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Chapter Text

Zoey paced back and forth in the living room while Max sat in the couch eating a bowl of popcorn. Their son came into the room and smiled widely. 

"Okay, I want it on the record that for once I'm the one who's on time and she's late!" Mitch sat down on the couch. 

"Yeah, yeah, I'm proud of you, but cut your sister some slack, they probably just decided to do another round of bowling or something." Max shrugged. 

"I'm getting worried. She's not answering her phone. She always answers and she is always on time. Do you think something bad happened?" Zoey continued her pacing looking down at her phone, trying to will it to ring. Max set down the popcorn and got up from his seat. He walked over to Zoey and grabbed her hands looking into her eyes.

"Hey, hey. I'm sure Sid's phone just died or something." He said

"Max, she's with a group of people. Why wouldn't she have asked to use Michael's phone or something? Also, it's not going immediately to voicemail, its ringing so it can’t be dead." She gave him a worried look. 

"She's only 45 minutes late Zo, Mitch has been an hour and a half late before." Max reasoned. 

"Hey!" Mitch said from the couch. "I had a good a reason!" 

"Does lighting off homemade rockets with the blonde girl from your Chem class count as a good reason?" Max shot back. 

"It was a VERY good reason," Mitch smirked. 

"Mitch!" Zoey scolded.

"I was respectful!" Mitch threw up his hands in defense. Max shook his head in disapproval and turned back to Zoey. 

"At least we have one good kid," Max joked.

"I know we said we wouldn't do this again, but... can we use the SPRQ Commander?" Zoey asked. 

"Zo... I don't know about that, I feel weird about tracking her phone." He said.

"Wait, have you ever used that on me?" Mitch's eyes widened. "You already can hear my thoughts now you track our phones too? I'm going to call Snowden!" 

"This is not about you right now," Max waived him off. "Fine, but we are just going to see if she's still at the bowling alley and then if she is we'll try calling her friend Caroline." 

"Simon said that Michael was going to drive her home, maybe we should try calling Michael?" Zoey suggested. 

"I'm don't want Michael to answer the phone while he's driving. Let's just see where she's at." Max walked over to a flat screen monitor mounted to the wall and touched a few buttons on the touch screen. "Okay, it's tracking.... wait.... it says she's here?" 

"Did you try her watch? Maybe she left her phone here." Zoey considered.

"Good idea." Max tapped a few buttons. "Also says she's here. That's weird." He walked over to the stairs and yelled up them. "SIDNEY?" There was nothing but silence in response. Max jogged up the stairs and came down a few moments later. "She's not there."

"Maybe her and Michael just got here?" Zoey suggested. 

"Yeah, maybe, let me check." Max opened the front door and walked down the paved driveway  to the street. He looked down the street and saw that Michael's car was parked on the side of the road. "Oh, they are here." He mumbled to himself and started to make his way towards the car.

When he got closer Max's face contorted in confusion when no one appeared to be in the front seats. That was, until a half a second later he saw a flash of red hair and he snapped his attention to where he now realized his daughter and Michael were passionately making out in the backseat.

"What the *guitar riff*" Max immediately took off running to the car and pounded his fist against the window. Sidney and Michael launched apart and Sidney looked at her dad through the window like a deer in the headlights. Max pulled on the handle to the door twice before Sidney unlocked it and jumped out of the car frantically adjusting her clothes. 

"Dad.... I-uh" She glanced back at Michael who was still sitting in the back seat. Michael rubbed his hand over his face in misery much like his dad, Simon, often did.

"Michael." Max's voice held a sharp edge that no one missed. Michael opened his mouth to speak uneasily.

"Um... Max I-" 

"I think that's going to be Mr. Richman to you now, considering." Max interrupted gesturing to the backseat of the car. 

"Right- um, of course, Mr. Richman." Michael nodded his head uncomfortably. 

"Go home, Michael." Max stated plainly. 

"Uh... yeah." Michael slid out of the car so he was standing right in front of Max who threw the door shut behind him. Michael pointed to the driver side door. "I'll just... go... now."

There was barely enough space in between the car and Max for Michael to get to the driver side door so he leaned up against his car with his back sliding across it trying not to touch or brush against Max who was still staring him down. Sidney watched the interaction with a complete look of horror on her face. Michael flung the door open in a hurry and practically jumped into the seat, starting the car. When he drove away he offered Sidney a nervous waive and an apologetic look. 

Max stared down the road watching the car disappear next to his daughter in complete silence. Then, without a word he turned on his heel and walked back towards the house. Sidney stared after her dad with her mouth hanging open for a moment then jogged to catch up with him. They both stayed silent the entire way to the front door. 

When they walked inside Zoey shot up from her seat and ran to Sidney, hugging her. 

"Where were you? I was so worried!" She said. 

"I was just...." Sidney glanced at her dad who had slumped into the couch next to her brother massaging his temples. Mitch looked between them with a confused look on his face. "Dad... can we just... talk about this?" 

"No." Max shook his head and closed his eyes. "Not right now." Zoey glanced at her husband than back to her daughter trying to read the situation. 

"What is going on?" Zoey asked. 

"We were just kissing, I don’t see what the big deal is!" Sidney shouted at Max, ignoring her mother. 

"Whoa... what?" Mitch's eyes went wide. Zoey stared at her daughter in shock.

"Oh, is that what that was? That's funny, I don't seem to recall 'just kissing' needing the entire backseat of Michael's car." Max snapped. 

"Michael?! Well, finally!" Mitch said, amused. Both Max and Sidney glared at him in response and he shrugged shoving some popcorn in his mouth. 

"Okay, let's just all calm down." Zoey said to the room. 

"I'm perfectly calm!" Max said, clearly not calm. 

"He's overeating!" Sidney huffed.

"You're almost an hour late, Sidney. I'm not overreacting." Max crossed his arms. 

"We weren't doing that the whole time! We were just talking and then..." Sidney drifted off looking down at the floor.

"Mmhmm." Max exhaled loudly through his nose.

"Okay. Max and Mitch, you're going to have to start the movie without us. Sidney come with me." Zoey gestured for her daughter to follow her. 

"Cause I can just watch a movie right now." Max grumbled under his breath sarcastically. Zoey whirled around to glare at him.

"Start the movie, Max." She ordered.

Chapter Text

Zoey shut the door behind her and gestured for Sidney to sit on the bed next to her. 

"What happened?" Zoey asked. 

"I don't know!" Sidney put her face in her hands. 

"I thought you guys were just friends, I've asked you a few times if you were more than that." Zoey pointed out. 

"We are just friends!" Sidney said then her eyebrows drew together in confusion. "Or we were just friends?" 

"So that was your first kiss, then?" Zoey pried. 

"Unless you count when we were like 5 once on a dare, then, yes."

"So.... you do like him then?" Zoey cocked her head at her. 

"I mean... I guess I do. I didn't know I did. We were just talking and then he goes and tells me he's in love with me! So naturally I freaked out and just kissed him," Sidney explained and threw herself back on her bed miserably. "I don't know why I did it even! Then I couldn't stop kissing him! Ugh what did I do?" 

"My God.... you really are like me." Zoey shook her head. 

"You mean cause you and dad were friends for a while first?" She asked. 

"Also cause your dad told me he was in love me back then and I freaked out. Not the same way you did, mind you, but I did kiss your dad first by just springing it on him later." Zoey laughed.

"Really? What did dad do?" She asked.

"Um well he... had the same reaction as Michael apparently did," Zoey shrugged. 

"So maybe he won't be so mad at me then?" Sidney said hopefully. 

"Well I was in my late 20s and he was in his early 30s so its not quite the same as two 16 year olds." Zoey raised her eyebrows. "What exactly did your dad see, Sid?" 

"I promise all of our clothes were on!" She buried her face in a pillow. "There might have been..." She shoved her face further into the pillow so Zoey couldn't hear what she said. 

"There might have been.... what?" Zoey pried. Sidney shot up from the pillow annoyed.

"Groping, okay! There might have been something some people might call that!" She squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment.

"And how did you end up in the back of his car?" 

"I... well the seatbelt piece kept stabbing me in the side so I just suggested we... move?" Sidney bit her lip. "Dad can't be mad at Michael for that when it was my idea!" 

"Somehow, I really don't think that's going to make your dad feel any better." Zoey shook her head.

"I can't believe I kissed him. Now things are going to be weird and I don't want things to be weird! We didn't even get a chance to talk about it cause dad.... and then dad told him to call him Mr. Richman! What?! It was so embarrassing mom." Sidney put both hands over her face again.

"So where does this leave us. Obviously your dad and I are going to have to talk to Michael's parents and then-"

"What?! No mom, please. I'm begging you, don't do that!"" Sidney shook her head vigorously.

"I'm sorry, Sid, but Simon and Tatiana are our friends so we can't just not tell them. They're his parents, so they need to know." Zoey patted her back. "It's going to be okay." Sidney's phone buzzed and she looked at it miserably.

"Michael?" Zoey inquired and Sidney nodded flipping the phone around to show her.

Michael Haynes 8:04PM

Are you okay?

"What am I supposed to say to that?!" Sidney looked her phone and threw it to the other end of the bed dramatically.

"I don't know, but It seems like you need to talk to him to see where you stand," Zoey suggested. 

"But I don't know how I feel about him! He's my best friend... I've always loved him but... like friendship love. I didn't know that I had THOSE kind of feelings! I don't even know that I want to go there.  I don't want to change what we already have. Also will dad even let me see Michael anymore?" Sidney rambled.

"Don't worry about your dad, he'll get over it. Maybe you should tell Michael everything you just told me." Zoey contemplated for a moment then added, "but if you don't want to date him just because you're scared, I tried that route with your dad and it did not work out well for me."

"But what if we end up breaking up?" She argued.

"Then maybe you can go back to being friends. I used to date Simon and both your dad and I are friends with him still." 

"You dated Michael's dad?!" Sidney asked in shock.

"I haven't told you this? It was a bit of a cluster back in the day." Zoey laughed slightly.

"Did you date him before dad?" Sidney sat up straighter, interested. 

"In between... I dated your dad, then Simon, then your dad again." Zoey explained. 

"What? You and dad broke up?" 

"Do you really want the full story?" Zoey asked.

"I mean, it's kinda making me feel like I'm less of a hot mess than you were, so yeah!" Sidney nodded

"Hey!" Zoey chided. "Fine.... so I guess it starts with the MRI machine that you already know about."

Chapter Text

Max spit his toothpaste into the sink and drug himself over to the bed feeling heavy. He wiggled under the covers and closed his eyes. 

"You did not honestly thinking that we are just going to bed without talking about this did you?" Zoey asked next to him and he opened one eye.

"I was hoping to, yes!" He opened his remaining eye and exhaled loudly. "I don't really want to think about it anymore."

"Well that's too bad cause we're talking about it. I got her side, what's your side?" She asked. 

"My side? My side is I came outside to find that our daughter was in the backseat of a car doing God knows what with Michael's hands....everywhere they shouldn't have been." Max snapped. 

"Okay, calm down. They're not having sex." Zoey stated.

"Do we really know that though? I didn't even know they were dating so if they managed to keep that from us seems like they can keep other things from us too." Max huffed.

"I talked to Sidney. They aren't dating. That was their first time doing anything so it's probably pretty mortifying that she got caught by you." 

"They aren't dating but they're doing that in the back of a car?" Max looked bewildered. 

"You also can't blame Michael for that because that was Sidney's idea." She shrugged.

"I didn't need to know that, Zoey " Max rolled onto his back to look at the ceiling. 

"They might start dating. Michael told her that he's in love with her and if you want my honest opinion seems like she is also in love with him too." 

"No one's in love with anybody. They're 16!" He  shook his head 

"Your cousin got married to the guy she started dating when she was 16." Zoey pointed out. 

"Well, my cousins insane." Max replied curtly. 

"Why are you so surprised by this?" She asked "They've been best friends since they were 1. You and I were best friends before we fell in love. And you like Michael! You always invite him to family movie nights and dinners. He's a good kid! They're older now so they've got a bunch of hormones and-"

"Zo, please I don't want to talk about their hormones." Max put his hands over his face and took a deep breath. "Look I don't think Michael's a bad kid and I'm not really shocked they have feelings for each other now, what I was not expecting was for them to be going from 0 to 60 in the span of 1 hr in the back of a car no less. We didn't even have sex in a car till a week before our wedding!" 

"If it helps I don't think Sidney is just going to jump into bed with him... she's pulling a me." Zoey shrugged.

"What does that mean?" Max turned to face her again. 

"Well he said he loved her and she freaked out and kissed him to shut him up and now she is panicking, thinking that she ruined their whole friendship," Zoey explained. "Michael is basically you in this scenario."

"Except he's 16." Max stated. "I was 30. I was allowed to make out with whoever I wanted to make out with." 

"And you didn't make out with girls when you were 16?" Zoey raised her eyebrows. "You lost your virginity when you were 16!" 

"Well... when did you lose yours again?" 

"18." Zoey replied. 

"Damnit, that's so responsible." Max sighed making Zoey cackle. 

"Maybe I would've slept with you if I knew you at 16." She offered. 

"Yeah, I don't think you would've liked me back then." Max shook his head. "Look, I hear all of you points and they're valid but I still don't have to like it. And did it really have to be Simon's kid?" 

"Yeah... we're going to have to tell him and Tatiana." Zoey sighed. "That's not going to be a fun conversation."

"Would you just grab that lamp over there and hit me over the head with it?" 

Chapter Text

Mitch walked down the stairs and sat down next to his sister at the island. 

"So... you and Michael?" He asked.

"I don't know yet." Sidney replied, barely looking up from her science textbook. 

"You know he's liked you since middle school, right?" Mitch teased and she looked up from her book surprised. 

"Really?! I-I mean how do you know that?" 

"Careful sis... or people might think your interested." Mitch cocked his head at her.

"Shut up, Mitch. Just tell me how you know that." Sidney snapped. 

"He's obvious, that's how I know. It's all in the eyes." He pointed to his own eyes for effect. 

"Oh, is that a scientific fact?" She retorted.

"Actually, when you brain gets a boost of oxytocin and dopamine from looking at someone you like, your pupils dilate a little." Mitch grinned, pleased with himself.

"Spoken like a true Chem major," Sidney rolled her eyes.

"It's how I know you like him too." He pointed at her. "Well, that and dad caught you dry humping him in the back of his car."

"That is not what happened!!" She protested slapping her hand on the countertop. 

"I'm not sure if I want to congratulate him for finally making a move or if I want to hurt him," Mitch considered. "Maybe a bit of both. Next time if you're going to do that, though, maybe don't park directly outside the front door." 

"I didn't know we were going to do that!" Sidney blushed furiously. "And I'll have you know, I made the first move." She stated proudly.

"Really? I never pegged you for a go getter, props sis." He held up his hand. She reached to give him a high five, but he veered his hand away from her at the last second so she missed. 

"I knew you were going to do that!" Sidney barked. 

"And yet you always fall for it." Mitch grinned. "So is he like your boyfriend now?" 

"Mitch I have no idea, can you just leave me alone, I'm trying to finish this chapter and eat breakfast." 

"Well I can fix one of those problems." He snatched the toast off her plate and took a bite. 

"You're a freaking human garbage disposal. Emphasis on the 'garbage.'" Sidney quipped.

A few moments later Max walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge pulling out the eggs. When he closed it he made brief eye contact with his daughter before turning away to pull out a pan.

"Wow, I feel absolutely no awkward tension in this room. None whatsoever." Mitch said sarcastically. 

"Mitch, will you stop it?" Max said turning back around to glare at his son.

♫ Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots started to Play. ♫

Max glanced at his daughter but she was frozen so he returned his attentions back to his son who started to sing. 

"Agreed." Sidney nodded in relief. 

"One other thing, we have to tell Simon and Tatiana today so... be prepared for that." Max sighed.

"Do we really have to?" Sidney laid her head on the kitchen island dramatically.

"I'm not particularly excited about it either, Sid." He stated.

"Sorry," She grimaced. "Do I have to be there when you..."

"No, I think it'll just be the parents." Zoey chimed in. "For now I'm pulling you out of school for a spa day."

"Really? But I have a anatomy test." Sidney lifted her book for show.

"You can make it up," Max shrugged. "Mitch, you want to go to a hockey game?" 

"Really? Yeah!" Mitch nodded excitedly.

"Okay, I was thinking you probably need a new laptop for school too since you keep complaining about how your current one is running," Max said.

"Wow... why are you both being so nice?" Mitch narrowed his eyes at them and then realization crossed over his face. "You read our minds again, didn't you?!" 

"There might have been a heart song," Zoey nodded. 

"Ugh! Will will you tell me how I'm feeling, because I can't seem to figure that out myself!" Sidney exclaimed.

"You both are... stressed out," Max said.

"You know... when I was younger I thought it was so cool that you guys basically belong in a circus of freak shows, but now it's just annoying. I really don't want you in my head right now!" Mitch complained. 

"You know that we can't just turn it off," Zoey put her hands on her hips. 

"Have you tried?" Mitch huffed.

"Of course we've tried. Obviously there's something bothering you and I'm supposed to help you with it. Is it school? Are you failing college? I'm sure MIT is really hard." Max tilted his head trying to read his son's face.

"When have I ever failed at school, dad? I've already finished every project that's due after the break while most people procrastinate till the last second! I'm insulted you even asked me that." Mitch turned around and left the kitchen. 

"Okay... well that went well." Max turned to Zoey. 

"I'm sure you'll figure it out. Sidney and I gotta get out of here if we want to make our...  nail appointment." Zoey bridged the gap between her and Max and looked up at him pulling down on his shirt. He took the queue and stooped to kiss her. "I love you." 

"I love you too," He smiled.

"Gross," Sidney mumbled under her breath. 

"You don't really get a say in what's gross," Max noted.

"You said you wouldn't bring it up again!" Sidney stood up from her chair frustrated and Max held up his hands in defeat.

"I'm done."

Chapter Text

"So which nail salon are we going to?" Sidney asked conversationally. 

"Oh, we're not going to a nail salon." Zoey turned on her turn signal. "That was just a rouse so your father didn't get suspicious." 

"Where are we going?" Sidney asked, confused. 

"The doctor," Zoey stated.

"Why?" 

"I thought it's time you were on birth control considering." Zoey gave her a light smile. 

"What? Mom I- I told you we're not having sex!" Sidney shouted. 

"Sidney, you're 16, I know how this works. Your reaction to just kissing Michael ended with you in the back seat of his car for 45 minutes. Obviously it's your decision, but I think you should be prepared." 

"Okay," Sidney closed her eyes. "I guess you're right..  it's not like I haven't thought about it."

"And the doctor's office isn't going to take all day so we will do spa stuff afterward. I invited Mo to the spa appointment, I figured he'd want to hear the latest gossip on you." 

"I could actually use some Mo advice," Sidney nodded.

Chapter Text

Max sat down on the couch next to his son nervously fiddling with his hands. 

"Will you just tell me what you're stressed about so I don't have to guess?" Max asked.  Mitch took a deep breath and turned to to his father.

"Okay... I'm thinking about possibly... actually I don't know I haven't really decided yet-"

"Mitch! Spit it out. You're doing that nervous rambling thing your mother does " Max interrupted

"Sorry. I kinda sort of maybe want to change my major?" Mitch looked down at his feet nervously. 

"That's it?" Max blinked. 

"You're not mad?" Mitch adjusted in his seat 

"Why would I be mad about that? I thought something was really wrong like you got your girlfriend pregnant or something." Max sighed in relief.

"What? No, unlike Sid, I think before I do things," Mitch quipped.

"So what major, then?" Max asked. 

"I want to double major... I still want to do chemical engineering, but I want to add Bioengineering and biomedical engineering." After a moment of silence Mitch cleared his throat. "You're... not going to say anything?"

"Sorry... sometimes you say things that make me realize you are way smarter than me," Max sighed.

"So you're okay if I do that then? I mean you're paying for my college tuition and it's going to cost more money I just didn't know if-"

"Mitch, I'm proud of you."

Chapter Text

Mo, Zoey, and Sidney sat in massage chairs, their toes in hot bubbly water. 

"So let me get this straight, your daddy caught you making out with Michael in the back of his car?" Mo asked, amused. 

"Yes," Sidney said miserably. 

"Well, that is some bassackwards Deja Vu!" Mo laughed looking at Zoey. "Except this time it's like Simon wins instead of Max."

"Mo. Not helping," Zoey rolled her eyes.

"I'm just saying something about the Haynes men really does it for you two." Mo pointed at them. 

"Did. Past tense," Zoey corrected. 

"Well not past tense for her." Mo looked at Sidney. "And Max is freaking out about it, I assume?"

"He told Michael to call him Mr. Richman," Sidney cringed. 

"Oh good Lord!" Mo shook his head then turned to Zoey. "You think he's more mad that it's Simon's son?"

"What? No, if anything he should relate to Michael, because he was my best friend for years first. He's more disturbed by the fact that... as he put it Michael's hands were everywhere they shouldn't be." Zoey glanced at her daughter who winced. 

"Oh? So it's like that, is it?" Mo raised his eyebrows at Sidney. 

"No!" Sidney shouted and Mo jumped at the noise level. "I-I mean I don't know. I think I kind of blew up our friendship and I'm not really sure what to do about it. I just want us to go back to normal so it doesn't ruin anything."

"Did you teach her this crap?" Mo accused Zoey. 

"I swear I didn't!" Zoey replied in defense. 

"You two are a bunch of idiots!" Mo shook his head in admonishment. 

"Hey!" Sidney protested.

"Your mother pulled this same nonsense with your daddy. 'Uh-I don't know Mo, I'm basically head over heels in love with Max but I think I'll just dance around it for 2 years.'" Mo mimicked. "'Maybe I'll have a thing with someone who is engaged and emotionally unavailable, because I'm too worried it'll ruin our friendship if I admit I have feelings for Max.' This is way too familiar to me," Mo sighed tossing his hand in the air.

"Wait... Simon was engaged? You left that part out of the story!" Sidney stared at her mom.

"Your mom tried to burn down Simon's engagement party. There was a literal fire." Mo said. 

"Okay that's... I didn't mean too! I bumped into a candle!" Zoey glanced nervously at her daughter. "And I might have been a little drunk." 

"That's crazy. I'm just surprised you and Tatiana are still friends." Sidney said.

"Oh, he wasn't engaged to Tatiana. It was another girl." Zoey explained.

"Your momma basically broke them up," Mo stated. 

"I did not!" Zoey protested. 

"Wait, hold on, he cheated on his fiancé with you?" Sidney's eyes went wide. 

"No! I-I mean we kissed once. ONCE! Before they broke up." Zoey put her hand to her face. 

"But... you were in love with dad at the same time?" Sidney furrowed her brow. "I'm so confused right now."

"Girl, welcome to the party," Mo grinned.

"You left out a lot of details, mom!" Sidney glared at her mother.

"I didn't want you to think I was a bad person! I was just really conflicted back then. I didn't know I was in love with your dad." Zoey sighed in resignation. 

"So the part where you dated dad, then Simon, then dad again was... after all this?" Sidney clarified.

"Yes. But honey this is why you can't go making the same mistakes I did. I did everything back then out of fear." Zoey looked at her daughter earnestly.

"Well said," Mo nodded. 

"So do you think I should go for it with Michael?" Sidney asked. 

"If you think you're in love with him. If it was just physical, then no." Zoey stated 

"Are you in love with him?" Mo pried. 

"I-I I'm scared to be." Sidney fiddled with her hands. "But... I think.... maybe I am?"

"What did Michael say?" Mo asked. 

"Um... I haven't really responded to any of his texts or phone calls." Sidney looked down sheepishly. "Any advice?"

"My advice is the same as the advice I gave your mom 20 years ago." Mo said plainly. "He told you he's in love with you, you kissed him to avoid telling him how you feel. You've been best friends since you were toddlers and friends have hard conversations sometimes. He deserves an answer."

"Just wait until after I tell his parents." Zoey chimed in.

"What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall for that conversation." Mo grinned. "Max is coming to the restaurant tonight, right? I'll get the deets from him." 

"Mo, I can almost guarantee that he is not going to want to talk about it," Zoey shook her head. 

"I'm his best friend, I have ways of getting him to talk."

Chapter Text

Max and Zoey held hands as they walked up to Simon and Tatiana's front door. Max folded up their umbrella and set his mouth in a straight line, jaw rigid. 

"Just relax!" Zoey said. 

"That's not possible." Max lifted his fist and knocked twice on the door.

"Don't make this weirder than it has to be." Zoey murmured as the door opened. "HI!" 

"Come on in guys!" Simon said cheerily. Max glanced at Zoey uncomfortably and she yanked on his hand to pull him inside the house. "You guy's want wine? Tatiana's in the back getting herself some." 

"Alcohol!" Max said a little too enthusiastically and Simon gave him a weird look. "I mean, sure. Yeah, that sounds great." 

"I'll go help her with that!" Zoey said and immediately started towards the kitchen. Max glared after her.

"You wanna sit?" Simon pointed to the couch. 

"Yep, let's do that." Max walked over and sat abruptly on the couch. Simon sat down in a chair across from him and cocked his head staring at him. 

"You good man? You look a little.... sick?" Simon appraised him. 

"I'm fine," Max stated.

"Well, we're glad you guys called! It's been a week or two since we've hung out. I feel like our kids probably hang out more than we do!" Simon said conversationally. 

"I guess they do," Max grimaced. "Is Michael... here right now?" 

"No, he's at football practice, it's not football season but his rec league holds practices all year." Simon explained proudly. 

"Good." Max said more in reference to him not being there, but Simon didn't notice.

"Alright, wine for everyone!" Tatiana sat down in the chair next to her husband and Zoey passed Max a wine glass that he quickly downed in one long gulp. Simon and Tatiana stared at him with their eyes wide. Zoey sat down next to Max and gave him a warning look.

"Okay, what is wrong with you two? Are you fighting or something?" Simon asked.

"We're not fighting." Zoey shook her head. "But um... we did have something we needed to talk to you about. "

"Okay?" Tatiana tilted her head.

"I-or well rather Max um...." Zoey trailed off. Simon and Tatiana leaned in in anticipation.

"I caught your son making out with our daughter in his car." Max stated and then promptly poured himself more wine from the bottle Tatiana had set on the coffee table. 

"Wait... Michael and Sidney?" Simon clarified.

"You got another son around here I should be worried about?" Max asked sarcastically.

"Max." Zoey shot him a dirty look.

"I guess I thought that maybe he liked her, but I didn't realize they were dating." Simon stared blankly, still in shock.

"They aren't dating." Tatiana said, beside him. 

"Then what?" Simon moved uncomfortable in his chair not looking at Max and Zoey. 

"He just told me that he told her he was in love with her. He neglected to mention the rest of the story." Tatiana said, slightly amused and Max scoffed, taking a long sip of the new glass of wine he had just poured. 

"In love? What? Please, they're 16!" Simon recoiled. 

"That's what I said!" Max agreed. 

"Oh, come on, Simon! They've been best friends since they were 1. What did you think was going to happen?" Tatiana took a sip of her own wine. 

"And that's what I said." Zoey gestured to Tatiana. 

"Look. I assume you've had the sex talk with your son, but maybe revamp that considering he doesn't know how to keep his hands to himself." Max set the wine glass down and crossed his arms over his chest.

"MAX!" Zoey shouted in horror. 

"Whoa... hold on a second. Michael is a good kid! I'm sure he was respectful!" Simon put his hands up in defense. 

"We know that!" Zoey glanced back and forth between her husband and Simon. 

"Really, Simon? Cause they were in the backseat, not the front." Max raised his eyebrows stubbornly.

"The backseat?!" Tatiana's mouth hit the floor. "Oh my God. He didn't tell me any of this!" Simon sat back in his chair rubbing in hand over his face.

"Okay...then I'll guess I will have to re-have the talk with him." Simon murmured.

There was a long, awkward pause before the front door opened and Michael stepped inside holding a football bag, soaking wet. 

"Hey, dad! Coach sent us home cause there's a thunder storm and-" Michael immediately dropped his bag at the sight of Max and Zoey on the couch. "Actually l-you know what? I think I left something at school so I just gonna... go get that." He reached for the door handle. 

"SIT DOWN!" Simon shouted and jabbed his finger at the chair next to him. 

"Um... okay .. but I'm kindof soaked." Michael lifted his arms for show. Tatiana got up from her chair. 

"I'll get you a towel to sit on." Tatiana walked off towards the bathroom. They all waited for her to come back in dead silence until Zoey cleared her throat.

"So, Michael... how was school?" She asked. Both Max and Simon looked at her like she was completely insane. "Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood." 

"It was," Michael glanced at Max uncomfortably, "uneventful."

"Well, Sidney didn't go to school, so." Max said coldly. 

"Right," Michael adjusted his stance awkwardly.

"Okay! Here's a towel to sit on and one to dry yourself off with." Tatiana tossed two towels across the room at her son which he caught easily then made his way over to the chair across the room to sit down. 

"So let's start off with this," Simon stared at his son. "When were you planning on telling me you got caught by Max making out with his daughter in the back seat of your car?" 

"Um... is 'never' the wrong answer?" Michael grimaced. 

"Michael," Simon said sternly. "What did you think Max wasn't going to tell me?"

"Well I.... I don't know?! I didn’t want to say anything until I talked to Sid! But I guess she's not talking to me? I don't know what's going on." Michael said miserably then looked over at Max hesitantly. "Did you... take her phone?" He asked hopefully.

"No, I didn't." Max replied, almost feeling sorry for the kid. 

"So I guess she's avoiding me then." Michael put his elbows on his knees and buried his head in his hands. 

♫ Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore by REO Speedwagon started to play. ♫

Michael stood up from from his chair. Simon and Tatiana were both frozen in their seats.

"Great. I REALLY don't want to hear this." Max plugged his ears. 

"The music's in your head, Max." Zoey stated.

"I know that!" He hissed back.

♫ I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show ♫

Max crossed his arms over his chest as Michael moved out into the open space of the living room spinning his towel around as he danced.

Chapter Text

Max walked into Maximo's and immediately saw his daughter across the restaurant talking to some customers and clearing their dishes. 

"So how'd it go? Did you punch Simon in the face?" Mo asked coming up behind him. 

"What? No." Max shook his head. "How do you even know about this?"

"Where there is a spa day, I'm probably involved." Mo stated.

"So you talked to Sidney? What's your take on all of this?" 

"She's in love the boy." Mo shrugged glancing over at Sidney who was now wiping down a table. "Like Zoey was in love with you. The friends to lovers thing seems to be a family trait even though she's adopted." 

"Okay." Max said taking a deep breath.

"You're not freaking out? You always worry about everything! Max Richman, are you growing as a person?" Mo grinned.

"No! I'm definitely freaking out, just internally." He assured him. "Michael ended up showing up half-way through the conversation with Simon and Tatiana and-"

"Poor kid,"  Mo interrupted sympathetically and Max rolled his eyes.

"Anyways, he sang a heart song about her." Max shrugged his shoulders. "He obviously really likes her." Mo lifted a finger and Max shook his head. "I'm not saying 'love,' Mo."

"16 year olds can be in love, I was when I was 16. Jim Pelagio. Man was a hot snack." Mo recalled.

"Focus, Mo! All I'm saying is that if Sidney is going to date anyone, then Michael isn't so bad of a choice." Max finished. "Better than that kid Jason from a few months back."

"Yeah, that whole monologue he had about the conspiracy theory that Earth was sucked into a black hole and the moon landing being fake was a little much." Mo agreed.

"I thought he was joking at first. What a weird kid." Max nodded. "So with that, I have decided that I don't mind if he dates my daughter as long I NEVER have to see them doing whatever they were doing in the back of his car again." 

"Honestly, I'm getting second-hand embarrassment for them." Mo laughed.

"It's not funny, Mo." Max said sternly. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to go talk to my daughter."  Max walked off into the direction of the backroom that he had just watched Sidney walk into, carrying a tub of dirty dishes.

When he made it there he watched her set the dishes in the sink and turn on the Fawcett. 

"REO Speedwagon." Max said and she jumped, turning around to face him. 

"Are you a what?" Sidney scrunched her face, confused.

"The song is called Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon. When we were at Simon's Michael showed up and sang a heart song about you." Max explained.

"Oh... I don't think I know that song?" Sidney turned the faucet off.

"I wouldn't expect you to. It's from the 80s." Max said then added, "It's a love song about a guy who's in love with his best friend." 

"Oh." Sidney bit her lip.

"I'm honestly surprised that he knew the song. Most of the time people know the song when they are singing. Maybe Simon and Tatiana were better at teaching their kids 80s pop culture than we were." Max joked. "I guess he could have also not known the song. Your mom said I sang in Italian once and I definitely don't know Italian."

"Michael has weird taste in music, he probably knows the song. He also likes to listen to music on a Walkman, who does that anymore?" Sidney shook her head.

"That's just called having taste." Max laughed and then he shifted on his feet. "Sid, you need to talk to him, you can't just hide forever." 

"I know." She sighed closing her eyes.

"Everyone seems to think that you're in love with him too." Max choked slightly on the next words. "Are you?" 

"I think so... but I'm scared." She whispered. Max shook his head, a soft smile creeping on his face. "What?" Sidney asked. 

"You are so similar to your mother sometimes it's shocking." He noted.

"So everyone keeps telling me.  I heard she put you through the ringer back in the day." Sidney grinned.

"That she did. Sometimes I forget that you're adopted you are so much like her." 

"I'm adopted?!" Sidney said in mock shock. 

"Shhhh," Max looked over both his shoulders playing along. "You didn't hear it from me." 

"I still maintain that I'm less of a mess than mom was. I didn't kiss someone else's fiancé." Sidney pointed out and Max cringed. "Oh... sorry." 

"That was over 20 years ago, Sid. It's fine. I got your mom the rest of my life." Max absent mindedly twisted his wedding band on his finger smiling.

"I hope someday I get to have what you and mom do." She said.

"You will... someday." Max nodded. "I actually got you something." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box.

"What it is?" Sidney asked.

"Just open it." He held it out to her and she grabbed it opening it. "It's a shield with a backwards treble clef so it looks more like an 's.' In case you ever need to shield yourself."

"It's like mom's!" Sidney grinned sliding it onto her middle finger.

"And I got it from the same magical antique dealer in china town as your mom's so I'm going to have to finish those dishes for you so you don't get it wet." He pointed to the tub she had brought in and Sidney cackled.

"By all means, I won't say no to that!" Sidney stepped away from the sink. 

"One condition, though. Go talk to Michael before the kid spirals out of control. And in case it wasn't clear by 'talk' I mean talk." He lifted his index finger in warning. Be home by 10." 

"I get it, dad. I'll go talk to him." She nodded nervously and took a shaky breath

"Are you okay?" Max narrowed his eyes at her.

"I think I'm gonna throw up." Sidney exhaled. 

"The ring, Sid." Max pointed to her hand.

"Right, I can do this. I've trained for this." Sidney nodded and walked out of the room. 

Chapter Text

Sidney paced back and forth in front of the door several times before looking down at her ring, sucking a deep breath, and knocking. Tatiana answer the door.

"Oh, Sidney!" She said.

"Uh... is Michael home?" Sidney asked.

"He is, come on in. I'll go grab him." Tatiana opened the door wider for her as she stepped in as the door shut behind her.  Tatiana disappeared into a hallway and Sidney fidgeted anxiously as she waited. Michael came into sight followed by both of his parents and he looked back at them nervously. 

"Hi," he said, giving her a stiff waive with his hand. 

"Hey."

"So we are going to Maximo's to meet up with your parents and some other friends, because apparently they still want to be our friend," Tatiana joked. "As much as I love you both, we are definitely not letting you be here by yourself." 

"Oh... right, we could go somewhere?" Sidney suggested looking at Michael for help. Michael opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by his dad.

"No parked cars either. If you are driving somewhere you better be getting out immediately." Simon gave his son an accusatory look and Sidney scrunched her eyes closed in embarrassment.

"We'll just... go for a walk?" Michael suggested and Sidney bobbed her head in agreement. "But it's raining, do you want another jacket?" Michael asked looking at Sidney's sad excuse for a jacket. 

"Um, yeah actually, that'd be great." Sidney nodded. Michael jogged over to the coat closet and pulled out one of his jackets. 

"Here." He handed it to her. "It'll be huge on you cause you are the size of a hobbit, but better than nothing," he laughed and Sidney punched his shoulder in response. Simon glanced at Tatiana with a slight smile on his face and she grabbed his hand in response.

Chapter Text

Michael and Sidney walked silently next to each other down the road until Michael cleared his throat nervously.

"I think there's like a park a little ways away." Michael pointed at the end of the street where the park wasn't in view yet.

"Yeah, okay," Sidney nodded. 

"Um, did you want to hold the umbrella?" Michael asked then mumbled to himself, "maybe I should have grabbed two umbrellas."

"You hold the umbrella, I'll just..." She grabbed onto the crook of his elbow so they were close enough to both be under it. Michael glanced down at her, surprised at the contact and lifted his arm out a little so she could get a better grip on his arm.

"So..." He started.

"So." She agreed.

"Last night was...?"

"Mortifying?" Sidney asked.

"Yep, I think your dad wanted to murder me for a second there," Michael cringed.

"That's possible," She laughed. Michael stopped abruptly and turned to face her.

"Look, I have no idea what happened last night. Why did you kiss me?" He asked.

"I... felt like it." Sidney said as if it was more of a question than a statement.

"You felt like it? What does that even mean? I told you I loved you, you made out with me and then you ghosted me for 24hrs? You make no sense!" Michael shook his head. "I meant what I said, Sid. So please, I'm on pins and needles over here!" 

"I-I'm scared okay? I don't want to lose you as a friend!" She shouted.

"So, you don't like me back. Okay... I mean I guess that makes sense. I just thought what with the way you kissed me that you did. I guess I'm wrong... yeah, you know what? I can go back to being platonic that's cool that's-"

"Michael, will you just shut up for two seconds?" Sidney interrupted. 

"Geez." 

"Sorry. I don't want to lose you as a friend, but I also... I'm in love with you too." She looked up at him as a grin spread across his face.

"You are? I knew it!" He pointed at her.

"Okay, you don't have to be so cocky about it," Sidney rolled her eyes. "Michael, I want to give this a shot, but I'm only going to do it if-"

"Do it?" Michael's eyes widened.

"NOT THAT! I mean I'm only going to date you if you promise me that you will be my best friend regardless of what happens with us romantically." Sidney finished. 

"Sid, I will secret handshake by it, that's how serious I am about being your friend." He tilted his head at her. 

"I don't even know if I remember how to do that it's been so long!" Sidney laughed.

"Let's try it anyways." Michael set the umbrella down and stepped to the side of it.

"Alright, alright. So it starts with feet right?" She asked adjusting her positioning to be in front of him with about 2 feet of empty space between them.  Michael nodded and stuck out his right foot. She followed suit and they started bouncing back and forth touching feet before doing a hand clapping sequence that ended with a do-si-do and a spin under Michael's arm.

"Okay the finale is coming, you remember?' Michael asked as they both grapevine to the left.

"Michael I swear if you drop me, I'll kill you." Sidney retorted.

"What do you weigh, like two grams now?" They locked elbows and skipped around in a circle before doing an electric slide move back away from each other a few steps. 

"Guess you'll find out." She took off in a sprint towards him. Michael held out his arms and caught her as she jumped into his arms and leaned her head back with both of her arms above her head. "Ta-daaaa!" Michael set her back on the ground.

"We did it!" He laughed.

"We did," Sidney looked up at him. They both suddenly realized how close they were and Michael glanced down at her lips, then back up to her eyes. She leaned forward and he ducked down to meet her. The kiss was sweeter and less frantic than the night before. Sidney reached up to cup his face and he did the same. A few moments later Michael let go. 

"Um... we should probably take it slower than last night, right? Not that I didn't like that... you just said those words and then did that thing onto the backseat, very hot. Uh, I got lost in the moment and it shouldn't have happened.... like that."

"I liked it too." Sidney reached down and grabbed the umbrella, handing it to him. "Next time, let's not have my dad catch us." 

"Mmhm mhmm." He bobbed his head up and down then bent down to peck her on the lips again.

"Nice pickup move by the way.  The secret handshake? You really know the way into a girl's heart." She teased.

"Thanks! I thought it went pretty well." He shoved her lightly with his elbow and she shoved him back. 

Chapter Text

The restaurant chattered with conversations as the crew sat at their usual long table.

"You guys it's been way too long since we've done this," Zoey stated.

"Yeah, I miss all of you!" Mo agreed. 

"Well, we finally got a babysitter!" Tobin lifted his hot toddy in the air in victory.

"Same, but I think it was easier for Amala and I since we have a normal amount of kids." Leif pointed out.

"After three kids it's all kind of the same, what's 2 more?" Tobin shrugged.

"It's not the same, Tobin." Mackenzie glared at him then looked at Tatiana. "I. Am. Exaughsted." 

"So... what is everyone else's kids up to since none of really have lives anymore that don't exist solely around our kids?" Max joked.

"Ella is in elementary school. She brought a bird figurine to class to for show and tell so it's pretty obvious who she's going to be like," Amala laughed.

"And Maurine is in middle school. Her last report card said she was selling her pencils to other students in class so she's like her mother." Leif grinned.

"Let's see, ours are 11, 9, 8, 6, 4 and 2." Tobin recited.

"The 4 year old is actually 5." Mackenzie corrected. 

"Amirah is a child phycologist in Berkley," Perry smiled.

"And August just got a gig as the music producer for a tv show," Mo explained.

"What about Max and Zoey? Simon and Tatiana?" Leif asked.

"Well our oldest is 19 he's in his 2nd year at MIT majoring Chemical engineering," Zoey informed them.

"Actually, I was going to talk to you about that. He's double majoring now, Bioengineering and biomedical engineering." Max interjected.

"Is that what he was stressed out about earlier?" Zoey asked and Max nodded. 

"Our daughter is 16 and hopefully not doing inappropriate things with Simon's kid right now," Max jested. 

"Your kids are dating? That's super weird." Tobin noted.

"Right? It's like a parallel universe or something," Mo chimed in.

"Are they dating now?" Simon asked. "I'm still confused by this whole thing." 

"Did Sidney show up to your house earlier?" Zoey inquired and Tatiana nodded. "Then yeah, they're probably dating." 

"Wait... you didn't leave them alone in your house, did you?" Max's eyes went wide.

"No." Tatiana shook her head. "They went on a walk."

"And I locked all of the doors and set the alarm code so I'll know when Michael turns off the alarm thanks to the SPRQ commander." Simon held up his phone. 

"Good," Max exhaled in relief. 

"I also told them that if they were driving somewhere they better be getting out of the car immediately." Simon took a sip of his Moscow mule. 

"I will cheers to that." Max held his whiskey sour up and Simon clinked his mug against it. 

"I think we are going to have to reel in our husbands at some point or are kids will start escaping through windows," Tatiana said to Zoey.

"I agree, you both have to loosen the reigns a little bit or they'll rebel against us." Zoey raised her wine glass and Tatiana clinked hers against it.

"What's with all the safety precautions anyways?" Leif asked.

"Max caught Simon and Tatiana's kid making out with he and Zoey's kid in the backseat of his car." Mo explained and then took a loud sip from his own drink when Max and Simon both glared at him. 

"That's uncomfortable. I'm glad my only daughter is still 7." Tobin sighed.

"She's 8, Tobin." Mackenzie corrected giving him a dirty look.

"Right, 8. Mac don't look at me like that! We have way too many kids for me to remember all the details all the time, cut me some slack!" Tobin huffed.

"You worried your kid's going to end up with someone like you, Tobin?" Max cocked his head at him.

"Maybe a little." Tobin said sheepishly.

"Boys are easier, right?" Perry asked.

"No, they're not! Talk to me when you have 4 of them!" Mackenzie disagreed. "And I swear all of them have ADD like Tobin." 

"I have not been formally diagnosed with that!" Tobin pointed out. "Do you think I should get more cherries?"

"You know what I love about us?" Zoey directed her question to the whole table. 

"What?" Mo responded.

"No matter how long it's been since we've been together as a whole group, we can always come back here and pick up where we left off." She smiled and all of the head at the table bobbed in agreement. 

♫ That's What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Night, and Stevie Wonder ♫

Max and Zoey glanced at each other. 

"Who's it going to be?" Max tossed the question out to the group and no one responded.

"Ooo please be a group number, we haven't seen a big group number in a while!" Zoey said excitedly. 

Leif got up from his chair and motioned with his hand to the whole table.

Leif:

♫ And I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe, I love you ♫

Tobin got up from his own seat and got out from behind the table. Leif ran over to him and they danced in unison.

"YES! It's a group number!" Zoey lifted her hand it the air and Max high fived her grinning. 

Tobin:

♫ And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
And then if you can remember ♫

Amala got up from her seat and joined Leif on the makeshift dance floor as Leif harmonized with her.

Amala:

♫ Keep smiling and keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
In good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for♫

Simon jumped up from his seat to join them.

Simon:

♫ Well, you came in loving me
And now there's so much more I see
And so by the way
I thank you ♫

Mackenzie smiled at her husband and joined him in the line.

"I love everything about this." Zoey whispered.

"Me too." Max kissed the top of her head.

Mackenzie:

♫ Oh and then for the times when we're apart
Well, then close your eyes and know
The words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember ♫

Mo and Perry both got up from their chairs and joined everyone dancing in step with them. Perry harmonized while Mo carried the melody.

Mo and Perry:

♫ Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for ♫

Tatiana followed everyone's lead and joined them so that only Zoey and Max were left at the table. She got in the line next to Simon as Simon harmonized with her Melody.

Simon and Tatiana:

♫ Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for ♫

Everyone was now standing in a big line with their arms around each other, swaying to the music. 

Zoey and Max both jumped out of their seats to join the line at the end next to Simon and Tatiana.

Everyone:

♫ Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
Cause I tell you, that's what friends are for
Whoa, good times and the bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for ♫

As the the music died down everyone took there seats again. When it had stopped completely and the rest of the restaurant came to life, Mo narrowed his eyes at Zoey and Max.

"So, I'm assuming you just heard a heart song since you both just went off into La La Land." He pointed at them.

"It was a big group number!" Max nodded.

"Well, were we any good?" Leif asked.

"Absolutely fantastic!" Zoey said, smiling from ear to ear.

Chapter Text

Sidney absentmindedly hummed to herself at the dinning table sitting next to her brother as Max and Zoey worked on a crossword puzzle. 

"5 letter word for Skylit Lobbies," Max said.

"Hmmm..." Zoey pondered.

"Atria," Mitch answered taking a bite of his breakfast burrito. 

"Yep, that's it," Max agreed and clicked his pen to write in the word.

"We get it, we get it. You're smarter than all of us." Sidney rolled her eyes.

"You know sis, with a little perseverance and some self-application, you too, can be this smart," Mitch quipped.

"You sound like a government add right now," Sidney shook her head. 

"Don't do meth, not even once. Only you can prevent forest fires. Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Not everyone can be a foster parent, but anyone can help a foster child. Did I miss anything?" Mitch asked.

"That last one's a good one!" Zoey smiled. 

"But the others aren't?" Max laughed.

"I didn't say that!" Zoey argued.

"I forgot that you did drugs once so you may be a little biased," Max teased.

"Mom! You did drugs?" Mitch's eyes went wide. 

"The more I learn about your past, the more I worry about you," Sidney shook her head.

"It was only one time!" Zoey huffed. 

"Not even once, mom! It says it right in the add," Mitch pointed out.

"Okay, I didn't do meth! I think it was like acid or LSD maybe?" Zoey pondered.

"You THINK?" Sidney's mouth fell open. "How do you not even know what you took?"

"Zo, acid and LSD are the same thing," Max informed her. 

"Why on Earth would you bring up this topic of conversation?" Zoey scolded Max.

"We don't keep secrets in this family! Except for one! Mitch, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but you're adopted." Max patted Mitch's hand.

"What? You're not my real daddy?" Mitch said in mock sadness.

"I don't even think you're a real boy," Sidney chimed in. "You're definitely a Cyborg." 

"I could be like the terminator!" Mitch grinned.

"Oooo The Terminator! We are definitely doing that for the next movie night," Max decided.

"Speaking of movie night, sis how is our lovely friend Michael doing?" Mitch smirked.

"He's great! We're going out to lunch later." Sidney wiggled in her seat happily.

"What? Picnic in the backseat of his car?" Mitch cocked his head.

"Mitch, leave your sister alone. Mistakes were made, get over it," Zoey stated.

"You're only saying that because you want us to get over your drug use!" Mitch clapped back.

"And kissing someone else's fiancé," Sidney said in a sing-song voice.

"You did WHAT?" Mitch's mouth fell open.

"It was Simon." Max informed him.

"WHAT?!"

"Why are we talking about this." Zoey laid her head on the table dramatically. "Can't we talk about you're dad's latte girl who once unironically chased a butterfly for 30 minutes." 

"You set me up with Autumn so that I would stop singing love songs to you!" Max pointed out. 

"It's not looking so good for you, mom." Sidney said. 

"Alright, let's stop poking fun at your mom. I still want her to like me." Max teased. "So you can do what you want today, but Sidney you have to remember we have the Clarke Family dinner tonight, and you can't be late for that. Bring Michael, I don't care, but show up on time."

"I will." 

Chapter Text

Zoey and Max sat on the couch in the living room.

"She's got 2 minutes left," Max stated. 

"You're really going to dock her if she is a few minutes late?" David asked.

"It's a whole thing.  He's got reasons." Zoey said vaguely. 

"Oh? I'm going to need to hear this story." David said. 

"I'm am so not going to talk about it anymore." Max shook his head. 

"That bad, huh?" Maggie looked at Zoey for some explanation. 

"She's got 1 minute left before I-" Max started but the door opened and Sidney and Michael stepped through it holding hands. Max raised his eyebrows at her.

"We're on time!" Sidney responded.

"Barely," Mitch interjected.

"Wait... you two are dating?" Miles looked at them, amused and then whipped around to his sister. "Alice you owe me 20 bucks." 

"You bet on my relationship status?" Sidney asked. 

"Of course we did. It wasn't on whether or not you'd be together though, it was when. I thought you'd hold out a little longer, because you seemed completely oblivious." Alice explained.

"David, did you teach your kids to bet on relationships?" Cornelius shook his head at him.

"Of course we did," Emily answered. "Speaking of, David you owe me 50 bucks." 

"Dangit! I thought you forgot." David whipped out his wallet and passed his wife 50 bucks.

"Oh, I never forget a bet," Emily grinned.

"How long ago did you make the bet?" Zoey asked.

"When they were 2," David shrugged. 

"What? How could you possibly have saw that coming at 2?" Max asked incredulously.

"Who didn't see it coming is the real question, Uncle Max." Miles stated.

"Well, me." Sidney raised her had and looked at Michael. 

"And dad apparently," Mitch commented.

"Don't look at me... I saw it coming," Michael laughed.

"It was bound to happen. First Simon and Zoey and now Sidney and Michael." David chimed in.

"My dad dated your mom?" Michael furrowed his brow in confusion.

"I'll tell you about it later," Sidney whispered to him and he nodded.

"Well, you look happy Sidney, that's what matters." Maggie smiled kindly at them.

"Thanks grandma!" Sidney squeezed Michaels hand and he looked down at her with a sparkle in his eyes.

♫Better Together by Jack Johnson started to play.♫ 

The room froze except Zoey, Max, Sidney, and Michael. Sidney and Michael started to dance together to the music like ballroom dancers. 

Sidney:

♫ There's no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing, but I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a shoe box of photographs
With sepia-toned loving ♫

Michael:

♫ Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together ♫

Max let out a deep sigh and looked over at Zoey. 

"Not liking this one very much?" Zoey inquired.

"I'm glad she's happy." He replied. "But I don't particularly enjoy it, no. Maybe if I danced with you it would make it better?" 

"I would love to!" Zoey got up from her spot on the couch and reached for him. As they came together she leaned her head against his chest and swayed to the music with her eyes closed. 

Sidney and Michael:

♫ Mmm, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together ♫

Michael:

♫ And all of these moments
Just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they'll be gone
When the morning light sings
Or brings new things

For tomorrow night you see
That they'll be gone too
Too many things I have to do ♫

Max spun Zoey under his arm and she giggled trying not to step on his toes. Sidney and Michael were now in a slow dance dancing cheek to cheek. 

"Just distract me, okay?" Max whispered to Zoey noticing Sidney and Michael's close proximity.

"Close you're eyes, I'll lead." Zoey whispered back.

"I'm trusting you to not run me into anything." Max closed his eyes and Zoey took his hand to slow dance with him back and forth.

Sidney: 

♫ But if all of these dreams might find their way
Into my day to day scene
I'd be under the impression
I was somewhere in between
With only two
Just me and you
Not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be
We'll sit beneath the mango tree now ♫

"It's much better with my eyes closed." Max smiled.

"Keep em' closed." Zoey grinned and then pulled down on his neck so she could kiss him.

Sidney and Michael:

♫ Yeah, it's always better when we're together
Mmm, we're somewhere in between together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together♫