One and the Same

32

-'As soon as you want, sweetie! Is your mom better?', -'Yeah, sure! She's fine now, told me I could visit you guys again', -'Ah great! Your siblings miss you...', -'...Dad, you ok? You look a bit strange now', -'Yeah, well. We've been having problems with paying rent and-', -'Oh God I'll just buy y'all that house...I swear, I'm sick of y'all paying rent. I'll give you a forward to pay the mortage', Angelo smiled and nodded, -'Thank you Maria', the girl giggled, -'I'll be there in a few days. I'll let you know ', -'The girls are gonna love that! Especially Haven, she wants to show you how she learned to draw mandalas or so she says', -'Wooo! Cant wait! Send my regards pappa, I have homework now', -'Okay, have a good day princess we love you here!'.
After hanging up with her dad, Maria transferred a considerable amount of money into his account, -'Family first'. She laid back beside her laptop and let Tux lick her cheek, -'Come here you little stinky ball of fur' she grabbed the cat and cuddled it, -'My sweetie, you're coming with me to NJ'.

After a nap, Maria went downstairs and found her mom lounging on top of Lukas peacefully. The most peaceful she had been in days. Maria grabbed her car keys from the key holder in the kitchen and played with the furry, cat shaped keychain, -'Ma, I'm going with Michael to get some burgers, I'm hungry', -'What part of grounded do you not understand' Gaga grunted, -'Oh come ON. I'm not even gonna bring anyone, I'm just gonna get some food! Gee-'. As Maria was trying to make her way out, Gaga threw one of the shoes she had laying around at the door, -'I SAID YOURE GROUNDED!', Maria got startled and frowned, -'You have really lost it this time' she threw the Mercedes car keys on the couch she was with Lukas and went upstairs again. Gaga sighed so deeply Lukas thought her lungs were deflating, -'I dont know what to do', -'Shes a rebel. Like you, Stef', Gaga rolled her eyes, -'Shes making my life impossible'.
*
Lukas watched Gaga walk through the supermarket. Very slowly, like every step hurt her. -'You okay baby?' He asked in a whisper, -'Yeah, its just...the swelling hasnt gone down yet', -'I'll help you with that when we get home okay? Now what do we need, whatcha wanna make for me tonight', Gaga chuckled for the first time in days and laid her head against Lukas' arm, -'whatever you want, love'.

While her mother was out, Maria had sneaked in her boyfriend and was now talking to him in her room.
-'Youre being mean to your mom though' he said, looking at Maria installing the case he had just gifted her for her iPhone, -'Mean? I dont think so...how does it look' she held up her phone and smiled, -'Great! You like it?', -'I love it, thank you' she leaned in and kisses him, Lopez stared at her. He was super lucky. How did he ever get a chance with her?
-'Okay so you think youre being fair with her?', -'Yeah! All she does is complain, like, I just wanna get out of the situation and she wont let me, Im grounded' she rolled her eyes and caressed Tux's fur, -'But! I'm leaving for NJ soon. Like next week or something', -'Wwhat? Why?!', -'I just wanna be with my dad! I miss him', Lopez sighed deeply, -'Miss Stefani is gonna flip', -'Nah, I dont think so. She'll be happy I'm gonna be gone' Maria chuckled and laid her head on his lap, -'Where did you parked your car' she asked with her eyes closed, -'Far from here...I had to walk some', -'So she wont know youre here' Maria got up to lock her bedroom door and draw the curtains, -'Perfect for mischief'.