That's Life
They'd parted company so many times during school, it had definitely gone out of fashion, but by the time they were 21 they'd finally found each other for what they hoped was the very last time.
Mercy's life hadn't quite worked out how she'd expected it to, she'd gone through the motions with the singing thing and for some reason that didn't take off, she had the voice, that sound everyone talked about but for some unknown reason when it came to putting out a hit song she came up against walls. It was exhausting, singing her heart out at every damn studio in America only to be told that she had something, but not what they were looking for, she finally decided she knew what she had and damn the lot of them, walking out of TK Studios in LA and not bothering to look back. After a year of moving from radio station to radio station talking about her plight getting, small parts in films here and there and singing in seedy, dark night clubs in Vegas, she got a call from Paramount Studios to take up a part as Jackie Turner in a movie and life seemed to get going for her from then, she'd found her niche.
Sam had gone round the houses himself, he'd always been interested in the arts and saw his future as a bit of a recluse sat in a light airy room surrounded by colours, painting lots of nothing that people wowed at and called magnificent. He'd finally gone to college and got that qualification Mercy had always bugged him about, and yeah it was as easy as she said it was going to be, he lived music anyway. When the art finally proved to be fickle he quickly moved over into the modelling thing, that didn't go down too well with Mercy and after the first splash he gave up in favour of his relationship. He pottered around for a while doing freelance sketching for MARVEL, something else he'd always wanted to do, before one of his songs were taken up by Safehouse Records and he finally seemed to be on the move in the music business.
Four years on and life was fast for both of them, Mercy was getting parts in Musicals all over the place and Sam's first single was making head ways in the world of Country music, being together was one of their priorities in this life they'd decided to make for themselves. It was hard, travel was the norm for them, it was very rare they were together in the same place for more than two weeks, so they'd travel ridiculous miles overnight for a three hour hook up, just to have a meal and be together,but those together times were worth the wait because when they were together it was electric . It got really difficult sometimes but somehow they managed to talk each other through those times, with the help of dear friends. They'd decided really early on that children weren't for them, not right now anyway, they had the thirst for the bright lights and big cities and right now they were getting that thirst quenched.
Sam spent most his spare waking days and some night's when Mercy was away, creating his music, he lived for it, he'd go to secluded spots with his writers and create coming out weeks later feeling exposed, excited and ready for his girl. Mercy was always either in her elements on stage performing, in the study rehearsing for some new show, checking out a script or waiting for a call
They'd managed to snag a base, as they called it, a brand new contemporary mid-century home in Hollywood, top of the range everything, with windows looking out at the town down below, three double sized bedrooms all with bathrooms, a sunken walk-in bathtub in their master room looking out over the sea, they'd sunk their savings into it, managing to buy it outright, with support from Mom and Dad of course. They loved the outdoors and worked hard to ensure the house brought that feel into every room, sporting windows from floor to ceiling looking out at the sea, town, greenery and pool on all four sides. The centre of the house was one large space, great for socialising, you could sit anywhere in the main room and watch people, cooking, eating, relaxing or swimming, of course the bedrooms and bathrooms were private, facing the sea and looking out at the bay below, but the main room was light, airy with a minimalist look and feel.
When they found time, outside of their protected private time, they tried to spend it with their friends, they still had some of their old crew from school very much attached and met up when they could, although at times it was near impossible. When Mercy got a part in a famous musical in Washington and Sam released yet another single, that went bigger than his last one, promoting the song went on forever and Mercy's out of town play meant physical contact was missing yet again and of course the relationship became strained and hard, they relied heavily on their friends their acting mediators.
Mike & Tina
Tina and Mike had gotten back together after college ended for them and it didn't take them long to tie that knot, they were 21 when they got married, and in what seemed like days they were announcing the birth of their twins Wesley and Nikita, Wesley was the spit of Tina even down to his cute smile, you know the one where her face lights up. Nikita somehow looked like her Dad but still managed to look very much like a feminine version of Wesley, except at three months old she looked like she needed to be carried by both parents, she was a cuddly balloon, thankfully she started walking early. Mike had brought himself a dance studio out in Chicago and they'd moved near by, he wanted to keep his family with him, then Tina had Mile five years later, but three year later she'd finally got fed up of shouting at the Politian's on the TV and decided she was going into Politics of all things, unknown to them all she was very serious about a lot of issues, and everyone knew it wasn't a joke when she stood up, from the jeering and announced it was her time and she needed to strike while the iron was hot. Their parents did a lot of the childcare for a few years before Tina made the decision to step up and take care of her then 9 year old twins and 4 year old for a few years, employing a Nanny for support
It seemed like everything went in fast forward after that, Mike expanded the business because he had more mouths to feed, Tina's campaign become her main focus and Mike found himself being more involved in that than they'd both expected.
Puck & Quinn
Puck had always played the guitar but when he left school he'd opted for the drums in remembrance of his wingman and perfected the art, he'd wanted to do something with it and eventually got an advert up for a band asking for the usual artists. He'd jigged the group around a fair few times, had some difficult conversations with individuals, and nearly six months in he was finally happy with the group of guys he'd got together, he called the band Arc, as in Noah's Arc, and finally started booking gigs all over the place. When he got noticed by Atlantic Records everything seemed to kick off for him and he was flying all over the place backing some of the big artists and getting himself a following. Quinn had been writing best selling books since before she'd started college and was in the middle of a Trilogy when they decided to get married, at the ripe young age of 22, there was some sceptics in the room of course, but the love was blatant and it was what they wanted, they stood at the reception telling everyone their plans, acting like there was no room for anything or anyone else in their packed, busy lives. Then out of nowhere, less than a year after the wedding, they decided to have their son Isaac; a blond haired, cheeky faced thug looking child that had the most break your heart smile, he could get his parents, and everyone else doing anything for him
"If I had to go to a starting point on this whole story I guess that day would have been it, the day little Isaac was born"
Sam's Flashback
"Christening" I remembered Quinn shouting as we all stood round her bed looking at this new baby boy
"Yeah" I'd said looking at Puck thinking 'why is he looking at us?' pulling Mercy closer to me
"Well we decided that being as you guys don't want children, you can be Isaac's Godparents" she smiled looking between Mercy and me as she spoke
"Oh" Mercy said looking round at my stunned face "I guess we could maybe do that" she turned back to Quinn smiling as she spoke slowly
"I guess" I echoed trying to make my voice sound chirpy "What does it entail?" I asked pinching Mercy for roping us into that, frowning when she jerked away from me alerting everyone that I'd just done something
"Oh just if anything should happen to us you're sort of promising to look after Isaac for us" Quinn told them
"Yeah sure" I'd smiled when I realised it was nothing drastic, kissing Mercy's cheek to say sorry for the pinch
"I think you guys are safe bets for Wesley and Nikita too" Tina announced with some big smile on her face looking at easy target Mercy knowing there was no way she was going to say no to those guys, we already treated them like gold. She was right too Mercy snapped a yes without even looking at me for confirmation, she knew I'd agree anyway, so we'd gone to Lincoln with no children and left with three responsibilities.
I think it was about a year later that the Christenings took place back in Lima, it was just easier because that was where everyone's parents were, with a delightful little church service, a choir singing, doves let off as we walked out the church and of course a singing sensation for the reception. One year old Isaac and the nearly four year old twins didn't last the whole day, what with grandparents over feeding them, Aunts and Uncles over loving them and so much running around and talking to do, fitting all that enjoyment in was exhausting, they were in bed by 6pm.
"Wesley and Nikita start school next year" Tina looked at everyone wide eyed announcing "I can't believe how time's flown"
"We're nearly 25 for crying out loud" I screeched
"We need to make more time for each other" Tina told everyone as we parted
"We'll need to plan our lives better to make it happen" Mike said getting his phone out "I'll check some dates and send them out, I mean diamonds, gold whatever it is we feel we're working for right now, is not worth friendships like ours"
"Okay" I smiled as I hugged him ready for the off
"And I know" Tina rolled her eyes like Mercy saying, making me laugh "We've had this conversation nearly every damn time we've spoken, but I'm serious I still need to taste some cake from you two" she waved her finger at Mercy and me saying
"We will soon, we've got so much more going on for us right now, it's really a case of fitting all that stuff in" I laughed uncomfortably hugging Mercy
"Plus he hasn't proposed yet" Mercy laughed rolling her eyes before looking up at me and right then I knew that meant something
"You guys need to get that busy life in check and get to making life together" Mike told them
"We will" I told him, looking at Puck for some help but he seemed to be on Mike's page "Seriously, it's just timing" I assured them
"You guys are sitting waiting for something to slap you in the face, but Dude it's slapping you, that's life" Puck told them waving his finger as he spoke
Then a hush fell over the group as we reflected on what Puck had said, heads lifting when we heard boarding information for Puck and Quinn's flight, we'd spent a tiresome weekend together, of course the girls, Tina, Quinn and Mercy, left a massive puddle of water at the airport before they finally let each other go and we all went back to our busy lives
End of Flashback
32 years old
That conversation was nearly eight years ago and he was still in the same predicament, Mercy was back to her theatre and film loving the world, Sam was back on tour doing his thing, Mike was expanding his business yet again, Tina had won her seat in Chicago, Quinn was selling more pieces of art and books than she could physically produce each year, Puck's band had picked up kudos, he was reaping the benefits finally.
Sam had left Lima all that time back with Mercy's words ringing in his head 'He hasn't proposed yet' but as soon as life grabbed hold of them again they were forgotten, he didn't really know what was making him think about those words now, he just felt he needed to act on it. It might sound crazy to anyone else, but he really hadn't thought about the asking process, he just thought one day they'd decide that it was the next step and just take it. They were going to be super busy for the next month but then it was her birthday so he'd need to start now if he was going to pull off the best proposal ever known to man, something she really wouldn't expect.
It was one of their weeks, they'd finally got time off together in over four months and they were making the most of it, they loved locking themselves away in their world and forgetting everything on the outside "Babe" Mercy called through the house as they were about to sit down to eat in celebration of them being together in the middle of the week "Can you bring that bean bag out when you're coming?"
"No" he shouted back as she stopped to take in what he'd just said to her
"Did you say no?" she shouted back at him
"Yeah I said no" he confirmed as she took the bait, like he knew she would, and went towards the bedroom to ask him again and let her eyes dare him to say no again
"Babe why..." she walked into the room to see him sitting on the bed "What's up?" she asked when she didn't see a smile on his face
"I just got word from Safehouse saying I've got to work next week Tuesday and it's your birthday, I'm not happy" he lay back on the bed telling her
"Babe" she whined as she walked towards him "I'm off I can come to you, it's nothing" she lay next to him and grabbed his cheek telling him
"I just had stuff planned" he sulked heavier, giving his puppy eyes while his bottom lip went out as far as he could push it
"We'll have other birthdays" she kissed his sulky lips saying "And I'll be with you anyway, we know how this works" she made to jump off the bed telling him
"Not so fast" he pulled her back laughing as he grabbed her lips with his "I love you, you know that right?"
"I love you too and yes I think I know that" she rolled her eyes telling him "And whatever you've got on that mind of yours right now will have to wait, the cookers on" she jumped up again this time walking off to sort their meal out. Sam sat on the bed smiling watching her walk away phase two of his elaborate proposal was on the way. Of course they ate when he decided it was time, Mercy stood aroused and smiling at him taking what he wanted right there in the kitchen while they looked out over the city, excited that someone might have binoculars on them enjoying their fun
He was off back on tour the next day then four days later it was Mercy's birthday and as planned she arrived in Canada to be with him, there was a few minutes before his show and he was pumped, she'd have thought it was because she was there, but he knew his agenda. She sat in the front row watching him do his thing, smiling for all the girls trying to get to him, shouting his name, singing his songs and shouting things at him, he'd smile back every now and again but he was focused, she could tell.
"And this next one is for a special lady in my life" he smiled at Mercy as he spoke "Today's show is going to be a little bit different, she doesn't know it but this whole extra night's show is for her so Mercy this is to you" he looked at her smiling "Come up here" he almost ordered. She went through security, took the stairs and grabbed his waiting hand, surprised when he pulled her to him and kissed her "It's her birthday today" he told the crowd before picking her up and putting her on his stool, centre stage, as the crowd clapped
"Sam" she smiled shyly
"What?" he laughed at her embarrassed face, that didn't come out very often "Okay so here goes, happy birthday babe" he told her before he started strumming his versions of 'Sweetheart' by Thomas Rhett "So?" he looked at her when he'd finished singing
"It was beautiful" she smiled as the crowd got louder with the clapping
"I mean, what do you say?" he asked pointing in the crowd as members of the audience held up cards spelling out 'I love you Mercy will you Marry Me'
"Sam Evans" she smiled grabbing her mouth for the gasp "You're still crazy"
"Still crazy about you" he smiled "Are you leaving me hanging?"
"No, I mean yes, of course I'll marry you"
"What did you say?" he asked into his mic
"I said yes I'll marry you" she shouted into the mic he'd put in front of her face "What a birthday present" she grabbed hold of him as he came towards her, their kiss lasting longer than any stage kiss should before the show carried on. Mercy stood laughing even more after that at the fact that they'd basically got engaged onstage and that seemed to make the girls scream louder for him, she wanted to shout back at them 'back the fuck off' but that was their life, why should it change because they'd just committed to each other more?
After the show they flew off to Bermuda for the week to bask in the sun and get some well earned quality time together. As soon as they touched down they contacted their friends to let the know the question had been popped, of course they were happy and even relieved that they'd finally made that next step commitment
"About time" Quinn screamed down the phone making Mercy laugh "I love you guys" she sighed down the phone
"We're off to Africa in about 10 days, otherwise we could have had a gathering" Puck informed them, cutting into the silence
"What's in Africa, which part?" Sam asked excitedly
"What you mean other than Blaine and the linked up foursome?" Puck laughed, they'd heard from one of the Dad's that Santana and Brittany had birthed children for Blaine and Kurt and they were in some secluded part of Africa growing them up without being judged for their chosen lifestyle or something "I doubt whether we'll see any of those guys, we're going to Kenya"
"That's quite a distance from Johannesburg yeah?"
"Quite" Puck laughed, Sam knew he was shaking his head
"What? I'm curious" Sam laughed "I wish we had time for a jolly, that would have been a good hook up" he sighed "So what are you going there for?"
"Part of the tour, I'm out there for three Months so Q and Isaac are coming too, they have to be with me wherever I go, life's too short"
"Sweet"
"Shut up you two let the more important conversation take place" Quinn finally shouted "Girl how did it go down?" she asked giggling as Mercy sat telling her all about the proposal, wrapped in Sam's arms
"You've always been extra Bro" Puck laughed as he listened
"Not extra just happy" Sam laughed down the phone
"Things are never done before their time" Mercy added
"You guys have definitely needed time" Quinn laughed
"Anyway it's happened now, that's life" Puck told him
"I got to call T, so have a safe journey, and I guess we'll catch up for the wedding" Mercy finally closed the call down telling them
They took no time in calling Tina and Mike, this time Sam let Mercy and Tina talk first, he knew they'd be crying too much to talk in seconds, and Mike and he could talk till their hearts were content, and so said so done, as he hugged her and smiled before he started his conversation with Mike
"We're going to Zambia for T's job in a few weeks" Mike told him
"I just spoke to Puck he's off to Kenya on tour soon, I guess that's far apart though"
"It's far but not impossible, I might call him catch one of his shows or something while we're there, a welcome break from T's politics for her as well"
"Gosh I'm jealous, I need gigs like you guys"
"I thought you were sitting in Bermuda right now?"
"We are but this is not work Dude, it's keeping shit alive"
"I know Dude there's going to be more self guilt once that wife comes on board" Mike laughed "Yes that love of your life you're holding right now" he warned "She'll be screaming neglect, broken promises, communication issues, mark my words, shit changes"
"We already have those conversations, as you know Dude" Sam laughed
Tina and Mercy finally got some more conversation in before the call was closed down and they called the parents, before getting right into holiday mode
The Rosedon Hotel had everything you'd expect of a five plus star hotel and more, they basked on the beach, ate exotic foods, drank beer, wine and cocktails until they were merry and danced the nights away until it was time to fall into bed and forget about sleep.
"A weeks never enough is it?" Mercy asked as they lay in bed looking up at the ceiling "Do you think we made the right choice not to have children?"
"Where's this coming from?" he sat up asking
"I don't know... I guess all our friends have children, they've like given them to us because they what; pity us or something, I just thought... well.. do you regret our decision?"
"Never, but if we decide different later I have no problem with that either" he smiled "But please don't get broody now" he lay back down for her to roll back on his arm
"I'm not broody" she rolled onto his arm and smiled up at him "Actually that's a lie, I'm always broody for you"
"You're right, a weeks never enough" he kissed her nose saying
"So when do you want to get married?"
"I've got that tour coming up next year with Brad Paisley, it's going to take up at least half a year"
"I've got Sister Act happening in about three months time and that's going to go on for about 3 months"
"So we're talking at the most maybe nine months, then there's planning, invites, churches..."
"Our parents can do all that around us, we'll just turn up" she laughed
"You sure?"
"Well yeah except we'll have to find time to get our clothes, choose the rings and write our vows"
"Nine months to do that, yeah we can do that" he smiled down at her "What were you saying about never enough" he grabbed her boob asking, before he kissed her, climbing on top of her as they pecked and giggled, whispering sweet everything's
"Sam Evans" she melted into him with a grin on her face
Sam & Mercy
Still busy with work and desperately trying to fit in times to be together to do those three little things they'd promised they'd contribute to the actual wedding, was proving difficult. Sam's phone was clogged up with suits everywhere Mercy went and saw a suit she thought he might like she took a picture and sent it to him, then when he said he liked it, she told him he couldn't have it because she'd seen it, he was climbing the walls with frustration.
Sam was busy trying to find rings, he'd take pictures in shops of his and hers wedding rings and pass them on, to hear Mercy screech about them being inappropriate or looking cheap,
They'd finally decided that they needed the family to do their part before they could get bogged down with the detail that was already distracting them from their jobs, but talked endlessly about their performances, reviews and back stage drama
"Right" Mercy said one day after they'd finished their catch up for the day "I confirmed the church with Mom as we agreed, that's provisionally booked, she's got the choir singing as we come in and leave, they're just waiting for our confirmation on the date before they can lock everything in, so, do we have a date?"
"Didn't we agree one already?"
"No Sam we didn't, stop it" She rolled her eyes telling him "You know we didn't"
"I don't even have a calender here to refer to" he was obviously agitated
"Just look on your damn phone" Mercy moaned, that uneasy feeling that Sam was trying block this thing at every opportunity raising up in her again "All we need to do is set a weekend in August, that's not that hard is it?" she spat at him
"I didn't say I didn't want to do it, just that I don't have the tools right now, there's a difference" he snapped back at her "The 25th I guess" he calmed his voice telling her, knowing this had already gone where it had no business going
"There's no need to shout at me for telling the truth" she shouted back at him
"But as usual it's your damn truth Miss Mercedes my way or the highway Jones, which gets on my last damn nerve"
"I aim to please Samuel never can take that you're wrong Evans, now get that damn pain in the ass of yours in gear, we need a date to buy the rings by our next conversation and that's on you" she giggled
"Please remind me" he begged, as she had visions of him throwing his hands in the air or even strangling his phone wishing it was her neck
"You love your last damn nerve" she laughed
"I do" He giggled "And you love your pain in the ass"
"I do, so it's the 25th August then?"
"Yeah that gives us what 3 months to sort stuff out, maybe a free week after we finish these gigs"
"So we can go ahead and get the invites out yeah?"
"Yeah"
"God that only took three months to sort out a date" she sighed
"Stop Moaning" he laughed "Babe I got to go, I'm going on in a minute"
"Break a leg babe I love you"
"I love you too bye"
"Bye"
The pressure was off for a while as they dived into work, getting calls from their Mom's to say something else had been booked, arranged or thought of, they were both fine with that so much more was going on for them right now. Then it was up in their face that the wedding was going to be in less than a month, "The rings, can we go get them as soon as we get back home?" she asked him over the phone
"I'll let you know"
"What do you mean you'll let me know, what are you saying?"
"That I'll let you know, I don't actually know when my end date is just yet, they've added two gigs yesterday"
"Sam we agreed"
"What are you asking me to do right now?"
"If I remember rightly you asked me" she shouted down the phone "Now it just seems like you're not even interested"
"Shit Mercy, all we ever seem to do is argue about this damn wedding maybe I …."
"Maybe what?"
"I don't know, it's just coming before everything and we sort of promised nothing would and now well …."
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm not saying anything, I'm just bringing this …."
"Okay I'll say it if you won't, it's off the whole damn thing is off" she told him slamming the phone down, she couldn't talk anyway she was crying too hard. She'd been under pressure on the job for months, her voice was strained and she was exhausted from nearly 3 months of non-stop work, performing to the same standard every night was draining, yes she loved the job, but she loved her man more and if she was feeling the stress why wasn't he, why was he willing to spend even more time apart. Then in her mind, out of sight out of mind weighed heavy, he didn't even sound like he cared about what they were committing to any more, she sat in her changing room trying to collect herself, she needed to do the show in less than an hour and her mood was rotten "Shit Sam" she looked at her phone still upset saying, picking it up to make a call but decided to send a song instead downloading 'Heavy' by Ann-Marie and sending it to him
"Babe" Sam called down her phone when she picked up "It's not heavy, you're not heavy, I just want to be with you planning all this, it feels so... technical doing stuff like this over the phone. Once I get home you won't know what's hit you honest, I love y..."
"I know, I'm sorry and you know I love you back, I'm just stressing, I need to be with you"
"I hear that and we'll be together in two weeks babe, I guess I'm stressed too, this life we've chosen doesn't account for weddings does it?"
"I guess not but..."
"This relationship's never fitted in any box has it?"
"No" she laughed "Two weeks"
"Yeah two weeks, please say bye properly so I can perform tonight"
"Bye babe I love you" he could tell there was a smile on her face
"I love you back bye" he told her before the phone went dead
33 Years old
They'd finally finished work, got their rings, brought their outfits and were as usual unable to keep their hands off each other, they were travelling down to Lima later today to get last minute things agreed and see the Minister. The guys were heading in two days before the wedding so they were hoping to have their hen and stag nights with time to sober up before the actual day, they were looking forward to the blow out, if truth be told, it had been a busy year, and nearly six years since they'd all been together.
"Are we going to get them from the airport later?" Mercy walked out on the veranda excitedly asking Sam on Thursday morning
"Hhmm?" his head shot up asking
"Airport are we going later?"
"Yeah we're fetching them all"
"Are we going to pick up Isaac and the twins they'd love to see their parents before tomorrow"
"We …... could do" he said finishing what he was doing before lifting his head to look at her for a second, before it went back down again
"What are you doing?"
"My vows" his head shot up again as he noticed her walking towards him "You're not to see them until Saturday" he smiled closing the book
"Fine" she jumped on his lap saying "I thought it would be nice for the children to see their parents, they've been here all summer even little Mile"
"I agree but where's the luggage and everything going to sit when the cars full of children?"
"I didn't think about that" she laughed kissing him as he flung his arms around her "I'm already planning for our two weeks in Paris" she smiled
"Already planned" he wiggled his eyebrows telling her "Do you want to go on that boat trip we talked about earlier this morning?"
"Yeah get some quiet time" she jumped up saying
"Be ready in" he looked at his phone "Twenty minutes" he shouted after her as she left the room
They left the house, took the forty minute drive to the harbour and finally got on the boat, it wasn't anything new to them they'd taken their first date at the lake and of course they'd done this trip then. They'd started that first journey as two kids shy and unfamiliar, trying to find two words to say to each other that didn't feel awkward and came back boyfriend and girlfriend, unable to stop talking about everything and anything and smiling as they parted that first time after realising they'd fallen in love. It was their place, whenever they went home they needed to go back there to remind themselves of where their relationship was coming from, how they'd promised to fight for it as long as it was what they'd both wanted, a visual of where their love had started from, they had their day and returned home to be greeted by sad faces
"What's up?" they walked into Sam's parents house asking
"Sit down" his Dad told them as they looked at each other before doing as they were told "There's been an accident"
"My parents?" Mercy asked, grabbing her chest
"No" Sam's Dad quickly replied "It's Puck, Quinn, Tina and Mike"
"What a car accident?" Mercy asked "We were supposed to fetch them" she looked at Sam telling his parents
"No a plane crash, they don't think there's any survivors"
"What?" Sam gasped
"The plane somehow exploded in the air"
"This is a fucking joke right?" he looked up at his Dad both of them begging him to laugh, smile anything to make this not real
"I'm sorry son, but no it's not"
They held each other and cried, mumbled, hugged, cried, mumbled some more for a while before they finally pulled themselves together and decided to go see their friends parents "The weddings cancelled" Sam told them as they went to walk out of the house, stopping sharply as the door burst open and some of their friends parents were stood on the other side of it gasping before they started walking into the house towards them "Sorry" Sam got out before he burst into tears, as he looked at the broken faces looking back at them
"We killed them" Mercy blurted out as Sam grabbed hold of her "If we weren't getting married they'd have never been on that damn plane, we killed our friends"
"You can't think like that" Mom Puckerman told them "I know for a fact Noah and Quinn were over excited about you guys getting married, it was what they'd always wanted for you two"
"I'm so sorry" Sam finally wiped his eyes before looking up to say "We've cancelled the wedding, it's not appropriate just now"
"You'll have to stop with the tears for a while, we've got the children coming in with their Granddad in a second" Mom Cohen Chang told them
"Sorry" Sam told them wiping his face as he grabbed hold of Mercy, both of them trembling for the children coming in, trying to look normal whatever that looked like at a time like this
"Dad Fabray's just had a heart attack" Mercy's Dad came running in announcing "He heard the news and went down, they're working on him as we speak"
"What the hell is happening" Mercy gasped "I don't know what to do" she looked around at everyone looking at them, and took a deep breath "I can't deal with this" she walked off telling everyone
"Sorry" Sam told everyone before quickly following her up the stairs
"What the fuck just happened?" she asked as he walked through the bedroom door
"I think I know but I don't want to believe it" he sat next to her saying "I think we just lost all our fucking friends"
"Every last one of them, forever" she cried into his chest
"And then Dad Fabray..."
"Has he gone too" her head shot up to ask
"I don't know babe" he pulled her back in saying, tears running down his face as they spoke "How could life be so fucking cruel?"
"Mercy" Mom Cohen Chang walked into the room saying, they both jumped out of their hug to look at her coming through the door "I came to talk truth, as Tina would say" she half smiled
"Mom Cohen-Chang" Sam stood up holding his hand out for her to grab pulling her to sit next to Mercy
"I know you guys want life to stop right now, actually we're all hoping for a rewind, just to five seconds before they got on that plane to give them a call and stop it all, but that's not going to happen, and life goes on" she grabbed Mercy's hand telling her "We, that's all of us, think the wedding should go ahead, it was what they were all looking forward to, it would be a shame for it not to happen because of the people that had always been rooting for it"
"I can't smile, I don't need to be happy right now" Mercy told her
"But you can, you know Quinn, Mike, Noah and Tina you know what they'd be doing at your wedding, and just thinking that will make you smile and even cry, I know that was you guys favourite thing, Tina's favourite emotion" she rubbed her hand saying "Do it for us" she smiled with tears rolling down her face, the hurt for talking of her daughter in the past tense visible "Don't make me call Mom Fabray" she warned
"We'll talk about it" Sam offered knowing Mercy was reluctant, he was too, but they weren't about to be rude about it
They eventually went downstairs and talked to everyone, they ended up having a very small personal wedding, no singing, it was hard to get pictures with Mercy bursting into tears for half their wedding party not being there, every time Sam looked at the children he was broken "Tina and Quinn were always asking when this was going to happen" Mercy looked out at the congregation saying "Well here it is girls" she looked up into the heavens telling them. They had lunch for those who wanted it, visited Dad Fabray in hospital and cancelled their honeymoon, they had four funerals to attend
There was planning going on for funerals that there were no bodies for, it was difficult for everyone, and strange how everything else went ahead as normal, life somehow went on
Sam and Mercy found the strength to speak at the funeral, where all of them were remembered, there was no coffins, no grave to dig, just pictures to look at of their four friends faces sitting on the large table at the front of the church as Sam got up made some speech about finding it difficult to believe that there was a God right now, how they'd already lost so much in their lives, and now such a blow as to take all four of their friends in one go was cruel, he couldn't see the reasoning behind it. Mercy and he got up and sung a song that was two fold really, they were singing at a funeral but their translation of the song was directly to God it seemed, as everyone sat crying, solemn, singing along or confused at their questioning of their faith as they sung 'Too Good At Goodbyes' by Sam Smith(Adapted) for their friends
Sam
You must think that I'm stupid, you must think that I'm a fool, you must think that I'm new to this, but I have seen this all before
I'm never gonna let you close to me, even though you mean the most to me, cause every time I open up, it hurts
So I'm never gonna get too close to you, even when I mean the most to you, in case you go and leave me in the dirt
Sam & Mercy (Choir)
Every time you hurt me, the less that I cry, and every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less I love you, God, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true
I'm way too good at goodbyes, (I'm way too good at goodbyes), I'm way too good at goodbyes, (I'm way too good at goodbyes)
Mercy
I know you're thinking I'm heartless, I know you're thinking I'm cold, I'm just protecting my innocence, I'm just protecting my soul
I'm never gonna let you close to me, even though you mean the most to me, cause every time I open up, it hurts
So I'm never gonna get too close to you, even when I mean the most to you, in case you go and leave me in the dirt
Sam & Mercy (Choir)
But every time you hurt me, the less that I cry, and every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less I love you, God, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true
I'm way too good at goodbyes, (I'm way too good at goodbyes), I'm way too good at goodbyes, (I'm way too good at goodbyes)
No way that you'll see me cry, (No way that you'll see me cry), I'm way too good at goodbyes, (I'm way too good at goodbyes)
No, no, no, no, no, no (I'm way too good at goodbyes), no, no, no, no, no, no, no (I'm way too good at goodbyes)
(No way that you'll see me cry) No no no no (I'm way too good at goodbyes)
Sam & Mercy
Cause every time you hurt me, the less that I cry, and every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less I love you, God, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true, I'm way too good at goodbyes
"Thank you, I think" the Minister said as they found their chairs after the song, they sat remembering as the rest of the service went on, the emptiness unbearable for some, as parents, family members and friends balled bringing tears to everyone for the hollow sound of heartbreak
"Who would have thought just 6 days after our wedding we'd be doing this?" Sam asked Mercy as they sat in the hall watching well wishers, family and friends walking around giving their condolences to the families "They didn't even hit 40 years old"
"Sam, Mercy" Dad Chang called once everyone started leaving "We need a conversation before you guys go off" Sam and Mercy looked at each other shrugging their shoulders when they decided they didn't know what this was about
The Conversation
"So" Dad Chang said sitting down, Sam smiled at that, since he'd known him that was how Mike's Dad started all his conversations "We're not sure if this is something that's even on your radar" he looked around the room at the other involved parents telling them "You know we can't cope with having the children full time along with our parents, they're almost teenagers"
That was all Sam heard before alarm bells were going off in his head so loud he couldn't hear anything or anyone else just then, his hand gripped Mercy's so tight as a ringing noise went through his body. "Hold up, hold up" he shouted as the room seemed to stand still "What's going on, what are you saying?" he shook his head asking
"Sam" Mercy squeezed his hand alerting him to his rudeness
"Sorry, I'm in shock I guess" he shook his head again telling everyone
"As I was saying" Dad Chang carried on "You know we're also still in full time work, and also at the age where giving that up isn't an option"
"The situation's the same for us too, we'd love to do it, but we couldn't manage all three children" Dad Cohen-Chang told them his tone telling them not to answer back
"And I feel awful but with Dad Fabray's recent health scare a child isn't really conducive to his healing process" Mom Fabray added to the pot "And as you saw today Mom Puckerman has enough on her plate with them both not coping and Dad Puckerman going back to his alcoholic crutch again, that's no environment for children"
"We have a three bed apartment, we have jobs that keep us away from home most the time, we don't even want children" Mercy told them
"We don't want children yet" Sam corrected her
She ignored his comment "We don't want children and we definitely don't need three children off the cuff"
"Four children" Dad Chang corrected her
"So what, you guys expect us to have Mile as well?"
"Would you expect us to split the family up?" Mom Cohen-Chang asked
"No" Mercy looked at her saying "But that doesn't mean..."
"And well you are the Godparents, you did make a promise to those guys" Mom Fabray told them sticking the knife in
"We'll sleep on it and get back to you tomorrow" Sam got up dragging Mercy with him as he spoke, he was much too angry to carry on a conversation just now
Sam & Mercy
They got in the car and Sam banged the steering wheel so hard Mercy jumped "Sorry babe" he looked at her saying "I just didn't think we would ever have to come good on this"
"So what do we do?"
"Well Puck's parents really aren't in a good way, and of course Dad Fabray's really sick" he stated the obvious again
"Tina and Mike didn't like that strict upbringing they went through, they wouldn't want that for their children"
"Shit Mercy, it's looking more like we're it on this, I'm not happy, it's going to change our lives, we just got fucking married and everything"
"Think practical; so schools for the big guys, and what a Nanny for the baby what do we do?" she asked
"Are we defeated?" he asked "Can you see a way out?"
"I can just hear Quinn and Tina in my head giving us grief, I just want to not break a promise, which was maybe the last promise we ever made to them"
"I'm scared this will change us Mercy, we planned our life already are we strong enough for this?"
"We're strong aren't we?"
"I hope so"
Two hours of talking later they went back and told the parents that they'd have a try, but they really couldn't deal with 7 year old Mile until they'd really sorted something different out. They were going back to work in two weeks and that was nowhere near enough time to find someone to trust with looking after him and leave him with them, they'd planned on taking a break in 6 months and hoped that would give them time to sort things out for Mile. They contacted their local boarding schools for nearly 13 year olds Wesley and Nikita as well as 11 year old Isaac and preparing to take them with them a week earlier to go check out the schools. Everything was on auto pilot, they'd got a list of things to do to get the children settled into school, they'd have a week to do that once they got back, thankfully they were together on this right now, and all the families were there in support of what they were trying to do
"Smell that stake" Sam smiled at Mercy drawing the smell up his nose, as they listened to the parents chatting as they worked, the Dad's would be in the study as usual, another occasion they'd be sitting with their four missing friends for, talking about everything and nothing, laughing, singing and remembering
"Hello" they heard at Mercy's parents front door as they sat in the lounge planning, before they heard some mumbling for a while and crying, then suddenly someone burst through the door "Mercy" she screamed running towards them
"Rachel?" she asked shocked at seeing her walking towards her, their hands just about met each other before they burst out crying
"I can't believe it" Rachel sobbed into Mercy already wet cheek, Sam stood hugging Jessie, watching the girls cling for the longest time "So many of us what the fuck is that man upstairs doing?" she looked up asking
They eventually sat down and talked for a long while about their friends, their life and their struggle ahead "But I'm really glad you guys got here" Mercy smiled grabbing Rachel's hand again
"We heard late so sorry we missed the funerals and stuff, but we've just seen all the families and paid our respects, it's an emergency flying visit I'm afraid, we just had to come be with you guys although it's just for the day"
"It's appreciated" Sam smiled telling her
"Well I know Tina would be walking around right now pissed at having to wear black for so long" Rachel told them laughing
"Yeah" Sam laughed
"And well Quinn and Puck finally had a relationship with every level of honesty in it and thankfully they found that in each other, they were happy, they are happy" Mercy smiled as she thought about them
"So lets get happy" Jessie clapped his hands saying trying to change the mood "They're together this is for them and us" he shouted putting the pod in as the music blasted out bringing life into the house for the first time since before the wedding as they sung their version of Together by Cyn "Come on this is for our family" he shouted
Rachel
Dum dah dah dum, dum dah dah dum, dum dah dah dum, bum bah dah dum
Mercy & Rachel (Sam & Jessie)
Like the moon in the night, can't have one without the other, like a bird and its flight
They just make more sense together, how the sweetness of the candy, is nothing without the sugar (Ooh, Ooh)
Mercy, Sam, (Rachel) Rachel & Jessie
There's no way I can be without you, there's no way I can be without you, there's no way I can be without
You got a heart that beats in time with mine, don't wanna fight with nobody else, don't come alive with nobody else
Would be a lie with somebody else, I guess that's why we go
Together, together, together, that's the way we go (that's the way we go), that's the way we go (that's the way we go, hey)
Together, together, together, that's the way we go (that's the way we go), that's the way we go (that's the way we go)
The sang as they danced about as if their friends were in the room with them
Sam & Jessie (Mercy & Rachel)
Like the red in a ruby, there's no colour when you leave me, like the cream to the whipping
You got just the touch that I need, you'll be Jerry, I'll be Dean, bells will ring, ring-a-ling (Ooh, Ooh)
(Mercy) Mercy, Sam, Rachel & Jessie
There's no way I can be without you, there's no way I can be without you, there's no way I can be without
You got a heart that beats in time with mine, don't wanna fight with nobody else, don't come alive with nobody else
Would be a lie with somebody else, I guess that's why we go
Together, together, together, that's the way we go (that's the way we go) that's the way we go (that's the way we go, hey)
Together, together, together, that's the way we go (that's the way we go) that's the way we go (that's the way we go, hey)
(Sam & Jessie)
(Dum dah dah dum dum dah dah dum dum X 6), Rachel: Oh let me hear you say, (dum dah dah dum dum dah dah dum dum x 5 )
Mercy: Oh let me hear you say
Mercy, Sam, Rachel & Jessie (Parents)
There's no way I can be without you, there's no way I can be without you, there's no way I can be without
You got a heart that beats in time with mine, don't wanna fight with nobody else, don't come alive with nobody else
Would be a lie with somebody else, I guess that's why we go
Together, together, (together) that's the way we go (that's the way we go), that's the way we go (that's the way we go, hey)
Together, together, (together,) that's the way we go (that's the way we go) that's the way we, (Hey)
"I must admit I do feel better for doing that" Mercy smiled hugging Sam
"Yep that's the way we go and that's the way they've gone, we need to believe their happy" Jessie told everyone
"They're happy alright, they went together" Rachel told them
"They sent you guys here to get us out of our funk" Mercy laughed "Soul and anger"
"As in cleanse the soul and get rid of the anger?" Sam asked
"And we need to take the children, they need to stay together..." Mercy raised her eyebrow telling Sam
"I guess that's the message" Rachel nodded "And I didn't really know that until right now" she smiled
"Well, come feed the soul with some soul food" Mercy's Mom told everyone as they moved towards the dining room, talking memories, laughing, crying and singing as they went.
That night Sam and Mercy went to bed and woke up happy the next morning before a concerned smile came on Sam's face as they stood getting dressed "What's up?" Mercy rolled her eyes asking "Except the obvious" she giggled
"We haven't consummated our marriage yet" he sulked
"I totally didn't even have that on my mind babe, I'm sorry" she went towards him saying "We'll see Rachel and Jessie off and get right on that yeah?"
"Maybe when we get home, it doesn't feel right" he looked around telling her
"It's a date" she smiled kissing his forehead before finding his lips "My minds rushing babe, this could so go all over the fucking place right now" she giggled coming out of the kiss
"Stop me" he smiled as his hands started wondering
"Stop" Mom Evans walked into the room saying with her hands over the eyes "Mom Jones says breakfast is ready and Rachel and Jess are due to leave so get your asses downstairs now"
"Mom" Sam laughed "You sound like a child telling tales"
"I sound like a Mom trying to keep my children out of trouble, don't shoot the messenger, suck it up and be grateful, that's life" she told him waving them out their bedroom,
They had breakfast, saw their friends off, packed the three eldest children up and flew off back to Hollywood two days later, they went to visit three schools that Monday and the children chose one near home and with financial support, as promised from the Grandparents, they were enrolled to start the following week. Everything was a bit manic sorting uniforms out and transporting three children to school for a term with all their gadgets, clothes and school things but, they managed to get everyone where they needed to be and had one night together alone before Sam went off on tour, they used it.
They actually felt like first timers again, there were so many different feelings going on for them it was hard to move images, but once they got to their place everything about them came flooding back and they were lost to the world for the night, happy to finally feel like man and wife.