Hello again lovelies...Thanks again for reading and to all our lovely reviewers, I can never thank you enough.
This chapter is dedicated to Tara who is the voice behind this chapter. Thanks so much love for your support. I would also like to dedicate this chapter to all those fighting that dreaded disease cancer. My prayers are with you all.
Sorry for any mistakes you may find. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It is shorter than usual but that is because the last few chapters will be quite long.
Thanks again :)
Disclaimer: Own no songs or characters but I do love them :)
Chapter 7: I Hate to Love You.
Sam smiled as he watched Mercedes read to the children at the hospice centre. He grinned when she grinned, laughed when she laughed and pouted when she pouted. The happy gleeful smiles of the children at the centre sent Mercedes heart aflutter and Sam could feel the happiness from within her permeate the air each minute they spent there. Sam loved to see her happy. Mercedes happiness was first on Sam's list and the most important thing in the world to him. Sam was soon pulled out of his stupor with a tug on his shirt.
"Mr Sam, Mr Sam are you gonna come and sing to us?" The small brown eyed girl pleaded sending him a wistful smile.
"Well Miss Tara…if Miss Jones will sing with me I think I may just do that very thing," Sam whispered crouching down in front of the little beauty.
Tara quickly turned and ran to the small crowd of children who eagerly lapped up Mercedes words of as she quietly read to them.
"Miss Mercy!" Tara screamed interrupting the groups mat time, "Mr Sam said he will sing to us if you will, can you please sing with him pleeeease Miss Mercy," Tara begged.
Tara Westlake was a thin waif like seven year old with enough confidence to fill an entire room. She had been suffering from leukaemia going on three years now but her happy carefree attitude overshadowed any sorrow which may have lurked within her. Her golden blonde hair had all but disappeared now, due to the chemotherapy treatments she was undergoing, but even that did not affect her bubbly personality. Her chocolate coloured skin contrasted nicely with the yellow sundress and matching bandana she wore.
Mercedes turned and smiled playfully at Sam and gave him a wink. Then she turned to Tara, furrowed her eyebrows and pouted, "Hmm…Tara darling, maybe we should finish this story first and I will think about that song when I see your manners!"
Tara shared a large toothy grin and whispered, "Sorry Miss Mercy," she smiled, sat quietly on the floor and folded her arms, sitting as straight and as quietly as she could.
Mercedes smiled at the little treasure and then looked at Sam again as he threw his beloved girlfriend a kiss.
Following Mercedes and Sam's pledge to each other, they ensured they found out enough information on cancer and brain tumours as they could. Their regular visits to the hospice had become a mainstay in their lives since the revelation. Mercedes would be starting her chemotherapy treatments soon. And they wanted to be well prepared in advance to know what would be expected and they wanted to give as much time of themselves to help others. Sam continued to take in the peaceful and happy persona of his love and smiled in quiet contemplation as she continued reading to the eager children.
Abruptly three dishevelled forms came bounding into the small room.
"Yihaa!" Finn cheered, "WE won, WE WON!"
"You dam well cheated and you know it, what the hell is that tactic dam well blocking our-" Puck stopped in mid-sentence as he took in the wide eyed expressions of the small children as they sat agape looking at Mr Puck.
"Um mama…Miss Miss Mercy, Mr Puck said a bad word!" Tara gasped.
Mercedes glared at Puck and Puck immediately lowered his gaze and whispered, "um…I'm s-sorry kids…" then raised his head and looked directly at Mercedes, "C'mon Diva you know kids aint my scene, you gotta give me points for trying," he pleaded as he carefully pulled his eager rider off his back and lowered the child to the ground. "Anyway…" Puck added, "Finn cheated!" he huffed.
"Did not!" Finn groaned.
"Did too!"
"Did NOT!"
"Oh shut up both of you!" Artie frowned, "Look Princess, I don't know why you let these two come up with us. They are ALWAYS fighting!"
Mercedes feigned a smile, closed the book she read and motioned for the children to play outside on the playground as Finn, Puck and Arties would be riders joined the happy throng.
"Ok you two, you will not be coming up here again if everything you do becomes a competition!" Mercedes screamed stomping her feet, "you two are doing my head in!" she grimaced.
Sam took Mercedes by the hand and knitted it with his and then added, "you know guys, we really appreciate the support but c'mon you two," he stared directly at Puck and Finn, "you've really gotta stop all this crap!"
Puck mumbled, "Well Finn did dam well cheat, we were playing horse races and he freakin blocked my way by pushing a dam wheel chair in front of me, we could have been seriously hurt!" Puck glared at his competitor.
"Look, you two…" Mercedes smiled, "I love it that you come up to help with the children but it's not gonna help if your teachin them to cuss and fight all the time," she giggled, "Anyway, we have to go soon we've got the performance tonight!"
"I can't wait Diva!" Puck smiled, his whole persona shifted at the mention of the upcoming performance, "I'm off to get my sexy on," he smiled, gathering his possessions and winking at Mercedes.
Sam rolled his eyes, "Puck you have like five hours till we perform, you need more than five hours to get any sort of sexy on when it comes to you," he chuckled.
"Ha ha ha…" Puck sneered, "you won't be laughing after my performance and I sweep Diva off her feet and she will finally see that she is in love with me and dumps your sorry ass," he smirked walking toward the door. "I wish you enough my diva," Puck quickly turned and smiled blowing her a kiss and giving Sam the middle finger salute.
Finn looked at Sam, who was red with rage, then at Mercedes. He kissed Mercedes on the cheek and chuckled at Mercedes stunned expression to Pucks revelation.
"You know Puck's only kidding right?" Finn smiled as he followed his friend out the door waving reluctantly at Sam as he exited.
"You know he isn't just jokin aye Princess?" Artie whispered as he saddled up to Mercedes, took her hand and kissed it softly, "I'll see you later Princess," Artie smiled, then winked at Sam and exited trailing his two friends.
"Darling, I know I said that I will not touch Puck each time he says things like that, but honestly baby, I just want to smash that dam smirk of his face!" Sam growled.
Mercedes wrapped her arms around Sam and kissed him softly on his neck
"Babe, Puck is harmless, he just likes to waffle on, but you my dear Sammy…" Mercedes looked into his eyes, "you are my heart!"
Sam smiled and kissed Mercedes softly on her lips, "you are my heart too," he smiled as he revelled in Mercedes touch.
"Shall we do this then?" Mercedes smiled as once again the tug at her top by a little cherub sent them back to reality.
"Yeah baby," Sam smiled kissing her on the forehead, picked up his guitar and lifted Tara with one arm onto his shoulders.
"What song do you guys want to hear?" Sam chortled looking happily at the eager young children.
The children ran around Sam as he sat down, placed Tara gently onto the ground, and began tuning his guitar.
"Any song, Mr Sam," Tara cheered, and wrapped her arms around his neck, Mercedes smiled as she watched the scene. Sam is going to make a wonderful daddy one day, she thought and then sighed, if only it was Sam and I, she despondently pondered as tears covered her orbs.
Sam noticed the shift in Mercedes behaviour and the glazed look which covered her beautiful brown eyes. Motioning to Mercedes he smiled, "come here beautiful," he held out his hand for her to take it. As Mercedes took his hand, he placed his guitar on the floor next to him and pulled her onto his lap and began to tickle her, "no sadness baby, you have to be happy twenty four seven!" he smiled, as all the other children began to tickle her.
"No fair…" Mercedes chuckled, "fifteen tickling fends against one is not fair!" she giggled.
"No sadness!" Sam chortled, "We agreed and we will beat this together!" He then took his girlfriend into a warm embrace and whispered into her ear, "I love you Mercy!"
"I love you too Sam," Mercedes smiled and held him as tight as she could, then finally releasing him she stood, handed him his guitar and kissed him softly on his cheek, "what are we gonna sing baby?" she smiled as she sat beside him.
"Can you please sing twinkle, twinkle, little star?" Tara begged.
All the other children clapped and cheered, "Yes please!"
"Then twinkle, twinkle little star it is," Sam grinned tapping the tip of her nose with his index finger.
Mercedes and Sam sang twinkle, twinkle little star at least 20 times in succession that afternoon and were encouraged to sing the song, "Put your records on," chipmunk style at least 50 times before they left.
Hands weaved delicately in each other's the two walked slowly to the door, Sam tentatively taking his time.
"Miss Jones, we have a surprise for you before you go," Tara smiled and then looked gleefully at Sam and then began to jump up and down as the other children began screaming for joy. Sam put an index finger to his pouty lips and indicated for the children to keep quiet, Mercedes looked at Sam suspiciously and then turned to Tara, "what are you guys up too?" she squinted, smiling at a mischievously looking Tara. Tara giggled and ran away to the other children who were huddled in a corner of the room giggling incessantly.
Then the children returned, colourful pictures in hand and began to recite,
"I wish you enough...Miss Mercy!"
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright."
Tara held a picture of the sun that the children had obviously drawn and handed it to Mercedes.
"I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more."
Another child held up a picture of rain drops and handed it to Mercedes.
"I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive."
A little boy held up a picture of a smiley face and handed it to Mercedes.
"I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger."
A little girl held up a picture of a sad face and handed it to Mercedes.
"I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting."
Two little girls held up two pictures of people hugging and handed it to Mercedes.
"I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess."
A little child held up a picture of someone crying and handed it to Mercedes.
"And I wish you enough hellos…"
The children stopped their chanting, giggled and waited as Sam stood in front of Mercedes and knelt before her then finished the little sonnet with, "So you never have to say good-bye."
Mercedes gasped as Sam went down onto one knee and pulled out a ring.
"Don't say anything yet Baby," Sam whispered looking deeply into her eyes as Mercedes dropped to her knees and knelt before Sam as tears filled his eyes. "I know you think this might be too soon..s-so I don't expect you to say yes immediately. But I hope that one day you will."
Mercedes was speechless.
"Mercedes Jones…I have loved you from afar for such a long time and these few months we have spent together have been the happiest times of my life. Every night I have to leave your side cuts me to the core and I don't want to leave you anymore. I want you to marry you. I know it's impulsive but I spoke to your parents and they gave me their blessing on the premise that our engagement is super long," Sam rolled his eyes, "but baby, time is not an l-luxury you and I can afford, even though I believe we will be together for a long time yet…" Sam sighed with tears in his eyes, then took a deep breath and whispered, "S-So…Miss Jones, w-will you Mercedes Jones do me the honour of being my wife one day? I love you with all my heart and pray you feel the same way as I."
Sam knelt quietly for a while, eyes closed and head lowered toward the floor, and listened to the sound of his heart beating, which he was sure could be heard throughout the hospice. Sam grimaced in silence thinking, oh Evans…you have surely outdone yourself this time. Asking her to marry you? What makes you think she would even say yes? Yeah, she may love you or say she loves you…but it's only been a few months and-.
"Yes!" Mercedes interrupted his ponderings with a quiet whisper.
Caught up with his inner ramblings, Sam continued, why would she marry you? You were a pain in her ass for such a long time so-
"W-WHAT?!" Sam stumbled looking immediately into Mercedes beautiful brown eyes. "W-what Mercy?!" Sam gasped, as tears filled his green orbs.
Mercedes breathed looking deeply into his eyes, "E-every night when you sing to me Sam I cry inside because I also know that you have to leave me, a-and I hate it when you leave my side. I-I know I haven't met your parents face to face but talking to them on the phone and to your siblings, and getting to know your grand mama these few months has really helped me to make this decision. You come from a loving family Sam, they love you so much, and you Sam Evans are also such a loving and kind person. I love you Sam Evans and I would love to be your wife. Grant it, I don't expect us to get married tomorrow, but every day that God gives us where we can be together is a blessing. You are my heart Sam Evans and I love you, I love you, I love you," Mercedes whispered looking deeply into his eyes as tears clouded her doe like orbs.
Sam smiled from ear to ear, and nervously took out the tiny sapphire ring from its velvet box, "This ring belonged to my grand mama. S-she gave it to me last week knowing this is what I wanted to do; my family know how much I love you. I love you Mercedes Jones, I love you, I love you I love you," Sam whispered as he slipped the ring onto her finger and delicately kissed her fingers when it found its home.
All the children giggled with laughter and yelled and covered their eyes with their hands, "y-yuck!" they screamed as Sam took Mercedes into a deep embrace and kissed her relentlessly. The doctors and nurses looked on and applauded.
"Mr and Mrs Sam Evans," Sam breathed resting his forehead on hers.
"Yeah baby, Mr and Mrs Sam Evans," Mercedes smiled, "Mr and Mrs Sam Evans."
….
"Mercy!"
"Yeah Sammy,"
"Mercy…I want everyone to know how I feel about you. I want everyone to know that you are gonna be my wife," Sam whispered quietly in her ear.
"No one else needs to know Sam. The most important fact is that all our close friends and family know about our relationship and that is enough."
"My parents were stunned that I actually want to settle down…" Sam snickered then smiled. "They already love you Mercy and I know they will love you even more once we go to Kentucky."
"Hmmm, I'm still a little apprehensive about your father to tell the truth Sam, he seems really nice but-"
"My dad is harmless baby, his bark is worse than his bite, he loves you Mercy." Sam stated nonchalantly and took his fiancé into a warm embrace.
Mercedes bit her bottom lip and furrowed her brow thinking about the inevitable face to face meeting of Sam's parents. Then Mercedes lowered her gaze to the floor and closed her eyes as something else filled her mind.
"Have you and Santana spoken since you told her about your sickness baby?" Sam whispered holding her tight.
Mercedes shook her head as tears filled her eyes at the thought of her best friend.
After Mercedes revealed to her closest and dearest friends about her sickness they all took the sad news in differing ways.
Puck went on a drinking rampage for at least two weeks until he couldn't walk. Then finally gave up and practically ran to his dear friend hugging and begging for her love.
Finn sat in stunned silence for two weeks and sobbed every day at school until there were no more tears to be shed.
Artie, the resident all round good guy, just wanted to cut everyone. NO ONE, who crossed his path were safe, and when Schuester chose Rachel Berry once again for the lead in the upcoming regionals, when Mercedes was clearly the better choice, Artie ripped into Schuester and accidently on purpose ran him over with his wheel chair. Suffice to say he was suspended and not expelled because his parents made a sizable donation to the school to recompense their son's behaviour.
But Santana, Santana took things very differently. Being the resident clanging bell Mercedes was sure she would rant and rave and destroy the entire school, but she did not expect this. Screaming and ranting from the Spanish hurricane was expected, but not abject silence.
Santana distanced herself from Mercedes, and all but disappeared. She never text her or rang her or contacted Mercedes in any way. Mercedes heart was broken. Sam knew this and tried to compensate, but he knew that she missed her best friend.
Suddenly, there was a great roar as the crowded auditorium cheered at the introduction of Sam and Mercedes name.
Sam looked into Mercedes eyes, wiped away a stray tear and smiled, "I love you baby, Santana will come around," he hugged her and kissed her upon her soft dark locks. Then he smiled the biggest smile and said, "Cheer up baby, let's get out there and show them why Artie was right in running Schuester over!"
Mercedes chuckled at his discourse, smiled and wiped away the remaining tears.
"That's it my darling," Sam beamed seeing her smile, "Break a leg baby," Sam whispered kissing Mercedes softly on the lips.
"Break a leg darling," Mercedes smiled as she melted into his soft lips and warm embrace.
"Go Diva!" Puck screamed as Mercedes and Sam walked onto the stage.
"Go Cedes," Finn smiled waving his jacket high into the air.
"You go get em Princess," Artie cheered and then quickly added, "Oh… and you too Evans!"
The audience stood as they entered the stage.
Mercedes walked slowly up to the microphone and smiled bashfully looking out into the crowd.
The auditorium was filled to the brim and Mercedes couldn't believe the amount of people who stayed to watch their performance. Sam and Mercedes were the second to last act for the night. All the groups who performed were world class and the donations they received for that night for their trip to the Nationals was astounding. Everyone performed extraordinarily well, that is, except Noah Puckerman who decided to ruin his and Rachel's performance by breaking out in his own rendition of Stevie Wonders 'I just called to say I love you,' singing longingly to Mercedes and purposely holding up a large black card to hold in front of Sam's face. Sam rolled his eyes as Puck sang vowing to send Puck to an early grave as soon as Mercedes gave him the ok.
Stepping up to his microphone Sam smiled and greeted everyone, "Hey y'all I'm Sam Evans, and this of course…" Sam motioned to the love of his life, "is the undeniably astoundingly beautiful Miss Mercedes Jones," then he quietly mumbled, "soon to be Mrs Sam Evans." Mercedes shot him a death glare but Sam just winked. "Anywho…" he continued, "this song was originally a country music song sung originally by Keith Whitley then popularised by Ronan Keating and written by some guy called Paul Overstreet. I hope you enjoy it."
Sam began to play the introduction with an upbeat rhythm and blues tempo. Looking lovingly at Mercedes Sam smiled as he began to sing,
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word, you can light up the dark
Try as I may, I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing
Mercedes looked lovingly into Sam's eyes as they sung the chorus. [Chorus]
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Old Mr. Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine
As they both sang the final chorus tears trailed down Mercedes and Sam's cheeks as they sang the words from their hearts, knowing full well that each word applied solely to their feelings for one another and that indeed they would truly be there for one another if any one of them fell.
As they concluded their performance the entire auditorium erupted and cheered. Unbeknownst to Mercedes, but almost the entire school knew before the performance the fight that Mercedes was now faced with and there was not a dry eye in the house.
Sam and Mercedes took each other's hands and bowed before the applauding crowd and then exited off the stage. Sam hugged his smiling fiancé and kissed her lovingly on her full lips. "I love you soon to be Mrs Evans," he smiled, tears filling his green orbs.
"I love you too Mr Evans," Mercedes smiled, returning his kiss as they exited the stage.
"Ok…" Mr Schuester chortled, tears in his eyes, "let's give them another big round of applause." Everyone screamed and roared as they applauded Sam and Mercedes performance. "We now have our final performance," Schuester continued as Sam and Mercedes took their seats. "This performance is somewhat different from what was scheduled but we know you will love it none the less. So let's give a round of applause to Santana Lopez and accompanying her on the guitar Joe Hart."
Santana gingerly etched her way up to the microphone and looked over the audience as they applauded.
"Hey everyone," Santana began, "this isn't the original song Joe and I were supposed to sing but..." Santana looked toward Mercedes who lowered her gaze, "but I hope you like it...it's by the group Q-Queen…we slowed the tempo down at the beginning but…yeah" tears filled her eyes as she looked upon her down cast friend, "this is for my best friend…Miss Mercedes Jones."
Santana nervously shook then closed her eyes as Joe lightly picked the introduction.
Ooh you make me live Ooh you're the best friend that I ever had Ooh you make me live Ooh I've been wandering round
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you you're all I see
Ooh you make me live now honey
Ooh you make me live
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh you're my best friend
But I still come back to you
In rain or shine
You've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Ooh you make me live You're the first one Ooh you make me live I'm happy at home
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh you make me live now honey
Ooh you make me live
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
You're my best friend
You're my best friend
Oh you're my best friend
Ooh you make me live
You you're my best friend
At the conclusion of the song with tears in her eyes, Santana stood, applause filling the auditorium. "I love you Mercedes Jones and I am sorry I disappeared for a hot minute there, b-but I don't want to lose you, s-so I decided that we will fight this…All the proceeds from tonight and from the glee club auction will go toward your hospital care." Mercedes gasped and shook her head. Mr Schuester smiled and nodded his head happily applauding. Then Santana went to the side of the stage and pulled out a large brown teddy bear and held it gently in her hands. "Do you remember Miss Snuggles?" she beamed looking at Mercedes, Mercedes smiled nodding her head, "well…for all of you out there who do not know, Miss Snuggles has brought diva and I through some tough times….and now she's back to support us again. I and a few other friends…" she glanced at Artie, Finn and Puck, "have collected some sponsors and we have enough care bears to distribute throughout the state and hopefully throughout America. Every cent from buying this bear will be donated to the cancer society in the name of Mercedes Jones…and we have given these obnoxiously cute teddy bears a new name. For those who do not know, ever since Mercedes was diagnosed with cancer she has worked tirelessly with the children at the hospice so…this bear has been appropriately named 'Mercy Care Bear,' after my loving and caring BESTY Mercedes Jones. I love you diva, with all my heart."
Santana wept as she moved toward the edge of the stage and held her friend for dear life as tears ran down their cheeks.
Mercedes Jones was indeed blessed. She had loving and caring friends and family surrounding her, and she knew at that moment. If anyone could fight this disease she could and would till her last breathe. Mercedes smiled as she felt the love all around her and as Sam applauded beside her. "Game on!" she breathed, taking Sam's hand. "Let's fight this!"
Thanks again lovelies. Please review...Blessings and goodness. :)
