I don't own anything.
A/N: Alright it's another week and that means another update but first off I would like to thank my reviewers from last time; shacrackax0, CRAZYhead36, adoredfable, Isis Aurora Tomoe, NaeNae1495, nakala, XxL0V3islik3aR0S3xX and ANAMYOUS. I hope everyone enjoys the new chapter and please don't forget to Review.
Baby S
Chapter Nine
"You're right I can tell you cause you're the only person I should tell this too." Mercedes narrowed her eyes at him in confusion over what he had just said. To her, his entire statement didn't make one bit of sense but if he needed to get something off his chest then she'd be that friend that he could lean on.
"Well go on and tell me what's wrong Sam." she pushed softly as she looked at him. Sam took a deep breath and looked into her eyes before saying three words that literally rocked Mercedes' world.
"I like you," he breathed out as he looked down at her. "More than I ever thought was possible," he paused again and rubbed a frustrated hand through his hair as he forced his eyes on a spot on the cement simply because he couldn't take the look she was currently giving him. She appeared shock but it wasn't the good type of shock. "I'm sorry but I just had to say something cause seeing you with-with Tristan has been the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"Oh my God?" she finally muttered as she looked at him. Sam took a deep breath as he listened to her.
"I know this is sudden and all but I can't keep this to myself, Mercedes. I just had to tell you." he whispered as he looked up at her very much aware that even though they were quiet they were drawing quite an impressive crowd.
"You're with-."
"We've been over for quite sometime Mercedes. You'd know that if you weren't all wrapped up in Tristan." he said bitingly as he shook his head while Mercedes gasped at his words and shook her head.
"How dare you?" she whispered out quickly. "Don't try to talk down my relationship with Tristan." Sam grew slightly agitated as she reminded him once again that he wasn't with her. Shaking his head, he looked down at his hands.
"I'm not trying to talk down your relationship-look I just wanted to tell you how I felt." Looking back up at Mercedes he saw tears in her eyes. "Tristan said I should tell you, he thinks I'm a coward for not telling you-."
"I'm starting to think you are." Mercedes whispered as she looked at him as the kiss they shared this summer flashed into her mind. "Do you remember what happened this summer, do you remember what happen and what you did." Sam's eyes narrowed a bit and then he shook his head as he thought about on the memory.
"You mean what we did?"
"No," Mercedes whispered back as she looked at Sam, "What you did-you kissed me and then you ripped my heart out of my chest the very next day. That's what happened and now you're here trying to tell me that you like me."
"Mercedes I was confused," he said as he turned to look at her, almost immediately he saw a lone tear fall down her cheek. Wanting to wipe the tear away he lifted his hand but stopped when he saw Mercedes take a few steps back. Sighing, he lowered his hand. "I was doing things for-."
"Popularity, yeah I kinda figured that." she whispered a tremble in her voice, "That's why you didn't want to pursue what was between us both. You pushed me back into my friend box and I guess you figured I would remain untouched until you were ready for a relationship." Mercedes stated as more tears fell as she looked at him. "Is that what you thought, that no one would except you would want me anyway."
"Mercedes no, I didn't say that." he whispered softly as he looked at her. Mercedes just shook her head and turned to leave but was stopped when Sam reached out and latched onto her arm.
"Sam let me go."
"I don't want you to go thinking that I thought of you that way." he said but all he received was a few surprising slaps from Mercedes that forced him to let her go. Standing there stunned he watched as she quickly made her way to her car and drove off.
"What da hell did you do?" Sam winced as he heard Tristan's voice thundering over the small crowd that was dispersing now that the mini confrontation between him and Mercedes was over. Turning around, he saw Tristan rushing towards him with several of their teammates right on his heels. Probably to stop him from kicking their first string quarterback's ass.
"I just talked to her." Sam called out just before Tristan's fist slammed into his face. Stumbling back, he lifted a hand to his nose and immediately felt blood wet his fingertips. Tristan glared at him and Sam backed away rather quickly. He didn't want to fight Tristan, he knew it would just piss Mercedes off and he didn't want to hurt her anymore.
"What did you do?"
"I said I talked to her." Sam snapped out as he looked at Tristan who was being held by several players until an older man that looked like he was related to Tristan came over. The man spared him a quick glance and then looked at Tristan.
"Let him go." The teammates currently holding him shook their heads as they continued to hold a struggling Tristan. Narrowing his eyes at the boys, he looked at his brother. "Tristan calm the hell down alright." Almost immediately, Tristan pulled himself together but continued to look at Sam. "Now you guys let my brother go." he snapped out angrily. Sam watched as his teammates slowly backed up but remained close by just in case they were needed to once again stop the fight. "Now what the hell is going on?"
"He did something to Mercedes, David." Tristan snapped out angry that his brother had stopped him for kicking the man's ass.
"I didn't do anything to Mercedes."
"Which is why she hightailed it out here-yeah right." Tristan scoffed as he looked at Sam. "What did you do?"
"I told her I cared about her. You know what you said I wouldn't do." Tristan narrowed his gaze on Sam and took a step forward only to have his brother slam his hand into his chest to keep him from moving forward.
"Stay still," he murmured to his brother but his eyes were locked on Sam's. "Go to the car." Tristan's mouth dropped open as he looked at his brother.
"But!"
"Tristan do as I say-go to the car. There's no way in hell I'm gonna let you fight." David's voice held an edge to it that Tristan didn't want to cross. Sending one last dark look at Sam, he turned and picked up the bag he dropped.
"I'm gonna call Mercedes, hopefully she's alright." With that said, he turned and slowly walked deeper into the parking lot. Once he was gone, David turned to fully face Sam. His eyes swept over the boy for a moment before sighing.
"If I find out that you did more than tell that girl your feelings, you'll have a lot more to worry about then just Tristan." With that said, David turned and followed the same path his brother had taken seconds earlier. Sam stared after him before silently grabbing his things up off the ground and walking towards his car. All he could seem to think about was the look in Mercedes eyes as she left. He didn't want to her, he didn't want to be the cause of her pain but it seemed he was anyway.
As David neared the car, he could see Denise watching over Tristan as he paced back and forth in front of the car with his phone glued to his ear. "She isn't picking up." Denise supplied once she saw David whose shoulders seemed to sag at that bit of information.
"Dammit, I know he's worried." Denise just sent him a look that plainly told him that he was doing nothing more than stating the obvious. "He wants us to drop him off over at her house. He wants to talk her."
"Then we'll do that." David said as he cleared his throat, Tristan looked up from his pacing and turned to face his brother.
"She's not picking up her phone," he rubbed his hands over his hair and both of them could see that he was thinking all types of nasty scenarios.
"She's upset, she probably doesn't want to talk." Denise replied back soothingly, "But we're going to drive over there so you can at least see that she's alright."
"Yeah so come on let's get in the car and go." David said as he walked over to the backseat and held up the door. Tristan quickly climbed in and David slammed it close. Looking over at Denise, he rubbed a hand over his face.
"Baby can you call them to at least let them know that we're on the way." She nodded and took out her phone and climbed into the passenger seat as he walked around and got in. A minute later they were on the road headed over to Mercedes' house.
By the time that they arrived at the Jones' home, Malcolm Jones was standing outside with his arms crossed over his chest. As Tristan got out of the car, Malcolm walked down the drive directly towards the boy. David sensing that things could possibly get out of hand hoped out of the car. "Mr. Jones." he called out gaining the older man's attention.
"That boy isn't allowed in here, my daughter is upstairs currently crying her eyes out." he snapped out angrily as his gaze shifted between Tristan and David. "Me and her mother can't even figure out what happened and you think I'm just gonna let him walk in there and cause my baby girl even more pain.
"First off, my brother didn't do anything to Mercedes," David stated as he walked over to Malcolm. "Someone else did and my brother is just trying to make sure she's alright." Malcolm silently thought over what he had said and then look over at Tristan, who seemed to be about three seconds from running into the house to search for Mercedes himself.
"Fine you can go in," Tristan rushed by him and barely heard Malcolm shout. "But the minute she says for to leave, you leave."
Tristan ran into the house and saw Mercedes' mother coming down the stairs, she just looked up and motioned towards the stairs which he took two at a time. Finally he made it to Mercedes' room and found the door locked. Raising his hand to knock, he dropped it and rested his head on the wood door and sighed. "Mercedes baby open the door." he said softly as he listened to the barely audible crying. As soon as he spoke the crying stopped.
"Tristan I-just go okay."
"No, not when you're crying." he stated firmly. "I can't leave you alone when you're hurting, don't ask me to do something that's impossible." He licked his lips as he tried to think of something to say that would make her open the door and let him in. All he wanted to do was hold her and comfort her, he didn't care how long he stayed cause he wasn't leaving until she was better. "Mercedes please." He heard some movement and then her door slowly opened. He looked down at Mercedes and saw that she was trying her best to stop from crying. Reaching out, he brushed away a few of her tears . "I'm so sorry."
"Why should you be sorry, you didn't do anything." she whispered as she allowed him to pull her to a hug. Resting her head on his chest, she closed her eyes and clung to his shirt. "You haven't done anything wrong since I've met you."
"Oh I don't know about that, I wasn't entirely truthful with you about my whole fighting thing." he whispered in her hair as he held her to him. Mercedes sighed at that and just shook her head.
"But you told me."
"Yeah, I did." he whispered softly.
"But he," she trailed off as she stepped back from him and shook her head. "But he, did you know he kissed me this summer," she stated, her voice once again trembling as she tried to fight back sobs. Tristan felt his heart clench in his chest as he imagined Sam kissing Mercedes. As far as he was concern it wasn't a pleasant thought. "He kissed me and then a few days later took it back and told me to him it didn't mean anything. I mean he just crushed me."
"Baby I'm so sorry that happen."
"And then he comes up to me today and tells me that he likes me and that seeing you with me made him realize it and-." Tristan walked back over to her and pulled her back in his arms. "I'm so hurt right now."
"Do you-do you have feelings for him?" Tristan asked softly.
"No, not like that. Not anymore, I have you and I'm not really into love triangles and all that mess." she said softly, Tristan smiled at her attempt to crack a joke. Carefully, he walked them over to her bed and sat down. Pulling her into his lap, he held her to him.
"Then don't-don't worry about any of this. He missed out on you, baby. He missed out on having a beautiful lady that any guy with sense would kill for," he paused as Mercedes looked up at him and lifted an eyebrow. "Just a figure of speech Ms. Lady." he said with a wink. They sat there like that for a few more minutes just holding one another. "Why'd you leave?"
"I just had to get away from him?" she muttered softly. "He was just talking and all I could see was him putting me on the back-burner cause he thought no one would see me like he did and that well it just hurt." Tristan clenched his jaw at that and sighed. The more she told him, the more he wished he had hit Sam cause once didn't seem to be enough. Mercedes played with the hem of her shirt and stared down at her hands. "He said you told him to tell me?"
"He's been-he's been a little bit annoying ever since we hooked up. I figured out that he liked you and felt that he should just go and tell you instead of bugging me like he was."
"Why?"
"So you could be presented with all your options, so he could get told yay or nay. Resolution, baby that's why I told him to tell you. Hell, he even threaten me with my little fighting background, I mean the man was ready to go to war for you."
"He knew about your fighting?"
"Yeah," he rubbed a hand over his face. "He knew about it before I told you-I had been struggling with telling you before then but that really pushed me over the edge cause information like that can end up so twisted if the right person tells the story. Besides I was already ashamed on that and I didn't want you to hear something like that from anyone else other than me."
"He had no right to do that." Mercedes snapped out as she looked at him. She moved to stand up but Tristan held her down in his lap.
"He was looking out for you, I understand that-understood it then too although I didn't appreciate the way he went about it." Mercedes rested her head on his shoulder and reached out for one of his hands. Tristan eagerly took it within his own hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Why does it sound like you're defending him?"
"I'm really not," Tristan said bluntly. "I just-I just feel sorry for the guy. I feel sorry for him cause he could have had you and he was to concern with what other people would think. He was to concern about that and so he missed out. So I just feel sorry for him." Mercedes just nodded her head at his words, while Tristan congratulated himself on not going off on a curse filled rant about Sam. He knew that Mercedes needed him to be the calm one and that was just want he was going to do. Mercedes snuggled deeper into his arms and released a smile sigh.
"You like holding me don't you."
"I can't think of anything else I'd rather do." he said with a grin as he brushed a kiss along her temple and sighed.
Tristan spent the majority of the weekend over at Mercedes house just spending time with her, he was even there when she received a text message from Sam which told her that he was sorry for any pain that he might have caused her. It was Saturday night and Tristan was resting behind Mercedes on her bed as she laid between his legs with her back resting against his chest. "You know I think I'm gonna start getting real jealousy of you and this movie." he said as he played with her hand that he was currently holding.
"Oh hush." Mercedes said softly as she playfully swatted his leg. "Never back down is a good movie."
"You know I'd might take you at your word if you weren't lusting after Cam and that other brown haired guy but since that's what you've been doing since we popped in the DVD I think I'm going have to ask for someone else's unbiased opinion."
"I'm not biased besides Cam looks a little like you."
"Please-take that back." Tristan said with a small smile as he maneuvered his head in such a way so that he could look her in the eyes. "Just take it back." Mercedes smiled but then it slowly faded and Tristan felt her tense up in his arms. "What? What is it?"
"I'm so sorry, I didn't even ask you how you felt about watching this movie." Tristan gave her a small smile at her concern and then looked back at the television.
"I'm fine watching this cause this is nothing but pure fiction." he said with a small sigh. "Nothing about it is really true except for the dive gym and all that." he said with a wave of his hand. "Besides you picked it so I have no problem watching. You seem to pick good movies even if it's so you can stare at the movie stars in it."
"Oh so you've got me all figured out then huh."
"Pretty much, Ms. Lady." he drawled out giving her a good dose of his southern charm. Mercedes blushed and Tristan found himself laughing at that. He really did love making her blush, it was one of his favorite things to do besides holding her. "Are you ready for tomorrow, cause I am. Got my suit all picked out. Shoes-shined and bowtie-."
"Bowtie!"
"Kidding," he said with a chuckle as he rolled his eyes. "Got my tie all picked out, I think I'll look to good tomorrow, maybe I shouldn't come I don't want anyone to sin up in your church because they're lusting after me." Mercedes laughed at that and just shook her head. Tristan really was to silly sometimes.
"I think you'll just have to take that chance." she replied with a small smile as she looked at him. "Cause I really want you there."
"And where you want, there I will be Ms. Lady." he said with a wink. "Now snuggle your Teddy and let's watch the rest of this movie." he said as he leaned back and reached his head once again on the headboard. They remained like that until the movie ended and then Mercedes' father stepped into the room.
"Alright it's getting pretty late," he said as he looked down at his watch. "So I think it's time for you to go."
"Dad!"
"What?" he asked as he glanced over at his daughter who was sending him a disapproving look, "What did I do?" he asked.
"You didn't have to say it like that?" Tristan just grinned and patted Mercedes on the thigh before slowly getting up off the bed.
"It's no problem, beautiful. I get where he's coming from. I guess I'll see you tomorrow at church then huh." Mercedes quickly got up off the bed.
"Make sure you guys show up early cause that church gets really packed." Tristan just smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Alright we'll be there early." he stated calmly as he bent down and kissed her again. "I can't wait to see you perform, I know it's gonna be good." he said with a bright smile as he took a step back and allowed her father to lead him away. As they walked downstairs, Malcolm placed a hand on Tristan's back.
"Tristan?" Turning around he looked at the older man. "I just wanted to thank you for being here for her. I don't know what happened but I'm glad you were there for my daughter." Tristan smiled at that and just nodded his head.
"Does that mean you like me now?" he asked with a grin on his face, he knew the older man probably already did but he wasn't going to pass up a chance to tease the man. Malcolm merely rolled his eyes at that and shook his head.
"I don't even know what you're talking about." he said with a chuckle as he opened the door. "Now you be at that church early so you and your family can sit with us alright."
"Yes sir." Tristan stated with a small smile as he stepped outside, Malcolm studied him for a brief moment before sighing.
"And thanks again for taking care of my daughter this weekend." Tristan smiled at that and nodded his head.
"You don't have to thank me sir, it was something I wanted to do." Malcolm just nodded his head at Tristan's words.
"Well I hope you and your family make it tomorrow and remember be early." Tristan nodded and walked out of the house and to his car. He really could wait to see Mercedes in her element at church taking the lead and singing her heart out.
The night creep by slowly and finally when Sunday morning came around, Tristan found himself on pins and needles. He looked his suit over one last time before glancing at his brother who was currently standing in the doorway. "I don't think I've ever seen you like this before." he admitted. "All nervous and what not-I think it's funny."
"Only you would take pleasure in this."
"Oh please like you didn't bother me when I going out with Denise, of course you were much younger than me but I always believe in getting people back for doing things to me and this time is no different." Tristan rolled his eyes at that and merely smiled as Denise appeared behind his brother and by the look on her face she heard every word that David had just said.
"You will not be torturing that boy any more do you hear me." she said as she popped David on the back of his head.
"Thank you Denise," Tristan said as he sent a smile his brother's way. "Now do you mind telling me if I look alright."
"Oh you look fine, now we really need to be going unless you want to show up late to the whole thing." Tristan's mouth dropped open and David just rolled his eyes at his brother before turning around to look at Denise.
"Let's go before this boy loses his mind." He merely laughed when Denise smacked him again. "What'd I do now?"
"Stop making fun of him David." Tristan smiled as he followed his brother and Denise out of the house. They all climbed into David's car and headed off towards Mercedes' church as they pulled into the parking lot, Tristan was surprise to see Mercedes and her family getting out of their car. David pulled up beside them and they all climbed out.
"I guess we made it on time, huh." Tristan said as he walked over to Mercedes pulled her into a hug before bending down and kissing her. "You look lovely, Ms. Lady."
"And you look handsome Teddy." They both paused as they heard a groan from David who once again had to dodge an attack from Denise.
"What!" he exclaimed with a chuckle as he wrapped his arm around her. "It isn't my fault they're so mushy-I mean they're so sweet I almost lost all of my teeth."
"Please like I didn't have to deal with the exact same thing when you were dating Denise." Tristan said with a roll of his eyes as Mercedes just giggle and slowly pulled him towards the church. As soon as he was away from his brother he started listening to everything she was currently telling him.
"I'm so glad you're here, you know you have to sit with my parents right."
"That was part of the plan but just know that I won't be sitting by your father. He still scares me." Tristan said with a small smile as he looked down at her. Mercedes rolled her eyes at his words and just shook her head.
"He's harmless."
"Well if that's so then don't let him hear you telling me that cause I don't want him to try and prove a point." he said as he held up the door to the church so she could slip in. Following behind her, he paused in the breezeway as she stepped away from him.
"You should probably wait here, I have to go to the back and wait on the rest of the choir." she said nervously, Tristan eyed her for a minute before walking over to her and pulling her into a tight hug.
"You'll be fine, no scratch that you'll be great." Mercedes smiled at that as Tristan released her from the hug. "Now just remember I want to be knocked off my feet in there and I know that's something you can do."
"Boy you better go and sit down." Mercedes said with a nervous smile as she looked at him. Tristan merely smiled and nodded his head before turning around and heading into the church. He could see Mercedes' parents sitting down with his brother and Denise heading down the aisle he found himself literally on pins and needles cause he couldn't wait to hear Mercedes sing. Settling down beside his brother, he leaned back in the pew and stared straight ahead.
"I bet this is gonna be good." David said as he nudged his brother. "But then again I know you already know that."
"Oh yeah, Mercedes is gonna sing her heart out." he said with a wide grin. They talked a bit more until the service officially started and then Tristan was quiet. He smiled and sent a small wave at Mercedes when she walked out in her choir robes. The preacher talked for a bit more before turning the service over to the choir. Tristan watched as the whole choir stood up and Mercedes made her way down to the front towards the microphone. He could hear several of the members shout out praises alright and all Mercedes did was smile. As the beginning notes of the song played everyone went quiet as Mercedes closed her eyes and started singing.
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven, let Heaven, Heaven and nature
Heaven and nature sing
Everybody sing joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing
Go tell of His glory
Go shout the new story
That the savior is born
Let Heaven, Heaven, Heaven
Heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let fields and flocks
Rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Go tell of His glory
Go shout the new story
The savior is born
Let Heaven, Heaven, Heaven
Heaven and nature sing
Sing Joy to the world
For the savior reigns
And makes his blessings flow
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim
Glory to the King
While the angels sing
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
Go tell of His glory
Go shout the new story
That the savior is born
Let Heaven, Heaven, Heaven
Heaven and nature
Sing joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Everybody sing
Joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Everybody sing
Joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Everybody sing
Joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Everybody
Sing joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Sing joy, joy joy, peace, love, joy
He'll give you love, He'll you peace
He'll give you love, He'll give you joy
Joy, joy, joy, joy, joy
Sing joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
Sing joy to the world
...
"Man that was great!" Tristan said as he met up with Mercedes after church, "You were amazing." he said proudly, "Had to tell a few guys in there that you were with me." Mercedes blushed at that and shook her head.
"You didn't."
"Oh but I did, man that song was great. You had the whole building rocking." he said as he slung his arm over shoulder and slowly walked them over to her parents, Denise and his brother. Malcolm studied his daughter for a minute before grinning.
"You were amazing babygirl." he said with a bright grin. "Sometimes I don't know what the choir will do when you graduate but you know you're gonna have to come back and bless this congregation with your voice every once in a while."
"Dad."
"What? Ain't nothing wrong with praising your skills baby girl." he said with a bright smile before turning to look at Alisha who was standing by his side. "Now let's go ahead and get out of here, your mother cooked an amazing meal and I can't wait to dig in." Alisha just rolled her eyes and headed out of the church doors pulling her husband behind her with David and Denise following after them. Tristan just smiled and looked down at Mercedes.
"Sunday dinner with your folks-did you cook anything?" he asked
"Why do you ask?"
"Just wanted to know." he said with a wide grin, while Mercedes leaned into his side while they headed outside.
"Well I did cook a red velvet cake." she almost laughed aloud at the sharp intake of breath that Tristan released.
"No joking," he asked as he looked down at her like a hopeful child. Mercedes just smiled and nodded her head. "Man this day just keeps getting better and better."
Song: Joy To The World- Whitney Houston (Preacher's Wife)
