And I'd Do It Again

Family Togetherness

Mercedes slapped Mickey's hands then clapped. "You're so good at this game, sweet girl!"

Mickey giggled as she clapped. "Thank you, Tia."

"Let's play Ghost!"

"How you play that?"

"Well..." Mercedes grabbed a sheet off the floor and draped it over herself then reached out to tickle Mickey. "I pull a cover over my head and I go scare Mommy and Brother."

Mickey thought about it. "No."

"No?" Mercedes lowered the sheet to rest on her shoulders. "Why not?"

"I don't wanna scare Mommy and Bro-Bro."

Mercedes' heart melted. "How about we scare Tio Marc?"

Mickey smiled. "That's not nice."

"You're right. Scaring people is mean. How about we go see what everyone is doing?"

Mickey reached up for her hand and led her out. "Otay!"

They left Mercedes' room and went to all the rooms upstairs but no one was there. So they went downstairs. They found Marc in the den watching TV and eating a sandwich.

"Hi, Tio!" Mickey crawled into his lap.

"Hey, sweetness." Marc pinched her cheek. "What are you up to?"

"Where Mommy?" She demanded.

"Outside."

"What are you doing?"

"Watching Street Outlaws."

"What that?"

"A stupid show. You wouldn't like it. No ponies."

"Pony?!" Her eyes widened.

"No pony."

"No pony?" She pouted.

"Nope."

She slid off his lap and took Mercedes' hand to lead her out again. Mercedes was amused and led her to the office. She knocked on the closed door.

"Come in!" Marcus called out.

Mercedes opened the door and came inside. "Hi, Daddy."

"Hello, Princess."

"Hi, Gramps!" Mickey went around the desk and raised her arms.

Marcus picked her up and sat her on his lap. "Hello, Mac."

Mickey beamed at his special nickname for her. "What are you doing?"

"Working. We're going to spend time together later and I have to get this out of the way so that I can."

Mickey turned to the desk and leaned over to mess with the papers on it.

Marcus took the papers from her. "No. Go play with your aunt. Find your brother."

Mickey pouted as he set her on her feet. "Otay."

Marcus patted her on the head. "Shut the door behind you, Princess."

"Is Momma home?" Mercedes asked.

"Not that I know of."

Mercedes nodded and took Mickey's hand again. She took the little girl to the kitchen and through the patio door to go outside. Sure enough, Marcy and Mally were out there.

"Mommy!" Mickey let Mercedes go to run to her mother.

Marcy stopped what she was doing and held her hands out for her daughter. When Mickey made contact, she lifted her up and shook her gently. "Ah! Hi, baby!"