Two Days Later
Sam & Mercy
Mercy and the children along with the Nanny landed in Guangzhou Baiyun Airport at 2.45am Saturday morning, the children grumpy from the descent of the plane messing with their ears, Mercy and Demi; the Nanny, doing their best to comfort them to no avail. Sam was still on stage and had sent a car to pick his family, they got to the hotel and tried to help settle the children into bed, after 30 minutes of trying Demi took over and Mercy went to have a bath and get ready for bed, going back to settle them but no amount of singing was working, they were still running, or in Jada's case crawling around the room.
"Their waiting up for Daddy, you get off to bed we'll sort them out you need to deal with them in the morning"
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow" Demi said
Mercy plugged her phone into the pod and started singing all the usual interactive songs getting their attention when she started singing their favourite
"What's all this?" Sam walked in the door saying having heard the noise on entering the hotel room
"Babe" Mercy replied excited unable to get up as she had the children on her legs "They slept so much on the journey they're refusing to sleep now, I've asked Demi to go to bed so we can get a lay in later" she said as he came in for a kiss before taking Jada off her
The little girl found the biggest smile when she realised that her Daddy was holding her and Corbin cried for attention too. Sam stood talking to Jada in baby talk for a short while before acknowledging Corbin, bending down to pay him some attention too "Now come on you two bed and sleep, Mommy and Daddy are tired" he said as he kissed them and put Jada in her bed first and then Corbin as Mercy sat watching him take control of them and settle them down with a smile on her face. "My fingers are sore but I still have one more song for my babies" he said grabbing the guitar from the doorway and going to sit on Corbin's bed, as he played the melody of Colorblind for the children to fall asleep to. Twenty minutes later they had two sleeping babies and one sleeping Mom, Sam put the guitar down opened the door to their bedroom picked Mercy up and put her to bed before jumping in the shower himself and falling into bed.
"Morning babe" she said when he finally opened his eyes
"You watching me sleep again" he smiled as he stretched before hugging her
"I've been waiting for that all morning" she said turning round to kiss him "I missed you"
"Where's your phone?" he asked as she stretched over to the side cabinet, grabbed it and passed it to him, at the same time he grabbed his and turned it on silent "Got to see Messages I'm still working" he said before opening her phone and writing 'Samcedes in hibernation for a week' showing it to her and pressing send before turning it off and throwing it on the bed pulling her close "Up at 3pm, what do you say?"
"We'll see" she replied laughing, playfully suggesting it might be longer
"Do you want to eat?"
"We got food coming in about 40 minutes" she replied looking at the clock on the wall
"Yeah but do you want to eat" he said playfully
"Yeah I'm starving" she said laughing as her head disappeared under the covers
"Hurry up" he said laughing "I'm starving too" as they settled into their familiar place
An hour later they were sitting in the Lounge eating with the children, with no regard for the outside world, during the days throughout the week they found time to take the children on adventures as well as time for themselves, and Mercy went to his shows nightly. All too soon it was their last day together Sam was still working and Mercy was taking the night flight back to LA with the children on Saturday night to get back in time for rest before school on Monday for Corbin.
"Babe where you going?" he asked as she attempted to get up for the fourth time that morning
"Sam; come on I got to pack, you need to spend some time with the children we're off tonight"
"Will you stop with the rushing to go stuff already" he said sounding a bit upset, she knew the signs and hugged him for a while longer. She knew the conversation that was coming and as much as she dreaded it, she welcomed it because they needed a blowout sometimes "I'm not happy babe, you know I'm not" he said as he lay in her lap "We need to regroup I feel like I'm missing everything, the children growing, our life together seems to be one long goodbye with bits of happy in between isn't it supposed to be the other way round?"
"So here's the thing Sam; what do we do about this?"
"I don't know I just know I want more time with my family" he said looking at her before carrying on to say "I don't want you giving anything up and you want the same for me, and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with our relationship because there isn't it's just time I miss time babe" he pulled her head to him and gave her a deep kiss "We should be able to do that whenever we want" he said laughing out of the kiss "Corny yeah" he said as she laughed too.
"Yeah but true, but other than becoming a traveling family I don't see an end to this right now"
"What do you say we speak to both Manager's together get them to look at our diaries and plan our time better so we can spend more time together, with the children?"
"It's a plan, you're back in a week we can book to see them then" she said "Shit I've got a gig on Sunday in Vegas" she said looking at him
"So it's going to have to be as soon as I get off the plane on Sunday morning then? I know I'm booked in for the Vegas thing again this year babe and I won't be able to get out of that"
"I'll book mine as soon as I get back, you going to speak to Joe?"
"Yeah I am"
"Come to my gig tonight babe before you go please, I know we don't do that but I just..." he asked as she looked at him considering. She knew the more he saw her the harder it was for him to let go, if it was left up to him they'd miss the plane and stay until he was ready to come back, he got like that sometimes.
"Okay but I'll be gone by 12.15am, and I'll call when I get back"
"Great" he said pulling her across him
When she woke up he wasn't in the room on investigation she found him with the children saying goodbye and playing his usual games. She went back to their room bathed and got dressed "We getting something to eat before your gig" she asked a still playing Sam
"Yep, just saying bye"
"You been doing that for about 40 minutes now, where's Demi?"
"She's got about 10 minutes left of her hour break I just wanted some time with the children" he shouted back turning to see Mercy standing at the door "Sorry" he said as she came to bend behind him and kissed Corbin on the forehead before picking Jada up for a kiss too. Demi came back promptly and they left for dinner and the gig, leaving instructions for cases to be packed and babies to be dressed for traveling
They had dinner, which was very romantic and headed to his gig, he did about three songs before he called her up on stage, which she wasn't happy about but did anyway "I guess you all know my wife Mercy the R&B singer maybe we can get her to sing something before she goes back home" he said
"You better make this up to me" she warned him, spotting her up like that
"Thanks babe" he said giving her a kiss on stage followed by his sexy smile and his moving eyebrows, she couldn't lie she loved this man and her smile told him she'd do whatever he asked as he made an air fist punch saying yes to the crowd "She's going to sing" he said as the audience cheered, he burst into song with his rendition of 'What if' by Kane Brown everyone cheering when he'd done
"Okay Sam that was brilliant" she said kissing him as she put her purse on the seat she was sitting on nodding to his band as the music started and the crowd went wild as she sung her rendition of 'Hold Up' by Beyoncé
"Wow I didn't say take over my show" he laughed when she finished
"I love you" she said, walking off to applause, watching him perform until her time was up "Bye" she mouthed and she was gone
"Skype me I'm missing everything already" he said making her laugh as she walked away she didn't look back she didn't want him to see her crying
Week Up
She got back to the hotel picked up the children with the Nanny and after 12 hours was back in LA sitting on her own bed Skyping Sam "Babe we got home" she said as his face came on the screen "Were you still sleeping?" she asked as Sam's face moved in and out of view
"Hold on someone's in my room" he said putting the laptop on the bed and walking away "Who the fuck are you?" Mercy heard Sam say "How did you get in here?" he asked there was some mumbling before Sam shouted "Joe" then there was silence "Joe" Sam shouted again as a man's voice could be heard "Look man we've had this chat before keep your tricks out of here, my wife and children have to been in here, if you don't want your wife to find out you shouldn't be doing it Dude, but stop using my pad. I've got to explain this shit to my wife now, she's on skype at the minute" he said then there was mumbling again "I don't give a shit Joe you need to stop fucking out on your wife, what? Bring her with you if you can't control yourself" Sam said as his voice got louder, letting Mercy know he was coming back to the laptop
"What's happening babe who's in your room?" she asked
"Some random Joe's picked up" he said wiping his eyes and focusing back on her face on the screen "I'm just up, your just to bed" he commented they talked for a while before Mercy turned her phone back on, Sam sent the sapp out telling everyone their holiday was over and they closed the conversation down Mercy went to bed and Sam got on with his day.
"Sam I'm in Guangzhou are you anywhere near here" Mike said down the phone "I'm in town for the Boat Festival with my Dad, he's going to see family and I thought I'd opt out and see my family" he said taking a breath giving Sam the opportunity to respond
"Mercy and the children just went home yesterday so I have time on my hands we can meet at The Ice Cube I love that place"
"Great Choice, in about an hour then?"
"Yeah it will be good to catch up" Sam said closing the call down "Great" he said putting his phone away he was just about to get his sulk on anyway
An hour later Sam was sitting in Ice Cube waiting for Mike to turn up, he was 10 minutes early, "Bro great to see you" Mike came in saying as he went in for man hug "it's been a while how's Mercy and the children?"
"Their good just left yesterday as I said earlier, I think she's off to Vegas for a few days just as I get back, so still busy"
"Don't that shit piss you off sometimes?"
"Yeah we talked about it, hopefully things will change soon, but for now I guess we have to suck it up" Sam said with a smile
"It's not common knowledge just yet but T's expecting baby number three, she's not happy about it so everything is up in the air right now" Mike said crossing his hands in front of his chest
"What you mean she's thinking of getting rid?" Sam asked shocked "That's not like Miss T"
"Well there's just so much going on for us right now you know?"
"No"
"Oh well up until I left her we were still discussing this trial separation thing, she's not coping well with my new Business partner"
"Who's your new business partner?" Sam asked rolling his eyes knowing who Mike was going to say
"Brenda" he said not looking at Sam
"Dude dangerous move, who has an affair with someone then produces them as a business partner" Sam said before adding "So I guess the question is how much do you value your marriage?"
"I value it Dude its right up there but, she can't dictate who I work with and she should trust me when I tell her I'm over it and it's never going to happen again, what do we have if we don't have trust"
"Truthfully I can't tell you or Miss T what to do, but in my experience keeping the woman in my life happy has given me some very happy years filled with us both gaining and giving trust. I mean there was a woman in my room this morning when I woke up, I had Mercy on skype and I told her, my point is she didn't flip because she knows I wouldn't do anything to hurt her and I guess I'm trying to say you need to get Miss T in that place before you start flaunting your ex-mistress all in her face"
"Sam it was like 4 years ago"
"Years, week, days or minutes dude it still needs to heal and if you haven't had that talk enough to know she hasn't yet I think its dangerous ground" Sam finished "Let's eat" he said picking up the menu. They made their choice and talked about Mike's dance studios and his acting career, Sam's decision to make more time for his family and setting up a family get together in the near future. All too soon it was time for Mike to pick his Dad back up and they said their goodbyes and parted company
"I don't think I'm going to sign that contract I'm gonna speak to T first" Mike said as he came out of their hug
"Good decision" Sam said tapping his back as they left the restaurant
As Sam put the key in his hotel room door his phone rang, he pulled it out and saw it was Mercy on the line "Oh wife just who's voice I needed to hear, everything okay?" he asked
"Yes babe I not long woke up and I'm about to get Corbin up for school but Tina's turned up, with the children, and wants to talk, so this was the only time I could get in before our curfew" she said laughing
"I've just had lunch with Mike, he's good and I'll wait until you've heard Miss T's side before I exchange notes, you gonna sing to me tonight?" he asked
"Yeah" Mercy said "But I just needed to tell you something right now Sam" she said stopping
"What's up babe?" he asked concerned
"I love you" she said "I mean I really love you, I'm actually in love with you"
"Oh babe" Sam said holding his heart "I really love you more and yeah I'm actually in love with you too babe, thank you for that it's made my day" he said back
"I got to go babe I'm gonna get emotional" she said "Bye" her voice breaking
"Later, my song yeah" he said
"Hmm" unable to speak
Sam sat looking at the phone thinking she's already upset for having to leave as soon as I get there, I am too, we need to change our damn life quick, she'll be unhappy next and then where will that leave us one of us will have to make the change and it's just easier if it's me. That is going to go down like a fucking led balloon, she's not going to allow it so I need to think of a plan B quick he concluded as he got to preparing for his gig in a few hours.
Mercy took Corbin to school and returned home to see Tina dressing the children, she had Mike Junior (MJ) 3 years old and Jemma nearly 2 in three weeks, the two were quite demanding "Do you need some help T?" Mercy asked
"If you don't mind" she said trying to keep hold of Jemma and run to stop MJ from disturbing the glass cabinet
"Demi" Mercy shouted, she made an entrance Mercy carried on to say "Will to take these two please and entertain them in the nursery with Jada and they'll need feeding at lunch time so if you instruct Kathy that would help too, and thanks" she said as Demi went over to collect the two children. When they had gone Mercy started the conversation off
"So T what's up what's going on with you and Mike?"
"Oh, I've had time to sleep on it really and I might be doing my OTT on him" she replied laughing
"So what's made you leave New Jersey to come all the way here?"
"He went to The Boat Festival with his Dad and I was pissed at him so I came to see my best friend to get some mojo back"
"What were you pissed off about? Mercy asked thinking this was like pulling teeth
"Mike's thinking of going into business with Brenda" she said as if it didn't matter
"But you guys have talked that out right?"
"That's the problem he didn't even see fit to tell me he was going to do it, and now he doesn't understand why I'm pissed about it, in fact I think he just expects me to roll over" Tina said angrily
"I think I'm about to agree with you on that T and I try to never fall on any side in disputes but, there should have at least been a conversation about his intentions"
"So you agree you'd be pissed?"
"Pissed enough to want answers yes, I don't think I'd have left Sam to his own devices at this stage, I'd want to know why he thought it was alright to have that conversation with her in the first place, without speaking to me about my feelings first"
"He's with his Dad Mercy, he's not going to have her with him"
"Not in the flesh my girl, but in his mind that's all he's thinking about not necessarily Brenda but the situation you know?" she stated "And she comes into it"
"Your right and I've allowed that to happen I guess" Tina agreed
"So" Mercy said looking at her tentatively "what you going to do about this situation?"
"I'm going to call my husband no, I'm going to meet him at the airport tomorrow afternoon and go talk this thing out" she said nodding her head taking her phone out to make arrangement for the children to be picked up when she returned home to give Mike and her time. The next morning Tina was off bright and early to Meet Mike and pass the children over to their grandparents.
Mike & Tina's Conversation
"Hi T" Mike said hugging her in before he paid attention to his children "I didn't expect this, it's great to see you I've been so thinking about our last conversation" he said standing back up to give her a kiss
"I've booked us a table at Sam LaGrassa's, going American for a change" she said laughing "We need to talk" she said before turning to greet her father-in-law
They settled into their seats at the restaurant, flicked through the menu and ordered their meals and drinks "So" Tina said taking a sip of her wine before continuing "I need to be honest here, it's about the trust thing but I guess I'm more pissed that you actually went ahead and had a meeting, made a deal and drew up a contract without even mentioning it to me"
"I hold that and, I actually agree with you on it, I was wrong in doing that and I apologise. I didn't take your feeling into account in any of this and I've put a hold on the whole deal with the intention of scrapping it if we don't agree on it" he said looking at his food "I lost sight of what was important to me for a minute there but if we get through this I won't do it again" he said finally looking at Tina
"I'm sorry Mike I'm not over the Brenda thing just yet and I'm definitely not in a place where I can feel comfortable with you being around her but, I also don't want to be the person that stops your business from growing" she told him "I don't know how I'm going to handle it but I will if it's what you need to do right now, with promises"
"T, with you having this baby the last thing we need is stress, and I put my family over business every time so, I think I'm going to let this one go for now. If we decide in the future that we still want to go with the deal I have no problem doing it but, for now it's not going ahead" Tina could do nothing but cry "I guess you're happy about my decision then?" he asked to her nod.
"How's your stake?" Tina finally asked when she stopped crying
"Not as tasty as you" he replied making her laugh
Back Together Again
"Sweetheart" Tina said as she sat up in bed watching Mike pump iron "I just need to make a call, I won't be a minute" she said grabbing her dressing gown and going out onto the balcony with her phone
"I need to call someone too, and no it's not Brenda, my solicitor is dealing with that" he said as she looked back at him
"I said nothing" she said laughing as she left the room
"Mercy" Tina said as soon as the phone was picked up "Thank you so much for being my shoulder, I lean on you so hard sometimes and you never complain, you got skills girl you should get paid for what you do" she blarted out
"Sounds like someone got a sorry, in a big way" Mercy laughed "I hope you were being careful" she warned
"That horse has already bolted Mercy I'm 2 months gone but it's not common knowledge so don't tell anyone please" she requested
"Secrets safe with me girl" Mercy replied "And congratulations Mrs Chang" she said excitedly
"I got to go I need Mike again, I think it's a craving" she said laughing
"Lucky Mike" Mercy laughed "Speak soon girl, go back to bed"
"Mike you back home yet?" Sam asked as he answered the phone
"Yes Dude back home and in bed, with my still pregnant wife, I might add" he said laughing
"And the deal?"
"Squashed, it's not worth it" he said "Look we must hook up like we said sometime soon, got to go, I think T's craving is me but I'm not complaining" he said laughing
"Enjoy life Dude, that's what it's all about and, having someone special to share it with, priceless" Sam said laughing "Later Dude" he said clicking off the call
Sam & Mercy
"Babe" Mercy said smiling as Sam's face came up for their weekly skype session "I miss that smile God I love you" she said giggling
"Love you more babe, I miss everything about you" he said smiling back "I know I asked you to sing tonight but can we do one together?" he asked
"I think I might agree with that seeing as you love me" she laughed "what was Mike's story?" she asked
"Invited his Ex-affair to go into business with him without even speaking to T, and wondered why she was pissed I talked to him, and he decided to communicate with her he's not long called I think the bed sorted it out for them" he laughed
"Yeah Tina said much the same and yeah she was on her way back to bed, when I last spoke to her" she said "Oh and I hold a secret for her" Mercy said covering her mouth
"Oh I hold one for Mike" Sam smiled
"So we both know then?" Mercy asked
"Song" he said changing the subject "You choose
I choose 'Falling for Me' by Johnnyswim are you up for that?" Mercy asked
"Yeah, why that one?"
"I just maybe come to the realisation that not everyone's relationships are built on the same principles as ours, and what we actually got when we fell for each other I guess"
"Okay but you know this is set in stone" he said pointing at her then himself "Don't even get that twisted" as Mercy nodded getting up to start the music
"That was beautiful babe I love you" he said
"Go sing your heart out only 6 more nights to go" she said blowing him a kiss "And I love you more"
"No I love you more babe" Sam said laughing
"Get to work" Mercy said playfully, making him laugh
"Goodnight babe" he said through his laugh
"Goodnight babe love you" Mercy said quickly before clicking him off, two seconds later she got a sapp saying love you more and laughed even more
Two Days Later
"You wait until I'm half out the fucking door before you drop this on me, seriously Britt we need to re-think on this because it's not happening and I'm not moving on this" Santana said as calmly as she could in the situation
"Tana this is not the way to get me on side you know I don't take kindly to that he man shit" she said condescendingly
"I should be able to have a say in this it affects my life too, more so than yours, but …."
"There are no fucking buts Tana, we're having a discussion not making a decision for Christ sake why does breaking up have to come into everything with you? It gets tired you know" Brittany cut her off saying
"That's not what I was going to say actually, I was going to say but I'm not willing to compromise, he's out and I don't care how you take that shit, as you call it, it's me standing here saying it and I'm definitely all woman as you know" she said looking sexy as hell
"Sex isn't going to cut it either" Brittany said smiling
"Making love will though"
"No sorry not this time, Gabby's father has rights, and I for one think he should be able to see her on a regular basis"
"He was a fucking sperm donor for crying out loud, why does he get more say than me?" Santana asked "You know what I knew back then you had feelings for this bastard you were just too chicken to tell me"
"Tana I'm not saying he has more rights than you, I'm just saying he has rights, Gabby's 8 now and she'll be asking questions soon I don't want it all to hit her about her Dad and his husband all at once, I want it to be something she naturally falls into" Brittany explained
"You can throw all the logic at this you want I stick to what I say, I'm off to LA for the week, not great timing with this going on, but we can discuss this further when I get back, and Britt; nothing changes till I get back and we talk" she said kissing Britt as she picked her bags up and left for LA
Conversation with Mercy & Santana
As soon as she got in the car she was on her phone talking to Mercy "Brittany wants to involve Theo in our lives, I really don't know why she wants to hurt me like this, is this how you would want someone you say you love to feel?" she asked all at once
"Why is she doing that, what's happened?"
"He's just got married and now he and his partner want to be involved in Gabby's life I don't know maybe they can't get a child of their own I don't know, I just know I don't want it to happen" she cried down the phone "Am I being a bitch, do you think I'm being a bitch?"
"I think your being an honest bitch" Mercy said making her laugh
"Girl I just need to get this all out I'm on my way to LA for my Fashion Show and I need everything about me you know, Britt purposely isn't helping bringing this shit to me now"
"I'm sure that's not the reason she asked you Satan you know Britt better than that"
"I do I guess she just wants everyone happy, and maybe I can't see her kind of happy just now"
"Only you and Britt could understand that sentence girl, we must catch up while you're here, Sam's not due back until Sunday so make it this part of the week you know how he is" Mercy laughed
"Yeah I do, felt that first hand, your man told us to get out last time dragging you upstairs like a fucking cave man" Santana laughed "Result; baby number two" she said making Mercy laugh
"Sorr…."
"Don't even go there girl, Sam has the guts, I just drag Britt out of the room and leave you all talking to yourselves" she laughed "We'll do lunch yeah?"
"Yeah that would be good, see you then, and Satan don't sweat the small stuff, your still Mommy"
"Yeah your right I am, see you soon and thanks" Santana said putting the phone down
Conversation with Sam & Brittany
"Hi Sam I just tried ringing Mercy and I guess Tana got there first, I need to vent you got time?"
"Hi Britt, I got like 20 minutes if that helps, I was going to call Mercy but if she's talking to Satan, vent"
"Theo wants contact with Gabby and Tana's being totally unreasonable about it all, he could take us to court and I'm just trying to settle things in a nice quiet way but she's, as usual pissed about it"
"Britt I know you, did you ask for her opinion on this or did you tell her this was going to happen?"
"A bit of both I guess, I told her it was going to happen and asked her what she thought about that"
"I know you two thrive on arguments and stuff but, this is a serious issue, you're talking about something that will affect your lives for ever. Gabby only knows her Moms and at, 8 is she?" Sam asked for clarification
"Yeah 8"
"She's going to want to know where she came from and everything you two need to sit down talk about the legal implications and alternatives and come to a mutual agreement, either you fight through the courts or you speak to Theo and get an unwritten agreement" Sam said "And the big word there is mutual Britt"
"Yeah I see I might have gone about this the wrong way but for me it still has to happen, with Theo I mean"
"Not disputing that and you know Satan best, bring those skills girl and good luck"
"We're flying out on Thursday so we'll talk then, thanks Sam bye"
"I'm home on Sunday so, my house is a no go zone for the day" he laughed "Seriously"
Back Together Again
"Hi Britt, just calling to say I got here alright and I know we need to talk maybe we can get some of that done when you come down on Thursday" Santana said over the phone
"I know I sort of bulldozed you into this Tana and I'm sorry I was just thinking well ahead on this I realise I should have filled you in on where my head was before I made my comment" Brittany confessed "I'd love to have a conversation with you about this when I get there but Gabby's coming too and you know how she is with gossip" Britt said laughing, knowing she was just like Santana in that, she kept nothing in it had to come out as straight as it went in.
"If we do this on Thursday as soon as you get here I'll ask Mercy to watch her for the night and we can really go at this and get some resolve"
"That sounds good but ask Mercy as soon as you can, so it's not a shock"
"Will do and I'll see you in two days, but I'll call after the show tonight yeah?"
"Please and lots of pictures you know I'd be there if Gabby never had school"
"Not guilt tripping Britt she's our main priority, and I love you both"
"We love you back Tana very much"
Sam & Mercy
"Hi babe, I would have called earlier but I knew you had Satan on the line" Sam said laughing because he knew Mercy was rolling her eyes
"Yeah I did, how did you know that? Hold up, Britt was on your line" she said laughing "I swear these people don't know what counselling is for"
"Why should they pay when they have two very level headed friends called Oracle 1 and 2 who they can use without parting with any amount of cash" Sam said laughing
"Bet you Artie's going to be on my phone by the end of the week" Mercy said laughing "Over the past 4 weeks we've had them all except those two" she carried on saying through her laugh
"Art's cool" Sam said finishing his laugh "How's my heart and the clan?" he asked "Time is so dragging these last few days I just needs my woman" he said as if he was in pain
"You don't even want to know what's in my head, I'll just make you feel worse" she said putting a nailed finger between her lips naughtily
"I'm seeing your sexy eyes, you putting your finger in your mouth suggestive like, that ass hitched up begging and that twitch happening like every few seconds am I close?" he asked
"Too fucking far away to be talking like that but, yes close" she replied
"What did I miss?" he asked
"I'm sitting in that chair we did the nasty in the last time I had the pleasure in our house, reliving the moment" she said as Sam let out an inaudible sound
"How do you do that?"
"What?"
"Give me a boner from a thousand miles away" he said laughing
"I'll tell you that little secret when you get here Mr Evans" she said "Your turn to sing?"
"Yeah I'll have something ready by tonight, I'll speak with you later, got to go get rid of this its torcher, I'm going to go watch my opening act" he said laughing "No not really I'm going to sit it out and I can't have you talking in my ear"
"Comes to something when your husband can't stand to talk to you" she laughed
"I am standing babe that's the problem" he said rather uncomfortably
"Okay I know your hurting, later and I love you babe"
"Bye babe speak later" he said closing the call down
Santana & Brittany's Conversation
"Britt I know I came over a bit messed up the other day I just felt like you had already made the decision and I felt left out and got defensive"
"I totally understand that Tana I did come in like a bull and maybe because I know how persuasive you can be I just wanted to win this one"
"So can we start again?" she asked as they sat at the table in the restaurant
"Yeah sure" Britt said before carrying on "I've been reading up and because Theo is the biological father he has rights I figured if we kept it out of court we could take more advantage of the situation, than if the courts had imposed something on us"
"Okay" she said taking in everything Britt was saying "So legally he has a right and that could get messy?"
"Yep, I just need to avoid that for us as well as Gabby, I figure if introductions and everything is up to us then it might work better, I assure you Theo is no threat in any other way to our relationship"
"I think I've been thinking about myself in all this, selfish as usual" she admitted
"You're not selfish Tana your protective and I love you for that" Britt said hugging her
"I love you too Britt very much but, I hate that our little bubble is about to burst" she said reaching up for a kiss before getting up to grab her phone as she went to the hotel bar to get a drink
"Mercy, I'm just calling to say thank you for listening to me and helping me think through this drama girl I love you"
"No problem Satan any time except when Sam's here, great catching up the other day and I know you need to know so yes Gabby's fine, she's looking after Corbin, he's the baby apparently" she said laughing
"Okay we'll pick her up in the morning, you've' got our numbers bye"
"Bye" Mercy said shaking her head as she put the phone down
Meanwhile Brittany was on her phone "Sam thanks for everything, I'll see you both soon" she said into his answer machine
Sam & Mercy
"What a day" Sam said as soon as Mercy picked the phone up "I'm totally bushed babe I've been on stage for nearly five hours in total, the guitarist for the opening band is sick I had to fill in and then do my own spot straight after I'm knackered" he said flopping into the sofa in his hotel room
"Arr Baby I so want to hold you right now" she said in her best never mind voice "Sam if you need me to love you say say say" she sang
"You know I do babe"
"Hey do you want me to sing to you tonight instead?" she asked "Or do you need me to talk you through something, help you relax you know?" she asked naughtily
"Babe …."
"Don't even answer that, I'll sing you to sleep yeah?"
"Please" he said laying on his hotel bed
"Sweet dreams babe" she said as she started singing 'Lovesong' a cover by Adele's she soon stopped singing when she heard him softly snoring half way through the song, she listened for a while before cutting the call off "Goodnight" she whispered
Artie & Sugar
"As much as I'd like to stand here and let you take the blame for this Artie I should have seen this coming too" Sugar announced
"I saw it coming Sugar I just don't feel strong enough to deal with it"
"But you can see your being cruel not doing it so what are you waiting for?"
"I don't know, as you said it's cruel and she's been a part of the family for so long, I'll admit it I'm chicken I don't want to do it" he said looking up at Sugar
"Honestly you are such a wimp sometimes" she said throwing the leash at him "Get it done before I get home with the children because if they walk in and see her like this they'll be upset and I'll be fuming" she said walking out
"That's not fair" Artie shouted after her "Why don't I get the children and you do this" he said holding up the leash
Artie & Mercy Conversation
"Mercy" Artie was on the phone as soon as Sugar left "Sorry to put this on you this early afternoon but I need you to help me do something" he said
"Woo that sounds I don't know mysterious Art what do you need me to do?" she asked all cloak and dagger
"Well you know I took Kitty to the vets about a month ago, and they said she wasn't very well?" Artie told but asked
"Yeah" Mercy said suspiciously
"Well actually they said she was terminal and I really wanted her to live the rest of her days out in the comfort of her own home and go when she was ready like, if you know what I mean"
"Yeah" Mercy said again waiting for the punch line
"And when we went to feed her this afternoon she's not looking right, she's constantly whining and she's definitely in pain. Sugar wants me to take her to the vet and get her put down but, I really don't want to make that decision for her, she's given me until the children nearly come home to sort it and I just need you to come with me to the vets just to check her over"
"What if they say she needs to be put down Art, what are you going to do?"
"It will break my heart Mercy, I've had her since I was 10 years old she's been everywhere except Uni with me, I don't know what I'm going to do without her"
"How long has she been whining?"
"A while"
"I think you need to take her to the vet just to check her out because if the pain is too much and they can't help her with medication the most un-cruel thing to do might be to take their advice and they know best"
"So will you come with me?"
"Yeah but if it's fatal don't expect me to come in there with you, and we going in your car"
"Ten minutes and I'll be there"
"Okay" Mercy said picking up the phone and calling Sugar
"Sugar" she said when she answered "Firstly will you collect Corbin for me please? And secondly, I have to take your damn husband to the vet because you want him to kill the cat, what is that about"
"Mercy, if you're taking him to the vet you'll see the pain the cat is in, he's being cruel" Sugar said in her defence
"Okay I'll take your word for it, this is worse than he's letting on?"
"It is Mercy, so brace yourself, bell's going to go, I'll see you later" she said closing the call down
"Bye" Mercy said to a dead phone
So they got to the vets and as predicted, Kitty was in great pain "I can't be party to this" Artie said walking out of the office "Do what you need to do but I'm not staying for it, come on Mercy" he said wheeling himself out
"We'll come back for her at some point, just do as he says" she told the Vet before she left almost running after Artie's wheelchair "Artie" she shouted as she left the building "What's all that about?" she asked swinging his chair round to find a crying Artie "Artie" she said hugging him in at which point he really let loose.
"I need to go get her, she'll be lonely" he said turning his chair back round to go back in
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, she'll feel lost otherwise"
"Artie you do know you gave consent for them to put her to sleep before you left?"
"Yeah I do, if it's all over I just need to get her home" opening the door
"In a bit Artie, Sam's on my phone" she said letting the door go as he got in "Babe" she said answering the phone
"Hi, I've changed my flight so I'll be home like 6 hours earlier on Sunday babe" he couldn't wait to get out
"Great I can't wait" she said excited "I can't really be excited too much right now I'm with Artie at the vets he's having Kitty put down she's really ill, he was just in bits out here on the car park"
"So you win then four weeks and they've all had a crisis of some sort" he said laughing
"Yeah, whatever; what time are you here then tomorrow?"
"Impatient much" Sam said laughing
"You tease me on this and we'll see who get that last laugh Mr." Mercy said as Sam stopped the laughing
"You win, I'm not even joking on that level, and I'll sing tonight"
"Sounds like someone's got something in mind" she replied "I got to go Artie's gone to get the body"
"God the body" Sam said morbid like
"What time tomorrow?"
"I want to surprise you, I'll call later"
"Okay, usual time 9ish?"
"Yeah about 3ish my time"
"Bye babe I love you"
"Bye Babe love you more" he said and then the phone went dead
They collected Kitty and brought his body back home "Tea?" she asked
"Yeah, I'll leave Kitty in the car" he said as they walked towards the house
Back Together Again
"Hi Mercy" Sugar said as Corbin went running to his mother
"Hi Sug can we talk" she said following Sugar to the kitchen "Artie wants some tea, he's taken Kitty's passing really badly, he was bawling in the streets, proper bawling"
"I knew he would and I couldn't handle it that's why I told him to get it done before we got back" she said surprising Mercy
"He needs you to support him right now Sugar, look I'm not telling you what to do or how to do it, I think we know each other too well to get into that but, I think I'm saying Artie needs some support right now"
"It's a freaking cat Mercy" Sugar almost shouted
"Yeah but, it's his cat that he's had for over 23 years, she'd been a part of his family for almost double the time you have, please tell me you'll at least plan the funeral and speak to him?" Mercy asked as Sugar produced the cup of Tea
"Shall we" Sugar said as she picked the cup up
Artie was in full play mode with the children "Life still goes on Mercy, I have these two to keep me occupied" he said with a big smile on his face
"Here you go" Sugar said putting his drink on the tray for him
"And thank you for that push Sug I needed it, but I know it's because you couldn't handle it either" he said
"I said my goodbyes this morning" she said sitting on his chair for a hug "We'll have a proper funeral for her" Sugar said giving him squeeze
"I'll see you both in a few days" Mercy said gathering up Corbin and his stuff "Sam's back tomorrow" she replied to an enquiring look on Artie's face
"Oh and Mercy, thanks you're a life saver" he said blowing her a kiss
"Yeah thanks" Sugar echoed as she walked her to the door
Mercy & Sam
Mercy was sat waiting for Sam to call one more talk and then he'd be home, they'd set up a meeting with their managers to discuss their timetables, so no matter what Sam thought they were going to have to be out of bed by 9 a.m. Sunday 'that's why he's booked the earlier flight' she thought smiling to herself. Getting flat again when she realised she'd have just that one night, then off to Vegas for four nights, 'I should have packed my bags' she thought as she heard he phone ring and picked it up before it rung twice
"Sam hi" she said excited
"Hi Babe, I'm excited to get home"
"I know, me too"
"I've got to be off again on Sunday though so we need to get Demi prepared"
"How long for?"
"Four days"
"Where you going?" she asked "Is this all we ever talk about when we're leaving each other?"
"Err Vegas actually" Sam said ignoring her comment
"I'm in Vegas babe"
"I know I'm coming with you" he said laughingly
"You got a gig?"
"No I got a wife" he said "I'm not in the studio Joe gave me the time and I took it"
"Almost a week together, what a luxury" she laughed "You know all the money we make and the people we meet, nothing is as dear to me as the time we spend together, and as a family"
"My sentimental wife, family is everything to me you know this"
"Where's my song?" Mercy asked giggling
"Okay, I'm singing this because I plan on waking you up when I get back and keeping you awake until we get to Vegas then we can negotiate" he said laughing
"Promises, Promises"
"And you know how I am with those, here we go" he said "I was going to sing another Chris Brown song but what I'm feeling right now just inspired this one" he finished and started the music and sung 'Make Love' by Chris Brown
"Very pleasantly surprised and impressed husband" Mercy said "Loved that rendition, thank you babe, I so look forward to you getting here to wear this out"
"I'm on stage for the very last time and I'm packed already so in a bit babe I love you"
"Yeah in a bit, Sam you know I love you right?"
"Yes babe bye"
"Bye Sam" she said and the conversation was closed
Sam & Mercy
Sam came bursting through the door as if he was expecting a brawl to be happening on the other side of it "Hi honey I'm home" he shouted with the biggest grin on his face. Mercy came running out of the kitchen to greet him
"You Mr. Are an hour early" she said falling into his arms as he opened them to catch her
"Hi Beautiful" he said as she buried her head into his chest
"Hi Handsome" she said as she looked up at him to demand her kiss that was already waiting for her, they stayed that way for a while before any of them decided to move
"Bed" Sam said more like a demand than a question, not giving Mercy anytime to protest as he picked her up and moved towards their bedroom
"We have a week Babe, come on lets have some conversation"
"Bed" Sam said again refusing to be deterred
"Okay"
Two hours later they were sitting in the kitchen having the conversation, Sam could have done with more time in the bedroom but Mercy insisted and, pleasing her was his job on all levels. So as they sat sipping wine and eating Mercy started the conversation
"Sam what are we going to say in this meeting tomorrow I know we've like said what we want to happen but we need to make sure they don't bully us into things we don't want to do"
"Well I'm not about to sit and let anyone get the better of me, we're talking about family business yeah?" he asked "surely we're clear on that. Joe's already been given my remit and I know you spoke to Greg so it's just a case of bringing them together to sort their shit" popping a whole cracker in his mouth topped with cheese and fruit
"so commitments for the children, thought about those?"
"No, we maybe need their timetable for the meeting" he said grabbing the laptop in the kitchen to get the information
"We'll need a list of gigs already booked" she said, he looked at her blankly as he waited for the machine to fire up "To see what we can move around, cancel or do for sure" she informed him "We can't let them tell us what we can and can't do it's our life"
"Oh yeah" he responded
They spent an hour thinking of all eventualities before he insisted they go back to bed because, he had promised to wear her out. The alarm woke them up after 40 minutes sleep, they ate breakfast with the children, played with them for a while and then got dressed in time for the 9am meeting. At the end of a very long two hour meeting a draft contract was agreed, for their lawyers to see before signing, they spent the rest of the afternoon with the children, having lunch and family time, before leaving early that evening.
Wednesday was much like any of the other three Days when they woke up, except Sam was sitting reading his emails for the first time that week
"What's up babe" Mercy asked
"Nothing just looking at emails, getting ready for reality to hit tomorrow" he laughed as his phone pinged
"Who's that?"
"Oh" he said looking at his phone "It's Puck saying he's arrived" Sam said "I don't know why he's put that on the chat" he said throwing his phone on the bed to hear a few more pings "That's everyone asking him what the fuck he's on about" he laughed as Mercy got up to go to the bathroom
"Last night tonight babe better make it a good one" she said winking at him as she kissed his forehead, when she re-entered the bedroom Sam was ready, she didn't object, but at 1pm she insisted on having something to eat, so they got freshened up, dressed and made their way to the hotel restaurant
"Hi Guys, about time" Artie said as he wheeled up to them with Sugar behind him
"Art, what are you doing here?" Sam said hugging him then Sugar
"I heard my family was on stage here and I thought it's been a while, so I jumped on a plane" he said as Mercy hugged him and Sugar before he took his phone out and sent a message
"They're here, what does that mean?" Sam asked as he looked at the message Artie had just sent
"Hi" Sam heard before Artie could answer, looking up to see Kurt & Blaine
"Hi Guys" he said walking fast towards Blaine as they went in for a hug while Kurt diverted and went directly to Mercy swopping after a short while
"What are you…" Sam said before he was interrupted again by Mike & Tina descending on them, shortly after them Puck & Quinn, Santana & Brittany appeared
"There was no leave us alone sapp so we took the opportunity to have an impromptu reunion in the middle of Vegas for one night only" Santana said
"Yeah we've been talking and we" Rachel said as she walked towards the group hugging as she came, with Jessie following "Realised" she said when she got to Sam & Mercy "That you two, even though you've had your busy schedules and home life and everything, have found time to deal with all our drama, with never a moan just hard fast advise and support so …" she got out before Tina interrupted
"We decided to support you tonight at your show" she said
"There's never any drama in the Samcedes household so waiting for an intervention moment is futile, this is the alternative" Blaine said laughing
"And" Santana said looking at Quinn
"Yeah and I know this is a bit public and everything but I need to say I'm really deeply sorry for the conversation I had with your husband the other week, I hope you can both forgive me" Quinn asked very red faced as Puck hugged her afterwards
"I'm speechless" Mercy said throwing her hands in the air "Quinn not a problem, I trust Sam, I'm totally choked to see you all" she finished as Sam hugged her
"Thank you all for coming to support Mercy, I think that's what she wants to say" he said looking at her as she nodding a yes with her water filled eyes "We were just going for lunch anyone for food" Sam asked
"Silly question" Puck answered as they walked towards the exit, the girls, and Kurt, automatically taking their leave to bundle together in conversation leaving the boys at the back
"Let's make this one a good one" Jessie said as he grabbed hold of Mike's shoulders
"Bro's" Sam said as he made a big grab collecting in Blaine, Mike, Puck, Jessie who was pushing Artie and Brittany appeared in the hug "We can go do some damage after Dinner" he whispered looking at the roulette table
"I'm out" Puck said "Quinn is not leaving me an inch these days" he said as everyone laughed
"Yeah I know how that feels" Mike said "T's a bit the same, I'm out"
"Okay what do you say we give them some time this afternoon but we go all out tonight, they'll be there but, come on guys the girls are always up for a bit of fun" Jessie suggested
"How about we just see how this plays out and follow their lead?" Sam asked
"I'm with Sam he always gives good advice" Artie said as they walked into the restaurant, food was good and a good time was had by all.
"Guy's we want to hit the shops and do a bit of a pamper session is that okay?" Rachel asked as all the females looked up
"We were thinking to hit the tables for a bit and just catching up really" Sam said looking mainly at Mercy
"Okay can we say 3 hours then?" Kurt asked to everyone's nods
"Britt which one do you want to do?" Santana asked her
"I'll do the tables and then the pamper" she said making everyone laugh
20 minutes later and couples were saying bye to each other to do their thing. They had a great time and met back up in time for drinks before having to go get ready for the show, already agreeing that dinner would be just before the performance
"Ready for tonight babe?" Sam asked as he straightened up from attacking Mercy for the third time since they'd gone to get dressed
"I'm going to be sleeping on stage at this rate Sam you need to leave me alone, consider this worn out" she said laughing
"And you're still standing no way" he said looking at her like he could go again
"Seriously, because I have the strength to get up afterwards" she said wide eyed
"Some of it but, you just keep wiggling that fucking ass at me, everything you put on shows more and more of my girls making my mouth water and the thought of your wet being so fucking close makes my dick jump" he said making Mercy laugh
"Oh Mr Evans if only you knew" she said laughing
"Knew what?"
"Looking at your hands doing anything knowing they have the power to make me feel the way they make me feel makes me wiggle my ass' The feel of your mouth sucking hard on my nipple makes me want to take them out and throw them at you to have that feeling every minute of every day, the thought of your dick rubbing against your shorts makes me think about when it rubs against my insides and makes my wet pulse for you.. "
"You need to stop" he said laughingly walking towards her "You know how your talk gets to me"
"You need to start Mr." she said as he went in for round four
It was 8.15pm when they joined the others for dinner "You're looking fierce" Kurt said as Mercy walked towards them
"Thank you" Sam said "It's called Sam's all over it" he added making Mercy and everyone else laugh
"He is actually" she said kissing him before modelling her black satin and lace knee length, strapless dress, calved around her breasts with a V going down the middle and A line skirt overlapped with lace, before they sat down.
"How do you two manage to keep things so fresh?" Mike asked as they finished dinner
"I don't know we have our off days like everyone else" Mercy said
"You mean off moments" Sam corrected her
"Yeah moments" Mercy agreed "We don't really let anything go until it's sorted" she said laughing "I'll think about that and let you know"
"Time to see a show" Sam announced
An hour later Mercy came out, sang a few songs and spoke to the crowd before each song keeping the crowd interested and involved in the evening. The last song she dedicated to her friends that had flown from all over the country to be there with her tonight and especially her husband, who she called by name, for his support.
"This last song is in answer to a questions my friends asked me just before the show tonight, I had to dig deep to find this answer so I hope it answers the question, for all of us. Sam I love you" she said before she started singing Tamia's 'Still'
"You're the only woman in my dreams babe, I'm so in love with you" he climbed onto the stage saying as everyone clapped
"I'm so very much in love with you babe, with everyone here I hope we get an evening without any drama" she laughed
"Come on a GF evening without drama?" he asked them both laughing
"Never gonna end" she said still laughing, as they watched them on the dance floor dancing to the music to her song still being played so she sang the chorus again for them
The End
