A/N: Missed all the holidays hope you mommies out there had a wonderful Mother's Day in the words of Tupac, 'dear mama you are appreciated'. Cinco de Mayo hope you tossed one back for me and remembered everything you did, and finally the may force all be with you. Let's go!

Mercedes POV

Mercedes stood at the bathroom sink eyeing her reflection in the mirror, tears rolling down her cheeks. Pulling a Kleenex from a pretty box nearby, she dabbed her tears away before taking deep breaths calming herself down. After a few more minutes she exited the bathroom with her head hung low bumping into Dwight.

"Hey darling was coming back here to check on you, just make sure everything is fine." He glanced up at the clock on the wall. "Are you good? You been back here for almost twenty minutes."

"Yeah," She shook her head rapidly blinking back her tears. "Everything is okay Mr. Dwight I was just coming back out there to rejoin you all. It's kind of quiet out there, where did everyone go?"

"We are in the backyard Avery is playing with Stacey's dog, Charlie. She's having a blast running after him, and he's enjoying running after her." She followed him to the patio door, he pointed to Avery getting a piggyback ride from Harleigh. "Just want to assure you that he doesn't bite, he gave her the sniff of approval and Sam gave him a good talking to, but Charlie paid him no mind; he barked then walked away."

Dwight opened the patio doors, and she walked out ahead of him. Stevie got up offering his seat to her. "Thank you, Stevie."

"You're welcome." Stevie tapped Sam shoulder he looked back then turned around. " I see you trying to ignore me so I'll just say it Sam, remember last week I asked you about something. And you said that you didn't know the answer. Well, I thought you might like to know…she got some cute feet." Mercedes covered her mouth, laughing as Sam stood up walking towards Stevie. "Okay, good talk bro. I'm going to play with Avery, Harleigh, and Charlie. Y'all wait for me!" He shouted jumping off the steps.

"That Stevie, it's like we're back to when we were kids. I swear, he lived to embarrass me. You'd think now that he's 20-years-old in college with a girlfriend, he'd grow up. But I guess it's never going to happen." Sam cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, "Get 'em Harleigh! Get 'em!" He sat down, patting her knee. "Your eyes look like you been crying. Is everything okay?"

Mercedes let out a small nervous laugh. "Um, yeah, I was crying. Something bothered me, but everything is okay. Although, I do have something to tell you just-" Sam waved his hand cutting her off.

"You don't have to tell me anything right now. But if and when you do want to share just know that I'm here to listen and not judge you."

She averted her gaze as a light blush darkened her cheeks. "Mommy, Mommy!" Avery shouted, running up to her. "Did you see me playing with Charlie? He's so cute and Harleigh gave me a piggyback ride."

"I did! Did you have fun?" She nodded. "That is good, you already have a tan I should have packed a hat in my tote bag." Avery went over to Sam climbing onto his lap. "Sam, did any of y'all eat yet? Where are your mother and Stacey?"

"No, we haven't eaten yet. When you went to take your call Mom remembered that she forgot the ice cream or something so off to the store they went they should be back by now let me call them." Sam grabbed his phone to call them, just as Stacey came out the house and plopped down in the chair across from them. "Hey, what took you guys so long? I was about to call! It doesn't take that long to get ice cream."

Stacey huffed out a long sigh, holding her head in her hands. "Sam, your mother…Instead of me just driving her to the grocery store, she said, 'Stacey take me to Walmart they have a better selection of ice cream.' So we get there and tell me why did we end up in the electronic section? She ended up buying a Nikon camera, batteries, a tripod, a few SD cards and on the way home, she ordered the one from Amazon that syncs the photos to your iPhone."

"Really?" Stacey dug the receipt out her pocket, handing it to Dwight. "Oh my God! Will y'all excuse me? Mary!"

"Well, did y'all get the ice cream?" Harleigh asked.

"We already had ice cream. She just used that as an excuse to get me to take her to Walmart! She did buy some ice-cream cones and other treats to mix in the ice cream. Look, I'm starvin'. Are you starvin' Avery?" Stacey stood to her feet taking Avery's hand. "Let's wash our hands, sweetie. We can sing 'Happy Birthday' together. Sam told me all about that. Y'all coming?"

"You know we are!" After hands had been washed, they crowded in the kitchen fixing plates, laughing, and talking then outside they went. Mary appeared with camera in hand snapping photos. "Testing out my new camera don't pay me any mind. I'm about to flood the timeline of my Facebook friends they aren't ready for this. Stevie your plate is full meat and no veggies. Get back in there and get something green…you need to set a good example for Avery."

Stevie looked down at his plate, then over at Avery. "Remember this thing Avery meat does a body good. Harleigh bring me a soda when you get the chance."

"Mama don't worry, I got Stevie. Mercedes here is your bottled water, Avery's Capri Sun, and Sam here is your Sprite." Harleigh grabbed Stevie's plate in running in the house with him behind her. "Stevie, don't you dare you gonna get something green on your plate!"

"That Stevie. Anyway, Mary stop taking pictures and sit down your food is over here getting cold, come on you can snap pictures later." Mary hobbled over to her chair sitting down. "Thank you." Dwight shifts his focus to Mercedes. "Mercedes let's here from you now, are you originally from Tennessee?"

"No, sir, I'm not from Tennessee. I'm from Lima, Ohio. I moved here around ten years ago to attend college and decided to stay after graduation."

"Which college did you attend?" Stacey asked. "Because not that I'm being nosy or anything; but I saw a University of Tennessee bag in the back seat of Sam car. Is that your Alma mater?"

"Yes, the University of Tennessee is my Alma mater, I majored in early childhood education. After graduation, I taught in an elementary school until I gave birth to Avery then stopped teaching. Do you go there?"

"Yeah, so do Harleigh and Stevie! This is amazing. I'm an early childhood major too. I hope you don't mind me nagging you about a few things. This is so awesome, why did you stop teaching? Do you have any family here?"

"I was burnt out and decided to step away from the classroom. Although I do miss the kids from time to time. I look forward to the day when I can return but right now I just focus on teaching Avery so when school starts she'll be ahead of the game." Mercedes shrugs. "No, I don't have any family here. They still live in Lima."

"We're back!" Stevie singsonged as he returned to the table. Harleigh soon followed with a huge grin on her face she picked up Stevie's burger taking a huge bite. "Sorry about our absence, we had a little disagreement, but I won." He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek as Mary and Dwight shot him dirty looks. "So, what have we missed?"

"We're getting to know Mercedes. Just asking questions, my final three questions and that's it. Were you married? How far along are you? Will it be a boy or a girl?"

"I was engaged to be married, but obviously that didn't happen." Mercedes looked down at her swollen belly, placing her hand on the spot where the baby kicked. "I'm five months along, and the doctor said that he is a boy, although sometimes I still believe it's a girl. And I just want to say thank from the bottom of my heart for letting me move in with you all. I'm just a stranger and here you welcomed me with open arms." She swiped her cheek brushing away her tears. "And already have made the both of us feel loved. I can't tell how much that means to me."

Avery grabbed her napkin wiping her mother's face. "Don't cry, Mommy, don't be sad. Are you sad Mommy?"

"No, Avery I'm not sad these are happy tears baby, you'll understand them one day." She kissed Avery on her cheek. "Just happy tears and thank you for wiping Mommy tears."

"That is so sweet. She reminds me of Sam when he was that age. You don't have to worry son I'm not going to embarrass you like your mother already did." Mary kicks him under the table. "Not in front of the child, so Avery what is the name of your friend there?"

"I have three bears." Avery said, holding up three fingers. "His name is Snuggles, he has a sister named Bubbles, and a brother name Cuddles. They're in the car Mommy said I couldn't carry them all."

"If I wouldn't have said anything all of them would be right here at this table." Mercedes stopped talking and opened her bottled water and took a long sip. "Where Avery goes her bears go to. Baby do you want another hot dog?" She nodded her head. "Okay, I'll get it in a second."

"No, Mercedes, I got that." Sam stood up from the table dumping their empty plates in the trash. "Do you want me to make you another plate?"

"Sam you don't have to I can make my own plate I'll come with you though." He pulled out her chair and waited. "Thank you."

Mary gasped loudly, startling Dwight. "Sorry, I scared you honey, but do you see what I see?" Dwight looked around the table shrugging. "Follow my hand," She pointed to Mercedes, Sam, and Avery, "They're matching! Sam, Avery, and Mercedes all have on blue and white!" Mary exclaimed. "I need to take a picture of this!"

Sam rolled his eyes. "Put down your camera mom. I can see your reflection on the glass," he noted. "We are dressed alike. Huh, I would not have known had she not said anything. Would you? Oh, the towel is right there."

"I see it and no I wouldn't have known." She held out the towel and watched him turn off the faucet. Sam took the towel from her, drying his hands. "Handed you two plates. Just thought you might want to make yourself another plate you devoured the first one."

"Thanks, I really did, I was starvin," Not a word was spoken between them while they made their plates. Mercedes was headed back outside, he reached out and tapped her arm. "Before we head back outside now that you've met my crazy family tell me what you think. That's how I wanted to describe them to you but thought it would scare you off."

"Sam, I'd be lying to both of us if I said wasn't nervous on the ride here because I was. Had all these negative thoughts running through my mind like would your family like me," Mercedes voice held a bit of sadness and abruptly stopped talking she let out a shaky sigh and pressed on. "That instantly went away when Stevie greeted us outside and repeated word for word, your description of me, and your mom…she has already surpassed Jay's mom in my book and I've only known her for an hour…but that's a story for another day."

"Okay, I'll take that as you like them. Now let's head back out there before my mother finds a way in here to snap a photo of us. After you." As soon as they stepped foot outside Stevie snapped their photo Sam huffed in frustration as Mercedes laughed out loud. "Here is your hot dog, Avery. I got your chair. Momma, before that picture is uploaded I want to see it first."

"Not gonna happen!" Mary said, laughing evilly she danced in her seat hiding behind her camera. "Done."

After dinner and dessert, everyone sat around late into the evening watching Avery play with Charlie. Mary scrolled through her photo album. "Oh, I like this picture right here, Avery playing with Charlie so cute! Dwight, what time is it? We need to show Mercedes and Avery their rooms, so they can get settled in."

"Wow!" Sam glanced down at his watch. "It's ten o'clock, way past Avery's bedtime! Stevie can you bring her up here." Stevie carried Avery up the steps handing her off to Sam. "Thanks, bro, can you tell Stacey, Stevie, Charlie, and Harleigh Goodnight."

"Goodnight, everyone I had fun playing with you 'specially you Charlie."

"You too Avery. We'll see you in the morning 'night Mercedes." Stacey pulled Mercedes in a hug, then she hugged her brother as Charlie licked Avery's face. "Awe Charlie, giving Avery a good night kiss so cute. Night, Baby, have sweet dreams."

Mary led them up the stairs to the guest rooms at the end of the hallway. "These two rooms are your rooms. I didn't know if you wanted Avery to have her own, but I went ahead anyway and decorated this one. Hope she likes it."

She opened the door, turning on the light the walls were painted light green Avery's little bed was filled with stuffed animals from the head to the foot, her name was spelled out in script, wooden letters above the bed, and in the corner were toys still in boxes Avery's eyes sparkled as if Santa had come early. "Zootopia! Down Mr. Sam." Sam sets her down Avery, and she headed straight for the toys.

"Oh my God!" The both of them were wearing the same expression of surprise. "Ms. Mary you didn't have to do all of this, she could have shared the same room with me. It would have been fine. This wasn't necessary. Wait a minute, is that a Kenya doll?"

"Yes, that's a Kenya doll snagged the last few they had on Amazon. Sam, will you and your father keep an eye on Avery I'm going to show Mercedes her room." Mary took Mercedes hand leading her to the hallway. "You can open the door, I hope you like the room."

Mercedes reached out and grabbed the doorknob, pulling open the door, she took a few steps inside as Mary turned on the light. She turned around in a slow circle, taking in every inch of the beautifully decorated room. The walls were painted lavender with white trim. The queen sized bed covered in pillows and a fluffy comforter, a flat panel TV hung on the wall. On the dresser was an enormous gift basket filled with Victoria Secret body lotion, perfume, body wash, and in the middle of the basket was a fluffy white stuffed puppy. When she looked up, her eyes were brimming with unshed tears. Mary pulled her into a hug.

"I know what you're going to say; that we didn't have to do all of this for you. But we wanted to. After hearing how you and my son met, it just broke my heart and when I knew that you agreed to move in with us, the wheels started turning, and we did this." There came a knock at the door and, in walked Sam with Mercedes bags setting them on the bed. "Thanks to my son, of course. Well, I'm going to leave you two alone gonna check on Avery."

"Thanks, Mom." Sam sat in the very spot on the bed where his mother was sitting. "Wish my Mom had stayed back so I could have shown you your room, because Avery had my dad wearing earrings and a hat. I did take a photo just in case. So, do you like your room?" Mercedes nodded. "Good, I'm glad you like it." Sam combed his fingers through his hair. "Um, even though it's late, I still want to tell you that you looked beautiful today, Mercedes."

His smile sent butterflies rushing through her. She tucked her hair behind her ear standing to her feet. "Thanks, Sam. I'm going to pull Avery away from her toys. I need to give her a bath, But it's late, so a wipe off is going to be it."

"Sure need to get the baby to bed. Well I'm going downstairs good night. I hope to see you in the morning." He kissed her on the forehead. "Sweet dreams Mercedes."

Mercedes walked in Avery's room. The young girl was sitting between Dwight and Mary while the both of them read her a bedtime story. "Goodnight comb, Goodnight brush, Goodnight nobody! Goodnight mush, and goodnight to the old lady whispering "hush". Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere. The end. And here is mommy, are you ready for her now."

"Yes, I come on Avery tell Mr. And Mrs. Evans goodnight. You'll be back in here tomorrow to play. You're going to sleep with me." Avery said goodnight to them and so did Mercedes. Once back in her bedroom, she wiped Avery off, put on her pajamas, tucked her in and she was fast asleep. "Goodnight baby girl I'm so happy your father gave me you."

Mercedes took a quick shower, brushed her teeth and jumped in bed, she had started to doze off when her phone had buzzed. She didn't have to look phone to see who it was as a shrill excited voice greeted her.

"Tell me how the move went! I've been waiting for you to call me since I got off of work and I just getting home. Is his family friendly? How big is the house? When can I come by for a visit? Did that thing I wished for happened?"

"You wished for something? Wait, you wanted for Sam and me to kiss? Yvonne! It somewhat happened. I just went to give him a kiss on the cheek, my first time and he turns his head my lips land on his and" Mercedes pulled her phone from her ear because Yvonne started screaming. "I'm going to have to call you back my father is calling me. TTYL girl. Daddy."

"Hi baby girl. I know it's late but just wanted to call to see how my girls are doing. With the move and all. If you want to ease and old man's mind, you can tell me about Sam's family."

"We're doing wonderful Daddy, I know you and Mom were concerned about us moving in with his family, but I can say that they are very nice people. They welcomed Avery and me like we've been family all along." She sat up in bed yawning. "Avery has her own room, but she's not sleeping in there tonight. I wanted her to get comfortable first before I let her be on her own. The move went smoothly, Sam let me help pack. But, Daddy, when it came time to load the luggage cart and carry something he didn't let me do anything I had to stand back and watch like I used to with Jay."

"Yeah, Jay was a cool laid back guy despite the fucked up family he came from. He was different. Speaking of Jay, his brother called my phone. Don't know how he got my number. Probably from his cell phone records. I had to put his ass in check. He said something about you calling this person to come to the house. I hung up on him before he got the rest of this thought out."

"His crazy mother called me too, shouting and yelling. After I told her to leave me alone, I hung up on her and then blocked her number. All I could think was 'why are you calling me after you kicked me out'? Hasn't she done me enough harm? I was thinking about changing my number," she yawns again. "I'm so sorry daddy. I'm sleepy; today was a long day. You tell Mommy, I'll call her later today. Love you guys. Bye."

Mercedes was asleep before her head hit the pillow with the phone still in her hand. The buzzing of her phone woke her a few minutes later. "Who is calling me this late? No one is calling me, it's just a text message." 'Hey Mercedes, its Lucas I'm back in town, I went by the house, but you don't live there anymore. Hope you're still in town. We need to meet up and talk'. She looked at her phone for a long moment before sending a reply, "okay."