Novocain

Chapter Thirty One

Marceline Anne tied the ribbon tightly on the basket then declared it perfect.

"It's really nice of you to give Mercy a welcome home basket." Karou cried.

"I can't wait for you to give birth and a few months pass."

Karen giggled. "That's not nice, Marcy."

"I'm not nice. Now come on here. We have to gather the kids and these raggedy men."

Both girls fell out laughing at her serious proclamation.

Marceline Anne left her kitchen to go upstairs.

N-

Michael the Fourth helped his bride from the backseat of his car. "Take it slow. Be careful."

Mercedes Catherine smiled at his nurturing. "I'm okay."

He hefted the boys after her then opened the front door for them all.

"Surprise!" The family and friends yelled quietly.

Mercedes Catherine was surprised and so happy. She broke down in tears. "Thank you!"

"Welcome home!" Jeanette went to hug her.

Mercedes Catherine sobbed, still a mess of hormones.

Marceline Anne didn't care about all that. "Let me see my nephews. I bet they've got handsomer."

Michael the Fourth glowed. "They have!"

Everyone moved into the front room and the babies were passed around.

Michael the Third held Michael the Fifth. "Look at my boy!"

Michael the Fourth gave him a dry look. I could have sworn this was my son...

Marceline Anne kissed all over Mordecai's face. "My sweet baby."

Malcolm the Second was unsure of if he liked this.

The adults chuckled at his scowl.

Mercedes Catherine was so exhausted and all she'd done was move from the hospital to her own home.

"Tired, Sis?" Marcus Donald teased.

"Yes. I want to take a shower and go to bed."

"Go on up." Marceline Anne offered. "We can entertain them then put them in their nursery."

Mercedes Catherine loved her sister so much. "I love you!"

"What?"

Everyone chuckled at the confusion on her face.

Mercedes Catherine pulled herself together. "Mikey, let's go."

Michael the Fourth was tickled but stood to help her.

N-

Malcolm the First checked his phone as he played with his kids. He had the day off so he spent the time he'd usually be at work, at home with the twins.

His phone had played a snippet of song for his "friend", Cory. He didn't know if he really wanted to answer it. Cory didn't approve of Marceline Anne so that meant that Malcolm the First no longer cared for Cory.

But he wasn't in the habit of being rude so he read the text. Cory told him that he had big news. Malcolm the First rolled his eyes. He replied that he was busy and didn't have time for 21 Questions.

Cory responded that that was rude of him but that was okay because his news was so big, he had to share it anyway. Meagan Wells was back in town.

Malcolm the First dropped his phone. Meagan was back?!