Being Grassi-Hoying

Chapter 38

**Mitch's POV**

"Do you see them?!" I ask Scott, "No, I can't, Kirstie?" "What makes you think I can see anything?! Yoou are the ta- Oh! I see them!" She points to the gate where I can see Jesse, Marli and Karlie. I grab Esther's arm and we all stand in a group with the signs, something cheesy Esther wanted to do. They see us and I can't help it, I throw my sign at Scooter and meet my baby halfway, "Daddy!" She screams as I pick her up, tears like a stormy night, her voice as lightning and the cracks in it as thunder. "Hello my love." I hold her as close as I can, taking her in, she's grown taller in three months, and is starting to not look like the little girl that came into our lives all that time ago. Jesse takes the signs and I pass Karlie to Scott, "Hey!" I hug Jesse, waiting before I take Marli from Esther, "Uncle Mitchie!" I hear her yell as I snap around, "There's my little peanut!" I hug her tightly, "Hey, you aren't that little anymore." I poke her nose. We get the girls' and Jesse's bags, and then Jesse parts ways with us to get ready for his modeling gig tomorrow. 

After we get to the hotel room, Marli is buzzing, "Here, look at these!" Kirstie hands me Marli's phone, where I get to see pictures of Karlie's first cheer competition. There's one where she's in her uniform, just her doing a pose, and then there's one of her and Todrick, and then one of Todrick holding her in the air, and she's with her team, I feel a tear fall down but I quickly wipe it away. I can't believe I wasn't there for her first cheer competition, I didn't take any pictures with her, I watch her performance on Marli's phone, I wasn't there. By the time I hand Marli her phone back Karlie is in my lap, hugging me, "It okay Daddy, you saw me perform and I did good. You will come to my next comp." She kisses my cheek and I smile. "You did so good honey." Scott says as I see Esther pull Marli aside. 

**Marli's POV**

"So Todrick was talking to me about you dancing." My heart stops when momma says that. Todrick must have caught me doing the birthday dance. "Is that something you like to do honey?" She asks as I nod my head, "Yeah, I guess." I smile. "Then as soon as we get home will sign you up for classes, okay?" She smiles, poking my nose. Standing there, my mouth is wide open, "Are you sure, Momma?" I ask nervously, "Yes honey, I'm sure." She says, "I told you that you could do whatever you wanted. Dance, art, MMA, anything." "MMA?" I ask, confused on what that is. "Mixed Martial Arts hun." "Oh." "What are you guys up to?" Avi pops in, "Dagon!!" Karlie screams, running to him, me jumping up as well. "You guys are here already?!" he picks up both of us, kissing my forehead and Karlie's cheek. "How have you guys been?" He asks and Karlie goes on rambling, I feel a sharp pain in my wrist and look at my brace. I fix it to where it's comfortable, then Scott and Mitch catch my eye, they're whispering to each other and it seems to be serious. Mitch shifts uncomfortably and Scott rubs his forehead, I wonder what's up with them. "So Marli," Avi says and I turn my head. "Yes?" I say, watching him put Karlie down, "I talked to your mom, and I wanted to see if it was okay with you if we went out for dinner tonight? Just me and you."  I look at Momma, she seems really tired, and they have tomorrow off too, "Sure." I grin. "Well tonight we have the team dinner." Esther reminds Avi. "Well then we can go do something before then." Avi pokes his tongue out at Esther, "Okay." I simply say. "Cool,because I wanted to steal Karlie." Kirstie smiles, looking at Mitch and Scott, but I know that look, just-go-with-it. "Is that okay darling?" Scott looks at Karlie, "Okay." Karlie says, playing with her doll. "Karlie." Mitch says, "Did you hear Kirstie?" "Uh huh, Avi take Marli, blah blah blah, dinner for team, blah blah blah, Kit-Kat take me out too." I widen my eyes at Karlie's attitude, "Karlie Nicole!" Scott snaps, "You don't talk to you Dad like that!" Then Karlie does something I've never seen her do, she starts crying and throwing a fit. She throws her toy at the wall, and then curls up in a ball, whining. "What is your problem Karlie?" Mitch scoots over to her. All we can hear is a bunch of mumbling. "A fish?" Mitch says, sighing. "Karlie, we would never take you back to the home and buy a fish instead." He pulls her into his lap, "But what if you do?" Karlie sniffles, "Nope, fish are boring and will never be as cute as you." Scott laughs. "I mean, all they do is..." He makes a face and goes "Buh, buh, buh!" Making Karlie giggle. "We love you and nothing will change that."Mitch nuzzles the side of her head with his nose.