Mercedes was beyond nervous when she made it to her parents with her daughter. She knew they would have questions, but she wasn't sure what she would tell them. They asked if Puck was going along or if she was traveling with Santana and Britt, she hated to lie to them but she allowed them to believe in the latter. She figured if Puck came buzzing around they would just say that she was with Santana in Memphis and prayed he didn't ask Santana. She could have just been honest with everyone but she was tired of hearing what every felt she should do. She figured she would deal with the backlash after meeting the exec. And the only opinion she really cared about belonged to the pair of eyes that were staring back at her as she fought to stay awake.
"Myra, I need you to behave for nana and pop-pop, okay?" Mercedes smiled as she tuck her in. "I will be back to pick you up Sunday night when I get back from the airport."
"The airport? Where are you going? Is dad going with you?" she asked as Mercedes sat on the bed and smiled at her. She wished Puck was as supportive of her career choice as Sam was but there was no way she was going to get into that with her child.
"No, your father had a meeting somewhere else." she replied. Mercedes stared at her daughter and hated that she never had the courage to follow her dreams before. Now she had to lie and sneak, when she could have proudly boasted about meeting a music exec to her own daughter. "You know I love you, right?"
"Yes, mom."
"And you're my favorite baby in the whole world, right?"
"Mom, I'm your only baby in the world."
"Out of all the baby's in the world, you're my favorite." Mercedes smiled and booped her nose. "Just know that everything that I do...you're my motivation."
"I know, Mom. I love you too!" Samyra responded before leaning forward to hug her. Mercedes felt her phone buzz with a message from Sam stating that he was on his way and felt her tummy do a somersault.
"Alright I gotta get going..." she smiled and stood then paused when she noticed what looked like a comic book with Samyra's name on it. She picked it up and looked at the first page and smiled noticing she'd drawn something on the first page. "Where'd you get this from, baby girl?"
"Oh, Mr. Evans gave it to me. He says that I have talent." she beamed with pride. "I only got it today so I haven't filled it up yet."
"What you've done so far is great already. What inspired you to draw this character?" Mercedes asked as she looked at the image of a girl posing with a microphone.
"That's you, mom." she jumped up with excitement. "I plan to add more characters like those X-men characters. I think I have another character I want to create with the ability to make dreams turn to reality. And she is going to meet him so that he can make her singing dreams a reality." Mercedes smiled as Samyra talked a mile a minute about her new comic book idea. Mercedes could tell she was excited about this and she wanted to hear all about it but she needed her to go to bed.
"Alright, baby, keep drawing. I can't wait to see it when I return Sunday." Mercedes said before placing a kiss on her forehead then stepping out.
Sam picked Mercedes up at her parents' house and felt as if he was going down memory lane. He stared at the spot where he first realized they had something between them. It was there when Mercedes first curved him when he tried to kiss her after they'd talked for hours. He remembered how he knew he had to kiss her before he lost all his courage. He was deep in thought when their front door opened and Mercedes stood at the doorway. He wanted to meet her at the door but Mercedes told him to wait for her because she didn't want to go into it with her parents. So he waited and watched as she spoke to her parents then closed the door. Moments later, he watched as she made her way over with her luggage. He quickly jumped out of the car to assist her then they both got in the car. Once they were both inside, Sam noticed that she looked a bit nervous.
"I can't believe we're finally going to make this happen." Sam said as he started the car then looked over at Mercedes as she slowly fastened her seat belt. "I spoke with my friend about our meeting with the exec tonight and he said that they couldn't wait to see you perform." she looked at him and forced a pressing smile his way before looking back out the window. "Hey...are you okay? Are you having second thoughts?" Sam asked as he reached over to touch her hand. "I can reschedule the meeting if you think this is too soon or..."
"No...no...don't reschedule. I'm ready for this." she smiled and squeezed his hand back. "Let's do this!"
"You sure?" Sam asked even though inside he was begging that she didn't back out of this. He did a lot to make this happen for the both of them. And although he did most of this for Mercedes, his future as a producer was relying on all of this going well. And going to Memphis with her was bound to get them closer and he really wanted that as well.
"Yes...I'm sure. This is our dream." Mercedes responded with a genuine smile. "Where will we be staying while we are there? I need to let my parents know just in case." she pulled out her phone and began to text.
"I booked us a room at the Marriott in Downtown Memphis." Sam responded with pride. He spent a lot on this mini trip and felt the most pride at booking this hotel for them. He was used to staying at Motels and he just felt this was a step up. "And don't worry, I got the room with a pull-out sofa which I will sleep on."
"Sam, you didn't have to do that."
"Trust me, yes I did." Sam thought about them staying at their parents and knew it would be a horrible idea. Last thing he wanted was his father to say something and ruin things with Mercedes for good.
"Well, I will pay you back. I promise."
"Sing your heart out tonight and that will be payment enough." Sam responded as he jumped on the highway.
They arrived in Memphis in record time. The entire flight they talked as if they had no worries in the world. Sam didn't think of seeing his family the next day and Mercedes didn't worry about her issues with Puck. They were in their moment and preparing for the night of their lives. Once they arrived at the hotel, Mercedes told Sam that she would meet him at the night club. Sam wanted to arrive there with Mercedes by his side but she insisted that it was going to take more than just an hour for her to get ready. The minute he left she called Kurt to see where he was.
"Are you near?"
"Yes, I just saw Sam leave and I'm on the way to your room now." Kurt responded and then within seconds she heard him knocking on the door. Mercedes was beyond nervous about tonight but what she was about to do had her nerves even more wacked out. She felt she needed a change and Kurt was going to help her get that change she needed.
"Kurt, I am so happy you were able to make it. There's no way I would be able to do this." Mercedes said as she opened the door and hugged Kurt. She stepped aside as Kurt and his team stepped inside.
"Mercedes, come on, I would never let you do this without me and my team. We have everything that you will need for tonight." Kurt said as he gestured for his team to come in. "Come on guys we have to get her done before eleven when she has to be on stage."
"Yes, please! I want to be fierce but I want to be fiercely on time too." she added with a smile as she watched them set up.
"Soooo...all I see is one big bed in here. Are you two already..."
"No...that's a sofabed...so calm down Kurt and focus." she playfully swatted him. "Let's deal with my hair first. I want something jaw dropping and different. What do you have in mind?"
"Don't worry, Diva! I've got the right look for you. When you step on the stage you're going to give them all a whiplash. And Sam, he'll wish he never left Lima to begin with." Kurt replied as he softly pushed her into the bathroom area. "Come on, let's get you fierce bitch!"
Sam on the other end was running around getting everything ready but before he could meet up with the exec he had to stop by his parents. This was one of the reasons he wished Mercedes was coming with him but he figured she would meet them during dinner the next night. This would at least give him time to ensure that they didn't embarrass him with Mercedes standing near him. He was only going to be there for a quick minute before heading to the club to meet with the exec and see Mercedes perform the song they'd been working on.
"Sammy!" he heard his mother say as the door swung open and she quickly wrapped her arms around him. "Look at you." she smiled before kissing his cheek then looking behind him for who he supposed was Mercedes. "Where's your girlfriend?"
"She's at the hotel getting ready for a meeting we have tonight." Sam responded then sighed as he corrected her. "And she's not my girlfriend..."
"But she will be right? That's the point of all this, right?" his mother asked as she stepped aside so that he could come inside. Sam wanted to tell her that he would have done all this even if she chose to stay with Puck but he was interrupted when his brother and sister came running towards him.
"Sammy!" Stacy said as she jumped into his arms and wrapped her arms around him tight. "I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you too, Stacy!" Sam said as he hugged her back then paused when he noticed his brother trying to pretend he was too cool to show he missed him. "Sup Stevie!"
"Sup man, mom said you were bringing a chick with you. I was happy to hear it wasn't Kitty but now I see you're here and no cutie with you...really bummed me out man." he admitted before leaning on the wall and crossing his arms. Sam released Stacy then made his way over to Stevie and pulled him in for a hug anyway.
"Whatever, get over here and hug me!" Sam chuckled as Stevie pretended as if he didn't want to hug him. "I missed you and yeah I came alone but tomorrow she will be with me for dinner."
"So who's the new babe?" Stevie asked as they made their way towards the living room where their father was sitting and watching TV.
"It's that girl he took to prom, right mom?" Stacy interjected.
"The one with the two dads or the black girl?"
"Sammy boy, you're back!" his father said causing Sam to glare his way. There were days where Sam wished his parents would divorce and his father would just move away. But he knew his father was never going to put himself in a situation where he had to fend for himself.
"Yeah Dad...for a lil bit."
"Guess you'll get your old room back there huh? I made it my office since you've been gone."
"Office? You work from home now? For what company?" Sam asked in shock as he looked over to his mother who tried her hardest not to look his way. He never thought he'd see the day where his father would work for a legit company that allowed him to work from home.
"Oh no...it was just something I started when I lost my job at the warehouse. There's still your old bed in there, for those days where I get tired of running through ideas. I take quick naps." he continued to ramble but Sam tuned him out as he could already tell what his room had become. It was now his dad's nap room. Sam was happy he booked the hotel room now. "So where's your little black friend?"
"Mercedes." Sam responded as he pulled out his cellphone to send her a text message. "Her name is Mercedes and she's just fine. She will be with me tomorrow when we come here for dinner."
"Good. I have to see what you like in this girl that you had to go back to Lima for her." his father looked around the room as if everyone would agree with him and when they remained quiet he continued. "You mean to tell me in all these years..."
"Dwight, honey, just hush before Sam doesn't come with her at all." his mother said as she could tell Sam was becoming upset. He was already debating on not bringing her over at all the more his father spoke. Luckily he was saved by a text message from the exec confirming that he was on his way to the club. Sam immediately used that as an excuse to leave.
"Anyway, I have to hit the streets and will be back tomorrow with Mercedes."
"I need to get ready for work too. So I'll walk out with Sam." Stevie said as they both made way towards the door. "I know you wanted to punch his face in, didn't ya?"
"There have been many days where I've wanted to do that." Sam admitted as they stepped out. Sam stopped by his car and noticed Stevie jumping into his. "Nice ride? Is that Mom's?" Sam asked.
"Oh this is actually my car. I just got it a few weeks back." Stevie smiled as he started the car. He really wanted to ask how was he affording it. He figured he would ask more about it during dinner since he didn't have time. "I'll see you tomorrow, bro."
"Alright man." Sam responded and watched as his little brother reversed back. Something was going on there and he was hoping to get into it but for now he needed to get to the club.
Mercedes was beyond nervous as Kurt helped zip the leather pencil skirt on her. She had never dressed in anything this sexy in her life and when she stepped in front of the mirror she was in shock. Kurt convinced her to cut her hair and she was shocked that she was actually digging it. She couldn't wait to see Sam's reaction when she steps onto the stage with her new look. And she couldn't wait to sing. She kept going over the lyrics over and over as she got ready. She smiled when she received a text message from Sam telling her that she was minutes away from making her dream a reality.
"Was that Sam?" Kurt asked with a smile as he peeked at the text message. "Remember when I thought he was team gay circa 2010?"
"Remember when I said you were insane circa 2010?" she chuckled as she remembered the day Sam walked into her life. "If you would have told me that I would have fallen for him that day I would have tried to prove how insane you were."
"I would have told you that you needed to stop falling in love with gay men and would have been so wrong." he sang as he stared at her reflection in the mirror. "You two were made for each other."
"Then why has life thrown everything at us to keep us apart?" Mercedes asked more to herself than to Kurt. "Maybe it's a sign that we aren't meant to be as we think we are?"
"Mercedes. Stop your brain! Your brain has made horrible choices. Listen to me...your new brain...and I am telling you now. Sam and you are perfect! Puck and you are...a disaster!"
"Hey watch it! Puck and I made an angel. We literally made perfection."
"And how sure are you that Puck helped you make that perfection?" Kurt mumbled.
"What?"
"I said nothing." Kurt lied and pushed her towards the door. "Come on, let's go watch you snatch your future by its unmanageable wig."
"Kurt, I swear I love you!" Mercedes smiled and hugged Kurt before they both stepped out of the room then made their way to their Uber downstairs. A few minutes later they were entering the club as a man performed on they stage. They passed right behind the area where Sam was sitting with the exec and snuck backstage. "I can't believe I am about to do this." she said as she wrote her name as the next performer on the stage.
"Well believe it bitch! I will be out in the crowd rooting for you and watching Sam drool for you, then I gotta head back to New York." Kurt said before hugging her. "Snatch their edges, as they say!" Mercedes looked up at the ceiling and prayed silently that she didn't faint or worse puke on stage as she listened to the host announce her name.
"Next, coming to the stage from Lima, Ohio...Ms. Mercedes Jones singing singing an original song called Say Yes." she listened to the sound of the applause and mentally told herself that she could do it. She slowly stepped out onto the stage. The minute her foot stepped onto the stage she transformed into someone she forgot was within her. She was the same Mercedes Jones that used to fight for solos back in Glee Club with an added dose of fierceness and confidence.
Mercedes focused on where Sam sat next to who she figured was the Music Exec. From where she stood and sang he looked as young as they were and she couldn't tell if he was digging her voice or not. But Sam, on the other hand, he looked as if he had never seen her sang before. She almost forgot that she had a make over as she continued to seductively sing the song and wink his way. "And if I ever ask you hoooooo...just say yes! Say yes to me...say yes so we can have forever. And we will be together. Say yes to me...Say yes to me...Say yes to us..."
Sam kept looking around trying to see when Mercedes arrived. He'd spent the last few minutes talking business with Brody. So the minute she got on stage, he couldn't believe his eyes. She looked amazing! From the bold haircut to the skin tight leather skirt she was wearing that topped off with a crop top, Sam had never seen her like this. He looked over to Brody and beamed with pride. This was her moment and she was using every minute of it to showcase her vocal range.
"She's amazing, right?" Sam asked once she was done.
"She's got some pipes on her. Where'd you find her?" Brody asked. Sam wanted to tell him that she was the love of his life but instead he focused on pushing her talent.
"We were in a Glee Club together in high school." Sam responded before leaning in. "Lemme tell you, the first time I heard her sang I was beyond shocked. She sang for this duet contest that the club was having and didn't win."
"She didn't win? Your Glee club must have been truly talented."
"Between us, I think the shit was rigged to be quite honest. She was by far the most talented and versatile out of the group."
"So...why hasn't she gotten a record label yet?"
"Look, she's from a small town in Ohio. They don't have the opportunities that they have here in Memphis with the music scene. I have been working with her in the studio and feel she's ready." Sam felt he'd said enough and Mercedes' singing was everything he knew it would be and more. He wasn't sure if his mind was playing tricks on him but he could have sworn he saw Kurt towards the back of the club.
"Hmmm, well I can't argue with you on that. She definitely has star power and the look that's definitely in today." Brody smiled. "Do you think she would object to moving here in Memphis to get the ball rolling?" Sam was so excited that he didn't even think that Mercedes would object to the idea of moving to Memphis. All of his thoughts vanished when he saw her walking over to them with a broad smile on her face.
"Let me introduce you to her." Sam stood and smiled as she stepped closer to them. Sam could wait to tell her how great she was. "Mercedes, you were amazing!"
"Thank you, Sam!" she smiled shyly as she looked over to Brody.
"Brody, I would love to introduce you to Ms. Mercedes Jones." He stood back as Brody stood and took Mercedes' hand. "Mercedes, this is Brody Weston from Island Beat Records."
"Sam has told me amazing things about you before you hit the stage, but I have to say he tried his best to do you justice."
"Only because there are no words that could describe what you just did on that stage, Mercedes."
"Thanks, Sam." she blushed. "So what does that mean for me and Island Beats?" Mercedes asked going in straight for the kill.
"It means, we will definitely be in touch." Brody smiled and then turned to Sam. "I will call and make the arrangements for you both to come by the office so we can talk business."
The minute Brody left, Mercedes jumped into Sam's arms. She couldn't believe that they were really about to make their dreams come true. And she had no one to thank but Sam. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. She felt so at home in his arms that she almost lost herself as she stared into his eyes and felt herself inching closer to him. She was inches from kissing him when she finally realized what she was doing and stepped back.
"Thank you so much for tonight, Sam."
"We had a promise that we had to keep...and I intended to make sure we kept it." Sam said before stepping back as well. They remained at the club to watch the other acts before finally making their way back to the hotel. Mercedes immediately made her way over to the bed to remove the heels from her feet and began to rub them.
"These were cute as hell on my feet but I am going to kill Kurt for making me wear them."
"I knew I saw Kurt at the club!" Sam exclaimed as he took his jacket off and sat next to her on the bed before taking her foot into his hands. He began massaging her feet as if it were something regular and common for them. "Why didn't he stick around and party with us?"
"You know Kurt Hummel doesn't stay nowhere too long." Mercedes said with an exaggerated Posh accent before letting out a satisfying moan. "My God, Sam! That feels awesome." she said as she leaned back and closed her eyes. She was floating on cloud nine when Sam finally spoke and made her open her eyes.
"You were amazing tonight." he smiled at her. She smiled shyly back then slowly pulled her foot from his hands. She was beginning to enjoy the feel of his hands too much. She needed to calm herself down. This trip was about her singing not getting back with Sam.
"Thanks, Sam, uh...I think I'll go shower for bed. I am getting a bit sleepy." she quickly made her way off the bed pretending she didn't notice the sad look Sam had on his face. She tried to take a lengthy shower in hopes that he would be asleep when she got out but it didn't work. When she got out Sam was just staring out the window. "Hey, you might wanna jump in there. The water in there felt so good. I almost forgot I was there." she giggled as she walked out in one of the robes that were inside of the bathroom.
"Yeah, I think I'll take a long shower too...and I guess talk to you in the morning." he said and before she could respond he brushed past her and closed the door behind him. He was in the shower for a while himself and unfortunately, Mercedes couldn't fall asleep. She could feel that she had upset him and after everything that he'd done for her she felt that would have been rude of her. She scrolled through Facebook until he came out and when he did he seemed shocked that she was up. He walked over to the sofa and started pulling it out before dropping down on it and turning over.
"Sam?" Mercedes peeked up to see if he would look her way. From where she was she could see his eyes were closed but she knew he wasn't sleeping yet. "Are you awake? I can't seem to sleep." she continued to look over to see if he'd open his eyes but he didn't so she got up and walked over to where he was and began to poke him. "Sam?" she poked him again and finally he opened his eyes. "Can we talk for a minute?"
"Sure." he finally responded and sat up. Mercedes stood over him then turn back over to the bed and pulled over the sheets before patting next to her. "You want me to come over there?"
"Just for a bit." she smiled shyly then it broadened when Sam slowly got up and made his way to the opposite side of the bed. "Just until we get sleepy."
"Okay." Sam replied as he lied down next to her as stiffly as possible. She wanted to laugh but she knew he was only being this way because she made things awkward. She hated that she didn't know how to be with him anymore. Back in 2009, they would lay in bed all day on Mercedes' bed and talk til Sam had to sneak out the window to go home. She chuckled at the memory causing Sam to look her way. "What's so funny?"
"You lying their stiff as a corpse." she replied before poking him in his ribs causing him to jerk away. He reached over and poked her back causing her to giggle and pull away from him.
"If memory serves me well, you're more ticklish than I am. Do you want to start this war?" Sam asked as his finger threatened to tickle her again.
"No...no...no Sam, you win. I surrender." she giggled again causing him to laugh with her till they both fell silent again. They both just stared off at the ceiling wondering what the other was thinking before Sam broke the silence.
"So...uh...tomorrow night, my parents are having a thing and wondering if you wouldn't mind coming along. My mom's making her famous meatloaf." Sam continued. "They've been looking forward to meeting you since...like prom night..." he chuckled then looked over at her waiting for her to respond.
"Oh...you mean like your mother and father?" she sat up and pulled her foot away from him.
"I think...unless I was adopted...which by tomorrow will see would be a blessing." Sam chuckled again as Mercedes thought it over. She was already there in Memphis and she always wanted to meet his parents to see if everything Sam told her about them were true.
"I see no reason why I shouldn't."
"Cool, hopefully by then I hear from Brody and then we can head back to Lima." he responded as they fell silent again. Mercedes mind was racing as she tried to think how to break the news to Puck that she would pursue her dream. When she got back to Lima they would need to have a big discussion about their finances and future together. And of course she would need to talk to Samyra about it all. "Are you having second thoughts?"
"No...this is my dream. Our dream." she added with a smile before reaching over to hold his hand. "I just wonder how do I move forward with the way my life is now to fit the dream I had then."
"Just make some adjustments. I had to make a couple." he smiled. "The way I saw us reaching our dreams we were together but life happened so I adjusted." he looked down at their hands and held hers tighter. "Long as we do this together...we will be okay." Mercedes looked over at him and smiled before nodding with him.
"You're right!" she replied. "We got this, right?"
"Yeah we do! And Samyra will be proud of you when she sees you on a stage."
"Speaking of Samyra, I can't get her to stop talking about you. You seem to have left a lasting impression on her."
"Well she's as talented as you with your singing so I feel I have to push her to follow her dreams just like I plan to push you." Sam said then slowly released her hand. She smiled at him then leaned her head on his shoulder as her eyes slowly began to close.
"Thanks for being there for me, Sam." she mumbled before falling asleep.
A few hours had passed when Sam woke up to see that they had both fallen asleep on the bed. He looked down to see Mercedes head was still nestled on his shoulder while his own had possibly fallen right on top of hers. He didn't even remember when they fell asleep but he never wanted to move again but he also wanted to cover her. He looked down at how peaceful she was sleeping and decided to take the chance with the covers. He reached down and pulled the covers slightly then stopped when she began to squirm then nestled into him. Sam stared down at her and couldn't help himself when he placed a kiss on her forehead. That seemed to have been all that was needed to wake her up as she looked up at him. Sam wasn't sure what her reaction would be and was shocked when she smiled at him then inched up to kiss him. The kiss was soft and quick but electrifying all in one. He hadn't felt her lips on his in such a long time he'd almost forgotten how much he loved them. He hesitated the urge to kiss her again because she seemed to have been still asleep. He slowly covered her up then slid out of the bed and made his way to the sleeper sofa. As much as he wanted to kiss her again he couldn't do it knowing she wasn't fully aware of his presence. He couldn't sleep the rest of the night as he tried to think of ways to ask her about the kiss once they were both awake and aware. Hopefully it didn't make things awkward for them the rest of the trip.
Hello is anybody out there? Anyway, I am sorry this took so long to update. I was going to update a few weeks back but then I got some bad news over something I had been anxious about and it ruined my entire life. ( over exaggeration but I felt so bummed) anyway...this chapter is longer than usual because I felt bad and it would have been longer but I decided to separate the first night in Memphis and leave the other half in the next chapter. The Evans' family dinner needs it's own chapter lol.
So if you all are still reading...what do you think of the Evans' so far? And Samcedes first night together? Next Chapter Mercedes will reach out to someone for help and come clean...u can guess who lol (that was supposed to all be in this chapter lol)
Reviews: Lamimi- her full confrontation with Puck is coming and it is going to be a truth bomb drama fest lol
Allie: Mercedes mentioned Puck getting Quinn pregnant and then her becoming pregnant the following year in the early chapters
Cherica: Sam's dad is ignorant. He has no filter. You will see more of it next.
Mzdoodlesaunt: No Comment lol
And everything else that was said about PUCK has me laughing. Whoknowstv u were right about a few things.
Till next time