So breakfast was eaten and everyone sat around talking and catching up waiting for Quinn and Puck to arrive before making plans at almost 1 10 pm. the door knocked, Quinn and Puck arrived with their youngest Dianna who was nearly 16 years old
"Dianna" Mercy said running up to her "You have grown into a beautiful young lady" she said hugging her in "Quinn came in for a hug and said her sorry about Sam thing to Mercy in her ear.
Puck came in storming "Mercy I'll speak to you in a bit I have to deal with this young lady" he said looking at Dianna "Move" he ordered making her move in his eyes direction
Quinn filled everyone in about Dianne's phone revealing that she had a boyfriend back home that Puck was never going to be alright about in a month of Sundays, not at 16 anyway
"Lunch is served" Mercy said making everyone except Puck and Dianna come to the dining room
"Just start he could be a while" Quinn said so they did and Puck and Dianna came in half way through, after dinner they sat around catching up
"Okay is no one going to talk about the lemon in the room?" Rachel finally asked
"What lemon?" Brittany asked
"Sam you know the missing piece of the jigsaw, Mercy's husband, our missing link" Rachel confirmed
"I suppose because we'll have to deal with feelings it's something everyone wants to avoid, with Finn it was different sudden, mysterious even but Sam's different he's gone to fucking war" Puck said angrily
"Do the children have to be here for this?" Blaine asked
"Seriously I don't see Chord's hurt is any less than ours and so what if he hears us getting our anger out it might help him" Puck replied
"How do you feel about that Chord?" Mercy asked
"I'm not going to start swearing Mom I think I can handle this" he said
"Harry?"
"I'm where Chor is Aunt M I'm good"
"Will Dianna be staying in her room then?" Mercy asked
"No" Puck almost shouted "I've given her two hours to reflect on her actions" Puck said
"Okay let's roll Mercy first let the feelings spill out" Artie said "So Mercy your angry because?"
"Because my husband is stuck in some war torn country and I haven't spoken to him for like 7 weeks now and it's like Christmas in two weeks and he's supposed to be here and fuck it he's supposed to be here" Mercy said stamping her foot
"Okay I'm Mr. Schu" Mike said making everyone laugh
"Okay" Mercy said still laughing as she put her Iphone in the pod to get some music going "here goes, I might not be able to stop so be ready for it because I got a lot of feelings, but I won't cry" she said as she sat in her spot on Sam's chair in front of the coffee table, with Chord resting against her looking at Blaine, Kurt, Santana and Brittany sitting on the long sofa while Puck and Quinn sat on the lounger to the left of the table, Tina and Mike on the one to the right with Harry sitting on the floor in front of their chair Rachel and Jessie on the love chair near the fire place and Sugar sitting on Artie in his wheelchair between the fireplace and Mike and Tina. I'm going to sing 'Don't Leave Me This Way' by Thelma Houston, that's one of our jams when he's going away, but" she said holding her hands up "I do know this isn't the same, I take on board he's up front" she said looking at Tina before she started singing, everyone got up to dance, a smile on her face when she finished the song, tears threatening to come
"Mom you know don't you?" Chord said, thinking of what his Dad used to perk her up "What do you know for sure Mom?"
"He loves us" she answered "Shit I said I wouldn't cry" she said putting her head in her hands "I miss him so much, this is almost unbearable, it really hurts"
"We know Diva everyone hurts for him, you and Chord, but he'll be back I can almost hear him saying that Schwarzenegger style" Blaine said making everyone laugh
"Okay here's something else I feel I'm pissed off a bit at him doing this to us" she looked at Chord saying "To me and I miss him like crazy" she admitted "Told you you'd need to stop me cos when I start singing about him, I feel him here with me" she smiled "I sing this to him sometimes, but usually I know the answer" she said as she found the song, slotted her phone into the pod and started singing 'When Will I See You Again' by The Three Degrees" Rachel, Santana, Tina help me with this please" she asked, they got up to back her singing as everyone else sat swaying
She finished and was sitting down thinking about what she'd just sang when Chord piped up "I know that those two songs are really about and boy are they noisy about it" he said making everyone laugh "Dad says the scream thing's a real turn on" Chord said getting into the fun of the conversation
"He said what?" Mercy asked blushing
"Mom it's the most natural thing in the world when two people love each other, I grew up hearing you two loving on each other, I'm not deaf, Dad and I had that talk when I was like 9 or something" Chord informed her
"Yeah we exchange notes on that mine are just as bad" Harry put in, Tina blushing at the comment
"And we all know that Sam would want to come back on that" Blaine said changing the subject "and I think I have just the song Art, Jess do you want to help on this please?"
"Yeah sure" They said going forward to hear what Blaine had planned
"Oh yes this is Sam all over, you dug deep into his collection" Artie said laughing
"To Mercy from Sam" Jessie said as the music started and they started singing 'A House Is Not A Home' by Luther Vandross Mercy fell apart at the first line, everyone did as Chord and her wrapped up in Sam's chair listening
"Wicked come back guys Sam's mega proud of that and I'm sure he's bursting to say thanks" Brittany said
"Dad's coming back Mom he just told me that, just now I feel it"he hugged her saying, they were still feeling the song when the door knocked shaking everyone. "This is it" Chord said walking towards the door and opening it to find a SEAL uniform standing there "Mom!" he turned shouting and watched as she came running
"What's up Chor what is it?" she asked stopping dead when she saw the uniform "What are you telling me?" she asked the man at the door "What are you telling me" Mercy said frozen to the spot
"There's a letter Mrs. Evans from Mr. Evans the Lieutenant Commander sent me with this letter and a message to say that NFO SEAL Evan's has not yet been recovered he was last seen 3 weeks ago by some of his crew they split at his command and the DNFO and 3 other men were rescued 5 days ago malnourished and one man injured. We believe NFO Evans is still alive Mrs. Evans but we have not had visual or verbal contact with him" he said holding out the letter which Mercy took out of his hand before shutting the door. Chord followed her back to the sitting room, and sat beside her heavily when she sat down, both looking at the envolope
Mercy felt the envelope several times just thinking, he's touched this, his mouth had been on the seal, his hand had touched everything she was holding in her hand, was this the last thing of his she was ever going to get "Mom open it" chord said breaking her concentration, as he sat watching her rip it open
26thSeptember
Dear Mercy & Chord (My Txe'lan)
I'm actually writing a letter (ha)
Mercy read and broke down "I'm sorry I can't read it will someone read this for us please?" she said looking around the room, Chord could feel her shaking as she held onto him, Santana took the letter as nearly everyone else was crying or about to cry and read it out
I know I said I'd be back and I made a promise and you know how I am about those but our plane crashed behind enemy lines and I have to put a hold on that promise, if you get this letter that means my colleagues got out and there's still a chance for us. I love you both so much I know you can feel it. I so much want to be there with you both I miss your smiles, your warmth Merc (keeping it PC for Chor's benefit) your jokes Chor it's like so dark all the while out here but at night I see you both so vividly worrying about me and I'm here doing the same about you. I sing to you every night and tonight I'm going to sing again 'Heaven can Wait' just for you two, its to a girl I know but I mean you too son, listen to it and hear what's in my heart for you
We're splitting up again so wish me luck (our platoon that is)
Say hi to Mom, Dad, Brats and Glee Clan
I really am trying to get back to you
My Heart
I will love you always, believe that
PS: Just in case I don't I'll be watching from above (cry)
Santana's voice broke at that point but she composed herself
PSS: I love you MORE
Blaine was already searching through the playlists for the song Sam had said he would be singing, "look in that rack" Chord said pointing to the rack on the left of the middle music self "Dad keeps his MJ stuff in there, when Mom's away he gets and he gets in his funk, he plays it for his memories" he finished, Blaine found it and set it to play as everyone listened as the song "Heaven can Wait' by Michael Jackson
Not a dry eye in the house everyone was crying by the time the tune finished and everyone just hugged around Mercy and Chord "He's doing his best to get back to us" Blaine said "I know it"
They spent the evening catching up and talking about happier things how they were doing and up and coming events in their lives before retiring to bed and left the following day to return the following weekend.
Wek eight Mercy and Chord sat in the garden just talking about the recital and where to next, when the butler came in with a letter much like the one they received a week and a bit ago "It's from Dad" Chord said jumping up and grabbing it from the Butler "Sorry I'm excited" he said realising what he'd done "This ones dated the 27th October 4 weeks ago" he said opening out the letter to read it
Hi Son
I know you snatched the letter, did you remember to say sorry to the butler?
This first half is for you but he rest is private to your Mom so read on until I say stop
First I love you so much and I miss you like crazy I'm finding paper where I can usually on Soldiers that haven't made it and just pinning the letters to trees all over the place I write on average one a week so I hope you get them they say the same thing really; hope you done well at your recital, I know I didn't pick the best time as far as that was concerned but if you're prepared to do it again we can cope.
Chor I know I keep asking but please look after your Mom I know she doesn't cope very well when I'm not there with you and everything but it's not her fault our love is strong if I were there you'd know I don't cope as well as she does, But she won't see any harm come to you so love her for me as well as your love always make her feel loved son that's important to me. Son I'm not even joking when I say don't join the forces it would kill us.
PS Don't forget to go to Mom's concerts and sit in my seat until I get back
Love you Bud
Now pass this to your Mom
Pass it
Chord passed the letter over to his Mom as his Dad asked and left the room "What's up Chor" she shouted after him and he stopped for a second before saying
"I'm going to cry I need to be with Dad for a bit"
"Okay sweetheart I'm here when you're ready" she said focusing on the letter
Hi Babe
Not repeating anything I said up top except I miss you like crazy, I've got this massive boner I need to get rid of and I know we said it shouldn't happen unless we're both there but I am so desperate for you it fucking hurts I need release babe so I'm going to bargain with you. It's your fault really you keep performing all over my mind every minute (ha), I'll estimate that you'll get this letter around the 17thNovember so I'm going to ask that you to play our tune 'Turn off the lights' and imagine what we did on our 5th anniversary remember that night (ha) because I need to feel your insides around me bad babe
I wish I hadn't let you talk me into washing you off that day I left, I'd be living on that right now, I'm imagining you stripping for me your noises my noises our noises shit babe I got to stop I'm getting totally out of control for you
When I get back I can deal with Chord for about, well as long as he needs really but, babe you know I'm thinking of getting into you and going to that place only we know
I wished I knew where I was so you could write to me, I hear you saying Sammy or Babe every day and I look round to see your face but all I see is bush and darkness I can't say any more in case the enemy find this letter but Babe the 17th November and if I miss you then I'm sorry and I'll make it up to you
I'll be home soon babe I love you so much
PS I love you more
Bye Yarne
Mercy said nothing she was so turned on and could do something about it as 17th November had just gone on Tuesday she'd missed it but she was going to have her fun he had more or less given her permission, she got up and went to her bedroom locked the door and put their music on in her headphones "Thanks for the soundproofing babe" she said as she started to imagine being in Sam's arms having him with her, she quickly went over the edge it had been 10 weeks since Sam had left the house and now she wanted more so she went again and fell asleep afterwards with their song "'Turn Off The Lights' by Teddy Pendergrass on replay in her head
"God Sam your good" she said to herself when she woke up hours later thinking it was time to talk to Chord so she had a shower got her sweats on and went out to the den where he always sat when he wasn't in his room "Chor are you alright Baby?" she asked as she walked in
"Letter must have been good" he said laughing making his Mom slap his arm lightly as she walked around the chair to face him
"Baby are you okay I worry about you?" she asked again
"Mom I'm fine Dad's still alive and I'm fine and you're still in working order and I'm fine" Chord said getting himself another slap
"Babe I've got a gig tonight and I can't get out of it, do you want to come no pressure?"
"Yep I promised Dad I'd go and sit in his seat to support you"
"Be ready for 6 then I need to get there early" she said going back to her room to start getting ready
They went to the venue and Mercy sang various songs for the audience before she announced her departure, they really weren't in the mood for it but it was work, finally the audience clapped as she walked off stage straight into Chord's arms "You were so not my Mommy out there" he hugged her saying "Dad will be home soon I feel it"
"Why do you say that?" she looked at him asking
"Because his letters are getting to us their following him ain't they hopefully it will be one week, then one day and then they'd have found him" he said with a smile, Mercy just hugged him not wanting to present any if's in his theory.
Just as Chord had predicted a letter came a few days later that was found only 10 days off from him writing it "Mon 20th November that's only 10 days off" he shouted Dad will be home next week he'll be here for Christmas as he promised" he shouted as he went to open the letter "Mom it says Chor don't open the letter give it to Mom" he shouted
"Pass it then love" she said trying not to sound excited
Hi Yarne
Babe I love you I needed to get that out oh and thanks for the other night I absolutely enjoyed you all over me, if you didn't get the letter I'm sorry and I hope you understand. Babe I feel like I'll be home soon, haven't eaten for like 3 days but I'm feeling alright I'm living on the love you two are sending it in droves "I'm coming home soon I feel they are near I hope you're getting my letters.
Here's a little tune my colleague keeps singing and I got the name for you it's keeping us three going anyway, hope it gets you going ready for when I get back, 'Heaven' by Richie Campbell probably doesn't sound anything like what we're singing and it might even be offensive so bear in mind I've only heard him sing it and I'm praying it's sexy
Babe before you listen rip this bit off and give it to Chord please before he thinks I've totally forgotten about him.
I love you both so much my (Txe'lan)
Keep it warm
"Chord" she shouted when she'd ripped her bit off
"Yeah" he came in looking concerned saying
"Dad said to give you this" she told him handing him his half of the letter
"Thanks" he smiled looking at it before walking out of the room back to the den to read his letter in private
Hi Baby Chord
I know but you really are my baby
I miss you like crazy dude and I hope your looking after yourself I forgot to tell you about the shrubs at the front they need cutting back if you don't know how to do that just tell the gardener to do it till I get back I know you're not that practical.
Tell Uncle Mike to get the crew round if he hasn't already done so. I'm not looking too good and I need someone there with your Mom and you just in case, I know Mom won't have read this bit she never does when it's to you and just adlib it don't tell her everything unless the worst happens if I'm not found soon I don't know what to tell you we have to keep on the move because of the enemy but it's difficult with two injured men and one empty rifle I'm living on a prayer and need more
I'm sorry to lay all this on you Baby but Mom wouldn't cope with the truth she only sees my promise and I made her that way blame me I've always made her dreams come true and always kept my promises, it's my job you know.
Son I love you so much you're my life I know you'll grow up to be the best you can be and the worlds is yours for the taking so take it
PS always find time to give your Mom a hug and say it's from me
From the first note of our perfect Chord
Chord cried like a baby, it felt like this was the very last he was going to hear from his Dad, it must have been a while but he finally remembered his Mom, she'd be anxious to know what his Dad had said, so he washed his face and went to see her. She was sat in the music room listening to Sam's song on her earphones "Chord do you know this song?" she asked when she saw him, he took one side of her earphones and listened
"Yeah it's Richie Campbell" he told her "Why you listening to that?"
"Dad sent it for me to listen to" she looked at him saying
"Oh, it's a nice tune"
"You okay baby?"
"Yeah, between you and Dad I'm feeling kind of young both of you calling me Baby Chord all the while can I grow up any time soon?" Chord asked "I'm going to wish I hadn't said that ain't I?" he asked, with a classic Evans smile
"Well as soon as Baby grows up and starts paying his own bills, washing his clothes, buying his food, living in his own house, earning his own money we may promote him to Son yeah"
"As I said regret" he said laughing as he walked out of the room "I'm going to check Harry; back in a bit"
The following evening Kurt & Blaine, Santana & Brittany, Quinn & Puck showed up "Hey you should have said you were coming" Mercy said as she opened the door
"We were invited" Kurt said
"Chord" they all said as he appeared at the kitchen door
"Hi everyone" Chord said "Thanks for coming, I don't actually know the reason just yet but I have been known to have a third eye" he said flashing his Dad's got you smile
"Who else is coming?" Mercy asked
"I know Rachel & Jessie are coming, Artie & Sugar and I think Tina's already here isn't she, which means Mike isn't far away" Satan said
"Full house this better be good" Mercy said hugging Chord
"Dad said he needed a massive prayer and I was to tell the Glee family I called my Nans & Granddads too and Uncles and Aunties, so they'll be coming we need this prayer to be as big as it can get" he said
"Chord it's like 10 days before Christmas how are you asking people to leave their homes and families at this time of the year?" Mercy asked
"We're their family too" he replied that look of what with all the questions on his face as he spoke
"God I swear sometimes he's actually Sam reincarnated" Santana said laughing
"We could all go back home if you'd rather us not be here Mercy" Blaine said
"Hell to the no" Chord said "Nobody is going nowhere not tonight anyway so sit your asses down"
"With a Diva Jones twist" Kurt laughed and everyone joined in including Mercy as Chord stood thinking 'What's up now'
"What?" he said flicking back to his Sam trait
"Leave my baby alone he's our child he's bound to do us things" Mercy said stopping her laugh and hugging Chord who suddenly understood and was laughing it off too. The door knocked and as stated Artie & Sugar and Rachel & Jessie walked in with Mike following
"I went to get them from the airport on Chord's instructions" Mike said
About 2 hour later Rose and Dan arrive with Sam's Brother and Sister Stacy and Stevie and their partners Damone and Bernadette came with Stevie's Daughter Lilly. Gwen and Eric; Mercy's parents, turned up with her brother Martin his wife Dawn and their daughter Angel, finally everyone was present and correct.
"Right" Chord jumped up saying when everyone had finished their hellos "Thank you all for coming at such short notice I'm going to be raw with the truth tonight and there's some hard stuff to deal with but we need to in order to know what we're praying for" he said as Mercy watched on thinking when did he become a man "Right I had a letter from Dad the other day" he started
"Another one?" Mercy asked
"No Mom the same one he said you wouldn't read my bit he knows you too well" he said laughing "Anyway he told me to adlib so in the main he'd not eaten for over three days, he's travelling with two injured men and he didn't specify if he was one of the injured and health wise he's not good and this report was written about 11 days ago which is good news in one sense but that was how he was 11 days ago and his last request was for me to get Uncle Mike to get everyone together for prayers coz that's the only thing he thinks can help him and so do I, so we're here for dad's maybe last wish or his saving grace. So get your prayers ready and your songs because we're going to sing some life back into my Dad and bring him home"
"This songs been resting on my heart for some time now so I guess it's for this occasions" Quinn said "Intention everybody familiar?"
"Yeah" most said as the music started and they started singing 'Intentional' by Travis Greene, Artie starting them off, the men took the first verse everyone sang the choruses, women sang second verse and Mercy took the last
"Yes lord as we come to you tonight with our prayers and our offer of song for the life of our son, husband, father, brother, friend Sam Evans we ask that you cover him with your love and guide him safely back to us. Lord we know you are in control of all things, you're working with us, and we leave this totally in your hands, we know you listen to prayer lord and right now we pray that he finds his way back to us unharmed lord, I now this is your intention, we ask this in your precious name Amen" Mike said holding onto Tina
"Lord I've prayed so much these past weeks since Dad's been missing for you to do something anything and lord twice you've sent him in a letter to give me guidance which is great but I'd still like to see him in the flesh please I'd give anything except the life of any family member or friend just let him be with us again Amen" Chord prayed
"I have a song" Rachel said ""Say Yes" with Beyoncé, Solange & Kelly Rowland" she announced and Sugar started the singing, and everyone was clapping singing and praising until the song came to a close
"Father" Rose said holding onto Dan "You know what I'm going to say I say it every day please don't let our son see you before us we'd be so jealous and it would break our heart to live here without him. We all quietly knew what it meant when he told us he was joining the Navy those years ago but I really don't think we ever thought a war would happen in his lifetime here, and now it has I want him the furthest point from the front line, I want him home with his wife and child and even jobless, just please look after him and bring him back home Amen" Rose finished crying
"Lord I know you know what's in my heart and I know I trust you with our lives, I always have, I just pray that you give Sam the strength to get past this and come home to us I know you never give us more than we can bare and because of this I know it is in your plan to bring him home. Sam says he lives on our love right now father I pray that he feels every bit of it right now and fights to stay strong, thank you for looking over him this far and tell him I love him in some way, I feel he needs to know that right now Amen" Mercy prayed
"God I pray that you give my sister Mercy the strength to cope with all this and bring Sam home so we can call him Trouty again and Chord can stop making us pray" Brittany said making everyone look up at her and laughed before saying Amen
"Auntie Britt I'll let it slide this once but please drop the Trouty thing, Dad would spit blood at you if he heard you say that in front of me" Chord said looking at his Mom who was nodding agreement "We're actually proud of our mouths their an Evans trade mark and they are irresistible so I've been told" he carried on making everyone laugh
"Amen" Stevie and Stacy said making everyone laugh harder
They went on for a while more everyone offering what they felt on their hearts before Mercy brought it all to a close "I'm sorry folks but I have to perform tomorrow night and it's already 11pm, I haven't been doing my vocal training so I'll need the morning for that, I can't do late two nights in a row I need to be alert for Sam's return which God assures me is going to be soon, can we have a prayer before I have to leave you all to it?" she asked
"Actually Mercy we'd like to come and support you" Quinn said looking at Puck
"Sure" he confirmed
"No problem I'll just let Greg know"
"Could we get some tickets too?" Artie asked
"Okay who wants to come see my show tomorrow night?" Mercy asked everyone in the room said yes "So I'm booking a block I can do that no problem I've never really used it before so I've earned it" she said going around the room mentally counting the heads
"I'd like to do the closing prayer if no one minds" Puck said shocking everyone into an
"Okay" Gwen said a Mercy looked at her knowing that was always her spot
Everyone looked around waiting for Puck to start, he was waiting for everyone to get in that zone they needed for it to mean something, Quinn smiled "He loves his friend" She said pleased with his pending display of affection
"We want to bring our Brother Sam to you tonight as he makes his way home to us, we pray that he'll get here safe and unharmed, and remember I said unharmed or there will be hell to pay Amen" he said opening his eyes before shutting them again to finish with "Oh and watch over all of us as we worry in our own ways and help us to help each other yeah that's it"
"Yeah" Quinn said "Lots of firsts happening tonight "Britt actually got told off, we prayed together, different denominations came together, Sugar sang and Noah prayed if tonight isn't Sam's night I don't know when it will be" she finished and everyone clapped in agreement as Mercy went round hugging and saying goodnight, everyone else following suit.
A week later
Chord had a strong urge to ask for another prayer session so he got everyone back to the house again "Yes I know it's three days before Christmas and I swear you'll all get back" Chord said as everyone looked at him seriously "I'm sorry you're all pissed but it's my Dad and I'm sorry but Christmas comes last for me right now"
"It does for me too Chord sorry for the face" Artie said and everyone nodded in agreement
"Mom has her last show before Christmas tomorrow night and as a treat I'll ask for tickets if you want" he finished as everyone retired after another session of prayer and song
It was about 5 in the morning Mercy estimated when she woke up just like that and looked out the window to judge the time before she closed her eyes and went back to sleep just for a few more minutes. She dreamt she'd ending up on her bed with bush all around her she started kicking at the bush trying to get through it and eventually she came to a misty clearing she stood for a while waiting for the mist to clear and eventually she saw Sam standing there "Sammy" she said almost as a whisper grabbing towards him before stepping forward making sure it wasn't a dream "Sammy babe" she said once she grabbed hold of him establishing he was real "Come home to me why are you standing out here?" she asked "what did you say?" she asked trying to get what he was trying to tell her suddenly he was kissing her all over and she was kissing him back "I missed you too Babe please I need you" she said getting more turned on with every word "God this is so real" she said in a place between conscious and unconscious "please don't let me wake up, is this my sign will he be home soon?" she said squeezing her eyes close "God I'm going to explode" "Sam" she said out loud as her body went into fits of ecstasy, she opened her eyes to find she was wet dreaming "God Sam I can even feel your hands on me" she said touching where they were and pulling back quickly when she actually felt a hand, she froze "Fuck what the, who the fuck" she said kicking at the person who had just got her off "You bastard get the fuck away from me" she said kicking and hitting at them
"Yarne it's me" she heard making her stop dead in her tracks
"Sam, oh my God Sam" she said jumping up in the bed to look eye to eye in Sam's face a little worn but Sam's face all the same
"Next time I say I'm not washing you off me don't make me there's a reason" he said laughing, making her chuckle "there it is that smile that's kept me alive I came home for you babe" he said kissing her deep before taking his wife until sleep found them. It was 11am before Mercy finally left the bedroom, while Sam showered, to go to the kitchen where everyone was
"Baby Chord come here" she looked at him saying as she left the kitchen with her hot chocolate "and bring that one with you" she said smiling to herself
"That baby Chord thing again" he rolled his eyes saying "What have I done now?" he asked as he picked the hot drink up and followed her, watching her lock her bedroom door as they entered the room "What?" he asked when she looked at him
"So Chord prayer evening last night I thought that was a great idea and you say your Dad asked you to do that?" she asked
"Yes he did you can see the letter if you want" he replied thinking he was in trouble
"Baby when God tells you to do something and you do it he rewards us, you know this don't you?"
"Yes Mom, you two taught me well"
"Well here comes your reward" she said and sat on the bed for about 10 seconds before Sam emerged from the bathroom in a towel thankfully
"Dad, Dad, Dad" Chord said getting louder with every call of his name "Is that really you Dad" he said getting up out the chair he was sitting in almost throwing the hot drink on the cabinet and running towards his Dad for a hug and kisses "It worked, Mom always says it but now, I have to say I believe in the power of prayer" he said hugging his Dad tight "I don't want to let go in case you disappear" he said still hugging
"Son I'm going nowhere ever again and I can promise that" he said hugging his son with tears in his eyes "I really missed you, I mean really missed you" Sam said finally crying and Mercy joined them as they all cried tears of joy for being together again. After they finished re-bonding Sam was the first to speak "I need a good breakfast haven't had one for ages" he said. Chord went to say something but his Mom stopped him so they got dressed as they always did for family breakfast which was boxers and vest for Chord, which he already had on, Vest and shorts for Sam and Underwear and dressing gown for Mercy and went to the kitchen for breakfast. Chord was playing his IPod loudly telling his Dad about his current favourite tune when they walked into the kitchen and everyone stopped including Sam
"Babe I'm not dressed" he said to Mercy
"I couldn't tell you to get dressed or you'd have known something was up" Mercy said laughing as everyone started cheering, clapping and going in for hugs
Sam looked around seeing his Mom and Dad, Siblings and in-laws, Glee family, Chord and Mercy and he was overwhelmed, "I missed you guys, I really did; there was a time out there when I said goodbye to each of you he said looking around the room but in the end it was these two I got stuck on I just couldn't find the words and I knew I had to find those words before I gave up or they'd never forgive me, I love you all and thank you for looking out for these two"
"Denise Dad needs a full breakfast please" Chord shouted to the head cook, as he sat him down and his Mom and him taking seats either side of him, Sam kept them close. Later on while they were in the den catching up Sam fell asleep with his head in Mercy's lap and his feet in Chord's none of them daring to move to wake him up. At about 3pm he woke up a bit disorientated at first but quickly focused on Mercy's face and smiled at her
"Babe I've got on my calendar that you're performing tonight is that right?" he asked
"It was but I'm going to cancel I don't mind it's a special night tonight" she said
"No babe for a lot of people this would have been a Christmas present to their loved ones please don't do that" Sam begged as everyone looked on "Come here babe" he said jumping up and grabbing her by the hand
"Here we go" Puck said laughing
"I've been here since about 5 this morning Puck, there's a reason I was ready for food at 11 this morning"he said laughing as they went out of the kitchen
"Sam's back" Artie said and everyone laughed agreeing even Chord
"Babe I need me some more of you, and I need to tell you something" he said as they went towards the bedroom
"I guessed that but I'm not tripping, I'm expecting you to ware this mother out" she said making him laugh
"That's the intention in the next 24 hours" he said through his laugh "How long are they going to be here?" he asked
"They're all coming to the show tonight, so I guess any time after that they'll be gone"
"Okay" he said as they got inside their bedroom, he shut it locked the door and turned back to her "Can I have you first?" he asked and she nodded a yes, they went to their place and stayed there for a while, when they finished they freshened up and lay talking on their bed
"I want to sing babe I want to sing to you for you, there was a lot of thinking going on when I was gone and I put it all into this one song I want to sing it to you"
"Go for it I missed my man singing to me" she laughed
"I love you Mercy, I've always known that but there's something about the sight of the end that brings clarity, and when that clarity told me my truth, I have to listen and this is my truth, my only truth" he said as he grabbed his guitar and started singing 'Lady' by Lionel Richie
"So that's why you love me and there was me thinking it was my booty, lips and moorish wet" she said laughing
"Hey you leave all those alone their mine not yours" he smiled
"Well excuse the hell out of me" she giggled
"Babe serious time now" he said as they both stopped laughing "I broke a promise while I was away and please don't get pissed it was an emergency I felt like I was going crazy I had you on my mind all the time. I wrote to you asking permission but if I'm honest I used that as an excuse to do it, if you forgive me this, it will never happen again I swear"
"I know you did Sam I got the letter like 4 days after the deadline so I did it too so you wouldn't feel bad when you came back and yeah thanks for the night I absolutely enjoyed having your hands all over me" she said kissing him "What do you want me to sing tonight?" she asked him as they got dressed
"Is that even a question? Whitney anything Whitney your sounds so on her level she would have needed to watch out if she'd still been around" Sam said as they walked into the den where everyone was
"Dad's back" Chord said rubbing his hands walking towards him then they did a high five, body roll and then hugged
"Okay evening meal being served early because everyone has to be ready for like 7 my show starts at 9pm but I want you all to meet the crew and stuff and make a real evening of it" Mercy said and everyone started making their way to the dining room
"Moms, Dads can I have a word for just a minute before dinner?" Sam said letting go of Chord for him to carry on but taking Mercy with him as he diverted to the study. They all got settled in and Sam sat Mercy on his lap behind the desk, she noticed his leg shake a bit and looked at him concerned
"You alright babe?" she asked and he nodded a yes but she wasn't convinced
"I just needed to tell you guys first before questions get asked and, I suppose I'm telling you in front of our parents to calm on the drama if I'm honest" he said looking at Mercy for a second before looking back at their parents
"No drama today Sam I'm just really grateful your back, can't speak for tomorrow though" she said smiling at him he smiled but his face went back to serious fairly quickly as he made to talk again
"Well I know I have another 9 years left with the SEALs and I intend on serving them out but I've asked for special grounds, which have been granted and they guarantee I'm never in that situation again. It'll mean I'm like base focused it's almost an office job, but I'll still get some hands on and home mostly every night" he said wiggling his eyebrows at Mercy making her laugh "They made me an SCOP grade E8 that's 2 jumps up and across, I'm buzzed I get my life with my family and a job I love"
His Mom was off her chair and round hugging him before he actually finished and his Dad was squeezing his shoulder and patting his back at the same time, Mercy's parents found gaps and filled them all happy with the news. Sam held onto Mercy even tighter, she noticed but said nothing, when their parents moved off his grip on her loosened and he relaxed some before suggesting they go eat and tell everyone else. At dinner after the announcement, Mercy, Chord and Sam fell back into their old habits tasting each other's food, eating off each other's plates, feeding each other and laughing again taking the time to smile at each other wink, or hug, in a room full of people they were totally lost in each other
"I see the meaning of his name" Puck said smiling as he watched them
"He keeps us in check" Sam replied kissing his son's head
"Battle stations guys we need to be ready for 7 so that gives us just over 1 hour for dressing and smart casual please" Sam said laughing "No I'm joking its formal dress and evening meal at 11pm I hear" he said looking at Chord his oracle "Hey guys" he looked at Harry and Chord leaving the room "Forgot to ask is Jenna and Amber coming?"
"Yeah" chord replied "I was going to surprise you both"
"She's back" Mercy asked
"Where's she been?" Sam asked
"California with her sick Nana" he replied
"Sorry son that must have been hard for you" Sam said giving him sad eyes
"I'm going to skype and get dressed before I start crying" Chord said walking off towards his room
"Later" Harry said as he left to go home to get dressed
So an hour later everyone was ready to go "We look fine" Sam said grabbing for Mercy again as they got in the car kissing her neck "Babe I'm not coping well I need to be near you is that alright?" he whispered in her ear
"Absolutely"she replied kissing him back
"Come on you two cut it out" Kurt said with a smirk
"I remember getting a certain couple out of a car at a wedding, whispers ain't nothing" Mercy said laughing
"Touché" Blaine said laughing
They got to the venue and after walking down the red carpet Mercy introduced them to nearly everyone that was involved in the event "I intend on bringing some of you up there to help me tonight" she told them "I think the audience will like my show"
"Mom, Dad this is Amber" Chord announced just before Mercy went to make up and costume
"Nice to meet you Amber" Mercy said giving her a hug instead of the handshake she was expecting making her smile when she let her go "I'm Mercy for future reference"
"And I'm Sam" he said giving hugs too "We'll catch up after the show" he told her as they heard the music get louder indicating the show was starting
Mercy sat in the audience watching the artists perform and take the audience to places in memory "I'm up in 15 I need to get sorted" she said getting up as Sam held onto her
"Babe I'm sorry I'm not coping well, I'm really sorry about this" he said
"Babe will you come with me?" she asked getting up
"Yeah" he sprung up saying
Ten minutes later she was walking on stage "Good Evening ladies and gentlemen it's been great tonight hasn't it as we celebrate the Godmothers and Fathers of R&B who have gone on before us we had tributes for names such as Luther Vandross, Donna Summers, Wilson Pickett, Ray Charles, Barry white, Prince, Etta James, herself and of course the one Mr. Michael Jackson to name just a few is anyone missing from that list that just springs to mind?" she asked the audience and a plectra of names came back
Sam stood at side stage watching his wife, he took care to hear every word she said remembering that days ago that was all he prayed to hear and that she was all that mattered to him in the world the one single thought that kept him alive was her heart breaking right after his before his last breath came, that pain being unbearable
"As well as these legends of R&B I've got a little celebration of my own going on that I'd like to share with you all my husband Sam, I'm always talking about him yeah" she said waiting for the audience to respond and they did "He's been missing in action for like 9 weeks, but we; my family and I had a prayer circle last night and we begged for him back and this morning I woke up and he was home and I just want to thank God for that blessing on my family" Mercy said to claps and shouts of Amen
"I can only tell you that God knew that my heart could not take losing the only thing; except for our son, that helps my heart beat and I'd like to use the sounds of the great Whitney Houston to give thanks for our blessings. So I'm going to kick off with a little thing called 'All the man that I need' because he is" Mercy said and the music started singing 'All The Man That I Need' by Whitney Houston Sam stood at the side stage listening to Mercy sing with conviction this Whitney song that said everything she felt and he felt too. At the end everyone was up clapping and whooping her efforts, until Mercy quietened them down for her next song.
"I'm going to ask Sam to come out here with me hold my hand" she said as she beckoned for him to come out "This Whitney song is all powerful and it does what it says on the tin for me, this is 'I believe in me and you' and she started singing 'I Believe In You And Me' by Whitney Houston as Sam sat drinking in what his wife was saying to him.
"Thank you" Mercy said as the crowd clapped and whistled for her rendition of the song "I'm going to ask Sam to sing this next one with me he didn't know this so he might be a bit shy you might have to talk him into it" she said getting the audience to shout his name to get him up, eventually Sam accepted the mic
"Okay" he said looking at Mercy slyly
"Alright" Mercy said clapping "Sam's speaks Spanish" she smiled at him saying "Whitney done this one in collaboration with a certain Spanish man and sometimes my man speaks to me in Spanish" she laughed "So Sam" she said making the audience and him laugh as the music started, he backed off his jacket and they sung 'Could I Have This Kiss Forever' by Whitney Houston ft. Enrique Iglesias Sam got into action from the start of the song he wasn't joking with her it really was what he wanted, the more Mercy saw he needed her the more she played on it as the song got underway. The audience went crazy with the sexiness on the stage Mercy was on form because all was right with her world and Chord was getting sexy in the isle with Amber. Mercy bigged up Sam to the audience before calming everything
"I mentioned at the top of my hour that we had a family prayer circle for my husband's safe return, well I'd like to thank that prayer circle for their support over the past few months so family will you come up here" Mercy shouted pointing at them saying as they made their way. "This last song Whitney's giving us tonight, was inspired by our prayer circle last night when we found we only had one place left in the hope of finding Sam and we got together and took it, so give it up for I look to You' by Whitney Houston sung by me and my family Mercy said as the music started and she sung the verses as the group joined in for the choruses
"Thank you and goodnight" she said as she everyone left the stage waving
"Home then?" Mercy asked as everyone buzzed talking about going home, now everything was right in their world "I really missed you babe, don't ever do that to me again, I love you"
"You literally are my heart all of it, I love you more, don't ever question that, I promise never gain"
The End