dunphy diaries | modern family

CHAPTER THREE.

elizabeth was at college, in the library with a couple friends on a study date when her phone started to ring with haley's name covering the screen. it interrupted the silence and she cursed herself quietly when she realised she'd forgotten to silence it when she entered the campus library. apologetic looks given to those who turned to glare at her she quickly silenced the phone before answering it. "hey haley give me one sec." she whispered into the phone, nodding at her friends to watch her stuff before she walked out the library and stood in the courtyard area. "what's up?" she said into the phone normal volume this time.

"grandma dede is here." haley said to her sister through the phone. "mom doesn't know yet. neither does gloria or grandad. mitchell called and gave me the heads up, telling me to give you the heads up if you planned to come to the family meal later." she said. "oh god. grandma's there? but what about the incident?" elizabeth asked confused. "i'm not really sure. all i have is uncle mitch said she's here. and given the incident i'm sure it won't be a pretty cute visit." haley said and in the background their mother could be heard saying "mom?!" in shock. "oh, well i guess mom knows now! see you later, sis." haley said before hanging up the phone.

the incident was something the whole family could remember, and it was the last time they'd all seen claire and mitchell's mother. to summarise the incident in short, she got a little too drunk at gloria and jay's wedding, giving a bitter toast before imitating gloria and her accent as she was dragged out of the room, resulting in her kicking over the cake. everyone in the family watched it happen, as well as all the other guests. claire and mitchell hid from most guests for the rest of the wedding because of the second-hand shame. 

walking back to the table, elizabeth started to pack up her things, explaining to her friends that she had to leave a little earlier than planned due to an unexpected family member's arrival and her need to get there to see them. she wished them luck on their studies before heading out the library and making her way home in her car she'd parked out front of the library.

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unlocking the front door, elizabeth walked in the house. haley had kept her older sister updated via text, and she couldn't help but mention their mother's ex boyfriend and the shinanageons they'd get up to, whilst simultanosely complaining about the concert she probably wasn't allowed to go to and how dylan was now coming to dinner.

looking around the house she could see her mother frantically doing laundry or anything to take her mind off the fact her mother was sat in the other room. "beth! oh thank god. please, take your grandma out. get her out my house." she said running over to her eldest and grabbing her shoulders. "gee, hi to you too mom." she chuckled and put her bag on the hook by the door before wrapping her arms around her mom. "calm down, mama. i'll take her to get ice cream or something. talk to her about college. i'll come back just before dinner." she said to claire who smiled gratefully at her letting her out of the hug. as elizabeth was walking in the direction of her grandma she turned around and said "plus i want to know more about this ricky dude." she smirked at her mom before leaving the room. "ugh haley." claire groaned collapsing on the couch in annoyance.

"grandma dede!!" elizabeth said as she walked into the room. dede stood and turned to look at her eldest granddaughter. "oh elizabeth!" she said softly holding her arms out to give her a hug. "hi, grandma." she said hugging her gently. "oh you don't know how happy i am to see you. i thought you'd be at college and i wouldn't see you." she said, still holding her tight in the hug. "i came back to see you, i missed you." eliza said, embracing the long hug. "i missed you too, sweetheart." dede said finally letting go of the hug. claire walked in the room and realised the pair were still here. deciding to push them out a little quicker by initiating the chance, she said "hey beth, why don't you take your grandma for a drive in your car?" elizabeth looked at her mother before looking back at her grandmother. "yeah! let's do that. please grandma? we could go get ice cream or something, and i could tell you all about college." she said grinning. "alright, fine. but only while your uncle mitchell sorts out getting me an invite to dinner." she said as elizabeth took her hand and quickly pulled her out of the room to avoid her mother's glare or meltdown.