After their training session, Maia would find herself alone with Josh in her bedroom back at the house. She felt comfortable considering Theo and Tracy sent a massive text explaining Donovan was forbidden from returning to the house until he sorted out his feelings. Gretta seemed slightly upset about this news, too. (Plus, Maia totally kicked her ass during their one-on-one training match which she thoroughly enjoyed.) Josh was resting his wounds while laying beside Maia on top of her bed.
"Can I ask?" She spoke.
"Go ahead," replies Josh smiling.
"Why aren't you healing?"
Josh stares down at the scars Donovan gave him.
"I'm healing! It's just really slow."
"Isn't that strange?"
"No. It's because we're chimeras."
"Why is that?"
"We're not real supernaturals, but genetically modified ones."
"Which means we can't heal like Scott McCall?"
"Correct."
"Huh… Of course."
Josh stares at Maia's sullen look.
"At the end of the day, we're just failed science experiments."
"Maia, don't say that."
He kisses her on top of her head.
"You're real to me."
"None of this feels real anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"I have no memory of who I was, and who I am now."
"Then let's figure it out together."
Maia gave a small smile.
"I'd like that."
Josh stares into her eyes longingly, and sighs.
"So? Any plans for tonight?"
"No. Do you?"
"Yes, unfortunately."
Josh sadly stood up from Maia's bed.
"I better get back home now before my dad gets angry."
"Could I come over?"
Josh was completely surprised by Maia.
"I mean, if it's alright…"
"I guess. Why?"
"I want to meet your family."
"Well…"
"If we're dating now, I want to at least meet your mom."
"I'm not sure it's a great idea."
"What's the worst that could happen?"
"A lot of things, Maia."
"Please?"
Maia crawls over her bed to wrap her arms around Josh while laying her chin on his stomach. He couldn't help laugh at her desperate puppy dog eyes looking up at him for permission.
"Fine, but it's your funeral."
"It'll be fine."
It was indeed not as fine as Maia hoped it'd be.
As soon as Josh and Maia entered the Diaz home, his father made a snide comment about his sexuality right in front of his younger sisters and brother. His mother cursed at his father in another language, but the father only ignored her and continued watching TV. His older siblings happened to be there, too, but his sister was too busy dealing with her own children while his brother continued to ignore the rest of his family and drink alcohol.
"Uh, mom?" Josh replies sheepishly.
"Qué pasa ahora?!" His mother shouts, turning around.
Her eyes grew wide when she saw them.
"Oh… I'm so sorry, mi amor."
Mrs. Diaz wipes her hands on her apron, and walks up to them.
"I didn't know you brought over a…"
"Girlfriend. She's my girlfriend."
"Really?"
Josh nodded, and his mother grew a smile.
"How lovely! What is your name?"
"Maia, ma'am."
"Oh! Don't call me that!"
Maia chuckled.
"You can call me Antonia, dear."
"I prefer ma'am." Josh's brother spoke, and burps.
Mrs. Diaz smacks his head.
"Where are your manners?! Lord, help me."
"Hi there."
"Don't talk to me."
Josh was about to speak, but then his older sister came barging in.
"I can't take it anymore, mama!" She yells.
She sat down across from her brother, and pours herself a glass of wine.
"You deal with them!"
"I am too busy preparing dinner–"
Josh rolls his eyes, and grabs on to Maia's hand.
"We can watch them for ya, sis."
His sister waved her hand in the air, allowing them to leave the kitchen.
"I'm sorry about them."
"Relax! No family is perfect…"
"MIRANDA!" Mr. Diaz shouted, "the babies are crying!"
Josh guided Maia into the living room where they found two baby girls wailing in their bassinets, and Josh picks up and cradles one of his nieces. Maia did the same with the other, and this quickly got the attention of Mr. Diaz.
"Put her down, puta!"
Mr. Diaz stood up from his recliner.
"I don't want your filthy hands on my granddaughter!"
Josh glared at his father.
"You call her that again, and I'll leave."
"Good! I'd rather you did…"
"JULIAN!" Mrs. Diaz voice shouts, "I know you're not not being rude to Joshua and his girlfriend!"
"I'm Maia, sir. It's nice to meet you."
Mr. Diaz mumbled something in Spanish, and sat back down.
"Ignore him. He's always like this."
"Sh! It's okay, baby."
Josh watched as Maia managed to easily calm down one of the twins.
"Look! I got her to fall asleep."
He felt a warm feeling in his chest as he watched Maia holding a baby in her arms, and gently places her back down in her bassinet. She did the same with the other twin, and found Josh guiding her upstairs to his bedroom where it was much quieter.
"Why are we up here?"
"I figured it'd be less chaotic here."
"Less chaotic?"
Maia giggled at the random clothing around the room.
"Your underwear is on your laptop…"
Josh quickly grabs and shoves his boxers inside of his hamper.
"What underwear?"
They both sat down on his bed until they heard yelling.
"Huh… They're going to wake the babies."
"Is this hard for you?"
"What is?"
"Me being here."
"No!"
"I shouldn't have invited myself over."
"Maia, I'm all right."
Josh took ahold of her hand, and starts leaning toward her.
"You're perfect."
Maia closes her eyes, and Josh kisses her.
"Pfft! Yeah, right." A voice whispers, and Josh slams open his bedroom door.
"Camilla! Leon! Get out of here!"
Both middle school children run down the hall, snickering.
"Ugh. Why am I the only responsible one?"
"You? Responsible?"
"Yeah! Haven't you noticed?"
Maia laughs while Josh held her in his arms, and kisses her cheeks.
"I've noticed you're the middle child."
Josh leaned over to grab a picture frame sitting on his bedside drawer.
"I'm not real close with my older siblings."
"I can tell. They hardly acknowledged you were there."
Maia stares down at the picture of Josh with his three younger siblings and mother, and could tell they were in a church.
"This was Cecilia's christening."
"Aw, cute!"
Maia smiled, and Josh was staring at her.
"I've always been the oldest if you asked any of them."
"They don't know your brother or sister?"
"No. Not really."
Josh upsettingly sighed.
"No thanks to dad."
"Why's that?"
"He pushes everyone away."
Maia places a hand on his chest, and sets down the picture.
"What did he do?"
"Besides ruin their lives?"
Josh stood up, and began pacing around his room while he explained.
"My brother had a great job, and a fiancée he loved."
"Where's this fiancée now?"
"My father had broken up their engagement."
"Was it bad?"
"Yes. She was really cool, too. Sometimes I miss her."
"What was wrong with her?"
"Nothing. She didn't want to be catholic."
"Oh."
"My dad refused to let that happen."
"Does he still talk to her?"
"I think it's more like she doesn't talk to him because he chose dad's side."
"Well there's his problem!"
Josh laughed.
"My sister doesn't have it any better."
"Why's that?"
"She's unmarried, and has bastard children."
"Oh my. How terrible."
"The other one is spending the night at his dad's. His father doesn't want him anywhere near this family because of what my dad called him, and honestly I can understand."
"What did he call him?"
"A pedophile."
"What? Why would he–"
"He's only 5 years older than my sister."
"How old is your sister?"
"Miranda is 25 now, and was 18 when they met."
"That is kind of sketchy."
"I know, but she's moved on from him."
"Oh really? I didn't see a father of those babies down there."
Josh chuckled.
"He works as a night security guard."
"Oh. Okay. Where?"
"In Hill Valley, the next town over."
"How does your mom feel about all of this happening?"
"She looks at things in a positive light."
Josh sadly looks away.
"I can't help but worry about her."
"JOSH, COME BACK DOWN!" Mrs. Diaz shouts, "SUPPER IS READY!"
"Come on. I bet it's delicious."
Josh took Maia's hand, and they both left his room.
The dinner was incredibly delicious, and Mrs. Diaz was flattered by Maia's comments on the Mexican/Brazilian cuisine she made (including the cheese bread which she recognized after Josh brought some for their pack's Thanksgiving). Mr. Diaz, Miranda and Josh's older brother had ignored most of their family members and ate in silence. Meanwhile, the younger siblings were asking Josh numerous questions about his relationship with Maia.
"How'd you meet?" Camilla asks.
"At school, obviously." Josh answered, sighing.
"How long have you been dating?"
"Not that long."
"Will you marry her?" CeCe asks curiously.
Josh spit out his drink, and Maia couldn't help but laugh.
"Ask us that again in a few years." She said.
"Enough questions."
Josh stood up from his seat, taking his plate and Maia's and setting them down next to the kitchen sink to be washed. He pulled out a pair of rubber gloves and began washing them much to his mother's annoyance, and she stood up to try and takeover. Maia felt a tug on her shirt's sleeve, and stared down at CeCe.
"Wanna play a game?"
Maia felt creeped out considering the child's face and her tone of voice when being asked that question. Then she noticed Camilla and Leon setting up a video game in the living room, and silently nods her head. The little girl took her hand and guided her forward.
"CeCe usually needs someone to play with!" Leon argues.
Camilla rolled her eyes at him.
"Exactly! That's why you're the perfect pair!"
"I've done it the last 3 times!"
"…and I've done it 4 times before that!"
"I don't want you or you!"
Both older siblings turned to find CeCe holding on to Maia's hand.
"She's mine! I wanna play with her!"
"Oh. Great."
"Sounds good to me."
Maia was handed a controller, and CeCe sat next to her on the ground in front of the couch when Josh found them. Camilla had convinced Josh to play with them since they needed a fourth player, and he reluctantly agreed. He sat close next to Maia's other side, and watched as his younger twin siblings turned on Mario Party on the Nintendo 64.
"Which one are we playing?"
"CeCe chose Mario Party 2…"
Leon groaned.
"What's wrong with that?"
"She always wants to play the second one!"
"It's one of the best ones."
"You know how to play, right?" Josh whispers into her ear.
"I, uh… I don't know."
"I'll help you."
Josh winks at her and Maia smiles.
"I usually don't win. Neither has CeCe, but she mostly plays this game because she likes how the characters are put in costumes based on the board's themes."
"Speaking of which!"
Camilla was in control considering she had first player controller.
"Pirate, Western, Space, Mystery, or Horror?"
Camilla smirks.
"I suggest Horror before CeCe–"
"COWBOY! COWBOY!"
CeCe was hopping up and down, and giggling.
"…suggests Western."
"What about Space? Haven't played that in a while."
"No way, dude! Pirate Land for sure!"
"Maia choose!"
CeCe pointed up at Maia.
"Me? You sure?"
CeCe nodded with the rest of the siblings.
"Okay, um…"
"She's going to pick Josh's!"
"You don't know that!"
"Watch."
"How about Mystery Land?"
Everyone was silent, and then the older siblings look down at CeCe. Josh immediately thought she was going to cry or scream because Maia hadn't chosen her option, but was surprised to find the six-year-old was quiet.
"Okay!"
"Really? Okay?"
CeCe nodded, and Camilla shrugs.
"Alright! Mystery it is."
"Wow." Josh whispers, "she never agrees with anyone."
"Ever?" Maia asked.
"Nope! Usually she throws a tantrum."
Josh glances over at CeCe who had snuggled up against Maia.
"She must really like you."
Maia smiled.
"Alright! I call Princess Peach!"
Josh checked on CeCe wondering if she would argue with Camilla, but nothing. She asked Maia who she wanted to play as, and Josh suggested she choose Yoshi considering that's CeCe's second choice. Leon chose Donkey Kong, and Josh quickly chose Luigi.
"Remind you of anyone?"
"Definitely not!"
Maia and Josh laughed.
"Also, rude."
"Eh."
"Donovan looks like neither of these guys."
"Well maybe DK's ass…"
"Who's Donovan?" Leon asks, waiting for the game to start.
Both teenagers had stopped talking.
"Well?"
"It's her ex-boyfriend."
"Oh! Really?"
"Yeah, and that's all I'm saying."
"Fine."
Josh turned to Maia.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought him up."
"It's okay. I'm fine."
"You sure?"
Maia nodded, and kisses Josh's cheek.
"Skip the instructions!"
"Just because you said that…"
"Camilla, don't you–"
"Oops!"
"You witch!"
Basically this was what the rest of the game was like. Leon and Camilla were focused on causing the other to lose which caused them to distract themselves from Josh who would sneakily come up and take first place from them. However, all three siblings were surprised to find CeCe had won the entire game overall with Maia's strategic help.
"I win! I win! Yay!"
CeCe was running around and cheering.
"Papí, look!"
Mr. Diaz slightly nodded.
"Good job, Cecilia."
"Josh? Shouldn't you be taking Maia home?" His mom asks.
"Right! I'll be right back."
"We'll see."
Josh ignored his father's comment, and the couple walks outside.
"So this is where you've been?"
Both look up to find Donovan leaning against his bike.
"Why are you here?" Josh growls.
"I came to pick her up." Donovan explains, and tosses a helmet over towards Maia. "You do remember that there's a group of hunters after her, right? Considering I'm one of the most resilient of the chimeras, I have an obligation to make sure she's safe for Theo's sake."
"Right! I forgot that you're our guard dog."
Donovan gritted his teeth.
"Josh, behave."
Maia kisses his cheek, and sighs.
"I'll text you before bed."
"With pics?"
Maia almost blushes, and smacks Josh's chest.
"Absolutely not! Ha ha!"
Josh grins causing Donovan to gag.
"Are you two done?"
Maia nodded, and joins Donovan on the back of his motorcycle.
"Make sure he drives safe!"
"What the hell does that mean?!"
Donovan revs his engine, and Josh became nervous.
"I always drive safe!"
"DONOVAN!"
"See ya later, weasel!"
Donovan felt Maia quickly wrap her arms around his waist, and felt the rush of wind hit her face as the motorcycle sped away from Josh's home. She could tell when she looked back that Josh was not happy about it, but knew Donovan wouldn't do anything stupid considering Theo now had a tight leash on him. When they pulled up inside of the garage, Donovan couldn't help but smile at his ex-girlfriend whose eyes were closed shut.
"We're safe, Maia." Donovan replies.
She slowly opens her eyes, and notices him staring down at her.
"You can let go of me now."
"Oh! Sorry!"
Maia quickly lets go, and hops off the bike.
"Why do you drive so recklessly?"
"Cause it's fun."
"I thought we were going to crash!"
"I'd never let that happen."
"Didn't you crash before, and that's how you got here?"
Before Donovan could retort, the door to the house slams open.
"Hey Donny!" Gretta's voice rang.
She was wearing nothing but a bath robe, and Donovan groans in response to seeing her.
"Why are you here?"
"Theo wants you to patrol the woods."
"Tonight? Why?"
"Because Gerard is out hunting."
"Ugh. Fine, I'll go."
"Good boy!"
Gretta patted the top of Donovan's head, and he growls.
"Don't touch me, bitch."
"Aw, come on! Is that any way to speak to me?"
"Yes. I despise you."
"Hee hee hee!"
Gretta tried kissing Donovan, but he backs away.
"Don't touch me!"
"Aw, come on! You promised…"
"Promised what?"
Gretta grew a sly smile, and turns around to face Maia.
"She's just teasing me..."
"Actually, I'm not.
Without warning, Gretta hungrily kisses Donovan.
"Alright, geez. I'll leave you be–"
"Maia, wait!"
"Forget about her, baby."
Gretta sucks on Donovan's neck and moans.
"Just like you did before…"
"Stop, Gretta."
"What is she talking about, Donovan?"
"Didn't you already know?"
Maia was confused, but mostly as to why she cared.
"We had sex Thanksgiving night. In fact, it was right on top of this bike."
"Stop it! She doesn't need to know–"
"That night?"
Donovan looks back at Maia.
"The night you tried to get back with me?"
"You did what?"
Gretta stumbles back a little.
"I'm sorry, Maia."
"I don't want to hear it."
Maia's eyes were watering, and she glares at Donovan.
"You're a despicable person!"
"Don't say that…"
She slaps away Donovan's hand when he steps forward.
"Don't touch me! I hate you!"
Donovan thought he felt his heart break.
"I hope you rot back in hell!"
"Hey, what's going on in here?" Tracy asks, and notices Maia.
"I don't want to live here anymore."
She ran out of the garage and into the woods.
"No, wait!"
"MAIA!"
Donovan went chasing after her without looking back.
"Gretta, what happened?"
Tracy noticed Gretta's eyes were wide.
"Gretchen?"
"What? …oh. Um…"
"Are you naked under that robe?"
"Yes. I was going to have sex with Donovan, but…"
"Did you say something to Maia?"
"No! It's not like that!"
"Explain." A stern voice interrupts, and both turned to face Theo. "Because there are hunters out tonight, and either you or Donovan have managed to upset Maia so much that she'd forgotten about it. What exactly did you say to her?"
"It's not my fault."
Then Gretta explained what happened.