A/N: Thank you to all who read and reviewed this story. I can't really thank you enough for the encouragements and constructive criticisms. We'll get to the bottom of Kurt's problem but for now I wanted to write some fluff as I try to figure out how to solve it.
Chapter 29:
Kurt stirred and looked around the apartment. He saw Rachel still sleeping next to him and he smiled remembering how great his friends are. He stood up from the couch not wanting to disturb Rachel and walked to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and turn on the coffeemaker. On his way to the kitchen he couldn't help but notice Mercedes and the white boxes that littered their floor.
"Mercy what is…" Kurt asked while walking towards Mercedes. He stopped mid-sentence when he saw the gifts that Mercedes was taking pictures of.
"Oh my god is that a Badgley Mishka couture dress? Oh my god oh my god it is!" Kurt squealed and immediately took the dress out of the box.
Rachel woke up from the noise and quickly scanned the room to see what's going on. Rachel saw Kurt twirling around with a red dress against him and a wide grin plastered on his face. Rachel got up and went over to her friends to see what's all the commotion.
"Good you're up! Did you know about this?" Kurt asked Rachel.
"Know about what?" Rachel looking confused.
"Come on Rachel you are Sam's assistant you would know about this for sure." Kurt nudging their friend for her to spill.
"I absolutely have no idea what you are talking about Kurt. Are these from Sam?" Rachel asked.
"So you really have no idea?" Mercedes looked at Rachel.
"Really no. He probably didn't want me telling him this is all a bit too much and spoil the fun. But kudos to him, I'm impressed." Rachel took the diamond earrings and eyed the other gifts.
"Well take pictures 'coz I'm giving it all back after the date." Kurt gasped.
"Mercedes Anne Jones! When were you planning to tell me you have a date with Sam Evans?" Kurt looked at her friend hurt.
"He only just asked me last night, I was going to tell you but then you were upset and it went out my mind and then this happened. Oh my god I should cancel the date, I can't leave you alone after what happened!" Mercedes looked at Kurt apologetically.
"Girl cancel and imma kill yah!" Kurt sassed and Mercedes looked confused.
"We need to figure out what to do with what happened to you Kurt. If Sam really wants to go out with me he'd be ok rescheduling. If not, then better I know now right?" Mercedes shrugged.
"No, no, no! We can talk about that later, but for now you are going to that date and we're going to help you get ready!" Kurt pointed to himself and Rachel.
"Oh yey this will be fun!" Rachel clapped.
"You two are even crazier than Sam. I guess I'm crazy too for hanging out with you lot!" Mercedes laughed at her friends.
They quickly gathered the boxes and put it away in Mercedes' room. They then proceeded to make breakfast and badgered Mercedes for details about their date. After breakfast Mercedes and Rachel did the dishes while Kurt pulled some favours to get an appointment for the three of them at a spa. Kurt came back excited as he told his friends about a spa day. The three of them quickly cleaned up in the kitchen and gathered some stuff before leaving for their spa day. Kurt made sure they had the works. After what happened yesterday he needed this and he was glad he could do it with people he loves.
"Kurt you are the best! Thank you." Mercedes thanked Kurt as they were getting their mani and pedis done.
"Kurtie you are so the best! This spa day is amazing!"
"Aww, you two are the best! We all deserve this, I'm just glad I'm able to do this for us." Kurt smiled and felt a little lighter.
"I don't want to ruin our spa day, but Kurt we will find a way to restore your reputation I promise you that. You've worked so damn hard and I won't let anyone take that away from you. I know those are big promises but we will find a way." Mercedes reached and squeezed Kurt's hand.
"She's right, we'll find a way. We are snowflakes, fragile and delicate. Individually we might be weak but together we can do damage!" Rachel pepped.
Kurt and Mercedes looked at each other and laughed.
"Girl your analogy is whacked but we get you." Mercedes smiled at her friends.
"Nice sentiments honey, funny, but still thanks!" Kurt grabbed Rachel's hand.
Back at the apartment Kurt and Rachel sat on Mercedes' bed waiting for her to emerge from the bathroom. Mercedes finally came out in her robbed already moisturized and ready for Kurt's magic touch. Kurt quickly styled Mercedes' her in a soft up do. He pinned Mercedes' long brown locks in a messy type bun with a sweeping bangs to give her a Greek goddess look. He then worked on her makeup opting for smoky eyes, bronze cheeks and a red lipstick to compliment her dress. Mercedes finally looked at herself in the mirror and loved how she looks polished but doesn't look overdone. As soon as Rachel saw that Kurt was done, she took the dress and brought it to Mercedes to change. Kurt and Rachel held the dress for her as she took off her robe revealing the lingerie.
"Girl you have to keep that! Knowing you you'd never buy anything like that yourself and it's a shame if Sam never gets to see you in it." Kurt and Rachel grinned at Mercedes.
"Hush Kurt! I can't believe you said that!" Mercedes swatted Kurt's arm in embarrassment.
"I agree with Kurt Cedes, Sam will be drooling if he sees you in that! Not that I'm saying he won't be drooling seeing you in this dress either." Rachel teased.
The three laughed as they zipped up Mercedes in the dress. The dress looked amazing on her. The colour complimented her and it fit her curves perfectly. She looked sophisticated and felt like a million dollars.
"I think we should put my hair down." Mercedes said as she looked at herself in the mirror.
"Why? You look amazing Cedes!" Kurt reassured her.
"I don't know, I just feel bare." Mercedes explained.
"Well we are trying to seduce Sam and studies shows that guys are turned on when they see their woman's nape." Rachel said as a matter of fact.
"You for real Rache? And where did you two get the idea of me trying to seduce Sam?" Mercedes pursed her lips and put a hand on her hip as she looked at her friends.
"I read it somewhere. About the seducing part, we as in Kurt and I decided that's why you look like that!" Rachel had the widest grin on her face as she looked at Mercedes.
"You two are crazy. I said it before and I'm saying it again… cray-zee!"
"But you love us!" Kurt interjected.
Mercedes hugged her friends and took the Louboutin to put it in her backpack with some change of clothes she already picked out.
"Uhmm Cedes, what are you doing? Aren't you wearing them?" Kurt look confused as he watch Mercedes shoved the box in the bag.
"Kurt do you know how steep our stairs are? I'm going to break my neck if I wear them while descending down the stairs. I'm going to wear them when I get in the car don't worry." Mercedes reassured Kurt.
Mercedes was checking if she got everything she needed when someone buzzed their intercom. Mercedes looked at the clock and saw that it was 7 o'clock right on the dot. She heard Kurt buzzed in Sam and soon there was a knock on their door.
"Hi Sam!" Kurt let Sam in.
"Hey Kurt, is Mercedes ready?" Sam asked nervously.
Sam looked incredible in his tux holding a bouquet of yellow roses. Kurt lead him to the couch and asked him to take a seat.
"She'll be out in a minute, can I get you a drink?" Kurt playing the perfect host.
"No thank you. I'm good!" Sam replied.
"I'll just go and check on her, just make yourself at home." Kurt left Sam and went in Mercedes' room.
Rachel went out of Mercedes' room and decided to entertain Sam for a bit.
"Hey boss!" Rachel kidded which startled Sam.
"Rachel, you're still here?" Sam sounding surprised which earned a glare from his assistant.
"Yes and I can't believe you planned all these behind my back!" Sam rubbed the back of his neck and looked embarrassed.
"Oh yeah, well I wanted to do this on my own, so sorry that I hid it from you." Sam apologized.
"No worries. I'm sure seeing Cedes tonight would be more than payback." Rachel winked at Sam as he swallowed hard.
"You ready?" Sam snapped his head toward the beautiful voice behind him.
Sam tried so hard to speak but no words were coming out of his mouth. Mercedes was a vision in red. He imaged her in that dress so many times but his thoughts were no match to how she looked in reality. His heart was beating a million times a minute and he could feel himself falling if he wasn't already sitting down.
"I think you broke him Cedes!" Rachel joked as she and Kurt chuckled.
"Sam, are you ok?" Mercedes walked over to Sam and sat next to him to check on him.
"Uhhmm… yeah I'm ok, are you ready?" Sam cleared his throat as he waited for her response.
"Yes! I'll just grab my bag and we can go." Mercedes stood up and held her hand out to help Sam off the couch.
Sam noticed that Mercedes wasn't wearing the shoes he sent and instead was wearing purple chucks underneath the dress.
"You don't like the shoes?" Sam asked. Mercedes looked at her feet and giggled.
"I love it but It'll be a feat to walk down all those flights of stairs on those shoes. I'm changing in them when we get to your car."
"I'll carry you down if you want." Mercedes turned to Sam in disbelief.
"Have you been taking crazy pills?" Sam laughed and shook his head.
"I'm just saying, the offer's there!" Mercedes smiled.
"We better go before we're late for whatever you've got planned for tonight." Mercedes went to pick up her backpack and saw Sam's hand holding out for her to give him the bag.
"What's in the bag?" Sam asked.
"The shoes and some change of clothes just in case I do something embarrassing." Mercedes lowered her head to hide the rising heat on her face.
"I have your back don't worry." Sam lifted her chin up and winked at her.
Chapter 30:
They made their way down the apartment building to a waiting limousine parked out front. Mercedes mouth dropped open surprised that Sam is going all out tonight. The driver opened the door and Sam helped Mercedes get in before going to the other side to get in. Mercedes was like a five year old at awe with the new experience. She has only seen limousines on TV and never dreamed she would ride in one of them. She stared at the interior and was itching to start flipping switches and pressing buttons but she remained seated and wandered with her eyes.
"Go ahead!" Sam smirked as Mercedes expression completely changed from restraint to utter joy.
Mercedes quickly scanned the limo and watched what each button or switch does as she pressed them. One switch revealed a mini bar; another opened the privacy screen up front. One switch opened the sunroof, Mercedes decided against popping up just like what she's seen in movies afraid of ruining her hair. She quickly shut the sunroof and moved on to another button. It amused her all throughout the limo ride so when the limo stopped she panicked that she hasn't changed her shoes yet. Mercedes fumbled in her bag as she took out the box containing the shoes. As she was taking off her chucks, Sam took hold of her ankle and slid the sandals on her right foot. Tingles were running up her leg as he slowly fastened the clasp and repeated the same thing to her other foot. Sam looked up to meet Mercedes gaze on him. She smiled at him shyly as brown eyes meets green. Sam put down her foot and quickly climbed out the limo and went to her side to assist her out.
"Ready Ms. Jones?" Sam asked as he held out his hand for her and Mercedes accepted.
Mercedes climbed out sliding her legs out and standing up with Sam's assistance. Mercedes found herself in front of the MET looking at Sam confused.
"We're watching a ballet." Sam tugged Mercedes hand as they walked up the stairs to the entrance.
Mercedes watched in awe as people elegantly dressed ushered in the theatre. A man lead them up the flight of stairs and showed them to a booth. Sam held the chair as he motioned for her to sit. He soon sat next to Mercedes and flipped through the programme.
"I've never seen a ballet before, what is this called?" Mercedes wide-eyed asked.
"Giselle! Here you can read what it's about." Sam handed the programme to Mercedes and watched her as she read through.
Mercedes leaned on the balcony of their box watching intently at the dancers. She loved how graceful they all are and how the emotions of the play was beautifully captured through music and dance. Mercedes was in tears as the first Act ended. Sam handed her a handkerchief as she wiped the tears off.
"I'm sorry, I must look a mess." Mercedes apologized as she sniffed and continued dabbing her eyes.
"You look so adorable." Sam smiled as he took her hand.
"You're probably the only one that thinks that, but thanks." Mercedes smiled at Sam.
"You want to stretch your legs and walk at the lobby? We can get some refreshments there to sustain us until dinner." Mercedes nodded and followed Sam as he stood up.
The lights flashed which signals that the second act would start soon. Sam led Mercedes back to their box with his hand on the small of her back as she held on to her glass of champagne.
"I don't know how that'll sustain me until dinner; you should have told me to bring snacks. Next time I'm bringing popcorn." Mercedes joked.
With the same intensity Mercedes watched the 2nd act of the ballet and thought to herself that she should watch more play, opera and ballets. She fell in love with the theatre and can't wait to tell her friends about it. The ending still made Mercedes teary-eyed but at least she was now smiling.
"Thank you Sam! That was wonderful. I never would have imagined I'd enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you again for this evening." Mercedes placed a kiss on Sam's cheek.
"The night isn't over yet Ms. Jones! We still have dinner and if you're ready to leave that's our next destination." Sam held out his arm for Mercedes to take.
Mercedes linked her arm with Sam's and they made their way out of the theatre where their limousine was already waiting. Sam again helped Mercedes to get first before walking to the other side to climb in himself. The ride to their next destination was short and when the vehicle stopped Mercedes peered out but the area was unfamiliar.
"Where are we?" Mercedes asked only to see that Sam was already out and about to open the door for her.
"My place!" Sam said nonchalantly as he held out his hand for her to take.
Mercedes eyed him as she got out.
"Nothing like that. I just wanted somewhere private and where could be more private than my home." Mercedes smirked and reached in the limo to grab her backpack.
"Are you sleeping over?" Sam teased.
" Boy you better not get any ideas. I'm just bringing my stuff so it'll be easier to give the stuff you sent this morning back. It's actually perfect come to think of it." Mercedes smiled as Sam pouted.
Sam led Mercedes up to his penthouse. He opened the door to her and let her walk inside. Mercedes was again in awe as she saw a path made from rose petals and scattered candles leading to a beautifully decorated table with more candles and fresh flowers.
"Uhhmmm… Sam?" Mercedes called for Sam nervously.
"Yes?" Sam replied.
"You… you're not planning to propose are you?" Mercedes blurted out.
"No, of course not! But would it be bad if I did?" Sam teased again.
"Yes it would be bad if you proposed on our first date! But since you said you're not, I have to say this… this is really over the top. Why would you do something like this? Don't you watch romantic comedies? This is the kind of thing the guy does before he proposes to his girl or if they want to romance their significant other." Sam felt embarrassed and was turning red in the candlelit room.
Mercedes saw the sad look on Sam's face and cupped his face in her tiny hands as she searched for his eyes to look back at her.
"But I appreciate the effort! This is again amazing, but you should pace yourself. I might get used to this and where would that leave you? Look at me please." Mercedes smiled as Sam stared back.
"Smile for me?" Mercedes asked politely and Sam indulged her with the sweetest smile.
"Is it really over the top?"
"Maybe not, but I'm not used to all of this. I'm just a simple girl and always and foremost a realist. I've never been in a relationship with someone like you. The last guy I dated takes me to the buffet at the bus station every week and I thought that was over the top." Mercedes laughed at the thought.
"You don't have to try so hard Sam. I just want you to be yourself. I like it a lot when we talk for hours non-stop. You know what the perfect date would be for me?" Sam looked at Mercedes and waited for her to reveal her ideal perfect date.
"The perfect date for me was exactly the same as the day we spent with Stacie and Stevie at the museum and picnic at the park." Sam gave Mercedes a knowing smirk which sparked her curiosity.
"Spit it out Evans!" Mercedes looked at Sam's amused look.
"Sorry, my lips are sealed. Shall we have dinner now? I know I'm starving." Mercedes still wondered what Sam was hiding from her but let it slide for now.
Sam led Mercedes to the table and pulled the chair out for her. As soon as Sam sat down, the servers came out of the kitchen to start their first course. Mercedes was quite amused throughout dinner. She loved every course and even if she thought it was too much she still couldn't help the fluttering in her heart knowing Sam did all of this for her. She looked at him across the table lit by candles. He looked beautiful under the glowing lights and her heart swelled when he stared back at her.
"You really look beautiful tonight Mercedes. If I could keep a memory of you forever it would be this image of you lit by the amber of the candlelit glow. You took my breath away when I first saw you tonight and now your presence is the only thing that's keeping me alive." Mercedes looked away feeling blood rushing to her face.
"You better stop it Sam or I might hurl from all the mushiness." Mercedes teased.
"I thought all women like being complimented." Sam smirked.
"Maybe but like I told you I'm not used to it. It's flattering but at the same time making my skin crawl. I guess I'm different and that's the polite way of putting it." A giggle escaped Mercedes' lips which surprised her. She looked at Sam who was trying hard not to laugh and suddenly both burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing?" Mercedes finally asked as she wiped a tear from all the laughing.
"I don't know! I just love your reactions I guess. You just do these involuntary things and it's too cute." Sam chuckled.
Mercedes smiled wide and felt her heart skip a beat as she watched Sam candidly laughing. They finished dinner talking all the way through. Their conversation varied from work, the tabloid and how Sam was able to plan their date without Rachel knowing. By dessert Mercedes wanted to tell Sam about what happened to Kurt when Sam asked about him. She decided against it knowing it wasn't hers to tell and wanted to respect Kurt's decision to not involve Sam. She replied a safe answer that Kurt's having some issues at work and left it at that. Sam felt that she was hiding something and decided not to push it further.
"Would you like to have coffee in the living room?" Sam asked as the stared at Mercedes.
"Yes please! But could you point me to the bathroom." Mercedes asked.
Sam pointed to the hallway leading to his bedroom and told her it's the 2nd door on the right. Mercedes smiled at Sam and stood up not before Sam held the chair for her. Mercedes grabbed her backpack and made her way to the bathroom. Once inside the bathroom Mercedes grabbed a handtowel on the counter and soaked the end with cold water. She pressed the cool damp cloth to her neck to try and cool herself off. Being with Sam is just making her body act in strange ways she's never felt before. When her pulse finally went back to a steady pace, she proceeded to take her clothes out of her bag to get changed. Once she was changed she folded the dress carefully and put back the shoes, clutch bag and earrings in their respective boxes. She carefully piled the dress on top of the boxes and then placed the earring box on top of the dress. She checked herself on the mirror one last time before heading back to Sam.
"Not that I don't like what you are wearing but why did you change?" Sam tried hard to hide the disappointment and clearly he wasn't doing a very good job of it when he saw Mercedes' face drop.
"I didn't want to ruin the dress. It was a close call during dinner when I almost spilt the wine." Mercedes explained as she handed the boxes and dress to Sam.
Sam didn't want to ruin their date and accepted them from her. He quickly put them on the side table and quickly joined Mercedes on the couch.
"Uhmmm… If you don't mind I'm keeping the lingerie. I don't think it's sanitary to return them." The tension soon quickly left as the pair laughed.
"I wouldn't mind you keeping all of it but then again I respect your wishes and I'm not going force it on you." Sam smiled and Mercedes felt better.
Their conversation fell into their earlier momentum and soon Sam knew Mercedes has to leave otherwise the 2nd part of his date plan will not happen.
"As much as I don't want the evening to end, I have to take you home!" Sam said apologetically as Mercedes looked at him confused.
"Remember I told you to keep the whole weekend free?" Sam asked and Mercedes nodded.
"Well part 2 is early morning and seeing as it's already past 1 I should take you home."
"What time is early morning? I just hope you don't have some crazy idea that I will be up at the crack of dawn for a date. Because if you do, then you can forget it!" Mercedes laughed.
"It's not that early, I was thinking around 8 o'clock. We'll have breakfast at the boathouse in Central Park then go for a walk in the park." Mercedes lit up at the thought.
"That sounds really nice." Sam's smile grew wide.
"I'll send the car to pick you up at 8 and I'll meet you at the park." Sam explained to Mercedes.
"I can make my way there, no need to send the car. I'll see you at the café tomorrow."
"No! Let's meet at your favourite spot." Sam suggested.
"OK!" Mercedes smiled as Sam stood and held out a hand for her.
Mercedes took his hand and he quickly intertwined their fingers. She felt her pulse start racing again and tried hard not to shiver from his touch. Sam held her hand the entire ride back to her apartment; she stared at their hands the entire time as he stared at her. She was afraid to look at Sam not wanting him to see her flushed. Sam walked Mercedes up to her apartment at once again found themselves in front of her door.
"Thanks for a wonderful evening Sam. You have no idea how much fun I had tonight." Mercedes thanked Sam.
"The pleasure was mine. I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. I'll see you tomorrow then." Sam paused for a moment before leaning down to kiss Mercedes good night.
Mercedes met him halfway as she tilted her head up to capture his lips. The kiss was threatening to become deeper as Mercedes pulled away from it. Sam was paused mid-air with his lips still in a pout as he felt her lips distance from his. Mercedes was silently giggling at this time as he opened his eyes.
"We might not have a date later if we didn't stop." Mercedes winked at Sam which made him blush awkwardly.
"Uhmmm… yeah! I'll see you later, goodnight Mercedes!" Sam smiled.
"Goodnight Sam! I'll see you at the park." Sam watched as Mercedes walked into her apartment and slowly closed the door.
Chapter 31:
Mercedes got up really early as she couldn't contain the excitement from last night. She quickly showered and laid out clothes for he part 2 date with Sam. She finally decided on a floral summer dress partnered with silver ballet flats. She left her hair down this time putting a headband just in case it gets windy outside. She was finishing her makeup when she heard rustling outside her door. She went out of her room to check the noise only to find Kurt in his PJs turning on the coffeemaker.
"Morning Kurt!" Mercedes bounded towards Kurt and hugged him from behind.
"My we are in a good mood today. I guess the date went really well last night." Kurt asked before turning to look at his friend.
"And I guess you have somewhere to go. Why are you dressed up this early?" Kurt eyeing Mercedes.
"Apparently there's a part 2 of the Sam Evans date extravaganza. I'm meeting him for breakfast at Central Park." Mercedes couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"I have to commend Sam for the effort, but for now tell me everything that happened last night!" Kurt led Mercedes to sit down with him and waited for her to spill.
Mercedes went into detail of what happened after they left their apartment. She mentioned the shoe moment, the ballet and dinner at his place. Kurt could tell that Mercedes loved every detail of her date but he also knew not to point it out otherwise she would clam up. Kurt for a moment forgot his problem and shared in Mercedes' joy as she recount every single detail of her date. Kurt stood up to grab both of them some coffee while Mercedes continued to tell her story. Kurt was genuinely happy that his friend is finally enjoying life and he couldn't have asked for a better person to make his friend happy. He took a mental note to have a chat again with Sam Evans one of these days.
"I have to go sweetie, I promise we'll continue this when I get back."
"Go on girl, I'll see yah later." Mercedes kissed Kurt on the cheek as she left their apartment to make her way to the park.
The commute went by quickly and all the time her smile never faltered. She walked out to the New York streets and made her way to her favourite spot in the park. Mercedes noticed from a far multi-coloured balloon almost rivalling those in the movie Up in number. She smiled as she thought of buying a balloon for Stacie and imagined Sam's face if they walked in the park with balloons. Her smile soon turned into confusion as she neared their meeting place. The balloons she saw from a far were exactly where they were suppose to meet and the person holding the balloons were none other than Sam himself. Her smile grew wild when she saw two blonde children in front of Sam. Stevie was holding a bouquet while Stacie held a small gift. Mercedes shook her head with a smile plastered to her face as she stood in front of them and the children ran up to hug her.
"Mercy!" The children shouted in unison.
"Sam Evans! I can't believe you'd use your siblings like this!" Mercedes teased.
"It was their idea, honest! That's why we have 2 dates because Stacie and Stevie wanted a repeat of last time. I couldn't say no now could I?" Sam pouted as the children looked up to Mercedes.
"We begged him Mercy, we wanted to see you again!" Stacie hugged Mercedes tighter as Stevie lifted the flowers for her.
"I missed you guys so much! Thanks Stevie for the flowers." Mercedes bent down to kiss the top of Stevie's head.
"We got you a gift Mercy!" Stacie squealed in excitement as she pushed the gift for Mercedes to take.
"Really!" Mercedes smiled at Stacie.
"I picked it out, come on open it!" Stacie excitedly waited for Mercedes to open the gift and hoped she loves it.
Mercedes carefully tore the wrapper and saw a jewellery box. Mercedes instinctively looked at Sam who nervously looked up at the balloons as soon as their eyes met. Mercedes smirked at how clever Sam is, he knew she could never hurt the children's feelings and if the box contained what she thinks it contains she wouldn't dare disappoint Stacie by giving it back to her. Mercedes slowly opened the box to see a beautiful white gold necklace with a heart pendant.
"So do you love it? 'Coz I have the exact same one. I wanted for us to have a matching necklace just like sisters do!" Stacie was beyond excited when she showed Mercedes her own necklace.
"I love it Stace, but it won't be enough for me to stop missing you." Mercedes hugged and kissed Stacie on the cheek.
"I know, but hopefully Sam would marry you soon and then I'll see you all the time!" Mercedes felt her cheeks flushed as Sam turned beet red from Stacie's comment.
"I still say marry me instead Mercy!" Stevie hugged Mercedes side and looked up to her.
"What's with you Evans kids with all this marrying talk?" Mercedes chuckled as she looked up to Sam under all balloons hoovering above him.
"They're obsessed with you I guess. By the way these are for you." Sam handed the balloons to Mercedes.
Mercedes absent-mindedly took hold of the balloons and gazed up at how beautiful they looked. Sam left them for a moment to lay out the blanket on the grass and took out the stuff inside the picnic basket.
"Where did that come from?" Mercedes asked amused as Sam set the food out.
"Breakfast is served!" Sam stood up to take the balloons off Mercedes' hands and tied it to the tree's branch.
"Won't the branches pop the balloons?" Mercedes asked concerned.
"I don't think so, but if it does I think we can afford to lose some of them." Sam winked as he sat down next to her on the blanket.
"Mercy, can you wear your necklace now like me?" Stacie looked at Mercedes.
"Sure, can you help me put it on?" Mercedes smiled at Stacy.
"I can't the clasp is too difficult, Sammy helped to put on mine. Maybe he can help you too!" Stacie suggested as she looked at her brother wide-eyed.
"Here, I'll help you." Sam took the necklace out of the box as Mercedes turned her back on Sam lifting her hair up.
Sam placed the necklace on Mercedes and lightly ran his finger across the clasp which sent shivers down her spine despite the heat that emanated from his touch. Sam felt electricity surge through his body as he touched her skin, the sensation was overwhelming yet he longed for the contact.
"Thank you!" Mercedes thanked Sam as she met his gaze.
Mercedes really missed the kids and loved every second with them. Sam watched Mercedes and his siblings' interaction; he couldn't help but laugh at their antics from time to time. Their current antic is fighting over who Mercedes likes more and Mercedes would try to stop the argument only to be put on the spot.
"I love you both equally so there's no contest!" Mercedes firmly stated.
"We know that, but we want to know is who you like more?" Stevie insisted.
"What do you mean?" Mercedes now looked confused.
"We know you love us both equally but who do you like more? I think it's me because I'm a girl and we have more in common." Stacie explained.
"Mercy likes me more 'coz I'm not as annoying and clingy as you Stacie." Stevie teased Stacie which made her pout.
"I'm not annoying and clingy!" Stacie protested as she clung on to Mercedes.
Sam tried to hide his amusement as he saw dread on Mercedes' face. The children continued to taunt each other and Mercedes looked like she was close to tears when the kids waited for her to answer.
"Guys I'm afraid both of you are just close second 'coz the Evans kid she likes most is definitely me!" Sam interjected to save Mercedes from the pressure Stacie and Stevie are putting on her.
"Ok fine I'm good with 2nd." Stevie accepted.
"I'm ok with being 2nd too as long as you say I'm the Evans girl you like the most!" Stacie smiled.
"That's not fair you're the only girl." Stevie pouted as Stacie stuck a tongue out at her brother.
"How about, Stacie is the Evans girl I like the most and Stevie you're the Evans boy I like the most."
"I thought you like Sam the most?" Stevie asked.
"I didn't say that, your brother did." Mercedes looked at Sam and stuck her tongue out at him.
Sam pouted as the children laughed at their brother's reaction.
They've decided to walk off their meal and packed up their picnic.
"What are we going to do with the balloons?" Sam asked.
"I can't believe you got all these, what were you thinking?" Mercedes playfully slapped Sam on the arm.
"I was trying to be fun and romantic like in those movies you said." Sam loved the way Mercedes rolled her eyes at him as he grabbed her hand and linked their fingers.
"I know what; let's give away the balloons to kids in the park! That way we didn't waste the balloons and we actually made other children happy." Mercedes beamed as she told Sam.
"Can I have a balloon?" Stacie asked.
"Sure, what colour do you want?" Mercedes asked.
"I want a purple one please!" Stacie smiled as Mercedes picked the closest purple balloon and handed it to Stacie.
"How about you Stevie?" Stevie thought for a moment.
"Nah, balloons are for girls." Mercedes tried not to laugh at the pained look in Stevie as he said those words.
"Well, seeing as I'm a girl and I want to keep one balloon could you help me pick out one and keep it safe for me while we hand out the rest?" Sam smiled at Mercedes as she winked at him.
"Ok, I guess I can hold it for you." Stevie smiled.
"So what colour do you think I should get?" Mercedes looked at the balloons as if deciding which one to pick is the hardest decision she's had to do.
"The red one, definitely go with the red balloon." Stevie lit up as he saw Mercedes taking a red balloon and handing it over to him.
"Keep it safe for me alright?" Mercedes ruffled Stevie's hair as he nodded.
They walked around the park handing out the balloons to children in the park as well as people who asked for it. Soon they were down to the last few when Sam checked the time on his watch.
"We better go soon. I'll ask the car to pick us up so we won't be late." Sam took out his phone and pressed the speed dial.
"Late for what?" Mercedes asked confused.
"For church." Sam said before holding a finger up to talk on the phone.
"Good thing we're going to church. I was afraid I'd miss a service this week because of your brother's date extravaganza." Mercedes turned to Stacie and Stevie.
"Yeah, Mom and Dad can't wait to meet you! I'm sure they'll love you as much as we do!" Stacie beamed.
"Are you guys ready?" Sam excitedly asked as the kids ran up to their brother and Mercedes stood frozen on the spot.
"Mercedes, are you feeling ok?" Sam visibly looked worried now.
"We're meeting your parents?" Mercedes managed to say out loud not really posing the question on anyone.
"Yeah, they'll meet us at church then have lunch at home." Sam smiled as all the colour drained from Mercedes' face.