Mercedes taped down the last box & readjusted the phone. "Well hurry up! The trucks will be here today!"
"Don't rush me, Mama! I do things in my own time!" Puck groaned.
"Your stuff is going to be left here! See if I care!"
"Alright! I hate packing. I still haven't unpacked all my stuff from California."
"Just think. You're not packing everything like we are. Our parents might be selling our house so we had to pack everything we own."
"Everything?"
"Everything. We spent the night in the attic, packing stuff."
"Do you have anything left?"
"Pictures & home movies. We decided we're going to go through them later. We have time but Marcy wants all her stuff out now. I don't know why. She's coming back."
He laughed. "I can't believe my family & I are getting on a plane to Italy tomorrow."
"Believe it. You're going to spend three days & two nights in your future home."
"If you like the place."
"We're going to like the place." She went to the bathroom to check her reflection. She'd left enough stuff in her room for a month's worth of living.
"Are we telling people we're moving?" He asked.
"Not yet. Why?"
"Because I want to tell Bubbie & Jake."
"Tell them. They're your family."
"What about Finn?"
"No! Finn cannot keep a secret!"
Puck refrained from mentioning the secret he was keeping quite well. "How long are you gon keep secrets from our friends?"
"A month."
"So you can drop them a line an ocean away & don't have to bother with them bein pissed at you for lyin?!"
"Maybe." She didn't want to cop to that but it was the truth. She exited her bathroom & sat on her sofa. All of it was going on the trucks.
"That's bad, Mama."
"I know. But I can't face them. Please don't make me."
She was using her baby voice on him. He groaned. "Don't pull that voice on me!"
"Please, No-No?"
"Alright!" He gave in. "I won't tell nothin!"
"Thank you! I promise I'll tell them before we move."
"Good. I want Finn to come visit us."
"I need Santana to come visit us. I'm going to miss that hot mess!"
"She's going to be lost without you."
"Are you packing?" She asked suspiciously.
"Yes! I'm packing! I'm packing!"
"Good. Because the trucks will be here soon."
"How's this going to work anyway?"
"I don't know. I just know that on Saturday, it'll be delivered." She also didn't care. As long as all of her stuff was delivered & not broken, chipped or scarred, she was fine in the dark.
"So we'll be staying with Mini Mama?"
"Yeah. Every family will have a room."
"She doesn't have beds, does she?"
"No. She has cots though. It's what she sleeps on."
"Cots! What kind of stuff is that?!"
"Poor stuff. She was trying to stretch a dollar."
"What do you know about stretching a dollar? You're rich."
"I know how to find deals. That's how you stay rich."
"Spoken like a rich person."
She giggled. "Don't be mad at me! I can't help having a trust fund!"
"I don't know why I didn't take you for a trust fund baby when you told me about you but it's just now hitting me."
"You're movin kinda slow, Puckerman."
"So I'll be meeting your family next week? Mind if I bring mine by?"
"Nice segue." She said dryly.
"Thanks. Can I? Bring my people through?"
"Sure. Three more people will blend right in."
"Four. Jake."
"I wasn't counting you. You won't blend in."
"Ouch! You like to hurt me!"
"It's funny."
He chuckled. "So where's Mini Mama?"
"At the Changs'. She's packing up Mal's room with Mike's help. He was done packing last night so he has time to help."
"How'd he get done packing so fast?"
"Like you, he's not taking everything he owns. Neither is Mal, who started packing earlier but never finished. They should be done by the time the trucks come."
"Why aren't they getting the "pack faster" speech?"
"Stop grumbling." She laughed.
"You don't like me. You can say it. It won't hurt my feelings."
"I don't like you."
He began sobbing dramatically. "I knew it!"
She laughed. "You're a fool!"
He chuckled. "Only for you, Mama."
"Is it because nobody else thinks you're funny?"
"That's not my fault. I've always told everyone I was hilarious."
"& they didn't believe you?!" She joked.
"No way! That's their loss though, Mama. People just can't see I'm fucking amazing."
"Stop cursing. I know you're the only one home but be a gentleman. Clean up your language."
"But I don't want to. I like cussin."
"I believe it." She deadpanned. "Let me tell you what happened last night at the store!"
"What does that have to do with me cussin?"
"Nothin. I just wanted to change the subject."
He was quiet before a snort filled the line followed by laughter.
"Shut up!"
"You are rude!"
She gasped. "I am not!"
"Yes, you are!" He continued laughing. "But it's okay. What happened at the store?"
"Okay, it was before we went to Bed, Bath & Beyond & we'd just finished writing down all we wanted. The cashier couldn't ring the stuff up so he got the manager, who was so cute! & we told him what was up. Guess what?!"
"What?!" He mocked.
"Marcy & Laura hit on him!"
It was quiet. "What?"
"Marcy & Laura hit on him!"
"I've never met Q's sister."
"She's kinda like me. Or I'm kinda like her. I'm kinda like her. She's proper, a lady & perfect."
"& she hit on a man?"
"& she's married!"
Puck fell out laughing.
"That's not funny! I've never seen her do that! Okay, I have but not in a long time."
"Mini Mama has a boyfriend. What is she doin?!"
"She actually has two. Apparently he's a Frenchman, who she met after one of her shows. She just forgot about him in the hoopla."
"She fucked 27 nuns & she's got two boyfriends? Your sister's a pimp!"
She giggled. "She is not! She just likes sex & has charm."
"Pimp!"
She rolled her eyes. She wouldn't get through to him. "Are you done packing?"
"Yeah. This is my last box."
"Good. I see the trucks."
"Are we going to have help?"
"Two men."
"It's Two Men & a Truck, isn't it?"
"No. I'm just counting. Four men."
"You're mocking me."
"There's six men outside. I am not mocking you." The doorbell rang. "I gotta go. I'll talk to you in a minute."
"Alright. Call me when they're on their way."
"Okay. Bye." She hung up & skipped down to the door before Marc. "Hello!"
The man in front smiled back. "Hi. We're here to move some stuff?"
"Everything with a sticker on it. The purple & green ones." She let them in.
The six burly men walked in & stood in the foyer. "Where to, little lady?"
"All the stuff in here but upstairs & to the right. The purple & green doors." She pointed.
"That's where the furniture is?" A third man asked.
"Yes." Mercedes texted Puck to let him know to mark his stuff with a red sticker. Then she texted Mike & Marcy to let them know the movers were there.
The six went upstairs & began bringing furniture down with Marc's help. Mercedes kept Ozzie out of the way & helped direct the flow of traffic.
It took a little while but they were finally done.
The first mover came up to Mercedes with a clipboard. "I need you to sign here. We're goin to the Changs' next, right?"
She scribbled her name where appropriate. "Yes. You just go up the street & take a left. Take a left on Fuller & it's ten houses down on the right."
"Thank you!" He was pleased with her directions. "Let's ride, boys!"
Marc came up to her as the men filed out. "You know Quinn's going to need an army for her stuff."
"Then go over there & help. I'll go to the Changs."
"Be careful walking over there." Marc headed out.
She sighed. Everyone acted like she needed help crossing the street. She was a grown woman!
Ozzie barked as if agreeing with her thoughts.
"Come on, Ozzie. I have to let you outside so you don't go stir crazy in here by yourself." She spoke in a baby voice to the dog.
He jumped & barked at her.
"Yeah. Come on." She led him to the backyard & opened the glass door. He shot out passed her & began digging by the big tree in the yard. She wondered if she should stop him but figured it wouldn't be their problem for much longer since they were getting rid of the house.
She shut the sliding door & went around locking the house down before going out the front door. She walked around to the Changs' & saw the movers immediately.
She walked up & saw Mike helping a man load up a desk into a truck. "Hi, baby!" She waved.
The man lifted a brow as Mike grinned. "Hey, baby."
The man chuckled. "Nice."
She put her hands on her hips as they disappeared from view. It was always like this. Every time a person learned about them, Mike got the compliment!
She rolled her eyes & went into the house to see Marcy coming out with a small box. "Hey! Love the outfit!"
Marcy stopped in surprise & looked down at what she was wearing; a blue tee that had a picture of a muffin & a mirror with the words Muffins are just ugly Cupcakes, a pair of jean shorts, a blue plaid button up & a pair of calf high boots. "Thanks. You too."
Mercedes smiled as she posed. She was wearing dark purple capris with zippers going down the legs & a black silk shirt that had zippers going down the sleeves. "Thank you. Thank you."
"Are you going to be putting stuff on the trucks?"
"Uh… I could."
"Could you watch the twins?"
"Oh! Yeah. Where are they?"
"In the way."
Mercedes laughed & went in the house. She went upstairs, taking care to stay out of the way. She went to Mal's room first & saw the cutest thing. Mally was trying to help by pushing a box he couldn't pick up but it wasn't moving.
A mover put him out of his misery by picking up the light box. "Let me help you out, little man."
Mally pouted & folded his arms across his little chest.
Mercedes held in her giggles & went to him, picking him up. She hugged him to her chest. "Are you okay?"
Mally hid his face. "Box."
She kissed his chubby cheek. "I know. How about I find something for you to carry?"
He brightened & sat up in her arms. "Okay."
"Where's Sissy?" She went throughout the room looking for something but everything was too big for him to carry.
Mally pointed to the door so she left & went to Mike's room. Mickey was in there alright. She was waving to every mover that came through.
Mercedes burst out laughing as a mover patted Mickey on the head & walked out.
Mickey beamed.
"What are you doing?" Mercedes continued grinning as she went to the little girl.
"Hi!" Mickey wrapped her arms around Mercedes's leg.
"What are they doing?" Mike's voice came from the door.
Mercedes turned. "He's trying to help & she's the welcoming committee."
He snorted. "I got something for you."
She came to attention. "What is it?"
"Guess." He came closer.
"You know I hate guessing games." She pouted.
"Come on. Just guess." He stood in front of her.
She huffed. "A new dog?"
"Nope." He pressed his lips to hers.
"A diamond bracelet?"
"Nope." He grinned as he kissed her again.
"A car?"
"Nope." Again he kissed her.
"I don't wanna play this game. What did you buy me?"
"Who said I bought it?"
"You stole it?!" She gasped.
He laughed. "No!"
"You made it!"
"Actually I bought it."
She couldn't slap him because she had her arms around Mally but she could glare. & did so with pleasure. "You're nerve-wracking."
He grinned. "Okay, close your eyes."
She shut her lids immediately & wiggled. She loved surprises!
He chuckled to himself as he went to a shelf & got the bag from the jewelry store. He took the box out & came back. He brushed the crushed felt against her skin & watched her freak out.
She almost dropped Mally, she flipped out so badly. "Ah!"
He burst out laughing.
She put Mally down just so she could slap at him. "That wasn't funny! What was that?!"
He tried to defend himself but he was laughing too hard to do anything but get hit. "Calm down! It was a box!"
She pushed her hair out of her face as she tried to slow her racing heartbeat. "Why would you do that?!"
"I thought it'd be funny. I was right."
She glowered at him. "It was not!"
"So you don't want your present?"
She snatched the box from his outstretched hand. "I deserve it after all that!" She opened the box & her mouth fell open as her eyes grew wide. "Mike!"
"Happy Thursday, baby!" He pressed a quick kiss to her mouth before she hit him again.
She lifted out the daisy & put it around her neck. She held the pendant in her hand. "It's so beautiful! Thank you so much! You didn't have to do this!"
"I saw it & I knew it belonged to you."
She wrapped her arms around his neck & pressed kisses to his face. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
"Ugh! Gag me with a spoon. Not in front of my kids please!" Marcy was leaning against the doorway.
Mercedes backed away to glare at her. "Your kids need to see love!"
"They don't need to throw up." Marcy came inside. "What caused such an outpour of grossness?"
"Look what Sonny gave me!" Mercedes was happy to show it off.
Marcy saw it. "That's nice. Good work, Mikey."
"Thank you. Now I need to finish helping cuz Quinn's room is going to take the longest." Mike walked out.
"He's not wrong." Marcy took one last look at the pendant before looking down at her grinning children. "Come on, guys. Let's go watch Little Einsteins."
The duo cheered as they followed her out.
Mercedes decided to go down to the kitchen & make the movers a pitcher of tea or lemonade or something for all their hard work.
"Take a look around" She sang under her breath. "Can you hear me" She found a pitcher & filled it with water & ice. Then she filled it with lemon juice & lime juice. She added sugar & stirred.
"Get the rhythm into your soul." She tasted it to make sure it wasn't too sweet, watery or tart. It was perfect so she added slices of lemon & lime. "Let the music take you. No matter what we'll still be singing."
She found little Dixie cups & a tray so she put the cups & pitcher on the tray & went to the front door.
A mover was coming inside. "Do you want a cup of lemonade?"
He blinked in surprise before smiling. "Sure. Thank you." He poured himself a cup. He took a sip. "This is good."
"Thank you!"
Another mover came in. "Why are you just standing in the way?"
"I'm drinking lemonade!" The first mover snapped. "This nice young lady made it."
"Ooh, I want lemonade." He shoved his coworker out of the way & poured himself a cup. "Ah! Refreshing!"
"Come on, guys! What's the hold up?!" A mover held a box in his hands as he came down the stairs carefully.
"Lemonade." They replied in unison.
He rolled his eyes. "Take a break after. We're almost done here."
"Fine." The second mover groaned. He set his cup on the tray & headed upstairs.
The first mover did the same as he winked at Mercedes, who smiled. She moved out of the way so the third mover could go outside.
Marcy came into the foyer. "Hey. You made lemonade?"
"Yeah. I figured they might be thirsty. It's kinda hot out."
"It is. What's that about?" Marcy bit her lip.
"I don't know but it's still nice. Not as hot as LA would be."
"I can't do the South." Marcy waved a hand.
"It was so weird that there was no snow on New Year's. I felt so lost & messed up."
"Why wasn't there any snow? Did you have a green Christmas?"
"No. I was in LA on New Year's. I thought I told you?"
"Nope."
"Oh. Well we didn't go home after Christmas."
"No wonder Mad's bent out of shape. But I have an idea. Something that she'll really like."
"Really? When'd you have time to think of that?"
"When we were in the attic last night. Looking through all our old toys."
"You want to give her toys?"
"What? No. Where'd you-? No."
Mercedes chuckled at her lost expression. "It was an understandable leap."
"Sure." Marcy mocked. "Are you going to go over to Quinn's to help her?"
"Nah. With six movers & Marc, that'll be enough."
"Mikey might go, too."
"Yeah, they don't need us in the way."
"Want to go out to lunch?"
"Sure. Where will we go?"
"Sally's." Marcy lifted a shoulder as if it should have been common knowledge.
"Cool. We can get milkshakes & not tell Daddy."
Marcy laughed. "You still do that?"
"Not in years but it's about time."
"You still stick to the diet even though you're an adult?"
"Don't you?"
"I don't know any other way to be. But I do not eat Brussel sprouts anymore!"
"So gross!" Mercedes shuddered. "I don't either. It's a lot of stuff, I cut out."
"I don't eat squash either." Marcy stuck her tongue out.
"I eat squash every once in a while. I ate at school so it was hard to continue healthy living but I still didn't eat junk."
"I don't eat much junk either." Marcy said as if it made her sad. "I gotta do that."
Mercedes giggled. "We'll do it soon if Momma has her way."
Two movers came inside. "We're all done here. We just need a signature."
Marcy took the clipboard & scrawled her name. "You're going to the Fabrays next. Two streets over. That way."
"Thanks." One mover poured himself a cup of lemonade. "This is pretty good."
"Thank you." Mercedes smiled.
Mike came in. "You made lemonade."
"I did. Want some? They think it's pretty good." She enticed.
He poured himself a cup. "Yeah. It is good. That's not just lemon though."
"It's also lime."
"Nice." He drank the rest of his cup then kissed her cheek. "They're about to leave so I'm going to go help out. You know Q has a million boxes."
"If she's even done packing." Marcy threw in.
"Don't say that!" He groaned.
"It is a possibility." Mercedes said.
He breathed deeply. "Okay. Let's do this."
M&MC
Puck opened the door. "Sup?"
The first guy held out a hand. "We're your movers."
"Okay. Go upstairs, it's the only open door." Puck pointed. He let the six men in.
They filed in & went upstairs. He left the door open & followed behind. He'd done what Mercedes said & marked his things with a bright red sticker. Once he got up the steps, movers were coming out with boxes.
It'd taken most of the night (& an hour after he'd gotten up) but he packed up most of his room. His mother told him that she'd gotten him a bed so he didn't need to bring his own. But he was taking most everything else. He didn't have much stuff. He was a guy.
It took literally fifteen minutes to get all his things on the trucks.
"Sign here." A mover shoved a clipboard in his face.
He took it & signed his name before giving it back. "That it?"
"Yep. See ya." He waved as the guys left.
Puck shut the door. Now that he'd done all he needed to for the day, he was bored. Actually he was bored beforehand waiting on them but he was especially bored now.
He wanted to call Mercedes but he already talked to her that day & would be seeing her soon anyway. He decided to call Finn.
M&MC
"& why are we here?" Mercedes asked as she held the door open.
"& I hear people talk."
"Don't sing. Tell me why we're here."
"I don't even care." Marcy grinned. "Okay, we're here because I have another idea. I got it after I saw your necklace."
"What is it?" Mally lifted his arms so Mercedes picked him up.
"Getting Maddie a charm bracelet with all of our signs. So she feels connected to us whenever she wears it."
Mercedes grinned. "That makes a lot of sense. That's a great idea."
"Thank you!" Marcy picked up the fussy Mickey. "What's wrong with you, girl?"
Mickey, who'd just wanted to be held, buried her face in her mom's neck. "Mommy."
Marcy kissed her cheek then wiped off the faint lipstick stain that appeared. They walked to a counter & waited for someone to assist them.
"I see you're wearing your new watch Daddy got you." Mercedes noted as she looked over jewels in the case.
Marcy switched Mickey to her hip & put her free arm up so she could see her wrist & the watch on it. "I like it. I don't know why he got me a watch. He knows I can't tell time."
"He must have forgotten." She shrugged. "I'm thinking of getting a watch. The one Laura gave me was smashed in a door at school. I was so hurt & I haven't had the heart to tell her."
"Yikes! How'd that happen?"
"I don't know. I think it was because there was a crush to get in the doors. I was pushed in & I just heard this cracking sound." It hurt Mercedes greatly that the watch was ruined.
"Does it need new glass or it is like completely wrecked?" Marcy found something she really liked.
"It looks completely wrecked but it might just need new glass. I'm going to see when I get home. I haven't thrown it away."
"Cool." Marcy said as a man walked over.
His name tag read Stuart. "Hello. How may I help you ladies today?"
"Hey, Stuart." Marcy read his shirt. "I would like to buy a charm bracelet."
Stuart looked at the child in her arms before looking at her curiously. "You would?"
"Yes. I'd like for it to have ten charms."
He flicked his gaze to Mercedes & saw her necklace. "That's a beautiful necklace."
"Thank you! My boyfriend gave it to me." Mercedes smiled.
"What type of bracelet would you like?" Stuart spread his hands wide. "We have several different options."
"Can we see them?"
"Sure." He went to the case & brought over several different chains.
"Okay, I like that one. What do you think, Mercy?" Marcy looked at her sister.
"She likes gold so as long as it's that, I'm sure she'll be fine." Mercedes looked between the links.
"Don't you want her to stop being mad at you?"
"Yes but we have no idea which chain she'll actually like."
"I say this one." Marcy pointed.
"It's nice." Mercedes poked it.
"We'll take this one." Marcy picked it up. "Do you have zodiac sign charms? & initials?"
"Yes, we do." Stuart answered.
"Okay, I'd like two Gemini signs, three Leo signs, one Virgo sign, one Libra sign & one Capricorn sign. Then I'd like the letters M & C."
"I can do that. Gold, yes?"
"Yes."
"We have a few choices for letters. Would you like for me to bring them out?"
"Yes, please."
Stuart took the chains away & went to another case. He grabbed all the zodiac charms then picked up the letters he wanted to show. He came back & set the letters on the glass.
"Ooh! I like these!" Mercedes said immediately as she spied script letters with diamonds.
"Then she'll like them." The M had a diamond at every end while the C had three diamonds in the thickest part of the curve. "We'll take these."
"Okay." Stuart set the M & C aside with the zodiac charms & put the rest back. He went to attach the charms to the bracelet then put it in a gift box. "Would you like a note inside?"
"No thank you." Marcy said.
He stuffed the box in a bag & set it on the counter. "Would that be cash, credit or check?"
"Debit." Marcy set Mickey down so she could get her wallet out of her purse. She opened the blue clutch & slid her bank card out then handed it to him.
He took it & ran it through the machine. It made a few noises before showing that it went through. A receipt printed out & he ripped it off, giving it to her with her card. "Thank you for shopping & please come again."
Marcy put her bank card away & stuffed her wallet & receipt in her purse before picking up Mickey & the bag. "Thanks."
Mercedes smiled at him as she turned to leave with her sister. "Thank you for all your help."
Stuart waved. "You're welcome."
Marcy & Mercedes walked out & to Travis. They buckled the twins in then got in the front. Marcy exited the parking lot & drove to William McKinley high school.
"At least she'll forgive you."
Marcy raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"You bought her that bracelet. She's bound to forgive you but what about the rest of us?"
"Uh… no. That bracelet is from all of us. You six are paying me back."
Mercedes laughed. "Should have known."
"You really should have."
"So what's your idea on what to do or is this it now?"
"Oh no. We still should do my idea."
"Well what is it?"
M&MC
"You want something." Marcy watched Mal as their waitress walked away.
Mal flicked his gaze to her before looking to the twins, who were happily coloring on their placemats. "Why would I want something?"
"Because instead of going to one another's houses for dinner, you wanted to come to Sally's. Why?"
"Maybe I just wanted to eat as a family on our own?"
She raised a brow. "I was born at night, not last night."
He smiled. "I love how skeptical you are."
"I dislike how evasive you're being."
"Can't you just have a good time?"
"You have a surprise for me." She guessed.
"You're going to ruin your appetite being so anti-fun."
"You know I hate surprises."
"I have something for you & no, it is not a surprise."
"Then give it & stop playing."
"I have two somethings. I'll give you one to make you stop fussing. You'll get the other one when you lighten up."
She had serious flack for what he said but wanted her gift. She held her hand out.
He gave her a gift box.
She recognized the box & grinned to herself. She opened it & laughed out loud. It was a charm bracelet!
"What's so funny?"
"I bought a charm bracelet today."
His jaw dropped. "What?"
"Yeah. I had the idea to buy Maddie a bracelet of all our signs so she'd feel close to us whenever she wore it. Mercy went with me. It was like two hours ago."
He laughed. "Great minds think alike, I guess."
She took the bracelet out & let him affix it to her free wrist. "Why did you buy me a charm bracelet? Want forgiveness?"
"This is a push gift." He explained.
She took her hand back. "A push gift?"
"You know? For pushing them out?"
"I know what a push present is." She sat back & folded her arms.
He was taken aback by her attitude. "You don't like it?"
She held her wrist out. "It's very beautiful."
"But you don't like it."
She rolled her eyes. "I like it."
"Then what's up? You act like I spit in your tea."
"If you don't know, I'm not going to tell you."
He leaned back. "You're not that kinda girl!"
She rolled her eyes again. "If I tell you; that defeats the purpose."
He groaned. "Can we go back to when you were making sense?"
"Why are you such a boy?"
"Since when are you such a girl?"
She glared. "I've always been a girl."
"You've always been you. You're amazing. I don't get you sometimes."
"Ditto." She refolded her arms & looked away.
This was not how he saw this going. He sighed. "I'm sorry. For whatever I did. Can we just move passed this?"
She stared at him before sighing. "Fine."
"I mean actually move passed it. Not you being all quiet & moody the entire time we're here."
"Moody?!"
"Just a word!" He held up his hands.
"I think this was a bad idea. I'm not even hungry."
"Why are we fighting?"
"We're not fighting. I'm just tired." She lied.
"No, you're not."
"Yeah, I am."
"You just want to get as far away from me as possible."
She hated that he knew her so well. It was really irritating. "You don't know everything."
"I know you." He took her hand & kissed it.
She tugged her hand back but he wouldn't give it up. "You don't know anything. I've changed!"
"You're still the little girl with long curly pigtails that used to hold my hand when we walked. Even though you hate holding hands."
"You're making me hold your hand."
He lifted her hand. "If you really wanted your hand back, there'd be an outline of it on my face."
"Stop making me sound so violent!"
His lips twitched. "You are violent & I love that about you."
"What does that say about you?"
"I'm messed up. You know that. My mom took me to get tested on Tuesday. She took Maddie, too. I am just as crazy as you."
She smirked. "Just? I doubt that. Wait a minute. No, I don't."
He squeezed her hand. "Watch it, little one."
"Or what? You're going to go crazy on me? I'm so scared." She grinned.
He pulled her by her hand & leaned in. "You better be."
She gave in & kissed him. "I'm shakin in my boots."
"Look like ya kissin in your boots, sugar." They broke apart to see the diner's owner, Mabel smiling at them.
"Ms. Mabel!" Marcy exclaimed. "It is so good to see you! Lookin finer every day!"
Mabel blushed & waved a hand. "Stop all that! You & your brother are goin to give me hope!"
"You know you're like catnip to us. Rockin that blue hair, I see."
Mabel smiled. "I decided to dye it. What do you think?"
Marcy grinned & winked at her.
"I haven't seen you in here in so long! Where you been?!" Mabel put her hands on her hips.
"Away." Marcy didn't want to get into it. "Say hello to my-"
"Our." Mal corrected.
"Children. Mally. Mickey." Marcy took her hand from Mal & pinched Mally's cheek.
He squealed & set his chin on the table.
Mabel could have been knocked over with a feather. "Children?!"
"This is Mickey." Mal pulled the little girl from her drawing & put her in his lap. "Say hi, Mick."
Mickey waved before burying her face in her dad's neck.
"This is Mally." Marcy said as the baby stood on the booth & walked to his mother's side. He leaned over her to try to touch Mabel.
"Oh! They're so cute!" Mabel squeaked. "How are babies havin babies?!"
"Just a side effect of tryin to be grown." Marcy joked.
"How old are they?"
"17 months."
"They're precious! Why haven't you brought them in before now?! I want to see them!"
"I did but you weren't here."
"You should have told one of these knuckleheads to call me at home! I don't like to miss no babies!"
"We'll come in more." Mal promised.
"You better. I saw you & had to come over but I'm glad I did. You, Missy, changed your hair color & didn't tell nobody!"
Marcy smiled. "It was time for a change."
"I understand."
"Excuse me, Ms. Mabel." A waitress came by with plates.
Mabel moved out of the way & let her set them on the table. "You need something more than a salad, girl!"
"I like this salad." Marcy was slightly offended.
"You're wastin away."
"I'm healthy."
"Mm hmm. Well come back any time & I'll love to see the babies."
"We will." Marcy set Mally down so he could eat.
Mabel walked away & the waitress finished setting the rest of the plates down. "If there's anything else you need, I'll be here."
Both Mal & Marcy murmured their thanks as she walked away. Mal put Mickey on the bench so she could eat.
"You are going to order something else, aren't you?"
"Mal!"
"I'm just saying. I like that you like food. Watching you eat like a bird is uncomfortable."
"One, I always eat like this. & two, shut up."
He grinned. "You couldn't have eaten like this."
"This is my favorite salad."
"There's nothing on the plate!"
"I'm going to stab you."
"Let's see what we can get Mommy to eat so she doesn't scare Daddy." He turned to Mickey.
"Don't tell her that!" She snatched the menu from him.
"Just order something. Anything."
She sighed before flagging down their waitress. "Can I have an order of fries?"
"Sure thing, sweetie." She walked off to put the order in.
Marcy looked at Mal with a lifted brow. "Happy?"
"Completely."
M&MC
Rose heard the front door open. "Okay! She's home! Go to the kitchen!"
"Momma, what are we even doing?" Marc protested as he got up.
"Bonding!" She shooed him off before going to the front hall. "Marcy!"
Marcy flinched as she stopped walking upstairs. She turned around slowly. "Yes?"
"Please come into the kitchen. We are having family fun time." Rose said primly.
"I'm really tired & the kids are sleepy." Marcy was wide awake.
"Put them to bed & come down. I want us to have family time."
"Lucky them." Marcy rolled her eyes as she went upstairs.
Rose sighed. That child was making it hard to get in her good graces. She went into the kitchen & saw Marcus, Marc & Mercedes sitting around the table. "Good. You're here. She's going to put the twins down then she's coming down."
"What is this family bonding you're so into?" Marcus demanded.
"You'll see." Rose responded brightly. Another person making her jump through hoops. "So! Mercy, how is your glee club doing?"
Mercedes blinked. "Um… they're getting ready for Nationals. They have stiff competition but we've been the underdogs before."
"How's your relationship with Sonny? We haven't talked about that yet."
"Oh! It's really good. He even bought me this." Mercedes held up her pendant.
"How precious!" Rose touched the stones making up a petal. "He has good taste. I'm proud of him."
"He said it was because I'm such a good girlfriend." Mercedes had a goofy smile on her face.
"He turned out so good. I really thought he would make it with that friend of yours though."
"Momma!" Mercedes looked at her as if she'd grown another head.
"I did." Rose shrugged. "But I'm glad it didn't. You're happy. Right? You are happy?"
"Yes, I'm happy." Mercedes forgot her mother had a habit of saying the wrong things. It was a byproduct of her upbringing but also the language barrier.
"Good. Marc? How do you feel to be graduating college?"
Marc raised an eyebrow. He'd checked out of this conversation a long time ago. "Feels good, I guess."
"Just good? I was thrilled to graduate college!"
"Happy to be out of school for a little bit but I'm going to go to graduate school. Doesn't feel all that different from graduating high school."
"Speaking of." Marcus said. "What school are you going to go to?"
"Oxford."
"Good choice."
"When are you going to be moving?" Rose asked.
"In a couple weeks. There's no rush. Is there?" Marc spread his hands out.
"No! None."
"Joey's flatmate needs to find somewhere to live first. Then I'll arrange to have my stuff shipped. I know I hate packing. I still have a ways to go. I don't know how you guys packed everything in two days."
Mercedes grinned. "General Marcy. We went through her room packing stuff & I liked the way she was doing it so I copied it."
"How'd she pack?"
"Efficiently." She chuckled.
"What about Sonny & Jr.? They couldn't have been easy to pack in two days."
"They're not bringing much stuff. Neither is Puck. They were the easy ones to put on the trucks."
"Quinn was not. She had so many boxes, I thought my arms were gonna fall off."
She giggled. "I'm sorry. She's really bringing everything."
"I saw!"
"Did you help Laura pack?" She asked slyly.
"No."
"You should have helped her."
"She's fine."
"I knew you thought so!"
"Hey! That's a Marcy thing! Stop it!"
She laughed. "I can't help it that my little sister rubs off on me."
"She's my little sister, too & she has not rubbed off on me."
"Sure. This grudge you have with Laura is something she would do."
"I don't have a grudge against Laura. I don't know why you all keep saying that!"
"No one thinks you have a grudge against Laura." Rose soothed.
"I do." Marcus put in.
"Dad!" Marc was aghast.
"You treat Cupcake terribly."
Marc sulked.
Mercedes pursed her lips to keep from laughing. "She says she has something else to tell us but she's going to wait until we're in Milan."
"Whoopee."
She bit her bottom lip. "Marcy has a way for Maddie to stop being mad at us."
"Something I want to hear." He sat up.
"Well we have to chip in for a bracelet."
"What kind of bracelet?"
"A charm bracelet. She already bought it. It's gold & has all our signs on it with her initials. It's really pretty."
"That sounds lovely." Rose said. "Why a charm bracelet with your signs?"
"So whenever she wants to feel connected to us, she can put in on."
"Such a lovely thought. Your sister was always a deep thinker."
Mercedes smiled. "Yep. She also has another idea. To make it really personal."
"What?" Marc was interested.
"We all give her something that reminds her of us. You know how Marcy takes Michelangelo everywhere with her?"
"Yeah?" Marc shrugged.
"It reminds her of Mikey. So the gifts will be like that. I already picked out what I want to give her. She'll love it."
"Who else knows about it?"
"I told Mikey & Quinn. I don't know about Jr. & Lady."
"It is a good idea, I guess."
"Why do you guess? I think it's an amazing idea." Rose wondered.
"I don't know what to- nope! I got it! I know exactly what to give her! When are we doing this?"
"She thinks we should do it tomorrow. On the plane to Italy. That way she's trapped & has to listen to us."
Marc chuckled. "That girl is always thinkin."
"What girl?" Came from the doorway.
"You." Marcus told Marcy.
Marcy walked in & took a seat between her siblings. "I try."
Mercedes looked at her chest. "What is that?"
Marcy leaned back. "Mal gave it to me. It's a moon."
Mercedes grinned as she reached for it. "It is because you're a great girlfriend?"
"It's because I pushed out two of his kids."
Mercedes pursed her lips. "Why must you say it like that?"
"It's a push present. How else am I supposed to say it?"
"That he thought you deserved something beautiful that paled in comparison to the beautiful miracle that you bestowed upon him a year & a half ago."
"You always were good with words." Rose smiled.
"Sounded like bulls-"
"Hey!"
Marcy rolled her eyes. "I was gonna say bullSPIT."
Marc laughed. "She was always on about those fancy words."
"You never appreciated my words." Mercedes flipped her hair at her siblings.
"Hard to appreciate fluffy crap." Marcy raised a brow.
"It's not crap!"
"All that flowery junk about love & beauty & all that nonsense? It's total crap."
"You're so pessimistic!"
"Am not! I'm realistic!"
"You're the person at a wedding wearing black for mourning!"
"I'd totally do that." Marcy grinned.
"That's not a good thing, Marcy." Rose intoned.
"Why are we here?" Marcy asked.
Rose took a deep breath. "Remember how I said I bought a bunch of stuff? Well I did. A bunch of stuff for us to try as a family!"
"Why?" Marcy didn't get it.
"Bonding."
"Why?" This time Marcus asked.
"Because we've lost what it means to be a family. We used to do things together all the time. Now we hardly see each other."
Mercedes chewed on her bottom lip. "What are we trying?"
Rose brightened. Mercedes was always her most accommodating child. "Oreos!"
"Oreos?" Mercedes was confused as all outdoors.
"Yes. You know what Oreos are, don't you?"
"Yeah but why are we eating them?" Marc wanted to know.
"We're trying them." Rose got up & went to get the five packs. She brought them back to the table & gave them each one. "Marc, you have coffee flavored. Mercy, you have mint flavored. Marcy, you have birthday cake flavored. Marcus, you have original & I have golden. We can share but I just want us to try an Oreo."
Everyone traded until they had five of each cookie in front of them. They looked at each other.
"Who's going to go first?" Marcy asked.
"We should have milk for this." Rose decided.
"We shouldn't be eating this." Marcus fussed as she got up to grab the gallon of milk. "Do you have any idea how much sugar is in here? We'll be up for days!"
Rose rolled her eyes hard. "We'll be fine." She came back with five glasses of milk & handed them out before taking her seat. "Now. Let's try the original first."
They all picked up the black cookie & bit into it. They chewed & swallowed.
Rose licked her lips to catch the fallen crumbs. "What do you think?"
"It's sweet." Marcy said.
Marcus glared at Rose. "It's the sugar!"
"I like it." Mercedes had been inspecting her cookie. "It doesn't taste like the cookies in Cookies 'n Cream ice cream."
"It's a cookie." Marc shrugged.
"What are you doing?" Marcus stared at his youngest as she dipped the rest of her cookie in her glass of milk & swirled it around.
"I've seen it on TV." She lifted a shoulder before biting into the newly softened cookie. "Better."
Rose smiled. "Let's try the mint one now."
"I don't like mint flavored stuff. Tastes like rogue toothpaste."
"Remember to brush your teeth after this." Marcus warned.
"We will." Mercedes said obediently. "I'll take your cookie, Marcy."
Marcy gave it up as the others tried it.
Marc made a face & dropped the rest of the cookie. "Ugh! She's right! That's Colgate sandwiched between two cookies!"
Mercedes pouted. "I like it."
Marcus shrugged. "Me too."
Rose shook her head. She didn't care for the cookie either. "That's not good."
"I need another cookie to take the taste out of my mouth!" Marc picked up the Oreo with coffee flavored crème. He bit into it then finished it off. "I like it."
"I don't do coffee flavored junk either. If it's not coffee flavored coffee, I don't wanna hear it." Marcy handed Mercedes her cookie.
Mercedes bit into it then spit it back out. "Ugh! That's awful!"
Marcus bit into his cookie. "I like this one!"
Rose ate hers. "It's okay. Not my favorite but not the worst."
Marcy picked up the golden Oreo. She bit into it then ate the rest. "It's okay."
Mercedes & Marc ate theirs. Only Marc liked it. Rose & Marcus ate theirs. Both liked it.
Marcy swirled her birthday cake Oreo in her milk before biting into it. "I really like this one."
"Too sweet." Marcus didn't like his.
"It's whatever." Marc didn't care.
"I like it." Rose finished hers.
"Me too." Mercedes planned on begging for another one.
"Is this it? Oreos?" Marc asked.
"No. I also have Doritos." Rose stood up & went to get the five bags. She handed them out. "I have taco. Marcus, you have some weird Jalapeño fusion thing. Marc, you have spicy. Mercy, you have cool ranch. & Marcy, you have original."
They each opened the bags & took out a chip. They ate it.
"Wow!" Mercedes now knew why Sam couldn't stay away from them years ago. They were addictive!
"Cheesy." Marcy took out another chip & licked it before eating it.
Marc nodded as he ate another chip. "I like these."
"Def. a flavor." Marcus tried another chip as well.
"Would anyone like to try the taco?" Rose offered. "They're good."
They all declined, too into their own bags to explore.
Rose wasn't sure if this was true bonding but they were together & they weren't fighting. It was a win in her book.
M&MC
Mercedes knocked on Marcy's door before coming in anyway. "How do you feel about being valedictorian?"
"Good morning to you, too." Marcy finished buckling her heels.
"You look nice!" Mercedes didn't know why she was shocked.
Marcy was wearing a flowing sleeveless dress with a plunging neckline in the front & back. Its burnt orange coloring looked good against her red skin. She wore white three inch heels with a strap across the ankle & a covered round toe. The dress was cinched at the waist with a russet belt. Her hair was down & pulled back to her back with a flower hair pin on the left side. She was also wearing her moon necklace & charm bracelet.
"Thank you. You do, too."
Mercedes was wearing a black peplum shirt with short ruffled sleeves & a pastel flower skirt that ended at her knees. She was wearing red bottomed heels. She wore her daisy necklace & her hair was in big curls.
"Are the kids ready?"
"I got them ready first & let them go back to sleep." Marcy went to the bathroom to finish putting on her makeup. She outlined her mouth in pink then dotted on a similar shade in lipstick. She added orange lip-gloss & smacked her lips twice.
"I like your earrings. They're so you."
Marcy raised a brow at that. "It's a safety pin & a screw."
"That's you. Different."
Marcy touched her left ear, where the safety pin was. She liked to make her own earrings because she liked edgy styles. She usually left her second & third holes in diamond studs & experimented with the first holes. "I'm taking it as a compliment."
"It was one!"
"Okay!" Marcy came from the bathroom & threw her makeup in her makeup bag then put it in her purse. "We should be leaving soon."
"I'll go see if Marc is up." Mercedes left the room to go knock on Marc's door. She opened the door to find him on his computer. "Hey?"
"Hey." He turned around. "Is it time to go?"
"Almost."
"Are the kids ready?"
"Yeah but they're asleep. Wanna wake them up with me?"
"Maybe we should just let them sleep? You hold Mally & I'll grab Mickey." He shut down his computer & shut it before standing up & grabbing his bag & coat.
Mercedes led him to the guest bedroom, where they each picked up a kid. Marcy met them in the hallway. "You guys put them in the car. In the way back. I'm going to pack some stuff for them."
"I need the keys." Marc held out his hand. They were taking Travis to the airport.
Marcy gave them to him before they all went down the stairs & out the house. Marcy opened the trunk so they could put their stuff in the trunk.
"I need to grab my bags." Mercedes said.
"Okay." Marcy put her purse in the front seat & plugged her phone into the car's system & put on a song.
Mercedes went inside & grabbed her purse & overnight bag. She put a leash on Ozzie & woke him up. "Come on, baby. We're going to go for a ride." She brought him downstairs & put him & her bags in the car.
Marcy, who'd gotten some snacks for the kids, ran into her father on the way out to the car. "We're going to be late picking up the Puckermans, Daddy."
He fiddled with his tie. "I can't get this! Where is your mother? She always does this for me."
Marcy fixed his tie. "Go find her. We need to go."
"You find her. I'll put our bags in the car." He picked up the suitcases by the door.
Marcy hated to do this but they were in a hurry. She ran upstairs & to her parents' bedroom. She knocked on the door. "Are you ready?! We have to go!"
"Yes! I'm just putting on my shoes! I actually need help!"
Marcy groaned before going inside. She went to the closet where Rose was & sank to her knees to buckle the heels her mother was wearing. She popped up to go but Rose caught her hand.
"Wait! Let me look at you."
"We don't have time for this."
"I just want to look at you. You look really nice."
Marcy blinked.
"I don't know where you got your punctuality from. Your father's late for everything."
Marcy smirked. "He really is."
Rose was thrilled for the crooked grin. She stood up & grabbed her coat & purse.
Marcy, happy they could leave, nearly sprinted from the room. She sped downstairs & out to the car.
Marcus was leaning against the car. "Are you sure you don't want me to drive?"
"Positive, Daddy." Marcus had been trying to convince her to let him drive since the night before.
Marcus sighed as Rose locked the house up & came to the drive. "If you're sure."
"I am."
"I want to ride up front with you." Rose put in the request.
"Can we get moving?" Marcy went to the driver's side & got in. "We're going to be late."
Marcus & Rose got in & she was finally able to pull out of the drive. She headed to Alan's so he could watch Ozzie for the weekend. She made him promise to actually look after the dog.
Then she drove to Puck's house.
She honked twice. "Did you call him, Mercy?"
"I texted him. He said they were ready." Mercedes said.
The front door opened & Puck was pushing his mother & sister out. He locked the door behind himself & dragged them to the car.
Marcy popped the trunk. He put their bags in it as Nadine & Nic got in the car. Everyone greeted each other before Puck finally got in. "How's everyone's morning?"
Good was tossed around as Marcy pulled off. She drove to the airport & parked. They all got out & collected their bags before going inside to their gate.
"I can't believe we're here first." Puck sat down.
"Me either. Where are the Changs'?" Mercedes sat next to him.
"Marcy just had to be early." Marc joked.
"Give me my children." She set their bags down.
He gave her Mickey. "She's still sleeping."
"She will be until we're in the air."
The Changs walked up. Mal immediately took Mally from Mercedes & sat next to Marcy.
"How are you feeling?" Jeanette cooed to Marc. "Are you nervous?"
"It's just a speech, Mrs. C." Marc stretched out in a seat.
"But you're saledictorian."
"I know. I miss one class & they give my spot away."
"You'll be first in your class at Oxford." Marcus assured him.
"Oh. Going to Oxford. Good lad." Michael slapped his back.
Mike, who'd taken up residence by his girlfriend, nodded. "That's amazing, Marc."
"Thanks." Marc folded his hands behind his head.
They spoke amongst themselves as they waited for their flight to be called. The Fabrays hurried over.
"Sorry we're late but some people can't tell time." Laura huffed.
"I overslept! Sue me!" Quinn crossed her arms as she went to sit by Puck.
"I wish I could." Laura sat by Rose & crossed her legs.
"Please don't fight." Judy was exhausted from listening to the two of them snipe. "This is MarcD & MarcAn's big day."
"Fine. I'll be the mature adult. As always."
Quinn wanted to retort but it would make her seem childish by comparison. She hated that. "How are you this morning, Mikey?"
Mike chuckled. "Better than you, it seems."
"She's so bossy!"
"If you're waiting on me to deny it, you'll be waiting a while."
"Stop it, you two." Mercedes squeezed his hand. "Laura's a good big sister."
"To you." Both rolled their eyes.
Puck chuckled. "She can't be that bad."
"She thinks she knows everything just because she's oldest. It just makes her old." Mike said.
"She's forever telling you what to do." Quinn added.
Mercedes sucked her breath. "Maybe if you two wouldn't fight with her so much, she wouldn't seem so bossy?"
"We all know she's bossier than an actual boss. You just won't admit it." Mike bopped her nose.
She was saved from answering as their flight was called.
Mike grinned. "We win."
M&MC
"Where did you get that lovely necklace?" Laura asked.
"Jr." Marcy looked around. "I think it's this way."
"How did we let the person who's bad at directions lead us?" Marc wanted to know.
"Stuff it, banana boat!" Marcy walked across a courtyard. "There is it! Told you!"
"Ya got lucky."
Rose pursed her lips. "Stop it. It's a good thing we left early. We'd be late."
"I guess her pathological need to be on time came in handy." Mike said.
"We can fight, Chang." Marcy bit off as they walked to where people were starting to sit down.
He slung an arm around her neck & pulled her in close. "You know I love you & you're inability to be late."
"See? we're not even cool anymore. You did that."
"You love me, too."
"Whatever gets you to sleep at night." They made it to the chairs. "You guys find seats; I'm going to find where I'm supposed to be."
The large group situated themselves as they were early & had plenty of choices.
Marcy came back. "Okay, I'll hang out here until we start."
"Where are you supposed to be?" Nadine asked.
"On stage. But I'm not about to sit up there by myself looking crazy."
She laughed.
"Mommy." Mickey slid off her seat & touched her mother's hand.
Marcy pretended to nibble on her fingers. "What do you want?"
Mickey lifted her arms.
Marcy picked her up. "I'm going to have to stop doing this."
"When is this starting?" Puck asked.
"Ten. We have some time."
"What are we going to do for thirty minutes?" Mal asked as he fiddled with his camera.
Marcy lifted a brow. "I have a game."
M&MC
"We're never playing another one of your games ever again." Judy said as soon as Marcy made her way to the family as the ceremony concluded.
Marcy grinned. "I had a good time."
"You don't have to live with the answers!" Mercedes snapped.
"Why are you so bent out of shape! Your boyfriend didn't admit to anything scarring!" Quinn set her hands on her hips.
"Hey! Mini Mama said we had to tell the truth!" Puck defended himself.
"I like you." Nic told Marcy.
Marcy grinned. "Thank you, kid."
"Okay, let's forget the things that stay with us for the rest of our lives & take pictures." Rose said.
"That's just goin under the rug?" Marc asked.
"We're never speaking of this again." Jeanette swore.
Michael shrugged. "I don't know why you're all so worked up."
Mike snickered. "It was fun."
"That's because you have no shame!" Laura rolled her eyes.
"You really don't." Mercedes eyed him warily.
"But at least you know everything about me." Mike grinned.
"I think we all know a little too much about each other." Nadine was a little scarred herself.
"Are we going to meet your grandparents?" Nic wanted to know.
"Next week." Marcy said.
"That's going to be cool." Puck grinned.
"Boys." Mercedes shook her head.
"Pictures!" Rose yelled. They all turned to look at her. She calmed herself. "We have to take pictures before we go. You graduate only so many times."
Mal held up his camera. "I can take a few before we go."
"Take one by yourself." Laura instructed.
"Why?" Marcy raised a brow.
"Because." Laura brought her over to a tree. "Is there anybody you want to take a picture with?"
"I don't know these people!"
Mal laughed. "Hold still."
"Where am I gonna go?"
"Stop being waspish!" Mercedes chided.
Marcy stuck her tongue out. Mal snapped the picture just like that.
"Okay, one with all of you." Rose shooed the siblings together.
"Who's going to take the picture?" Mal asked.
"We know how to work a camera, Malcolm." His father took the device.
Mal shrugged & went to Marcy & wrapped his arms around her.
"How do you work this thing?!" Michael frowned as he looked at the tiny buttons.
"Dad!"
"I can figure this out! I'm a doctor!"
"He's going to break my camera." Mal whispered.
Marcy giggled silently. "Papa Mike, are you sure you don't want any help?"
"Yes! Which button shoots? Why does it have so many buttons in the first place? In my day, we had two buttons!"
Marcy detangled herself from Mal & went to Michael. She took the camera from him & inspected it before giving it back. "It's this button."
Michael looked through the lens. "You're too close."
Marcy took the camera back & adjusted the frame. She gave it back. "Just push the button."
He nodded as she went back to Mal. "Smile!" He snapped the picture. "Malcolm, stay with Evie & get the kids in there."
The others left as the twins ran to their parents. Marcy picked up her son while Mal hefted their daughter.
Michael took the picture. "It was good. Although you could have smiled."
"Papa Mike." Marcy smirked.
"You could have."
"Let's get one of Marcy, Mercy & Marc." Rose said. "Then I want one of her with me & Marcus."
Mal took his camera back & uttered words of safety to it before taking the picture.
"He's serious about that camera." Puck whispered.
"He's a photographer." Laura explained. "A really good one."
"Any other pictures?" Mal asked.
"One with all of us then we should probably go." Rose looked at her watch.
Mal sighed deeply as he handed his camera to Puck. "Be careful."
"I will. Don't worry." Puck grinned.
The Jones', Changs' & Fabrays' crowded in close. He took the picture twice, just in case. "Got it!"
"We need to head to the train station." Marcy brought her map out of her purse. "That way!"
"Are you sure?" Marc snatched it from her.
She snatched it back. "Yes! I know where east is!"
M&MC
"Do we need to start pulling out singles?" Mike asked.
Marcy threw him an irritated glare. "Shut up!"
"Behave." Michael said sternly.
Marcy, who'd taken off her cap finally, continued to disrobe. "I'm always good, Papa Mike."
"I thought you were good at being bad?" Puck teased.
"Better believe it." She folded the gown & packed it, along with the cap, in her bag.
"I think it's starting." Marc looked behind himself. "I'll see you guys in a bit."
Marcy crossed her legs. "Who wants to play a game?"
M&MC
"We gotta quit playing games with you…" Mercedes spoke faintly.
Jeanette rubbed her temples. "Why would you say that?"
"It was just an idea!" Mike defended.
"Bro!" Puck was in awe. "You're my hero!"
"That was not appropriate to play with children around!" Nadine said stiffly.
"You're such a freak." Laura shook her head.
Mike lifted his nose in the air. "Of course you think so!"
"No, that's just a fact." Mercedes couldn't get her eyes to return to their normal size. "You're a freak."
"I don't know whether I should be proud of you or pray for your soul." Marcus looked at his youngest.
"I need the prayers." She returned honestly.
Maddie, who'd been giving them all the silent treatment & refrained from playing, couldn't shut her mouth. "What kind of person are you?"
"Oh? So you're talking now?"
"We should do that." Puck told Mike.
Marcus ran a hand over his face. "I don't want to hear this!"
"Sorry, Doc."
"We're not doing that!" Mercedes put her hands on her hips.
"We're not?" Quinn sounded disappointed.
Mike laughed. "I knew she would be on board!"
"We've talked about this before."
"I thought it was a joke!" Mercedes refused to see this come to fruition.
"Come on, Mercy. It's not that different from things you've already done." Marcy prodded.
Mercedes blushed. "How would you know anything I've done?"
"Your diary. Duh!"
Mercedes turned furious eyes on Mal. "I forgot to kill you! I'm going to rectify that immediately."
Mal grinned. "You can't hurt me in front of all these witnesses."
"Just wait. We won't always be."
Marc walked up. "Let's go."
"You don't want to take pictures with your friends?" Rose frowned.
"I already took them. You'll see them on Facebook."
"Don't you want some at least?"
Marc sighed. "Sure."
Mal got out his camera & snapped a few photos with different groups of people.
"Okay! We have to catch the plane!" Marcy was sick of pictures.
"Yes!" Judy pulled at Laura. "It will leave without us."
"It will?" Nadine asked as they gathered their things. "I thought it was a private plane?"
"It is but if they have another stop, they'll leave."
"Who owns it again?" Puck asked.
"Don't know. We just asked for a plane & somebody said yes." Mike said.
"That's ultra-cool."
M&MC
"Maddie!" Maddie jumped when Marcy yelled her name. "We have something for you."
"We?" Maddie tilted her head to the side.
"All of us." Marc said. "We heard what you said & just want you to know we're going to try to be better."
"We are honestly sorry & it won't happen again." Quinn added.
"& to prove how very sorry we are, you're getting presents!" Mike outstretched his arms.
Maddie pursed her lips to keep from exclaiming in joy. "Oh?"
"I'll go first." Laura went through her bag & brought out a glass bottle. She stood & gave it to Maddie.
"Perfume?" Maddie was confused.
"It's my signature scent. Just spray it anywhere you want to have me close by."
Maddie sniffed the nozzle & she was right. It smelled just like Laura.
Marc rifled through his bag & brought out something rolled up & red. He handed it to Maddie.
Maddie unrolled it. "A jersey?"
"My high school jersey for football. I know you used to eye it & now it's yours."
Maddie smiled before pulling it on.
Mike pulled something from his bag. He gave it to her.
"Your hoodie with the purple inlay!" She cheered. She'd been eyeing it since he got it.
"Yeah. I figured you'd like it."
Mercedes already had her present in her hand. She put it around Maddie's neck. It was her silver necklace that spelled out L-O-V-E. "You've always liked it & I wore it enough for the both of us."
Maddie smiled. "Thank you."
Quinn brought her gift over. "I was a cheerio for nearly four years. I always told you, you'd be one too. & when you are, you'll have your own scrunchie & ribbons."
Maddie sat still while Quinn did her hair up in a high pony.
Marcy handed over an eyeglass case. "You break them, I'll beat you."
Maddie frowned as she took the case. "Why are you giving me your glasses-? Oh! I love these!"
They were a pair of purple leopard print sunglasses. It was the only leopard print Marcy owned & Maddie had wanted them since she got them.
Maddie put them on.
Mal brought over his gift. "It's my favorite digital camera. So you can take your own pictures."
"Is it the one you've taken care of since you got it?" Maddie knew the one.
"Yes, it is so be careful." He handed it over.
She put the strap around her neck & took a picture of him. "Yay."
"We have something else, too." Mercedes said.
"What is it?" She sat up.
Marcy gave her the gift box. "You should feel connected to us whenever you wear it."
Maddie opened the box & her eyes widened. She attached the bracelet & held her arm out to admire it. "I love it!"
"Let's see it!" Jeanette wanted to see.
Maddie got up & went to the moms. "Look at this stuff!"
"Did you hear forgiveness?" Marcy quipped.
Maddie skipped back & gave them each hugs. "I forgive you."
Turn Up the Music by Lemonade Mouth, Criminal by Britney Spears. & I know you can't take liquids on a plane. Just suspend belief.