This Life I Lead

Chapter 34

Mercedes looked over at the steps coming into the garden room. "Mal!"

Mal hugged her briefly before hugging Quinn and waving to Santana. "Hey, guys. What's up?"

"What are you doing here? Don't you have Daddy duty?"

He snickered.

"Really, Mal?" Quinn rolled her eyes.

"I didn't tell it to be funny!"

"It's not funny."

"Guys!" Mercedes cut through their fight. "You wanted something, Mal?"

"Yeah." Mal tore his narrowed gaze from Quinn. "I'm leaving and I need someone to keep an eye on Marce and the kids."

"Where are you going?" Mercedes checked the time. "We have to finish this music video. We're already behind schedule-"

"Maybe not you today then?"

"How long are you going to be gone?"

"About a month. Maybe more?"

"A month?!" Mercedes, Quinn and Santana yelped.

"Yeah. It's for work."

"What is it?!" Mercedes demanded incredulously.

"I thought you asked for time off?" Santana asked.

"You're leaving Marce by herself?" Quinn brought up.

Mal waved his hands. "I was off but my boss said he felt inspired by Rye's birth and that I should feel it, too."

"What does that even mean?"

"He wants to go all over the world photographing life's miracles. He says that although my show ended dramatically, it created a buzz. People are hooked now and I need to put together more shots so I can craft another show."

"Your baby is a week old, Mal." Mercedes said slowly.

"I know."

"And Marcy's just letting you go?" Quinn couldn't believe that.

"Yes! She encouraged it! She said I had to chase my dream and do whatever it took to be happy."

"Whoa!" Santana was blown away.

Mercedes was unsure of this but always wanted her siblings to pursue their dreams. "Okay. When are you leaving?"

"Saturday." Mal looked away.

"‪Next week Saturday‬?" He shook his head. "Tomorrow?!"

"Yeah."

"Mal! When were you going to tell us about this?!"

"Antoll called me last night!"

"He called you last night to leave tomorrow?" Santana found that sketchy.

"Yeah." He shrugged.

Mercedes huffed. "Who's taking you to the airport?"

"He's coming to get me. He's not really such a bad guy. I swear."

Mercedes wasn't sure she believed him. "Who's upstairs now?"

"Just Marce and the kids."

"Nobody else? Where's the rest of the family?"

"Everyone left. Riley cries when other people hold her so Marcy didn't see the point of them missing their lives."

"Even Rou and Yuria?"