Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! I enjoyed reading all your thoughts about this story. I love how everyone keeps on saying that Sam is cute. lol. bcandylandgirl said that my version of Sam is perfectly imperfect and it made my day because that's what I am trying to convey. I mean, nobody's perfect and Samuel Evans also has his own flaws. The man is a borderline stalker lol.
whoknowstv: I did mention in the earlier chapter that Kurt and Tina did plan blind dates for Mercedes, but she never show up for any of it. Kurt and Tina did try, but Mercedes Jones is stubborn lol.
Thank you for reading, reviewing and following this story!
It has been two months since their first date together. A week after the memorable first date, Sam planned another date. They went for a picnic at the Central Park and it went well. They had a great time together and Sam discovered new things about Mercedes - she would be very talkative if she is comfortable with someone. Sam was glad that Mercedes was getting more at ease with him. The second date was followed with another date and somehow, they ended up spending time together every Friday. After the fifth date, which Sam had invited Mercedes to his apartment, they started to spend Friday at each other's house and watch movies. They didn't put a label on their relationship, but Sam was confident that they are definitely in a relationship.
"Sam, what takes you so long?"
Mercedes' voice shook Sam out of his thoughts. He immediately took the dip and the chips and brought them to the living room. He put everything on the coffee table and went to sit next to Mercedes on the couch.
"What movie did you say we're watching again?" Mercedes asked.
"Annabelle" Sam said as he pressed play and started to focus on the movie. Mercedes gulped down her saliva when she heard it. She slowly reached for the pillow on the couch and hugged it tight as he peaked at the screen. Sam frowned when he noticed that Mercedes was being quiet. He turned to look at her and saw that she was hiding behind the pillow. He wanted to laugh because she looked adorable, but knew that it would definitely hate him for it, he swallowed his laughter before he pulled the pillow from Mercedes.
"Are you scared?" he teased. Mercedes rolled her eyes.
"I'm fine" she said. Sam chuckled.
"You should tell me. I can choose other movie" he said.
"It's okay. I don't mind" she said. Sam shook his head as he lopsidedly smile at her.
"You don't mind, yet you hid yourself behind this pillow?" he asked as he touched the pillow. Mercedes pouted.
"Okay. Yeah, I'm scared. Actually I hate horror movie" she said. Sam laughed.
"It's not so bad, is it? Admitting it out loud?" he teased. Sam laughed louder when Mercedes rolled her eyes. Mercedes' phone rang and she immediately answered it. A big smile appeared on her face and Sam knew that it was her father. It was obvious and something that he noticed after a few dates. Mercedes would light up whenever her father calls.
"Daddy, I know how to take care of myself. Besides, I am at a friend's house. You don't have to worry" Mercedes said. She playfully rolled her eyes as her father started on his routine safety talk. Sam chuckled as he heard Mercedes' words. He startled when he heard Mercedes screamed.
"You're sure? When? Next week! Okay! Yes!"
Sam just smiled as he watched Mercedes animatedly talking with her father.
"Okay, daddy. I love you too. Take care" Mercedes said before she hung up. She went and sat next to Sam.
"You sound excited just now" Sam said. Mercedes grinned.
"Daddy is coming next week! Might stay here for a week! Of course I'm excited!" she explained. Sam smiled.
"Well, You think you'll introduce me?" he asked.
"Of course! Daddy knows about everyone in my life. We usually have a big feast at my house every time daddy comes for visit. You'll meet him there next week" Mercedes said. Sam stared at her. He has a hunch that she didn't really know the implication behind Sam meeting her father. He didn't say anything about it, for the fear of Mercedes running away.
"Sure! I'll meet your dad" Sam said. He went up and changed the movie.
David Jones smiled as he watched his children. They were sitting in Mercedes' living room and bantering about something. His eyes fell on Mercedes. His eldest always be childish whenever she is with his brother. Despite being the first borne, Mercedes was spoil. James, being the eldest son, was the protector. At times, he would defend and protect his big sister. Somehow, throughout the years, people seemed to be mistaken about the two. They thought James is the big brother and Mercedes is the little sister.
"Guys, stop it. You're too old to be bantering like kids" Dionne said. The banter stopped and the siblings focused on the television screen. David chuckled as he made himself known.
"Baby girl, did you ask Kurt about using his house for the barbecue?" he asked as he went and sat on the couch, next to Dionne.
"I did and Kurt said it's okay" Mercedes said.
"I don't understand why did you buy this apartment, instead of a house, Mercedes. It'll be easier to have a house, you know. You can get the one with a backyard. That way, you can hold this gathering at your own house" Dionne chimed in.
"Mom, a house is too big for me" Mercedes said. "Besides, I love my place" she added.
"Kurt seems to love his house and doesn't think that it's too big for him"
"Mom, he's married, remember?" Mercedes said. She started to get annoyed with her mother. She hated it whenever her mother started the so called q&a session between them.
"And, how about you? When is it going to happen for you?" Dionne asked. She eyed her daughter's figure.
"Did you gain more weight, Mercedes?" she said, wide-eyed. "Oh, honey! I told you, right? You need to lose some pounds"
"Dionne" Davi said before his wife could start her rant. "Baby girl is beautiful. Only fools cannot see it. A good man will know that she is pretty. That's enough" he continued as he smiled at his daughter. Dionne rolled her eyes in annoyance. She stood up and went to their room.
"Don't mind her, baby girl" David said as he patted Mercedes' hand - comforting her.
"Ignore her, big sis! Let's continue the game!" Malique said as he hugged his sister.
"I'm fine, guys" Mercedes said.
The day of the barbecue, the Jones family arrived early at Kurt's house. Kurt jubilantly greeted them. He had prepared all the utensils needed and guided David to the kitchen.
"Poppa Jones, I have prepared everything for you. The kitchen is yours to command"
David laughed at Kurt. "Thank you, Kurt" he said. Without wasting his time, he started working and preparing everything to marinate the meats. Mercedes stood by her father since she was acting as his sous chef for the day.
"Who else is coming, Mercedes?" Kurt asked.
"Just Sam, Quinn, Santana, Mike and Tina. Then, maybe some of James' friends from college" Mercedes explained. Kurt raised his eyebrows at the mention of Sam's name. So does David. He exchanged looks with Kurt. He had never heard of a Sam before.
"Sam? The one who baked Quinn and Santana's wedding cake?" Kurt asked. Mercedes nodded. David was all ears for any information about Sam, but Kurt was lost in his thoughts while his daughter was focusing on her work. Meanwhile, Kurt was deep in his thought. He was trying to figure out about Mercedes and Sam. Indeed, in the past few weeks, Mercedes did mention Sam's name a couple of times. Then, he remembered that Sam had asked Tina about Mercedes' address before. Kurt looked at Mercedes suspiciously. David feigned an ignorance as he watched his daughter. He never knew her friend whose name is Sam.
The backyard of the Hummel-Anderson's house was filled with people. Once Tina and Mike arrived, Kurt immediately pulled them to the side and asked about Sam and Mercedes. Tina told him that after asking about the address, Sam never contacted her about Mercedes again. Mike just shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't know anything.
"Why are you guys gathering here?" Blaine asked, startling the three of them.
"Nothing. We're just talking about Mercedes" Kurt explained. Blaine raised his eyebrows.
"Are you guys setting her up with another guy again?" he asked.
"No!" exclaimed Kurt and Tina with an offended look on their faces. Mike chuckled at them.
"For your information, Mr Anderson. We stopped the match making already. Nothing will work with Mercedes" Tina explained dejectedly.
"It's about time" Blaine said under his breath, earning him a high-five from Mike. Kurt and Tina rolled their eyes at the gesture.
"Guys! Come on! Let's eat!" Malique yelled at the couples. They immediately moved to take the plates and lined up to fill the plates with the assortments of meats, sausages, and everything that David had prepared.
"Poppa Jones! This is amazing! When are you going to pass the recipe to me?" Blaine gushed as he bit into the succulent meat. David laughed.
"Not going to happen, Blainey! I'll give it to you if you married my kids, but Kurtsie here got to you first. So, you'll never get it!" he said - earning laughter from the group of friends.
"Where's Mercedes? I haven't seen her since we arrive" Santana asked, looking around the backyard.
"She went to clean up and change her clothes just now" David explained as he continued grilling the meat.
"Urm, not anymore" Malique said. He pointed at Mercedes who was walking into the backyard with Sam.
"Heads up. You might be facing some grilling and interrogation later" Mercedes said as they were walking to join everyone. Sam chuckled.
"From your dad?" he asked. Mercedes nodded.
"Daddy, Kurt and Tina - pretty much everyone that is close to me" she explained.
"I come prepare" Sam said. He wasn't lying. When Mercedes told him that her father is coming, Sam had definitely prepared himself for the moment he met her father. Besides, he already knew that Kurt and Tina were nosy, so he was always prepared of the ambush that Mike told him might happen.
"Shoot! They already eyeing us" Mercedes whispered. Sam reached for her hand and chuckled.
"Don't worry, babe. We got this cover" he said as they were approaching the group of people who were watching them. Sam saw the man who was handling the grill and he immediately knew that he is Mercedes' father. The resemblance is uncanny. Mercedes introduced Sam to everyone.
"Everyone, this is Sam Evans. My close friend" she said.
"Close friend, huh? How close are you exactly?" Santana asked.
"Closer than you and I, Santana" Mercedes said. She pulled Sam away from the crowd to get something to eat and drink.
"He's a handsome man" Dionne said, breaking the silence. The rest nodded in agreement.
"She seems to be very comfortable with him too" James added.
"He's a nice guy" Mike supplied as he ate. All eyes turned to look at him.
"How do you know that?" David, who was quiet finally asked.
"He's my best friend. So, I can and will vouch for him. Sam is a nice guy and he really likes Mercedes" Mike explained. David didn't say anything, but he was observing Mercedes and Sam from afar.
Sam sat among the friends and family. He smiled as he watched Mercedes joking around with her siblings. She seemed really at ease, surrounded by her close friends and family. Sam also noticed that Mercedes seemed to talk a lot with Quinn. In fact, she spent most of the time being attached to Quinn's hip.
"Can we talk?"
Sam was startled when David Jones approached him. He put the rib that he was eating on the plate and nodded.
"Somewhere private" David added. Sam nodded once again. He took the wet tissue and wiped his hands and fingers clean before he followed David. He noticed Mercedes' inquisitive stare and gave her a smile - telling her that it's fine. David brought Sam into Kurt's house and into the living room. He sat on the couch and gestured for Sam to do the same. They were sitting opposite of the other. Sam waited patiently for David to start.
"What's going on with you and my daughter?" David asked. He decided not to beat around the bush. "And don't give me the close friend bullshit" he added.
"We're dating" Sam said. David raised his eyebrows as he looked at the young man in front of him. He sort of guessed that they were together, but it still surprised him.
"How long?"
"Around two months. Mercedes wants to keep it a secret from her friends"
David nodded. "So, what's the deal with your relationship? Are you serious with her? Or is this some kind of phase in your life?"
"Sir, I love your daughter. I haven't told her about my feeling yet, but I'm going to be honest with you. I love Mercedes. Ever since our first meeting, I am already attracted to her. As the time passed, I got to know her bit by bit and somehow, along the time, I fall in love with her" Sam explained.
"You know about her weird opinion on relationship and everything?" David asked. Sam nodded.
"That's why we're taking it slow and that's the reason I don't mind being introduced as 'close friend'" he explained.
"Where do you see this relationship going in the future?"
"I want to marry her. Honestly, sir. I saw us being a family. She's my dream comes true. Just like any other dream, ones needs to work hard to achieve it and I don't mind putting all the efforts to make Mercedes mine"
Truth was, David was impressed with Sam's earnest feeling and honesty.
"I'm going to be honest with you" David said after he cleared his throat. "That's my little girl out there. Ever since she was born, she had stolen my heart away and kept it with her. All her life, I was waiting for someone worthy to come and get her, but somehow, my little girl is alone. We - her mother and I, we have issues and I think it somehow contributes to her twisted view on love and relationship. That girl guards her heart so well, that it is hard to break through the barriers"
Sam watched as David wiped his tears. Somehow, David's words gave her a glimpse on the reason behind Mercedes' action. David reached for Sam's hand and held it tight.
"Promise me, young man. Promise me that you would take care of her and protect her heart. Promise me that you would love her with your whole heart and bring happiness to her. Treat my baby girl well, Sam. That's all I ask"
"I promise you, Mr Jones. I will take care of Mercedes and shower her with all the love that she deserves" Sam said. The words ignited the passion in his heart.
"You don't have to ask for my permission to marry her. When the time comes, and you think you want to take the next step, just ask her the question. You already have my blessing. I saw how she acts around you and I know that she shares the same feeling with you, but she isn't ready to take the leap of faith yet. My daughter is - for the lack of better word - complicated. I believe you are up for the challenge, right?"
Sam chuckled. "I've been facing the challenge since the day I met her, sir" he said. David laughed.
"Yet, you're still here. I am impressed"
"Daddy? Sam?"
The two men looked at Mercedes who was walking toward them.
"See? She loves her daddy so much that I must always be in her sight" David joked as he rose up the chair. He patted Mercedes' head and went outside, leaving Sam and Mercedes alone.
"What did daddy say to you?" Mercedes asked as she went toward Sam and sat next to him. Sam smiled as he reached for her hand.
"Nothing. Just small talk between two men and the normal daddy-boyfriend talk" he said. Sam stood up and pulled Mercedes with him.
"Let's go outside! I want to finish that delicious ribs that your daddy grilled" he said as he walked toward the back door.
"Will I ever get to know about the talk?"
Sam shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe. One day. Not now"
Mercedes rolled her eyes. She knew that Sam was telling the truth. He won't tell her anything about the talk.