Enchanted

Chapter 4

Tina had a lot of fun with Ellen. The engaged girl reminded her a lot of Mercedes... when the Leo wasn't pregnant. They'd talked about their mates and kids, they talked about things that interested them (fashion and music for Tina; photography and her family for Ellen) and they talked about what they hoped for, for the future.

Tina stated that she wanted only one more child. Five was her favorite number so five children was right up her alley.

Ellen said she wanted at least four like her beloved parents. But Marcy kept scaring her with labor war stories.

Tina laughed and told her it was all true.

Ellen pouted then declared that as long as she had children with Mal and Marcy, she'd grin and bear it.

Tina really liked Ellen. She asked her what school she went to and the redhead replied Ridgemoor. Tina didn't know much about the school but knew it wasn't as... fun as McKinley had been.

Ellen knew what she felt from her face alone. She admitted that she didn't really fit in. Her family had moved sophomore year and she hadn't had any friends prior to meeting Marcy at the bookstore.

The Scorpio had been on the verge of pleading her family to move again but Marcy came at just the right time. She had something to look forward to, even if it was just text messages and letters in the mail.

Tina nodded. She knew isolation even if hers had been self-imposed. She admitted how she'd had a small circle of (three) friends prior to high school but Artie had been her true friend and they'd started dating because they had hormones and neither wanted to be alone.

Ellen expressed sorrow on her behalf.

Tina smiled and told her that she'd never trade her time with Artie because he was one of her very best friends and it was his idea to sign up for the Home and Hearth Challenge, where she'd met her husband.

Ellen liked that way of thinking.

The girls talked for two hours until Ellen realized she had to get home for dinner and Tina realized she'd been away from her kids for a long while.

Both parted ways with plans to do this again that week.

W

Quinn FaceTimed her sisters with cell phones. She'd have someone pick up Lisa. The girls all answered, if some grumpy about it and vocal about that. "I have news."

"Well spit it out!" Marcy spat herself. "This blood is starting to curdle!"

Quinn blanched but pushed forward. "We need to meet in person! As soon as possible!"

"I'm in New Jersey, Quinn." Laura huffed.

"Then we can come see you."

The others were visibly shaken. Quinn usually would demand they come to her. It must be big news. "When?"

"Do we have any time free tomorrow?"

"I have a meeting with Eric in the morning but yeah, after lunch I can swing up there but I have to do work at the same time." Marcy said.

"You're going to do work and drive?" Maddie frowned.

"No, Mad."

Maddie pouted. "Fine! They only want me working mornings right now anyway. I'm doing homework at my desk right now."

Mercedes cooed at her. "You're such a big girl!"

Maddie side-eyed the screen. "I'm twelve, Mercy."