Trouble Follows

Ch. 6

Marcy knocked on Mercedes' door Sunday morning and barged in anyway. "What's up, Sis?"

"I want Noah around now." Mercedes shut her book.

"Hmm?"

"Like you had Mal? I want Noah. I need Noah."

"Ask him." Marcy climbed in the bed.

"What if he says no?"

"Don't let him say no. Beg and plead and use cheap shots to get him to agree."

"I have to demean myself to get a guy to live with me?"

"If you want Daddy to say yes, you might have to."

"Daddy?" Mercedes looked at her.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Noah!"

Marcy lifted her brows. "Who cares what 'Zilla wants?! Tell him he's moving in!"

Mercedes giggled. "Thanks, Marce."

"No problema, mamacita." She let Mercedes go.

Mercedes sat up and they both climbed out of bed. "I guess I should get dressed for church."

"I'll wait for you." She left.

Mercedes guessed she meant she'd wait in her room...

W.O

Mercedes waited until after brunch to ask Marcus about Puck moving in. She went to his office and knocked.

"Enter!"

She came inside and saw him working at his desk. She went to the couch and sat down.

"What's going on, Princess?" He still glared at the papers before him.

"Come sit, Daddy." She could do it better when he was right in front of her. Yes, she was prepared to cry.

He came over and sat next to her. "Is something the matter?"

"Not exactly." No need to belabor it. "I want Noah."

"Don't you have him?" He was visibly confused.

"No, I mean I want him to stay here."

His eyebrows rose. "No."

"Daddy, please?! Just for a few months! Marcy had Mal and Lucy had me! I need the father of my child to give me emotional support in these trying times!"

"Princess,-!"

She started crying. "I need him! I'm upset all the time and I need someone to rub my belly and cut my toenails and watch old movies with me! I need him!"

"Princess, stop." He patted her shoulder awkwardly then hugged her. "I'm not sure Noah moving in is such a good idea."

"Daddy, I need him!" She sobbed on his suit.

He rubbed her back. "If I do this for you, you must do something for me in return."

"What is it?"

He set her away from him. "I have a new lady friend."

"What?!" Her tears dried instantly.

"Yes, her name is Colleen. She's a very nice woman."

"What?!"

He sighed. "I need you to prepare your brothers and sisters but most especially curb Sweetpea. You can tell Puckerman he can move in and I'll invite Colleen over for dinner tonight."