A/N: Apologies for the length of time it's taken me to get a new chapter of this up; but with so many stories on the go, well yeah you get what I am saying. I can't focus on just one of them!
So this chapter is taken once more from the side of Marley, and her now new life in South Carolina. I do have to mention that the time where I am in this story, is only now starting to kind of connect up to where we are with the story of what is also happening with Ryder; and that they aren't always going to be in complete sync time wise with one another. And there is also spoilers as well for other stories, that are currently in the midst of being written; so just giving a small spoiler alert warning there for some, that you will then realize which to that they are.
As always any characters you recognize from Glee do not belong to me, and I am just merely playing with them. However all those who you don't know from the show, belong to me and cannot be used without my permission first.
Thanks for reading and you all know what to do at the end.
Love, KJ xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Chapter 17 –
Getting to know Mike over the first semester of her teaching back home in South Carolina; and continuing to substitute when the one she was doing that for, made the decision to stay at look after her father; Marley slowly started to think that she might be falling for the guy she once went to high school with, but was very sure to also guard her heart as well after what had transpired with Ryder.
With her younger brother and his girlfriend, having gotten engaged over Christmas, and being excited for the two of them; she did however begin to wonder if she would ever have that again, and get to also have children as well. Something she knew her brother and soon to be sister in law would soon most likely have, and that more than likely also soon maybe too have even another niece and nephew with that of her older sisters as well; not Kitty, since she only few months prior had her first baby, a little boy; who as an aunt too, she totally adored and loved spoiling and also babysitting whenever she got the chance too. But more so, she was utterly convinced that it would be Mikki who would more than likely have another baby soon, with Amelia getting close to being two years old.
Texting Olivia, over her lunch period; who she had told that she was able to help with any of the wedding plans for her and Roderick; and something her soon to be sister in law happily accepted with in regards to the help, since she had three older brothers, two of whom were not married, and only dating, and the one who was married currently living overseas with his wife; the help from someone who had been through that of the plan was gladly accepted.
Giving a laugh, as she texted back a reply to the other girl, who was stressing out about her upcoming engagement party, and also trying to figure out through that of a registry just what she and Roderick were needing for the apartment they both now shared, Marley smiled as she tapped away on her phone and gave what she could hope was a helpful reply.
"You look deep in thought there" came Mike's voice, as she finished the text and hit sent on it; and looked up to him with a smile and laugh.
"Just helping out my soon to be sister in law" she replied, with a smile as the male sat at the table, with his own lunch and he gave a laugh.
"This is your younger brother's soon to be wife?" he asked, looking to her as he also unwrapped his sandwich that he bought and Marley gave a nod.
"Yes, that's the one" she replied, with a small smile. "They're going to be having their engagement party on the fifteenth of Feburary" she continued, as Mike gave a small nod. "And Liv is just a little concerned about the gift registry thing"
"Because what could she and your brother possibly need that they don't already have" said Mike, with a laugh as she also gave a laugh and replying, "Exactly"
"So just kind of giving Liv, some shall we say sisterly advice" replied Marley, with a laugh. "And also as well, it's nice too being able to plan an engagement party also. Since Ryder and I didn't have one?"
"You didn't?" asked Mike, looking to her as Marley placed her phone down and picked up a fork to eat the salad she'd bought for herself.
"No" she replied, shaking her head. "We went out for dinner with Ryder's family, but that was about the extent of it" she continued, as Mike looked to her. "My two older sisters they didn't have big engagement parties either"
"That was one thing I made sure to do for Amy, and have an engagement party" said Mike, as Marley looked to him with a nod and smile.
"I still think that was such a sweet thing to do" said Marley, with a smile to him. "It can't have been easy going into that, knowing what the outcome was going to be"
"It wasn't" replied Mike, shaking his head. "But at the end of it all" he continued, as Marley's phone beeped again. "I know it was the right thing for me to do, for her"
"Yes" said Marley, with a nod as she picked up her phone and looked at the message reply back from Olivia and gave a small laugh. "I'll ask you this" she said, and looked to Mike. "Liv is wondering if it be wrong to ask people to contribute towards the honeymoon, instead of giving them gifts. What would you say if someone asked you to do that?"
"Actually, it's a pretty good idea" replied Mike with a small laugh. "It's less financial burden of those who are getting married and also as well they're not getting items that they already have and would only have to find a way to sell for that of the money to begin with"
"Yeah, it is a pretty good idea" said Marley, with a small smile to him. "And I would gladly contribute to making sure they have an amazing honeymoon"
"Hmm, I do think that is a nice idea" said Mike, with a nod. "And I know if I were to be asked by a friend who was getting married to do that, then I would"
"Same" replied Marley, as she typed back a reply to Olivia; saying she thought it was a good idea and also so did Mike as well. "So where did you go for a honeymoon?"
"We just went down the coast for a few days" said Mike, looking to her and Marley looked to her with a nod. "As it was too risky for Amy to take a long flight"
"That's understandable" she replied, with a nod, as Mike asked then. "What about you?"
"Umm Ryder and I went on a European cruise" she said, looking to him with a small smile. "It was a wedding present from his parents, sister and brothers"
"That was really nice of them" said Mike, with a small smile to her also as Marley's phone beeped again and she looked at the message, feeling a small blush come over her as she read Olivia's message back to her.
Ohh is this the Mike who you said was a cutie?! You should totally ask him to come along as your date for the engagement party, and then the family can all get to know him!
Laughing and hoping that her blush wasn't obvious to Mike, she typed back a reply with a small smile. Yes it is that Mike, and I don't know about inviting him. I think I like him and all that, but I don't want to rush anything either
"Everything okay?" asked Mike, looking to her and Marley looked up to him with a small nod of the head and smile.
"It's fine" she said, with a slight pink tinge to her cheeks. "Liv just said something not related to engagement stuff that's all"
"Oh okay yeah" replied Mike, with a laugh. "You kind of went red in the face, that's all"
"Yeah" said Marley, with a small laugh also, as a reply came back from Olivia that read; Do it, do it, do it! You know we all want to meet this guy, you have been telling us about! Giving a small laugh and her soon to be sister in law's enthusiasm for this to happen, she gave a small sigh and looked to Mike. "So I was thinking if you're not doing anything on the fifteenth then maybe you could come along to my brother's engagement party?"
"I'm not doing anything I can think of" replied Mike, looking to her with a small smile as Marley gave a small nod. "But wouldn't going to an engagement party with a guy who you're friends with give your family the wrong idea maybe"
"They can think what they want" replied Marley, with a small laugh. "It's just I have obviously mentioned you when I have seen them over the weekends when I've gone to visit, and I guess for them to put a face to the name of that person would be good" she continued, as Mike gave a small nod. "I know they still worry about me, even though I am back home and they see me more often; so for them to know I am doing okay and have friends, well it would be nice to show them that"
"Well then I would love to go along with you to it" said Mike with a smile as Marley nodded. "Even if, it's not a date"
"No, not a date" replied Marley, with a laugh and shaking her head; but as she and Mike continued to talk over the lunch break she couldn't but help wonder, if he maybe to might be having some feelings for her, as she was starting to have for him.
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Still helping Olivia with that of some of the plans for her upcoming wedding to Roderick; the day of the engagement party, Marley picked up Mike from his apartment and then drove the two of them out to Greer, which was being held later that afternoon.
"I literally thought we'd never get away from my parents house?" said Mike with a laugh, as Marley headed towards her parents house where Olivia and Roderick were having the get together; after having beforehand gone over to Mike's parents house so that he was able to introduce them to Marley.
"They're really sweet" replied Marley, looking to him with a quick smile and nod of her head. "And they're only about twenty minutes away from my place" she laughed as Mike gave a laugh also. "So it's totally fine, that they kept us a little longer than we'd intended"
"Yeah" said Mike, with a nod. "I guess you can say my parents had gotten more than a little curious also as to who I've been talking about recently"
"Yes" replied Marley, with a small laugh as she turned into the street her parents lived on and then made a turn a few meters down the road into the driveway of her childhood home, pulling up behind that of what she knew to be the car that Kitty now drove and had gotten when she returned to South Carolina. "So, you're not nervous about this?" she asked, looking to him with a smile as she turned off the engine of her car. "Because I'm sure there is going to be questions galore, as to well you know stuff, and probably more so since my sisters and all that are going to be here"
"I am totally okay" said Mike, with a nod as he removed his seat belt and they both opened their doors and got out of the car. "Little nervous, yes maybe" he continued with a laugh as Marley locked her car up and they headed towards the front door. "But that's only because I do kind of remember one of your older sisters, and she was the popular girl and not the sort of people I tended to hang out with in high school"
"Kitty wasn't one of those popular girls though" said Marley, shaking her head as she turned the door knob of her parents front door. "She just happened to be one of those girls that people tended to gravitate towards and hence become popular" she continued as Mike looked to her with a laugh. "Much like Mikki was too also, and whereas I preferred to just be one of the crowd"
"Same here, preferred being one of the crowd also" replied Mike, with a nod. "After all we were at high school to learn"
"Yeah" said Marley, with a laugh, as a young boy came over to her and held his arms up to her; and she looked to him with a smile. "Hey Lukey" she said, as she bent down and picked him up in her arms, as she heard a female voice, coming towards them, asking "Lucas, come back here please", and then Karen appear around the corner and giving a laugh as she saw Marley with him.
"I'm guessing he heard the door open and came to see who it was" said Marley, giving the older woman a smile, and Karen nodded in return.
"Yes, we heard the door open from the living room" she replied with a nod. "And then Luke ran towards the door, like he does at home when Jeremy comes home and nearly gave me a heart attack"
"You know I wouldn't have let him go anywhere" said Marley, shaking her head and Karen gave a small laugh also shaking her head.
"I know that" she said, with a smile. "I guess he just loves seeing his fave babysitter though"
"I believe so" replied Marley, with a laugh and looked at the little boy with a smile who in turn poked his tongue out at her and Marley too then copied the action.
"You're just a bad as Jeremy, you know that" said Karen, with a laugh as she watched the two of them, and Marley looked to her with a smile and nod; as the other woman turned and looked at Mike. "So you must be Mike?" she asked, as he gave a small nod. "We've heard lots about you" she continued stepping towards him and holding out her hand. "I'm Karen. Marley's sister, Mikki is my sister in law"
"Umm yeah hi, it's nice to meet you Karen" replied Mike, shaking her hand and giving her a smile. "Marley's filled me in on, who all of you are"
"Hmm, I am sure she has" said Karen, looking to Marley with a quick smile and noting the younger girls slight blush on her cheeks. "So we're still waiting on Rod and Liv to turn up, as well as Dyl and Bee, but the others are all here in the living room" she continued, turning to walk back. "And also all really eager to meet you Mike"
"Don't be intimidated by them" said Marley, looking to him with a small smile. "They're all talk, no bite" she continued with a laugh as the followed Karen into the living room and she still with Lucas in her arms.
"It will be fine I'm sure" replied Mike, looking to her with a small smile also. "I know how protective I am of my little sisters, so I get where they will all be coming from with this"
"Yeah, well the funny thing about this is that these guys who will question you, aren't actually my brothers" said Marley, with a laugh. "One is my brother in law, and the other two brother in laws by that of kind of proxy"
"Yeah" said Mike with a laugh also as they walked into the living room, where is seemed that Mikki was having a small argument with Jeremy.
"Still think that you are" he said, as Mikki who was seated on the sofa in her parents living room looked to him with a laugh, and shook her head.
"And I am telling you" stated Mikki. "That I woke up this morning with a headache and don't want to be having caffeine or sugar at the moment"
"And said brother is worsening headache with his accusations" said Sebastian, looking to his older brother, whilst sitting on the sofa next to Mikki with Amelia on his lap and playing with his phone; and looked to Marley and Mike. "One of you tell Jeremy he's a moron"
"Umm, I don't actually know him at all to do that" replied Mike, giving a laugh.
"Hmm, well I do" said Marley, with a smile and looked over to Jeremy. "What your brother said, you're a moron"
"Yeah, okay just dis your fave non brother in law in front of the guy you literally can't stop talking to us all about now" he replied, with a smile to her, as Marley went slightly red in the face, before looking to the others. "So everyone this is Mike" she continued, and then looking to Mike with a small smile. "And this is, I guess the family; or at least some of them"
"Hi, it's a really nice to meet all of you" said Mike, with a nod and smile to those in the room.
"Yeah, you as well" said Mikki, with a nod to him as well.
"So that's Mikki, my oldest sister" said Marley, pointing to her on the sofa. "And then my brother in law Seb and niece Millie" she continued, before then pointing to where Artie was seated in the arm chair. "Artie, brother in law who is married to Kitty, and Jeremy and Karen, one of Seb's older brothers and his sister in law and of course Mikki's in laws; and then Nathan, who is there on ground playing with what looks like an old DS, the older of their two boys"
"Okay yeah" said Mike, with a laugh. "I think I got all that"
"Uh huh" replied Marley, with a nod to him and looked to Lucas who was still in her arms. "And this is my little buddy Lukey, who is also Karen and Jeremy's as well" she continued with a smile to the boy she was holding, who laughed and then pulled a face at her. "Who is also soon to be a big brother"
"Oh wow" said Mike, looking to Karen. "Congratulations"
"Thank you" she replied, with a smile. "I'm about four months now, so still a while to go" she continued, as he gave a nod. "But definitely this time have my fingers crossed that it will be a girl"
"Well you can find out really soon, right" said Sebastian, and Karen looked to her brother in law with a nod.
"And when are you and Mikki finding out what baby number two is now?" asked Jeremy, looking to the both of them with a smile, as Mikki looked to him shaking her head.
"I'm not pregnant Jere" she replied and then looked to Marley and Mike. "So mom and dad are out back" she continued with a nod. "Since dad is determined to cook out on the grill today, since Roddy loves that sort of thing"
"Even though it's only like fifty seven degrees outside" said Artie, with a laugh; as Kitty walked into the living area with Joshua who was five months old in her arms, and Marley turned to look at her older sister.
"Kits, you remember Mike?" she asked, and Kitty looked at him with a small nod.
"Kind of yeah, I think so" she replied, with a nod. "Here, have a baby to hold" she continued and went to pass her young son over to him.
"Umm, okay yeah" replied Mike, with a laugh as he took Joshua from her and looked to the little boy he now had a hold of, and Kitty looked to Marley with a nodded grin and she went and sat on the sofa next to Mikki.
"So Mike" said Sebastian, as his phone made a message beep and he looked to Amelia, who was still playing with it and took it from her, and Mikki quickly grabbed their daughter to stop her from making a fuss about losing the phone she'd be playing with and peppered kisses over her face, to what the young girl squealed at delight over. "You and Leesy were just at high school together?"
"Yeah, just high school" said Mike, looking to him and giving a nod and adverting his attention away from Joshua, who he was still holding and didn't seem to be fussed about doing. "I went to Greer Middle School, which wasn't too far from the high school so it was one of the schools that guaranteed placement into it" he continued, as Joshua who clearly didn't like not being the one getting the attention of Mike, poked at his nose and he looked to him with a laugh. "Hi, sorry did I stop paying attention to you?"
"He's an attention seeker that's for sure" said Artie, with a laugh. "Just like his mom"
"I do not seek attention" she replied, looking over to her husband with a frown; and Mike and the others laughed, and then waited for the others to show up that were close to that of Marley in regards to being that of family and then also later that day the guests who were also coming along for the engagement party.
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Later that afternoon, with the others having arrived and getting to know Mike; and him finding that of Marley's younger brother and soon to be sister in law welcoming to him, and also Dylan, Brooke and their two young children; and already knowing Brooke from work and also Savannah being that of a student at the school where they taught; he found himself liking that of the Kapowski and also extended family of Marley, and that they were all quite easy to get along with. With Roderick and Olivia's friends also arriving as well, for the engagement party; it was now in full swing; and going and grabbing a can of soda from the cooler on the back deck, he looked over to where Eric was cooking on the grill, and opening the can headed over to where the older male was.
"Do you need any help with anything here?" he asked, as Eric who was turning the corn cobs that he had on the grill looked to him.
"No, I think I'm good" he replied, giving him a smile. "But thanks for asking"
"Sure of course" said Mike, with a nod. "It was actually nice of you to invite me along, since Marley and I are have only really gotten to re-know one another just in the last few months"
"Hmm" said Eric, looking to him as he also turned the meat he was grilling as well. "And just what are your intentions with my little girl here?"
"My intentions?" questioned Mike, looking to older male as he gave a nod of his head. "I don't have intentions with Marley"
"So you don't like my daughter than?" asked Eric, as Mike looked to him knowing that he was quite clearly getting quizzed as to what his feelings were potentially for Marley.
"No, not that at all" he replied, shaking his head. "I like Marley, very much so" he continued, with a small nod. "I just know she's been through some difficult stuff and first and foremost, I am there as a friend for her"
"Okay" replied Eric, looking at him as he grabbed the bottle of beer that he had sitting near him and took a quick drink from it. "That however doesn't really answer my question though" he continued, as Mike looked to him. "Because I see the way you look at her, and well it's the same way my two son in laws look at my two other daughters; and that is that they mean literally everything to them and you would therefore do anything for them"
"I do like your daughter Mr Kapowski" said Mike, with a nod. "But as I just said, I am not going to rush Marley into anything she doesn't want" he continued as Eric gave a nod. "And I'm not even sure if Marley even feels that way about me"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that" replied Eric, with a small laugh. "These last few months I have seen my daughter smiling like she hasn't in a long time; and I am thinking that might have something to do with you"
"I'm just doing what any good friend would do" said Mike, with a small smile to the older male. "And that's be there for that person"
"Yes" said Eric, with a nod, as small smile to him also. "Do you want children?"
"Children?" asked Mike, looking to him as Eric nodded again.
"I assume Marley filled you in on why she and Ryder didn't work out?" he asked, as Mike looked to him with a small nod also. "And if you're not wanting that, then I really don't want you to be making my little girl fall for you; only to have her heart broken again"
"I'm an elementary school teacher, sir" said Mike, with a laugh. "I think it goes to say there, that I do like children"
"Well yes there is that" replied Eric, with a nod. "But you can like children, as did my daughter's first husband. But having that of your own, not be something that you'd be wanting for yourself"
"I do want children, one day" said Mike, with a nod as well. "I use to love helping my mom look after my little sisters, when I was younger and to be able one day have children of my own" he continued. "It's definitely something I do want"
"Good" said Eric, looking to him as he turned the corn once more that was on the grill cooking. "Because if you were to be saying no, then I would have quickly been showing you the door now"
"There is no need for that" said Mike, giving a small laugh. "And whilst I don't know if that is you kind of saying that you're okay with me maybe liking your daughter" he continued as Eric looked to him. "I'm kind of relieved that you're not kicking me out of your house"
"I think my little girl would be quite upset with me if I were to do that" said Eric, with a laugh as Mike too nodded with a small smile. "Now there is something for me you can do" he continued, as Mike looked to him. "Grab that plate, for the corn because these babies are ready to go"
"Sure" replied Mike, with a laugh as he grabbed the plate that was sitting on the side of the grill and let Eric, put the corn to it before he took it over to the table that had also been set up on the deck for the food, before going back over to where Marley was talking with her sisters and other family; and continued to enjoy getting to know her family just that little bit more.
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Walking out of the bathroom, Marley was about to head back downstairs when she saw Mikki coming out of the bedroom that was hers as a teenager and the one where she and Sebastian, would still sleep when they spent the night at their parents house.
"Hey" said Marley, looking to her older sister with a smile as Mikki replied back a "Hey" as well and walking over to near her.
"I was just putting Millie down to sleep" said Mikki, as Marley looked to her with a nod. "Been quite a long day for all of them"
"Yeah, it has" said Marley, with a laugh; with the engagement party for Roderick and Olivia, now starting to finish up with all those who had come heading home. "Good thing you don't have to be going back tonight"
"Hmm, it is" replied Mikki, with a nod. "But you and Mike have a sort of long trip back to Gaffney"
"It's not that far, really" said Marley, shaking her head, as Mikki looked to her. "And Mike said since I drove this morning, he would drive back tonight"
"You really like this guy, don't you?" asked Mikki, looking to her younger sister with a smile; as Marley blushed ever so slightly. "Marls, it's okay to feel something for someone. None of us expect you to become a nun or anything like that"
"I just don't want to rush things" replied Marley, shaking her head. "Mike and I we've both had marriages that didn't last. His though ending and being one of completely different circumstances to that of mine" she continued, as Mikki gave a small nod. "So I think slow is what, if there is anything there between us. Is the way to go"
"And building a good friendship first" said Mikki, with a smile to her. "That's always to a good foundation as well"
"It is" replied Marley, with a nod. "So you're doing okay, right?" she asked, looking to her older sister. "As I did notice that even later today you were still only drinking water and fruit juice, and didn't even go towards having a glass of wine or anything else like that"
"I'm fine" said Mikki, with a laugh. "Just like I said, had a bit of a headache this morning and didn't want to be willing it to return"
"So there's not another reason then" said Marley, with a smile to her as Mikki looked to her younger sister. "Like for instance some truth to what Jeremy was saying this morning, like say I don't know; you're possibly pregnant"
"Yes" said Mikki, with a small nod and smile to her sister; as Marley too smiled back to her with a laugh and hugged her. "But you cannot tell a soul this, okay" she continued, as Marley looked to her with a nod. "Seb and I only found out a few days ago, and we did not want to say anything yet"
"Okay firstly, I'm so excited for you and Seb" said Marley, as Mikki looked to her with a nod and smile. "And that I get to be here for it all this time, and not over the other side of the country" she continued, as Mikki gave a laugh. "And also I promise you I will not tell anyone"
"Thank you" said Mikki, with a nod. "And I wasn't actually lying about having a headache this morning, as I did indeed have one" she continued, as Marley gave a nod. "But not wanting to drink anything alcoholic, well as you can now figure out that was for also another reason as well"
"I think the others could however be on to you though" said Marley with a small laugh; as Mikki too gave a laugh. "But I promise my lips are sealed on this, until you are ready to say anything"
"Thank you" said Mikki, with a smile to her younger sister. "And I am also so excited that you are here fully for this time as well"
"Me too" replied Marley, with a nod to her as Mikki gave a laugh and looked to her with a smile.
"And at least we know too" said Mikki, looking to her younger sister. "That Mike isn't as freaked out about babies, as Ryder clearly was" she continued, as Marley looked to her. "He didn't even flinch when Kitty handed him Josh when he got here with you"
"I know, yeah" replied Marley, with a nod and small smile. "He's been really great with all of them today" she continued as Mikki also gave a nod. "Ryder just seemed to tolerate being around them all, but Mike really does seem to like being around them"
"And I think we better get back downstairs" said Mikki, with a smile to her. "Just in case the guys are down there quizzing Mike as to his intentions with you"
"Oh, dad's already done that" replied Marley, with a laugh. "He told me earlier, that dad asked him as to what his so called intentions were with me"
"Hmm, but just ask Artie though" said Mikki, with a laugh as well. "As to what it is like to be somewhat interrogated by four, or in Mike's case it will be five as Artie will be in on it too, guys as to what said intentions are in regards to girl they care about"
"Yeah, let's go down and make sure they're not the ones to be scaring him off" said Marley, with a nod and the two sisters headed back downstairs of their former family home, to continue talking with the others who were still there.
End Note : Spoilers are obviously, Kitty and Artie's baby being a boy; and also Roderick and Olivia being engaged. I wanted a way though to introduce Mike to them all where they'd be able to quickly see, how this guy differed to Ryder, and that he also was definitely more than okay around children as Marley and both Mikki mention at the end, and him not just tolerating them.
I will also say as well I have updated the cover art for this story - with now mini pictures in on it as to who, how I see them in my head those who are Mike and Sarah.
Thanks for reading and I will catch you all again with another story update soon.
Love,
KJ xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo