Saturday 15th September
Riverwoods
"Come on" Sam laughed trying to get Mercy to leave the house
"It's just 5pm, we have time, what's the rush?"
"Come on" he waved her out the room "See you guys tomorrow" he told their parents
"Why are we going so early?"
"I have a plan" he smiled, the drive was chatty, Mercy had started to relax as soon as Megan wasn't in sight, but the conversation was still all about her pride and joy
Life had been getting busier as the Christening on Megan's first birthday neared, they'd had months to plan but even now two weeks before, it felt like there was still so much to do, Megan was running let alone walking now and getting into everything, they needed more than the eight eyes they actually had, she'd found a way to get out of her room and wonder down the hall to her Grandparents who always had a smile for her, she felt it was her place to snuggle in the middle of them and refused to move while demanding that they didn't touch each other either. Her hair had come into its own, it was a mop of loose curls streaked with blond in places falling just below her shoulders, her cubby face and naturally wide green eyes complimented by her dimpled cheeks and plump lips, made her the cutest baby girl ever seen, she looked angelic. Even at this early age she showed a big interest in all things furry, constantly crying to go on one of the horses, and although Anne and Daniel might have taken her on one, Mercy insisted that particular request was never to happen, Sam didn't argue it, she was Megan's Mom she had every right. Work had just ended its holidays for Mercy and in two weeks time she was going to be mega busy with coordinating her daughters day, Sam's business never closed for holidays it got busier.
"What are we doing here?" she asked
"He asked me to meet you guys here" Marcia knocked the passenger side door telling her
"Marcia" she jumped out the car smiling "What are you doing here?"
"Telling you a story apparently" she hugged her sister telling her "Where's this dinner you promised?" she looked at Sam asking
"I thought you said here?"
"I did" she laughed at Sam's puzzled face, as they stood in Riverwoods outside their Uncle's café, it wasn't so busy this time, they found a corner, ordered some food and Marcia set about telling Mercy the story of the day Megan came into the world "That's beautiful" Mercy cried regretting missing it "I should have stayed"
"Hindsight is a beautiful thing" Marcia smiled "I got that and it was enough for me, you got Megan and I hope she'll be enough for you"
"She is" Mercy smiled grabbing her sisters hand "And thank you for sharing that" she turned to Sam "And thank you for thinking of it"
"So how's the Christening going?"
"It will all come together on the day, I'm excited for her" Sam told her "I maybe need to do some hours over the next two weeks but we'll survive" he laughed
"You're doing too much" Mercy smiled at him, grabbing his hand
"I know but it will slow down after the Christening" he smiled "I've asked Joan to recruit for an Accountant, maybe two we can afford it" he kissed her hand telling her "This mode of work was fine when I was a single man but now..."
"He's so considerate" Marcia cooed at their conversation
"And you're so brave" Mercy got up to hug her sister "I miss you so much" she told her, she hadn't actually realised how close they were, it seemed like now they weren't living in each others pockets they craved each others attention all the while, they spent so much time on the phone Sam eventually opted for a package to suit.
Marcia had found out Kelmi was just a friend, when a first kiss didn't feel right, and once that was established she wasted no time in finding Nate, he was the total opposite to Kelmi built like a brick, clean cut and too handsome to be with just one girl, but she was a Jones and of course Nate knew what and who he was getting into. Grandma Maggie loved him from day one, cooking him meals, let him in the house on his first visit and he'd taken to taking her out on days when Marcia couldn't make it he fit right in
"Where's Nate?" Mercy asked smiling
"He's working, he was hoping to meet Megan, I thought she'd have come down and stayed with us"
"I can call Mom and Dad they'll be down in a few hours I don't know about staying over"
"Mercy's room is free" Marcia quickly added
"I'll ask, they love Grandma's cooking" Sam replied getting his phone out as he got up to go make the call
"Nate's going to be home soon I need to get back" Marcia told her sister
"Are you in love?" the grin on Mercy's face telling her she was ready for the gossip
"I think I am, I think this is it, he'd kind, honest, I don't think he'd mess around on me, and when we .. you know he makes my whole body tingle" she smiled
"I'm happy for you" Mercy smiled
"Mom and Dad said about an hour" Sam walked back in telling them "Grandma will be pleased"
"So will Nate" Marcia giggled
A while later the conversation came to an end, they said their goodbye's to their Uncle and his husband before they started back home in the hope of getting there before Megan did, Marcia just wanting to see Nate's face when he fell in love with her niece
Arlington Heights
Sam's parents got to Grandma's minutes after they arrived, everyone making a fuss of Megan, the door opened and Patrick and Mia appeared, this was turning out to be a proper family event, the fuss made Megan cry "She needs her Auntie Mercy" Mia smiled when she couldn't settle her
"Her Mommy" Mercy corrected her, Marcia's face lighting up as the door opened and her Nate stood smiling
"Hi Everyone, where this beautiful Niece I've been hearing about?" he held his arms out as Marcia came towards him "Hi Babe" he kissed her lips lightly before mouthing her an "I love you"
"I love you too" she rested her head on his shoulder as they walked back towards Mercy
They all sat down getting acquainted while eating their evening meal, food was never not cooking once Grandma was in the house, Patrick totally ignored everyone to engage with Megan who was being spoilt by her new Uncle in the living room "Can I?" he asked his hands already held out telling Nate he wasn't taking no for an answer
"Sure" Nate smiled handing Megan over and watching him walk away with her before his attention turned to Marcia, Mercy smiled as she watched them snuggling up to each other, there was something called love forming there
"Someone loves you too" Sam surprised her when he grabbed hold of her from the back and kissed her neck
"I know" she rubbed the tattoo on his wrist looking up at him "Someone loves you back"
"I love that she brings the family together" he rested his head on the top of her head as they both watched Patrick taking Megan around the room making sure she knew who everyone was "I also remember promising someone time out" he grabbed her hand and led her out to the garden "Don't go mad" he warned spinning around to look at her as he walked backwards away from the house
"What have you done now?"
"I agreed for Mia and Richard to have Megan for the night, she's used to them and she's used to their house" he smiled "And before you protest I must add they begged"
"We're going to the club aren't we?"
"Yeah" he smiled "You might get a song in, I thought we could chill, you'd maybe get to talk to Notes..."
"Why does this have to happen on your time?" she looked at him ready to argue
"Because you have an avoidance thing going on"
"Surely it should be my choice, I hate people making decisions for me"
"As I said avoidance" he grabbed her hand smiling
"Stop it" she hissed at him giggling at him being right all the while "I'm not your friend" she rolled her eyes at him, huffing like Megan would when she got told to stop doing something, making him laugh
"Showing the traits you share with Megan isn't going to help either" he told her
"Well she gets away with it" she laughed, watching Sam side eye her "Okay I'll talk to Notes tonight" watching the smile on his face as she gave in "What?" she asked nudging him
"I'm still cute" he laughed
"So I'm guessing I'm still practically perfect in every way?"
"Absolutely" he laughed
Soon the family went their separate ways, Sam's parents opting to take advantage of the empty house and go home, Patrick, Moses and still pregnant Mia left with Megan for the night and Marcia, Nate, Sam and Mercy got changed ready for a night at her old haunt
Lincolnshire
"Mercy" Marco smiled as she walked through the door "This is a surprise I thought you'd finished with all this life"
"Seems like this is the only place I can come to see my bro" she hugged him smiling "We missed you today"
"Sorry Sis, work, you know how it is" he smiled "Sam" he grabbed his hand as they pulled each other in for a man hug "Are you going to sing?" he looked at Mercy asking
"No this is a night out, a long awaited night out" she replied, watching at he hugged Marcia and Nate
"How's Megan?" he asked Sam
"She's beautiful" he beamed
"Mercy" Notes came up behind them his arms open, Sam watching as she side hugged him "Sam" his looked at Sam his tone flat, his actions telling him he wasn't happy to see him, Marcia looked at Mercy wondering what was going on
"Notes" Sam stood watching him keep hold of Mercy "Where's Cash?" he asked Marco
"He's got himself a new girl, preoccupied all the while, she's high maintenance" he laughed "You know her actually"
"I know her?"
"Yeah, it's that Paige girl you brought down a while back, apparently she likes the fast life"
"Paige?" Sam laughed shaking his head "Good luck to him, I'll grab a table" he stepped off leaving them standing there,
"Where are they going?" Nate asked as Mercy and Notes walking towards the green door
"They must have stuff to talk about" Sam didn't even flinch he grabbed a chair "You guys come here a lot?" Sam asked Nate as he dropped his keys on the table
"Yeah, well maybe once a month or so, busy life you know, and then when you want to blow out it's a safe environment I guess" Nate told him "Plus Marcia's restricted on where she can go, I guess it's the same for Mercy" Sam sat wondering what he was talking about for a while until he realised, they'd never been anywhere else themselves not really
"You're a brave man" Marco came up behind them laughing at Sam "I know him" he nodded at the green door
"And I know her" Sam smiled as they disappeared through the door "What do you guys want to drink?" he asked Marcia and Nate, once the barmaid stood waiting
Mercy & Notes
"So what you want to talk about, it's obvious you haven't called things off with your boy?" Notes sat on the couch in her space asking
"That's because we're going to get married Kelvin" she threw her purse on the table and turned to look at him "I just wanted to give you the opportunity for closure, I've moved on like forever and well... Sam and I need to know you understand that" she sat beside him saying "I know you went into this a lot deeper than I ever did and at the time I let it happen because well... there was no one else"
"Wait Sam knows about this?"
"Sam asked me to speak to you, he told me you were in love with me"
"So what you didn't know that?"
"No Kelvin I didn't, as I said in the beginning you were my brothers friend with benefits"
"I know what your brother says about us guys and his sisters but... could there have ever been a chance for us?"
"I don't think so, I've always wanted out of this game and you know that"
"I would have left for you, you know that right?"
"Kelvin" she rolled her eyes at him "I'm in love with Sam, he's the one"
"I know" he got up vexed at actually hearing the words "And I'm dealing with it, it's just that Marlon and Marco are sort of settling down and well I was..."
"Don't make plans around me Kelvin, I'm taken, I have a family now"
"Okay" he nodded his head as if talking to himself "I'll stop" he held his hands out, his face showing upset as he spoke
"Promise you'll come to the Christening, see where Dan was laid?"
"With a date, I'll come with a date" he smiled "I'm moving on" he told "I'm going to try... hard" he laughed
"And please not one of those skanks from the club"
"Believe it or not I do have decent girls chasing me you know, it's just you've been taking up so much of my mind I haven't even thought about it"
"I believe it, you're not bad looking, a fine catch for the right girl, don't ever sell yourself short"
"I'll still be your singing partner when you pop in here, won't I?"
"I'm afraid not, I'm not singing in strip clubs anymore, I'm a Mom now" she laughed "A nearly married Mom" she held her ring finger up showing him "And I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford to make that choice"
"I think we'll need to rest off of the Jones women for a while, Cash lost out to Raven, I lose out to Sam, these Evans men must be something special" he laughed
"I can only speak for Sam, he's special alright" she laughed "And well, if Megan's anything to go by, Dan must have been something special too, but I guess the plus is, there were only two of them and Marcia's the last one of us in this generation" she laughed
"I'm going to be jealous for the rest of my life, but I'm happy you're finally happy"
"Thank you" she smiled resting her head on his shoulder "You and Sam will be great friends"
"He's a cool guy, I've never disputed that, but he got my girl, I mean the girl" he looked down at her "Get off, that's so tempting" he flicked her head off his arm telling her "You don't even know how you affect me" he laughed jumping up "Let's get you back to your husband to be"
"Thank you for being so cool about this" she laughed getting up to follow him out, grabbing her bag off the table as she went
"I bet he's not as sexy as me on the dancefloor" he laughed as they burst through the green door
The Club
"Hi" Sam smiled at they joined them at the table holding his hand out for Mercy to grab, happy Notes was at least smiling
"I'm sorry about earlier" Notes told him holding his hand out for a friendly fist bump
"It's fine I actually understand" Sam smiled taking his fist bump as he spoke "Bills was just saying he'd love to hear me sing because someone told him I could" he looked at Mercy suspiciously
"It was me I confess" she laughed "You can"
"I'll sing at the wedding" Sam told him "If I can find something appropriate"
"Why not here, with Mercy" Cash asked
"We've never sung together, how about Notes and Mercy" Sam smiled at him
"I really want to sing with you, but it's your call" Mercy looked at him with her begging eyes
"I knew you couldn't come here without singing" he laughed "Okay but you're not stripping, neither am I actually"
"I have the perfect song" she laughed "Inspired by your top"
"My top?" he looked down at his T-shirt asking
"And my top" she giggled
"What Gucci?"
"Come with me we'll sort something out" she gripped his hand as they got up to find her space
"We'll back you guys up, no dancers" Marcia told her as they walked away
"Sure" Mercy smiled, before the green door closed
"How did it go with Notes?" he asked as she settled in the chair in front of her mirror doing her hair, excited
"He's coming to the Christening with a plus one"
"Great" he smiled "Oh, did you know Cash was seeing Paige?"
"What Paige your ex?"
"Yeah, so she'll probably be at the Christening and maybe the wedding, if it lasts"
"That's fine" she smiled, her hair having done what she wanted it to "I'm not in the slightest way threatened by that" she told him, kissing him before she made for her dress "This one's for you" she giggled "Just grab a chair on stage and follow my lead, Beautiful, you know the song?" she asked him
"Luckily yeah" he laughed as he left the room to find a chair and do as told
The crowd had gotten used to Mercy not singing anymore and were all chattering even though the lights had gone down indicating things were going to start, the unfamiliar voice came over the airways, everyone stopped at the prospect of the show having a male lead singer for a change as Sam sang out "Hey... beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful angel, love your imperfections, every angle, tomorrow comes and goes before you know, so I just had to let you know..." Mercy smiling at the attention he was getting as she walked around the room listening to him sing to her, his eyes followed her around the room, the dancers sitting at the side of the stage listening "Ain't nobody else that I'd be under, beautiful, beautiful life right now, beautiful, beautiful night right now, now, now, now..." he sang as she came closer to him smiling as she teased, giggling when she made a funny face at him "I just had to let you know..." he sang out as she walked towards him looking into his eyes
She bent in front of him "Oh my god, where did the time go, I wished the hours would go slow, how is it 6am, Marcia joined in harmonising perfectly, Mercy smiled at her "Your touch is heaven sent..." the crowd going crazy as they realised it was Mercy's voice, the sisters stood giving it their all oblivious to anything going on around them, this was Michelle's dream, both looking up in the air as they sung before their eyes fell on their men sat smiling back at them, everyone in the room stunned "Honey dripping from your lips, I thank God and my lucky stars, darling, don't you know what you are, yeah, baby, you are"
"Hey..." Sam called
"Hey Baby" Mercy replied, their eyes locked, her hands touched his chest, the crowd wooed as they watched her pull his T-shirt so hard she ripped it, all three looked to the side when Nate started backing Sam, his voice was amazing
"The way that Gucci look on you amazing (Mercy: yeah, yeah), but nothing can compare to when you're naked (Mercy: oh), tomorrow comes and goes before you know (Mercy: yeah), so I just had to let you know (Mercy: oh-woah yeah),
"I just had to let you know, swear to God you're beautiful (Sam: yeah)" 'Beautiful, by Bazzi & Camila Cabello
"That was the bomb, you guys are perfect" Mercy smiled at Marcia and Nate hugging them
"We just did Michelle's dream" Marcia screamed at her hysterically happy
"I know" Mercy squealed back, the two girls jumping in the air in the middle of the stage "Sam" she turned to grab hold of him "Did you enjoy that?"
"I'm so buzzed" he laughed grabbing her waist "You're gonna find out how buzzed" he whispered in her ear, he' got her attention, she let go of Marcia
"Back in a bit" she told her sister, hugging Nate before they left
"Has Marco still got a key?" Sam asked as he watched her opening the door
"Yeah" she laughed opening the door
"Lock it" he stood behind her demanding as they stepped in his hand finding themselves up her skirt as he whispered "If I remember rightly you owe me a quickie or two in this place"
"You owe me a few too" she giggled
"How about I take one of mine and then you take one of yours?" he snuggled into her neck, watching her lock the door
"How about..." she flipped him so his back was against the door "I take all of mine and then you can take one of yours" she giggled moving in to take his lips
"Do you even know how sexy you were out there tonight?" he kissed her neck as he felt her hands slide down his body
"So I just had to let you know" she sang looking into his eyes "I love you Sam Evans"
"I love you right back Mercy Jones" he grabbed hold of her, for that half an hour it was hard to work out who actually had control of who, but it all ended with unusually loud moans and a few purrs of satisfaction as Sam held onto the pole holding her dresses up to stop himself from falling and Mercy held onto him "Did I mention that I love you?" he asked as she clung onto him waiting for her body to relax
"I'm actually listening now so you can say it again" she giggled as her arms wrapped tighter around his neck
"I love you" he giggled "And we should be having a night out"
"Yeah I know, it's difficult for me at home" she jumped down off his chest "but you know I love you too"
"I know, it'll get easier, lets go freshen up and go join the party" he pulled his trousers up, grabbed her hand and went towards the main room, through it into the bedroom and eventually reaching the bathroom, they were dressed and talking towards it when the door knocked, and Marco shouted if they were alright "Fine, we're coming through now" he shouted back watching Mercy laughing "Come on" he chuckled grabbing her hand and opening the door
Sunday 16th September
They spent the early morning watching and listening to the birds wake up the village, before going into Grandma Maggie's to eat a hearty breakfast, grabbing some well needed sleep before going over to Rockford mid afternoon to collect Megan, it was early evening by the time they finally left Patrick and Mia and made their way back home. They were met with another level of drama there as his parents made it known they'd missed Megan over the weekend and finally everyone got to a late bedtime, even longer for Sam and Mercy as Megan's routine had been messed with and she wasn't going down without a fight.
"Get some sleep" Mercy told a very tired Sam, who needed to get up for work in less than four hours
"She's not settling" he rocked her in his arms, as he lay on their bed his head resting on a pile of pillows, trying to be cheerful
"I'll settle her, and the more attention we give her the less lightly she is to settle"
"Okay you try again" he kissed Megan's forehead before handing her over to Mercy watching as she disappeared out the room with her, a smile on his face, he couldn't see too much of them together
Of course by the time Mercy had gotten Megan to sleep Sam was asleep too, she sat smiling at his relaxed face, yes he was tired, more tired than she liked seeing him, but he'd got a smile of contentment on his face, he was happy, she lay her head on his chest lightly, closed her eyes and smiled when his arm wrapped around her, suddenly realising she was more than ready for sleep herself
Monday 17th September
Monday came round and as usual, Sam went off to work, after breakfast Megan became the property of Grandparents Evans and now heavy in preparation, while at work, Mercy got on with one of the many last minute preparations for the pending Christening between classes, she'd have never imagined a small child could provoke such anarchy. The Grandparents had tried on several occasions to add their bit of something to Megan's day and some Mercy accepted, but most led to a day of sulks, after which Sam would intervene and remind them who the parents were, then there'd be some sort of make up dessert and everything would go back to normal.
They'd opted for an almost traditional ceremony except they were having songs rather than hymns, Marcia has decided they wanted to do their musical dedication at the church while Sam had opted for the reception, Notes, Cash and Bills insisted on doing something when they finally got there. Mercy had told them if they weren't there for the actual church they needn't actually turn up for any of the day, Bills had been on the phone to Sam almost constantly since that conversation but Sam refused to get involved warning them she was serious.
Yellow was Megan's colour she even seemed to be in a better mood when she wore the colour so they'd again moved away from the traditional white gown to a silk and lace bright yellow floral dress with her first matching Louboutin's. Mercy had planned for her hair to be lifted off her face into a neat bun so her out of control curls gave her a break on her special day.
Of course it was her birthday too which brought another dynamic to the festivities as Mercy had allowed Anne and Daniel to have an almost free run on that part of the event, of course she'd had to ban the candy lane idea, clowns were out, there was only going to be one cake, it was going to finish for Megan at 7pm and Ann and Daniel could put her to bed that night. Sam and Mercy were very aware that Megan spent a lot of time with his parents during the day while they were at work, and confusion was setting in for the child around her main carer, of course that would change once she started talking properly.
Having both on the same day wasn't unusual but it was complicated, there were a mix of people; friends, family and close work colleagues that were coming to the actual Christening ceremony, then some how they were expected to blend in with babies from the families around the small town and lake the Evans family shared.
Sam and Dan had been very involved with some of those girls from around the area as boys, they used to be so familiar back then, Sam was fidgety about how friendly they were going to be on the day. There were gong to be a few ex's there and he was preparing to slap some of them down if things got too out of hand, he had no one else to blame, he'd placed this particular version of shit at his own front door, hopefully Mercy trusted him enough
There was just so much going on in their heads and with the preparations and making sure everyone was happy, as the day got closer Sam was spending less time at work and more time at home helping with the planning, keeping the peace and spending, they'd spent that much on decorating the church his Dad thought it was well worth having the wedding straight after the Christening, but Mercy was stuck on her date
Sunday 25th September
The Christening / Birthday Party
"Mercy" Sam shouted from the dressing room "This damn thing isn't working for me again" he fidgeted with his bright yellow tie trying to get it to do what he wanted it to
"What's so hard you do this every day" she walked out of the bathroom into the dressing room her hands reaching for his knotted tie as she got to him
"I'm better with numbers" he laughed grabbing her waist with both hands as he watched her being perfect again
"There" she said almost as soon as she touched it, straightening it up and taking a final look before looking up at him "Still cute" she grinned
"You always manage to get me looking practically perfect in every way" he kissed her lips lightly "Thank you"
"No charge" she giggled stepping away from him to sort herself out
"We get to tell everyone we changed Megan's name today" his voice full of excitement "Megan Michelle Evans" he smiled
"Jones-Evans" Mercy corrected him
"Sorry Jones-Evans" he smiled watching her sitting at the dresser perfecting perfection "I know your Mom has that sweet street thing set up behind the stables, you went along with it didn't you?" she laughed looking at him through her mirror
"No I didn't, I told her she could deal with you on that"
"Why didn't you just stick to our agreement?" she asked still looking in her mirror
"She was crying about it, I chickened out"
"Grandparents" she giggled, looking back at her lips as she put her lipstick on "She's going to have a beautiful day"
"She is" he looked at her through the mirror smiling "We all are"
"Mercy" Marcia shouted as she knocked the door opening it without waiting to be invited, catching both their attention "Everyone's waiting" she smiled looking at Sam getting his jacket on "Smart and cute" she giggled "Lucky girl" she looked at her sister telling her "He scrubs up well" she nodded her head in Sam's direction
"Even when he's not scrubbed up, he looks fine believe me" Mercy smiled over at him as she spoke to her sister
"I have no dispute, I must admit when I saw him the first time I checked him out too" she giggled
"Yeah he told me he checked you out, that butt's gonna get you in trouble" Mercy laughed
"I'm guessing my butt got you in trouble too" she laughed
"Never mind butts have you got your song ready?" Sam asked breaking the conversation up
"I'm always ready" Marcia looked at him smiling "Don't I look ready to you?" she ran her hand down her frame asking him
"I guess that's a question for Nate to answer" he laughed
"Nice save" Mercy flashed round looking at him
"Save?" he asked confused "I'm being honest"
"Okay my bad" she giggled, looking at her sister "We'll be down in a few minutes" she told her, her tone dismissing her
"What's up?" Sam asked as Marcia shut the door
"Nothing we need to get ready" she jumped up off her stool and grabbed her dress, throwing off her gown as she spoke, Sam watching as she squeezed her matching lace yellow underwear into her matching yellow low top dress
"That thing's like a glove, I think I might be jealous" his eyes glistening as he spoke
"It's a dress" she giggled "That you brought" she nudged him in the tummy playfully "Come on let's get our girl Christened" she grabbed her matching purse, his hand and they left their dressing room
Megan was sitting quietly in her room pretending to read a book, her Grandma Maggie sat on the chair watching her with a smile on her face "She's ready for her dress?" Grandma asked as she saw her parents walk into the room
"Yes" Mercy smiled, this was a thing Grandma Maggie had asked if she could do for the day, get Megan dressed for her day, everyone had agreed to it, even now it seemed like Grandma was the head of the family only now it was two families. They stood watching as she hummed her church song getting her Great Granddaughter ready for one of, what she felt was, the most important days in her life "Ready" she finally said looking up at them pleased with the finished look as Megan sat comfortably on her Great Grandma's lap as if she knew there was no messing around with this woman smiling at her beaming parents "Okay take her lets get this Christening done" Grandma looked at Sam telling them
Megan's face filled with excitement as her Dad reached out for her "Daddy" she chuckled making an attempt to mess his hair up before he messed hers
"Not today Megs" he quickly moved his head out of reach, watching as Mercy went in to give her a kiss, somehow the child knew her Mom's hair wasn't for messing "Ready?" he looked down at Mercy asking
"Ready" she smiled grabbing Megan's wondering hand as they made for their decent, presenting the family, like they were royalty at the bottom of the stairs, all three dressed in the same shade of yellow "We keep our focus yeah?" she stopped him to confirm
"Yeah always todays about making them proud" he looked up as he spoke
Downstairs was a sea of yellow the family were definitely ready for a day of celebration "About time" Mia's voice filled with frustration came at them "Megan" she gasped a smile on her face as everyone stood in silence watching the family at the foot of the stairs
"Picture" Daniel called to the photographer, all the combinations took another 30 minutes before everyone got to leave the house
Less than an hour later they were sitting in the dainty little village church the 150 seats occupied as the whole village and the Jones family turned out for the occasion, there was one requested traditional song sung before the actual ceremony, then the Godparents, Marco and Marcia stood up and did their bit in keeping her quiet for the trickle of water down her forehead, everyone laughing as she shook the water off like a little puppy wetting everyone within reach and laughing about it.
Marcia stepped forward, she felt compelled to say something on this wonderful day, plus Grandma had tasked her with finding her words too, she was too emotional "Good afternoon" she smiled at the overwhelming amount of white faces in the audience
"Good morning" a sea of friendly voices came back at her, making her relax
"I guess I'm representing Mercy's side of the family today, I'm not Mercy just in case your wondering, I'm her better half, her twin" she laughed "This is a sad but happy day for our family as we remember our sister Michelle, who passed a year ago today, she was a mother to us; Marco, Mercy and me, as our Mother passed having Mercy, she was the last one out so she always gets the blame" she laughed "Megan is the most beautiful gift anyone could ever ask for she's the perfect baby, except when she stays over and wakes me up at seriously sick o'clock in the morning" she laughed again, Mercy smiling at her for how nervous she was, giving encouragement to carry on "But when I look into those beautiful eyes of hers and she gives me that smile that melts a thousand hearts I wouldn't have her any other way" she smiled a her niece "When I see Megan, Mercy and Sam together I know, this is how it was meant to be, I'm so happy my sister gets to be a Mom, something she'd have never experienced in another parallel universe and we're all grateful for Megan, truly grateful so thank you" she looked up at the ceiling "And thank you all for coming out to help us celebrate this precious life" she folded her paper before leaving the pulpit, to everyone's applause
"Unconventionally we'll be having a few words from the Father now" Father Anthony smiled at Sam, everyone watching as he stepped forward his parents looking at each other, because this wasn't in the programme
"Mercy and I couldn't let this day go by without acknowledging the two people who made all this possible, It's been a year and two month since Dan left us, tragic yes and if I'm honest that pain, and the loneliness of not having him around, will never fully go away" he looked up and smiled at Mercy "I knew my bother, well I'd like to think I did" he smiled "And I know he'd want to send a message to his daughter, well my daughter" he looked over at Megan giving Marcia a hard time refusing to settle and trying to get down to run around "Lukas Graham was a favourite singer of ours from back in the day, Dan used to play his CD so much the whole family got to calling him our anthem singer so here's something I know he'd want to say today, from all four of us" he looked at Mercy "to our daughter" he smiled "It's called 'Lullaby' by Lukas Graham as I said" he laughed nervously as he instructed the band to start and he sung those words that meant so much to him and his family "Now you can hurt me more than I ever, been hurt before and I've been hurt before, I'll live, I'll live, I'll live, I'll live like this forever, I still have all the wounds he left, but they don't hurt no more like they hurt before, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish that he could have seen you" ringing through the church into his parents heart
His Mom was crying before the end of the first verse, it was bringing everything back about her son, not that she'd forgotten but she'd been compensating with Megan for the longest time, they both had "I wish that he could have seen you" ringing through her head a few times before she realised the song had finished and everyone was clapping, of course she joined in, she could do nothing but hug Mercy
"Mercy" Sam called watching as she left his Mom's arms and joined him on stage "You alright with this?"
"Yeah" she smiled grabbing the mic he was offering as she watched him leave the stage "Our sister left us a year ago today as Marcia said earlier" she looked at Marco and Marcia calming Megan down "I guess we could call Dan and Michelle the modern day Romeo and Juliet, except Megan's here to tell the tale rather than a load of books and plays" she smiled at Sam as she spoke "We're a singing family always have been, I guess we started it as something different that bonded us together, but music became the heart of us" she looked at Marcia telling everyone "Michelle was the leader of the trio we likened ourselves to none other than The Three Degrees, The Pointer Sister or even Destiny's Child sometimes" she blew out air trying to calm herself down "Mia joined us sometimes" she smiled at her cousin "Made us sound bad, but hey she's a Jones so we put up with her" she giggled "No seriously she's gotten better with age" she chuckled
"Thanks" Mia giggled
"It's true" Mercy laughed "Anyway I'd like you girls to come join me make tribute to our sister with her favourite song" she smiled as Mia and Marcia jumped up "Okay we're going to have a try at delivering 'Missing You' by Brandy, Tamia, Chaka Khan & Gladys Knight she smiled as everyone wooed at the challenge, Sam started the music and they started singing
Chorus
Mercy (Mia & Marcia): Though I'm missing you (although I'm missing you) I'll find a way to get through (I'll find a way to get through) living without you, cause you were my sister, my strength, and my pride, only God may know why, still I will get by
Marcia (Mercy): Who would've known, that you'd have to go, so suddenly, so fast, how could it be, that sweet memories would be all, all that we'd have left
Now that you're gone, every day I go on (I go on) but life's just not the same (life's just not the same)
I'm so empty inside, and my tears I can't hide but I'll try, I'll try to face the pain
Chorus
They looked at Mia indicating they expected her to take on Michelle's part in the song, Mia smiled nervously, stepping forwards she was going to try her very best to make her cousin proud
Mia (Marcia): Oh, there was so many things, that we could have shared, uh-huh, if time was on our side (time was on our side)
Oh, yeah, now that you're gone, I can still feel you near, so I'll smile, with every tear I cry
Chorus
Mercy: Cause we were the closest of friends, but I'll wait for the day when I'll see you again, see you again, yeah
Chorus x 2
Mercy: Missing, missing, missing, missing, missing you, oh yes I am, I'm missing (All) you
"Thank you" Mercy smiled at the clapping crowd "Mia done well didn't she?" she laughed with her cousin "Sam and I wanted to focus on the people that actually made this day possible, Dan and Michelle are not here to do for Megan, but she'll never know it, she's loved, today reminds us that she's loved, we want to thank you all for taking the time to help us welcome her into the world" she smiled at her Grandma, clapping with tears of joy "Marco" she called watching her brother make his way to the front and take the mic
"Good Morning Church" he laughed at his comical attempt at being the actual Minister "I'm not going to sing, contrary to what the order of service says, I can't top that" he laughed looking at his sisters "I never could actually" he giggled to himself "I have a poem for my niece, that sounds so nice" he grinned "If there was ever one thing Michelle made us do through school it was read, we had Grandma always, but Michelle acted like Mom and we sort of treated her that way" he looked at Marcia clinging to Nate and Mercy clinging to Sam nodding their heads in agreement "So I hope Megan will take these words with her" he held the gold frame up with the words in it "Throughout her life and find them useful, calming, encouraging, directional even" he looked at Megan now sat on her Dad's lap a bit calmer than she had been, holding onto her Mom's fingers trying to scrap her nail polish off "Megan" he smiled as she looked up at him before he looked down at his words
"Children are so precious, you're precious" he looked back at his niece "You're truly a gifts sent to us from a higher being, come to fill our dented spirits with happiness, and fill our hearts with love again. So on this very special day, I hope Sam and Mercy, or Mommy and Daddy to you, feel a sense of pride, as we ask the most high to look over this precious daughter of Zion. He is already working miracles in your life by blessing you with both sides of family at your side, I believe, we believe" he looked at Kelvin and Marlon "That there are big plans for your life, you are here to break chains and do great things. We send up a prayer for your life, now so innocent and new, hoping you will be provided with the tools to take on with conviction whatever life throws at you in the future, we pray that Jah will bless you Megan, you literally mean the world to us all. We take today as the beginning of a future warm and bright, filled with love and joy, and many years of pure blessings, may you grow in height" he grinned making everyone laugh "Knowledge, beauty, love and character" he looked up at the crowd as he said the last few words "Jah"
"Rastafari" Kelvin and Marlon echoed with him
"That was written by us" Marco pointed to his wing men telling everyone "Lovingly known as Shadrach. Meshach and Abednego by Michelle, I'm not willing to share" he laughed as he left the front. Sam smiled, his search had just come full circle, that was Michelle's name for the trio. As promised the ceremony was short and sweet, there was one last hymn of Sam's parents choosing and then the service was over, everyone was making their way back to the house where a canopy had been set up by the lake for the birthday party
Sam took Mercy's siblings and the crew to Dan's resting place in the family plot a short distance from the main house, they'd asked a while ago but the opportunity had never arisen, they sat about for a while just talking to Dan, telling him stuff they'd done, how they weren't vexed about his choices and about Megan. Sam told them about the day of the funeral and sang some of the song he'd sung at the funeral for them at Marco's request "We had our own little session" Melvin laughed knocking fists with everyone
"I guess we need to do as told" Marco smiled at the guys
"What?" Sam asked puzzled
"What did that song say about us all being in the room?" Kelvin asked
"Oh" Sam laughed singing the chorus again 'Everyone welcome to my funeral, everyone I know better be wasted, you know I would pour one up, cause the way I lived, it was amazing, uh uh uh, all of my friends are in the room, uh uh uh, party for me, I'd party too..."
"So it's party time" Marco smiled at they got up to go back to the christening
"I'm glad we came I feel better now I know he's resting" Cash smiled grabbing Sam's shoulder "So... now we got to go sit in a damn baby birthday party for your ass" they splashed some whisky at Dan's grave before they turned to make the short journey back to the party
Anne and Daniel were in full swing, games had started for the children, the sweet street was attracting more attention from the adults than they'd expected, and music was going for the parents with younger children taking them around the musical chairs, there were about 6 children over 5 that were being roped into a bowling tournament across from the musical chairs going on as the guys walked in taking everything in "Where's Mercy?" Sam asked his Mom looking around and not seeing her
"Megan's been sick, too many sweets, Dad's fault and she took her to go get changed, she wasn't happy" Anne told her son, he rolled his eyes at the drama he was going to face as he made his way towards the house
"Sam" he heard spinning round to see Belinda standing waving at him "I was asking your Mom where you were" she walked up to him her arms extended for a hug "How have you been?" she asked as she hugged him
"I'm doing alright" he frowned at the fact that she was still hugging him "So what have you been up to, I hear you have two children now?"
"Yeah two boys, Sam and Dan" she laughed her hand still holding his neck as they spoke
"Are you shitting me?" he laughed, his hands dropping to his side
"No that's their names, we had so much fun with you guys, I thought it was worth remembering somehow" her hand slipped from his neck and rested on his chest as she spoke
"What enough to name your children after us?" he asked watching as two boys came towards them, shouting Mommy, relieved it made her move her hand off him
"This is Dan" she looked at the taller of the two boys telling him "And this is little Sam" she looked at Sam telling him
"Hi" Sam smiled at the children before looking back at Belinda "Sorry I've got to get somewhere, we'll catch up later"
"Yeah sure" she pulled his head towards her and kissed his lips lightly, "Your still cute Sam Evans" she told him, he quickly pulled his head away and walked away hurriedly making his way to the house wiping his lips clean, his eyes meeting with Mercy's as he looked up, she'd been stood watching him "Mercy" he gasped the look on her face telling him, whatever she'd previously been mad about that his parents had done had gone, she had bigger fish to fry "That wasn't what you..." he walked up to her saying
"We don't want to hear it" she stopped him mid sentence, Megan in her arms as she walked off towards her Grandma, he stood watching her being pleasant with her family, smiling as she played with Megan, his Mom went to claim Megan and seeing his chance, he went over to try again
"Mercy" he crept up behind her as she stood talking to Notes and Angel, a tall, slender framed, polite woman, who seemed too naïve to be his date "Can I have a word?"
"You can have two Sam, do you really want me to say them out loud?" she swung round asking him
"Maybe later" he backed away not wanting all that to come out in company
"Trouble in paradise?" Notes smiled, seeming happy about it
"I don't think that's any of our business" Angel nudged him, her eyes angry
"Might not be yours but Mercy and I have history" he replied right there with Mercy standing across from them
"History being the operative word Notes" Mercy hissed walking away from him, leaving Angel and him arguing, rolling her eyes, the last thing she wanted today was drama
"Mercy" Sam grabbed her hand as she walked across the garden towards Megan "I don't want a shouting match in the middle of the garden, but we need to sort this out" he pulled her with him down the small pier "Get in" he ordered as they stood looking at the boat
"It's Megan's birthday party" she looked back at the festivities happening in the garden
"Get in" his voice had changed from asking to telling
"Don't order me around, you're the one who's kissing fucking girls at your daughters birthday party" she hissed at him
"Get in" he told her through closed teeth, she made to say something else but thought better of it and got in the boat, he got in started it up, they sat in silence, ten minutes later they were sitting in the boat near his place "I guess a lot of this is my fault, I should have told you about Belinda and Katelyn, they lived across the lake, their parents are two of the other five we share it with, so we spent time together when we were at home"
"I thought you'd never had a friend before me?" she looked up at him asking
"She wasn't a friend, she was just a neighbour Katelyn was Dan's sort of girl, they used to hook up a lot and I guess when... Belinda was my first" he rolled his eyes at him trying to skirt around the conversation "You have to understand I was shy, Dan got her for me and we... she was just there, whenever, just sex really, until I went off to university and then by the time I got back she was gone, then I heard she was married, now she has two children"
"So what was your face doing in her hands at our daughters birthday party?"
"She grabbed me, I really didn't expect it, I guess I was too shocked to react"
"Still shocked when she kissed you?" her eyes wide as she asked the question
"Actually yeah, she'd just introduced her children to me, I was shocked"
"What?" Sarcasm in the voice "At Megan's party you didn't expect her to bring her children?"
"Yeah I did, if she was going to come, but she called them Dan and Sam, that's just weird"
"Is she still in love with you?"
"We were never in love, I told you it was just sex, we hardly ever even talked afterwards, we... no there was never any we or any love"
"So she never loved you?"
"No... actually I don't know, she never said it"
"And you've never loved her?"
"Mercy" he sighed his face sad "I would have told you something as important as that" he looked down at her rubbing his tattoo "All my life, I thought it'd be hard to find, the one till I found you, and I find it bittersweet, cause you gave me something to lose.. But when you love someone you open up your heart, when you love someone you make room, if you love someone and you're not afraid to lose them, you probably never loved someone like I do.. remember that?" 'Love Someone' by Lukas Graham
"Yeah" she smiled
"I meant every word, and I still do"
"You know how my mind works" she smiled
"I love that your jealous about me, you don't even know that about me yet" he laughed
"I need to see that" she giggled
"You don't, promise me you'll never let me show it"
"I promise" she smiled "For today" she giggled "Let's get back"
"Was there a lot of sick?" he asked as he started the motor to take them back
"Your Dad got most of it" she laughed
"Serves them right for going against our wishes" he laughed
"Sam" they heard as they stood tying the boat up "And Mercy is it?" the voice asked
"Kate" Sam smiled "Mercy this is Katelyn a family friend" he pulled Mercy closer to him to avoid anything awkward
"Bell said you were around, I should have known you'd be in your place" she smiled "Pleased to meet you Mercy"
"It's Mercedes actually" she grabbed her waiting hand telling her, they were never going to be friends
"Sorry Mercedes" Katelyn smiled taking the correction "I hear you've already encountered the infamous Bell, she's never changed, still no boundaries, hence she's here alone with the children"
"Meaning?" Sam half took the hug Katelyn was offering, his arm still around Mercy as she stood watching
"He left her didn't he" she laughed "You need to watch that one, you've got one desperate bitch on your hands" she told Mercy
"I'm not worried" Mercy looked up at Sam telling Katelyn
"She has nothing to worry about" Sam confirmed
"You know you were the love of her life don't you?" Katelyn asked him
"There was never anything like that between us" Sam frowned at the conversation
"Seriously" Katelyn frowned back "We knew what that was, but why do you think she just kept coming back, no questions asked, don't be so naïve Sam" she tapped his chest telling him a laugh in her voice
"You're right, we all knew what that was Kate, I've not got time to fuck around with her" Mercy could hear the anger in his voice
"It was nice to meet you Katelyn, but we need to go find the birthday girl and get the cake cut" Mercy butted in dragging him off with her "She seems like the trouble maker telling us all that shit" she hissed as they walked, all Sam could think was that his parents were around and he didn't want them getting the wrong impression of Mercy when she kicked off
The music was banging out, the musical chairs have finished and they were entertaining the children with a mini disco, Sam's eyes widened as he watched Megan with her Uncle flexing on the dancefloor moving to every beat as if she was born to music "I didn't even know she could dance"
"She's a Jones what do you mean?" Mercy asked him laughing "Come on let's, we've never really danced have we?"
"I guess not" he walked faster until they were on the dancefloor freestyling to a remixed version of the classic Bob Marley song 'Could You Be Loved' by Musiq Soulchild & Syleena Johnson everyone getting into the vibe, until the song finished "Can we get Megan's cake cut please" Sam shouted across to his Mom pointing at his watch. There was a short tearful speech from his Dad before the cake was cut and sent off to be shared out and an hour later Megan was being taken round by her Grandparents and Grandma Maggie for her goodnights and she was gone, the end of her day, a little after 7pm but Mercy wasn't too bad, she could see she was getting her praise
Sam breathed a sigh of relief that Megan's day had gone without a hitch, stood with the guys looking over at Mercy standing with the girls, rolling his eyes as their conversation moved away from Christenings and onto girls, that wasn't his thing, and he really wasn't going to be talking about Mercy to her brother, so he sat listening, laughing at the jokes and being shocked at some of the intimate revelations, these guys were being graphic.
"This is for Sam" he heard over the mic looking over at the sound system wondering what was going on, he knew it wasn't Mercy's voice, everyone heard it and turned in the same direction
"For Sam?" Marco asked puzzled "Don't tell me you've got messy ex's up in here with my sister and Megan?"
"She's not an ex she was a... fuck buddy I think you call them, back then, that shit ended in school" Sam told him
"Raven warned us there was something special about his name" Notes laughed "It would seem once tasted never forgotten" their attention taken with Belinda singing on stage
Sam looked cross at Mercy as Belinda stood singing "When the sun goes down and the band wont play I'll always remember us this way" his face puzzled wondering firstly what the hell she was going on about but secondly at the smile on Mercy's face, he wanted the ground to swallow him up, their family friends were all over the place, Mercy's family were there and this damn girl was singing a love song to him at his daughter's christening, on his fiancé's sister's passing day
"Sorry" he mouthed when Mercy finally looked at him, still smiling, she waved her hand like she was telling him it was alright
"Oh, yeah, I don't wanna be just a memory, baby, yeah" she sang with some conviction, Sam felt himself burn red, he was ready to combust with all the shame, Notes slapping his back as this girl sung out her damn fantasy about their time together for the world to hear, he stepped off to go stop it, he'd heard more than enough
"Sam" Mercy called shaking her head telling him to leave it, her hand telling him to come to her
"When you look at me, and the whole world fades, I'll always remember us this way" he false smiled as he got to her, the song came to an end and Mercy was the first one to clap the performance 'Always Remember Us This Way' by Lady Gaga
"The girl can sing" she shouted as she clapped
"Come on" she grabbed his hand walking towards the stereo "Remember to say thank you" she looked up at him smiling
"Thank you" Sam said when he got to where Belinda stood knowing by now he really didn't want to be there
"Yes thank you for singing a love song to my man, is that what it was, a love song?" Mercy asked a smile on her face for the outside world
"It was more a memory" Belinda smiled
"And a baby's first birthday party, actually our baby's first birthday party, on the day of the death of her Mother is where you felt it was appropriate to sing that?"
"Why are you being so insecure, if he wants you there's nothing to worry about is there" Belinda smirked
"Bell" Sam warned her, she was treading on dangerous ground
"You alright Mercy?" Notes came up behind them asking
"She's fine" Sam looked at him, his face already pissed off for what was going on "I'm here, she's fine" he hissed at him
"I was just checking" Notes stepped up to him because of his attitude and tone
"Check your own fucking girl" Sam pushed him out of his space
"You really want to go there, today?" Notes fronted up to him asking
"Notes" Mercy shouted at him "We've got this" she grabbed his arm telling him
"Why do you always come down on his side, he's in the wrong here, what the fuck is he putting his hand on me for?" he kissed his teeth at her asking
"Because you fucking nose is always where it shouldn't be, that's why" Sam told him, he was past mad at the whole situation and Notes in the mix right now was the opportunity to vent he needed
"Was anyone talking to you?" he shrugged Mercy's hand off him walking towards Sam
"Hey" Marco shouted across the garden as people stood around watching "This days about Megan not some sket trying to catch a man that don't belong to her" he pointed at Belinda telling them "What is it you two are thinking about fighting over?" he looked at Sam and Notes asking "Not my sister?" he looked at Notes asking
"Sorry" Notes looked at Sam holding his hand out
"Yeah sorry I shouldn't have said all of that" Sam told him grabbing his hand
"Mercy's big enough to fight her own battles leave the girls to the girls" Marco told them watching as Notes came towards him and they walked off together, Angel's hands flying around as she cussed Notes for his actions
"I believe we were at me being worried?" Mercy turned back to Belinda asking, Sam still by her side
"Yeah" she smiled "He doesn't seem committed"
"Well actually he's committed enough to talk to me after we've made love, a luxury I hear wasn't afforded between you two"
"We talked" Belinda told her
"What bye?" she laughed "And I know you didn't make love either" she cut her eye at the girl "Was that your serious attempt at a love song?" she pointed at the DJ asking
"It was just a song"
"To Sam?" Mercy laughed "I was going to come back at you with something special, but I don't even think your brain can handle it, someone need to tell you the difference between love and sex" she huffed "You could maybe come sit in our bedroom later, learn something" she invited
"Mercy" Sam gasped, earning himself a look
