Decisions (Modern Family)

[The Pritchett-Delgado House]

"Vamos, Manny! We are going to be late!" Gloria shouted towards the top of the stairs.

Jay, Gloria and Vince stood by the door waiting for Manny to finish.

Jay looked over his watch, "I swear to god Gloria, that kid takes longer to get ready than a bride on her wedding day."

Gloria huffed, flipping her hair dramatically. "Ay, Jay, let the boy take his time. He wants to look nice for the dinner."

Vincente smirked, leaning against the wall. "Yeah, Jay. It's not like Manny wouldn't throw the bouquet at the end of the night."

Jay let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, and knowing our luck, DeDe would catch it."

Gloria gasped, swatting Jay's arm. "¡No digas eso! You will summon her spirit before we even get there!"

Vincente grinned. "Too late. She's already RSVP'd."

Jay groaned. "I still can't believe they invited her."

Manny's voice drifted from upstairs. "I for one think it's a beautiful opportunity for healing and growth!"

Jay rolled his eyes. "You hear that? He's not just getting dressed, he's preparing a TED Talk."

Vincente smirked. "Great. If things go south, at least we'll have a keynote speaker."

Finally, Manny appeared at the top of the stairs, smoothing his blazer. "Okay, I'm ready."

Jay gave him a once-over. "You sure? You don't need a mic and a spotlight?"

Manny ignored him, adjusting his lapels. "I'm merely dressing for the occasion. A family gathering of this magnitude deserves elegance."

Vincente deadpanned, "Manny, we literally have family dinner almost every other week."

Jay sighed, rubbing his temple. "Alright, let's go. If we're late, Claire will start stress-drinking, and then we really won't stand a chance."

With that, they stepped out the door, heading straight for what was guaranteed to be an unforgettable—and highly dramatic—family dinner.

On the road they got stuck in a traffic jam.

Jay drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. "Unbelievable. We leave early, and we still get stuck. This is why I hate leaving the house."

The car behind them honked, despite the fact that no one was moving. Jay threw his hands up. "Where do they think we're gonna go? We're in a parking lot, just without the convenience of actual parking spaces!"

Gloria sighed dramatically. "Maybe this is a sign! A sign that we should turn around and go home. We can open a nice bottle of wine, relax, and let them sort it out."

Jay perked up. "You know what? That might be the smartest thing you've ever—"

Manny interrupted. "No! We are a family. Families push through obstacles together. This is about unity, about mending old wounds, about—"

Vince cut in, deadpan, "About watching a train wreck in slow motion."

Jay smirked. "Finally, a kid who gets it."

Manny frowned. "You're both being cynical. Tonight could be a turning point."

Vincente glanced out the window. "Manny, if tonight is a turning point, it's only because someone's flipping a table."

"Speaking of flipping tables," Jay turned around to look at Vince. "What did you say to DeDe at our wedding? I had backup tables ready, and she didn't flip a single one."

Gloria leaned in, clearly interested.

Vince raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think she stopped because I said something to her? Maybe she respected your wedding and decided to behave."

Jay shook his head. "Don't patronize me, kid. I know DeDe. I was married to her. Mitchell told me how she was behaving and how quiet she got after you escorted her to her table. Hell, he said she didn't say a word until they were two miles from their house."

The traffic started to move forward.

Vince shrugged, unfazed.

"Ay, mi amor, what did you say?" Gloria implored Vince.

Vince sighed. "Nothing, just... that Mom would be heartbroken if her wedding got ruined, and that our family came all the way from Colombia, some even skipping work, just to see her happy. And if she was sad, they'd be sad."

Vince smiled, a little embarrassed. "I think she understood that."

Gloria smiled sweetly and caressed his cheek.

But Jay, suspicious, narrowed his eyes at Vince in the rearview mirror. Manny also looked at his brother, narrowing his eyes.

Jay didn't trust Vince for one reason: he knew DeDe too well. Manny didn't trust Vince for a different reason: he knew his brother's shenanigans too well.

The rest of the ride was filled with small talk until they finally pulled up to the Dunphy house.

They got out of the car and knocked on the door. Just before the door opened, Jay turned around and said, "Remember, no flipping."

The door opened, and it was Phil greeting them. "Hey! Hey, Jay, glad you could make it on time. What up, Vin?"

Vince fist-bumped him as he entered the house, while Manny gave a polite smile and asked, "Hi, Phil, where's Haley?"

Phil pointed his thumb toward the dining room. "She's inside helping us set the table. Nice facetat, dude."

Manny ran into the house, while Jay whispered to Phil, "Careful, he might burn your house down."

Phil looked confused, but before he could ask, he turned toward the last person and said dreamily, "Hi, Gloria."

Vince and Manny entered the kitchen to find Claire meticulously arranging the table. Her stress levels were already at a solid nine out of ten. Haley stood nearby, scrolling through her phone with the enthusiasm of someone being held hostage.

"You guys are late," Claire snapped, barely looking up as she repositioned a fork by a fraction of an inch.

Manny smoothed his blazer. "A gentleman is never late. He arrives precisely when he means to."

Haley looked up, unimpressed. "Did you steal that from a wizard movie?"

Vince smirked. "Manny thinks every family dinner is a gala event. Next thing you know, he's going to start taking RSVPs."

Manny waved them off. "I simply believe that presentation is key."

Just then, Luke came bursting into the kitchen, carrying a precarious stack of dishes. "Mom! Dad said I could be in charge of the centerpiece, and I—"

CRASH.

A loud clatter filled the room as the plates hit the floor. Everyone froze.

Claire inhaled sharply through her nose, eyes twitching slightly. "Luke…"

Luke threw his hands up. "Before you say anything, let's focus on the positives: nobody died."

Phil peeked his head in. "Yet!" he joked, before quickly ducking back out at the sight of Claire's face.

Alex came in from the hallway. "Well, there goes our chances of having a normal dinner."

Vince crossed his arms, watching Claire closely. "Hey, Haley, Alex, what's the over-under on your mom losing it before the salad's even served?"

Alex replied, "Fifteen minutes."

Haley considered. "I'd say ten minutes."

"Eight." Luke added.

"Seven, if there's red wine involved." Phil chimed in.

Manny shook his head. "You all have such little faith in this family. I believe that—"

Just then Jay and Gloria came into the living room and spotted Dede sitting on the couch with Mitchell sitting beside her and Cam beside him eating a piece of carrot.

Jay froze mid-step, eyes locking onto DeDe, who looked suspiciously calm. Gloria tightened her grip on Jay's arm, as if sensing an impending explosion.

DeDe smiled, far too serenely. "Jay, Gloria. You both look... well."

Cam, still crunching on his carrot, glanced between them. "Oop. Here we go."

Mitchell quickly interjected, "Let's all try to keep things civil, okay? Tonight is about family, not—"

DeDe cut in, smirking. "Oh, relax, Mitchell. I promised to behave tonight. I'm a new woman."

Vince muttered under his breath, "Yeah, that's what they say before the sequel where things go horribly wrong."

DeDe tilted her head. "Vincente. Always such a clever boy." She folded her hands in her lap. "I hope you and Manny are doing well."

Manny replied, "Yes, we are doing well. I don't want to brag, but I think my poetry is getting popular in school."

Everyone's reaction turned to pity toward the boy.

Gloria yanked Manny towards her and started petting his head. "¡Ay, cariño!"

Luke wandered in, still holding a broken plate. "Hey, does anyone know how to glue porcelain back together? Hypothetically speaking."

Claire, right on his heels, shot him a glare. "Luke, I swear, if one more thing—"

Haley leaned against the doorway, deadpan. "Over-under just dropped to five minutes."

Phil clapped his hands together. "Okay! Why don't we all move to the dining room before we have any—um—casualties?"

Everyone shuffled toward the dining table, tension thick in the air. Then—

Ding-dong.

Haley immediately perked up and ran toward the door. "That must be Dylan."

Jay looked at Claire perplexed, "Who is Dylan?"

"He is Haley's boyfriend." It was Phil who answered, Worsening Manny's mood.

Just then, Haley flung the door open. "Dylan! You're here!"

Dylan stepped inside, flashing his usual goofy grin. "Hey, babe! Hey, Mr. Dunphy, Mrs. Dunphy, Wow, full house tonight!"

DeDe, watching the interaction with amused curiosity, leaned toward Vince. "Is this the one who writes her those... songs?"

"Yes." Phil answered as he went to greet Dylan, "What up, D-Money?"

Manny groaned.

Vince smirked. "Yep. Human embodiment of a guitar solo played out of tune."

Dylan, completely unaware of the subtle digs, plopped down next to Haley. "I brought my guitar, by the way, in case anyone wants some dinner music."

Jay muttered under his breath, "I'd rather eat in silence."

Phil perked up. "Ooh! Maybe we can all do a sing-along! That could be fun!"

Claire shot him a look. "Phil."

"Or... we could just eat," Phil quickly corrected.

The family settled at the table, and for a few moments, there was relative peace as food was passed around.

Then, DeDe cleared her throat, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, Jay, Gloria… have you thought about what'll happen to your estate when you, you know… move on?"

Gloria nearly choked on her wine. "¿Perdón?"

Jay dropped his fork. "Are you asking about my will during dinner?"

DeDe shrugged. "Well, you're not getting any younger, Jay. I mean, I just want to make sure my grandkids are taken care of."

Mitchell closed his eyes. "Oh no."

Cam whispered, "Oh yes."

Manny, ever the optimist, interjected, "I think it's wonderful that you're considering future planning! Financial security is—"

Vince cut him off. "Manny, read the room."

Jay pointed his fork at DeDe. "You don't need to worry about my will, DeDe. Everything's taken care of."

DeDe smirked. "Oh, I know it is. That's what worries me."

Mitchell immediately nudged Dede while Claire gave her a stinkeye.

Phil, trying to ease the tension, laughed nervously. "Haha, wow! This is fun! Who's ready for dessert?"

Mitchell nudged Dede and silently berated her.

Dede sighed and took a deep breath, smoothing out her blouse as she looked around the table. "You are right, I came here tonight to make amends. To heal old wounds."

Jay rolled his eyes. "Oh boy, here we go."

Claire pinched the bridge of her nose. "Mom, please don't turn this into a—"

DeDe raised a hand, silencing him. "No, no. This is important. I have wronged people in this family. I have held onto bitterness for too long, and it's time I take responsibility for my actions."

Cam clutched his chest. "Oh my god. Is this… growth?"

Vince muttered, "Or the setup for a very elaborate prank."

DeDe turned to Claire first. "Claire, I know I was hard on you growing up. I pushed you too much, criticized you unfairly, and maybe, just maybe, I meddled too much in your marriage."

Claire blinked. "Wow. That's… shockingly self-aware."

DeDe nodded. "And I just want you to know… I stand by all of it. You needed the criticism."

Claire groaned. "And there it is."

Phil, ever the peacekeeper, clapped his hands. "Well, the intent was nice, right?"

DeDe turned to Mitchell next. "Mitchell, I was not the perfect mother to you. I wasn't always accepting of your choices, and I know I made things difficult for you."

Mitchell raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

DeDe smiled. "But in my defense, you were a very dramatic child."

Mitchell scoffed. "Okay, well, let's not oversell it."

DeDe continued, "All I'm saying is, if you had just once picked up a football instead of that hideous porcelain doll, maybe your father and I wouldn't have argued so much."

Mitchell groaned. "You gave me that doll!"

DeDe waved a hand. "Details, details."

DeDe then turned her attention to Vince. "And you."

Vince, mid-sip of his drink, slowly set it down. "Oh no."

DeDe smirked. "Vincente, you are a wild card. You're sharp, you're clever, and frankly… you terrify me a little."

Everybody looked surprised at the statement, Mitchell and Claire seemed to converse something with their eyes.

Vince grinned hesitantly. "Thank you?"

DeDe sighed. "But you… you listened to me. And I appreciate that."

DeDe turned to Gloria. "Now, Gloria… I have not always been kind to you."

Gloria scoffed. "¡No me digas!"

DeDe nodded. "And for that, I want to say… I understand you now. It took me a while, but I see why Jay fell for you. You make him happy. You bring passion into his life. And—" she took a deep breath, looking truly sincere, "—I respect you."

The table went silent.

Gloria's eyes widened. "You… respect me?"

DeDe gave a firm nod. "Yes."

Gloria clutched her chest. "Ay… I don't know what to say. I think I need a moment."

Cam whispered to Mitchell, "I love this new DeDe."

Jay, suspicious, narrowed his eyes. "Alright, what's the catch?"

DeDe gasped, offended. "No catch! Can't a woman change?"

Vince leaned toward Manny and whispered, "I don't trust this."

Manny nodded solemnly. "Neither do I."

DeDe took another sip of her wine, now slightly tipsy. "In fact, I respect you so much, Gloria, that I finally understand why Jay married you."

Gloria tilted her head, cautiously optimistic. "Oh?"

DeDe smirked, swirling her glass. "Yes. I mean, sure, at first I thought it was some sort of… midlife crisis fever dream. But now, I see it."

Jay groaned. "Here we go."

DeDe turned fully to Gloria, resting her chin in her hand. "You bring something special to Jay's life—energy, excitement… a certain je ne sais quoi." She leaned in conspiratorially. "And I mean, let's be honest, he was never going to find someone his own age who could tolerate him."

Gloria's eye twitched. "¿Perdón?"

DeDe waved a hand. "Oh, don't get me wrong! You're a delight—in the way that a really enthusiastic personal trainer is. Exhausting, but admirable."

Mitchell covered his face. "Mom, no."

DeDe sighed dramatically. "I mean, sure, your voice can peel paint, and I'm still not convinced you're not cursing us in Spanish half the time—"

Gloria shot up from her seat. "I do not curse you!"

DeDe grinned. "Well, I wouldn't know. I don't speak 'telenovela.'"

Mitchell muttered, "Here we go."

Manny placed a calming hand on Gloria's arm. "Mother, remember: rising above."

Vince, smirking, leaned in. "Or flipping the table. Either works."

Gloria inhaled deeply, nostrils flaring. "No. I am better than this. I will not let you bait me."

DeDe smirked. "Oh, Gloria, I'm not baiting you. I'm admiring you. You've turned Jay into a better man. He even wears colors now. And honestly, the way you command a room—so loud, so… unignorable. It's truly a gift."

Phil whispered to Claire, "Is it just me, or is this the classiest insult war I've ever seen?"

Claire, sipping her wine, replied, "Give it five minutes. Something's getting thrown."

DeDe raised her glass. "To Gloria! The best decision Jay ever made—aside from signing a prenup, of course."

Gloria's eye twitched again. The entire table braced.

Jay sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, Alright, stop it Dede. It's ridiculous, from the moment we have sat down at this dinner table you have done nothing but ridicule Gloria. It's not a sport, DeDe."

DeDe gasped, placing a hand on her chest. "Ridicule? Me? Oh, Jay, I'm simply appreciating her in my own way."

Gloria, barely containing herself, shot Jay a look. "No, Jay, let her continue. Clearly, she still has so much wisdom to share."

"No! This has gone on long enough, DeDe!" Jay snapped, slamming his hands on the table. "I don't care what you think you're doing—this isn't some charming little quip session, it's a dinner with family!"

"And you should reflect on how you are behaving today."

Dede suddenly started crying.

Jay froze mid-rant, his hands still on the table. DeDe's sudden shift to tears threw him off completely. The table fell into a stunned silence as DeDe, her eyes wide and glistening, placed a hand over her chest.

"Oh, Jay," she sniffled, "I can't believe you're treating me like this, in front of everyone. I'm just trying to help, trying to bring a little joy into this cold, empty house of yours."

Gloria raised an eyebrow, her anger now replaced with confusion. "DeDe, what are you doing?"

DeDe's lower lip quivered. "You don't understand, Gloria. None of you do. All I've ever tried to do is be part of this family. And you…" She choked back a sob, wiping her eyes dramatically, "You push me away. You never take me seriously. I'm just trying to love you all, but it's never enough!"

Jay looked around, clearly lost. "What the hell just happened?"

DeDe sniffled again, looking up at them through watery eyes. "All I want is to be accepted, Jay. But you never listen. I've been here, trying to make amends, trying to show I'm a better person. And you just… you just tear me down every chance you get."

Phil, ever the peacemaker, awkwardly cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, uh, maybe we should—y'know—take a breather? Everyone loves a good family hug, right? Hug it out?"

Claire shot him a look, then turned to DeDe, crossing her arms. "Oh, please. We're not buying this. Not for a second."

DeDe, still sniffling, looked at Claire with wide, innocent eyes. "You don't have to believe me, Claire. I've tried to be nice, to be supportive. But all I get is judged."

"First my daughter, then my son and then she came and stole my husband."

Jay sighed, "All right, This is ridiculous. Gloria didn't steal me, Dede and you know it."

Dede stopped crying, sniffling a little as she looked down at the table.

"We grew apart for years, and you left to find yourself, remember?"

She looked up a little, "I thought I could handle this. I'm so sorry."

The Dunphy kids and Dylan, who had been silent throughout the whole confrontation, let out a collective breath of relief. Haley turned toward Dylan and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Dylan. We're not usually like this." 

Alex tilted her head and, with a shrug, said, "Eh"

Haley continued, "I don't know what just happened."

Haley's voice wasn't as quiet as she thought, and the adults in the room exchanged awkward glances.

Before anyone could address it, Dylan spoke up. "I get it," he said with a slight chuckle, "I mean, it seems pretty simple to me. You're all reaching out, trying to hold on to something that matters." He shifted in his seat, the mood lightening a bit. "Maybe… maybe you shouldn't let the small stuff tear you apart, y'know? Look, I'm used to the whole big-family thing. In my house, we don't even talk to each other half the time."

He gave a soft laugh before continuing, "But when I saw Haley for the first time, I knew I liked her. I mean, yeah, she's beautiful and everything, but it wasn't just that. It's the confidence she has—real confidence. The kind that comes from being part of a family that's loud, passionate, and, well, a little bit crazy."

He glanced at the Delgado family. "A family that welcomes hot foreigners…"

Then he turned to Mitch and Cam. "And gay dudes…"

He pointed at DeDe. "And nutty people…"

DeDe, who had been silently recovering from her emotional outburst, blinked a few times before offering a small, reluctant smile. "Well, if the shoe fits…"

Dylan grinned and shrugged. "It's not about being perfect. It's about loving each other for who you are, warts and all. That's what makes it real, right?"

The room, still tense, felt just a little lighter as the awkwardness began to dissipate. Jay shook his head, muttering, "I still don't know what just happened."

Claire leaned into Phil and whispered, "I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but maybe we should let her go with him."

Phil, whose eyes had started to tear up, replied, "He's perfect."

Claire then addressed the family, "Everybody, Haley says that Dylan is a musician, and he writes some great songs."

Phil enthusiastically supported, "Play something bro."

Jay groaned, "Do we have to?"

Gloria clapped excitedly. "Oh, I love romantic music!"

Phil grabbed Jay's arm, "Come on, Jay. This is a moment."

Jay sighed as the whole family shuffled into the living room, forming a loose circle around Dylan. He settled into a chair, guitar in hand, Haley beside him, beaming.

As Dylan strummed his guitar and sang, Phil nodded along enthusiastically, eyes misty with emotion.

🎵"The stars are falling from the sky and you're the reason why"🎵

Dylan looked straight into Haley's eyes, Claire had a small smile.

🎵"The moon is shining on your face'cause it finally feels it's found its place'cause, Baby"🎵

Vincente shrugged, 'Maybe it is a good song.'

The whole room swayed slightly to the music, some nodding, some uncertain—until Dylan hit the next verse.

🎵"Baby, I just want to do you, do you, do you want to do me, do me, underneath the moonlight, the moonlight"🎵

The smile vanished like a ghost in a church from all their faces except from Haley and Vincente whose smirk got bigger.

🎵"Baby, Baby, maybe I will steal you, steal you just so I can feel you, feel you."🎵

Phil's smile froze in place like a malfunctioning robot.

Claire's grip tightened around Phil's wrist, who was boring holes through Dylan. Jay looked unamused while Gloria looked at Dylan like he had lost his mind.

But Dylan continued his rhythm not noticing them, only looking at Haley's face and her smile.

🎵"Maybe that would heal you, heal you on the insiiiide."🎵

Claire leaned into Phil and said, "She's so not going."

Phil agreed, "Not a chance in hell."

Dylan not hearing that lowered his guitar, a proud grin on his face. "So… what'd you guys think?"

Silence.

Gloria was the first to break it. She turned to Jay, eyes wide. "What exactly was he trying to steal?"

Jay just shook his head, rubbing his temples. "My peace of mind, apparently."

Phil, still gripping Claire's wrist like a lifeline, forced a tight smile. "That was… certainly a song."

Haley, oblivious to the sheer discomfort radiating from her family, squeezed Dylan's arm. "Wasn't it beautiful?"

Alex let out a short laugh. "Yeah, beautiful in an I'm-never-letting-my-daughter-go-anywhere-with-this-guy kind of way."

Mitchell, still looking like he wanted to disappear, sighed. "I mean, musically… it had structure."

Cam beamed, always one to appreciate a performance. "And passion! Let's not forget passion!"

Claire ignored them all and pointed at Haley. "You're grounded."

Haley's jaw dropped. "What?! For what?!"

"For bringing that into our home!" Claire motioned at Dylan like he was a stray raccoon that had wandered into the living room.

Dylan blinked, finally sensing the hostility in the room. "Sooo, that's a maybe on the concert?"

Phil, still staring at him like he might burst into flames, clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Dylan, buddy… how about we take a rain check on that, huh?"

Dylan nodded slowly. "Right. Cool, cool, cool. Rain check. Got it."

He stood up, adjusting his guitar strap. "Well, it's been real. I should probably… head out before things get awkward."

Jay snorted. "Oh, we passed awkward three verses ago, kid."

As Dylan made his way toward the door, Haley huffed and stomped after him. "You guys are so unfair!"

"That's parenting, sweetheart!" Claire called after her.

The door shut behind them, leaving the family in stunned silence.

Vincente leaned back, arms crossed. "I don't know about you guys, but that was the best family night I've had in a while."

Cam clapped his hands together. "Well, who's up for dessert?"

[Next Day]

[At the Tucker-Pritchett House]

Mitchell, groggy and in his robe, stumbles into the kitchen, blindly reaching for the coffee maker. As he pours himself a cup, he absentmindedly hums, "C'mon, the moon is shining down on your face…"

Cameron, flipping pancakes, chimes in with enthusiasm,

"…and it finally feels it's…"

[At the Dunphy House]

Claire, blow-drying her hair in the bathroom, ""…found its place 'cause…"

Phil, still half-asleep, brushing his teeth in the hallway bathroom, mumbles through the foam, "…baby, baby, I just want to do you, do you…"

Alex, walking by, stops in horror. "Oh my God, what is wrong with you people?!"

[At the Pritchett-Delgado House]

Jay, sitting at the kitchen table with his coffee, lets out a deep sigh as he turns the newspaper page. Under his breath, "…baby, you can do me, do me, man, I will do you, do you…"

Gloria, putting on lipstick, freezes mid-swipe and glares. "Excuse me?!"

Jay realizes what he just said, clears his throat, and quickly buries his face in the newspaper.

Manny, walking in with his backpack, shakes his head. "Wow. That was deeply unsettling."

Vincente, smirking from the counter, sips his orange juice and shrugs. "I mean, it's kind of a banger."

Manny looks at him, horrified. "Et tu, Vincente?!"

[Back at the Tucker-Pritchett House]

Cameron, fully committed now, dramatically sings as he sets a plate "…maybe that would heal you from the inside…"

Mitchell, catching himself, drops his head into his hand.

"…from the inside…"

Cameron reaches for a high note, trying to harmonize.

Mitchell & Cameron, together, "…from the inside, from the inside."

A beat of silence.

Cameron sighs, "Never good at harmonizing."

Mitchell lifts his coffee cup, exhausted. "That was good."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am really sorry but I am drowning in assignments, like yesterday they asked to write a 30-page assignment without any warning and let me tell you, 30-pages in writing ain't easy and next week there is a minor test on 4 of my subjects, so please understand.

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