Chapter 1

"Sam you've been late picking up the girls four times this month alone! Twice I had to leave the office to rush to their school because you forgot. They're already dealing with you not being in the house anymore and they're asking questions about you forgetting about them. They're two four year girls, there is only so much they can understand but they aren't blind either. "

Mercedes sat at the kitchen island with her head in her palm. She was tired of having to remind Sam of his responsibilities. It has been six months since their separation and it seemed to her like all the weight to keep up appearances to their twin girls was falling on her shoulders. Her hair was thrown on top her head in a messy bun and it matched her feelings exactly. She didn't want the girls to suffer because their parents were divorcing but she couldn't make Sam realize how much it was truly hurting them.

"Sam, I know you're going through a really tough time right now; we all are but you can't just check out on life. Our girls need both of their parents." Mercedes looked pleadingly into his eyes as she sat across from him in what used to be the kitchen they shared.

"How could you possibly be having a hard time Mercedes? You aren't the one who lost their job, you weren't kicked out your home and you were not the laughing stock of the nation! Maybe you should have sole custody of the kids until I get on my feet. You know how much Bai and Rye mean to me but right now I am not the best person to help take care of them.

Mercedes sat there with a look of bewilderment spread across her face as Sam spewed his final words. She couldn't believe he was sitting there loathing in self-pity. All of the things he was going off about were things he caused all on his own. And now he was playing the victim and abandoning his children. He was out of his mind.

About a year ago Mercedes and Sam were trying to conceive another baby. For months they tried and tried but nothing came of it. Sensing something might be wrong, Mercedes and Sam set up a visit with her Gynecologist. After several test from her doctor all of Mercedes' results indicated no sign that she should have trouble getting pregnant. Automatically she asked her husband to follow up with his doctor in hopes of coming up with an answer. Initially he agreed but several weeks passed without him making an appointment, so Mercedes Made one for him. Initially they argued about her overstepping and not allowing him to handle scheduling the appointment but she quickly reasoned that she was only looking out for their health and family and the argument ended. What happened at the doctor's office is where the real trouble began.

"Mercedes, you don't have to go with me. It's just a few simple test, I'm sure everything is fine." Sam had insisted on attending the appointment alone ever since he found out that Mercedes took a personal day from recording in the studio to go with him. She was working on her third album and it was crunch time. But Mercedes did not care. She wanted to be there with him for support. Especially since they had been spending so little time together lately.

"hunny ,I want to go. And afterwards maybe we can catch a light lunch or something before we had back home. It's been a while since we had any alone time outside of the house."

Sam could see that changing her mind was not an option so he let out a deep sigh and said sure.

Mercedes noticed his attitude changes lately but she attributed it to him being under pressure about them trying for a new baby.

They drove along riverside drive until they reached his doctor's office. Mercedes was riding passenger side and enjoying the scenery, she had never been to this office before. When they entered the Office Mercedes took a seat near the television neatly arranged in the corner of the office while Sam walked to the Front Desk to check in.

The couple only waited for a few short minutes before a nurse popped her head in the waiting room and called for Sam Evans. Sam didn't recognize the nurse so he figured she was new to the office, he also failed to realize his wife was right behind him until she reached down to hold his hand. He stopped short causing the couple to collide.

"Cedes please wait in the waiting room, it's only going to take a few minutes and then we can go for lunch. If I freak out about needles or if I need to hold your hand I pinkie promise I will shoot you a text and you can come right in.

Mercedes screwed up her face and objected yet again. "No Sam I'm coming with you. Besides how are you going to text me when you let Bailey lose your phone in the Park yesterday?"

By now Sam had a total look of fear and defeat across his face because only he knew what was coming next.