This is the penultimate chapter. The journey has been long & winding but I think it's been fun. The sequel is called "This Life I Lead" & I can upload it anytime. I have about thirty chapters written already. Just give me a date otherwise I'll do it when the snow melts (seeing as that it's set in the summer {in the beginning}). Thanks for all the reviews & kind words. It means a lot that people actually read it & I'm not just posting to myself.

Also the song is Winter Wonderland.

Enjoy!

NJPNJPNJP

Mercedes came downstairs rubbing her eyes. She blinked as she came into the kitchen. "What's going on? Where's Momma?"

"Wedding." Marcus rumbled from behind the paper.

"Is that why you're making breakfast, Marce?"

"I had a craving for eggs so I'm making mini fritatas with cheese, broccoli & ham, steak & stuffed French toast." Marcy flipped a bread over.

"I showed her how to make coffee." Marc lifted his cup.

"Ooh! I need some coffee!" Mercedes went to the coffee maker & poured herself a cup. She breathed it in before pouring in milk, creamer & sugar. She took a much needed sip & sat down at the table. "Do you need help, Marce?"

"You can stuff this bread for me." Marcy held up the eggy Brioche.

"What are you stuffing it with?"

"A ricotta & blueberry lemon jam mixture. It's pretty tasty."

Mercedes got up (taking her mug with her) & went to stuff the precut bread. "So how was your sleep?"

"Are you always going to ask me that?" Marcy poured the egg mixture for the fritatas into two mini muffin pans (15 indents each).

"Fine. How was seeing Mr. Burt last night?"

"Good. We've done most of the rewiring. I brought the tank & water. We just need to put that bad boy in."

"Speaking of cars, when are the people coming for yours?" Marcus asked.

"Between nine & eleven."

"Then you'll go to that festival?"

"Yes, Daddy." Mercedes stuffed another bread.

Marcy lifted a sandwich from the griddle & put it in a plate then slid the eggs into the oven. "We go on twice today."

"You know this is good practice for me. I'm going to play at fairs & festivals a lot before we get famous." Mercedes said.

"You seem mighty sure you're gon get famous." Marc teased with a straight face.

"Oh, I am!" Mercedes tossed her head.

"You done got her started…" Marcy moaned.

"My bad." Marc grinned.

"Leave my Princess alone." Marcus defended his middle child. "If she wants to be famous, she'll be famous."

"You don't even want her to be a singer."

"I want her to be happy."

"Thank you, Daddy." Mercedes blew him a kiss before giving ugly looks to her siblings.

Marcy stuck her tongue out. "Who cares what you want? You're still not big ego'ed around us."

"You don't think I'll get famous?" Mercedes pouted.

Marcy shrugged. "I don't think about it. Like at all."

"Tell me how you really feel!"

"Okay. I think you have the talent to be super famous & the drive to make friends wherever you go."

Mercedes was shocked. She didn't have hurt feelings! "Thank you, Marcy!"

Marcy rolled her eyes. "It wasn't exactly a compliment."

"No! You said I had talent & drive! I'm not hearing anything else!"

"Sounds like you heard what you wanted to hear." Marc raised his coffee cup.

"So?!"

Marc laughed. "I saw Santana & Artie making out behind the taco stand last night."

Mercedes brightened. "Ooh! She called me late last night to tell me they were together now. Did a lot of moaning & groaning about how Dani hated her now but overall, she's happy."

"You should have been there when she broke up with her." Marcy shuddered. "Awkward!"

"Really? What did she say?"

"Just that they should see other people."

"Aww! Poor Dani! But at least Artana is on!"

"That's their ship name?" Marcy made a face. "Stupid."

"Yours is Malcy."

"I wonder what my & Pierre's ship name is?"

Mercedes pulled a face. "It probably isn't as cute as Malcy."

"Piecy? Kinda like Pisces?"

"Darn it, that's good!" Mercedes hated that.

"I'm going to tell him that after breakfast."

"So you're still calling him today?"

"Texting. & yes. Why wouldn't I?"

"You're busy!"

"I'm making food." Marcy lifted another sandwich off of the pan & plated it.

"That's work." Marc taunted.

"You gets nothing."

"I'm sorry! You're pretty!"

"Nope! You ruined it. Here, Daddy. You get to start on your toast first." Marcy brought him a plate.

Marcus cut into his toast. "These are delicious."

"Salt in the wound, Dad." Marc bit off.

"Well they are! Shoulda been nicer."

Marcy cut a toast in half then into pieces before giving it to the twins. "Neh!"

Marc glared at her. "That's okay. I'm going to make breakfast one day & you'll have to wait."

Marcy scoffed. "When you make breakfast, I'll gladly wait."

"Oh, you don't think I'll make breakfast? I'll show you!"

"How? I'm already making breakfast & tomorrow's Sunday. We always eat out after church."

Marc didn't think of that. "I'll find a way."

"Whatever."

Mercedes shook her head as she stuffed the last bread. "Marce, I didn't get to ask you; what did you do?"

"Something bad." Marc muttered.

"Shut up." Marcy took a pan out of the oven & started plating up the steaks. "What do you mean what did I do?" The last was to her sister.

"Tina told me that she wanted us to date & Sammy told Mikey the same. We know you must have done something." Mercedes explained.

Marcy took a deep breath. "A lot of lying. I mean a lot. I lied so much, I'm surprised my nose isn't in Rhode Island."

"You can't lie." Marc scoffed.

"I did yesterday!" She shot back. "I'm actually proud of myself."

"What lies did you tell?" Mercedes wondered.

"I told Kitty that I kissed Artie."

"You did." Marc pointed out.

"Not everything was a lie." She rolled her eyes hard.

"Why'd you tell Kitty that you kissed Artie?" Mercedes wanted to know.

"So she'd dump him. He wasn't going to break up with her as long as Santana still had Dani & he def. wasn't going to tell her he cheated on her. So I got that fixed right up." Marcy explained.

"So by confirming that he cheated but not the extent or with who, you got him single so Santana would dump Dani & they could finally get together? I like it." Mercedes nodded. "What'd you do to make Sammy & Tina okay with us?"

"It all started with Finn. I tricked him into asking out Tina. I think they'll actually be a good couple by all you've said over the years about both & the drama in your glee club. They'll be good together & with zero drama."

"She gushed about him. How'd you do that?"

"I slipped it in her ear that Finn was going to ask her out then listed some perks of being with him then made her competitive by saying she was scared of measuring up to Rachel."

Mercedes's jaw dropped. "You did not!"

"It worked." Marcy checked on the eggs & pulled them out. "Finn was officially on her radar & she was looking forward to him asking her out."

"Not that my girl can't hold her own but what about Rachel? She's going to want Finn back."

"Which is why I sicced her on Matt. I figured he was levelheaded enough to break her out of her… her-ness. He has a down-to-Earth quality that she obviously needs & he isn't weak willed, which Quinn (& you guys) said Finn often was when it came to Rachel."

Mercedes's mouth was open. "No way! That's why you asked if Matt was still in New York!"

"Sammy was easier. I just had him see for himself what was happening. I tipped Tina off to you two but Sam saw for himself. I just asked him pointblank how he felt. Then I offered him a switch. So get comfortable with the idea of him & Nat."

"Nat? Like Natalia Nat? As in our cousin, Nat?"

"Yes."

"Jealous?" Marc lifted a brow.

Mercedes glared at him. "Shut up! No, I'm not! Nat would be great for him. He deserves a good woman & he's a good man."

"That's what I figured." Marcy said.

"But Nat has a boyfriend."

"You know she can't pick a good boyfriend to save her life. They'll be over in a month." Marcy rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, Nat picks men out like you do but hoping for different results." Marc snorted.

"What is that supposed to mean?! Pierre is a good man!"

"Yeah, he is. But you chase after bad boys all the time then dump them as soon as it gets a little bit serious. You're a heartbreaker."

"I have never broken a heart in my life."

"Please! Those guys thought they had someone to play with & they got played. Mal's the only nice guy you've been with & even he has his moments."

"Well I'm with Pierre now & he's a total nice guy."

"Might explain why you're not attracted to him…"

"If one more person tells me I'm not attracted to Pierre, I'm going to prison for manslaughter." She said precisely.

"Marc's right. You have a type." Mercedes didn't want her head bitten off but had to tell the truth. "That's why nobody believes you."

Marcy fixed the twins' food & brought it over. "I don't care. I'm not going to keep repeating myself. I like Pierre."

"Okay. I believe you." Mercedes chewed on her bottom lip. "Have you ever seen him casually?"

"We're exclusive but it's still pretty casual." Marcy brought the food to the table.

"No, I mean like in casual clothes. You said you met at a formal event but you've gone out three Saturdays in a row during the day. Does he wear jeans & a tee?"

"No, he wears chinos & polos."

"So a version of casual."

"Yeah, he's uptight but I need that right now."

"Well I'm glad you're going after what you deserve."

"Thank you."

"Yeah but who said Pierre deserved her?" Marc mocked. "He didn't do anything wrong."

Marcy's mouth fell open & she scoffed in hurt. "Forget you! I'm not a punishment!"

"Says you. It's a reason why we want you with Jr. He's bad & deserves you."

"Daddy!"

"Marcus." Marcus didn't laugh but boy, did he want to.

"Sorry, Marce." Marc rolled his eyes.

"He didn't mean it, Daddy!" Marcy told on him.

"I did so!" Marc lied.

"Did not!"

"Did so!"

"Did not!"

"Did so!"

"Did not!"

"Guys!" Mercedes waved her arms to capture their attention. "What are you even fighting about?!"

"He's a butt!"

Marc's eyes narrowed. "At least I don't have a boring boyfriend!"

"You just sleep with simpleminded bimbos." She shot back.

"Stop talking about my girlfriends!"

"Stop sleeping with brainless, no talent whores!"

"Dad!"

"Clean language, Sweetpea." Marcus nodded to her. "You owe a quarter to the swear jar."

"Yes, Daddy." Marcy pouted.

"Let's talk about something else." Mercedes suggested. "Do we have the setlist for later?"

M&MC

Mercedes had her feet on her wall again but this time she had Ozzie on her stomach & she was bopping his nose gently. "I see you. I see you."

Ozzie yipped.

"Yeah, you see Mommy, too."

Her phone rang so she swung her arm out to pick it up. Tina's name was on the screen. She smiled. That girl was not going to leave her alone.

She swiped the screen. "Hello?"

"Hey!"

"What's up?"

"Where are you?"

"At home."

"I thought you would be doing something with your brothers & sisters."

"We are. Later. We're going back to the festival."

"How long does it last?"

"Until tomorrow. It's a weekend thing."

"Does the festival start at a certain time or something?"

"Around ten. But we're waiting for the shipping company to come get our cars."

"Where's the shipping company taking your cars? Oh wait. I just heard it out loud."

Mercedes giggled. "It's okay. So what's up? Why'd you call?"

"I wanted to tell you all about my first date with Finn."

"So yesterday counted as your first date?" Mercedes grew excited.

"Yes! It was so much fun! We ate, we played games, we walked & talked, we even danced!"

"Look at you! Making a love connection!"

"I know! I was so lonely this year & it turns out, he was, too! We have a lot more in common than I thought."

"I know you'll be good for him & vice versa."

"But I got to tell you! When he was off getting us snow cones, Rachel approached me & had the nerve to ask me what was going on! I told her to mind her own business. Then she asked me about Matt. About if I thought they would make a good couple." Tina scoffed. "I told her the truth! Hell no! He didn't do anything to deserve her!"

Mercedes burst out laughing.

"She got offended & stormed off but I didn't care."

"T!" Mercedes almost choked, she was laughing so hard.

"Finn is mine now & she can't come between us. But if she thinks she can trap Matt, she's crazier than I thought."

"I don't know. Don't you think he could tone her down? Finn was blindly supportive. Which you totally need but someone with the ego of Rachel needs Matt's calm ways to level her off."

Tina humphed. "I guess."

"She really pissed you off."

"It was just the way she demanded I tell her about Finn & me. He's her ex-boyfriend. None of her concern. Speaking of which, I know something about one of your ex-boyfriends."

Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"A little bird told me that you used to date Finn."

If Mercedes had been drinking something, Ozzie would be wearing it… "Who told you?!"

"Does it matter?"

Mercedes thought about it. Not really. "Does this affect the way you think of Finn?"

"Not at all. I'm getting your ex & you're getting mine."

Mercedes rolled that through her mind. "Don't tell Rachel."

"I'm not talking to her."

"You're that mad about a question…"

"Yes, I am. But if I was talking to her, I'd totally tell. Make her suffer. She thinks she has the monopoly on Finn."

"Well he's been with other girls."

"He's had other girlfriends?! How many?!"

"You'll have to ask him."

"I will."

"Are you jealous?"

"Not at all. Is Brittany one of them?"

"I thought you weren't jealous?"

"I just want to know. I'm not saying anything because I don't want you to think something's there but I think Brittany used to date Mike. They were a little too friendly if you know what I mean. There's a reason why I thought they were sneaking around on me & Artie."

Mercedes bubbled up with laughter. "They did date! Freshman year!"

"See?! I knew it!"

"He dated Santana, too."

"& you're not jealous at all?"

"No." Mercedes laughed.

"I thought we could be petty together." There was a pout to Tina's tone.

"Mikey had a dance partner at school, I was totally jealous of. Ruby." Even now, Mercedes had a bad taste in her mouth saying the name.

"You liked him for a while, huh?"

"Yeah. I have."

"You know you're going to have to tell me all about your first date."

"Of course." Mercedes's phone beeped. "Hold on, Tina." She clicked over. "Hello?"

"Aretha!"

"Santana!"

"The one & only!" Santana boasted.

"Thank goodness."

"Humph! I want to talk about me & Jimi."

"Jimi? Who's Jimi?"

"It's what I've decided to call Abrams. He's an amazing guitarist like Jimi Hendrix."

"Wow." Mercedes was surprised. "It's not hurtful."

"I can build people up, too!"

"I know you can, wretch."

"You don't want to go there with me, Wheezy!"

"Please! I live with Marcy, the queen of turning even a compliment into an insult."

"She is a snarky thing, ain't she?"

"Like you wouldn't believe."

"I still want to talk about my new man."

"Well, you're going to have to wait. I'm on the other line with Tina & she's telling me all about her new man."

"Korea Town has a new man?! Who is it?"

Mercedes huffed. "Don't laugh."

"Uh oh! Who is it?"

"Finn."

"Finnocence?!"

"There you go!"

"I'm not saying anything! Call me back & tell me everything."

Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Will do. Bye, crazy girl."

"Bye."

Mercedes clicked back over. "T?"

"Yeah, I'm here." Tina said.

"That was Santana. She wanted to talk about her new man."

"New man?! Santana's gay! & has a girlfriend! Oh no! It's Artie, isn't it?"

"Yup."

"Those two are fire & gas."

"He's a mess & she's messy."

"Something tells me that there's going to be a lot of yelling. A lot of yelling in Spanish."

"Oh yeah."

M&MC

Mike shut the door. "Okay, we have like ten minutes until the next bus comes."

"We should get to walking now." Mal said.

"Wait!" Maddie put up her hands. "I want gummy bears!"

"You & gummy bears." Mal didn't get it.

"I should get banana chips." She stuck her tongue out.

"Brat." He made to grab her but she flounced out of the hall.

"She gets it from Quinn." Mike leaned against the door.

"That was vindictive. Three guesses on who she gets that from."

"Don't talk about the love of your life." Mike grinned.

Mal laughed. "She's the love of my life; I'm the only person who can talk about her."

"We grew up with that demon. We all got a hat in that ring."

Maddie ran back in. "Okay, let's go!"

Mike straightened then opened the door. "We're not leaving anything on, are we?"

"Nope." Mal shook his head.

"Alright, let's go." Mike ushered his younger siblings out. His phone rang just as he was locking the door. He answered it without looking at the screen. "Hello?"

"Hey."

"Hey."

"It's Finn."

"Oh! Hey. What's up?" Mike turned & started down the street.

"Nothing much. I just wanted to talk to you about something. I should have asked you first but things happened kinda fast."

"What's going on?" Mike grabbed a few gummy bears from Maddie's proffered bag.

"I know you're with Sadie & everything so you don't care who Tina goes out with. Right?"

Mike's brows lifted & he stopped walking. "You want to date Tina?"

"Yeah." Finn said slowly as if trying to give himself time to change his answer.

"Huh…" Mike caught up to his siblings.

"What do you think? It won't be too weird, will it?"

"No. No, it wouldn't. Tina deserves to be happy & I know you're one hell of a guy." Mike shrugged. "It's cool with me."

"Oh, cool. Thanks." Finn sounded relieved.

"You said things went fast. What things? Or do I not want to hear this?"

"No! No. It's nothing like that. Last night was just our first date is all. It went well. No wonder you were so happy with her! She's amazing! I can't believe she's the same Tina."

"Yeah, Tina's awesome." Mike smiled. "She's a great girlfriend. Especially if you hadn't had too many of those."

"Ugh! Rachel asked me about her. I told her to mind her own business. She threw her boyfriend in my face at the wedding so she had no right to ask about my new girlfriend. Then she asked me about her & Matt Rutherford! I told her good luck but if he had any sense, he'd run."

Mike blinked in surprise then fell out laughing. "You did not say that to Rachel!"

"Yes, I did! She's so bossy! It drives me crazy! But it's not my problem anymore."

"I hate to tell you but Tina is going to drive you nuts, too. Just in a different way. She's trying herself."

"Is she not a calm, levelheaded girl?"

"Oh, she is. Most of the time. But a woman is still a woman."

Maddie stared at Mike then punched his arm. "Jerk!"

"Ow! Women are women! Why'd you hit me?!"

"Who?" Finn asked.

"Maddie! She punched me."

Finn chuckled. "I hear they don't like being lumped into one group."

"Then they shouldn't identify as women."

Mal laughed.

"I'm telling." Maddie swore.

"I heard that." Finn said. "You're going to be in trouble."

"Well it's true. Women are women no matter where they come from. It's not like I said all they have is shopping & men on the brain." Mike defended.

"I'm still telling." Maddie ran ahead when she saw her other siblings walking. "Mercy! Laura! Guess what Mikey said!"

Mike sighed. "I gotta go, Finn. I have to make sure I'm not tarred & feathered."

"Okay. Call me back whenever. I want to see how you get out of this." Finn hung up.

Mike put his phone away & approached the group. "We're going to miss the bus."

Marc laughed. "You said what?!

Mike's lips turned down. This was going to be one helluva walk…

M&MC

Maddie pulled Marc over to a stand. "I want this!"

"Not all of us can eat it." He dragged his feet.

"But-!" Maddie pouted.

"Go ahead & get it." Marcy said. "We don't all have to eat the same thing."

"But I don't want to leave you out." Mercedes rubbed her back.

"I won't be left out."

"I won't eat it either." Mal took her hand.

"Thanks but no need. If you want it, try it."

"Nah. I don't see the hype."

"It's a deep fried strawberry!" Maddie didn't see how he was passing this up.

"I know if it was a deep fried banana, she wouldn't eat it with me so I can do the same for her."

"Yeah but I don't like bananas." Marcy reminded him. "You like strawberries."

"I like strawberries well enough." He corrected. "They're not my favorite fruit."

Maddie chewed on her bottom lip. "What about that stand? It's selling deep fried apples."

"Get the strawberry, girl!" Marcy snapped.

"We can get both." Laura soothed.

"But I want the apples now." Maddie whined. "They have caramel & whip cream. I've never had caramel before!"

"Man, that does sound good." Marcy licked her lips.

"We'll go to the apple cart then." Laura waved a hand.

The ten started off across the street to the stand that sold the boats of deep fried apple slices.

"Two please." Marc ordered.

"Coming right up." The cashier took his money with a bright smile.

He winked at her & she blushed.

Laura kissed her teeth & rolled her eyes. "Everywhere!"

Mike & Mal snickered.

Marc took the two boats & walked away, his siblings trailing behind him. He found a picnic table & sat down. "Hey, there's ice cream on this!"

"Bonus!" Marcy high-fived Mal.

They all crowded around Marc & picked up a deep fried apple slice with plenty of toppings to bite into it.

"This is like an apple pie!" Mike chewed slowly.

"How do you know what an apple pie tastes like?" Maddie demanded.

"Because I had some last Tuesday, nosy." He flicked her hair into her face.

She brushed her hair back & glared at him. "That's not fair! I've never had apple pie before!"

"You're too young." Mal told her.

"I am not! I'm thirteen!"

"That doesn't mean anything. We're way older so we can try anything we want. Way to be stuck, baby."

"I'm not a baby!" She shouted.

"You're the baby." Quinn slid a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"I am not!"

"You're the youngest."

"Mally & Mickey are the youngest now!"

"Mally & Mickey don't count. They're the next generation. For ours, you're the baby." Mike reasoned.

It was clear Maddie was upset so she refused to even make eye contact with them.

"Hey, guys. Leave her alone. She doesn't have to be the baby if she doesn't want to." Marc soothed her.

"& how exactly is that going to happen?" Marcy mocked. "Our parents would have to have another baby & that's way too gross to think about."

"Ew!" They each shuddered.

"Okay, you're stuck, Sugarfoot." Marc almost threw up.

Maddie wished she could bleach her brain. "I'm good with that."

M&MC

"Mommy, I want that." Mickey clung to Marcy's leg with one hand & was pointing at shades with the other.

Marcy picked up the sunglasses. "You want these?"

"Yes." Mickey reached up.

Marcy reached for the money in her pocket & handed over the correct bills. The vendor took it & she squatted to put the glasses on Mickey's face. "You look so cool!"

Mickey grinned. "Cool?"

"You look cool." Marcy kissed her cheek. "Let's find Daddy & Bro-Bro & show them how cool you look."

M&MC

Maddie gripped Quinn's hand.

Quinn laughed. "Scared?"

"No!"

Quinn brought up their hands.

"I can't hold your hand anymore?"

"It's okay to be scared."

"I'm not scared." The ride started. "Okay, I'm scared."

Quinn smiled & squeezed her hand. "I'm right here."

Maddie blew out a breath & nodded.

M&MC

"No."

"Come on, Mercy." Mike urged. "It's just a small children's ride."

"Then you get on it!"

"I'm trying." He grinned.

"Without me!"

"Would you please get on the Ferris wheel with me? Please?"

"No, no, no, no!"

"Why not?"

"Oh no, you don't! You're not going to soft talk your way into me giving in! Don't use calm, rational thinking with me!"

"Mercy, what's the worst that can happen?"

"The wheel gets stuck with us on top. The gears break & we go rolling off the station. The chair breaks & we plummet to the ground. There's a plethora of options & they all end up with us hurt."

"None of that is going to happen. I promise." He took her hands & put them on his chest.

"You don't know that!"

"The probability of any of that happening is astoundingly low. & if it did happen, you know I'd give my life to protect you."

"Or we can save our lives by not going up?" She patted his chest.

"Mercy." He kissed her. "We'll be very safe. I promise you. & if something does go wrong, you can taunt me at the heavenly pearly gates."

"You're darn right, I will!"

"So come on. For me?"

She fell into his eyes. "Oh, alright. But I'm def. telling you I told you so in heaven."

They got in the short line & were able to make it into the last carriage.

Mercedes took his hand.

He squeezed it. "Look at the festival. Don't they look like ants?"

She peeled open her eyes. "I guess."

"Just imagine how it's going to look in a few hours. We'd be close to the stars & it'd be magical."

She started to smile but the Ferris wheel suddenly stopped. Their cabin swung in the breeze. "Uh un! What was that?! Why are we stopping?!"

"Calm down. We're at the top. Just focus on me."

"Remember when Momma said she got stuck on top of a Ferris wheel when she was our age?! What if it happens to us?!"

"Mercy, look at me." Mike commanded softly but firmly. He waited until she was looking him in the eyes. "You are safe, I promise. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I swear to you."

"But how do you know?"

"I'm your big brother. I know everything."

She smiled shakily. "You stole that from Marc."

He bopped her nose. "It got you to smile."

She took a deep breath. "Promise nothing's going to happen?"

"Well, one thing is."

"What?" She tensed.

He leaned forward & kissed her.

She relaxed & got into the kiss. Suddenly someone was clearing their throat loudly. She broke away from Mike to see the attendant grinning at them. She blushed.

Mike stood up & pulled her out of the cabin. He walked them to a table & sat down then pulled her onto his lap. "Where were we?"

Mercedes wrapped her arms around his neck. "I think here."

M&MC

Mercedes: Sleigh bells ring
Are you listening

Quinn: In the lane
Snow is glistening

Both: A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

Laura: Gone away is the blue bird
Here to stay is the new bird
He sings a love song
As we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland

Marcy: In the meadow we can build a snowman
& pretend he is Parson Brown

Maddie: He'll say are you married
We'll say no man
But you can do the job
When you're in town

Mal: Later on
We'll conspire

Marcy: As we dream by the fire
Both: To face unafraid
The plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland

Marc: Sleigh bells ringing
Are you listening

Laura: In the lane
Snow is glistening

Both: A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

Mike: Gone away is the blue bird
Here to stay is the new bird
He sings a love song
As we go along
Walking in a wonderland

Marcy: In the meadow we can build a snowman
& pretend that he's a circus clown

With Mal: We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down

Mike: When it snows
Ain't it thrilling

Mercedes: Though your nose
Gets a chilling

Both: We'll frolic & play
The Eskimo way
Walking in a winter wonderland

All: Walking in a winter wonderland"

M&MC

Mercedes dug in her heels. "Why are you pulling me?"

"I want to get on the bumper cars." Quinn pulled her harder.

"Why do you need me for that?"

"Marcy asked me to go & you know how she is when it comes to bumper cars."

"Then just don't go."

"But I want to get on the bumper cars. I like the bumper cars."

"Quinn,-"

"She's scary!"

So are you… Mercedes blinked. "Fine. Just stop pulling me. My arm hurts now."

Quinn stopped walking so fast & just held Mercedes's hand. "Are you going to catch up with anybody from camp?"

"Why? Thinking about Kelly?"

Quinn smiled. "You know I wouldn't mess around on Puck. Not after Craig. But I miss Kelly & we were friends."

"Yeah but he's like the one that got away. I always thought you'd date again."

"If we would have gone back to camp, we probably would have. But we didn't so it's over."

Mercedes nodded. "Think I should look up Trevor?"

"Trevor Meyers?!" Quinn laughed. "For what?! an ego boost?!"

"Trevor was always nice to me!" Mercedes set her hand on her hip.

"You're the only person he talked to! He was the shyest kid at camp!"

They finally moved up in line. "I know. But he was sweet."

"He was terrified of Marcy."

"She did scare the dog stew out of him…"

"But he was scared of everybody. He literally shook when he had to speak."

"But man could he play the guitar. He was the Bob Dylan of camp."

"When I first met Sam, I thought of Trevor. When he played? & the way he didn't always know what to say."

"Speaking of Sam, what do you think of him & Nat?" An attendant waved them through.

They got into one car. Quinn was behind the wheel. "Nat who?"

"Our Nat." Mercedes held on as Quinn bumped into other people.

"Natalia?!" Quinn stopped & looked at her, insuring that someone bumped into them.

"Yes. Marcy's trying to set them up."

"How do you feel about that?" Quinn started driving again.

Mercedes shrugged. "On one hand, it's a little weird since we've stopped backbiting but on the other, they deserve each other. You know Nat has a rough time with guys & girls never seem to pick Sammy first. They need each other."

"You are the best person ever." Quinn mocked.

"Shut up. I am not." Mercedes pursed her lips. "I don't want to hold anybody back from true love."

"True love? Please! They live in two different places, Nat's a city girl while Sam is a country boy, she's way worldly while he's been to New York once."

"I think they could make it. All their differences are the differences between him & me."

"Yeah but you didn't make it."

"Because he moved! We were kids! We couldn't overcome that!"

"So you think that you could make it today?"

"I don't know. If we really wanted to, I think so. We'd only really have to worry about distance. & there's Skype & visiting & phone calls. Yeah. I think we could make it."

"Too bad there's Mikey."

Mercedes laughed. "He wouldn't like for me to date Sammy."

"Selfish, ain't he?"

"Our time has passed. Sam is my past. & I'm okay with that. I have no regrets. Not anymore. I know now that everything happened for a reason & was pointing me towards Mikey."

"I kinda feel that way with Puck. We've been through so much together. With glee & Beth. We've bonded & even if we do break up, we'll always be close."

"Right! Something no one will ever get between. You've been through something no one else has."

"They're so lucky we love them."

"Are you going to call him when you get home tonight?"

"Puck? Maybe? I know he's with his brother & sister today."

"Yeah, he told me."

"You should be glad I'm not the jealous type."

Mercedes really laughed at that. "You're completely the jealous type!"

"If I didn't know any better,-!"

"But you do."

"I know I can trust you. Him? He's a horn dog."

"Puck wouldn't cheat on you." Quinn gave Mercedes a droll look. "With me."

Quinn snorted. "Doesn't mean he isn't going to try."

"Like I don't have to watch Mikey around you! All you have to do is ask & he'll probably say yes!"

"I know." Quinn grinned. "& he hasn't seen me naked since I got pregnant."

"Not something to brag about." Mercedes giggled as Quinn stared at her wide-eyed. "Kidding!"

Quinn pursed her lips. "You're so mean! Stay away from Santana! She's making you sour!"

"Are you going to be nice when she visits?"

Quinn tossed her head before plowing into someone. "I will if she does."

"You should be better than that."

"I know I'm better than her."

"Stop that! I didn't say that!"

"I meant it. I'm special."

Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Alright, let me out. You've clearly lost your mind."

Quinn laughed airily as she sped up. "Never!"

Mercedes couldn't help but laugh.

M&MC

"Hey." Mal sat next to Marcy & sat Mickey on the picnic table in front of him.

"Hey." Marcy took a sip from her drink.

Mal tickled Mally & looked at her. "Whatcha eating?"

"Nachos."

"Can I have some?"

Marcy moved the paper boat closer to him.

"Are you okay? You seem a little down."

"Just popped a Xanax."

"I'm sorry?"

"Nothing to be sorry over. I just realized I went a little crazy earlier. Just needed to calm down. Where you coming from?"

He knew she was changing the subject because she was ashamed & uncomfortable. "I was at that dance tent. Mickey's a better dancer than me already."

"I coulda told you that. They both are."

Mal punched her shoulder lightly.

"Where you off to now?"

"Why can't I sit here with you?"

"Where's the enjoyment in that?"

"I do like spending time with you."

"I don't see why."

"Seriously? Are you okay?" He peered into her face.

"Yeah." She smiled wanly but it didn't reach her eyes. "I wanted to talk to you anyway."

"Shoot." He stuffed a few chips in his mouth.

"Why didn't you tell me we slept together? I had to hear it from Puck."

Mal choked. Marcy beat on his back but once he stopped wheezing, he could tell she wanted an answer. "I didn't know how to bring it up. If I should bring it up."

Marcy just stared at him.

"It's the truth. I swear." He raised his right hand.

"I know." She took another sip of her drink. "We were pretty drunk."

"Yeah, we were." He wondered where she was going with this.

"How about we forget it ever happened?"

His heart sank. He knew why he never said anything. He was hoping she'd remember on her own & that it'd mean something to her. "Yeah. Can do."

"Thanks. I'm really trying to be faithful. I know people think it's a joke but I really want to do right by him. I don't have the best track record but I want to be a good girlfriend."

He sighed. "I believe in you, Marce."

She kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Mal."

M&MC

"Why exactly did you want to come up here?" Laura stared at Marc.

"I got the idea from Sonny." He shrugged. "Just wanted you to see… that!" He pointed to the sunset.

"Wow. That's really beautiful." She leaned her elbows on the safety bar of the cabin on the Ferris wheel.

Marc stared at her as she stared at the skyline. "Yeah. Really beautiful."

She looked at him & he swung his gaze to stare at the sky. "Why did you want me to see it?"

He shrugged again. "Just thought a trip would be good for you. I know how stressed out you get."

"You & your brothers stress me out."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm trying to be nice."

"Why?"

"I can't be nice?!"

"Not to me." She raised a golden brow.

He huffed. "Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf?! You told me to grow up!"

"Since when do you listen to me?!"

He wanted off this ride & away from her! "I can't with you! I try to do something nice & I'm the one in the hot seat?!"

"You're not in the hot seat! I just want to know what's going on!"

"Why would anything be going on?!"

"Because you're acting weird!"

The Ferris wheel completed its cycle & the attendant let them out. Marc clenched his fists. "Well let me remove my weird self from your person!"

"It's presence & please do!" Both stalked off to opposite sides of the fair.

M&MC

"Yes!" Maddie cheered.

Mal smirked. "They're only staying the night because Marce doesn't have a car to pick them up."

"I don't care! The twins are spending the night with us!" She danced in place.

He shook his head. "You're going to help me watch them?"

"Tonight?"

"Now."

"Why can't you & Marcy watch them?"

"Marcy's going over to Finn's house."

"Ugh!" Maddie immediately deflated.

"You'll see her tomorrow for church. Relax."

"I'm really starting to dislike their friends."

"Starting?"

She sniffed. "Why don't you need help with the twins tonight?"

"Because when we get home, they're going to sleep."

"When are we going home?"

"I don't know about you guys but I'm leaving with the twins at eight."

"Aww!"

"They need sleep."

"I'm going to hang out with Mercy them then."

"Just make sure you're not coming home by yourself."

"I won't." Maddie rolled her eyes.

"Go tell Marcy bye."

Maddie ran off.

M&MC

Marcy knocked on the door. Kurt answered. "Hi. Is your dad here?"

Kurt opened the door wider. "He's in the living room watching TV."

"Thanks." Marcy came inside.

"Wait." Kurt shut the door. "I know you have no reason to believe me but I do love your sister. We were really close when you & I met & I might have taken that for granted. I don't know how to get you to believe me."

"It's not me that needs to hear it. Besides, talk is cheap. You say you've taken her for granted; now what? Are you going to start being a better friend?"

He nodded hard. "I want to do better. I don't want to live in a world where Mercedes Jones & I aren't friends."

"You should really tell her that." Marcy walked off.

Kurt chewed on his bottom lip. Maybe he should?

M&MC

Mercedes sat down. "It has caramel, chocolate sauce, whip cream & powdered sugar."

Quinn took one of the deep fried strawberries off the stick & bit into it. "Wow, that's good!"

Mike held the stick out for Mercedes to take one then bit into the last one. "Yeah, that is good."

Mercedes moaned. "I wish I knew how to make this at home!"

"You could probably look it up."

"You really think I can make this at home?"

"Sure. It's basically strawberries & pancake mix."

Mercedes squealed. "I'm making them!"

"Remind me to be there when you are." Quinn finished her berry.

"Of course." Mercedes put an arm around her. "Are you guys ready to go now?"

"Yeah." Mike stood up. "I can't believe all that talking Maddie did about Mal going home early with the twins & she fell asleep at nine. Good thing Marc & Laura didn't mind taking her home."

"She's trying so hard to be a big girl." Mercedes found it cute.

"She's still so little." Quinn shook her head as she got up.

Mercedes stood as well. "Not so little. Mrs. C already took her bra shopping this year."

Mike clutched his ears. "Ahhh!"

Quinn held onto his right arm. "Bra! Bra! Bra!"

Mercedes giggled as she took his left arm. "She's growing up!"

"No, she's not!" Mike resisted.

"She's not a baby anymore!"

"Yes, she is!"

"You can't keep her locked up in a tower her whole life!" Quinn teased.

"Yes, we can! If I could find a way, I'd lock you two up, too!"

Both giggled. "Mike!"