Quinn knocked on the doors to make sure everyone was up. "Guys?!"
Mal opened Marcy's door. "Is it really time to leave?"
"Yes." She laughed at the whine in his voice. "Is she up?"
"She's making coffee." He frowned.
"Come help me pack Rhonda. I'm riding with Mikey."
"He's riding with us."
She wished she had asked him beforehand. "Really?! I don't want to drive!"
"Don't. Ride with Mercy & Puck."
"So they can suck face?!"
"He has to drive. That can't happen."
"Who's Maddie riding with?"
"I don't know. Us probably."
Quinn walked to the black room & banged on the door. "Open up, Mikey!"
The door opened quickly. "The hell, Q?!"
"Why didn't you tell me you were riding with Moppet?! I don't want to drive."
Mike peered at her in confusion. "What?!"
"Mal said you were riding with him & Marcy." Quinn blew out a breath. "I don't want to drive to the airport. I wanted to ride with you & Maddie but who am I supposed to ride with if you're not driving?!"
"Ride with Mercy & Puck!" He wanted to go back to sleep.
"I don't want to ride with the kissy faced married couple!"
Maddie opened the door to the red & white room. "You're being a big baby. Just ride with us."
"Thank you." Quinn turned. "Wait! Hey!" Maddie shut the door. Mal & Mike laughed. "Ugh! Forget you!"
"I thought you wanted me to help you drag your junk downstairs?" Mal joked.
Quinn swatted his arm. "Come get my stuff!"
Marcy raced up the steps as they disappeared into the blonde's room. "What was that about?"
Mike shook his head. "Quinn wants to ride with us."
"& they needed all that noise for that?" She raised an eyebrow. "Okay, I'm going to put my stuff in Travis. I only have two bags & my purse."
"You have two bags?! For six days? I don't believe it."
"One is empty because I know they're going to make me go shopping."
"I hope they don't drag me." He stepped into the hallway. "I can put my stuff in Travis, too. At least we'll be on time."
She smirked as they walked to her room. She grabbed her purse & made sure she had everything in it. Mike grabbed the duffel bag & picked up the empty suitcase.
She looked at him & shook her head. "No, that's okay. Just get your stuff."
He handed over her bags & went to get his lone one. They traveled down the steps & into the garage, where they put the bags in the trunk. She put her purse on the seat. She didn't want to lose track of it.
Quinn & Mal entered the garage. He seemed tired.
"Are you okay, dude?" Marcy looked at him in concern.
"She has all this stuff!" He complained.
"I do not!" Quinn denied, though she had four bags.
"I'm so lucky I have a big trunk." Marcy eyed the guys as they tried to make everything fit.
"I should get my bag." Mal said. "Before there's no more room."
"& Maddie's. How many bags does she have?" Marcy leaned against her bumper.
"One plus her backpack." Mike said.
"I'll get it." Mal went inside.
"I heard you were making coffee." Quinn turned to her sister.
"I did." She nodded. "I made a cup of decaf for Mercy & cocoa for Maddie but there's a full pot for the rest of us."
"Did you make anything else?" She asked slyly.
"Why?! Are you hungry?!" Marcy laughed.
"Yes!"
Mike cracked up. "We can eat later."
No!"
"I made food." Marcy broke in.
"What'd you make?!"
"Sticky buns."
Mike's jaw dropped. "You didn't!"
"I wish you'd tell us what was in them." Quinn moaned. "I didn't even smell them baking."
Marcy shrugged. "Maybe your nose is broken?"
Quinn bumped her. "My nose is perfect."
Mike rolled his eyes. "Who cares about your nose, Q? I want those sticky buns. Are they fresh?"
"Yeah. I took them out of the oven before I came upstairs. I should go ice them since they've cooled down some."
She passed Mal as he was coming in. "Mercy & Puck are up. Maddie is in the kitchen."
"Not with my buns she's not!" Mike ran inside.
Mal was so lost. Quinn laughed as she enlightened him. "Marcy made sticky buns."
He dropped the bags. "Why am I in here?!"
"To put away your stuff, greedy!"
He frowned as he set their bags in the trunk. He put Maddie's backpack in the back & closed the trunk. "It's all put away. I'm getting my buns!"
Quinn laughed hard as she followed him into the house.
M&Q&M
Puck returned from putting their bags in his wife's car. Maddie had decided to ride with them so he'd had to transfer her stuff to their car. He walked to the kitchen.
"Baby, come get a bun before Mikey & Mal eat them all!" Mercedes whined.
He walked over & plucked up a fragrant bun. "This smells so good!"
"I think it has vanilla in it." Quinn mused.
"I say apple." Maddie licked her fingers.
"I say it's getting late." Marcy slipped off her stool. "We should go."
"But buns-?" Mike pouted.
She found two plastic containers & filled them with the buns. "Buns. Fat. Grab your coffee & let's go before I decide to stay home."
"She's right." Mercedes grabbed her decaf & Maddie's cocoa refills. "C'mon, MadCap. You hold these."
Maddie took the cups from her sister.
Mike grabbed a container. "Mine!"
"No way!" Mal shouted.
Marcy snatched it & gave it to Quinn, who stuck her tongue out. "Get out!"
Everyone grabbed their jackets & cups & locked up the house. They went into the garage, where they set their cups in cup holders & buckled in.
Travis was closer to the driveway so Puck had to wait for Marcy to go first. Mercedes fiddled with the radio. "What do you guys want to hear?"
Puck shrugged as he shoved the last of his pastry into his mouth. "I don't care."
"I want Green Day." Maddie picked out another bun.
"I'll have to plug in my phone." Mercedes dug it out.
Puck honked the horn. "What is she doing?"
Mercedes shrugged. "Text her."
He slipped his phone out of his pocket & did just that. what r u doing?!
Maddie handed Mercedes another bun. "Here."
"Thanks." Mercedes took it as music filled the car. "Do you want it for the whole album or just starting out & having it on shuffle?"
"Shuffle."
Puck raised an eyebrow as he read the text. "She says she's going to kill Mike if he doesn't get his feet off her interior. She's busy fighting."
Mercedes laughed. "Text Mikey & tell him to put his feet down before we're late."
He did. "She says he has to ride with us."
"She's kicking him out?!" Maddie laughed.
Travis started moving so Puck followed. "I guess she changed her mind."
M&Q&M
Puck looked around the plane. He'd never been on a private charter before. The interior was smooth & very tasteful. "Who's plane is this?"
"Granddad's." Mal told him as he & Marcy played cards on the table between them.
Maddie was sitting next to Mal, drawing & drinking soda as she ate another bun. It was her third.
Mercedes sat across from Puck by the window, Quinn at her side. The two were discussing shopping plans & looking over various fashion magazines.
"Are they meeting us?"
"Why would they do that?" Quinn asked as she pointed out a dress she thought Mercedes would like.
"I don't know. Because you're visiting."
Mike, who was laid out behind him, laughed. "Not even. They'll see when we show up."
"Wait! They don't even know we're coming?!" He sat up.
"The pilot might have told them." Mercedes wrinkled her nose. "That's an ugly dress, Q-Card."
"You'll need something as a back up if you ruin a-" Quinn stopped. "Okay, you're right."
"Gin, boom!" Marcy laid down her cards.
"You just pop up on your relatives on the regular?" Puck tried to get the conversation back on track.
"If that's the way you want to go with it." Mal shrugged as he shuffled the cards.
"How else do you explain going to somebody's house without calling first?"
"Visiting?" Maddie shrugged.
Puck was stumped. "Your family is weird."
Mike snickered. "Duh!"
"So how long is this trip?"
"About eight hours." Mercedes said.
"What are we supposed to do?"
"What do you want to do?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. I'm kinda bored."
"Play cards with us." Mal suggested.
"What are you playing? Can I get up?"
"Yeah." Mike stood. "Switch me seats, MadCap. We can play spades."
"With you?!" Marcy shook her head. "Not even."
"Ha ha ha!" Mike stuck his tongue out & sat beside her. "You pick a game."
"How about "I'm not playing any games with you"?!"
He tickled her & watched as she tried to escape his wiggling fingers. "What was that?"
"You're mean!" She swatted at him to get him to leave her alone.
"I can't hear you!"
Quinn threw a magazine at him. "Leave my sister alone!"
Puck laughed as he sat next to Mal. "Let's just play goldfish."
M&Q&M
Mercedes & Maddie walked back from the bathroom. "Is the car here?"
Quinn looked up. "Yes. I just came back so you wouldn't think we left you."
"Where's Noah? I would think he'd be out here waiting on us." Mercedes grabbed Maddie's hand.
"He would have but he saw the car & has been stuck ever since." Quinn smirked as they walked outside. They saw the Mohawked teen staring at the limo. "See?"
"Noah!" Mercedes snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Noah, snap out of it!"
He shook his head. "It's a limo!"
"Noah, get in the car!" Mercedes pulled on his arm.
He followed her numbly. "Rich people." Little did he know he'd utter the words again once he saw the estate. "Really?!"
"Really." Mercedes patted his shoulder as staff poured from the doors to gather their luggage.
"Where did these people come from? How did they know we were here?"
"Quinn." She pulled him behind her siblings. "I called for the car before we left America but she called ahead for the staff to help us with our stuff & give us rooms."
"So your grandparents still don't know we're here?"
"They will." She assured him.
Marcy leaned forward. "Ready, MadCap?"
Maddie nodded. Everyone but Puck covered their ears as the ten year old screamed bloody murder.
Puck was traumatized. "What was that about?!"
"Harmonizing." Mal stated.
"Grandmom!" The kids sang.
Puck looked at them like they were crazy. "What is wrong with you?!"
"Again." Mal went on.
"Granddad!" The kids sang again.
A stunning woman in a flowing gown entered the foyer. "I was wondering about that heavenly sound."
"Grandmom!" Maddie raced into her arms.
"I heard my name!" A man jogged into the entrance way. "Hey! My kids have decided to visit."
"Granddad!" Mike & Mal gave him manly hugs.
After the greetings, Mercedes pushed Puck forward. "Remember my husband?"
"He's so cute!" Christina pinched his cheeks.
"Noah, this is Christina & Donald Taylor. My grandparents."
Donald held his hand out. "Good to see you again."
Puck shook his hand. "You, too."
"Come! Come!" Christina waved them in. "When did you get here? How long are you staying? Are you running away again?"
Puck wondered about that.
"It's spring break." Quinn told her.
"& you decided to spend it with us?!" Christina was shocked… & pleased.
"Can you make your orange cake?" Mike asked. He was done with the small talk.
"Of course I can for my favoritest little baby!" She pinched his cheek & spoke in a baby voice.
"Aww! Grandmom!" He reddened.
"Let's go into the kitchen & I can whip up a few."
"I was thinking Mercy & I could go shopping. She needs more clothes as she grows." Quinn broke in.
"I'd love to go shopping with you girls." Christina hugged Maddie to her side.
"While that may be fun for you." Donald rolled his eyes. "Maybe Marcy & the guys can race cars with me?"
Christina huffed. "Fine, Donnie. Go race your little cars. But you will not drag my little Marcy to that filthy track."
"She's a better racer than most of my guys!" Donald insisted.
"She's a young lady & should go shopping with her sisters & me." She argued.
"While you fight about that, I'm going upstairs to take a quick nap." Marcy slid in. She ran from the hall.
"You've exhausted her!" Christina bit off.
"We're kinda tired, too." Mercedes backed away slowly. They've heard this argument too many times to want to hear it again.
"Wait!" Christina whined. "I want to talk to you about your pregnancy. I want to know all about the baby."
"Can it wait until after my nap?"
"Yes." Christina pouted. "But make it quick. Hopefully, by the time you've rested up, the cakes will be done."
"Cakes?" Mike asked gleefully. "As in plural?"
"Yes, my little man!" She pinched his cheek again.
Puck laughed as Mercedes pulled him away. "Little man?"
Mike blushed & pushed them upstairs. "You will not repeat that!"
"Sure, I won't." He smirked as they made it to the second floor.
"Our rooms are ready." Mercedes laid her head on his chest. "Please, don't make Mikey push you down a flight of stairs."
"Would he do that?"
"Yes!" Mike hissed as he slammed his door.
M&Q&M
Quinn knocked on Mercedes's door. "Come on! Cake's ready!"
Mercedes pushed Puck's shoulder. "Wake up! Cake is ready." She had already woken up & freshened.
"It's just cake, Mama." He groaned. The jetlag was kicking his butt.
"I'll leave you here. You'll wander around the house, lost & confused." She sang.
He lifted his head to glare at her. "That's not funny."
"I'm not laughing." She sang again.
"Ugh!" He got up. "We're getting up for cake."
"It's the best cake in the world. After that, I can show you around." She promised.
"Fine." He stood & grabbed her hand.
She opened the door to find Quinn waiting impatiently. "I love that outfit! Did you change?"
Quinn looked down. "Yes." She was wearing dark blue jeans, a green lace over-shirt over a yellow fitted top that reached mid-thigh. She wore brown heeled calf high boots & her hair was pulled into a low side ponytail.
"I adore it! When did you get it?"
"Last week." Quinn smiled & took her arm. "The boots match Maddie's though hers are black."
"Maddie changed, too?" Mercedes looked at her as they walked downstairs.
"& Marcy. I had to fight her on it but they both look great. I figure we can't look crazy going shopping!"
"Agreed."
Puck was bored of the fashion talk & was getting pretty hungry. They finally made it to the kitchen & took seats at the long table.
"Just in time!" Christina trilled. She set out pieces of cake & milk.
"Mmm! Marcy." Mercedes set down her glass. "Let me see your outfit."
Marcy frowned. "What?"
"Quinn said she made you change. I want to see."
Marcy rolled her eyes before standing. She was wearing dark jeans with knee high heeled black boots. Her top was a white shirt with a grey & black design. She wore a slim black jean jacket over it with gold accents.
"You look so trendy!" Mercedes clapped.
"Kill me now." The dancer moaned before plopping down.
Mercedes ignored that. "Maddie. You next."
Maddie jumped up & showed off her outfit. She had on a knee length grey ruffled skirt & a yellow tank top. She wore a long grey vest that nearly reached the skirt's hem. The boots (that matched Quinn's) came to her knees & barely showed her yellow socks. "Do you like it?"
"You look so fashionable!" Mercedes praised.
"My girls always look fashionable." Christina gloated. "We can go shopping after we eat. I know the perfect stores to go to."
"Of course." Quinn smiled.
"Do you remember what I taught you the last time you were here, Maddie?" Christina asked.
"Yes, Grandmom." Maddie sipped her milk. She said something in Italian.
"Good girl!" Christina applauded.
Mike grimaced. "Grandmom. That's a good way to get called a diva."
"We're a family of divas." She was completely unrepentant. "I'm the original diva."
"What about Aretha Franklin?" Mal asked.
The rest of the kids snickered as her face burned. "That woman is no diva! She's so "sweet" & "kind" & "a good person"! Ugh!"
Puck raised an eyebrow. "Do you not like Aretha Franklin?"
"Everyone likes Aretha Franklin!" She bit off.
"So Granddad said he was getting all the guys together for racing." Mike knew it would get ugly quickly if she was left to stew in her resentment of the belter.
"Your grandpa races cars?" Puck asked.
"Yes." Mercedes nodded. "Sort of. I mean yes. Kinda."
"It's complicated." Quinn put in.
"Their grandfather risks his life to drive his little toy cars." Christina frowned. "He makes money from it so I suppose it isn't a total waste of time."
"We should get going." Mercedes said.
"I was thinking the boys could go with us." Christina set down her empty glass. "I'm sure the boys would like new suits."
"Oh. No." Mal shook his head. "We're good."
"Nonsense." She waved away his words.
"But Granddad already called the guys." Mike protested.
"They can come in tomorrow."
"Yes, Grandmom." Mercedes said.
"Good." Christina decided. "Louise will clean up & I'll let you get your things together. We'll be leaving in 15. Kisses!" She floated from the room.
"What the hell?!" Puck looked around as the kids stood.
"Don't question it." Mike shook his head. "He wants something, she doesn't care. He puts his foot down, she ignores him. He gets mad, she continues her life until he apologizes. It's a thing."
"Rich people." Puck pursed his lips as a housekeeper cleared the dishes.
"Not rich people; crazy people." Marcy corrected. "I just gotta get my purse. Who wants to go to the fountain while she puts on her face?"
"Puts on her face?!" Puck repeated.
"Whatever the hell Quinn does when she takes so long to get ready." Mal explained.
Quinn swatted him. "Shut up!"
"You do!" He insisted.
"Whatever!" She turned to Mercedes. "Do you want to change?"
"Yes!" The two walked out.
"Ugh!" Marcy groaned. "Stairs!"
"Lazy!" Mal slapped her butt.
She glared at him. "You don't have to go back home!" He stuck out his tongue & sauntered out. She turned to Mike. "Excuse me while I find a place to hide the body."
The trio watched as she ran out. Mike chuckled. "We can go to the fountain."
M&Q&M
Camera lights blinded the group as the car stopped in front of the first store. Christina adjusted her sunglasses & led them from the limo.
As soon as they made it inside, clerks came from the woodworks to assist them. "How may we help you?"
"I want my grandchildren to have a new collection." Christina snapped her fingers.
"I only brought one bag!" Marcy whined to Mal.
"Collection, ma'am?" The first clerk spoke again.
"Yes. As you can see, one of my granddaughters is pregnant & she needs something suitable for a girl of her station. She's a Barnes. No grandchild of mine will wear muumuus!"
Mercedes looked down. She wasn't wearing a muumuu. She had on a white dress with red poppies printed on it & black leggings. She wore calf high brown leather boots & a golden circlet in her loose hair.
"Of course, ma'am!"
Puck was lost. They were speaking Italian & it left him out completely.
"For my grandsons, I want them to look like they should. Young, carefree, rich." Christina eyed the clerks like they couldn't do their jobs. "Every choice will be brought to me for my approval."
"Yes, ma'am." The clerk bobbed her head. She snapped her fingers. "Two for each girl & one for each boy."
The clerks approached the kids & started pulling them into different dressing rooms.
The clerk smiled brightly. "Right this way, ma'am. Would you care for a glass of wine?"
"I would." Christina perched on a leather sofa that faced the rooms.
The next four hours passed by at a different rate for different people. For Marcy, Mal & Puck; it was slow torture. For Mike, it was something to pass the time before he ate more cake. For the clerks, it was a job but also an opportunity. For Quinn, Mercedes, Maddie & Christina; it went too fast.
Puck couldn't believe all the bags that littered the floor. "This is a lot."
"This is only one store." Marcy moaned from the floor.
"Marcy, get off the floor." Christina snapped. "You don't know what they have down there!"
"Freedom?" She mumbled as she climbed to her feet gracefully.
"I want a new tiara for my little mommy." Christina ignored that.
"But I have tiaras, Grandmom." Mercedes wished they'd taken a break for lunch. She was starving.
"You need new ones." Christina stood. "We can go find new jewelry for you all."
Mike was ready to cry. He was a little shortsighted about the cake & it was the only thing he cared about. "But food!"
"We can go to lunch after." Christina promised as she cupped his chin.
"Promise?"
She laughed. "Yes. & you can tell me all about your little friends."
"& school?" Maddie asked.
"& school." Christina allowed. She wasn't a fan of schoolwork.
Quinn crossed her legs as she left to pay. "I wonder if she'll take us to the studio this week."
"Studio?" Puck was glad they were back to English.
"She's making a new album." Mercedes explained.
"You do realize you've never told me anything about these people." He deadpanned. "I know nothing about your heritage."
"That's a big word." Quinn teased.
He threw a bag at her. Mercedes smirked. "Grandmom's a singer. That's why she isn't too fond of Aretha Franklin, though they're best friends. They came out at roughly the same time. Grandmom is more famous here than she is in America."
"Is that why those guys are taking pictures?" He pointed to the windows.
"Yep. Most of our family is famous, I guess." She frowned as she eyed the photographers. "Such vultures!"
"Yeah, we need to talk about your family tree when we get home." He scratched his head.
"Don't you still like me?" She pressed against him.
He kissed her softly. "I more than like you."
"& I'm going to be sick." Mal rolled his eyes.
Maddie giggled. "It's cute."
Mike grimaced. "You're going to a catholic school."
Quinn hit him with the back of her hand. "Don't threaten her just because you hate love."
"I don't hate love." He snorted. "I love Tina."
"Can we stop talking about this before I throw up my cake?" Marcy swallowed hard. "She's coming back."
Mal pulled her into his lap. "Just sad."
"Shut up."
"These will be delivered while we continue shopping." Christina smiled. "I was thinking." The kids groaned. "We should stop by a haberdashery. The boys need accessories. The girls need them, too. As in new shades."
"It's like three." Mike whined. Lack of food made him crabby.
"It's one. After going to pick out jewels, we'll have lunch, Mike. I promise." She set her sunglasses on her nose & walked out without a care.
M&Q&M
Maddie twirled spaghetti around her fork happily. It had taken another hour but they'd finally made it to a place for food. She'd gotten her favorite - penne & meatballs.
In fact, they all did. Along with different salads (for the women) or a baked potato (the guys), cheesy bread & wine. Mercedes, of course had sparkling tea.
"We have this place called Breadstix back home & it's pretty good but nothing like here." Quinn said.
"You've never been to Breadstix?" Puck asked Christina.
"I've never heard of it. Is it an Italian place?"
"I think so. It's all we ever see on the menu but it's not specified." Mercedes told her.
"Why haven't you taken me to it before?"
"I'm sure you would want real Italian food." Quinn said.
"Or maybe you want to get away from it?" Marcy set some noodles in a corner of her salad & stabbed both dishes with her fork. "You have Italian every day."
"True." Christina took a sip of her wine. "I want to know all about your lives. We didn't spend much time at the wedding talking."
"Our lives are pretty much the same." Mal shrugged.
"Please, give greater detail, Mal." She glared at him. "I hardly see any of you anymore."
"I won the rugby championships."
She brightened & clapped. "You're so talented!"
"I made a new friend!" Maddie lowered her voice. "His name's Stevie & he's brothers with Quinn's boyfriend."
"Oh really?" Christina turned a twinkling eye on the blushing blonde.
"Yeah. He's so nice & he's fun." Maddie went on.
"Quinn's boyfriend or yours?"
"Mine."
Mike facepalmed. "Stevie isn't your boyfriend. He's a boy that's your friend."
"What's the difference?"
Christina laughed. "She's growing up, Mikey. & speaking of… you are in trouble, young man."
He blinked. "I am?"
"Yes. I was going to summon you soon but you're here now so this will have to do." Christina set down her fork & focused her light brown eyes on him. "When were you going to tell me about your little girlfriend?"
He gulped. "Oh. Uh. I don't know, Grandmom. I assumed you knew."
"I did. But you could have told me. I want to meet her as soon as possible."
"I don't know if you can. Her parents are very old fashioned. I'm sure they won't let me take their fifteen year old only child out of the country."
"Good point." She frowned. "I'll pay a visit to America to see her instead."
Mike's eye twitched. "Yes, ma'am."
That was relatively painless. Mercedes thought in surprise. I wonder if all of us getting summoned will be so easy.
M&Q&M
Quinn & Mercedes looked through clothes. "I think I have enough clothes to last me a while, Q. I only have two more months to be pregnant."
"You could never have enough clothes!" Quinn looked offended that she would even say that.
Mercedes laughed. "We go home in two days. How exactly is all this stuff going to fit in Travis & my car?"
Quinn pursed her lips. "Easy. Marc can drive Rhonda & Laura can bring her car."
"Mike has the keys to his car." She reminded her. "But maybe he can rent a van or something. & Laura's car is like yours; too small."
"Maybe they both can rent vans." Quinn pursed her lips. "Do you think the girls will like the clothes we got them?"
Mercedes nodded. "I'm just happy we know their sizes."
"We switch clothes enough." Quinn picked up a dress. "Is this me?"
"If you were as big as me!" Mercedes scoffed. "What are you thinking?!"
"That I'll be pregnant one day & I want to look good."
"That will be out of style by the time you get pregnant!" Mercedes rolled her eyes.
"You don't know!" Quinn eyed the piece critically.
"Are you planning on getting pregnant any time soon?"
"Not planning." Quinn mumbled.
Mercedes's eyes widened. "Are you pregnant?! Uncle Russell will have a fit!"
"No!" Quinn looked ready to drop dead on the spot. "I'm not but I don't want to be too old before I am."
"You need to graduate first. Sam needs to graduate first!"
"I know." Quinn set the dress back. "I know I want to be pregnant with his child though. Is that weird? That whenever I think of the future, I picture him?"
"No. If you don't tell anyone, I'll let you in on a secret."
Quinn was immediately interested. "I won't repeat a word!"
"Before Noah & I got together, I used to picture him." Mercedes flushed.
"You mean when you had the crush earlier this year?" Quinn grinned. "That's so cute!"
Mercedes's blush intensified. "No. I mean last year when we dated for like a week."
"I thought you said your heart was safe." Quinn's jaw dropped.
"I wasn't blind!" Mercedes sat on a couch in defeat. "I knew all about Puckzilla. I saw him around & thought he was the biggest tool… but he was the hottest tool."
"Shallow!" Quinn smirked as she sat beside her.
"It wasn't just that. I don't know what it was really." Mercedes shook her head as she recalled her previous feelings. "You know Matt was really cute but it was something about Noah. Not that he was a self-proclaimed badass - not just that he was a self-proclaimed badass. Not because he was hot enough to melt panties."
"Who told you that?!" Quinn reared back. "That sounds like something Santana would say."
"It was Marcy." She smirked. "She said it on our first date."
Quinn didn't know whether to laugh or shake her head so she did both. "She is such a pervert!"
"She was right. I was wrapped around Noah so fast; I'm surprised he didn't think we were born together."
"Ick!" Quinn made a face.
"Like you weren't attracted!"
Quinn hung her head. "So you had a crush on him since last year?"
"It wasn't a crush. Or maybe it was. I just know I couldn't get him off my mind. Then he came up with the deal & I took it because I really wanted to be with him."
"Why'd you dump him then?"
"Because he was being a tool. I could see he wasn't that kind of guy. Not really but I didn't want to be around it. So I got on my high horse & tried to quit the Cheerios & him."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Quinn bit her lip. "I could have had Mikey knock some sense into him!"
Mercedes chuckled. "Because he needed to change for himself. I'm proud of him. He's who I always knew was lying underneath all that badass. I saw that change at the beginning of the year so I tried to get a little closer but I asked Mikey about him & he flipped out & you know the rest."
Quinn inclined her head. "I can't believe you've liked him for so long. It's kind of romantic. No wonder you never gave Matt the time of day."
"Please, don't tell him. Not only do I not want to inflate his ego but he doesn't know about Matt. He doesn't know about anybody."
Quinn nodded. "Got it." She stood. "Let's keep shopping."
M&Q&M
Puck was pumped. They'd finally gotten to the race track & it was more awesome than he'd dreamed of. "How do you not do that in America?"
"It's illegal?" Marcy laughed.
Mike clamped a hand on his shoulder. "What you're feeling is euphoria. It'll go away after you've been racing for a while but it's always fun."
"America sucks." Puck pouted.
Mal cracked up. "There's def. some rules that should be canned."
They walked into the house. Puck looked at his phone. "Where do you think everyone is?"
"Who cares?" Mike headed to the kitchen. "Cake!"
"He's gonna be so fat." Marcy muttered as she followed him.
Mal nodded towards the stairs. "I'm gonna go check on Maddie."
Puck inclined his head as he texted his wife. She responded seconds later, saying she was in the library. She'd kept her promise to show him around so he knew where that was. He headed that way.
She looked up when he entered. "Hey."
"Hey. We just got back from the track." He closed the door behind him.
"Did you have fun?" She patted the space next to her on the chaise & he sat beside her.
"Yeah. It was crazy. How can you stand living in Lima?"
She wrinkled her nose in confusion. "It's home. For now."
"But you could live here. How does Ohio even compare?"
She shrugged. "It's just home. I mean I planned on leaving & never coming back but it's still home."
He leaned his arm along the back of the chaise. "I guess I get it. But this has been a pretty fun vacation."
"Yeah." She set her book in her lap. "It has. A lot of times, it's been like this. Enjoying the country we're in but when they're fighting, it gets harder to remember the good times."
"I know you said you stayed with different people at different times. Did any of that include fighting?"
"Yeah. Once Momma got so drunk, she yelled at everyone at a party. It was so embarrassing." She shook her head. "Daddy had to drag her out & she still ended up fighting with Granddad."
"What's that about, by the way?" He'd been meaning to ask.
"Momma being cold to Granddad?" He nodded. "She blames him for her marriage."
He raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Granddad & Grandmom are the only people in my family to get married for love. Besides us." She quickly threw in. "I guess Momma assumed that when it came time for her to marry, she'd get the same treatment. But Daddy was still picked out & when she turned 25, they were married. She never forgave Granddad."
"Wow."
"When I was in first grade, our teacher explained what a mommy & daddy was & said a baby came from the love the two shared." She snorted at that lie. "When I got home, I asked Momma if she loved Daddy & she cried. Just bawled like a baby."
He grimaced. "That's weird."
"I was so confused. So I asked Daddy why she was crying & he made me go play."
"Was he nice to her?" He was assuming they'd bond over it.
"He left to play golf."
He did a double take. "Why?!"
"He had a client that he was trying to trick out of money. But he left her with a bottle of wine."
She said that like it was a good alternative to actual caring. "That was supposed to help?"
"I think it did. She stopped crying."
He narrowed his eyes to see if she was joking. She was not. "So are they in love or not?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. Are you hungry?"
He couldn't believe she didn't care. "Uh… kinda."
"What do you want?" She swung her legs over the seat. "Please, don't say cake. Mikey is gonna turn orange!"
He chuckled. "No. Though you guys were right. It's the best cake I've ever had. But I want real food."
She held onto his arm as he helped her up. "I can make you something or Louise can."
"Whatever you want is cool. How about we go out? It's our last night here. We can go for one of those boat rides."
"A gondola ride?" She shook her head. "I'd rather not take the chance pregnant. But as long as we're inside, I don't mind going out."
"Inside?"
"Yeah. I don't want the paparazzi having pictures of me eating. It's weird."
He agreed. "Do you know any places? Of course, you know places." He facepalmed. "Where do you want to go?"
She laughed. "Relax, Noah. I have the perfect place & it's really private."
M&Q&M
Quinn sighed into the phone. She was missing Sam so much at the moment, she could feel it. "At least you're on your way home."
His chuckle gave her the shivers. "Do you miss Lima that bad?"
"Lima?!" Who gives a damn about Lima?! "Uh… no. I miss you that bad!"
He was quiet for a moment & she wondered if she'd been too forward. "I miss you, too."
She smiled. "I really wish you were here to take this bath with me." She ran her hand over a few bubbles currently covering her most intimate areas.
"I'm not alone." He whispered. "Could you not say stuff like that?"
"But it's true." She purred.
"I'll see you tomorrow." He huffed.
She held in her snicker. "Love you."
"I love you, too Quinn."
M&Q&M
Maddie kicked her legs against the lower cabinets as she helped Louise prepare brunch for the next day. A few of their relatives were popping over for a big brunch before they went home & Louise was getting things started ahead of time.
"Can you hand me that rolling pin, Ms. Maddie?" Louise swiped flour from her forehead but left a bigger spot on her cheek.
Maddie handed the wooden utensil over. "I like quiche."
"I know." The cook's eyes sparkled.
"I can't wait for tomorrow."
"Are you excited to go home?"
"Not really. I had a lot of fun here."
Louise looked up at the pensive tone. "What's the matter?"
Maddie wanted to tell about the fighting in her family but it wasn't their way. "I just wish we could spend time together all the time."
"Summer's almost here." Louise wiped some sugar on the little girl's nose.
M&Q&M
Puck looked around the restaurant. "I didn't expect this."
"I know." Mercedes laughed.
"I figured you'd want to go to some fancy place."
"We've been to fancy places." She pulled him to a machine.
"But this is…" He couldn't even finish his sentence.
She giggled. They were at Vertido, a new(ish) establishment that catered to many young people & families. The building had a roof & not many walls. They served typical Italian fare but in a very relaxed setting. There were tables set up inside but also on the grass. Various machines, where prizes could be won, was scattered around.
"How did you find this place?"
"A couple years ago. We stumbled across it after horseback riding. It was the grand opening. So much fun."
"Do you make reservations?"
"No. You come in & seat yourself. They'll find you." She stroked the red metal.
"Cool." He liked the place. "Want me to win you something?"
"You don't have to." She looked at the machine. "I just didn't want us to be in the way."
"I could. How do I play this game?"
"You put the coins in there." She pointed. "& you push this button. If the ball goes up there, you get the best prize. Every level under that is a worse prize but they're all pretty good."
He inserted three coins. "Why this button?" He pushed it.
"It's the start. That button is to pick the prize off that level & this button is to open the hatch."
He watched as the ball went to the second highest tier. "Did I do it right?"
"Yes!" She clapped.
"What now?"
"You have to push this button to grab the prize you want from this level."
"Which do you want?" They were all boxed so they didn't know what they'd get.
She pointed to a purple & silver wrapped box. "That one. But you have to wait for the claw to be right in front of it."
He stuck his tongue out as he concentrated. He hit the right button as it landed in front of the box she wanted. The claw grabbed it & dropped it down a chute. "Which button do I push now?"
"That one." She pointed.
He pushed it & a hatch opened. He grabbed the box. "Cool. Here." He held it out.
She opened the box. "It's a bracelet."
He put it on her wrist. "I like this game."
She giggled. "Want to play again or find another game?"
"Aren't you hungry?"
"I thought you were?"
"I am but I kinda wanna play more games."
She laughed & took his hand. "Come on. This is my favorite."
M&Q&M
"Are we going to do this all night?" Mal asked.
"Do you not want to?" Marcy countered.
He shrugged. "I don't care. I just wanted to know."
"Well, yeah. I guess."
He pulled her closer. "That's cool."
She pushed him away with a blush. "You're getting sappy."
"It's the wine." He held up his glass.
She chuckled. "You lush."
He stuck his tongue out. "You can't talk!"
"I'm not a lush!" He side-eyed her heavily. "Fine. I might drink more than most people."
"Why do you put your pasta in your salad?" He changed the subject. "That's so weird."
She sat back higher on her pillows. "I don't know. I just do. Try it."
They were in her room eating pasta & meatballs with Caesar salad, crusty bread & Christina's cannoli. They were having a Disney© movie marathon in the dark & drinking their family's wine. They were careful to not spill anything in the bed.
He frowned as he did as demanded. "I guess it's not terrible."
She snickered. "Shut up."
"I want to get a picture of you eating food in bed." He set his plate aside & rose.
"Why?" She took another bite.
"How many pictures do we have of you eating?" He found his camera.
"Who wants pictures of people eating?!" She pulled a face as the cheese shaved over her pasta became stringy as it melted & she pulled it apart.
"We do." He assured her. "I just want a candid photo."
"You have candid photos."
"Not those kinds!" He snapped as he turned on a light.
She flinched. "Could you warn a person?!"
"Sorry." He finalized the settings & aimed the device. "Eat!"
She shook her head & rolled her eyes. "Weirdo." She continued eating.
He snapped a few pictures, not all of them had her eating.
"I can't wait to be king!" She sang.
He smirked as he snapped a few more pictures then set his camera down & returned to the bed. Ellen was going to love them.
M&Q&M
"How are you terrible at Mario Kart?!" Mike yelled as his grandfather crashed into his cart in the game.
Donald frowned. "This game is stupid."
"Is it because you're losing?" Mike grinned.
Donald threw him a dark look. "I'm not losing. You're cheating."
Mike laughed. "You're a sore loser, Granddad."
M&Q&M
"Not many people speak English here." Puck looked around.
"It's more of a local place instead of a tourist one." Mercedes explained.
He sniffed before continuing to eat. "Want to keep playing games after this?"
She thought about it. "I think we should leave some prizes for the other people."
He smirked as he eyeballed all the prizes they'd won each other. "It's not our fault, we're good."
She laughed. "We are talented, huh?"
"This is good but it's not like your grandmother's." He was talking about the cannoli.
She considered it. "It's still good. Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"What's tomorrow?"
"Noah!" She laughed. "Why are you so forgetful?! & you guys talk about me!"
"You have pregnancy brain!" He shot back. "But I don't know. I just forget stuff. So seriously. What's tomorrow?"
"We're going home."
"Oh! Okay."
She giggled at the confusion on his face. "& the goodbye brunch."
"Yep." The confusion didn't leave.
"& meeting more of my family."
There it went. It was replaced by fear & reservation. "Oh."
She outright laughed again. "It won't be too bad. Aunt Daisy is usually early."
"Is that good?"
"Not for Mal."
"Does she not like him?" He couldn't imagine someone not liking the boy.
"She loves him. He's her favorite."
"Why?" He was so confused. "Mama!"
She laughed. "The way Grandmom is with Mikey is how Aunt Daisy is with Mal. It's embarrassing."
"Oh. I got it. She babies him."
"Yep. It's fun to watch."
"You're a cruel sister!" He swiped some cream from his cannoli onto her nose.
"Am not!" She stuck her tongue out to get rid of it but she couldn't reach.
He raised an eyebrow at the image. If only I had a camera…
M&Q&M
Maddie ran through the hallway. "Wake up! Wake up!"
Quinn opened her door, her hair sticking up at all different angles. "MadCap! What are you doing?!"
"It's nine o'clock." Maddie giggled at her sister's hair. "Time to get up."
Quinn pouted. "But I was having such a lovely dream!"
"Well, wake up!" Maddie screamed.
Quinn made to grab her but she ran to Mercedes's & Puck's room. "Help!" She opened the door & slammed it behind her.
"Maddie." Mercedes groaned. "What are you doing?"
"Quinn is trying to kill me!" The little girl scrambled beneath the bed.
Mercedes chuckled as she raised her head from the pillow. "Come out from under there. You'll suffocate."
Puck rolled over & blinked. "What's going on?"
"Maddie's under the bed." Mercedes sat up & stretched.
He frowned. "What?"
Maddie poked her head out. "I'm under the bed."
He leaned over. "What are you doing?! Get from under there! We'll forget you're under there & your mommy will kill us!"
Mercedes snorted. "Yeah right."
"I was talking about Laura." He muttered.
Maddie crawled out from beneath the bed & sat in a chair. "It's time to wake up. It's nine o'clock."
"Ugh!" Mercedes climbed from the bed. "We only have an hour to get ready!"
"You can get ready in less than an hour." Puck sat up.
"I meant get ready for them." She walked to the bathroom.
Maddie went to the door. "I'll be back."
Puck dropped back down. He'd be asleep by then.
M&Q&M
"Malcolm Benjamin Chang!"
Mal flinched & ran. The kids snickered.
"Where's my Mally?" Daisy, a sharply dressed woman, demanded.
"Hello, Aunt Daisy." Quinn waved.
"Hello, my little sunflowers." Daisy gave them all hugs. When she saw Puck, she winked at Mercedes. "Where's my special boy?"
"Hi, Aunt Daisy." Mercedes held her tight. "Mal is…"
"Hiding." Marcy threw in.
"Yes. No!" Mercedes swatted her.
"Yes, he is." Marcy frowned. Mike & Quinn laughed as Puck facepalmed. She would never be a spy.
Mercedes clapped a hand over her mouth. "She means he's…" Too bad she forgot she was a terrible liar, too.
"In the bathroom?" Quinn supplied.
"Yeah!"
Daisy laughed. "I know he's hiding from me." She raised her voice. "But if he doesn't come out, he can't get any of my fudge!"
They heard a slam & loud footfalls. Mal appeared seconds later. "Fudge. I heard fudge."
They laughed.
Daisy pinched his cheeks. "Mally! How's my boy?"
"Hi, Aunt Daisy." His tone was flat & uninspired.
"Come tell me about your latest lover." She dragged him to the garden, where brunch was being served.
"Aren't you gonna help him?" Puck eyed Marcy, who had her hands in her pockets.
"Nope." She went into the kitchen.
"Evil!"
M&Q&M
Puck was finally learning some names of all the people in attendance but he still got them confused. He thought he was talking to an Arabella but he could be mistaken. He could also be presumptuous about calling it talking. She was running off at the mouth & he was nodding like he understood Italian.
Mercedes waddled over carefully. "Ara!"
"Mercy!" The two kissed. "Your husband is so delicious!"
"Like yours isn't!"
"He has to be." Arabella grinned. "It's his job."
It literally was. Arabella & her husband were both models. "When are you going to get pregnant?! I'm all alone in this!"
"I would have thought Marcy would be pregnant before you." Arabella shook her head.
Mercedes swatted her. "She says she's going to get her ovaries scooped out."
Arabella laughed. "Did you hear about Karina? She did have the procedure."
Mercedes gasped. "What if she meets someone who wants kids?!"
"It wouldn't be natural anyway." Arabella looked elsewhere. "Her girlfriend will have to carry the child. She's not going for it."
"So she finally settled on an orientation?" Mercedes smiled, happy for her cousin.
"Finally!" Arabella threw up her hands. "It only took 28 years!"
"She was confused!" Mercedes defended. "You know Grandfather treats her like a boy."
"He does the same with Marcy but she still likes men." Arabella argued.
"Marcy is bi. & she always knew. Karina just needed to know for sure."
Arabella huffed. "There were so many eligible women she could have had if she had just made up her mind."
Mercedes narrowed her eyes. "We should go. Someone wants to talk."
Arabella's face brightened. "Kisses!" She air kissed her cousin.
Puck raised a brow as she flitted off. "What was that about?"
"Ugh! She makes me so mad! Not everyone knows who they love right away. That's not a crime!" She snapped in English.
He was so lost. "What?"
She pulled him to her siblings. "Did you hear about Karina?"
They looked confused. "No."
"She's gay."
"Oh." They didn't seem particularly impressed.
"Guess who told me." She waited a beat. "Arabella!"
Ugh! rang through the air. Puck looked at their disgusted faces. "Do you not like her?"
"It's not that." Quinn said as she folded her arms. "Ara just thinks that she's right about everything & if you don't follow her advice then you're an idiot."
"She told Karina to "just be gay" years ago but Karina wasn't sure what she was." Mal explained.
"I bet Aunt Sooyun is having a fit." Marcy smirked.
"Why?" Puck didn't know who that was.
"She wanted Karina to get married right away but she kept changing her mind." Mike stretched. "By the time her deadline came up, they didn't know who to marry her off to & the guy they had picked out; went ahead & got married."
"Aunt Sooyun wants all of her kids married before she dies." Mercedes explained.
"How many does she have?" Puck asked.
"Four." Maddie explained. "Karina, Haro, Phoebe & Timothy."
"So the other three are married?"
"Timothy married his intended before he went into the Navy when he was twenty." Marcy said. "That was ten years ago."
"Phoebe married hers when she graduated two years ago." Mercedes went on. "I think it was right after her twenty second birthday."
"& Haro is engaged. He found someone to swap his intended out." Quinn finished.
"So she's the last one." Puck thought about it though he didn't understand the whole "intended" thing. "Is your aunt old or something?"
"Try desperate." Mike muttered. "She just wants her kids married & giving her grandchildren."
"Mom has a bet with her that she'll be a grandmother first." Quinn smirked. "Aunt Sooyun owes her a thousand dollars."
"Hey, guys!" A tan man walked over.
"Uncle Jason!" Maddie jumped into his arms.
"How's my precious angel?" He hugged her tight.
"Perfect."
"That sounds like Lucy." He grinned.
Quinn pulled a face. "It's Quinn now, Uncle Jason."
"Of course, Lucy. A guy can't get a hug?!" He opened his arms, careful to not drop Maddie.
The kids hugged him. "Hi, Uncle Jason."
He set Maddie down & reached into his back pocket. "Now don't tell your parents but I doubt they give you any pocket money."
Puck wanted to laugh.
"We have allowances, Uncle Jason." Mercedes pushed the money back into his hands.
"How much? Four, five thousand dollars?" He snorted.
"I only get five hundred!" Maddie stomped her feet.
Jason reeled back. "Cheap bastards!"
Marcy fell out. "That's what I say!"
He gave them all money. "They should be shot! Specially your momma!"
"Amen!" Mike murmured as he pocketed the money.
"Who's this?" Jason pointed to Puck.
"This is my husband." Mercedes wrapped her arms around him. "If you'd come to our wedding, you'd know that."
"Oh. I thought you were marrying-"
"No!" She blinked as they all stared at her. "I mean no. It's Puck."
"Puck?" Jason screwed his face up. "What kind of name is that?"
"It's short for Puckerman." She sniffed. "We should pass out business cards with his name on them."
Jason laughed. "Married a rebel. That's my girl. I bet your daddy had a heart-attack."
"We're not that lucky." Marcy whispered.
Jason gave the girls kisses on the cheek. "Tell your momma I said stop crying. Tell your daddy I said drop dead." They watched as he walked away.
"He's the first person to talk to me in English." Puck realized.
"They're rude." Quinn told him.
Maddie cracked up. "I want more French toast."
"I want another crepe." Marcy guided the ten year old to the appropriate table.
"I'm good with the whipped cream." Mike sucked the confection from his finger.
"The clotted cream is better." Quinn argued.
"Yeah. On a dry ass scone." He shot back.
Mercedes fell out. "Mikey!"
"& then they dump sugar on it like it's supposed to cover up the fact that you're eating a brick!" He added.
Puck doubled over. "What the hell is a scone?"
"A brick." Mike pointed.
"Is he complaining about scones again?" Marcy asked as she & Maddie returned.
"Yep." Mercedes shook her head.
Quinn grew red in the face. "Scones are delicious!"
"She's mad about pastries." Mal whispered to the others. "Crazy."
Mike couldn't help but push her. "A nasty sugary brick."
Quinn threw a berry at him. "Choke on a banana!"
"Rude!" He threw it back.
"Why are you wasting perfectly good fruit?" A woman snapped. "Don't you know how hard is it to pick good berries & make them into the wine that makes this family money? If it weren't for the berries you're so disrespectfully throwing, you wouldn't be able to afford all the things my grandfather's hard work & determination provided for you!"
"Hello, Aunt Marigold." The kids sighed in unison.
Puck remembered the mean woman. He had hoped he'd never have to see her again. So much for hoping…
"I see you've finally decided to visit. Your grandparents are getting older & as young people, you should put more effort into seeing them. They won't live forever-"
"I bet this lecture does." Marcy whispered.
"What was that, Marcy?" She set her hands on her hips.
"I was wondering after your husband." Marcy looked her in the eye.
She faltered. "My husband?"
"Yes. You still have him, right? Or did he finally chew his arm off & escape?"
Mal snickered behind his hand.
Marigold's face reddened. "That is grown folks business, little girl!"
"That your husband left you or that you can't keep one?" She asked innocently.
Puck buried his face in Mercedes's neck.
"I can so keep a husband!" Marigold nearly shouted.
"It's weird how Mercy is sixteen & able to keep her man better than a sixty year old woman." Marcy marveled.
"I'm not sixty!" Marigold snapped.
"Sixty five?" Marcy wasn't even teasing anymore.
"No!"
"Seventy?" Maddie asked.
Mike picked her up. "I think she's as old as Nana."
"How?!" Marigold nearly swooned. "Nana's eighty!"
"So seventy five?" Mal scratched his head.
Quinn pinched the bridge of her nose. "Guys! She can't be as old as Nana. Grandmom is like sixty."
"Oh." Maddie was so lost.
"So fifty?" Marcy tried to pinpoint the woman's age.
"I am thirty six, thank you very much!" Marigold tugged on her jacket.
"Yeah right!" Marcy snorted.
"I am!"
"I don't believe you!" Marcy looked around. "I'm asking Granddad!"
Marigold stomped off.
Mercedes burst out laughing. "Why are you so bad?"
"It's a gift." Marcy grinned.
Puck's jaw dropped. "You were messing with her?"
"Duh. I know how old she is." Marcy popped a grape into her mouth. "& it's not thirty six."
"So she's fifty?" Maddie wanted to know.
"Almost."
"How do you know that?" Puck wondered.
"I know a lot."
"It's a mob thing, isn't it?"
"Forewarned is forearmed." She quoted.
Mercedes tapped Puck's arm. "Can you get me another omelet? Thank you." She kissed his cheek.
"Do you think he's scarred & ready to run?" Quinn asked as soon as he was out of earshot.
"He seems to be holding up." Mercedes watched him.
"He's not going anywhere." Mike assured her as he chewed on Italian bacon.
"I just want to make sure we don't completely ruin him. You know?"
"You are the best person in the world, Mercy." Maddie sat next to her. She patted her hand.
Mercedes hugged her. "Thank you!"
"Hey!" Quinn snapped. "What about us?!"
"You're alright." Maddie tilted her hand. She took off running when Quinn hopped up.
M&Q&M
Mercedes yawned as they boarded the jet. It was really late & very dark outside. All she really wanted was a nap.
Maddie stumbled as they were seated. "I'm so tired."
"Go to sleep." Quinn mumbled. "Mikey can carry you when we land."
Mike glared at her as he passed her on the way to his seat. "Thanks!"
"Welcome." The blonde curled up in her seat.
"How come you aren't tired?" Puck asked Marcy, who was setting up a chessboard.
She pointed out the window as she made sure the pieces were in the right spots. "It's night."
That meant nothing to him. He let Mercedes curl up against him before asking, "So what?"
"I'm a night owl, genius. Night is my time."
"So you're going to stay up all night?"
"Not all night." She shrugged. "I'm just not good at sleeping when other people are awake. Once you're all out, my chances of dropping off increases."
"That's gotta suck."
"I'll be fine."
"I can stay up with you." He yawned.
"Aren't you sleepy?" She glanced over.
"Not really. Just bored." He looked at the board. "You're playing chess by yourself?"
"Yeah. It helps me think of alternate moves."
He watched her play. She'd move a piece then spin the board to make another. "I don't get that game."
"It's just strategy."
"I'd rather play cards."
"I know you're a poker man." Her moves were less quick.
"Are you stuck?"
"Stuck? In a way, I guess. I have five possible moves & I'm trying to think each through."
He shook his head. "Nope. That's too boring."
She smirked as she moved. "It's way too dark to continue. This'll be my only game. I just felt like a quick one."
"Why don't you turn on a light?"
"I don't want to wake them up." She made a few quick moves.
"What are you going to do after?"
She shrugged again. "I don't know. Seven hours is a long time to be bored. I can read or play a game on my tablet."
"That's quiet."
"Headphones." She made another move slowly.
"What am I supposed to do?" He asked what he really meant.
"Be a pillow?"
"Funny."
"What do you want to do?"
He almost shrugged but remembered Mercedes. "I just don't want to be up by myself."
"You won't." She made her last move then surveyed the board.
"But you'll be ignoring me." He pouted.
"Are you afraid of being up alone?" She packed the board away & shoved it by Mal, who was asleep across from her.
"No." He lied.
She took her laptop out & booted it up. "Liar."
"How do you do that?"
"Know when you're lying?" She glanced up as the computer awakened. "The only perk of being a bad liar; I know when people are."
"That's like a superpower."
She smirked. "Come here."
He arranged Mercedes to be more comfortable then moved across the aisle to Marcy. "What?"
She pointed to the screen. "Want to watch a movie?"
He blinked as the light burned his eyes but they soon grew accustomed to the brightness. "You want to watch Red Eye?! While we're on a freakin plane?!"
She chuckled at his whispered yell as he sat. "Why not?"
He side-eyed her. "You live too dangerously for me."
She turned back to the screen. "How about Snakes on a Plane?"
"I'm leaving."
She snickered as she pulled on his arm. "Okay. We can watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. Have you seen it yet?"
"Mama forgot."
"Get your headphones & I'll ask for popcorn. Want anything to drink?"
"Just Dr. Pepper."
"Cool." She stood & went to find a stewardess.
He was sitting when she returned. "I asked for pillows & blankets so you can thank me later. I gotta piss. Be back."
He rolled his eyes at her description. She was such a guy.
The flight attendant showed up seconds later with the pillows & blankets. "I'll be right back with your drinks."
"Thanks." He smiled at her. He briefly wondered how much she was paid to be a personal flight attendant.
She returned at the same time Marcy did. "Thanks, Hilda."
"You're very welcome!" Hilda's grin widened.
Puck looked at Marcy, who was snuggling into her seat. She was always attracting people. "You got the movie ready?"
"Nope. I gotta send a few messages out first." She set her headphones around her neck before opening up her email.
"The popcorn will be ready by then. Would you like anything else?" Hilda tried to get her attention.
"Sour gummy bears." Her fingers flew over the keys.
"Same." Puck wanted to laugh at the woman's pout.
"I'll be back." Hilda walked off.
"Who are you messaging?" He looked over her shoulder.
"People get shot for less." She pushed him away. "Lady."
"Why?" That tidbit was filed away.
"To make sure she & Marc remember to bring the vans. I don't want to be stuck at the airport with a thousand & one bags."
"They did shop a lot." He murmured.
"& gleefully." She made a face. "I'm just glad it was only twice for me. Lila & Ellen owe me!"
"That's why you went Wednesday?"
"Yeah. They were buying things for the girls but Quinn & Maddie was buying stuff for Stacie, too. Neither is really close to Lila so I didn't want her to be left out. Mercy & I bought her some stuff, But that was before we all ended up shopping for everyone."
That was really nice of her. "Wow."
"& of course we all bought Nic some stuff. You better keep an eye on her & make sure she doesn't become too spoiled this summer."
He smiled. That's why he loved his wife's family. They were thoughtful in ways that other teens weren't. "I will."
Hilda came back with two bowls of popcorn & two bags of sour gummy bears. "Here you go. Enjoy."
"Thanks." Marcy grinned as she set her bowl behind her computer. "You're a peach."
Hilda waved away the words with a blush. "If you need me, just push the button."
"Will do." Marcy winked.
The woman basically floated away. Puck laughed quietly. "Why are you always winking at people?"
"It's usually an accident. Sometimes I twitch but I don't want nobody to know that." Marcy looked horrified. "So I pass it off as a wink."
He clapped his hands over his mouth. "No wonder they don't worry about you!"
She scrunched her nose in confusion. "No wonder bay don't Murray about who?"
She's good. "I said no wonder they don't worry about you."
She blinked. "Who?"
"Your brothers." Her expression remained confused so he shook his head. "Nevermind. Are you done?"
She looked back at the screen. "Yeah. They'll be there. Marc's bringing some of his fraternity to help out."
"Is that a good idea?"
"They'll just be with Marc & Laura. Your wife is safe."
"What about Laura?" He tried to hide his blush.
"She'll ride with Marc. He might be mad at her but he's not going to put her in danger. He trusts his frat brothers but some people hide ugly well."
He inclined his head at that truth. "Is this cheese?"
"Uh… yeah." She clicked on the movie & picked up her bowl. "I got you white cheddar. You like it?"
"Hell yeah! See?! This is why I like your popcorn skills!"
She chuckled as she slid her hair out from her hood & threw the braided ponytail over her shoulder. She curled her feet under her. "Thank you! Thank you!"
After licking his hand (& wiping it with a moist towelette after Marcy stared at him in horror), he plugged in his headphones. "Is this the song you sang to Mal?"
"No. This is the opening, nutball." She took a sip of her orange Crème & slid her headphones over her ears. She usually had the volume down low so she turned it up.
"You'll let me know, right?" He looked at her as she opened her bag of gummy bears.
"I got you, Mohawk."
M&Q&M
Marcy pushed Puck's shoulder. "Hey. We're here. Go wake, Mercy."
He groaned. "Sleep."
"Wake up before I set you on fire."
He jumped up, only hearing fire. Once he was able to shake the fog from his head, he glared at her as she woke Mal. "Real mature."
"Thanks." She pressed a kiss to Mal's lips.
Puck's jaw dropped. "You kissed him!"
"Yeah." She walked to Mike & shook his shoulder.
"Why?"
"Cuz he's not about to punch me!" She lifted her brother's eyelid. "Mikey?"
Puck remembered how ornery Mal could be when awakened. She's a genius. "Mama?"
Mercedes pouted in her sleep.
"Mama? You need to wake up. It's time to leave."
She moaned. "I don't wanna!"
He snickered. "Kiss me."
She frowned as she fought waking up. "Make me."
He leaned over & kissed her. "Kiss me."
Her eyes fluttered. "Noah?"
"It's time to leave." He repeated. "Are you going to wake up?"
She pouted again. "I guess so."
"You guys are gross." Mike complained as Marcy finally got him awake.
"You're just hatin on true love." Mercedes stuck out her tongue.
Mal ambled over & plopped next to Quinn. He poked her shoulder until she woke up to slap him. "Stop it, Mal!"
He grinned. "If I gotta be up, you gotta be up."
"& you better fix your face before Marc's frat brothers see you." Mike teased.
Her face froze. "What?!"
"Hot college guys seeing you with drool on your chin." Marcy smirked. "What an impression!"
The blonde ran to the bathroom.
Mercedes swatted her sister. "That wasn't nice."
"Really?" Marcy pushed Mike to Maddie. "Just give her to Marc."
"So I can grab bags." He gave her the stink eye. "I know what you're trying to do!"
"Then I don't have to waste time tricking you." He reached for her but she hid behind Mercedes. She stuck her tongue out.
Mercedes laughed. "I thought it was time to leave?"
"It is." Marcy straightened. "When we land."
Puck's mouth fell open. "I could still be asleep?!"
"No. Any second now, Hilda will be back here to tell us to buckle up."
Literally two seconds later, Hilda showed up to tell them to buckle in.
"Magic!" Puck muttered as he did as directed.
Quinn came back from the bathroom with makeup on. She sat in her seat & buckled up.
Mercedes eyed her. "Full face? Really?"
"College boys."
"You have Sam."
"College boys."
"You're happy with Sam."
"College boys."
"I'm calling Sam!"
"No!" Quinn leaned forward. "Okay, I'll stop."
Mike cracked up. "Can't tame the flirt in her, Merce."
"Shut up!" Quinn threatened, though he couldn't see her shaking her fist.
"Don't shake your fist at me!" She unballed her hand & showed one finger. "Don't flip me off either!"
Puck rolled his eyes. "We should think of when fair day should be."
"You just want food." Mercedes played with his fingers.
"We can have it on Midori No Hi." Marcy said. "It's on a Saturday."
"That could work." Mike considered. "No one has anything, right?"
They each thought about it. "No."
"We got a day."
"What is what?" Puck whispered to Mercedes.
"Huh?"
"When is fair day?"
"On Midori No Hi."
"When is that?" What is that?!
"May fourth."
"Oh. So next weekend?"
"Yep."
Hilda returned. "We've arrived. If you would kindly follow me…"
They gathered their things & walked behind the blonde.
M&Q&M
"Tell your friends we said we appreciate them lending their time." Quinn hugged Marc's arm.
"No." He pushed her away.
"Please!"
"I'm calling Sam!" Mercedes threatened.
Quinn backed off. "I just want to be appreciative & no one understands!"
"We believe that." Laura rolled her eyes.
"Want to drive with me to take the guys & the vans back?" Marc asked Mike.
"I'll do it." Marcy volunteered. She still wasn't sleepy.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Those are college boys." Marc snapped.
"& I'm a black belt." She rolled her eyes.
"Just hurry back." Mercedes rubbed her eyes. "I want to show you what I got you."
"I got presents?" Marc's attention was officially diverted.
Puck snorted. They were so easy to distract. They'd all made it back to the Jones' & their bags had been dumped in their rooms. Marc's fraternity brothers waited downstairs to be driven back to campus.
"I still need someone to drive my car out to the rental place." Marc shook his head to remember what they were talking about.
"I can do it." Mal snatched the keys from him. "I'm not sleepy anymore."
"How about me?" Puck plucked the keys from his fingers. He really just wanted to drive Marc's car.
"So I have to stay here with all the girls?"
Mike punched him in the arm. "I'm no girl!"
"We can bake you cookies." Mercedes soothed.
"Get out." Mike shoved Mal towards the stairs.
"We need to go before the rental place closes." Marcy reminded them.
"C'mon." Marc pushed Marcy & Puck to the stairs. "See you in an hour."
Quinn waved. "Do you think Maddie will stay sleep?"
"Probably. All that sugar from brunch wiped her out." Mike stuffed his hands in his pockets. "So about those cookies?"
M&Q&M
"Have you talked to anyone yet?" Mercedes asked after they made it from brunch the next day. They had changed into comfortable clothes & decided to go through their gifts.
"Nope." Marcy handed over a dress she bought Laura.
"This is nice." Laura admired the piece.
"Me either." Mike shrugged. "We'll see them tomorrow anyway."
"So are we just gonna see them tomorrow or are we going to get them for dinner?" Quinn asked.
"Marcy told Ellen we'd see her tomorrow so that's a no for us." Mal gave Marc the watch he'd bought him.
"Does this spin?" Marc flicked the diamonds around the face. "Yup."
"I told Tina I'd see her tomorrow." Mike said. "I want to sleep tonight."
"Jet lag?" Mercedes asked.
"Yes." He yawned.
"Who is this for?" Maddie picked up a ring.
"Ellen." Marcy took it & put it in a pile of stuff she'd bought the redhead.
"& this?" Puck eyed a tiara.
"Nic." Mercedes grabbed it.
"You bought my sister a tiara?!"
"She's my sister now, too so yes!"
"I got her this." Quinn held up a dress.
"I love that." Laura scratched her nose.
"I got her these." Mike held up a pair of chucks. "I thought she could match Rae."
"That's so cute!" Mercedes squealed as she put them in the pile for Nic.
"Are we just going to have the stuff we bought & give them out separately or are we going to group them together?" Mal asked as he searched for the suspenders he'd gotten Artie.
"Grouping them seems more special." Quinn decided.
"Oh!" Mercedes snapped her fingers as she found them & handed the fabric to her brother. "Fair day is Saturday."
"Cool." Marc eyed a pocket knife. "Who's this for? Can I bring Magna?"
His ploy didn't work as well as he'd hoped because his sisters stared at him like he'd grown another head.
"Yes." Mike said.
"It's for Sam." Marcy snatched the knife from him.
"You said she needed to know how to handle us. What better way then when we're hopped up on sugar & she can be really tested?" Laura smiled.
"Fine!" Mercedes snapped. "But she better make something! Nobody comes for free!"
Mal clamped a hand over Marcy's mouth. Puck snapped his fingers. Just once he wished someone would let her talk.
"I'll take that." Marc said quickly.
Quinn pulled a face. "What exactly can she make?"
"I don't know." He shrugged.
Maddie rolled her eyes. "This is for Stacie. Who's gonna give it to her?"
"I can bring Sam over & he can get the stuff for his siblings." Quinn said.
"Should we leave his stuff here then?" Mike wondered.
"We don't want him to feel bad while everyone else is opening their gifts." Mal said. "Lila & Gomez can get their stuff from Santana & Artie."
"Nic's stuff can just stay in her room." Mercedes handed Laura a hat she'd bought her. They had decided on the yellow room being hers because she liked the color the most.
"She'll have a cow when she sees it in a couple weeks." Puck threw a pocket square at Mal.
"Who's it for?" Mal inspected it.
"You."
"Cool. Thanks." Mal threw a tie back. "This is for you."
"& this." Marcy handed over a tie clip.
Puck's mouth kicked up when he saw the engraving on the clip. "Number one dad? Cute."
"It's the first time I've ever said that so I got a kick out of it." She smirked.
"I just bet." Marc snorted.
"This is a lot of stuff." Quinn complained. "Why did we shop so much?!"
"Because you dragged us?" Mal blinked.
She punched his arm. "I did not!"
"Yes, you did." Puck burst her bubble.
She stuck her tongue out. "How are we going to carry this stuff in?"
"Helpers?" Laura loved the bracelet Maddie had bought her.
"I can text Bria & tell her to have the freshman squad hold the bags while we get ready." Marcy picked up her phone.
"Get ready?" Marc liked the hat Puck had bought him. It was a page boy cap.
"Yeah. Locker stop." Her fingers flew over the keys.
"Did you bring back cake?" Laura asked.
"Yes!" Mike fell back. "I had cake everyday & it was good!"
"What Greedy Smurf is trying to say is yes." Mercedes shook her head. "The parents can share but we all have our own & one to share with our friends."
"You only have three?" Marc pouted.
"No." Maddie giggled. "We each have one. Except Tina has one to herself & so do the Evanses."
Marc blew out a breath. "Whew! I thought we were gonna have to fight!"
Mal cracked up. "That's where Mike gets it!"
"Gets what?!" They both eyeballed him.
"His greediness!"
