I don't own glee. If I did Sam and Mercedes would last forever. Just a look into Senior year and beyond. Let's have some fun!

"I bet you don't even remember the first time we met!" Mercedes looked at Sam wondering what his rendition of Tuesday, August 27, 2011 would be. "I remember it perfectly Mercedes. You were eating a ham and cheese sandwich, you had crumbs on your face, and I thought you were adorable." Sam looked straight ahead, hands laced together with his girlfriend, knowing she had no idea that although he met her on August 27th, the first time he SAW her was a week earlier during pre-season for fall sports at McKinley High School. Yes, it may have been a stretch for Mercedes to try out for the Lady Tigers Field Hockey Team, but it was a new year, new school, and she was ready for a fresh start. Sam of course was an old pro at McKinley. Star football player, slightly lopsided grin when he smiled, (which was just about always) all around great guy with a whole lot of nerd and a little bit of cool, which when combined made him absolutely irresistible. Mercedes could not help but smile when he said those words. She gazed up at him, as he continued to look ahead to their destination. She quietly thought to herself, 'when was I eating a ham & cheese sandwich during MHS pre-season' yet, before she could ask, Sam says," I'm sure you're wondering, when were you eating a ham & cheese sandwich during pre-season" "Yes." Mercedes says softly. Sam stops in front of the DAISY DELI and slowly turns Mercedes toward the café where they can see families, couples, & MHS students through the big clear glass window. Sam bends down, about to whisper into Mercedes ear, remembering how much he loves having a girl that's small like Yoda. He wraps his arms around her waist, graces a soft kiss on her cheek, and whispers, "I remember exactly when I met you, it was Tuesday, August 27th, but here Mercedes, and this is where I first saw you. You were sitting in the corner, all by yourself. You were reading The Bluest Eye and had a copy of Twelfth Night in your bag. You were wearing a Duke Basketball tee shirt, your hair in 2 French braids & crumbs on your face from the small bite of the sandwich you had just taken. I saw you, knowing that I had to meet you, but never expecting you to mean as much as you mean to me today." Mercedes, sighed as she listened closely to Sam's words. She placed her hands on top of his arms forcing him to hold her closer. "I remember that day. We had just moved into Lima 2 days prior. I wanted to see what Downtown Lima was like." Sam smiled at that statement, knowing that Downtown Lima was more like a village instead of a town. "I was so scared, beginning my junior year in a new school, new state, & new people. Pecola Breedlove, the main character in the book I was reading was so alone in her life, I was afraid that I would end up like her. I saw her pain and related to her so closely that I knew I was going to have to work hard and do things out of my comfort zone to make this experience work. And now here you are." Sam quickly interjected, "You mean here WE are." Smiling again to herself, Mercedes said loud enough for only the two of them to hear, "Yes, how I could forget, you & I are now a WE. I guess the idea of having my best friend as my boyfriend is something I am still getting used to." Sam released his arms from around Mercedes for just a moment making Mercedes long for the feel of his embrace again. There was a small bench in front of the Deli and as he sat down he placed Mercedes in his lap. She was still uncomfortable with his PDA. She looked around to see if anyone was looking at them. Little did she know that Sam longed for people to stare. To him what he and Mercedes had was beautiful, special, a union that needed to be on display. So when an opportunity presented itself to show his love for her, he did it and did it publicly. He felt her body stiffen at the position of which they were sitting. He took her hand, kissed the back of it and then laced their fingers together so that she knew she was protected.

"Ok, Sam so why exactly are we here?"

"I told you I have a surprise for you." Mercedes got a little nervous. Their relationship had become more serious over the past few months and she knew that they were in a good place. But, Sam's passion and sometimes impulsiveness could be a bit overwhelming. He was well aware of the challenges she had with self-esteem. His little Diva put on a really good act, but deep inside, she had insecurities that stemmed from bad memories from childhood. It took almost a year for her to reveal the abuse of which she experienced at the hands of a family friend. When she finally told him, Sam felt relieved that he could finally understand all the things that confused him during their friendship that eventually lead to love.

Sam turned Mercedes face directly toward his own. He smiled and thought how he would unveil the gift that he had for her. Sam knew that his love for Mercedes would last forever, but he was not always good with words. He knew that he would need the help of the poets to express the depth of feelings he had for his woman. Sam took a deep breath and said to Mercedes, "I know that next week will mark the 1 year anniversary of the day we met. And although that day will always remain special to me, I will never forget the moment of which I first saw you. It took my breath away, it made me feel like a line in Twelfth Night, the book you had in your bag the day I first saw you. I read the whole play that night and came across a line that expressed exactly how I felt the moment I saw you and still expresses how I feel about you daily." Mercedes was tensing up even more while still sitting on Sam's lap. She wondered what he was getting at. which made it difficult to see the beauty of the moment that they were currently sharing. Mercedes bit her bottom lip; a movement that Sam knew meant that she was getting nervous. It was the same action she did the first time they shared a kiss. Sam patted Mercedes knee prompting her to stand up and loved that she did not let go of his hand as he stood up after her. He gazed into her almond eyes, loving how he towered above her curvy frame. Mercedes thought about the lines in Twelfth Night, knowing that it was one of her favorite Shakespearean plays. As Sam and Mercedes stood facing one another, Sam asked Mercedes to close her eyes. She did exactly as Sam asked and the smiled as she felt Sam's arms slowly turn her to face the Deli of which they were standing before. Sam softly kissed Mercedes on her neck and whispered, "Open your eyes and look down." As Mercedes opened her eyes she saw the black iron bench of which they were just sitting, but noticed a small inscription written in the middle of the bench. The inscription said:

"…Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth…I love [you] according to my bond, no more nor less…King Lear Act 1. Line 91-93"

Although words often fail me, my love for you never will…

Forever-Sam will love Mercedes

Mercedes read the words, the most beautiful words she had ever seen in her life. Permanently, placed on display for the world to see. She was speechless and in that moment she knew that Sam was the one. Mercedes turned to Sam and gave him an embrace that held more intimacy than all the intimate moments they had shared over the past year. She softly, whispered "Thank you" into his ear and for the 1st time since the moment his eyes fell upon her, she said the words that Sam longed to here, "It's you that I love Samuel Evans." His embrace deepened around her waist and as tears began to form in his eyes, he whispered back, "Thank you Mercedes Jones." They smiled at each other excited for what this year would bring; hoping that the moments would be as special as the one they currently shared, let's see how their journey unfolds…