Kids (The Epic School Careers of Mercutio-Dominic and Idina Faberry)

"Hello, is this the Faberry residence?"

"Yes, this is Quinn." She smiled into the phone. Mixing their names had sounded like a good idea at the time….

"This is Mrs. Clearson, Idina's teacher."

Uh oh.

"We had a bit of an…interesting incident today."

"Oh really? What happened?"

"Well, it was our first day in music class…"

Oh God….

"And the music teacher asked everyone to go around and say their favorite song. Idina's choice was The Word of Your Body from Spring Awakening."

Quinn just barely resisted the temptation to smack herself in the head.

"And while I agree that that is a wonderful production, the music teacher…er…made a comment. She said that that was a very mature song for such a little girl."

"Oh God…." Quinn said aloud this time. "How long was the rant?"

"Ten minutes. And she made quite good arguments for early exposure to the arts."

"I'll talk to her," Quinn said. "Sorry about that."

"It's no problem," Mrs. Clearson said. "I actually found it quite amusing. But we can't have the kids debating teachers during class time."

"Right. I'll take care of it. Thanks for the call, Mrs. Clearson."

"Not at all. See you at the school picnic on Friday."

Quinn sighed as she hung up the phone. "Rachel! Idina! Get in here!"

"Hello, Rachel Berry-Fabray speaking!"

"Mrs….uh… Ma'am this is Mercutio's teacher, Ms. Phillips."

"Oh, hello. Is everything okay there?"

"Yes, very much so. I just wanted to tell you about something that occurred at recess. As I understand it from all parties involved, Mercutio stood up to a bully for a kid who was getting picked on. He also stopped the bully from beating that kid up."

"Oh! My goodness."

"Mr. Townsend was on the playground when it happened. He said it was one of the bravest things he'd ever seen a ten year old do."

"Well, thank you so much for telling me," Rachel said.

"You're very welcome. Have a good evening."

"You too." Rachel hung up and looked into the dining room where the other three were eating. She went back in and sat down. "Mercutio, did something happen today at school."

He looked up at her and shrugged. "That was my teacher, wasn't it?"

"Yes. She seemed very proud of you."

The boy just shrugged again.

"What happened?" Quinn asked.

"Apparently, Mercutio stood up to a bully. He was defending another kid."

"Just told him I'd go Lima Heights on him if he ever messed with my friends again," Mercutio said.

"That's it…no more hanging out with Auntie Tana…" Quinn mumbled, but she was smiling.

"No one messes with my fam, yo…."

"Make that Auntie Tana and Uncle Puck…."

"I can't believe she got the solo! She's the only sixth grader to get one," Quinn gushed as they made their way into the packed auditorium.

"Really? You can't?" Santana asked, smiling. "Rachel gave birth to her…I'm surprised the kid wasn't singing showtunes in the hospital nursery."

Quinn laughed and scanned the room for Rachel. Of course, her diva had scored seats right up front. When they made it over, Rachel was literally bouncing up and down with excitement.

Mercutio was slumped beside her, embarrassed. "Mom, do something."

"Rach, honey, it's just a school play."

"Just a school play in which our daughter is featured!" Rachel said happily.

"I'm just impressed that a middle school had the stones to try and pull of Beauty and the Beast," Santana said, reading the program.

"Our school thinks it's Julliard," Mercutio said, smirking.

"Well, Aunt Brittany works here," Santana said. "She went to Julliard, so it's kind of the same thing."

"Sure, Auntie Tana…."

Twenty minutes later, the lights went down and the narrator began the play. They all held their breath a few minutes later as Idina, dressed as Belle, appeared on stage.

"Little town, it's a quiet village. Every day like the one before," she began flawlessly.

Rachel was already crying.

"Little town full of little people waking up to say….."

"Hey!" Santana greeted, opening the door. "Wait, I thought tonight was the eighth grade dance. What's Mercutio doing at game night?"

"He's here because he got suspended today," Quinn said sternly.

"What?" Brittany asked as they walked in.

Idina sniggered.

"It's not funny, Idina," Mercutio snapped.

"No, it's not," Rachel said. The kids went into the other room and started a game of Mario Party on the Wii. "He called another kid a pussy," Rachel explained quietly.

Santana sniggered this time.

"Not funny, S," Quinn snapped.

"Well was the kid acting like a pussy?" Santana asked.

"Santana!"

"I'm just saying…you got to take into account the fact that the kid may have deserved it…."

"You have everything you need?" Rachel said. It was obvious that she was trying not to cry.

"Yes, Mommy," Idina said. "I'll be fine. Uncle Kurt bought me this fancy international phone. I'll call you as soon as we land in Paris."

"Okay," Rachel hugged her tightly. "Be safe. Stay with the group."

"I will. I promise."

Quinn hugged her next. "Don't go anywhere with any strange French boys."

Idina laughed. "I won't."

"And don't forget—"

"Mom, I'm 16. I have everything covered, and if I don't I'll figure it out there."

Quinn chuckled. "Right. Okay, go on. Have fun."

"I will." Idina turned to her brother. "Try to keep them in line while I'm gone."

"No worries. I got this shit on lock."

"MERCUTIO!" both his moms snapped.

He grinned and held out a Mockingjay pin for his sister. "May the odds be ever in your favor."

She squeaked happily and took it. The Hunger Games were her favorite books. She pinned it to her jacket and hugged him. "I'll miss you."

"Stop being cheesy. You're turning into Mommy."

"Stop calling her 'Mommy'. You're a 17 year old boy," Idina retorted.

"Touché. Go on, before you miss your flight."

Idina grabbed her bag and got into the security line with the rest of the Junior Ambassadors. She waved right before she went through the metal detectors.

"MOM! MOMMY!" Mercutio bellowed, running into the house. "IDINA! Where are you guys?"

"For Barbara's sake, Mercutio!" Rachel said, coming out of the living room. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I got it! I got in!" he yelled, picking her up and spinning her around.

Quinn came from upstairs and was just in time to witness the twirling. "What's going—" She stopped, noticing the paper in his hands. "Mercutio? Is that from—"

"Cal Poly Tech!" he said, still jumping up and down like a mad man. "I need to call Auntie Tana! Where the fuck's my phone?" he said to himself, rummaging through his hockey bag.

The two women were so happy for him, they didn't even bother to correct his language. It was a losing battle at this point anyway.

"This calls for a celebratory dinner at The Cheesecake Factory!" Quinn said.

"Mercutio-Dominic Blaine Faberry. Magna Cum Lade."

The family went nuts. Rachel was crying, Puck and Idina were cheering, Brittany and Quinn had air horns, and Santana held up a sign that said, "Fuck the Haters! You Did It!"

"Idina Santana-Katlyn Faberry. Summa Cum Lade"

The family went nuts. Rachel was crying, Puck and Mercutio were cheering, Brittany and Quinn had air horns, and Santana held up a sign that said, "You Got My Name AND My Brains, Kid! Well Done!"