The Promotion

Sam and Mercy and their two children moved to Kenya; considered to be one of the more influential countries in the financial market, when a new branch of the company Sam worked for; Try-bet, needed to be overseen. He had recently been promoted and later learned that part of the prize was to head up their overseas branch.

They had been married for 16 years, their twins Joseph and Naphtali aged 15, not really at the right age for the move, had uprooted everything in support of their Dad. Sam had somehow got the school to agree to video link teaching once a week over the next few years, he'd also gotten their school to send the work they needed to get through and was confident that with the support of their tutors they would be able to complete their schooling.

Jo was of the mind to be a Lawyer when he finished school if he didn't get into his first love with was Basketball, he was a stunner, he'd have any girl swooning over him, his piercing green eyes talked, they were like mirrors to his soul, he was a ball player, just like Dad with Dark brown straight hair that he liked to keep tied back most of the time but when he did let it out it was an unmanageable mound, his hands were like plates stuck on the end of his arms, made for the game, he'd inherited that cheeky smile from his Dad and his jealous streak was matching if not a notch above his Dad's when it came to his Mom or Nappi, as his sister was endearingly called.

Nappi was a softer version of Jo aspiring to sing just like her Mom she followed her Mom's career with gusto her dark brown hair was about three inches longer than Jo's and she had it out every opportunity she got, mainly because everyone saw some resemblance when she had it up. She was just like her Mom reincarnated, not as thickly built as Mercy, which Sam constantly thanks god for when she was younger, but now she was well into her teenage years she was filling out that way

The twins were twins in the purest of senses, they felt each other's pain, stuck up for each other in times of blame and even spoke to each other telepathically but in everything else Jo was definitely his Dad's twin and Nappi her Mom reincarnated

Mercy was doing her singing thing still, she'd nabbed her first Grammy 16 years ago, giving Sam the green card on the marriage thing, and had been busy non-stop until 4 years ago. When the children turned 11 she'd slowed down on everything, saying she was giving herself 5 years before she started back on the touring thing small scale, main reason being to get the children focused and spend some time with the family. Now in the 4th year, Sam had got this promotion, they'd have been stupid to pass it up, and with everything going right for them just now it was a no brainer.

She'd been in the studio getting her 12th album together, when Sam had announced his promotion and straight away she started pushing for the finish, thinking Sam was going to be based locally, and they'd finally get to spend some long awaited time together, then out the blue her producer announced he'd got what he needed for her new album, that she'd expected to spend another year completing, she wasn't ready she'd promised her family another year before touring, and she hadn't mentioned it to Sam or the children since this offer had come up for him.

They, all four, sat down to have some serious talk, Mercy did a lot of talking herself out of things, until one evening when Sam cornered her about it and she told him about the finished album but asked him, begged him even, not to let that cloud his decision. Sam sat quietly all through the many discussions, knowing his was the final decision which couldn't be made lightly and anything he said would influence everyone. For about three months the prospect of moving to Kenya was the live topic in the house. Mercy badgering for a decision on almost an hourly basis before giving up totally and banning the children from talking about it, then one random evening Sam made his mind up to take the job and then things seemed to go at warp speed, within 4 months they were on the plane moving their whole family to Kenya for 2 years. It was going to be difficult because Mercy's contract dictated that she start touring again after the album was complete which was sooner than they'd thought, and now they were in a strange country with no family or friends to fall back on.

Lucky for them the community spoke English so the language barrier wasn't an issue in most cases although they were keen to learn the native language for future reference. This was their second week in the country and the last box had just been unpacked as all four lay around on the couches, ceiling fans on, exhausted for not being able to keep the food down, manage the heat or block out the constant animal noises keeping them awake at night "Cesta" Mercy ordered which everyone welcomed for the next 4 hours .

"Mom why are you walking about?" Jo asked snappily for her waking him up

"Because you'll all want to eat when you wake up Mr" she said with attitude going to the kitchen door to look at him for his attitude, to see him smiling and pointing at his Dad

"Yeah, but why are you walking about, stay in the kitchen" he grinned waving his Mom to take the bate

"That better not be my wife your using that tone with boy" Sam said from under his hat currently covering his face as he lay resting

"No it's my Mom" he replied sitting up on the couch as Sam took his hat off his face

"What?" he asked loudly as he got up, to find a smiling Joe looking back at him

"Gets you every time Dad" he said laying back down as Sam looked towards the kitchen to see Mercy standing smiling at him

"You make it too easy for him" she giggled "He gets you every time"

"That's because he always uses you as his weapon" Sam said getting up, walking towards his wife "I missed you" he said giving her a kiss

"Please parents, it's traumatic for children to see their parents being intimate, it's a form of abuse" Naphtali squirmed from her couch

"I can't wait till you guys find love, in like 5 years time, I am so going to get you back" Sam said walking past Nappie and tickling her foot making her jump

"Dad" she whined as he laughed

"Now we've got the packing out the way can we do some family stuff tomorrow instead of just laying around?" Sam asked Mercy from across the room

"Sure like what do you have in mind?" Mercy asked

"Please don't say ch..." Jo started to say

"Church in the morning maybe and see what happens from there" Sam replied looking at Jo with a smile on his face "Mandatory stuff guys" he said smiling at Mercy "Your Grandparents will be going ballistic if they knew we weren't practising that with you guys" 'The children knew that was Dad's speak for Mom's leaving soon so tread carefully' Jo took the cue and exited the room for his bedroom

"Very true husband, get on the internet see what's close?" Mercy suggested as Nappie jumped up to do her favourite thing

"I'll do that Dad" she said, as he watched her fly past him going towards the desk

"Steady Sweetheart" he said steadying himself after she passed

"Time to get your stomach rocked" Mercy eventually shouted, everyone came to the table hungry but scared to eat for the repercussions "Come on just tuck in it looks good don't it?" she asked as everyone picked their folks up and started eating

"Actually it is nice Babe" Sam complimented with a smile

"Yep" the children said together smiling too

Dinner was soon over, belly's stable and everyone settled into their night thing the children conscious that they were bound to meet their first real natives at church in the morning. They lived in a small gated compound that had several of their father's business acquaintances from overseas living in it, all settling in, the houses were so far apart they'd go maybe a day without seeing anyone and the few natives that walked around were there to work in various homes or drive the company cars ferrying people back and forth. Sam didn't like the idea of it so he tried to walk everywhere, but the natives pulled him aside and stopped all that within the first two days, he had to be content with his walks venturing to the shops about a mile away attached to the complex. Mercy, during the two week settling in period, had set up the paperwork and computers for their schooling, brought all the things they needed which had been delivered and hired an overseer to ensure school hours were school hours. Sam sat quietly watching her nesting in her family, he knew this trip would be a big deal with them being so far away from everyone and the children had already been briefed on what to expect. Mercy needed to feel confident that everything was in hand because she was due to fly out on her mini tour promoting her new album that had hit the shelves running, in just over a week. They all knew the routine by now, so there was no point in arguing about it Church was going to happen because it was the entire family code which meant, Mom was off again sometime soon. Grandma never allowed even Grandpa to lift his feet off the ground without a prayer for safety being said, so they'd be on the phone soon for the hour long recital

"Where you going this time Mom?" Nappi asked as she scanned the internet for new trainers

"Europe some place called Austria, very cold I hear but the people are warm they say" she laughed "Why?" she asked looking at Naphtali for a response and got none "Nap" she shouted for her to hear as Naphtali turned startled

"What?" she asked agitated for being disturbed as she finally looked at her Mom "Sorry Mom I was just…"

"You were just about to get off that damn site" Mercy told her

"But Mom I was .."

"Just about to get off that site" Mercy warned her "And no you cannot buy those trainers"

"But.."

"Your ass" Mercy said, as Sam sat looking into his newspaper that he wasn't reading, but using it as a distraction, he didn't want to get called into that conversation, because as usual he'd become the bad guy, and they would be the best Mom daughter team ever, while he'd sit vexed for the rest of the night, he rolled his eyes as he played out the consequences in his head. Then he did it, as soon as it happened he closed his eyes for what was coming next, why didn't I just carry on pretending to read the paper? Why did I have to go and flick the damn thing alerting them to my presence? He asked himself as the inevitable happened "Sam are you hearing this girl" Mercy asked him

"Yes babe, and I'm hearing you dealing with her, very well I might ... add" he smiled at her going back to his newspaper

"Really" Naphtali said before her Dad finished talking "Dad deal with something, you want him to get two newspapers out or something" she laughed

"It's been a while but I guess I could read two, if I was put in that position" he said to Mercy as she smiled back at him "And Nap, for your information, when your Mom tells me to jump, I jump, I don't ask how high" he smirked at her

"What does that even mean?" Naphtali asked, her hands wondering all over the place in frustration as she looked at her smiling Mom then turning back to the computer and clicking it off before getting up to go sit in her room

"Uncle Steve's calling in about half an hour" Sam shouted after her as she turned, while still walking, to acknowledge that she had heard him

"What's wrong with her?" Joseph walked past her asking

"Trainers" Mercy told him as Jo rolled his eyes

"Does that girl have anywhere to sleep in that room, she can only wear one pair at a time" he said fist bumping his Dad as he walked past to occupy the other couch "Touch the TV Mom" he said as he flopped down while Mercy stretched over and touched the TV "You know what I mean" he smiled the Evans smile at her

"Boy, even your Dad don't get away with that, so you better come correct"

"Mommy, please will you turn the TV on for me, Thank you" he smiled at her as she stretched over and turned it on smiling "With bells on" he smirked laying there looking like a carbon copy of his Dad with brown skin.

Sam had sat Jo down and coached him about looking out for his sister painted the worst case scenario there could be, and sat back and smiled at Jo being mega protective of his sister, butting in when he needed to. By 12 Jo understood what his Dad was guarding Nappi from, his hormones were raging, girls were on heat and his Dad was preaching celibacy, restraint, love, and all that crap into his ear. Jo sat back wondering if his Dad was actually a man growing up with the same influences as he was. All these females half dressed, if he was lucky, offering shit on plates and stuff; by 14 he had to do what he had to do so girls went down on him regular, and he knew how quick that could happen, no way was Nappi getting an inch with him and he wanted to be a baller when he grew up, no way was his life going to be prison, so that iron rod prevailed and seriously, he didn't give a shit what his parents told her she could do, if he said no that was the final word, because he was out there in that damn jungle with her.

Jo played the game, he was all sweetness and light in front of his parents but when he got the opportunity he was dog like every other 15 year old on the block, he was confident that if his Mom never saw that in him she'd love him forever. Nappi was straight down the line naïve, just like Mommy, it wasn't a way she'd planned on being but with her Mom away on a regular and Jo and Dad as her main caregivers she couldn't turn right too far let alone look left, they were on her, don't do that, don't talk to them straight to me after practice and stuff like that. It didn't help that she was a cheerleader at school, and her Dad's track record with them proceeded him, and her brother wasn't doing too bad following those footsteps either. There was just one rare moment just before they left for Kenya where Jo's friends brought drinks and they sat out on the field having a glass of something when Tony; his then best friend, gave her a drink or two she went a bit wild and kissed someone but boy did Jo go off, she didn't need to see that behaviour twice

The evening went by like any other Jo on his couch in control of the remote, Nappi at the computer looking at top of the range trainers initially then she's need the track suit to go with it then the socks then the... and the list always went on, then the sweet talk would come out, if she got Dad on his own she was half way to purchase as soon as she said Dad but if Mom got wind it took days to squeeze that magic word out and lots of chores. Sam and Mercy playing couch hop, they'd be sitting together the conversation would get out of hand and one of them would move, minutes later the other one would make their way to the couch the other had moved to and so the game went on. The nights always ending with vocal practice when Mom was about, bringing smiles to Jo and Nappi's faces as they lay in their beds, their world perfect yet again

Sunday

Everyone was up and dressed for church as Mercy stood in the bedroom brushing down Sam's jacket as he fussed about how he looked and Mercy reminded him of how fine he was "Plus you got me on your arm" she sassed at him making him laugh

"Come on" Nappi shouted to everyone as she stood out on the veranda waiting "We're going to be late" she said all dressed in green from hat to shoes

"Come on" Sam said mimicking her as he walked past her and opened the car door for them to get in "Shoot" he said when his phone started ringing as he looked at Mercy and answered it "Yes" he said listening before closing his eyes and raising his head to the heavens

"It's started" Mercy said smiling at him "We'll drop you off on the way"

"I haven't even got time to change my suit" he said looking down at himself "Technically I start on Monday I should ignore this" he informed her

"You're the boss you have to set a precedence" she laughed as they stepped into the waiting car "You look fine" she smiled "As hell"

"Come in with me" he asked 10 minutes later as they stopped outside his new building, having only been in the building twice since his promotional process started, it was a bit daunting

"No how will that look, I'll come in with you tomorrow" Mercy said kissing him as she pushed him out the car door "I miss you already" she said smiling

"Hey clan, miss me" he called to the children

"Bye Dad miss you" they shouted in unison

Mercy went off to church with the children, they were well received and weary after 3 hours of solid church the children finally gave in "Mom come on even you think this is too much please, can we go?" Jo asked

"Hold on the choir are going to sing" she said fanning Jo off with the excitement of hearing some spiritual music, but it was still 15 minutes later before the Minister moved to the side and said something in their native tongue and the organ started playing. Mercy was horrified at the sound that came out of the 7 strong choir, so much so she had to fight with her inner self to stop the almighty laugh from leaving her mouth, Nappi had no such restraint she just let it rip as everyone turned to look at the new family sitting on the left hand side at the front of the congregation. "Sorry" Mercy turned to say as members gave strange looks. After that she felt obliged to sit through the other 90 minutes of the service and somehow apologise to the choir members or at least make Nappi apologise, so the end came and Mercy linked arms with Nappi and took her to where the Choir sat for her to officially apologise for her outburst.

"Excuse me Miss..."

"Mrs Madge" the elderly woman turned saying "I'm the leader of this choir" she told Mercy and Nappi

"Mrs Madge if you'll allow us, my daughter has something to say to you all" Mercy said looking at Madge for a response, which she visibly gave as Mercy looked at Nappi to offer her apology

"I'm truly sorry, for laughing while you were singing" Nappi said, Mercy didn't believe she was sincere, as young and old faces looked back at them

"Could you do better?" one of the older women asked, obviously getting the same un-genuine feel as Mercy

"I guess not" Nappi said looking at Jo and her Mom "But maybe my Mom could she's a singer" she quickly added as the light came on for her

"I sing R&B" Mercy quickly said looking at Nappi before looking back at the lady that asked

"But your roots are in gospel Mom" Nappi added as Mercy gave her the side eye, automatically shutting Nappi down

"I really haven't got the time, I'm on tour next week for a month after that we can maybe have this conversation again" she said ferrying the children out of the hall to be met by the Minister

"See you again Miss ….?" The Minister asked as they exited the hall

"Mrs Evans but please call me Mercy, my husband was on his way with us today, but he was called off to business" she smiled "Maybe next week"

"Welcome again Mrs Evans I look forward to seeing you again next week" he said holding her hand a while longer than he needed to

"Mom" Jo called, making her look round for him "Come on" he said when she finally found him standing not far from the car, with Nappi standing next to him, waiting to go

"Next week maybe" Mercy turned to the Minister saying before pulling her hand away and joining the children at the car

"What was he doing coming on to you like that?" Jo asked as they got in the car

"Like what? We were having a conversation" she told him smiling at the Sam in him, before catching Nappi's stare and holding it with her screwed up face on for a while, telling her she wasn't out the woods just yet. All three piled out the car with attitude and walked into the house going in three different directions

Back home

"How did it go?" Sam asked as they piled into the house, Jo's face set in pissed mode, Nappi's face wearing her familiar 'don't' look and Mercy itching to talk "Okay time out" he shouted making them all stop and find seats "What's up clan?" he asked "When I left everything was fine what happened? He asked again

"This is your one chance to admit guilt girl and give a heartfelt apology" Mercy warned

Nappi looked at her Dad begging him to deflect, she so didn't want to be the centre of her Mom's mad, as his eyes hurried her on with her apology before Mercy got to stage two "I laughed at the choir, full out laughed in the middle of church, and when I was saying sorry I sort of offered Mom's services to help the choir without asking her first, I'm really sorry Mom, I mean really sorry" she turned to Mercy saying her Dad's lost puppy face coming into play, looking past her Mom and seeing the smile on her Dad's face telling her she'd deflected.

"Okay but please don't let that happen again, it puts me in a very difficult situation when I have to say no" Nappi turned to exit the centre of the room making sure she signalled a thank you to her Dad on her spin round

"And you young Man?" Sam asked

"I just want to slap a Minister" Jo said looking up with a combination of his Dad's jealous and Mom's 'Oh no he did not' look on his face "That Man was all over Mom after church, I had to shout her to get her away from him, I didn't like it and I think I need to let him know that next time we go"

"What do you mean all over Mom?" Sam asked his jealous coming out as he spoke to Jo, and looked at Mercy

"He shook my hand and kept hold of it for a few seconds more than even I thought he should have, but I pulled away and he knows I'm married" Mercy butted in rolling her eyes at her two men

"He's a sleazy Minister Dad" Jo continued to say "We shouldn't go back there"

"Calm down son, we'll see next Sunday what we're dealing with" Sam informed him "I did lunch so come on lets eat and see what we can get in this afternoon, Mom's only got a few days then she's off for a while lets enjoy this and then deal with Sleazy Minister yeah?"

"Okay" Jo said reluctantly getting up and looking at his Mom sadly for trivialising what he'd seen, Sam saw the look and Mercy saw Sam see the look, rolling her eyes at the pair she went into the kitchen to go see what Sam had been up to

Lunch was fine and after their game of twister that afternoon and some shopping at the local gated shops, they were back home sitting pool side taking in the sun and being them, bedtime smiles returning as vocal training filled the house.

Monday

Sam was up bright and early sorting his wife out as they got ready for his first day "How do I look?" he asked standing there casual but smart in his expensive designer jeans, t-shirt and plead shirt "I don't want to create the common business look, what does this say about me?" he asked as Mercy walked around him looking

"Fine ass" she said ready for more of the same, making him smile

"Stop" he giggled "Late on the first day is a really bad look"

"I thought you said the sight of me on any day was a good look?" she grinned at him

"Stop, seriously, I need to get to work, come on" he said pulling her hand

"Hold up" she said pulling her hand away from him "I need... Doesn't matter" she said following him out

"Morning" Sam shouted across to Nappi and Joe as he reached the kitchen

"Toast" Jo said pointing to the plate of toast they'd done with pots of jam, marmalade and butter on the side "Help yourself"

"Morning" Mercy said kissing both foreheads as she grabbed toast and buttered four slices giving Sam the first two as she did them "Come on, you're going to be late" she told him as she grabbed her bag and they left

"Bye" the twins shouted after them as they waved

"Ready?" Mercy asked as they reached their destination, giving Sam the once over before they left the car

"Ready" he replied stepping out of the car and opening the building door for Mercy to walk in

Work

"Good Morning Mr Evans" was heard at almost every step as Sam smiled, replied and carried on to his office

"God that was daunting" he said as his backside hit the chair at his desk "I suppose I'll have to address them all at some point today" he gasped as Mercy stood looking at the view out the window

"Address" Mercy said impressed "I was going to ask you to addre..."

"Good Morning Mr Evans, I'm Megan your PA" she came into the office saying looking up after she'd spoken "Sorry I didn't know you had anyone in here" the tall, Brunette, with long legs and a dress that looked like she'd come straight from the night club to work, it was that short.

"Morning Megan, did you say?" he asked as he got up and walked towards her

"Yes Sir" she said raising an eyebrow as she looked at him from head to toe, noting the black woman standing at the window 'Why isn't she cleaning?' she thought but Mr Evans' voice caught her attention again

"I'm busy right now Megan but if you come back in say 30 minutes we can talk protocol, and please knock next time" he said shuffling her out the door

"You have a meeting with the Managers in 30 minutes Sir" she quickly said before the door shut and he locked it

"Hmmm" Mercy said before getting back to her conversation "As I was saying" she smiled "About addressing stuff" she said as he sat back in his chair, his eyebrow raising this time as she spoke "I thought we could maybe address the, what should I call it?" she said looking through the window for some inspiration "The virginity of this room" she said walking towards him finally grabbing his shirt and pulling him in, his hands wasted not time in getting to where they needed them to be

"You have no underwear on" he smiled as he searched her

"And you still have" she giggled

Some time later there was a knock at the door making Sam jump up just as he was all up for going again "Grab those and put them back on the desk" he ordered Mercy as he made himself ready and walked towards the door "Mercy" he whispered when she didn't move "Desk" he said when she looked at him, making him smile. He stood at the door and looked around the office one more time before opening the door "Mandy, did I get that right?"

"No Sir its Megan" she replied somewhat deflated that she hadn't left a big enough impact the first time for him to remember her name

"Sorry Megan, this is Mercedes" he said walking back towards her

"Mercedes Sir?" she asked walking towards Mercy "Hello Mercedes" she said half heartedly, making Mercy smile, 'He's single too' Megan thought

"Hello" Mercy said back with little emotion in her tone, 'Another bitch that wants my man' she thought, she was learning to do what she called her with contempt sound well, they were so used to people not expecting them to be together just because of the colour of their damn skin, on both sides, it was getting boring. Sam heard the game and went to sit back down showing Megan the chair in front of the desk, in an offer for her to sit down

"So" he said settling down in his chair again "What have I got planned for today?" he asked a smile on his face as he checked out Mercy's 'fuck her' face at a glance as she sat on the couch behind Megan, smiling back at him

"Well Sir you have a 10 am meet..." Mercy wasn't playing games with this woman, but she was with her husband, she put her foot up on the couch exposing her nakedness, staying like that for a while before raising her skirt to expose more of herself, it was all Sam could do to keep looking at Megan, as Mercy's skirt went higher and she was all but getting him hard while this damn woman talked at him, three minutes in and he gave up

"Megan can I get a minute please, I'll call you" he said as she quickly sprung up, Mercy's leg resumed its natural position quickly, Megan left the office "Mercy" he grinned after he'd took what was rightfully his "I have a meeting in like" he looked at the clock on the wall behind him saying as they finished "10 minutes ago" he laughed "Mercy I got to go" he finally said as they went towards his rest room for the second time already this morning.

"We haven't had alone time for about 4 weeks now Sam, are you aware of that while you're rushing me on" she said as they stood in the rest room, sorting themselves out

"We'll get there babe I promise" he said moving towards her "But right now I have my first meeting" he said kissing her quickly and pulling her with him to leave the office.

"I'm not coming to the meeting babe, I need to go check the children are being schooled properly" she smiled pulling away from him

"This is my not happy face babe, but I've got to go" he said going back to kiss her "I'll see you later at home, love you"

"Later babe Love you"

Sam was met with a frosty reception, because he was late for his first meeting he thought, smiling about it because the prize had been worth it. It was some time into the meeting when he realised that he was doing all the talking "What's the problem people do we have a business block thing going on, I'm not hearing progress in this conversation?" he asked

"We maybe need to recharge and get straight on to it, a lot of us have been unpacking for weeks maybe a get to know each other day for today and then get into things tomorrow Mr Evans?" Mr Graham the Manager of Technology suggested, Not wanting to overstretch on the first day Sam took his request into consideration and decided to meet the main drivers of his ship on a one to one basis so his first day was taken up with getting to know a bit about his staff some on a more personal level. Megan kept popping up with a broad smile and less dress every half an hour and even asked him if he wanted to go out for cocktails to get to know each other, of course he gracefully declined and went on to another one to one meeting with another Manager then suddenly it was 6 pm and time for him to get home

Home

"How was school?" he asked the twins, as he stepped into the house closer to 7 pm, seeing them laying on couches in the main room

"Fine" Nappi said rolling her eyes

"I had to send that kid they sent to look out away" Jo told his Dad

"Why?"

"I couldn't even go to the toilet without Nappi attached he was so young, they sent Mrs Luwizhu, the original teacher, back in the afternoon and I told them to stick with her in future" he said as Sam knocked fists with him "We lost an hour today though because of it so I guess we'll make that up over the week"

"But you enjoyed what you got done yeah?" Sam asked as he made his way to the kitchen, tickling Nappi's foot as he went past making her smile

"Hello old man" she said through her laugh "I'm going to get a boyfriend, he's going to be bigger and badder than you two put together you'll see"

"Nobody's saying no poppet, it's just in another 5 years" her Dad said laughing now "Hi love of my life" he said as he walked into the kitchen seeing Mercy standing there

"Love of your life?" she questioned as Sam stood wishing he could bite his own tongue hard "What did she do?"

"Who? Oh whatever her name is nothing I can't handle babe" he said pulling Mercy into him "I don't even care because my wife loves me and that's all I need to know in this life" he said kissing her lips before she could say anything back

"I got some serious looks leaving your office this morning, like everyone knew" she laughed

"The office isn't soundproofed" he told her, followed by a kiss that lasted longer than usual "I needed that" he smiled when he finally let her go

The house phone rang for maybe the second time in the weeks they'd been there and everyone looked at each other before Mercy went forward and answered it "Hello"she said as everyone looked on "Yes this is she" "Oh" "Yes hello Mrs Madge" she said looking around the room at everyone as she spoke, then she closed her eyes for a while before biting her lip, a sign Sam knew just before she really wanted to say no to something, "Yes I can meet you tomorrow say 1 pm?" she asked before awkwardly smiling as she said "Tomorrow then 1 pm" putting the phone down before cutting her eye at Nappi "I've been roped into this damn choir thing" she said when she put the phone down

"Sorry Mom" Nappi said yet again

"It's your dinner hour you're coming with me" she said making Sam and Jo laugh

"Okay" she smiled as they sat down to their evening meal, family time and usual chill time, Jo and Nappi went to bed before them but they still stayed up to hear that vocal training sounds that told them everything in their world was alright

Tuesday

Sam was off to work again to contend with his doting secretary, thinking when the right time would be to inform Mercy of what was actually going on, a call home and a conversation with Jo made him leave work to make sure he was at the 1 pm meeting with Mercy at the church

"Hi" Mercy said when she saw him walk in the door "What are you doing home?" she asked with a smile on her face, as she left what she was doing to go touch him

"I'm not going to lie my jealous came out and I need to see this damn Minister for myself" he said taking the kiss she was offering

"I love your jealous babe, means you still love me" she said rubbing his face as she spoke "But I love you so what's the stress?" she asked

"I just need to mark my territory you know how this goes" he smiled at her saying

"Just remember he's the Minister babe" she told him as she pecked his lips and moved away

"Come on it's time to go" Mercy finally said making Nappi stop her search and close down the computer before they got in the car and told the driver where they needed to be

Five minutes into the drive and Nappi was almost crying for thirst "We need to stop and get her some water or something" Sam said concerned at her cry pitch "Driver we need some water could you take us to buy some please" less than a minute later they were stopped as Sam went to find water for Nappi

Mercy and Nappi were sat in the car waiting when Mercy was drawn by music and singing coming from the other end of the market to where Sam had gone "Is it safe to come out here?" she asked the driver

"Yes Mrs Evans" he told her "But keep the car in view just in case"

They got out and went to see where the music and singing was coming from, as they stood looking down the right side of the cross road, they saw a man sitting there with a begging bowl in front of him singing the sweetest rendition of 'U Saved Me' by R Kelly Mercy had ever heard except for the original of course. They stood listening until Sam joined them giving Nappi the drink, Mercy found the courage to approach the guy "Hi I'm Mercy Evans"

"You want to save me?" the man's eyes lit up as he said it

"I wondered if you'd come with me and share that gift in church with some friends of mine?" she asked putting some money in his bowl

"I really don't do church" the man said "But if you're asking of course I will" he smiled looking at the money in his bowl

"I'm begging" Mercy smiled as the guy got up with his pan and followed them back to the car "This is Sam" she said introducing the man to her husband "And this is Naphtali my daughter" she finished as they sat almost in silence ready for the journey

"My English name is Michael but my friends call me John" he laughed

"Nice to meet you John" Mercy laughed as Sam echoed her greeting but not laughing

Sam's phone rang again and he needed to get back to the office as a matter of urgency according to Megan, he rolled his eyes before re-directing the driver, three minutes later he was sitting outside work "I'll see you all later" he said going in to kiss Mercy when he heard his name shouted and turned to see Megan standing at the door

"Mr Evans you have to come now" she said opening the car door, with urgency

"You have to come, now" Mercy echoed pushing him out the car as John looked on in shock

They reached the church to find Madge standing outside waiting "Hello again Miss Mercy" she said as they neared

"Hello Mrs Madge" she replied "This is Naptalie and John" she told her as Madge moved to the side to let them all in, looking John up and down as he passed

"Mrs Mercy" the Minister came towards them saying with a smile on his face, Dampening when he saw John coming towards him

"Minister Frazer" Mercy said smiling for his puzzlement "This is John and of course you've met Nappi before " she said as she looked beyond him to see the rest of the so called choir standing near the alter "Hi everyone" she called out to them

"Afternoon" they called back to her, looking at each other. At a guess Mercy would have said they were trying to place where John fit in her life as he stood there with Denim trousers and a ripped string vest on, well lived in face and some missing teeth, while Nappi and her had on designer jeans, Nappi a bling top and Mercy T-shit with some bling on and a lace jacket with their do's adding that little something.

"This is John he has a brilliant voice" she told them as they looked at him with scorn "Right we have an hour before my daughter needs to be back for study so lets make it worth it" she said, ignoring the looks and clapping her hands as she set about getting the choir to acknowledge their own voices and then putting them into groups trying to get them to listen to each other, learning names along the way. It was a good continuous forty minutes before anything resembling a good sound came out of the group and when it did they were so excited they lost the focus "Remember your key lets try the first line again" Mercy said trying not to roll her eyes for her frustration coming out. Ten minutes more and she'd got them doing a simple harmony resembling the sound of eight people singing together. "Sorry I've got to go, my daughter needs to get back to study" she told them

"Mrs Mercy is it alright if I stay for a while, I can make my way back" John asked as everyone looked at each other

"Of course John" she smiled as Nappi and her walked down the aisle and out the door

"Good Day" everyone said, unable to wait for her to go through the door to start asking their questions

"Okay" Madge the choir leader said as everyone leaned in wanting to know the answer too "I thought you was her husband?" she asked John

"No she picked me up, I was singing in the street" John replied

"I wondered why you was dressed like that" Madge told him laughing

"Have you met her husband?" a choir member asked

"Is he Asian, the children look Asian?" one of the other choir members asked before he could answer the first question

"I'll ask the questions if you don't mind" Madge said sternly, as everyone looked at John before moving off to do their own thing, knowing they'd just put Madge in the wrong mood "Can we get back to practising what Mrs Mercy just learned us?" she shouted as everyone got in line and started doing their bit

Back at Home

"About time" Joe shouted as they walked in "You're twenty minutes late" he said looking at Nappi

"I was with Mom" she told him looking at her Mom for back up

"You're twenty minutes late" he repeated as she rushed to her seat, she knew his tone and he could last for days on a downer

"She was with me Jo" Mercy told him as he smiled at his Mom

"Hi Mommy dearest" he said sarcastically for her being the reason for Nappi's tardiness "Did everything go alright?" he asked as Mercy nodded a yes "Where's Dad?"

"We dropped him off at work on the way there, he got a call"

"So why didn't you go back for him?"

"Nappi had study and your Dad didn't want her travelling alone" Mercy told him wondering why Jo had asked that "Has your Dad said something?"

"No, just... no he hasn't" Jo finally finished with

If it had been Sam she'd have asked more questions but Jo was so loyal to his parents he'd never betray a confidence and she'd never ask him to "You alright?" she finally asked

"Yeah I'm fine" he smiled back at her "Can we study now please?" he asked side eyeing his Mom making her laugh at Sam's face doing her signature stop face, and pulling it off

"Sorry" she said through her giggle making her way to the bedroom to get changed before starting dinner. Sam was home two hours later, the children were in their rooms having free time

"Babe I've got to be at work for like 7 in the morning on Thursday for this breakfast meeting or something and then I'm booked up for meetings for the whole day so tomorrows it for us, if the children get Friday with you and Saturday is family day, could you keep that clear?" he asked

"I'm not booked up for anything you know that" she said walking into him for a kiss and hug "Stop stressing" she said kissing him again "You always get like this when it's time for me to travel" she said as she suddenly understood Jo's question earlier

"Have you told..." Sam got out before the phone rang

"That's either back to work for you or the damn church for me" Mercy said crossing the kitchen to grab the extension "Hello" she said smiling "Mrs Madge" she said rolling her eyes "Yes I can make Thursday" she said listening for a while longer before closing the call down "Please tell me why?" she asked a smiling Sam "Stop smiling and tell me why" she told him making him smile more

"You love God?" he suggested

"I do but, that doesn't equate to Mrs Madge and all the cats called choir" she laughed

"All God's creatures" he told her making her laugh harder "Dinner guys" he shouted to the children before Mercy started roping him into anything "I haven't forgotten Minister Frazer's card marking" he whispered in her ear as the children came into the kitchen "Hi Clan" he said fist bumping Jo while Nappi came in for her full hug "You alright poppet?" Sam asked when she held on

"Dad" she said looking at her Mom as Sam turned to look at Mercy

"What's up?" he asked Mercy before his eyes wondered around the room, looking at all three of his clan

"I don't know" Mercy said as Sam looked at her again "Honestly I don't know" she confirmed

"Dad I need you to call Jo off" Nappi blurted out "I can't breathe without him telling me how to, it was cute when I was 12 even 14 but I'm 16 in like 2 months and having my brother run the show about me just tells me you really don't trust me to make decisions about myself" she said looking at her Mom

"Naphtali" Jo said obviously angry, but she chose to ignore him and carry on talking to her Dad

"I can be trusted Dad, I see how Jo and his friends treat girls, and I really don't want to be a number on anyone's bedpost, I've had enough conversations with Mom to understand about all that, please tell Jo to stop"

"Number, bedpost?" Sam asked looking at a red faced Jo "What's been going on?" he said louder than usual

"Nothing Dad just lad stuff, come on you were young once" Jo said getting up to join the others in the middle of the kitchen, trying to make light of it

"Don't let me say what I think Nappi's telling my boy" Sam suddenly shouted at him as Mercy left her spot by the cooker and rounded the circle to stand next to Sam

"Sam" Mercy said grabbing his hand, trying to remind him it was the children he was talking to as both Jo and Nappi stood wondering who this person in front of them shouting actually was because this behaviour didn't conger up a picture of their Dad "Sam" Mercy tried again as she saw things about to get out of control "Sam" she said pulling his hand to get his attention, making his head move in her direction "Sam please" she said as he turned to fully look at her

"Mercy will you?" he asked checking himself as his children stood looking scared

"Yes" she said, letting go of his hand and he walked away leaving the three of them in the kitchen

"Jo" Mercy said closing her eyes for what she was about to ask "Please tell me you haven't gone against your Dad's only wish without even confiding in him?" she asked opening her eyes for the last few words

"Mom I'm still a virgin" he told her as she held her chest and breathed

"So what's Nappi talking about?" she looked at her asking Jo

"We do other things with girls you know oral stuff but never sex"

"You are not telling me those lips you use to kiss your damn Mother has been on the …."

"Mom, Mom" Jo said holding his hands up at her to stop "I don't do that no, I don't do that" he cut his eye at Nappi saying for having to have this conversation with their Mother "I know it's going to take a while for Dad to calm down but will you tell him I've broken no promises I wouldn't do that" he told her

"Here" Mercy said as she walked back towards the oven to get their meal, sharing it out and handing them a plate each "Eat and bed I don't need this days before I leave for a month you guys just behave yourself and Jo if you're doing those things I don't see you as a good role model for Nappi but your Dad will have the last say on that" she said closing the oven and leaving the kitchen to go speak to Sam

Jo & Nappi

"Am I even going to ask you why that shit just happened?" Jo snapped at Nappi as they watched their Mother leave the kitchen

"Jo I'm sorry I didn't think we had any secrets I didn't think I was saying anything they didn't already know" she said sorry written all over her face

"I want to be so mad with you right now but I can't, you told the truth, but now our parents think the worst of me, they're ashamed of me" he said deflated

"I'm truly sorry Jo" she said grabbing his hand "Forgive me?" she looked into his eyes asking "Mom and Dad know you, they know us, you're forgiven trust me"

"I guess I'm compelled to I love you Nap, but please no more of our stuff to Mom and Dad it's gonna take time to win them round after this" he smiled "You know Nap, I want to let go a bit, but it's like you don't even know what those guys can do to a girl like you and I'm seriously scared for that" he laughed nervously

"Those guys out there don't know what a bro like you can do" she smiled at him saying "And I can handle myself Jo, I made that promise too"

"I'll try" he said as they tucked into their meal

Sam & Mercy

"He says to tell you he's still a virgin" she said as she closed the door behind her and leaned on it waiting for him to respond "I said he said..."

"I heard you babe" he said finally turning to look at her "I'm sorry about that, it shouldn't have happened I promised you and well finally I broke a promise" he said turning to look back out the window

"You didn't" she said walking towards him "You thought he'd broken a family promise and that's a serious thing so you reacted as I'd expect you to, showing them Mad Sam right now was the best thing that could have happened, because now they know, my man bites" she said grabbing hold of his hair to pull his head round to look at her "Such a fucking turn on Mr Evans" she said taking his mouth and using her sexy to mellow him out "It's almost our Day" she said at some ungodly hour of the morning as they finally closed their eyes for sleep to arrive