Chapter Text
By the time they reached the parking lot, everyone just wanted to go home. Too bad they were met with John, Madelyn, a handful of cops, and a bunch of bystanders gawking at the commotion.
"Annie!" Madelyn ran over, surprisingly quick for the height of her heels. "Sweetie are you alright?"
"There you are," John said as he snatched his daughter from M.M. the aggressive movement caused the teen to take a few steps back after.
"Thank you, M." Madelyn said.
"Mae and Kimiko found them. I just took over the last bit to give Mae a break," M.M. admitted.
"She says her ankle hurts and she scraped her elbow," Mae told them, but John had already taken her to where the officers were waiting.
"Thank you, sweetheart," Maddie said. She gave her oldest daughter a hug and went to join her husband.
"At least we got a thank you this time," she sighed before going over and sitting on a bench.
"I'd give you a bloody award if I had one, a parade too," Mae looked up to see Butcher beside her. After ordering the dog to sit next to the bench he managed to sit down, barely even jostling Hughie. Since he hadn't actually set the boy down since he picked him up at the clearing.
Mae chuckled.
"You’re a bright kid,” Butcher tells her. “Good head on your shoulders despite you dear ol' dad having his up his own arse."
"Stepdad, but your not too off on my real dad either," Mae admitted.
"Makes it all the more impressive that you're the most practical one of the lot. I can see why you and M.M. get along. Both too smart for your own good."
"Thanks, Butcher."
"Butcher!" One of the cops shouted.
"Yeah, I hear you," he replied, glancing at Hughie.
"I can take him, your arms have got to be tired."
She could tell he was hesitant. "We'll just be here on this bench. Not going anywhere."
Butcher nodded and handed Hughie over.
"Are we in trouble?" Hughie asked her, his voice quiet as he glanced at the officers.
"I…" Mae started to say she wasn't sure, but realized with how upset he seemed to be. She knew that might not be the right course. "Not with me." She nudged his little shoe with her leg. "And I'm sure M.M.'s not mad at you. And do you think Butcher carried you all this way back just to be mad? I don't think so." She bit back a sigh as she followed his gaze back to the commotion in the parking lot. "Look at me, Hughie," she gently nudged his chin until he looked up at her. "I know it seems bad but everything will be ok. If anyone is mad, they are mad about the situation, not you. You were worried about him, weren't you?" She gestured to where Terror had surprisingly stayed by the bench. Hughie looked at Terror then back to Mae and nodded. "Is that why you guys left my house?" He nodded again. "Then I understand, but next time, just let Kevin know. Kevin loves animals. He would have helped you look for him. I would have too. And no, M and I won't let Frenchie get Terror in trouble. I will always help you guys, Hughie. I'm don't care if the grown-ups might not like it but," she paused and looked over as Frenchie and Kimiko came over. "We kids have to stick together. Right, guys?"
"Oui, like always," Frenchie agreed as Kimiko nodded. Frenchie hooked a leash to Terror.
They all looked up as John and Butcher started shouting again. M.M. and Madelyn tried to intervene before it got too heated and they ended up in handcuffs.
"Are we going to have to move again?" Hughie asked.
"I hope not," Frenchie said.
"Only if you take me with you," Mae grumbled as her stepdad continued to yell. "I can't deal with him much longer."
"How does your maman put up with him?"
"Don’t know but it’s probably for Annie and Teddy's sake. She can usually talk him down when in public, but Butcher I guess just brings the crazy out of him."
"Butcher is good at that," Frenchie states.
"Yeah well, the stick up my stepdad's ass doesn't help." She grinned when the swear word earned a giggle from Hughie. "Was that a giggle? See? I told you things would be okay, already getting back to normal. John and Butcher arguing. M. is just done with everything and Annie will be okay, because you did a good job and stayed with her. After this everyone can go home and…" she paused as she had an idea. She pulled out her phone and searched for something, quickly ordering it. "And in a few days, I'll have a fancy new collar gadget so that you can find Terror if he runs away."
"You what?" M.M. asked as he came over. "Mae those aren't-"
"Already ordered it and for my sanity and yours, it's happening. It's just a chip that goes on his collar and it's less expensive and stress-inducing than all this." She gestured to the slowly quieting parking lot filled with the so-called adults in their life. "And not like I spend my money on anything else."
"We'll pay you back," M.M. insisted.
"Not necessarily, but whatever helps you sleep at night," Mae grinned.
M.M. was about to argue more when Elena came over. "I'm going to get these 4 into the van, you do you." He scooped up Hughie off the bench. He turned to Elena. "Nice meeting you Elena, and thanks for the help. Let you mom know she’s the best mom in town."
"I will and it’s no problem," Elena nodded. Mae waved as Hughie waved them goodbye.
"As entertaining as this all is, my mom thinks we should go," Elena said.
"Right, yeah," Mae nodded before standing up and hugging her girlfriend. "I couldn't have done this without you."
Elena chuckled as she hugged her back. "Yes, you could have."
"Maybe, but it means more to me than you know that you were here." Mae pulled back and smiled at her.
"I have an idea how much," Elena grinned.
"You are too good to me," Mae started.
"Maybe, but someone has to be since your parents suck."
"Yeah," Mae sighed.
"But you don't. So call me later when the insanity dies down," Elena said squeezing Mae's hand.
"Of course," Mae easily agreed. "Tell you mom thank you."
"I will," Elena nodded. Mae gave her a kiss goodbye.
Once alone Mae leaned back against the bench, rubbed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Her life had felt like it was coming apart at the seams most of the day. She was exhausted, but she grinned to herself as she stood up. At least she had good friends and an awesome girlfriend. She just had to believe what she had told Hughie was true. It would be okay. She was going to make it okay. She'd drag M.M. with her as she did. Hell, she'd punch her stepdad in the throat if it would make things better. It wouldn't, but a girl could dream.