Novocain

Chapter Seventeen

Mercedes Catherine opened her father's front door and let Michael the Fourth set her things inside. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He leaned against the doorframe.

She looked up at him in love and lust.

He looked down at her with those very same emotions. He leaned down a bit. "Want to go upstairs?"

"I don't know where Daddy is." Her eyes widened.

"That's okay."

"You stop being nasty."

"I'm offended. I'm not nasty."

"You are." She bubbled up with giggles.

He kissed her full cheek. "Nope."

She burrowed into his chest. "Yes. But that's okay."

"It is?" He wrapped his arms around her.

"Yeah. I like it."

He began dancing slowly.

She squealed lowly, loving when he danced for or with her.

"I'll let you go."

She didn't want that!

"I gotta get back to the house anyway. I'm not done packing."

"You're not? Michael!" She leaned back.

He pouted as she swatted his chest. "But it's so much stuff! I didn't know I had so much crap!"

She laughed. "Get away from me!"

He grinned. "I'll leave. But I'll be back."

She laughed harder as she went into the house and shut the door.

He walked down the walkway and got in his car to drive away.

N-

Santana swept her best friend up into a hug. "Don't you leave no more!"

"It was a week." Mercedes Catherine wheezed.

"She's like a toddler." Marceline Anne spun in Mercedes Catherine's desk chair. "She has no concept of time."

"I do so!" Santana glared but ultimately didn't care.

"We are glad to have you back, Mercy." Karen giggled.

"We missed you." Karou added.

"Thanks, guys." Mercedes Catherine beamed.

Santana finally left her alone and sat on her bed. "Sit next to me."

Mercedes Catherine sat next to her.

"When are you moving in?" Marceline Anne asked.

Karou made a noise with her mouth and waved her away. "How was the honeymoon?!"

"That is your cousin, you depraved rat!"

Karou frowned.

Santana and Karen laughed.

"Marcy." Mercedes Catherine pursed her lips. "She could mean the vacation we were just on."

"She does not and you know it." Marceline Anne was no fool.

"You meant the vacation, didn't you, Karou?"

Karou chewed on her bottom lip.

"You naughty girl!"

Santana and Karen cracked up laughing.

Karou pouted.

Marceline Anne shook her head. "You went to Paris, right? Sometimes I remember and other times...?"