Morphine

Chapter Twenty Three

Santana looked at herself in her mirror. She knew she looked beautiful. Her dress was floor length and had peekaboo cutouts above the waist with 3/4 sleeves. It was a bright red and she wore red heels with it.

She sat down at her vanity and began brushing her hair up into an updo. Gomez came inside. "Mamí and Papí want us to come down."

She pinned up her hair. "What'd I tell you about knocking, squirt?"

"I did!"

She rolled her eyes and began putting on makeup.

"Hurry up! I want to see if Lila's here!"

Artie had texted that they had permission.

Santana hurried, not because she wanted her brother to see Lila but because she wanted to see Artie. Wait. What? She frowned.

Gomez groaned. "Ugh! You're pretty! Can we go now?!"

She finished with her makeup and stood. "I hope you land her so you can quit buggin me!"

He stuck his tongue out. "Neh!"

"Come on here!" She pushed him out of her closet.

He walked backwards until turning around. He wore dark pants with a white shirt, green sweater and tie. He looked very nice and hoped Lila liked it.

The duo left the room and went to the top of the stairs. The first floor was crawling with people. The two came downstairs smiling at every person that caught their eyes.

Artie and Lila came up to them with Sara. "Hi!"

"Hey!" Gomez grinned widely. "You look great! You both do!"

"Thank you, Gomez!" Lila and Sara chirped.

"Let's go!" Gomez held his arms out for both girls. "My friend's here and we can all get punch."

The trio walked off.

Santana looked at Artie, who was already staring. "You came."

"I came. You look dazzling." He simply stared.

She flushed. "Thanks. You look good, too."

And he did. He wore dark pants with a white button up shirt and grey sweater over it. He didn't wear a tie but instead had his throat open. "Thank you."

"Want to get punch? There's an adult one we can sneak."

"Just a bit. I have to drive."

She smiled as she moved behind his chair. "Is this alright?"

"It is now."

M-

Po cleared his throat. "I would like to show you my garden."

Malcolm was nervous. "I don't know, Grandfather-"

"I'd love to." Marceline Anne stood up.

"Baby, are you sure?"

She flushed slightly at the term of endearment. It was the first one she could remember him giving her (with their clothes on). "It's just a tour of the garden. He's not goin to kill me."

"Why would you say that? Of course he wouldn't kill you! He'd never! Right, Grandfather?" He pierced his grandfather with an icy stare.

Po was amused but it didn't show. "Come now. It's getting colder and you shouldn't be out in freezing temperatures."

Malcolm protested but Marceline Anne took Po's arm and let him lead her out. They went outside and around back to the massive garden.

There were no flowers but it was like a winter wonderland. They walked in a slow circle around the large fountain.