It's Called Being Sassy

Homecoming

"Are they here yet?! Are they here yet?!" Maddie pulls on Mercedes' arm.

"I don't know, honey." Mercedes hugs her to get her to stop. "No one's called yet."

"This is taking forever!" Maddie exhales in disgust.

"I think nobody knows that more than Mal." Marc points to the expectant father, who's pacing a hole in the Jones foyer.

"This is so exciting!" Judy squeals. "Are you sure you don't want my help cooking-?"

"No!" Everyone shouts.

She pouts. "I'm not that bad."

"Just calm Jr. down, Mom." Laura points her mother in the direction of Mal.

"Close call." Mike mutters.

Quinn giggles. "We would be in the hospital next."

"Guys, stop it!" Mercedes hisses. "She tries!"

"She can barely make a sandwich."

"But she can!"

"Mercy's right. No talking about Mom." Laura says.

"Where's Grandpa and can he take you away?" Marc utters.

"Grandpa's coming?!" Maddie grows excited.

"Not our Grandpa." Mike bends to tell his little sister. "The one Laura married."

"Shut up, Mikey!" Laura hits him.

"Laura didn't marry Grandpa!" Maddie frowns.

Marc picks her up. "He's as old as Grandpa."

"He's 25 for heavens sake!" Laura huffs.

"Way too old for you. You're only 21." Quinn sniffs.

"I'm turning 22 this year and a three year age gap is nothing to be concerned about!"

"Guys, be nice." Mercedes lectures. "Robert's not even here to defend himself."

"And why is that?" Mike questions.

Laura burns. "That's none of your business!"

"Marcy doesn't want to see him anyway." Quinn tosses her head.

Laura groans.

Michael walks into the foyer. "They're on their way back from the airport."

A cheer goes up but Mal is quiet. Mercedes goes to him and hugs him. "You're going to see your babies for the first time. How exciting!"

He nods but it isn't clear he heard her.

"What are you worried about?"

"Worried? Who says I'm worried?"

"You do. You're being Twitchy."

"Don't call me Twitchy!"

"Calm down. You're acting really out of it."

"Am not." He breaks away from her and opens the front door.

"Yes, you are and I'm not going to stop bugging you until you tell me what's going on and how you're feeling."

He sighs heavily. "I'm just scared. Okay?"

"Scared of what?"

"What if I'm no good at this? What if they hate me? What if I screw them up?"

"Mal, stop it. You're one of the kindest, sweetest, good-natured people I've ever met. You're bad but you're still so good. I know you'll be a great dad."