawberry shortcake." Maddie finally came to a decision.
"I'll stick to my egg crème." Marc leaned back.
"Lazy!" Marcy coughed.
He side-eyed her. "Will you stop?! I like egg crèmes!"
"I like dick but that doesn't mean I'm averse to vaginas. Variety is the spice of life."
"You said that already."
"Are you sure?" She thought it over.
Mercedes let go of Maddie's ears. She'd been just in time but unfortunately Tina, Sam, Ellen & Magna were in a state of shock. "What did she just say?!"
"I'm sure. Ms. Mabel agreed with you." Marc responded dryly.
"Then I'm right. Just get something else. Man, you're boring." Marcy picked up a menu again. "Get the chocolate mousse. Live a little."
"Chocolate mousse is living?" Quinn laughed.
"It is for Marc." Laura tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
He snapped his gaze to hers. "It is not. I know how to let loose."
"You're so uptight; it's ridiculous."
He glared at her before looking at Marcy. "Fine. I'll get the chocolate mousse."
"Is this a cherry trifle?" Michael read the words again. "That's what I want."
"What's a trifle?" Sam only broke his shell of stupefied because of his favorite fruit.
"It's sponge cake & fruit with layers of fruit, jellies & custard." Russell explained. "Ooh. That's what I want. Banana custard."
Mike blanched. "Gross!" He wasn't one for custard.
"They have pecan pie." Marcus was satisfied. "I know what I'm having!"
Marc turned to Magna. "What would you like?"
She shook herself. "Um… fruit would be great."
Quinn threw her a dirty look. "Fruit?"
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Didn't know the stereotype was true."
"What stereotype?" Rose knew. She just wanted Mercedes to say it.
& she didn't disappoint. "That models are afraid of food."
"That's not fair." Marc wanted to throw something at her. Magna had to be embarrassed by now. "We've all modeled so you know that's not fair."
"We also eat so what's her problem?" Laura taunted.
"Is she allergic to happiness?" Quinn smirked.
"Dessert is happiness now?" Marcy whispered to Ellen & Mal seriously.
"Maybe she just really likes fruit?" Sam tried to help.
Marc threw him a thankful gaze. The girls? not so much. "Nothing's wrong with fruit."
"Maybe I can get it on top of a light sponge cake?" Magna refused to blow this. Her mother had prepped her, her entire life to find a good (read: rich) man to take care of her & she wasn't going to let him slip through her fingers because of her lame diet.
"Get whatever you want." Marc assured her.
"Wine goes well with fruit & sponge cake." Marcy offered. She knew they were being hard on the girl. She wasn't going to go crazy helping her out but she could throw her a bone or two.
Magna hated admitting this but… "I've never had wine."
"At all?" Maddie was surprised.
Magna's face burned as she shook her head. "No."
Rose shook her head, too as she scoffed. "Does not belong."
"Wine is an acquired taste." Marc soothed.
"It's wine; not blue cheese!" Marcy pursed her lips.
The waitstaff returned. "Sorry for the wait. Any refills as we take your orders?" Everyone took a refill & gave their order quickly. "We'll have that out for you as soon as possible."
"Does that girl smell like dead flowers to anyone else?" Rose finally asked.
"So it's not just me?!" Marcy was relieved.
"I thought my hormones were throwing me off." Mercedes took a deep breath as she realized her nose was just fine.
"At least I'm not being petty." Ellen admitted.
"Dead flowers?" Marc sniffed the air. "That's a little extreme."
"She stinks." Laura deadpanned. "Call a spade a spade."
"I don't smell anything." Sam felt left out.
"How can you not?" Quinn shook her head. "It's all in my nose."
"I thought we weren't supposed to tell people that they smell bad?" Maddie was confused.
"Who told you such a lie?!" Judy demanded.
"My teacher. She said it was rude."
"She must stink." Rose quipped.
"You have to say it in a nice way." Tina tried to find a diplomatic way of saying it. "You can hurt someone's feelings if you don't say it right."
"Or you can pass out from the fumes." Marcy muttered.
"So you'd just tell her she smells bad?" Magna didn't know why she was surprised.
"Yes."
"Why haven't you then?"
"Because I thought I was the only one to smell it. Def. saying it now."
Uh oh. Magna hoped Tammi had thick skin.
"Be tactful." Rose reminded her.
"I don't know what that means but okay." Marcy looked straight at Tammi as she returned with Magna's fruit & cake. "What are you wearing?"
Mercedes facepalmed. So much for tact…
"Excuse me?" Tammi stammered.
"Your perfume. What is it?" Marcy repeated.
Tammi grinned. "It's from a store in the Heights called Sniff. It has all kinds of scents."
"I was going to tell you to never buy it again but I have a feeling I need to warn you against the entire building."
Tammi's smile faded as confusion took over her features. "I don't understand."
"Is the scent supposed to be dead flowers?" Marcy was trying to be tactful. She just wished someone had explained what that was.
"No." Tammi deflated.
"Stay away from perfumes." Marcy was really going out of her way to be nice. She felt she needed a medal for how sweet she was being.
"Okay."
"Soap smells great & it's cheap."
Tammi smiled again but it was weak. "Will do." She scurried away.
Marcy looked at her mother. "Was that tactful?"
Rose rubbed her forehead, tiredly. "For you."
Marcy frowned. That didn't sound like a yes.
"That was mean." Tina gave her an exasperated glance.
"Why?"
That stumped Tina. "Because it hurt her feelings."
"Why?"
"I don't know." Tina didn't know how to explain it.
"Next time, just have one of us say it." Mike tried to find an alternative. He knew Marcy wasn't being mean; she really didn't understand it. Didn't stop it from being hurtful; she just wasn't trying to be.
"Fine." She huffed. She hated how no one would tell her all these things everyone seemed to know that she didn't. It wasn't her fault & no one could be bothered to explain it to her.
"So was that rude?" Maddie wanted to know.
"No." Quinn told her. "People like Marcy don't understand how to say certain things so it sounds rude but it's not. Now if I had said it, it would have been rude."
"That makes almost no sense."
"I'll explain tomorrow." Mercedes promised.
The kid gets an explanation... Marcy bit off mentally.
The waitstaff returned soon with their desserts.
"This is really good." Sam dug in.
"It is." Quinn licked her lips.
"So what's up for later?" Marc asked.
"Nothing." Mercedes murmured.
He frowned. "Nothing?"
"We're going to sleep." Mike told him. "Our flight is really early."
"& who wants to wake them up?" Quinn pointed her fork at Mal, Puck & Marcy.
"There's still knives on this table." Marcy said sweetly.
"You're going on a trip?" Magna asked.
"Yes." Mercedes was short.
"They're visiting my grandmother for spring break." Marc explained.
"That's really sweet." That sounded boring to Magna but if that was what young, rich people wanted to do on their break from school, who was she to judge?
Laura cut her eyes at the younger girl. "We're close knit."
"Tell Mother I said hello." Rose reminded them.
"Of course, Momma." Mercedes smiled. This dinner from hell was nearly over.
"What about Granddad?" Maddie asked.
Rose twisted her lips. "Of course. Him, too."
Puck raised his eyebrow at her pinched tone. He looked at his wife. She shook her head slightly. Now was not the time.
"I wasn't done!" Mal was on the verge of whining.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Marcy was completely unrepentant as she stuck her spoon in his cake.
Sam started laughing. "I don't think you are."
Ellen gave Mal Marcy's cake. "She's sharing."
He gave them both irritated looks before digging in.
Marcy took Ellen's bowl & switched it with Mal's. "So are you."
"You're sharing food." Puck still couldn't wrap his mind around it.
"I'm never making you popcorn again."
"Wait! I didn't say anything!"
Maddie laughed. "Ooooh! You're out of luck, Puck."
"If you stop making him popcorn, I'll never make you candy apples again." Mercedes giggled.
"So rude!" Marcy drew back.
"Then I'll stop making you corndogs." Mike smirked.
"You wouldn't!" Mercedes looked at him.
"I can stop making my honey mustard sauce." Mal shot at Mike.
Laura snorted. "You will never get another milkshake again!"
Mal did a double take.
"& you can kiss my cotton candy goodbye." Quinn promised.
"This escalated quickly." Sam quipped.
"Does this mean fair day is cancelled?" Tina wanted to know.
"No!" Maddie cried.
Puck laughed. "I think they're kidding. Fair day can't be cancelled. Can it?"
Marc laughed his butt off. "They're done. Fair day is safe."
"What's fair day?" Magna thought it sounded funny.
"It's something they've been doing for a while." Judy swept her hair from her shoulders. "They pick a day to make fair food & have games."
"We're never invited." Jeanette bit off.
"We want to be happy." Mike muttered.
Quinn cleared her throat. "We should be going."
"Do you have Maddie's stuff?" Mike asked Laura, who nodded.
"It's in the car."
"Are you staying the night at the Jones'?" Michael asked.
"Yes, sir." Mal finished Ellen's sundae.
"That means we can have a drink."
"We should go." Mercedes refrained from rolling her eyes. Like they wouldn't drink if there was kids at home.
The waitstaff returned to collect the dishes. Marcy slipped Tammi a note. The waitress brightened as Ellen scowled.
"Are you staying for a drink?" Russell asked Marc, who shook his head.
"I should probably take Magna home."
"What about you?" Michael gestured to Robert.
"Sure." He bowed his head.
Laura sucked her teeth. "You'll have to ride with one of them. I'm going home."
Robert pursed his lips. "Okay."
The kids stood & put on their jackets. Mike put Maddie on his back. "Ready?"
"Yup." She nodded.
They walked out to the parking lot, where Laura opened the trunk. Mal grabbed Maddie's luggage & put it in Rhonda. He set her overnight bag in the backseat & buckled her in as Mike waited for Tina (who'd gone to the restroom).
"When will we have fair day?" Mercedes wanted to know after they'd said goodbye to Marc & Laura. & Magna.
"When do you want to?" Marcy leaned against the trunk of her car.
"I don't want to wait too long. But I don't want to leave Nic out."
"We can have another one this summer. Hell, we can have quite a few of them."
"When will be a day where we aren't all ridiculously busy?" Mercedes tapped her bottom lip.
"How about the week before your birthday?" Mike touched Marcy's elbow. "Are we good then?"
"No." Mercedes shook her head. "She has her championships."
"If we make it." Marcy reminded them. "& that's a big if."
Mike waved that away. "We can figure it out later. I'm ready to go to sleep."
"Four thirty is a stupid time to go to the airport." Mal complained.
"Blame Ms. I-Want-to-be-There-All-Extra-Early." Mike smirked.
"Hey!" Mercedes snapped. "I just don't want to show up at nine o'clock at night!"
"Who cares?" Marcy snorted. "It's just Milan."
"Just Milan?" Tina walked up. "Who says stuff like that?!"
"Us." Marcy leaned forward. "Okay, I'm going. We need to get Elle home before her dad thinks we're taking her with us."
"See you in a bit." Mercedes called as they piled into Travis.
"The hell you will! I'm going straight to bed." She honked as she left.
Mercedes shook her head. "That's your sister!"
Mike smirked. "Yeah & she's my favorite."
Mercedes stuck her tongue out. Quinn rolled her eyes. "See you guys in an hour." She waved as she pushed Sam towards her car.
"Okay." Mercedes waved back.
Mike set Tina in Rhonda & waved himself. "See ya in a bit."
"Should we take Maddie? Put her to sleep right away instead of having her dozing in the back of Rhonda while you take Tina home?"
Mike shrugged. "If you want."
Mercedes opened the backdoor. "MadCap? Do you want to go to bed now?"
The ten year old nodded, sleepily.
Mercedes unbuckled her. "Get her, Noah." She put Maddie's overnight bag in the backseat of her car.
Puck picked Maddie up & buckled her in. Then he helped Mercedes into the car. "See ya, bro."
Mike threw up a hand as he jumped into Rhonda. "See you."
I actually didn't know the definition of tactful. I had to look it up when I was writing this. Turns out; people were right. I have no tact.
