Mercedes: POV

I woke up Saturday morning feeling exhilarated. We were going shopping to pick out furniture today!

I leapt out of bed and hurried to make it before going to my bathroom. I used the loo before washing and brushing my teeth. Then I went to my closet for clothes.

I grabbed grey sweatpants and a blue cheer hoodie from State. I dressed quickly and flew downstairs to eat. Marcy, Daddy, Marionette and Mrs. Gonzales were already there. "Good morning!"

"Good morning." They responded.

"Aren't you excited, Marce?"

She lifted a brow. "I don't do excitement."

"Come on. You can't tell me those vouchers aren't burning a hole in your pocketbook."

"Fire. Oh, how I wish I were in your warm embrace." She sipped her coffee.

I poured some for myself. "Droll. You'll see. The rush of finding the right item, the electric feel of a good bargain, the hum of knowing what would go for what piece. You'll get excited."

"Over furniture." She set her cup down hard and rolled her eyes.

"Daddy, make her enjoy this."

"Can't you feign excitement, Sweetpea?" Daddy asked from behind his paper.

"No." She picked up the cup again. "This is a necessary evil and it's only under duress that I'm going atall."

"You promised to help decorate." I said smugly. "You can't back out now."

"I should just let Britt pick out whatever she wants."

"You want Brittany S. Pierce picking out the colors for your living room?"

She grimaced. "La love her, no!"

I laughed. "Then come on! Hurry up and eat so we can go. You still have to pick up Mrs. C."

"I know." Her mouth twisted before she pecked at her food.

Unlike her, I was hungry. It might have been because I was eating meat again but I had a full appetite. But I still dealt with portion control. I knew how much it mattered when it came to meals.

I ate everything I put on my plate. Marcy left most of her eggs and all of her bacon. She had half of a piece of toast left. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. Let's go." She wiped her mouth and stood up.

I didn't believe her but I'd bug her later. I hopped up, too and kissed Daddy's cheek. "Bye!"

The room's occupants waved us off as we left.

We went outside and got in Travis. Marcy drove around the corner and beeped the horn.

The front door opened and Maddie ran out. "Hi!"

"Hey." I rolled down the window. "You're still here?"

"My ride to riding isn't coming for another ten minutes." She shrugged. "It's so exciting for you guys today! You're going to pick out furniture!"

Finally! Someone excited! "Yes! I wish you could go with us."

"I'll be by to visit on multiple occasions. I'll see it then."

I pinched her cheek. "Yes, you will! We'll go shopping every day!"

"Yay!"

Mrs. C strolled from the house. "Go back inside, Maddie. Remember to tell Mrs. Grayson to take you straight to the hospital for your hours. Mikey will pick you up later."

"I know, Mom." Maddie rolled her eyes.

"Impertinent imp." She shooed her off. "Go."

"Bye. Bye, guys!" Maddie waved before running back inside.

Mrs. C waved me over and got in the front seat. "I'm so excited for this! You know Laura didn't ask for our help decorating the condo she and Marc had in Jersey."

"She wants your help now for their house in LA." I reminded her. "She wants all new things."

"She needs a house first. She and Marc are doing well to go this week to LA to look around."

We talked all the way to the store. When we got there, we climbed from the car and went inside. Ellen, T and their moms were inside, waiting.

A few minutes later, Tana, Britt and their moms showed up, followed by Lucy, Laura and Ms. Judy. Then Rachel and Shelby with Kurt and Ms. Carole and Mrs. Anderson.

"Let's go!" I cheered.

"Dear La." Marcy muttered.

Ellen threaded her arm through hers. "Lead the way, Mercy."

So I did. We went to the sitting area. We looked over things but Marcy was the first one to find any thing. She sat on a sofa and said it was the one. Then she pointed out the matching chairs and a different coffee table with end tables and said and I quote, "They'll do.".

We tried to offer her alternatives but her mind was made up. She wasn't to be swayed. Since the living room was going to be a tad on the large size, she picked out another sofa and matching chairs.

It was lovely though. Both were blue but one was a solid while the other was a semi paisley design. The ironwork was a deep chocolate brown with gold tones and they seemed sturdy.

The tables were marble and wood and were a swirling grey and chestnut. The card said you only had to wipe them with a damp cloth and not to use any chemicals on them.

She picked out a few vases and a standing urn. Then she picked out lamps. Those were beautiful. She picked black wrought iron and porcelain lamps with handpainted designs on the bases and shades. Some were table lamps but others were floor lamps.

Laura applauded her taste but still didn't think she should have decided so fast. Marcy sat on a couch and got on her phone.

So Kurt went next. He examined each piece then sat in them to test them out. Then he laid down and bounced. He checked the pillows and tried moving them. He studied them so closely, you'd think he was looking for a grey hair.

He chose a stunning green and gold fainting couch and chaise along with a pair of black upright no armed 18th century rosette chairs.

He took even longer finding tables and lamps…

But at the same time, Lucy was examining furniture and chose a red and gold couch and chairs set. She said we'd order two so everything would match. Then she picked out a russet colored table. It was made like Marcy's but a reddish brown color.

I loved it and clapped when she picked it out.

For Mikey and Blaine, we chose sturdy black furniture. It wasn't intricate but it was still fancy. Then again we were in a highend store.

Then we moved on to the dens. Britt got happy picking out furniture but Marcy reminded her that they had to be able to lounge on it day after day.

The blonde pouted briefly then brightened as she found colorful pieces. She found a long blue couch with loungers at the end and a green coffee table and red chairs. She found pale yellow lamps and even a purple area rug. She picked out a black and glass entertainment system, too.

Both Marcy and Tana grimaced but neither said a word as we praised that special child.

T went next and picked all brown furniture. It was a warm honey color and looked beautiful in the showroom so I could only imagine it in their condo. She went with a wood and marble entertainment system.

For Mikey and Blaine, we went with blue furniture that was once again sturdy but stylish. Their entertainment system was straight black.

Next, we moved onto the dining room area. T picked out a round table with a credenza and eight chairs.

Tana went next and getting the room's measurements from Marcy, got two oblong tables in a walnut. Eight chairs came with each. She picked out a sideboard and a china cabinet at Marcy's request. We did get a lot of dishes for Christmas.

Rachel went after and got two square tables that came with six chairs apiece. She got us a sideboard as well with a credenza and china cabinet.

Then we came across a hutch that Tana inexplicably loved and had to get before we could find a nice cherry table for Mikey and co. We got them a sideboard and credenza that matched the eight chairs nicely.

We went to another part of the store that had tables and chairs and picked them out for the kitchens. We already had the heavy appliances installed while they were still building so we didn't need to buy ovens or fridges or dishwashers. For the penthouses, we actually had booths carved into the walls but Marcy had gotten a breakfast nook and wanted a bistro style table and chairs there.

We stole her idea and had one added to ours so we needed a set too. But Kurt, T, Mikey, Blaine and Sam didn't have booths and would need tables and chairs.

Kurt got a lightly sanded oak. He thought it would fit in with the motif he had in mind. He asked if Marcy would paint it white for him. She agreed.

We got a strong table for Mikey. He was rough on everything so we needed something he wouldn't break. It was black and brown with a golden trim. We figured Blaine would appreciate its beauty.

After kitchen gear, we went to the bedroom arena and found furniture. Marcy, Lucy and I were having our beds specially made. Our beds at home were and that's why we had so much room. It was hard to buy sheets but totally worth it.

Tana couldn't find a bed she liked so Marcy suggested a special bed for them, too. Since it was three of them sharing it after all.

Tana liked that idea and asked what was next.

Marcy pointed to two end-tables. They were big, square and white. They had two drawers each, the bottom one larger than the top. She looked at them for a long time before declaring that she would have to call a contractor to fix the wall above their bed. She wanted a shelf.

Laura asked why.

Marcy shrugged and said more space for things and that way they wouldn't need a headboard.

Lucy liked the idea and said flat out that she was stealing it. Rachel went along with it.

I picked out these delicate black lattice cutout side-tables. I thought they were really cute. Lucy chose a pale powder pink set. They were big like Marcy's with skinny legs.

Tana chose brown wooden bedside tables. They had only one drawer and a shelf at the bottom.

Marcy picked out a couch and chair set for their bedroom. They were a light green with clouds of white and were overstuffed. Her coffee table and end-tables were black.

I chose a light lavender set. They were fluffy, too but not overstuffed and they looked like a dream. My tables were light brown. Lucy chose heather furniture. The couch was thick but the chairs were stiff and upright with wooden arms. Her tables were whiskey colored.

Tana chose a red striped affair with a dark brown table set. Kurt wanted Elizabethan decor and chose pieces that reflected that. T went for comfy. She chose a patchwork sofa and chairs. Her tables were gold.

We got Mikey dark blue furniture with black tables. Mrs. Anderson and Kurt got Blaine a dark green, red, gold and blue plaid set. He didn't have a favorite color like Kurt and preferred dark plaid.

Marcy picked out sky blue comfy yet sturdy stuff for Sam. She said the Evanses were going to pay her back.

Then we picked out lamps… We picked delicate, cute lamps that were different sizes. Of course we had lights in the ceiling but lamps never hurt nobody.

Marcy found this cute table that was gold bars and ceramic topping. She found a delicate chair with blue, white and pink swirls and golden legs. She said it would be her correspondence corner.

Tana had laughed but Kurt declared that Marcy was onto something. He found an incredibly tiny copper round table with black legs and a black stool with a high silver back. He was going to have a desk in his room but he wanted this, too so he could have his own "correspondence corner".

T followed suit and got herself a white table with a golden chair. It matched his nearly exactly.

Lucy and I found ones that matched Marcy's while going for different chairs. Mine was this dark purple number with leopard print legs while hers was pink with chrome legs.

Tana said we were all nuts. Britt asked why and said that she wanted a correspondence corner. Tana told her that she didn't even know what correspondence was. Britt pouted. Tana gave in. She let Britt pick it. Britt chose a red table with a blue chair.

Marcy chose another chair. It was white and as expected, overstuffed. She said they had a window it would look perfect in front of.

Then she picked out two bistro style tables and three chairs for the balcony in their room. Lucy and I forgot all about the balconies and ran to find tables and chairs for them. Tana said that she didn't care what went out on theirs so Britt picked out three chairs.

T and Kurt each picked out a three piece bistro set. We decided the boys would call us names if we got them anything for their balconies so we didn't even bother.

Marcy reminded us that we had to pick out desks for them so we went over to the home office section. She picked out this gorgeous black desk for Mikey that had plenty of drawers and locks to those drawers. Mrs. C loved it immediately and said she might have to buy one to replace the desk in her office.

Marcy then picked out a light tan wooden desk for Sam. It had three drawers on one side and one big one on the other with one long thin one at the top.

Kurt found Blaine a dark green desk that was more beautiful than functional. He found himself a matching one in white. T went for a prettier version of Sam's. She said she'd paint it later.

Marcy said she'd get us all the same chairs so we looked over other stuff in the area. I noticed her looking at cabinets and asked her if she was getting us any.

She said yeah but she didn't know if she wanted regular steel ones or something better looking. Lucy convinced her to go with attractive ones so she bought a cabinet for each of us, short ones for Mikey, Blaine and Sam. T didn't want one and Kurt couldn't find one he thought was attractive enough.

Marcy picked out waste bins for each of us. Black mesh ones. It worked for what they were needed for. They weren't like the rubbish bins we have for the rest of the houses.

We went back and found bedroom suits for the spare bedrooms and T's, Kurt's, Blaine's and Sam's rooms. Mikey wanted a custom bed.

After that, Marcy found two dressers she liked. One was tall and black with silver knobs and six drawers. She said she'd get two and one would be for her and one would be for Ellen. Mrs. C asked about Mal and she pointed to the other dresser. It was this beautiful deep brown with tan swirls. It was squat and had six drawers as well with brass knockers. It also had a mirror.

Mrs. C loved it and said that she wanted to redo her room now. I wanted to see Papa Mike walk into that room.

I got two Chester drawers in blond and red. Lucy matched with three and Tana went along with it. T got Marcy's black dresser while Kurt went for this front opening cupboard dresser.

We got Mikey Marcy's dresser and Sam a tan tall dresser but Kurt got Blaine one to match his.

Marcy saw the most adorable chair and showed the first signs of excitement. She sat in it and twirled around. It was completely round and was big like a little bed. She immediately declared it perfect and said it was going in the closet.

Ellen sat in it and remarked that it would be easy to get dizzy in. Marcy shrugged and said it was an acceptable consequence.

I wanted chairs in my closet, too so I picked out this red high heel chair. It looked smashing and would hopefully go with the room. Lucy found one in pink.

Tana got a kick out of it and got the red one. Britt made her put down that she wanted two. Since their walk-in closets wouldn't be like our walk-in closets, the others couldn't get chairs but they raved over ours.

Marcy yawned and said we needed to go to the bathroom area so we could break for lunch. She was right. I was starving. We'd been in the store for hours.

We went a little crazy picking out stuff for the bathrooms. In the master bathrooms in the penthouses, we had glass shower doors but in the other bathrooms, they needed curtains.

Marcy went with light blue ones for the upstairs full bathroom while Tana picked out red ones for the downstairs full. I picked out a funky African jungle shower curtain for the full downstairs while Lucy went for a cheeky zebra print for the upstairs full.

We got plain white for the boys while both Kurt and T agreed on these snazzy "makeup" themed curtains.

We bought toilet seat covers for all the bathrooms along with soap holders, cups, rugs and toothbrush holders. We were even able to find toilet scrubbers and window curtains.

Finally we were done and went to go pay. We had written down what we wanted on pads and got to the cash register. The man there was very friendly and understanding about our order. Even when Marcy and Tana flirted with him. Both Ellen and Britt were pissed at them. Even Laura got flustered around him.

He was cute though. His name was Richard (like Grandpapa) and he had black hair and blue eyes. He definitely worked out.

Not that I was looking!

Anyway, we went through our wants and he rang us up. Everyone chipped in for the main rooms and would be paying for their private rooms separately but our family paid for most of it. The vouchers we got for Christmas covered it.

We spilled out into the parking lot happy that phase one was complete.

MAP

After lunch, we went to the mattress store to put in our request. Sam, Blaine, T and Kurt would be getting standard king sized beds along with the spare bedrooms. The rest of us were getting the "Catalina". It was bigger than a California king bed and oh so luxurious.

They made the frames and box springs special, too. Marcy ordered a frame, box spring and two mattresses. Lucy and I did the same because all three of us loved climbing into bed, even if it was a bit of a hike because we were already close to the ground.

Tana just got a frame and mattress. She said they were nearing their budget but I think it's really so Artie could get in and out of bed easily. Heaven forbid she act concerned over her man…

After that, we went to a children's store. This was the real test. Picking out bedroom suits for children.

Marcy got the twins convertible cribs. Once they were big enough, you could convert them into big kid beds. I got Rae one, too but Lucy got Beth her very first big girl bed. It was so cute! It was yellow metal in overlapping arches.

We picked out mattresses for them then all new bed sheets. We got them matching white dressers with silver knobs and for Rae and the twins, blue changing tables.

We got them little furniture for their own sitting areas and a white round table for them to play on, one for each room. We got rocking chairs and toy chests and Lucy found this huge sprawling doll house for Beth.

We got educational rugs and cute lamps. We then went a little crazy buying them new toys. Rae doesn't play with half of the stuff our family's got her but I couldn't help finding some new thing I thought she'd like.

Our friends enjoyed helping us until we got to curtains. We decided to shop for curtains to the windows in our houses next week along with anything we might have forgotten today but we wanted to buy baby curtains now.

Marcy found these pretty baby blue curtains with ruffles that she thought Mickey would die for but Lucy wanted them. There were only two left and there were two windows in the twins' room. Alas, Marcy wasn't giving them up.

She told Lucy that Beth didn't even like blue. Lucy argued that she could. She was three and would change her favorite color a million times. Marcy countered that hers never did.

Laura had to break out the "sister" speech. Both forgot their anger at each other and directed it towards her.

I got Rae these yellow curtains with white lambs. She seemed taken with the creatures as she's always hugging the lamb Noah bought her.

Lucy broke down and got Beth yellow ones with duck stamped ruffled edges.

We paid and left. We went out to dinner (Rachel and Shelby went to temple with Ms. Dinah and T). The furniture would be shipped out in two weeks on an order so large.

I couldn't wait to start decorating.

MAP

Puck: POV

I sighed heavily on the inside but kept it out of my voice. "Yeah, Mama. That sounds good. Cute."

I didn't even know what she was talking about. I tuned her out early in the conversation and only responded at exactly the one minute thirty second mark.

I was on the couch, watching TV when she called after brunch to tell me about all the stuff they bought yesterday.

Another minute and a half went by. "Yeah, Mama. That sounds good. Cute."

The doorbell rang. "Hey? This is really good but someone just dropped by. I gotta go. Love you, too. I'm very excited. Bye."

I hung up and went to the door. It was Jake. "Hey? What's up?"

"Can we talk?" He shuffled around.

"Sure." I opened the door wider and let him in. He walked inside and I closed and locked the door before walking back to the couch. "What's going on?"

He sat on the couch and noticed Beth and Rae playing on the floor. "How are they?"

"They straight. What's up?"

He pressed his thumbs together. "Marley knows about Bree."

My eyebrows raised. "Really?"

"Yeah. She won't tell me how she knows but she knows. I tried to deny it but she said we couldn't work on our relationship if I kept lying so I admitted it."

"Didn't I tell you to tell her yourself?"

"Yeah, yeah." He grumbled. "But we talked. She said she wanted to forgive me and I'd have to earn back her trust."

"That's great!" He really dodged a bullet.

"Really? How long is she going to punish me?"

"You did cheat on her. Give her a minute. She coulda dumped you."

"Yeah." He sighed. "We talked over the fight that we'd had before I cheated. She apologized for not listening to me and shutting me down. She said once we were good again, we could have a frank talk about sex."

"Is that why you cheated on her?"

"Not really. I don't know. She just wouldn't talk to me and I got mad."

I nodded. I used to have sex when I was upset. "Well it's over now. Be happy."

"I guess I could be. I just have this feeling that something bad is going to happen."

"Don't think that way. Enjoy your time with her."

He nodded as Beth got up and brought him a toy. "Play?"

He took it and looked at me. He took a deep breath and faced her. "Let's do it!"

MAP

Mercedes: POV

I told Momma all about our furniture. She said we needed to take pictures so we can see them. We were going to the store after visiting with her.

I reminded her that the painters were there at the moment. Marcy and T were picking up Sam when they come back from LA so they could paint the murals on the kids' walls.

We had a nice visit but I couldn't help but feel a bit melancholy. It was near the end of everything. Who knew when we'd see Momma again? What would our visitation look like next year?

That question was answered when we left. Mrs. Rodriguez told us that next time would be our last visit. I immediately asked why and she said we'd all be eighteen by the one after next. The restraining order would be in full effect since we weren't kids anymore. They were being gracious since Marc had already been over eighteen and I turned last year.

So now I was sad. Next time was the last time I'd see my mother for a while. Marc and Marcy didn't seem effected. Marc usually saw the bright side to things while Marcy kept things close to the vest.

I decided to buy Momma something. I didn't know what but it would be good.

When we went shopping, I pulled Laura to the side and asked her opinion. She pointed out how we were at an art gallery buying art for our homes. Perhaps Momma would care for a McKay?

Then I remembered that next week was Mother's Day. I still needed a present for that, too. I already got Mrs. C's and Ms. Judy's gifts.

I decided I wouldn't fret. I'd just buy what felt right. In the end, we bought a bunch of stuff but then Marcy, T and Ellen had to go. Prom was tonight and both Marcy and T were nominated. I was so proud of T. She always felt in the background but I knew people saw her.

So they left and the rest of us took the art home. Lucy came over and we watched old movies and ordered takeout.

MAP

Puck: POV

"We could have a calm, rational conversation-"

"Steamrolled your ass!" Mini Mama jumped up and yelled in my face.

I bowed my head. "Why are you like this? I don't know no other girl that's so mean about winning."

"That's not true." She sat down again. "Want another spanking?"

"Nope! Here, Mike. It's your turn to fluff her ego." I gave him the controller.

He took it happily. "Your reign of terror is over, Moppet!"

"Bring it on, Paw-Paw!" She rolled her neck.

"What was that?!"

"You heard me, old man!"

Funniest shit I've seen in a while. His whole face turned red and he tried to yell at her but he could only start sentences.

Finn looked between them. "Maybe we can just play? Without all the trash-talk?"

"It's not trash-talk. It's the truth." She flipped her high-pony at him.

"Can you at least be nicer?"

"Okay." She lied.

And his stupid ass believed her… He smiled. "Thank you."

So they replayed the game and her mouth was on fire. She called them so many names, I lost count at twenty. Mostly because she was stringing them together.

She won of course (we could never beat her in this game) and did her victory dance. I liked it cuz it involved her shaking her ass in your face.

Finn pouted. "I don't even know what all that meant!"

"It meant you're a loser!" She continued dancing.

Mike got mad and pulled her down. "Alright, shut up. Let's play Daredevils."

"You're on!"

I didn't know. Mike was a beast at that game. He was just as bad at winning as she was. "How about we chill out for a minute? We can order pizza or something?"

"Pizza's good." Mike got distracted.

"Nothing fancy." Finn grimaced. "Every time we order pizza at home, Kurt orders a bunch of junk and messes it up. I have to pick it all off and by that time, it's cold."

"I don't wanna know." Mini Mama pulled a face. "As long as it's got bacon on it, I'm chill."

I knew she was my homie! "Yes! We're getting bacon!"

"We need a meat lovers." Mike said.

"Alright!" I picked up my phone and called the pizza place. They said they'd be here in thirty.

"Get me water." Mini Mama said out the blue.

"What?" I looked at her.

"I'm thirsty. Get me water."

"That sounds rude. You could add "please"."

"I could add "please" but I am rude. Get me water."

I frowned at her before getting up to get her a glass of water. I handed it to her. "Here."

"Thank you."

My brows drew together and I threw up my hands as the doorbell rang. I went to get the door. "Jake? What are you doing here? Don't you have school?"

"I gotta talk to you!" He came right on in.

"Okay." I shut the door.

He saw the other three, looking at him like he was crazy. "Is there anywhere private we could go?"

"Do I even wanna know?"

"Puck!"

"Okay! We can go into the kitchen."

"Is that private- oh, who cares?! They'll find out eventually! What do you do when a girl tells you she might be pregnant?!"

Mike and Finn dropped their controllers while Mini Mama raised a brow.

I wanted to freak out, too but I kept my head. "Who thinks they might be pregnant?"

"Come on. You know Marley and me aren't doing anything." Jake paced.

I made a face. "So that Bree girl?"

He nodded as he sped up. "Oh yeah! She wants to take care of it."

"Oh really?!" I frowned.

"I wasn't exactly listening passed "I'm late" but I'm sure she said that."

I started fussing. I couldn't believe that girl was trying to get rid of my niece or nephew! The others just let me rant until I ran out of steam and could think again. "Neither Q or Mama thought about getting rid of my kids."

"Yeah but am I ready to be a dad? I just turned sixteen! I have a girlfriend! My mom is going to kill me!" He started freaking out.

"Calm down!" I shook him.

He sagged. "What am I gonna do?"

I looked to my friends. "Well?"

Finn's eyes were big. "You're dead."

"I think you should talk to your girlfriend." Mike shrugged.

"Don't ask me." Mini Mama said flatly.

"Come on, Mini Mama." I waved a hand. "You give good advice- you said what, Mike?"

He twisted his lips. "Talk to her and tell her what's going on."

"What if she's not- you know? pregnant?" Jake fumbled.

"Then you'd be in the clear but with no secrets between you. But if she is, Marley needs to know now."

Jake looked like he wanted to start crying. "I don't wanna do that!"

"Stop being a bitch." Mini Mama glared at him.

He drew back. "I am not! Do you have any idea-?!"

She gave him a look.

"Right. Twins. Nevermind. I'm allowed to panic, right?"

"You're both entitled to panic but then you need to build a bridge and get over it. There's things to do, options to explore. You need to talk to Marley but you also need to talk to Bree. This baby isn't going away unless it goes away. You need to talk about it. If she is that is."

"Shit." He sighed before looking up at me. "Will you go with me if I gotta tell my mom?"

"Sure." I knew how hard that conversation was. "Want to stay and play video games?"

"I can't even think about school."

MAP

I got a text from Jake. He wanted to come over again and for Mike, Finn and Mini Mama to be over. I asked him why he was skipping so much school and he said that school could kiss his ass; he had more important things to do.

So I called them over and he took the bus. When we were all there, he started pacing again.

We stared at him. "Well?!"

"She's not pregnant." He said.

"And you're not celebrating why?" I asked.

"It's- she- she yelled at me."

"And your feelings are hurt?!"

"No! I don't know. She wasn't "yelling" yelling. She just said that we wreck havoc on girls."

"We?"

"Puckermans." He said ugly.

My jaw dropped. "Their lives aren't ruined!"

"She said we do girls bad and a bunch of other stuff. Apparently we suck." He stopped pacing.

"What bullshit." Mini Mama rolled her eyes.

"What do you mean?" Finn asked.

"She goes after a taken guy and suddenly she's an angel? It takes two to tango and she was trying her best to be a home-wrecker. She's not blameless in this and if you didn't use protection, that's half her fault as well. You're supposed to take care of your body in all things. Just because you didn't have a condom, didn't mean she shouldn't have had one."

"You're not on her side?" Jake sounded confused.

"Why would I be on her side?"

"Because you're a chick."

"I'm a woman. But that doesn't mean I agree with all women. Wrong is wrong and she's wrong. It's not your fault you had a scare. They happen. Hell, I thought I was pregnant a week ago but I just got my monthly visitor. Shit happens. But blaming innocent or as guilty as you people isn't cool."

"You thought you were pregnant?" Mike brought up.

"Yes. I skipped a month and I haven't been feeling well. Turns out it was just a bug going around."

"You skipped a month? What does that mean?" She opened her mouth and he waved his hands. "I know what it means but how can you skip a month?"

"My cycle is janky. Anything can throw it off. Catching this stomach thing messed it up."

"How long have you been sick?!" Finn demanded.

"A while but I think I'm finally better."

"So you know for sure you're not pregnant?" Mike wanted to make sure.

"Yes." She rolled her eyes. "I took a test to be sure."

"Good. Mal would be trying to marry you if you were."

She shuddered. "That's not funny!"

He smiled. "It is a bit."

"Can we get back to me?" Jake asked.

"What's really your problem, little Puck?" She tilted her head. "That you almost got a girl pregnant or that she called you out?"

He frowned. "Both."

"Well you have to let it go. You made a mistake. Don't dwell on it. And her opinion doesn't mean anything. You're going to keep your penis in your hand from now on, right?"

He blinked and blushed. "Yeah."

"You'll do good. She went after a known womanizer because he had a girlfriend. There's words for girls like that and they're not flattering. Who cares what she thinks of you? The important thing is you and Marley."

"Yeah." He frowned. "How'd you know she came after me?"

"What?"

"You said she went after me cuz she knew I had a girlfriend. How'd you know that? I didn't tell you that."

She looked caught as hell. "I'm psychic?"

"How'd you know, Mini Mama?" I looked at her.

She shrugged.

"Did Bree tell you?" Jake asked. "You are both cheerleaders."

"I don't talk to that cotton mouthed strumpet."

What did that mean?

"But how would you know-?" He stopped. "Marley told you!"

She said nothing.

"She told you what was going on with us?!"

"I never said that."

"But it's true! How could she put our business in the street?!"

"The way you're doing right now?"

He blinked. "Oh. What'd she say? How'd she sound?"

"She was upset, you tool."

"Were you the one who talked her into talking to me?"

She just looked at him.

"Thanks, dude! She kept saying she almost didn't talk to me but a voice kept telling her it was the right thing to do. Thank you."

"Keep your gratitude. Just do that girl right."

"I will." He looked at her like she was his new hero.

"Yeah." She stood up. "I'm out. I promised to take Elle out for lunch since we're leaving tonight."

They were going to California for Nationals.

Mike jumped up. "That reminds me. I gotta go to the flower shop and send flowers to T. She's been on this high since winning Prom Queen and I want that to last as long as it can."

"Its not that big a deal." Mini Mama shook her head. "It's just a popularity contest."

He narrowed his eyes. "Weren't you the one who counted the ballots?"

"So?"

He stared at her.

She walked out.

He went after her shouting, "You fixed it, didn't you?!"

I shut and locked the door behind them. "I can believe she did."

"She's awesome." Jake breathed.

"Yup. I'm just glad she's on our side." I gestured to the couch. "Want to play a few rounds before you go back to school?"

"I gotta go back?"

"Yes!"

He sulked. "Fine."

MAP

Mercedes: POV

I put my hands on my hips. "Make a decision, guys!"

Noah and Finn kept quiet.

Lucy threw up her hands. "Not even Kurt took this long! Do you want this couch or not?!"

"I don't know." Noah frowned. "It sits nice. But what if we fall asleep in the den?"

"Then lie down!"

Both he and Finn laid back to back. "It's a little uncomfortable."

I grabbed Lucy before she could fly off the handle. "If you don't pick the couch in the next three seconds, we won't have one!"

"Can we have bean bag chairs?" Finn perked up.

Lucy looked horrified. Rachel shook her head. "Finn, no."

"Can we take a break?" Noah asked.

"Fine." I blew out a breath. "Let's go look at the bedroom suits, guys."

Lucy, Rachel and I left the two in the living room section and went to the beds.

"I'm so proud of the New Directions." Rachel said as she bounced on a bed.

"Me too. We're on a winning streak." I sat next to her and laid back.

Lucy sat across from us on a pink bed. "Mr. Shue is a proven winner now."

"Can I tell you guys something?" Rachel asked.

"Sure."

She took a deep breath. "Well you know how Shelby and I have been getting closer since she came back?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"Well she helped me prepare for my audition. We had a frank talk and she told me she was thinking of moving to New York also."

"Really?"

"Yes. She wants to be close to me and be able to see Beth. She says she's been thinking about it ever since I graduated but didn't want to intrude."

"How do you feel about it?"

"On one hand, I'd like to have a parent in New York. I miss my dads there. But on the other, isn't it weird?"

"It's not weird." Lucy told her. "She loves you and wants to be with you. What's she going to do in New York?"

"She wants to open an arts school. She'll teach singing and acting."

"That'll be perfect for her." I commented.

"Yes. She's very excited. So it's not weird to have my mother hanging around?"

"No way. She's part of the family."

She smiled. "Thank you."

We decided to go check on the boys and saw they were in chairs facing a row of TVs. "Really?!"

"We found what we want!" They cheered.