[This is being worked on in Gdocs will post as we go along~]

There were times where she would actually dislike babysitting, but whenever it came to her cousins, she had an endless amount of patience. Like she planned, Mercy took Dae and Leah to the mall so she could buy Leah pants just like hers and if she could fit it in her budget [being an intern only paid so much], ice cream was also on the agenda. She smiled while they were all walking around forever 21, looking at the pants and the available patterns. “Did you find anything you like Lele?” She tilted her head for a second and looked back at Dae, thinking she could buy him something as well for being so patient.

“Dae, did you want something from GameStop? New game maybe?” Or a figurine, either one was sure to be expensive, but anything for her baby cousins she supposed. “Maybe we could go to Panda Express or IHOP if you both hurry up. I did want to eat and get some ice cream from Cold Stone as well.~” Oh...Those pants would look nice for whenever she went out clubbing next...Mercy was already walking towards the pants before she even thought the process through, pulling them out to get a good look at them before she made any big decisions. The bottoms flared out nicely and they would make her a** just pop like no tomorrow….Yep...She was getting these as well.

Ahhh, the joys of having a body like hers, so dangerous...Especially if she wore the right clothes.

Leah grinned at her cousin when she asked if she found anything she liked. She already grabbed the pants, but there were these two dresses she liked and she hoped her cousin would let her get them. Her mother rarely lets her come into Forever 21 … it's too grown, your only 13 she would say … as if Leah didn’t know how to dress modestly. Sometimes her mother exasperated her.

Leah pointed shyly to the dress section and ran over to grab the two dresses to show Mercy. There were modest, both gray and she could wear both winter, spring, and fall. One was a combination sweater dress and the other a swing dress. She proceeded to grab three more, two floral and one burgundy … of course, she knew she couldn’t have them all, but she did bring money and she hoped Mercy would let her get two of them. She was certain her mother wouldn’t freak over any of them and Mercy would know if she wouldn’t be okay with them, so it was a matter of picking.

“Any of these okay,” she asked, while her brother looked at her a little impatiently because the prospect of Gamestop and Cold Stone had him, nearly bouncing with anticipation. She wanted cold stone too, though she understood, but she loved shopping so she wasn’t really rushing it.

Mercy was proud of Leah, her sense of fashion was amazing for her age [most girls are really unsure of what they wanted to wear or they were very rebellious, thinking that they were defying their parents by dressing slutty or atrociously. She looked at the other dresses very closely, thinking that Dee wouldn't mind the floral dresses, but the burgundy one was iffy given how the front looked with the strings and such. “Mkay, lemme check something on my phone before I make any decisions.” She pulled up her chase app, moving money from her savings to her checking with a smile. “Mkay so we can get everything but the burgundy one sweetie, I know aunt Dee isn't going to like that one too much.” She's barely going to like the fact that she took her daughter to Forever 21, but the dresses were modest and Leah wasn't a bad girl.

She could feel the impatience of Dae and walked over, giving him a hug and a small kiss on the top of his head. “I know you want to go to Gamestop, but be patient for just a tiny bit longer okay? I'll let you get two games instead of one~” That way, he wouldn't feel like he was getting the shorter end of the stick and they could go eat and get on home. The house needed to be cleaned and clothes needed to be washed. Dee and co. were coming home tomorrow and Mercy didn't want her to come home to a messy house.

Leah looked positively ecstatic at being able to get the pants and four of the dresses. She didn't even argue about the burgundy one, hurrying to put it back where she got it from and making her way back over to her cousin. “Thank you so much,” she said hugging the clothes to her chest. This day was just the best and she was absolutely wearing the sweater one tomorrow. It was so cute and she had some tights, boots, and a necklace that would go great with it.

She looked at her brother and grinned at him, giving him the thumbs up before looking back to Mercy. “What did you get, something nice?”

She wanted to make sure her cousin got something for herself too and of course, she always likes her cousin's clothes, so she was curious. “Dae, I bet they have that game … you know the one you played at Uncle Cameron’s with Aaron and Aiden.”

David looked at his sister somewhat surprised and excited because he’d forgotten all about that game. “Yeah, I can get that … um, it's was called Jumper right. It's an old game, but we haven't beaten it yet.”

Leah nodded, “yup I think that’s it.” She looked to Mercy, “it's rated T but mom lets him play with. Him, Aiden and Aaron play it at uncle Cam’s.”

“You’re welcome sweetie~ I got….A couple of things actually.” She smiled and pulled out the four items she picked out: a nice long black boho dress that she fell in love with, a black jumpsuit that would look nice for wearing every day, another boho dress that came in a wonderful cream color, and finally the original dress she saw that would work for clubbing. She was already going to be wayyy over budget, but maybe she could take the kids to her dad’s dinner instead of IHOP? “I went a little overboard, but do you guys want to go see uncle David instead? Go eat at his Diner?”

She paid for the clothing and already started walking towards the outside of the store. “You want to get Jumper? Do you have anything in mind for your second game?” The Gamestop was pretty busy as usual, and Mercy had to keep from swatting some woman’s child for bumping into Dae rudely without saying sorry. Gawd, some people really needed to leash their children or leave the brats at home. She gently pulled her two cousins close sneering at a lady that suddenly stepped into her path and had the nerve to give her side eye. If she wasn't trying to be a good example in front of these kids, she would rip that heffa a new one.

“Mkay Dae, pick what you want that isn’t rated M and I’ll get it along with Jumper.”

She happily followed her cousin to the register excitedly, “I like the gold sweater one … its going to look so great on you.” Well at least Leah thought so, but she thought Mercy looked nice in everything she wore. Her cousin was just the prettiest, in her opinion. She carried her bag heading to into the Gamestop with her brother and Mercy.

“Yeah we haven’t seen uncle David in a while and his food is way better than IHOP,” she said excitedly, “... can we still get …”

She started to ask about Cold Stone, but some boy bumped her brother and that was not okay. Mercy pulled her out the way, but she went for the boy. “Hey, you bumped my brother … you need to excuse yourself … you momma didn’t teach you any manners … were you raised in a barn?”

The boy seemed surprised and the mother glared at Leah, but she gave the woman a look before pinning her eyes on the boy, “... Well!”

Dae personally didn’t care, but he loved that his sister had his back and he was fighting not to laugh at the expression on the other boys face. He hoped the boy apologized before Leah got herself in trouble, he wanted to browse real quick for the other game, so they could go eat.

Okay….Apparently, she forgot to account for Leah’s sassiness when it came to her family. Mercy sighed, smiling at Leah even though she shouldn't be. “Lele honey, c’mon. We don't need to waste our time on people with no manners or self-control.” She quickly grabbed Leah gently moving her along with Dae towards an area of the store that wasn't so crowded. “Lele, I know that boy was rude, but you have got to have more restraint. I wanted to fuss that fat cow out too, but I kept my mouth shut. You don't want the employees thinking we were raised with no home training do you?” She was talking calmly so that way her cousins wouldn't think she was angry.

She was actually quite impressed and entertained. But that would be encouraging bad behavior, something she actually didn't want to be responsible for. “Dae hon, go pick your two games and come straight to me so I can pay for them okay? Don't stop, do not pass go, do not collect two-hundred dollars. Got it?” She turned to Leah next, poking her in the cheek. “You stay right here with me young lady. Don't move and don't sass anyone…” She didn't want to get kicked out of the store for fighting. This wasn't the only Gamestop in the city, but it was the closest one.

Leah sighed irritatedly because the boy didn’t apologize and Mercy was hurrying her away. It took everything in her not to roll her eyes, but she managed and gave a huff. “I know Mercy, but I’m not just going to let some kid bump my little brother and not say anything …”

She watched as her brother went off to grab his games and ground her teeth when Mercy told her to stay put. She was glaring daggers at the back of the woman’s head and the preteen hissy fit that seemed imminent would only be avoided by vacating the store as soon as possible. She didn’t think she would be getting Cold Stone today.

She tried to reign in her temper, she boundless patience for someone her age, but she’d never been good with the word no, nor did she take be reprimanded very well. It wasn’t all her fault … she was the only girl after Mercy … until Sapphire got married and had her cousin … so she was more than a little spoiled. The little boy stuck his middle finger up at her and the woman looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes.

Her mouth dropped open and she looked to Mercy in shock, she was so ready to pop this boy.

Mercy could already feel a headache coming on, trying to calm her nerves…

Till she saw the little boy flip Leah off and his mom did nothing about it. Really?! ******** really?! “Leah stay here…” Mercy smiled and walked up towards the woman calmly, ignoring her son entirely. “Excuse me but I think your son just flipped my cousin off?” She waited patiently to see what the woman had to say, hoping the female wouldn't try to get ignorant with her. She really didn't want to show her a** in this crowded store.

Mercy said stay where she was, but boy did she ever want to slink over and see what was what was up. She didn’t though, not wanting to get into more trouble, but she had a feeling it was the woman that was going to be in trouble in a moment by how the woman was looking at Mercy. Dae came up to her with two games in hand eying his sister with a confused expression.

“The boy … he gave me the middle finger … his mom did nothing and well Mercy … she didn’t take to kindly to that. Did you find what you wanted?”

Dae nodded and looked to Mercy before calling out to her, “I found my games Merc, can we go to uncle David’s diner now?”

Leah's stomach growled and her ire was forgotten, “and can we still get ice cream. Do you think it would melt before we got to the diner?” For all that happened in the last few moment, it appeared hungry bellies were willing to drop the issue.

The woman narrowed her eyes, about to say something rude and mean, but before she could say anything, Mercy held up her hand. “You know what, nevermind.” She walked away, the woman blinking and frowning, clearly confused. Mercy walked up to the register with a smile, taking the games from Dae, poking his cheek and paying for them. “C’mon, I owe you ice cream don't I? Uncle David is waiting for you as well. I'm sorry about that kiddos...Let's go yeah?” She took both of their hands and lead them all the way out of the mall towards the car, placing the bags in the trunk and opening the doors for the kids to get in.

The drive to David’s Diner wasn't all that long even after they stopped at Cold Stone, Mercy barely making it out of the car before being hugged by her father, laughing when she was spun around. “H-Hey Daddy!~” David placed her down and moved towards the kids next, hugging Dae tightly then giving Leah the same spinning hug as Mercy. “Hey, baby girl! How’s my favorite niece and nephew?! Y'all must be hungry am I right?”

Both Leah and Dae grinned and hugged their uncle tightly, agreeing loudly that they were hungry and happily rushing to get themselves seated so they could order. “Uncle David, we missed you so much,” Leah said with a smile. “We haven't been able to come to the diner in a while, but Mercy is watching us for the whole weekend so we made our way here.”

She sat back in her chair and gave her uncle a grin, “can I get a rootbeer float and my favorite Uncle David.” Leah was a sweetheart when she wanted to be and could charm the teeth out of a gator as well.

Dae sat on his knees in the chair, “I want to help you cook … or maybe I can help with some of the customer's.” Leah shook her head at her brother, “sit down Dae we have to eat first and then we can help.”

She looked to Mercy and smiled at her cousin, “this weekend was so great and tomorrow the teams are going to do the Juju challenge and the mannequin challenge and this really couldn’t have been a better weekend.”

She gave a sly grin, “well it might have been better if that lately got slapped.”

David grinned and made a “sad” face, “I know! You two should tell your momma to take you to the dinner more often! I swear it was just yesterday ya’ll were still in diapers.” He was joking of course, but the teasing was still there. “Sure Lele~ I've got a root beer and you're favorite coming right up. Dae, you can help me now and eat later if you want~” He wasn't about to deny his niece and nephew anything really, they were precious. Chris and Tyler were smart boys and he was just as proud of them as he was of Mercy. “The Juju and mannequin challenge hummn? Sounds like something I want to see for myself!” He laughed while serving Leah her food giving an apron to Dae so he could start helping out. “What do you mean slapping a lady?” David looked to Mercy then with a slightly narrowed gaze.

Mercy laughed and sat down, ordering her usual while she watched everything going on around her, eating her food as soon as it was brought to her. The moment Leah mentioned a lady getting slapped, Mercy narrowed her eyes at Leah before rolling her eyes. “There was a slight altercation at the Gamestop with a boy being rude to Lele. I settled it peacefully daddy. But Leah should worry about that sass of hers. Shouldn’t she?” David shook his head at the two, grinning. So much alike yet not those two.

Dae jumped right up when the apron was handed to him tying it in place and running off behind the counter excitedly. Leah had to admit, she loved that her family owned business because they often got to help and it was a lot of fun. She enjoyed helping more in the salon and spa more than her brother. Her mom let her wash hair and she got to keep the tips and it was awesome. She really like helping with facials though, that was the best.

She thanked her uncle when he food was brought, digging in with gusto, but frowned at her cousin when she was reminded she needed to mind her sass. “That kid deserved it,” she said but sighed, “... I will try Mercy.”

She probably, definitely wouldn’t and she was sure Mercy knew that, but she wasn’t about to get in trouble for saying it. The woman in her family were just sassy and she and Mercy were no exception. Didn’t help that the family seemed to flip flop the gender ration, Uncle David was the only boy with 4 sisters, but this generation has 7 boys to 3 girls. Needless to say the girls were a little spoiled … just a little.

David shrugged and went to work in the kitchen, handing Dae some plates for him to take to customers, handing Leah her food. “Even if the kid deserved it you should’ve been the better person and walked away Ash.” He would agree that the girls were more spoiled than he ever was as a child, but that still didn't excuse that fact that their sassiness needed to be brought under control somehow. Mercy smiled and nodded, knowing that Leah was going to do whatever Leah wanted to do. She was the exact same way as a kid and she figured it would be no different.