DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR ANYTHING ELSE.
ALMOST THERE: ANIKA NONI ROSE
ENJOY :)
"I can't believe we're letting you do this." Mercedes said angrily as she threw her clothes in the drawer.
Sam and Madison looked at her before looking at each other, letting out a deep sigh. Madison had told Mercedes the day after dinner what she wanted to do and as expected, she flipped out. But even as pissed off as she was, she agreed to go along with it. Now, the trio was in a hotel in Miami. Maverick had volunteered to keep the twins and Mckenzie until they came back.
Madison twisted her the ends of her ponytail nervously as she looked at her mom, "I know you're not happy but mama this is something I need to do."
Mercedes ran her hands through her hair in frustration, "I know but I don't want you to go in there and let whatever she says get to you."
"It's not, I promise."
Sam could see the frustration and worry on Mercedes' face and he felt the same way but he was trying his best not to let it show, "Muffin, are you sure you don't want me to sit in there with you?"
"No dad..it's something I have to do on my own.." She looked at him, "I need to do this on my own."
Sam nodded as he stood up from the bed, stretching a little.
Mercedes sighed as she grabbed her purse, putting her things in there.
"I'm going to go use the restroom before we go." The teenager said as she got up and headed to the other side of the suite to her room.
Sam walked over to his wife and moved her hands off from her purse, turning her around to wrap her up in a hug, rubbing her back gently, "It's going to be okay. She's strong babe."
Mercedes stood completely still against Sam as he held her, her arms slowing going around his waist. She hoped to hell that everything was going to be okay.
Maverick called Reece into the house from the patio with a smile. Twelve years old and this old gal was still in the game. He closed the sliding door and locked it, turning around, he chuckled when he saw Oreo on the kitchen counter, "You better get down boy before mama finds out."
Mckenzie jumped slightly when she heard the thunder, running down the stairs and into the kitchen, "Mavy will it ever stop raining?"
"I don't think it's going to stop today sweetie." Maverick said as he picked up his baby sister and sat her on the counter, grabbing four small bowls from the cabinet. He grabbed a chocolate chip cookie out of the cookie jar and handed it to her.
"Thank you." She said happily as she bit into the cookie.
Maverick smiled as he popped one in his mouth, walking over to the pantry to grab the box of popcorn. He saw the twins walk in as he opened up the bags, "Did you two finish your homework from yesterday?"
"Yes.." The both said as they sat at the kitchen table.
He nodded as he placed three bags in the microwave just as the doorbell rung, "That's the pizza. Spencer watch the popcorn for me." He ran to the door and opened it, "Hey, how much?"
"Twenty two even.." The delivery boy said as he took the pizzas out the bag.
Maverick pulled out a fifty dollar bill from his wallet and handed it to him as he grabbed the boxes, "Keep the change.."
"Thank you so much sir, enjoy the pizza.." He smiled before he let up his umbrella and headed back to the car.
Maverick closed the door with his foot and balanced the hot boxes with his hand before he sat them down on the living room table. Since it was a rainy Saturday, Maverick decided to have a movie marathon with his brother and sisters. He was going to use the movie theatre upstairs but he didn't feel like hauling everything up there so he opted for the living room, "Alright, Savannah, you go out the DVD in while we get everything ready."
"I want to go with you Savannie." Kenzie said with a smile.
"Okay." Savannah smiled at her little sister before moving over to her, lifting her off the counter and holding her in her arms as she walked out the kitchen.
Spencer helped Maverick separate the popcorn in four individual bowls before they headed to the living room for the movie. Since they were having a marathon, everyone was getting a chance to pick a movie of their choice to watch. Mckenzie of course went first and she chose The Princess and The Frog. The siblings all sat on the long couch, bundled up in a bunch of blankets as they ate pizza and watched the movie.
Mckenzie was cuddled into Savannah's side when her eyes lit up at her favorite part.
Savannah looked down with a smile because she knew her little sister loved this part. She rubbed her hair before she opened her mouth and began to sing.
Mama! I don't have time for dancing!
That's just gonna have to wait a while
Ain't got time for messing around
And it's not my style
This old town can slow you down
People taking the easy way
But I know exactly where I'm going
Getting closer and closer every day
Maverick's mouth dropped as he listened to Savannah sing. She was good. Better good. Amazing actually. He couldn't believe how wonderful her voice was.
Mckenzie began to clap her hands as she watched Savannah sing, her small body going side from side.
And I'm almost there, I'm almost there
People down here think I'm crazy, but I don't care
Trials and tribulations, I've had my share
There ain't nothing gonna stop me now 'cause I'm almost there
Savannah bopped Mckenzie's nose as she looked at her and sung.
I remember Daddy told me: "Fairytales can come true
You gotta make 'em happen, it all depends on you"
So I work real hard each and every day
Now things for sure are going my way
Just doing what I do
Look out boys, I'm coming through
Savannah tickled Mckenzie sides, smiling when the little girl began to sing the next the chorus.
And I'm almost there, I'm almost there
People gonna come here from everywhere
And I'm almost there
I'm almost there
Spencer and Maverick couldn't help but smile at how cute Mckenzie sounded. With her being just four years old, her pronunciation of words were really good.
There's been trials and tribulations
You know I've had my share
But I've climbed the mountain, I've crossed the river
And I'm almost there, I'm almost there
I'm almost there!
Spencer and Maverick clapped for both girls loudly.
"Wow Savannah, I didn't know you had some pipes on you. You have an amazing voice." Maverick said truthfully as he looked at her.
Savannah smiled brightly, moving her hair from her face, "Thanks Maverick."
"Hey, what about me?" Mckenzie spoke up, folding her small arms over her chest.
Maverick chuckled at her, leaning over to pinched her cheek, "Your voice is amazing too kiddo. I'm one proud big brother."
Mckenzie smiled brightly, "The bestest?"
Spencer kissed her cheek, tickling her sides, "The absolute bestest."
Mckenzie giggled as she cuddled back into Savannah's side, turning her attention back to the movie.
Madison took a deep breath as they entered the prison lobby. She wasn't nervous at all, just ready to say what she had to say and leave.
Mercedes held onto Sam's hand as she bit down on her lip. She was so against this it wasn't even funny, "Fifteen minutes Madison. Nothing more."
Madison nodded as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail, looking at them carefully, "I'm going to be fine.."
Sam nodded as he rubbed Mercedes' lower back, "We know sweetheart.."
"Sam, Mercedes.." Mitchell called out as he walked over to the couple.
"Hey Mitch." Mercedes smiled faintly as she hugged her old friend.
Mitchell smiled as he hugged her, pulling back, he shook Sam's hand then looked at Madison, "Last time I saw you, you were eight. You have really grown up."
Madison smiled as she rocked back and forth on her heels.
"Alright, I just came by to tell you all what's going down." He looked at the small family, "Madison is going to be completely safe. There will be two guards in the room and one outside the door. I will be outside as well. If she feels like it's getting to a point where she needs to get out, there's a button underneath the table where she's going to be sitting. Just push it and I'll come and get you. Are you ready?"
"More than I ever will be." She said softly as she looked at him then her mom and dad.
"Lets go then." Mitchell moved to the side so she could go ahead of him.
Mercedes sighed as she watched her go, running her hand over her face, she let out a small grunt.
Sam kissed her forehead as he grabbed her hand and led her to the waiting room.
Madison took another deep breath as she wrung her hands. She watched as the guards open the gates for them, smiling when the older woman smiled at her. She walked into the room and sat down in the chair, looking over to Mitchell when he said that he was going to be right outside if she needed him. Nodding softly, she turned in her chair and waited patiently. Not even a second later, the door open and her fist immediately clenched in her lap.
Nicole was irritated that the guard woke her up and told her she had a visitor. She rolled her eyes and let him cuff her. She walked down the familiar hallway, wondering who it was that has come to see her. When the guard open the door to the room, her eyes scanned the teenager who was in there and she instantly knew who it was, "Madison."
Madison stared back at the woman as she watched the guard put her in the chair, cuffing her to the bar that was on the table. She blinked slowly as she came face to face with the woman who she felt absolutely nothing for, "Hello."
Nicole scanned her face and nodded, "You grew up into a beautiful young lady."
"Thank you. I'm very respectful too but you know, I couldn't have done that without my father and mother." She emphasized the last part.
Nicole jaw clenched when she heard what she said. She cleared her throat as she looked at her, "You should be a sophomore in high school right?"
"Why did you abuse me?" Madison asked, ignoring her question. She held up her finger when she saw her open her mouth, "Matter of fact, why would you treat my father the way you did?"
"You don't know what the hell you are talking about." She let out a growl as she looked at her.
Madison sat up straighter in the chair, letting out a humorless laugh, "Actually I do. You kept my dad away from me. You beat me until I was no longer living with you. I was physically and mentally broken when I left you. I had to see a therapist because of you. You showed me no love as little girl. I practically beg for it but you didn't give a shit about me." She spatted out angrily as she looked at her.
"Don't you talk to me like that.." Nicole said in a lethal tone.
Madison ignored her as she kept going, her eyes never leaving hers, "My mama, yes my real mother because you're nothing but an egg donor, she loves me. She was there for me in ways you never were. "
"That's bitch doesn't love you.." Nicole yelled out, her chest rising and falling from the hurtful words she was saying.
Madison slammed her hand down on the table, causing the woman to jump, "Don't you dare call her that. You have NO room nor right to talk about her. She picked up your unwanted responsibility when my dad won custody over me. If anyone's the bitch here, it's you."
Nicole sat back in her chair, shaking her head. She couldn't believe her child was disrespecting her like that, "You're just like Sam."
"And I'm glad I am.." Madison said as she glared at her, "I only came here to let you know that I want nothing to do with you. You can stop sending your family around to get me to know them, because I don't want to." She stood up from the chair, placing the palms of her hands on the table as she leaned forward, "You're worthless and I'm letting you know after today, you are no longer a factor in my life. All the bad things you did to me, it only made me stronger over the years. You are nothing but an egg donor, never was my mother, never will be. So with that being said, goodbye Nicole." She said before she walked out the room, never looking back as she heard the woman screaming her name. She let out a relieved sigh as she waited for the guards to open the gate. When they did, she walked through and headed back towards the front. Seeing her parents stand up, she ran quickly and wrapped her arms around Mercedes.
Mercedes caught her balance as she hugged her tightly. She kissed her forehead as held her head to her chest.
"I love you so much." Madison whispered into her chest as she continued to hug her.
Mercedes felt her eyes mist up as she laid her head onto hers, "I love you too."
Sam smiled as he looked at them. He pushed off the wall and walked over, wrapping his arms around them both, "Lets get out of here girls."
Madison pulled back and wiped Mercedes' face, leaning up to kiss her cheek. She grabbed her hand and looked at them both with a smile. She felt like a weight was lifting off of her shoulders and she couldn't be any happier that it was.
After finishing putting the leftover pizza away, Maverick popped some more popcorn for the second movie while everyone else was taking a restroom break. When he came back, he chuckled lowly at how the seating arrangements had changed once again, "Alright, who's picking next?"
"Me." Spencer called out as he grabbed the DVD and placed it in the TV, "We're watching Transformers.."
"I love that movie." Mckenzie said as she moved to sit on Maverick's lap, pulling her blanket with her.
Maverick laughed as he moved the popcorn bowl around, popping a piece in his mouth.
Savannah tucked in her legs before she looked over to her brother curiously, "Maverick, have you ever been in love?"
Maverick looked at her, "What made you ask me that question?"
"Well, I just never see you with anyone.."
"I work a lot.."
"You work five days a week.." Spencer piped in, giving his brother a major side eye.
Savannah rolled her eyes, leaning over to grab some popcorn from the bowl, "You didn't answer my question."
"Fine.." Maverick sighed as he looked at them, "Yes, I have been in love with someone.."
"What happened?" Spencer asked curiously.
"Well..he did something very wrong and I decided that we needed to break up.."
"Did you ever date anyone else?" Savannah asked.
"What has y'all so curious about my love life?" Maverick laughed nervously, all six pair of brown eyes staring at him, "Yes I did date someone else for awhile.."
"Did you love that person?"
"Not in a romantic way but as a friend. That person helped me mend my broken heart and we were together for eight months but I didn't think I could've loved in that kind of way. I know it's kind of confusing to you right now but you'll understand when you get older." He smiled softy to them, still wondering why they were asking him this.
"Lets go back to the first one, do you sill love that person?" Spencer asked as he looked at him closely.
Maverick mouth opened and closed repeatedly, memories flashing back to all the good and bad moments that was shared between them. He knew his heart will forever be with him no matter what happened, "Yeah..I do."
"So why aren't you with Brent?" Mckenzie small voice broke the short silence.
Maverick head snapped down to her, eyes going wide, "How did..."
Savannah shook her head with a laugh, "Oh come on Maverick, mom already told us the story. We just wanted to know if you were going to be truthful."
"I think you should call him up and talk." Spencer said finally, turning his attention back to the TV.
"And get married.." Mckenzie said as she turned around, watching as the intro began for the movie.
Maverick was completely dumbfounded when they turned to watch the movie. He couldn't believe he just got played by two eight year olds and a four year old to express his feelings. He looked down and felt his phone vibrating, he saw it was their mother calling and he answered it, "Hello."
"Hey sweetheart, how's everything going?"
"Mhm.." He said distractedly, still thinking about the conversation that just happen.
"Mhm?" Mercedes crinkled her nose up at his answer, "What happened?"
"Nothing." He snapped out of it quickly when he heard her calling his name again, "Everything's going good. How's it there? Is Madi Okay?"
"Everything is good." She smiled softly as she watched Sam steal a fry off of Madison's plate, shaking her head, "She won't tell us what happened but she says she's okay and she looks like she fine so I'll leave it alone."
"That's good. So will y'all be home tomorrow?"
"Our plane leaves tomorrow at two so we should be home no later than eight." Mercedes yawned softly as she laid down in the bed, "Let me say goodnight to my babies."
"Okay, hold on." Maverick grabbed the remote and pushed pause, putting the phone on speaker. He smiled as he listen to the twins and Kenzie talk to their mother. His mind couldn't stop drifting back to the conversation from earlier. He knew what he had to do but could he do it?
A/N. My birthday is Thursday so I decided to give you guys a special present of updating, lol. What did you think of the convo between Madi & Nicole? How about the one with Mav & the kids? What do you guys think is going to happen in the next update? Few more chapters left. :)