A/N: I don't own Glee, The Devil Wears Prada, Ugly Betty, or any of that shit. Thank you all so much for the reviews, PM's, and Alerts. I love it, I love it, and I love it! Now on with the show!
Chapter 12: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Mercedes sat at her desk typing quickly. She came in even earlier that Tuesday to send the time off request e-mail and fill out the correct forms. Taking time off at the magazine wasn't as hard as she made it out to be but she didn't want any reason to have her time denied. According to the employee handbook she was allowed to take up to three weeks of paid time off without having to find a replacement for her duties. She knew Sue would never accept not having two people there so she asked Santana if she wanted to fill in for her for two weeks. After asking Stephen the request was granted. She had her fill in, as well as all of the forms filled out before 9 o'clock. She sat back and took a deep breath as she hit send and sent the proper forms off, even laying one on Sue and Rachel's desks.
She followed the chain of command closely. She made sure to send an e-mail to Sue, Rachel, and Human Resources to request her time off. She stated the reason why as needing time for a wedding as well as a family reunion. Explanation of her time off wasn't needed but she added it in just in case. She leaned back and took a deep breath as she finished. Her phone ran and she knew it was Sam. She glanced at the clock before answering.
"Good morning pretty girl." Sam purred. Over the last week he'd gone from texting in the morning to calling. Mercedes detected just a hint of sleep in his voice.
"Good morning handsome." Mercedes sunk back into her chair.
"Are you ready for tonight?" Mercedes blood ran cold. They were supposed to meet his mother for dinner tonight. Sam informed her that she'd also requested an hour for a private chat. The thought of being alone with Sue Sylvester for any amount of time scared the crap out of her.
"As ready as I'll ever be. Thank you for reminding me." Mercedes started to squirm in her chair. She knew she agreed to this dinner but it wasn't any less stressful.
"It won't be that bad. Just be your amazing self and I'm sure my momma will love you. Once you get to see what she's like when she's not being six or seven kinds of evil you'll like her too." Sam said soothingly. It was important that his two favorite women got along. Mercedes had become one of the most important people in his life, only second to his momma.
"Baby, I promise to stay open to this experience." Mercedes said, careful not to say she was bat shit scared and not really looking forward to this evening. "I have to go; Rachel will be here at any moment." Mercedes said.
"Okay baby, I'll pick you up at 8 o'clock. I…" He trailed off. He wanted to tell her he loved her it'd been on the tip of his tongue since he met her.
"Me too baby." She said warmly as she disconnected the call knowing exactly what he met. She was quickly pulled from her reverie by the entrance of a still seething Rachel. After reading about Mercedes now public relationship with Sam Rachel didn't take the news well. She came in Monday morning and began slamming items on her desk. Her face was visibly puffy and red from tears. Mercedes shook her head at the hopeless girl. It seemed today would be a repeat of yesterday.
"Good morning Rachel." Mercedes said pleasantly making eye contact with the girl. Mercedes didn't like Rachel but that was never a reason to treat her like garbage from the beginning every morning. Plus it was exhausting to be hateful. Mercedes reasoned that's why Rachel always looked like she'd run a marathon. She'd resolved in herself to be the better person and start each day with Rachel pleasantly. "Did you receive my e-mail?"
"Yes." She said curtly as she sat down to start her computer. Mercedes breathed a sigh of relief. This morning would be a little more pleasant than the others. Then she heard the sigh that made her skin chill. "You know, I cannot believe you think you deserve a vacation. You barely do anything to warrant a day off much less two weeks. You have some nerve." Mercedes knew Rachel was trying to bait her into a fight.
"I'm sorry you feel that way Rachel. I hope you get the fuck over it." Mercedes said with a smile as she went back to the daily reports. She put the finishing touch on the last of the reports and sauntered into Sue's office to arrange her magazines, and stack the reports neatly. Mercedes came out to the sounds of the shredder.
"As a matter of fact Mercedes I never got your leave request. I hope you get the fuck over it. I also didn't get your e-mail." Rachel said as she sat down smugly.
"Please don't tell lies Rachel, its not becoming. I put a read receipt on the e-mail. The moment Sue, Lydia down in HR and your petty ass reads it I get a little ticket saying it was opened. Now please do something useful with yourself." Mercedes took a long suffering sigh and sat down adjusting the large bow on her blouse." Mercedes called down to order Sue's coffee just as the tyrant walked in. She threw her coat onto Mercedes desk along with her bag. This time she didn't aim for the girls face. They were making progress.
"Jones, get your big ass in my office now!" She yelled. "Rachel, get your narrow ass down to the Closet and get some kosher cream for those Gucci bags under your eyes. After you're done with whatever self absorbed pity party you've been having get me John and Calvin." Rachel sat stunned at Sue's words. She stared with her mouth agape."
"Why the hell are you still sitting Yentl? Move it!" Sue yelled. Mercedes stood waiting to enter the large office. Rachel picked her jaw up and ran from the space. Sue turned to pin her eyes on Mercedes.
"Come on Jones, I don't have all day. Get in my office." She said in a tone that was menacing as it was calm once Rachel was out of earshot. Mercedes followed Sue into the office.
"I got your vacation request." Sue said as she sat down behind the large glass desk.
"Yes ma'am." Mercedes said softly shifting weight from one foot to the other.
"What makes you think I'll give you two weeks off?" Sue asked as a tiny blonde barista ran into the office dropped Sue's coffee off and ran out.
"I don't think you'd give me anything I haven't earned Ms. Sylvester." Mercedes statement was simple.
"I'm going to give you the time off." She said simply. "I'll see you tonight."
"Is that all Ms. Sylvester?" She asked calmly.
"Actually no…" Sue began rattling off her list of needs for the day. Mercedes wrote until her hand cramped. The list for today was the longest by far. She was slightly relieved to see things weren't going to change.
The day came to a close faster than expected. Mercedes stood from her desk and exited the now empty office. After taking several trains she walked through the door only to be greeted by a smiling Shayla. She was surprised to see the woman home.
"Hey there Ms. Jones, look at you! I love the outfit, channeling your inner June Ambrose today?" She said with a large smile. Shayla Peterson-Jones was a picky woman, yes. But she was so much more than that. Equipped with a big southern attitude, crass sense of humor, and a naturally mommy-ish personality Shayla was always a hit. Her "Earth Mother" image was what Mercedes' mother called Afro-Centric with big natural hair and skin the color of polished ebony. She preferred comfortable but stylish dashikis, tunics, and natural fabrics that draped her slender body. She had big happy eyes and a laugh that could shake the foundation. Mercedes often teased her by calling her Erykah Badu. She and Lamont were the epitome of a mismatched couple, with his buttoned up overly polished look and her hippy ways they balanced one another. Mercedes smiled the day she met the woman if only because Mrs. Jones didn't approve.
"Thank you Shayla! How was your trip?" Mercedes wrapped her arms around the woman quickly before pulling away.
"It was great. You know I had to bring you back a few things. They're sitting on your couch. By the way, I talked to your mother, father, and oldest brother today. I'm not going to beat around the bush. They want you to come home for the family reunion this year. Your mother is heart broken that she hasn't seen her only daughter in years and your father is equally as devastated. I'm not going to sit here and give you ultimatums. But it would be really nice if you could take a few days off and at least show your face." Shayla said as she disappeared into the kitchen. Mercedes followed after kicking her shoes off. Mercedes knew it was a matter of time before they got to Shayla. Mercedes had been dodging calls from her family for weeks.
"I've already taken the time off and I'll be there. If they start any of their fuckery I'm gone. I'm not as amenable to being kicked around, bossed around, or sassed by those self righteous assholes like I used to be." Mercedes steeled her spine and took a deep breath as she heard Lamont's voice coming from their bedroom.
"Don't worry M.J. we'll be there to back you up if momma starts, or daddy gets out of hand." Lamont said as he came up behind her knocking a kiss to her cheek. Lamont was for a better definition handsome as hell. He'd taken after Mrs. Jones with caramel skin and high cheekbones. He'd also gotten her plump lower lip and light brown eyes. He was tall like their father, topping out at 6'5" which dwarfed his wife of only 5'4".
"Hey Monty!" Mercedes cooed as she turned to be engulfed by one of his famous bear hugs, she giggled when she felt her feet leave the floor. In that moment Mercedes was grateful for the affection that Shayla had unlocked in her brother.
"So are you serious about coming this year?" He asked as he put her down. He knocked Mercedes on the cheek when he saw her blush.
"Yeah I'm coming; I'm bringing Sam as well." Mercedes stilled as she saw Lamont freeze and Shayla turn.
"You're bringing Sam?" Shayla asked once again as if she hadn't heard her correctly.
"Yes, is that a problem?" Mercedes asked as she crossed her arms and popped her hip to the side. The couple knew where Sam was concerned Mercedes was a beast. There was no use in pulling rank, or using the respect my house card. Mercedes would fight.
"Not at all, you know we love Sam. Just be prepared for your daddy to have a fit." Shayla said as she went back to stirring the soup on the stove.
"Last time I checked Daddy didn't give a damn that I dated. If it wasn't Shane he wasn't having any of it. I swear he holds onto the dream of that asshole and I getting married more than Mom does." Mercedes eyes took a trip around their sockets as Lamont laughed.
"I couldn't see you and that big smug bitch together more than I could see me and Natalie together." They all had a good laugh at that. Natalie was Michael's wife. Michael was the youngest of the five brothers. It was a consensus that no one except Mrs. Jones even tolerated the little pain in the ass. She was a whiney gold digging woman that made the family bond in mutual dislike. Everyone knew the only reason Michael married her was because she'd claimed to be pregnant. The Jones' boys were notorious men of honor and obligation. There had never been a child conceived out of wedlock and Mrs. Jones made sure her boys knew if any of her boys knocked a girl up they were dead or wed. Michael had been the only one to test his mother on this. It was no secret Michael had been in love with another girl since he was 10. Being a stupid man he dated all the wrong ones Natalie included, figuring the love of his life would always be there. He was wrong. After a few more laughs were exchanged Mercedes disappeared upstairs to dress for the evening.
Sam knocked on Mercedes door at precisely 7 o'clock. He always told Mercedes they had to be somewhere a half hour before they were due to arrive because it seemed she always ran late. This time he was pleasantly surprised when she opened the door fully dressed and ready to go. He'd taken notice that she left her lip gloss off. He made no secret of hating the goopy stuff. He pulled her in for a searing kiss. She moaned into his mouth and pulled him into the house. Sam was never one to be subtle in his greetings. He pushed her against the wall and placed a death grip on her hips. This would be the only time they would be able to do this tonight and he wanted to make it could. He pulled away for a moment his lips kiss swollen and cherry red.
"Hey there Venus." He purred into her ear as he nipped her earlobe. Mercedes knew this mood well; she also noticed his fingers still had a bruising grip on her hips. The feeling caused a familiar sensation between the thighs she was desperately trying to keep closed.
"Hello Simba." She said catching her breath for a moment before going back in for the kill. Her lips crashed into his and she became the definition of a woman possessed. She really had no idea what came over her. She poured all of her lust into that kiss as she tried to climb his body. Her fingers knotted into his messy blonde hair. She heard the grunt of pleasure as he ground into her core. They did their best to remain quiet as they made out like overly sexed teenagers in the foyer of her brothers house, the same brother who appeared in the hallway moments later.
"God bless Sam! What did I tell you about trying to dry hump my sister in the hallway?" Lamont screamed covering his eyes as he disappeared cursing under his breath. Sam from turned as red as a tomato. Mercedes quickly unlocked her legs before sliding down his body. The mood still wasn't ruined they could have easily gone back to their earlier positions.
"I really need to get my own place." Mercedes murmured before stealing another kiss. Sam adjusted the skirt of her fitted black leather paneled dress. He also noticed the sides were stretchy, this was by far his favorite dress.
"Don't forget I always have my place." He said kissing her nose. "You look beautiful by the way." He said giving that lopsided grin she loved so much.
"Sam Evans, get your ass in this kitchen and say hello to me!" Shayla called out. Sam was quick to run into the kitchen and hug the woman who employed him. "So what is this I hear about you coming to Ohio and dragging our little Mercy kicking and screaming?" Shayla asked as Sam released her.
"Well, Mercedes is coming to Kentucky with me for my cousins wedding. I want her to meet my family and friends from back home. I want to see the same from her. I feel it will only bring us closer. Plus I never got the chance to ask her daddy if it was okay to date his only daughter." He said pulling her close. Lamont almost choked on whatever was in his mouth.
"Sam, if you ask for dad's permission to date Mercedes you may not be happy with the answer." Lamont said. His eyes were worried. Their father was a notorious hard ass.
"Monty, he said he was going to ask. I trust daddy to at least do the right thing. Even if he doesn't get the answer he's looking for that won't stop us. Sam is good to me and for me." She said looking up at the man adoringly. "He respects me." She said smiling as she pulled away from him. "We need to go baby. We're going to be late for dinner with your momma." Mercedes and Sam ran out the door after saying their goodbyes. Sam hailed a cab for the couple and after a tension filled car ride they arrived at a tall white washed brick building.
"Sam, where are we?" She asked as she looked up.
"Here." He said as he opened the door and took her hand pulling her from the car. After a short elevator ride Sam pulled the door up. They were deposited into a large area decorated in white, black, and chrome. Despite the cold color palette the home managed to also look comfortable. This home was the epitome of Sue Sylvester. It was cold on the outside but that was only a façade. No matter how hard she tried she could only be cold for so long. The smell of grilling meat carried through the air causing Sam's stomach to audibly rumble. He loved when his mother cooked. She only put hand to pan when it was a special occasion. Not wanting to scare his girl he withheld that bit of information.
"Momma, we're here." Sam called out. Mercedes hands went clammy.
"I'm in the kitchen sweet face." Sue called out. 'Sweet face' Mercedes thought as he guided her through the enormous apartment. Sue stood in the kitchen over a large stovetop grill. She was flipping steak medallions.
"Hello my love!" Sue called out and smiled. She wiped her hands on the black 'Hell on Heels' apron as she crossed the room. She hugged her son warmly then took his girlfriends hands.
"Mercedes." She said simply her eyes were warm though she made no move to hug the girl. It wasn't that she didn't want to; she just didn't want to scare the girl. The simple gesture of taking her hands was meant to convey peace.
"Ms. Sylvester." She said with a smile. She was determined to be strong and not cower like she wanted to. "This is for you; Sam told me it's your favorite." She said holding out a wine carrier. She wanted to made a good impression and she knew
"Thank you Mercedes." She said taking the package and opening it with a smile. It was her favorite wine. "While we're in these four walls please call me Sue." She said turning to walk back into the kitchen. Mercedes let go of some of the tension in her shoulders and finally allowed her self to take a deep breath.
"Don't get too comfortable Mercedes. You and I will definitely be having a chat after dinner." Mercedes' stomach knotted up again. It was as if Sue had a sixth sense. Dinner was tame as Mercedes listened to Sue. Mercedes saw a softer side of the woman but wasn't easily fooled. She knew Sue was tough as nails. Any affection for her was only surface deep. In truth the women barely knew one another. Dinner was a delicious meal of grilled vegetables, steak, and potatoes. The conversation was light, kept to neutral topics. Once the dishes were cleared the second glass of wine was poured. Sam seemed to disappear and Sue moved Mercedes to the living room. They sat across from each other. It was obvious Sue was sizing her up.
"Mercedes I don't know a thing about you." Sue said as she stared the girl down.
"What would you like to know ma'am?" Mercedes asked curiously.
"Tell me where you grew up, who your parents are. The only things I know about you are what is on your resume and what Sam has told me about you." Sue said crossing her legs and leaning back into her chair but not fully relaxing. Mercedes went into the sordid details of her life. She left out what her parents did for a living, and who Shayla was to her. She didn't want to name drop in front of this woman it was pointless.
"You dating my son and becoming part of this family scares me shitless." Sue said with a pinning stare. The woman was a master of the stare down.
"Yes ma'am, but I don't understand why." Mercedes replied stonily. She knew Sue could smell fear and she did her best to hide it.
"My ex-husband is a sheep. He is not capable of independent thought. He is also a grade-a-asshole. He will not like you and that will not be based on his own opinion. It will be because that is what he has been programmed to do. It's not me you have to worry about its Shawn Evans." Sue said with a hint of the Kentucky drawl she hid so well after 20 years. Unlike her ex-husband Sue wasn't born to a life of privilege. She saw people as they were, not as what they could offer her. Sue respected hard work and humility. Sue also had a deep respect for confidence. The woman decided she liked Mercedes from the moment Sam told her they were seeing each other, but there was fun in making the girl sweat.
"Why is it that he won't like me?" She asked, her eyebrows knitting.
"You're not blonde, thin, or Sam's ex-girlfriend. Watch out for that little heifer. She will try to double cross you at every turn. Never take your eyes off of Sam." Sue said as she sat back in her chair.
"I'm a big girl. I'm sure I can handle anything that is thrown at me. If they are anything like my family it won't be easy. I trust Sam I won't go in there guns blazing." Mercedes said as she took a sip of her drink. She'd steeled her spine and was determined to show no fear.
"What makes you think you're good enough for my son?" Sue's eyes went cold as she stared the girl down. This caused Mercedes' hackles to go up. She didn't like, nor appreciate being cornered.
"If I wasn't good enough for your son I wouldn't be here with permission to call you Sue. But since you asked I'll tell you. I don't take his bullshit; you're his mother so you know what I mean. I give as good if not better than I get. I'm strong and I don't play games. I don't control him or try to change him. We've had similar upbringings so I understand him to a degree. Above all of this I care deeply for him." She said with a smile. Sue only nodded.
"Have you slept with my son?" Sue questioned.
"Excuse me?" Mercedes asked.
"Have you had sex with my son?" Sue said again.
"I don't feel comfortable answering that question. You should take it up with your son." Mercedes said. She didn't want to discuss her sex life with his mother. She tried to keep her tone respectful, but with a hint of finality.
"I can tell I'm making you uncomfortable and I don't care. What are your intentions where my son is concerned? Are you holding out for something? Using your body and the promise of your goodies to goad him into not signing a prenup?" Mercedes started to feel insulted.
"With all due respect I am going to set a few things straight right now. My intentions towards your son are simply to love him and be the best for him. I'm sure his intentions towards me are the same. I'm not holding anything out. Rest assured since we are being so frank with one another. You son is incredibly satisfied. He has no room for complaints. I am not holding my goodies out for anything. I'm not interested in his money or any of that petty crap. I am not some trifling whore who would use her body to secure a future for her self." Mercedes said arching her eyebrows and pinning Sue with a stare of her own. She'd been perfecting that look for this moment. "Do not insult my modesty or my heart. I'm not some chicken head off the street." What Sue did next infuriated Mercedes. Sue began clapping.
"Finally, some sort of emotion!" Sue said rolling her eyes.
"Excuse me?" Mercedes asked her brows rising even further.
"Lower your brows Aretha. Those brows go up any farther and you'll look like that Beckham woman after a good botoxing. You've been here all night on your best behavior. Frankly I was starting to think you really couldn't handle my son. The last thing Sam needs is another well behaved woman who swears by her breeding." Sue said as she shook her head.
"Your son doesn't need to be handled, just loved." She said with a smile. "Does this mean I have your blessing?" She asked.
"I may be Sam's momma but I'm not the person you need to impress. You have to pass Ethel too." Sue said with a wicked smile. Mercedes noticed her body completely relax. They spent the remainder of the evening talking and embarrassing Sam who seemed to reappear at her side.
"Who is Ethel?" Mercedes asked.
"You think I'm Satan, Ethel taught me everything I know." Sue said as she settled back into her chair. Something told Mercedes this trip was going to be interesting.
A/N: Once again: Love it? Hate it? Want to date it? Leave me your suggestions, critiques, and maybe even a little praise? Next up, Kentucky!