A/N: I'M SORRY. I really am, but school really delayed me. I hope this makes up for it. Disclaimer is at the end of the chapter.

XX

Fourteen-year-old Marianela Garcia walked through the apartment door with a dreamy look clouding her face, and closed the door not as quietly as she should have. One of her sisters submerged from the living room couch, and blocked Marianela's path to the bathroom.

"Mimi! Where have you been?" Her facial expression was strict in a motherly way, her lips pursed and her hands on her hips.

"That's none of your business," Mimi began. She squinted at her sister. "Ramona or Duena?"

"Duena." The twin dragged Mimi into the dark room without another word, closing the door with a small click.

Mimi was greeted into the dark room with giggles and shushs. Then a lamp was switched on. Twelve-year-old Ramona stood next to the lamp, a timid look in her eyes. Quietly, she said, "Mimi, were you out with that Nelson Vega?"

Mimi nodded. "I was. So what?"

Ten-year-old Leonor spoke up. "Mama doesn't like him one bit."

"But I do! That's what matters."

Duena narrowed her eyes. "Not to her. You better hope she never finds out, or you won't be going out on any night, ever."

Mimi gave a frustrated sigh. "I don't want Mama to pick a suitor though. She'll pick someone just like her, and that'll be… stiff."

Ramona shrugged. "You never know."

"But I do!" Mimi protested. "After she picks a suitor for me, it'll be for you and Duena. Tell me how you'd like that."

"We're too young to make these decisions. And afterall, 'A mother knows best'?" Duena grimaced, and Mimi could tell that she didn't like Mama's control over whom they dated either.

Mimi snorted. "So Mama's the matchmaker in our lives."

Ramona murmured, "She might bring someone wonderful."

"Someone interesting-" Duena chimed in.

"And well off-"

"And important." Duena began to sing softly. "Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match; find me a find, catch me a catch. Matchmaker, matchmaker, look through your book; and make me a perfect match."

Ramona joined in song. "Matchmaker, matchmaker, I'll bring the veil; you bring the groom, slender and pale. Bring me a ring for I'm longing to be, the envy of all I see."

"For Papi, make him a scholar-"

"For Mama, make him rich as a king," Ramona finished.

In unison, they cried, "For me, well, I wouldn't holler, if he were as handsome as anything! Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match, find me a find, catch me a catch. Night after night I'm in the dark all alone, so find me a match of my own."

Mimi cocked an eyebrow at her twin sisters. Dramatically, she said, "Since when are you in a match, Ramona? I thought you had your eye on your books." Duena chuckled at Ramona's rising blush. "And you have your eye on Juan Romero."

Duena's eyed widened, and she smiled. "Well, why not? He has the nicest ass of all the boys at school, why shouldn't I want the best?"

This sent the Garcia sisters into a giggling fit. When they recovered minutes later, Mimi explained, "Because you're a girl from a poor family. So whatever Mama brings, you'll take, right? Of course right!"

Mimi leaped into the closet, and came out with a shawl over her shoulder in an imitation of their mother.

"Duena! Oh Duena, have I got a match for you! He's handsome, he's young! … Alright, he's sixty-two. But he's a nice man, a good catch, true? True. I promise you'll be happy, and even if you're not; there's more to life than that- don't ask me what."

"Ramona, I found him, won't you be a lucky bride! He's handsome, he's tall- that is, from side to side. But he's a nice man, a good catch, right? Right. You heard he has a temper, he'll beat you every night. But only when he's sober- so you're alright!"

The smile faded a bit on Mimi's face as she walked to her bed and sat down. "Did you think you'd get a prince? Well I do the best I can. With no dowry, no money, no family background, be glad you got a man!"

Ramona sat down next to Mimi. "Matchmaker, matchmaker, you know that I'm still very young. Please, take your time."

From across the room on her own bed, Duena sang, "Up to this minute, I misunderstood, that I could get stuck- for good!"

"Dear Mama, see that he's gentle, remember, you were also a bride. It's not that I'm sentimental," sang Duena and Ramona. Mimi joined in.

"It's just that I'm terrified!"

"Matchmaker, matchmaker, plan me no plans; I'm in no rush. Maybe I've learned playing with matches a girl can get burned- so bring me no ring; groom me no groom; find me no find; catch me no catch. Unless he's a matchless match!"

Leonor, who had been silently watching, sat up from her sprawled position on the bed. "José!"

Sure enough, the door handle jiggled, and a boy no older than a toddler tottered into the room. He yawned and plunked himself down on Duena's bed, beside Duena. "Estoy cansado…" He muttered, before he fell asleep.

The Garcia girls looked down at him, smiling. Leonor closed the door silently.

Endnote: Estoy cansado translates to 'I'm tired.' José is about four-five.I don't own the Matchmaker lyrics from Fiddler on the Roof. I hope you enjoyed it, reviews?

(I apologize for any grammar mistakes. It's 1:40 AM EST.)