Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of its characters. All rights go to their respective owners. Any similarity to persons alive or dead is purely coincidental.


'That is cruel and unusual punishment, Miss Jones.'

Mercedes frowned as she leaned across the hotel bed to grab her purse and double check that she hadn't left anything behind.

'What do you mean?'

'What do I-?' Sam stared in shock at Mercedes as she retrieved her purse and turned to look at him, her hair falling over her shoulder in soft waves as she frowned at him. 'Come here for a second.'

'Sam!' Mercedes complained half-heartedly as Sam took her hand and pulled her gently towards him, 'We don't have time.'

'It'll only take a second.' Sam promised, his hands naturally finding the dip of his girlfriend's waist as he turned her to face him. 'Look at that!' he demanded, gesturing behind Mercedes to the mirror in front of him.

Obligingly, Mercedes looked over her shoulder at the mirror and then back to her boyfriend in confusion. 'I don't get it.'

'Look at your butt, in those jeans!' Sam pointed out, eyeing said body part appreciatively. The light blue denim had been tailored specifically to hug Mercedes' ample curves, and the high waist highlighted her coke bottle shape in a way that made Sam feel a little dizzy.

'And then you've got the Jessica Rabbit hair and those lips...' Sam trailed off, stealing a kiss from Mercedes' plump, pillowsoft lips. 'How am I supposed to deal with you looking that good and just casually walk around pretending I'm not crazy about you?' Sam demanded, his hands trailing down Mercedes' waist to cup her butt as he pulled her closer to him. 'Cruel. And. Unusual. Darlin'' He told her, punctuating every word with a kiss before sighing and letting her go.

'I swear I'm not going to be held responsible if pictures of me looking at your butt are in the papers tomorrow.'

Mercedes laughed and patted her boyfriend on his chest, trying - and failing - to resist copping a quick feel of his firm chest. 'You say that every time.' She accused as Sam handed her her purse and grabbed her suitcases for her. 'And who are you to talk? You couldn't have dressed down a little?'

Sam glanced down at the faded black t-shirt and jeans he was wearing and raised a questioning eyebrow. 'I did...'

Mercedes let out a noise halfway between a harrumph and a laugh and pulled open her hotel room door, her posture immediately changing as she checked the hallway for anyone who might see them.

'You know, we could just tell people we're together.' Sam offered, making Mercedes jump as he spoke quietly into her ear. 'It's been months, Cedes. What are we even waiting for?'

'Um, for everyone to stop talking about your divorce for one thing.' Mercedes whispered back as soon as they were alone in the elevator together. 'We talked about this, already.'

Sam sighed and ran a hand through his hair, flexing just a little bit when he caught Mercedes' admiring his biceps.

'I know, I know.' Sam allowed, remembering all the reasons they'd agreed keeping things quiet would be a good idea. 'I'm just sick of not being able to kiss you in public.' he told her, watching her reflection in the polished brass elevator doors. 'And not being able to hold your hand or tell people how I'm in love with this incredible, awesome woman who for some reason loves me back.'

'I love you back because you're incredible and awesome too.' Mercedes interrupted under her breath, shooting Sam a sidelong smirk before turning her eyes front again with a tiny shrug. 'Plus you're nice to look at.'

'You want this body.' Sam grinned, performing a quick body roll and raising his eyebrows until Mercedes had no choice but to laugh. How her boyfriend managed to flawlessly pull off the combination of dorky and sexy at the same time was a mystery, but Mercedes wouldn't have it any other way.

'I want to tell people too, Sam.' Mercedes promised, turning to look at him with earnest eyes, 'but-'

The elevator dinged as the doors smoothly opened onto the lobby, and Mercedes went silent as a bellhop appeared from nowhere to take her bags from Sam and wheeled them out to the waiting rental car.

It wasn't until they were safely settled inside the car with the partition up that Mercedes started to speak again. 'If we go public now then you're forever going to be seen as the guy who cheated on his wife during the entirety of their marriage and I'm going to be seen as an evil homewrecker. It doesn't matter if it's true or not. If we time this wrong then that's who the media will make us out to be and that's who we'll become. I know it sucks, Sam but please...'

'How are you two always the first in the car?' Mike asked as he tipped the bellhop who'd opened the car door for him and climbed in, settling himself in the seat between Sam and Mercedes. 'I hope you weren't waiting on me long?'

'Nope.' Mercedes shook her head and offered Mike a warm, genuine smile. 'We just got in ourselves.'

'We?'

'I helped Mercedes bring her bags down.' Sam offered, watching the driver walk around the car and settle into the front seat through the window. The half-truth's came a lot easier now he and Mercedes had been together for a while. Sam could almost do it without thinking.

'Oh shit! Sorry, Merce, I didn't even think of it!' Mike apologised, turning wide, tired eyes to the woman next to him.

Sam tried to ignore the stab of jealously as Mercedes patted Mike's leg, but it was difficult. Sam didn't care about the intimacy between the two friends; he knew Mercedes could and would shut down any other romantic advances and he trusted her, it was more that the gesture was so easy between her and Mike. Mercedes could pat Mike's leg no issue, while Sam couldn't even hold her hand in public. It sucked.

Of course Sam agreed with everything Mercedes had said about going public. He'd be a fool not to, especially with his divorce from Delwyn only just being finalised, but he couldn't help but wish they could just worry about what they thought, instead of always having to consider other people in their relationship all the time. It was definitely taking some getting used to.

/

'Do you think they know?' Mercedes whispered out of the corner of her mouth, as she greeted Sam on the red carpet during an event a few weeks later, trying her best to act casual as Sam embraced her.

'I don't think anyone knows.' He assured her, murmuring the words into her hair before pulling away, his hands gently holding her forearms as he looked at her. 'God, I'm lucky.'

Mercedes giggled bashfully at Sam's heartfelt appraisal and raised a hand to cover her mouth, although it did nothing to hide her wide smile.

'You look very handsome.'

Sam seemed to grow with her praise, and he stood a little taller. 'Thanks.'

'Now move along.' Mercedes instructed, trying to sound firm. 'Or people will start to suspect.'

'Right.' Sam agreed, letting his hands drift down Mercedes' arms before entangling his fingers briefly with hers and pulling away. 'I'll see you inside?'

Mercedes nodded, her eyes locked with Sam's as her smile widened. 'See you inside.'

'Is it me or is there something different about Sam and Mercedes lately?' Mike asked curiously once he'd cleared the carpet and managed to locate Puck and Artie. Sam, as usual, was nowhere to be found.

'Uh, yeah.' Puck laughed, enjoying being the smart one for once. 'They're doing it.'

'WHAT?!' Mike's eyebrows rose so high they looked like they might disappear into his hair. 'SINCE WHEN?!'

Artie shrugged and thought for a moment. 'Since like, the second US stretch of the tour.' He said finally. 'I don't know if they're "doing it" but they're definitely together.'

'But…' Mike began, wondering how he had managed to miss something like that. 'I don't remember them ever saying-'

'Oh, they think they're keeping it secret.' Puck explained jovially as his eyes fell on the butt of a particularly blessed starlet. 'They don't know we know.'

'They don't know that everyone knows.' Artie corrected, shaking his head in wonderment. 'I don't know why. Those two have the worst poker faces of all time.'

'Sam and Mercedes.' Mike considered thoughtfully, a slow grin spreading across his face as the thought sank in. 'Awwwww!'

/

MammaSaidSikeUOut: I am LIVING for all these new vids coming out from the Every Day tour. Sam and Mike aren't even being subtle anymore, lol!

PartieAllllday: Me: my kink = Sweaty Artie. UNF! Puck: Same. lol!

MerSlaydeezbends: God, Mercedes is so gorgeous! Sam is so lucky!

MammaSaidSikeUOut: Sam and Mercedes aren't together, dumbass.

MerSlaydeezbends: Don't call me a dumbass, bitch.

MammaSaidSikeUOut: Then don't say dumbass shit, bitch.

MerSlaydeezbends: This coming from a delusional Sike shipper. NEWSFLASH! Sam and Mike aren't gay!

MammaSaidSikeUOut: Don't [pic of Sam and Mike ] call [pic of Sam and Mike] me [pic of Sam and Mike] delusional [pic of Sam and Mike] when [pic of Sam and Mike] there's [pic of Sam and Mike] actual [pic of Sam and Mike] evidence [pic of Sam and Mike] my [pic of Sam and Mike] ship [pic of Sam and Mike] exists [pic of Mercedes looking sad]

Titanatthegate: GUYS! KEEP IT OUT OF THE TAGS!

/

'It's been four months since the divorce went through, Mercedes. We've been together for nearly a year!'

'Seven months does not a year make, Samson Dennis Evans and are you SURE you don't want to say it louder cause I'm not sure everyone in Georgia HEARD YOU!'

'I swear to GOD, people don't care anymore, Mercedes! What are you hiding from?'

'I am not hiding, Samson!'

'Why do you keep using my full name!'

'Because I'm mad at you and it's more satisfying to say! Do NOT smirk at me, you jerk!'

'It's hardly my fault that yelling my name gives you satisfaction! I'd happily MAKE it my fault, hell, I'd make it my business but you-'

'I can't believe you're bringing this up here-'

'Well, it's up a lot of the time, Mercedes, I can't help that either!'

'Ugh! Why does everything have to be a joke-'

'Because otherwise this would drive me crazy! Mercedes, I. LOVE. YOU! Why can't we-

'WELL, I LOVE YOU TOO! But I don't see why we have-'

'I KNEW IT! YOU OWE ME $20!'

Mercedes faltered mid-sentence at the interruption, blinking rapidly at Sam as some of her irritation dissipated and her brain began to make sense of what had just happened.

'Was that-?'

'Lisa.' Sam agreed, nodding.

The couple looked at each other for a contemplative moment before turning as one in the direction Lisa's voice had come from.

'Lise?' Mercedes called out tentatively. 'What's going on?'

'I believe,' Lisa told them, beaming back at them from the front seat of the tour bus, 'that Bobby Ray was about to say five of my favourite words.'

Bobby Ray pursed his lips and scowled at the road ahead of him as he concentrated on driving.

'I don't recall me saying those words was part of the deal.' Bobby Ray countered, his Texas drawl more pronounced in his reticence.

'Maybe not,' Lisa grinned with a shrug of her slender shoulders, 'but I know you aren't a sore loser, Bobby Ray... so go on.' she coaxed, 'You can say it. Go on.'

Bobby Ray's cheekbones sharpened in discomfort as he wrestled internally before grudgingly admitting. 'I owe you twenty dollars.'

'Thank you!' Lisa sang giddily, beaming back at Sam and Mercedes' confused faces.

'I kind of feel like I missed something.' Mercedes admitted finally, glancing up at Sam for clarification. 'What did y'all bet on?'

'You two being a couple.' Lisa admitted easily, propping one foot underneath her as she alternately watched Bobby Ray and the road.

'We aren't a-' Sam began, but Mercedes stopped him with a hand to his abdomen.

'What gave us away?' she asked Lisa instead, answering Sam's unasked question without looking at him. 'Maybe I'm not ready to tell everyone yet.' She admitted, 'But that doesn't mean we can't tell anyone.'

'That, for starters.' Lisa chimed in, watching as the couple shared a wordless communication before turning back to look at her. 'You've been doing that "whole conversation with one look" thing for as long as I've known you.' Lisa pointed out, leaning back against the window to regard them more easily. 'You finish each others' sentences, you steal glances at each other when the other person isn't looking, and when you look at each other it's with this gooey, soppy happy expression. Sam seems to end up wearing more of your lipstick these days than you do, and I've never seen two people more in sync with each other than you two.'

'You'd go to bat for each other in a heartbeat.' Bobby Ray agreed, still not taking his eyes off the road. 'You support each other, you push each other. I'd even go so far as to say you make each other better people.'

Mercedes stole a glance at Sam after that statement, and then rubbed her arm bashfully.

'It was driving us bananas waiting for you two to figure out you were head over heels for each other.'

'And then you figured it out,' Lisa put in, hooking a thumb in Bobby Ray's direction. 'And tightwad over here wouldn't pay up unless you two were 'official'.' she scoffed. 'Even though, let's face it, we all know you've been together for- what? - Nine months now?'

Mercedes blushed as Sam shyly corrected. 'Seven. It's been seven months.'

'We were starting to think you'd never admit it.' Lisa supplied. 'And then all of a sudden there you were yelling it across the tour bus.'

'Sorry.'

'Hey, don't apologize to me!' Lisa rebuffed, holding her hands in front of her like a shield. 'You just earned me twenty bucks! I'm great!' She grinned at them both before dropping her hands into her lap and switching effortlessly into 'mom mode'.

'So what is it you guys were arguing about?' she asked them softly, her eyes radiating concern. 'You were arguing, right?'

'Yes.' Sam and Mercedes agreed after a moment, and Sam gestured for Mercedes to take the seat in front of him before sliding down onto the bench seat next to her, his arm resting easily around her waist.

'We decided that we weren't going to tell anyone we were together until all the buzz around Sam's divorce died down.'

'But it's down.' Sam told Lisa, before addressing Mercedes 'And for some reason you still don't want to tell people.'

'I don't not want to tell them!'

'What does that even mean?' Sam demanded, exasperation creeping into his voice as he looked from Mercedes to Lisa for some kind of clue.

'Don't you like it being just us?' Mercedes asked, changing track. 'I like it being something that we keep between the two of us.'

Sam sighed. 'Of course I do, Mercedes. You know I hate having everyone in our business as much as you do, and I'll even admit that the sneaking around is kind of hot, but I don't know, Cede, maybe I'd enjoy it more if I felt like you weren't holding back from me.'

Mercedes' eyes narrowed, every muscle tightening against the potential hurt as she started to grasp what her boyfriend was saying.

'...Is that really what this is really about?'

Sam had the good grace to look uncomfortable, but when he spoke it wasn't to back down.

'I don't know! Maybe?' a low growl rumbled in Sam's throat as he scraped a hand through his hair and looked to the ceiling for some kind of divine inspiration. 'It's just... it makes things harder when it feels like you don't- that you aren't-'

'Oh.'

'Listen, I don't know if you'd want to discuss it with Lisa and Bobby Ray here-'

'No...' Mercedes shook her head like someone in a daze, but then looked up and met Sam's gaze head on, determination in her eyes. 'No, you want to talk about it, Sam. Then let's talk about it. If it's what's bothering you then we... then we need to talk about it.'

Sam's eyes narrowed as he searched her face for any sign of doubt. 'Are you sure?'

When Mercedes only nodded, Sam bobbed his head in acquiescence and removed his arm from around Mercedes' waist to fold them across his chest.

'Ok. Why don't you want to have sex with me?'

Mercedes eyebrows rose at the directness of Sam's question, but she didn't back down, mirroring his posture as she turned to face him on the seat.

'Um, well, first of all. I know you might not... with me putting the brakes on when we...' Mercedes chewed her lip and stared at Sam's knees to avoid having to make this any more awkward that it already was. 'Make no mistake, Sam. I do want to have sex with you. A lot. A lot, a lot.' Mercedes bit her lip shyly as Sam's posture softened, but plowed on before he could interrupt her. 'But I...' she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before continuing, her eyes fixed on Sam's chest as she spoke. 'But I made a promise to myself when I was younger that I was going to wait until marriage.' Mercedes saw the muscles in Sam's chest tense as he straightened, but still couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye as she went on. 'And I want to stick to that promise.'

Sam waited to see if Mercedes was going to continue and then cleared his throat, scooting closer to her on the bench to gently place a hand on her knee.

'So we'll wait until we get married.'

'If we get married.' Mercedes corrected, but made no move to push Sam's hand away.

'When.' Sam reiterated, but looked less sure when Mercedes shook her head.

'Sam, I-'

'Mercedes, do you want to get married?' Sam asked seriously, searching Mercedes' face for clarification. 'Because I would marry you tomorrow if you wanted-'

'No! Sam, that's not the point!'

'Then what is the point?!' Sam gave his girlfriend the palms up in frustration. 'I don't understand, Mercedes. You don't want anyone to know we're dating. You don't want to marry me. What do you want?!'

'I want to be sure!' Mercedes shot out, folding her arms tighter across her chest as she sank back against the cushion of the seat. 'You don't understand, Sam. You're it for me. I know it sounds silly to say it and I probably shouldn't have said it first, but you're my person. I've known that since the moment I realised I was in love with you.'

'And you're that for me-'

'Except what if I'm not, Sam?' Mercedes countered, this time flinching away from Sam's outstretched hand. 'You've done this before, remember? You thought Delwyn was your person and look how that turned out.'

'That was different.' Sam stammered, not knowing how to assure the love of his life that she was just that.

'Was it, Sam?' Mercedes demanded, curling further into herself. 'I am so in love with you. And I cannot bear the thought of you looking at me like I'm your mistake.'

'Baby...' Sam ignored Mercedes' feeble protests and wrapped her into a hug, pulling her tight to his chest in an effort to soothe her fears. 'I could never.'

'But you've done it before, Sam.' Mercedes argued, pushing against his chest to create some space between them. 'You've done it before.'

This was bad, Sam realised. Really, really bad. He could lose Mercedes, and he didn't have a clue how to fix it. How could he convince her that he wasn't going to change his mind? How was he supposed to make her see that she was it for him too? Sam looked to Lisa for help, but the blonde just stared back at him looking shell-shocked. Ok, so she wasn't going to be any help, Sam reasoned. What about Bobby Ray? Sam stared hopefully at the back of Bobby's head, but the older man seemed intent on the road... either that or he was studiously trying to avoid drama. Think, Sam, think! You CANNOT lose her! he told himself, figure this shit ou-

'Why did you fall in love with Delwyn, Sam?' Bobby Ray drawled quietly. The emphasis he placed on the question was tough for Sam to decipher, until he remembered why he'd started seeing Delwyn in the first place. Oh Lord please don't let this make things worse. Sam prayed silently, before taking both of Mercedes' hands in his.

'Mercedes, Darlin'. I think I'm going to have to tell you how Delwyn and I got together...'

Mercedes shook her head. 'I don't want to-'

'You need to.' Sam cut in, standing his ground. 'I promise if you hear me out you'll have the answer to your question.' he waited a beat until Mercedes nodded, and then launched into his story before he had a chance to change his mind. Please don't let her hate me for this.

'I never thought Delwyn was my person.' Sam admitted, forcing himself to look Mercedes in the eye even though his heart was pounding in his ears. 'But the label asked me to date her for publicity and I said yes.' Mercedes' hands stiffened in his, and she tried to pull away but Sam stopped her by continuing on before she could protest. 'I agreed because I'd told them that I would date Delwyn if they agreed to let me see you without interfering. I wanted to hang out with you without label execs counting the minutes or threatening to send you halfway across the world to keep us apart. I wanted to be able to have my photo taken with you at press events, I wanted to have you in my life without the label trying to control everything.' Sam frowned and ran a hand through his hair in frustration before turning back to look at Mercedes, who was gazing at him with an open mouth. 'Maybe I didn't know what it all meant yet, but I knew I wanted those things so badly I was willing to sacrifice to get them.'

Mercedes closed her mouth and took a deep breath, and then another before opening her mouth again. 'Go on.'

Relieved, Sam propped one knee up on the bench and tried to pick up where he left off.

'So, for a while after that things were good. I got to see you whenever I wanted and all I had to do was go out with Delwyn a few times a week and get our picture taken.' Sam explained. 'And then... and then I heard about you and Cal.'

'I wasn't dating Cal then.'

'I know that now.' Sam pointed out, 'But at the time you were being so cagey about him-'

'Because you were being a jerk!'

'I was jealous!' Sam huffed and dropped his knee to lean back against the back of the seat. 'and I didn't know how to process it. You were my best friend, and yeah, you were gorgeous, but you'd always been mine, you know? Then all of a sudden here comes this hunky movie star trying to make moves on you and I didn't have a clue how to deal with it. I was stupid, ok? I didn't know that I wanted to punch the guy's face in because I was in love with you. I just knew that the thought of the two of you together made my blood boil.'

Mercedes eyebrow twitched upwards at the admission, but she kept silent and waited for Sam to finish.

'He's not even a bad guy.' Sam admitted, grudgingly.

'No, he's not.'

'He just wasn't me.' Sam allowed and then sighed, scrubbing his hand over his face again as he leaned forward to drop his elbows on his knees.

'So there I am, confused, kind of heartbroken, and arguing with my best friend... and Delwyn tells me she has feelings for me.'

Sam heard Mercedes and Lisa exhale at the same time, like they'd practiced breathing in unison and made the decision to just get the rest out without inviting any added commentary.

'And I... well, looking back on it now I guess I rebounded.'

'Delwyn... was your rebound... from me?' Mercedes voice pitched with incredulity as she leaned back to catch Sam's eye. 'Wait, Sam, are you serious?'

'Yes.' Sam nodded, and then added. 'I'm not proud of any of it, but then when you and Cal started seeing each other properly and it felt like this distance was growing between us... I think part of me just thought - hell, if I couldn't get what I wanted then I could at least try to make someone else happy. And Delwyn wanted to get married... so I asked.'

Mercedes' brows knit on her forehead as she tried to take in what Sam was saying. 'I think...' He'd only proposed to Delwyn to make her happy? Then was he with her Mercedes reasoned. It didn't feel like it. But how could she tell?

'I think I need some time alone.' Mercedes finished quietly, carefully avoiding Sam's eyes as she stood and walked away. There were only so many places you could go on a tour bus, so Mercedes ended up crawling into her bunk to get away from them all. 'Delwyn was never my person' Mercedes heard Sam say in her head and she lay staring at the little velvet curtain separating her from the outside world as she tried to make sense of everything Sam had said.

/

Sam wasn't sure how long he was supposed to wait for Mercedes to come back. As soon as she'd left he'd tried to go after her, but Lisa had stopped him with a shake of her head. 'She needs a little space right now.' Lisa had told him, not unkindly. 'Let's just give it to her.'

Even so, Sam had been about ready to give up hope of Mercedes returning at all that night when she reappeared in the entryway, took his hand, and said one word that changed Sam's entire mood - and possibly his entire life

'When.'

/

'Do you miss Tennessee?' Mercedes asked Sam one day out of the blue, staring out of the hotel window at the cityscape below. 'Sometimes I forget that you didn't grow up in Ohio with us.'

Sam shrugged and crossed the room to sit next to Mercedes on the window ledge. He watched the toy sized cars navigate the city for a moment or so while he considered her question.

'No more than anywhere else.' he admitted, crossing one leg over the other as he leaned back to look at her. 'It's been a long time since I was really there.' the cool glass pressed against the back of Sam's head, chilling his neck and he closed his eyes to savour the feeling before speaking.

'Do you miss Ohio?'

Mercedes didn't answer right away, but chewed her lip in thought as she stretched out along the ledge and propped her head in Sam's lap.

'No... And yes.' she amended. 'I think I miss how things used to be when I lived there more than I miss the place itself, you know?' Mercedes' eyes closed involuntarily as Sam's long fingers began to caress her scalp and temples. 'That feels nice.'

'That's why I'm not sure if I miss Tennessee.' Sam voiced, his fingers lazily stroking the hair back from Mercedes' temples as he spoke. 'I grew up there, lived there for the first seventeen years of my life, but it doesn't feel like life really started until I moved to Ohio... but I was only there for a year.'

'Was that all it was?' Mercedes' voice sounded dreamy and far away as Sam's gentle ministrations lulled her into tranquility. 'A year?'

'Yup.' Sam bent to press a kiss to Mercedes' forehead before continuing to massage her scalp. 'I've been in Titans longer than I was in high school.'

'Weird.'

'Right?'

They lapsed into companionable silence for a few minutes.

'I miss my family.' Sam said quietly, not sure if Mercedes was even still awake or not. She did that sometimes when he did this - just fell asleep on him. Sam would tease her about it, but secretly he loved that she felt that comfortable with him, but eventually she spoke, her voice sleepy and soft.

'Me too.'

'Can I tell you something that might make me sound super dorky?'

'Always'

'I miss them less when you're here. I don't feel so alone.'

'Well, you're my family too.' Mercedes smiled, reaching up a hand to touch Sam's stubbled peaches and cream skin. 'Do you still have family there? In Tennessee I mean?'

'My aunt and her family, and my Meemaw. I haven't seen her in a while.'

'Let's go see them.'

Sam shook his head, 'My Aunt Michaela is kind of a lot, and she's already bringing the whole family to the first night.' Sam acknowledged with a wince. 'VIP tickets. Trust me, that's enough.'

'Mercedes bit back a giggle. 'What about Meemaw? Do you want to see her?'

'Yeah,' Sam breathed, 'But I don't know if schedules-'

'Sam, we're doing two dates in Tennessee.' Mercedes soothed, reaching her hand up to caress his cheek again. 'We'll make time.'

'We?' Sam's brow furrowed, 'you're coming with me?'

Mercedes rolled her eyes, 'Um, of course I am. Family is important, and you're part of mine.'

'I am?'

'You know you are.'

'Ok, so we're going to visit with my grandma when we get to TN.'

Mercedes just smiled and kissed Sam on the cheek when his face lit up.

'You're my family too, Cede.' he admitted softly after a moment had passed, and watched as Mercedes smiled lazily in his lap.

'I know.'

/

If Mercedes had had any expectations about what Sam's Meemaw would be like - the old woman shattered them all. Where Mercedes had been expecting standard old, Southern lady racism (not that she would have told Sam that) the reality was that Ruthie 'Meemaw' Evans was more like progression and steel wrapped in a Debbie Reynolds packaging.

'Well!' Meemaw had greeted them when Sam and Mercedes had finally been shown into her modest country home. 'Have you finally come to your senses?'

Mercedes had tensed, but Sam had held tight to her hand and given her a reassuring smile before turning back to his grandmother.

'Uh, well, I suppose you could say-'

'I saw you broke up with that supermodel.' Meemaw interrupted, narrowing her eyes at Sam before turning them on Mercedes. 'What happened there?'

Mercedes gulped under the old woman's scrutiny, but refused to show any sign of weakness. It certainly helped that Sam was beside her, and that he was answering all the questions for now.

'She cheated on me, Meemaw.'

Ruthie humphed and made to stand. 'Such an unpleasant business.' she commented, adding 'Iced tea?'

'I'll get it, Meemaw.' Sam argued, pressing the older woman back into her chair gently. 'Don't worry about it.'

'I'll get it.' Mercedes insisted, rising and edging towards the doorway, grateful for an excuse to get out of the room. 'You two visit and I'll be back in a moment.'

'There's a pitcher in the refrigerator.' Ruthie called, 'Glasses are in the cabinet.'

As soon as Mercedes had gone, Ruthie covered Sam's hands to stop him retreating and held them in a surprisingly strong grip.

'Samson Evans,' She began, looking deep into his eyes like she could search out his soul. 'I know you did not bring that woman into my home so you could lie to me about your relationship. You tell me the truth now, you hear? Or as God is my witness I will whup you myself.'

Sam swallowed at the threat, but couldn't stop the small smile that spread across his lips at the thought of Mercedes.

'Alright, so we're together, but we're trying to keep it quiet so-'

'Oh pshaw!' Ruthie dismissed, letting go of Sam's hands and and waving a hand. 'I'm an old lady? Who would I tell?'

'Don't give me that 'old lady' bit, Meemaw!' Sam laughed, pulling up the seat next to his grandmother so they could talk closer. 'You and I both know you're the toughest lady in town.'

'Well, that may be.' Ruthie countered, but looked pleased with herself. 'I had to endure a lot to get here, you know.'

Mercedes reappeared at that moment carrying a tray holding the glasses of ice tea and the pitcher and set it down on the small white table that sat at the centre of the room.

'Mrs Evans.' Mercedes asked politely, holding out a sweating glass of iced tea to the old lady.

'Oh, please!' Ruthie dismissed, taking the glass with one hand and covering Mercedes' with the other. 'Call me Meemaw! I reckon it won't be long now before you're part of the family anyhows.'

Mercedes shot a wide-eyed look of surprise at Sam, but smiled as Ruthie accepted the glass and settled back in her chair.

'Oh, don't blame him, Sweet.' Meemaw reasoned, catching the shared glance between the two as Mercedes handed Sam his tea. 'I let him tell me.' she placed a maternal hand on Sam's hair and smoothed it down as she spoke. 'He was clearly itching to tell someone,' she reasoned, 'And it wasn't exactly hard to guess. The two of you look at each other like no one else exists.'

Sam blushed beet red and took a fortifying sip of iced tea.

'Meemaw...'

'I'm old, not stupid!' Ruthie pointed out, her little feet tapping together in excitement as she expanded on her theme. 'I've been following your career since Titans first started. I'm in a Book Club.' Meemaw told Mercedes as though that would explain everything. 'And as far as I can see it, there hasn't been a day when the two of y'all haven't been head over heels for each other.'

Mercedes opened her mouth as if to say something, but thought the better of it when Meemaw went on.

'That's why all that hoo ha with that model was such a messy business.' At that, Meemaw turned to Sam. 'You should have never married her knowing you had feelings for Mercedes.' She scolded gently. 'For the first time in your life, I was disappointed in you.'

Sam's heart sank at the declaration, and Meemaw's expression softened as she reached up a wrinkled hand to cup her grandson's cheek.

'Some things get clearer with age, Sammy. Don't feel bad about the mistakes you've made, just learn from them while you can. Besides, it looks like you've wound up right where you're meant to be anyway.' She stretched a hand out to Mercedes and held them both as she spoke. 'Love like yours is rare. Don't-don't take it for granted.'

'Meemaw?' Mercedes edged her chair closer when she saw the glisten of tears sparkling in the older woman's sharp blue eyes. 'Are you okay?'

'Oh, Sweet.' Meemaw squeezed Mercedes' hand hard but didn't answer the question for a long time. 'Did Sammy ever tell you that I was a freedom rider?'

Mercedes looked sharply at her boyfriend and then back to his tiny, Southern Belle of a grandmother and shook her head. 'No, ma'am.'

'Meemaw.' Ruthie corrected firmly, and then tilted her head back as she remembered. 'It was a long time ago now.' She sighed and shook her head. 'So many of us fought so hard for progress, and I look around now and I wonder where it all went.'

Ruthie gripped Mercedes' hand again and turned to Sam. 'You know your grandpa wasn't the first man I agreed to marry?' Sam shook his head. 'His name was Donny Lawson,' Ruthie's eyes took on a dreamy quality as she spoke. 'He was part of the civil rights movement. That's how I met him.' she explained. 'He was so handsome. And smart! My goodness! He's still the smartest man I've ever known. We could talk about absolutely anything for hours and hours but it when we had to leave each other it always felt like it had only been seconds that had gone by.' Ruthie sighed. 'I was 22 when he proposed, and I felt like... like the world had shrunk and we had grown. I was so happy! We made plans... all sorts of plans, but they were all put on hold when my parents found out. Your great grandparents, Sam.' She sighed at the memory. 'They were furious. I guess I should have seen it coming, a well to do family like ours and me causing civil disturbances and "siding with the-" well, it was the South in the 60s, you can imagine the words they used.' Ruthie supplied. 'My engagement to Donny was the last straw for them, they saw him as a rabble rouser - a traitor - and they refused to let me have anything to do with him.'

'Did you listen?'

'Of course not!' Ruthie snorted. 'I kept right on seeing him! But what with the secrecy and our civil rights work... our wedding plans kept being pushed to the side. A year and a half later he was dead.'

Mercedes pressed a hand to chest at the revelation, and Sam leaned over to rub her back reassuringly.

'Automobile accident. Or so they said.' Ruthie explained. 'I've always had my doubts. Same way I've always wondered what would have happened if I'd just said 'screw everything' and married him. Maybe it would have been the same.' Ruthie shrugged sadly. 'Maybe I would have been right there in that car with him. Maybe our kids would have had kids of their own by now.'

Ruthie allowed herself one more moment of reflection before straightening her spine and fixing the young couple in front of her with a firm glare. 'Dwelling too much on the past will mess with your present.' she warned them, 'But the point is that life doesn't really last all that long, and you never know what's waiting around the next bend. So don't waste it.'

'Now,' Ruthie announced, briskly breaking the atmosphere that had fallen in the room. 'That's quite enough of that! Who wants brownies?'

/

'I kind of love your Meemaw.' Mercedes admitted that afternoon when they were walking through Sam's old hometown, pausing every now and again so Sam could point out a particular landmark from his childhood.

'I saw.' Sam teased, recalling how Meemaw had squeezed Mercedes tight before leaving and pressed a tupperware box full of cookies into his girlfriend's hands. 'I'm pretty sure she'd accept you into the family with or without me.'

'With.' Mercedes told him decisively and then grinned at him when he blushed.

'I can't believe you didn't tell me all that stuff about her history, though. Shame on you!' Mercedes aimed a soft punch to Sam's bicep in mock outrage and pulled a face when Sam laughed and made a big pantomime of pretending her little tap had hurt.

'Quit it!'

Sam laughed and drifted back towards Mercedes again, careful not to touch her in case there were any wannabe paparazzi lurking around.

'Honestly she's never really talked about it much.' Sam said thoughtfully. 'Today is the first time I've really heard her talk about any of it. And I'd never heard any of that stuff about Donny.'

'That was so sad.'

'Yeah,' Sam agreed and resisted the urge to wrap an arm around his girlfriend. 'But if she'd have married Robert, then she might never have married Grandpa, which would mean no me.' Sam pointed out. 'She's right, thinking about what could have been will mess with your head.'

Impulsively, Mercedes laced her fingers through Sam's.

'You're holding my hand.' Sam noted with surprise, looking down at his long, pale fingers wrapped around Mercedes' short, brown ones. 'In public.'

'I can let go...' Mercedes tried to pull away, but the brief tightening of Sam's grip let her know that hadn't been what he'd wanted.

'I never said I didn't like it.' Sam pointed out. 'I'm just surprised is all.'

Mercedes sighed and nodded, staring at their interlocked hands swinging between them.

'I know, but I can't stop thinking about what Meemaw said.' she admitted, tugging on Sam's hand to get him to stop. 'Look at where we are, Sam. Look at where we came from. Life is so short and it can change so quickly... and I'm sick of pretending I don't feel the way I do about you.'

Sam's lips twitched as he looked down at his beautiful, pint-sized girlfriend. She blinked huge, doe eyes up at him and Sam couldn't keep down the rush of joy that bubbled up out of him as he scooped her into his arms and pulled her close.

'Hallelujah!' Sam cried, lifting Mercedes off her feet and swinging her around right there on the street. She giggled and clutched at his shoulders as he spun her looking dazed when Sam finally set her on her feet again. 'Hallelujah.' Sam repeated breathlessly as he beamed down at her, before offering her his hand again to continue on their way.

/

'You're late.' Bobby Ray complained when Sam and Mercedes finally made it back to the tour bus. Car trouble and a traffic diversion had added a couple of hours onto their journey time, and as it was they were running way behind schedule.

'Sorry!' Sam acknowledged, handing Mercedes into the bus and following along behind her. 'Traffic. We did call.'

'Yeah, well. You're lucky I know this area.' Bobby Ray allowed, propping his pen back into his pocket and tossing the puzzle book he'd been doing onto the seat beside him. 'The others left on the other bus already, but I know a short cut that should get us there without losing too much time.'

'You're the best, Bobby Ray.' Mercedes breathed, pressing a kiss onto the older man's cheek.

'Yeah, yeah!' Bobby grumbled, but Sam could see the blush heating the driver's cheeks as Mercedes moved through the bus to apologise to Lisa and get them settled.

'Is it all good?' Bobby Ray asked once they'd were on the road, his eyes flickering between Sam and the road. 'With your family?'

'Yeah...' Sam's mind wandered to the small leather box his Meemaw had slipped into his hand while Mercedes was putting the cookies in the car.

'It was Donny's great-grandmother's.' Meemaw had explained in a hushed, almost reverent tone. 'He was an only child,' she added when Sam continued to gaze at the midnight blue box in his hand with confusion in his eyes. 'I think he would have liked for you to have it.'

'It was.'

/

Sam was lying with his head cradled in Mercedes' lap the next day listening to an audiobook with his headphones on while his girlfriend finished up production on a track she'd been working on. They were both engrossed in what they were doing until the bus juddered to a halt and broke them out of their concentration.

'Did you feel that?' Sam asked, pulling an earbud out of his ear to look up at Mercedes, who had pulled her own headphones off her ears to shoot him a questioning look.

'Guys?' Mercedes called out, waiting for Sam to stand up before sliding out of the seat after him. 'What just-'

Now her headphones were all the way off, Mercedes could CLEARLY hear what the issue was... because Lisa was repeating it very loudly as she berated Bobby Ray.

'How do you run out of gas?' Lisa was saying as Sam and Mercedes made their way to the front of the bus. 'How do you run out of gas.'

'I'm not sure yet!' Bobby Ray countered, giving as good as he got as he adjusted his cap and pressed the door release button to go out and check it out. 'I filled her up before we left.'

'Are you sure?' Lisa demanded, following down the steps after the driver.

Bobby Ray looked at her like she was nuts. 'Yes, I'm sure. There must be something wrong.'

The three of them followed Bobby Ray around the side of the bus and stared in silence at the long damp line that trailed all the way down the road and all the way up to where the bus had finally given out.

'Aw, nuts!' Bobby Ray complained, adjusting his hat in displeasure as he looked at the trail of fuel marking the way they'd come. 'This is not going to be a quick fix.'

'I'll go call the repair company.' Lisa sighed, climbing back onto the bus to find the paperwork.

'Looks like we're going to be stuck here for a while. ' Bobby Ray explained, looking apologetic as he turned to face the young couple. 'I'm sorry, I should have noticed.'

'Nah, it happens, man.' Sam assured the older man. 'Don't worry about it. The show isn't until tomorrow night anyway. We'll make it.'

'But you might not make it to the hotel for tonight.' Bobby Ray countered, shoving his hands deep into his pockets regretfully.

'Bobby Ray, we've spent half our adult lives sleeping on buses.' Mercedes intoned. 'We can handle it, don't worry.' she chucked the driver playfully on the arm. 'Besides,' she added squinting at the fields of wildflowers stretching out on either side of the road, and the small white church nestled a few hundred yards away. 'It's pretty here.'

'If you're sure...' Bobby Ray said, looking doubtful as Mercedes slipped her hand into Sam's.

'We are.' Sam affirmed, giving Mercedes' hand a warm squeeze. 'Actually, I was thinking it might be nice to take advantage of the relative solitude and take a stroll with my lady.' he looked down at Mercedes with a quirked grin, letting go of Mercedes hand to hold out his arm for her. 'What do you think?'

'I think that sounds lovely.' Mercedes giggled, taking Sam's arm and waving goodbye to Bobby Ray, who looked less guilty as he watched them leave.

'You know, I don't remember the last time I went to church.' Mercedes supplied thoughtfully as they passed the little white building. It was tiny, far smaller than any of the churches Sam and Mercedes had been to growing up and she looked at it with curiousity when they passed.

'Me either.' Sam agreed, his steps faltering as he turned back to look at the little building. 'Let's go in.'

Mercedes let go of Sam's arm to turn back to the church and then back to her boyfriend. 'But it's not Sunday. They might not even be open.'

Sam had already started to track backwards, still facing her he raised one shoulder in a shrug and held his hand out to her.

'There's no harm in looking, right?' he supplied, grinning when Mercedes slipped her hand into his. 'What are the chances we'd break down in front of a church anyway?' he added. 'It could be a sign.'

The church was open, and Sam and Mercedes felt the palpable sense of peace wash over them as soon as they set foot inside the cool, stone building.

'It's so beautiful.' Mercedes whispered, watching as golden light filtered through the simple stained glass window above the altar. 'Can we just... sit... for a minute?' she asked Sam quietly, adding. 'I think I'd like to pray.'

'I think, so would I.' Sam agreed, following Mercedes as she slid into one of the few polished mahogany pews and sitting beside her. They sat like that for several minutes, each aware of the comforting presence of the other as they bowed their heads in prayer. They both prayed for guidance, although neither prayed out loud. Sam wanted a sign of what he should do next, whilst Mercedes hoped for assurance that she was on the right path they both felt lighter when they were finished, but as they stood to leave Mercedes tripped in the narrow pew and tumbled into Sam's back knocking him slightly off balance. He put an arm out to steady her and heard something tumble from his pocket and skitter across the floor.

'Sorry!' Mercedes apologised, following after Sam as he bent to pick up the leather box that he'd kept in his pocket since Meemaw had given it to him. 'I don't even know why I tripped.'

Sam smiled reassuringly and dropped to his knees to pick up the ring box. It had slid all the way to the front of the first pew, and Sam noticed with dismay that the old box had partially come open on the journey, exposing the ring on the inside that glittered in the afternoon light filtering through the stained glass window. Reaching down to the box, Sam was hit with a moment of clarity so definite that it almost knocked him off balance.

This was his sign.

In fact, Sam thought as he replayed the scene again in his mind, it couldn't possibly be any clearer. He was even on one knee!

'Sam, why are you laughing?' Mercedes asked, growing concerned when Sam didn't immediately rise to his feet. 'Are you ok?'

'Mercedes, Sweetheart' Sam began, pivoting around on his knee so Mercedes could see what he was holding. 'Will you marry me?'

/

'Are you asking me to marry you?' Mercedes asked stupidly, her hands hovering just in front of her mouth as she stared wide eyed at Sam and the ring he held. 'Right now?'

'If we can find a priest.' Sam agreed. 'I'd gladly marry you right now.'

'Of everything you have ever said to me, this is by far the craziest.'

Sam shook his head. 'No it's not, Mercedes. You know it's not.'

'Sam, you're asking me to marry you. Right now. In a tiny little chapel in the middle of nowhere. This is crazy!'

'The only crazy I am is crazy about you.'

'Sam.'

'Ok, just stop for a second and think about this. Look at me, right now, Ok? If it were just you and me, and there weren't fans and media and all kinds of people waiting to comment on our every move, if it was just the two of us doing what felt right… would you marry me?'

'I…'

'Be honest.'

'… Yes. I would. But-'

'Then let's do it.'

'I...'

'I love you, Mercedes. I love you so much it's hard to breathe sometimes, and I'm pretty sure you feel the same way about me.'

Sam paused, and Mercedes nodded her agreement, although she was still having trouble forming words.

'We can't control what anyone else says, or thinks, or does, Mercedes.' Sam went on. 'All we have control over is ourselves, and our own lives. So if you want to marry me too, then let's get married. Just you, and I, and no-one else'

Mercedes licked her lips, her throat suddenly feeling like sandpaper as she croaked out her answer, her dry mouth producing a sound that was barely louder than an exhale.

'Mercedes Jones,' Sam went on, not having heard her. 'You know this has been a long time coming. It is not a split second decision or a moment of foolishness. This is about as serious as I get... Will you marry me?'

'Yes.' Mercedes managed, her voice stronger as she felt a sense of calm and peace settle over her like down.

'Really?!'

'Yes!' Mercedes laughed, flinging her arms around Sam's neck and hugging him so tight that he nearly toppled them both over.

'Well then I-' Sam laughed, his eyes welling with happy tears as he pulled away long enough to slide the ring onto Mercedes' finger. 'Let's go find that priest!'

/

'This isn't Vegas, you know.' The minister glared at Sam and Mercedes over the frames of his glasses and pursed his lips, the expression turning the cracks in his aged skin into ravines.

'We know.' Sam insisted, his grip on Mercedes' hand tightening as he plead his case. 'We appreciate that this isn't how y'all usually do things, but we promise this isn't a flash in the pan thing for us.'

'Young man, there are procedures.'

'Ok, ok, but-'

'Can we just tell you our story?' Mercedes cut in, her big eyes hopeful as she gripped Sam's hand in both of her own the beautiful engagement ring glittering on her finger, 'We understand that right now we're just two young people you don't know who want to get married. Maybe if we tell you our story you'll know us a little better, and if you still don't want to do it when we're done then we'll just walk on out of here without bothering you any further.'

Mercedes and Sam shared a quick communicative glance before turning back to the Minister.

'Please?'

There was a pause of what felt like centuries as the Minister regarded them both in stony silence, his mouth set in a hard line before he eventually allowed the couple a short nod.

'Alright. I'll hear your story.'

In unison, Sam and Mercedes heaved a sigh of relief and sat down to tell the Minister everything, from the very first time Sam walked into the choir room to the moment they'd arrived on the chapel doorstep. When they were done over an hour had passed and the Minister's expression had changed from contrite to soft and thoughtful. Without speaking, he peered at the couple over the top of his steepled fingers, his bright blue eyes pinning them both to their seats. During the course of their storytelling, Sam and Mercedes had edged closer together, until now they were pressed into each other's sides, Mercedes' head resting on Sam's chest as he cradled her protectively under his arm. Finally, the minister spoke, but his words surprised both of them.

'Would you like a cup of tea?'

Without waiting for an answer, the older gentleman got up and moved towards the kettle where he busied himself arranging teabags in mismatched mugs.

'I know you know that love isn't easy.' He told them as he waited for the kettle to boil. 'Your story told me that much, but I hope you know that marriage doesn't necessarily make it easier either. Even if it is to the right person.' He added, eyeing Sam over the top of his glasses. 'There will be days when you do not want to talk to each other. There will be days when you don't even want to think about each other.' He added. 'And you will have to do it anyway. Marriage is hard work, but it's love, and respect, and trust that keeps you trying.'

The Minister sighed as he poured boiling water into each of the cups in turn and set them on the table one by one.

'Alright, I'll marry you.' He announced after he'd sat down at the table again, watching with a faint smile on his face as both faces in front of him expanded in joy as Mercedes squealed and Sam wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.

'BUT' the Minister continued, trying to sound stern despite the smile dawning on his own face. 'You have to talk to each other.' He insisted. 'You have to be honest. No more of this 'not talking to each other for several years because you're too scared to tell each other how you feel' stuff. If you're in it, then you have to be in it. Do y'all understand me?'

Sheepishly, both Sam and Mercedes nodded, although they kept sneaking excited glances at each other as the minister spoke.

'You'll need two witnesses.' He was saying, 'And y'all should get a camera. Just because it's an elopement doesn't mean it can't be documented.' He added on a mutter. 'I'll meet you back here in two hours.'

Sam looked like he was positively going to explode as he shot out of his chair to shake the older man's hand vigourously. 'Yes sir, thank you so much, sir!'

'Alright now, that's enough of that.' The Minister protested half-heartedly, his cheeks turning pink as Mercedes wrapped him in a hug and pressed a kiss to his cheek. 'Off y'all go now. I'll see you in two hours.'

'Yes sir.' Sam grinned, sliding his hand into Mercedes' as they headed towards the kitchen door. 'See you in two hours.'

/

'Oh my God, Lisa' Mercedes breathed as the Titans' stylist finished threading wildflowers through Mercedes' hair and turned her towards the mirror to admire the results. 'I can't believe you managed to pull all of this off in less than two hours.' Mercedes' voice was strained as she tried to fight back the tears that would surely ruin her make up. 'I mean, I can't believe that you and Bobby Ray have taken this so in stride... you even found me a dress.'

Lisa shrugged one slender shoulder and bit back her own watery smile as she wrapped Mercedes in a warm hug.

'Oh, honey.' Lisa began, pausing to wipe a stray tear from her eye. 'I've been watching you and Sam interact for the past five years. I knew this day would come eventually.' She admitted. 'I saw this dress last month and pulled it for you just in case you wanted to wear it for the tour. I didn't think for a second you'd get married in it… but you look perfect!' Lisa's words gave way to sobs as she pressed her hands to her mouth and tried to contain herself. 'You look so beautiful!'

'Oh, Lise!' Mercedes hugged the stylist again before releasing her as a soft tap sounded on the door of the rectory.

'It's just Bobby Ray!' the voice on the other side of the door called out. 'Just wanted to tell you we're ready for ya.'

'Oh my God.' Mercedes breathed. Her stomach exploding into millions of butterflies as she shot Lisa a wide eyed smile. 'I can't believe this is happening.'

'It's long overdue.' Lisa insisted, picking imaginary fluff from Mercedes' pristine vintage silk dress. 'You ready?'

'Yes.' Mercedes didn't even hesitate. 'Let's go'

/

On those rare days when Mercedes had taken the time to imagine what her wedding day might be like, she had always imagined feeling some form of nerves; but much like falling in love with Sam, marrying him was completely unlike what Mercedes had imagined. Where she had expected to feel nerves, what she actually felt was an overwhelming sense of calm, and what she could only describe as rightness. Marrying Sam was one of the surest decisions she'd ever made, and there was no room for doubt or nerves because Mercedes was absolutely convinced that with him was exactly where she was meant to be.

The moment Mercedes stepped into the church Sam felt everything else wash away like sand on a tide. In that one moment there was only the two of them, and he knew in his heart that she had been there all along, that even before he had met her he had belonged to her, and she to him, and that after their bodies were gone and turned to ash, their love would go on there too. There had been so few things in Sam's life that he had been sure of, but Mercedes had always been one of them – even in the time they'd spent apart. Marrying her now seemed as natural as breathing, and he couldn't keep the smile off his face as she slipped her hand into his at the altar.

If you'd asked Sam and Mercedes to tell you what happened during their wedding ceremony they wouldn't have been able to tell you. They wouldn't have been able to tell you, for example, that Lisa had wept so hard during the ceremony that the minister had been the one to hand her a handkerchief, or that Bobby-Ray had produced a fistful of glitter from somewhere and tossed it over them as they exited the church like confetti, or even that Lisa and Bobby-Ray had whooped so loud when Sam and Mercedes had been pronounced husband and wife that the doves roosting in the church eaves had gotten spooked and taken flight en masse in a flurry of white feathers and outraged coos.

What Sam remembered was the way Mercedes had looked walking towards him down the aisle: like an angel in a simple, soft peach silk gown that frothed around her legs like ocean waves as she walked, or the way she'd smelled of the wildflowers in her hair and warm vanilla when he'd leaned in to kiss her, or how the fairy lights Bobby Ray had hung up in the church reflected in her eyes made her look like she was made of pure light and magic. He remembered the way his heart had stopped beating and then started again double time when she'd vowed to be his wife, and the way her hand had felt wrapped in his, and he remembered how happy she'd looked as he'd slipped the ring onto her finger. Those things he'd remember until the day he died.

What Mercedes remembered, was the way Sam had looked at her as she'd walked down the aisle towards him, like she was all his Christmases come at once and he couldn't believe his luck. She remembered how beautiful he'd looked, even though that was an unusual way to describe a man, it was what she'd remembered. The way the sunlight had hit his hair, and how his eyes had been so sure and unwavering. The way he'd smelled like ivory soap and spices, and how safe and protected she'd felt when he'd taken her hand in his. Mercedes was sure she'd never forget how the blood had rushed in her ears as he'd kissed her and then all at once stilled until all she was aware of was him and how right it felt to be kissing him, and be held by him, and how she loved him so much it made her heart ache.

After the ceremony, the five of them filed out into the church's garden, and as though it was the most natural thing in the world, the minister had brought out his old record player, and the five of them (six-ish if you counted Lisa's daughter, who had been asleep in the bassinet the entire time) had had an impromptu reception, dancing in the crisp evening air to old standards by Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller and Nat King Cole. From somewhere, Lisa had produced a bottle of champagne, and Bobby-Ray had re-hung the fairy lights above the rose bushes. As the sky gradually darkened, the stars had come out in full force, looking like tiny diamonds caught in a blue velvet canopy.

When the familiar piano riff crackled over the stereo, Sam wordlessly put down his champagne glass and held his hand out to his wife for their first dance.

'Perfect song.' Mercedes noted as she allowed Sam to help her to her feet and pull her close to him. Her eyes closed reflexively as she buried her face in Sam's chest, her cheek level with his heart as Ella Fitzgerald began to sing about the pale moon. They swayed gently to the music until the song ended, taking the moment to smell the scent of honeysuckle and roses in the air, the way Ella's voice cut through the night, and how the stars sparkled over their heads, like heaven was joining in the party. Sam closed his eyes and committed the feel of Mercedes in his arms to his memory, and Mercedes did her best to memorise the smell of Sam, the feel of his heartbeat, and the cool air against her skin as they danced. When the song ended, Sam pulled away to get another look at his wife and was startled to see the tears glistening on her round cheeks.

'You're crying.'

Mercedes nodded and then sniffed, 'So are you.' She pointed out, reaching up to swipe the tears from her husband's cheeks as he continued to hold her waist in both of his large hands.

'I can't help it.' Sam shrugged, and then blushed. 'It's just so…'

'Perfect?' Mercedes finished and he nodded. 'I know.' Mercedes agreed, her eyes fluttering shut as Sam tried to wipe the tears from her cheeks, but was unable to stop more from spilling out from under closed eyelids.

'I'm just so happy to be here, in this moment with you.' She told him, sincerely, opening her eyes so he could see the truth there. 'I love you so much, Sam.'

'I love you too, Mercedes.' Sam told her, although the way he said it made the words sound like a promise as his own eyes started to glisten. 'Always.'

'Always.' Mercedes agreed, before stretching up on tiptoes to kiss him.

/

'How do you want to tell people?' Sam asked, playing with Mercedes' fingers as they lay side by side on one of the huge lawn chairs the minister kept in his garden.

'I kind of… don't want to tell people.' Mercedes admitted nervously.

'Oh…'

'Not that! I want to tell people- It's just- that- I don't want to tell people.' Mercedes nose wrinkled apologetically as she turned to face Sam fully and propped herself up on her elbow, her fingers drawing tiny circles on Sam's chest beneath her. 'Ok, just…. Just hear me out, OK? Our wedding was the first time in a long time when I've just felt… quiet, you know? It feels like there's always people telling us to be a certain way, or do a certain thing, or live a certain life and sometimes it can just get so… so deafening. But our wedding it was… it was quiet. And it was perfect… and I guess I just want that for a little longer. So... when I say I don't want to tell people, what I mean is that I don't want to invite people in to our relationship.' Mercedes explained, holding Sam's eyes with her own. 'I don't want to make any press statements or sell the photos Bobby Ray took to a magazine or any of that. I just want to be married to you. Not hiding, just not...'

'Not inviting people in.' Sam finished, nodding as he ran a finger along Mercedes' temple before cupping her cheek to bring her in for a kiss.

'But, I love you' Mercedes continued, her eyes still closed as she savoured their kiss. 'And if you want to tell everybody, then I will be right there with you, and if you… want to yell it from the rooftops then I will be right there yelling it with you.' Mercedes promised, 'I just…' she broke off with a small embarrassed shrug. 'Yeah…'

'Mercedes.' Sam wrapped long fingers around Mercedes' hand and chucked her gently under the chin until she looked at him. 'I want quiet too.'

The relief that washed over Mercedes' face if anything made Sam love her more, especially when she rasped out, 'You do?'

Sam nodded.

'So… we're not telling people?'

Sam shook his head.

'Until when?'

Sam thought about it for a second, reaching up a hand to stroke Mercedes' cheek because he wanted to, and she was there, and she was so lovely it made his heart hurt.

'Until they figure it out?'

'Until they figure it out...' Mercedes nodded and her face lit up with a beatific smile as she planted a loud kiss on Sam's palm. 'Works for me.'

'Except...' Mercedes added after a moment of contemplative silence, 'Except we should probably tell our families.'

'Probably.'

Sam agreed, although he didn't seem in any kind of rush to do so. 'Eventually.' he amended after a heartbeat.

Mercedes shook her head at her husband, but she was smiling down at him with so much love that it made Sam's breath catch.

'Eventually.' she corrected after a moment and then leaned down to press a quick, sweet kiss to his lips.

Sam smiled back at her – he couldn't help it, she was just so gorgeous.

'Now we just have to tell Lisa and Bobby-Ray.'

/

'In hindsight, it probably would have been wiser to tell our families before we our marriage had a chance to go public.' Sam mused as his phone buzzed for what felt like the millionth time that day.

Mercedes scoffed as she draped an arm around Sam's shoulders and watched as he turned his phone over so he couldn't see the screen.

'Sam…' Mercedes looked meaningfully from the phone in Sam's hand and back up to his face, but Sam just smirked and pulled her onto his lap, his grin widening as she shrieked in surprise and wrapped her arms around his neck.

'Mercedes…' Sam countered, lowering his head to nuzzle the crook of her neck. God, she smelled good.

'Sam!' Mercedes repeated, giggling as Sam's lips tickled her sensitive skin. 'Answer the texts from your family!' she managed to get out, playfully batting away the hand Sam had managed to snake around her butt.

'Is this what life is going to be like for us?' Sam asked in mock seriousness, 'You telling me to do stuff while I try to seduce you?'

Realising what he'd just said, Sam's smirk grew and he threw his wife a debonair wink.

'Actually, I don't think I'd mind you telling me what to do. I think it's hot when you get all bossy on me.'

'Behave!' Mercedes giggled, forcing herself out of Sam's lap and back onto her feet.

'See!' Sam insisted, not bothering to hide the physical effect Mercedes had on him. 'Total turn on.'

'You are a mess!' Mercedes laughed again, resisting the urge to climb back onto her husband's lap again. 'Just call your family back first and then we'll… talk.'

'Whatever you say, Mrs. Evans.' Sam agreed, swatting Mercedes' butt as she moved to sit across from him.

Mercedes could only shake her head as her own phone buzzed, but her smile quickly turned to a groan as she read the message.

Seeing Sam's concerned look, she shook her head and shot him a reassuring smile. 'We definitely should have told our families before it got posted online.' Mercedes agreed, and then went to go fetch her laptop.

'Skype?' She asked Sam after she'd set the computer on the coffee table.

'Seems the easiest way.' Sam agreed, and quickly took off his ball cap and rearranged his hair as he checked his image in the webcam. 'Do you think I look ok?'

Mercedes turned to her husband, took in his sexily tousled hair, the dark grey vest top that let her see his strong, muscular arms and the gentle way he looked at her with those bright green eyes of his.

'I think you look hot.' She admitted truthfully, biting her lip at the slight blush that warmed her cheeks.

'Oh yeah?' Sam asked, scooting closer to her on the couch without breaking eye contact, 'Well you're looking pretty darn sexy yourself there, Ms Jones.'

He leaned in to kiss her, but Mercedes stopped him with a finger to his pursed lips before he could close that final inch.

'That's Mrs. Evans to you, Mr Evans.' She insisted, her voice unusually husky as her eyes flickered from his lips to his eyes and back again.

'My mistake…' Sam acquiesced, gently placing a kiss on his wife's finger before moving it out of the way and closing the distance between them. 'Let me make it up to you…'

'Ahem.'

Mercedes' mouth moved against Sam's as her hands ghosted up his back and pulled him closer to her. She was almost vertical now, with Sam half on top of her, but she didn't much care. She still wanted him closer.

'Ahem!'

God, she felt good. Sam thought as his hands found the dip at Mercedes' waist and slipped around her, one hand finding it's familiar place around the curve of her ass. Man, he loved her ass.

'Sam, unless you want to scar your brother and sister for life I suggest you either stop what you're doing or call us back!'

Weird, Sam thought as he momentarily broke the kiss with Mercedes, that had sounded just like his mom.

'I don't blame you, son, but I don't think now is the time.'

Ok, that had definitely been his father's voice.

Sam sat up and looked around for the source of the sound, belatedly catching sight of the open laptop and his entire family peering back at him.

'Oh, Lord' Sam groaned as he scrubbed a hand over his face. 'Sweetheart, you're going to need to sit up.'

'Why?' Mercedes asked, scooting up on the couch until she was once more in a sitting position. 'What's- Oh my gosh.'

The blood drained out of Mercedes' face as she caught sight of Sam's family on the webcam and hid her face behind his shoulder as Sam let out a brief laugh and patted her hair.

'It's not that bad, love.' He reassured her, dropping a kiss to her temple as she pressed her face into his shoulder. 'Right, mom? It wasn't that bad, right?'

Sam looked imploringly into the camera, willing his mother to just agree with him and spare his wife's feelings.

'Oh trust me, your father and I have been caught in way more compromising positions!' Mary Evans laughed, shaking her head at the memory. 'You should have seen Meemaw's face when she caught us-' Catching the expression in her husband's eye, Mary cleared her throat and began again. 'But that is a tale for another day.' She insisted, smiling brightly at her son.

'ANYWAY,' Dwight interrupted with a swift glance at his wife. 'Should we take it that this means the rumours are true?' he asked, smiling wide as Mercedes shyly emerged from behind Sam's shoulder. 'You two finally made it official?'

'Um…' Sam began, linking his fingers through Mercedes' as he gazed adoringly at his wife. 'Yep.'

Dwight and Mary exchanged a knowing smirk of their own at the bashful, adoring way Mercedes was smiling back at their son and tried not to laugh.

'Told you!' Stevie shouted, turning to look triumphantly at his sister. 'I TOLD you they were going to get married!'

'No you didn't!' Stacie countered, her brand new braces making a slight whistling sound as she spoke. 'I told you first!'

'Na-UH!' Stevie argued, wriggling on his seat as he turned to face his sister.

'I said it last year, and you said no cause they weren't speaking and I said they weren't speaking BECAUSE they-'

'I said it FIRST!' Stacie interrupted, unable to continue listening to what she considered blatant lies.

'You said you were gonna be a bridesmaid too and looks how THAT didn't happen!' Stevie countered, seemingly unaware that he'd showed his hand as he looked smugly at his sister who promptly burst into tears.

'Oh my God.' Sam heard Mercedes breathe gently, and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

'Welcome to the family, Sweetheart.'

'I just don't think I understand why you couldn't have told us before the wedding.' Ronnie said again, with all the practiced patience of a prosecutor. 'You're our only daughter, I just don't understand why you wouldn't have wanted us to be there.'

'It wasn't exactly planned, Mom.'

'So my daughter had a shotgun wedding?' Ronnie said, changing track so quickly it made Mercedes' head hurt. 'I love Sam like a son, but if he's gotten you into a situation.'

'I'm not pregnant, Mom!'

'Well then why are you running off and marrying your childhood sweetheart alone and in the middle of nowhere?'

'Childhood sweet- We weren't alo- and you know what, it wasn't like we set out intending to elope!'

'Mmmmhm.'

Mercedes bit back a sigh as she could practically hear her mother's pursed lips and disbelief.

'I admit that it was very… sudden.' Mercedes admitted, rubbing at her forehead to try and counter her growing headache.

'Humph!' Ronnie disagreed and Mercedes was forced to bite back another sigh as she dropped her head back on the couch, smiling only when Sam pulled her against his chest and placed a gentle kiss on her jaw. The kiss said 'I'm here, I've got you, you aren't alone.' And it was just want Mercedes needed.

'I love you.' Mercedes mouthed, grinning widely and missing her mother's next few sentences when Sam mouthed back, 'I love you too.'

'Ok, so maybe Sam and I have been building for a while.' Mercedes admitted, accidentally ignoring whatever argument her mother had been making. 'Maybe I've loved him for way longer than I realized, and you know I love you and Dad, Mommy, but this felt like something that had to be done with just us, you know? It was like, God gave me Sam and then He gave me the perfect wedding, and Mama believe me it was exactly what I wanted and it was so beautiful and delivered to us by fate or an act of God or whatever you want to call it and I couldn't turn it down. It felt too right, and I know you and Daddy are upset, and if you want we can plan a huge reception for all of the Joneses and the Evans' and all our friends, but it felt like… it felt like the wedding was meant to be just us. I know you're disappointed, but I hope you can understand that.'

There was a pause and then Ronnie Jones let out a loud gusty sigh of acquiescence. 'I do.' She admitted finally. 'I just wanted to be there.'

'I know, Mama.'

'But you did say I could throw a huge reception.' Ronnie continued, a note of excitement creeping into her voice.

'Well, wait a second-' Mercedes countered, realizing too late what she'd said.

'I distinctly remember you using the word 'huge.' Ronnie continued, starting to sound downright peppy at the thought. 'AND I recall you telling me I could invite all of the Jones', and all of the Evans'…'

'Oh no.' Sam groaned, dropping his head onto Mercedes' shoulder with a groan as she reached up to stroke his hair, as much for her comfort as for his.

Mercedes smiled weakly as she curled up against her husband's chest, getting comfortable as her mother started listing possible venues. Catching Sam's eye, she covered the receiver with one hand and whispered:

'Welcome to the family, Sweetheart.'

/

'Are you sure about this?' Sam asked, spinning his wedding ring on his finger as he looked carefully at his wife. 'I know you said you didn't want to do anything like this.'

'It's ok.' Mercedes insisted, covering Sam's hand with hers to try and ease his nerves. 'At this point pretty much everyone knows anyway.' she pointed out. 'The speculation is driving us both crazy, and I made a promise to you that I wasn't going to hide our relationship.'

Sam sighed and let his hand hover over the keyboard, his eyebrows raised in one final silent question.

'Are you sure?' Mercedes asked curiously, and Sam scoffed in outrage. 'Do you really need to ask that question?'

Mercedes laughed and nudged her husband with her shoulder. 'Probably not.'

''S what I thought.' Sam said, his lips twitching as he fought to contain a smile. 'Ok, so you're sure. You're not going to back down on-'

Mercedes rolled her eyes good-naturedly and covered Sam's hand with hers again, this time lowering it so they both pressed the keyboard at the same time.

'There.' She told him once the image on the screen had changed, leaning forward to peck him on the cheek. 'It's done. No going back now.'

Sam felt the smile on his face grow as he took in how pleased and - dare he say it - proud Mercedes looked at what they'd done.'

'No going back.' He repeated, and then leaned over the keyboard to properly show his appreciation for his wife.

/

Sam and Mercedes Just Made a HUGE Announcement In The Cutest Way Possible

[Linked article]

Sam and Mercedes have officially vlogged on YouTube, y'all. But that isn't the big announcement we're talking about here. Hold on to your hats, because you might need to be sitting down for this one:

SAM AND MERCEDES ARE MARRIED.

That's right; Titans' superstar Sam Evans and pop queen Mercedes Jones have tied the knot. Details of the ceremony are sparse, but in true Samcedes fashion the pair chose to release the news by way of a brand new song uploaded to their social media accounts. Although it doesn't give us all the juicy details we're craving, the song does provide some insight into the couple's whirlwind-but-not-really romance with lyrics like 'I fell in love with you like snow/ It came in softly 'til it covered everything I know'

Too sweet, right? Click here to watch the video in full and bask in the adorableness.

/

'I don't know what kind of stunt the two of you think you're pulling, but I'm not laughing!' Mark raged, staring at the speakerphone even though he had no way of seeing the so-called 'happy couple'.

'Married!' he shouted, and then said it again for emphasis. 'MARRIED!'

'And I had to find out from a reporter camped outside the office demanding a statement. What the hell were you two thinking?'

'Um, that we loved each other and that we wanted to get married?' Sam responded, trying not to roll his eyes but rolling them anyway.

'This really isn't anything to do with you, Mark.'

'Nothing to d-' Mark sputtered, incensed at Sam's apparent audacity. 'Nothing to do with- I'm sorry, am I not still your manager?'

'Not for much longer if you carry on.' Sam muttered under his breath, and then spoke up.

'We agreed a long time ago that you and the label would stay out of my relationship with Mercedes, Mark.'

'Yeah, when you agreed to date Delwyn!' Mark yelled, and Sam heard Mercedes scoff next to him.

'Is she there?' Mark demanded, 'Did I just hear her voice?'

'Yes, I'm here.' Mercedes answered, but not before shooting Sam a look that said 'I really do not like this guy.'

'I don't know what you're playing at, Missy.' Mark began, 'But you better not get too comfortable because I'll have that marriage annulled before-'

'Mark!' Sam barked, making both Mark and Mercedes jump, although he couldn't see the former. 'If you want to keep your very lucrative job, I suggest you stop talking.' Sam promised, glaring at the phone on the coffee table although he knew Mark couldn't see him. 'My wife, is my wife. I love her more than anything, and if you make me choose between you and her, you will lose. If you make me choose between her and the label, you will lose. Am I making myself clear?'

There was a pause at the other end of the line that lasted so long Sam started to wonder if Mark had hung up on him.

'Fine.' Mark ground out bitterly.

'Good.' Sam asserted. 'Now apologise.'

There was another pause in which Sam imagined Mark was making several rude gestures at the phone, but he eventually spoke again.

'I'm sorry, Mercedes.'

'Thank you, Mark.' Mercedes accepted, although her eyes didn't waver from Sam's as she leaned over and placed a hand on his upper thigh, high enough to make Sam's breath catch in his throat.

'I'll speak to you later, Mark.' Sam choked out, ending the call even though he could hear Mark trying to speak on the other end of the line.

'Obviously, I don't need you to fight my battles for me.' Mercedes told him as she gently pressed him back on the couch and straddled him. 'But that was very…' she pressed a soft kiss to Sam's exposed collarbone, and then another lower on his chest as she pushed his shirt up over his head. 'very…'

Sam's stomach contracted involuntarily as Mercedes' pressed a wet kiss above his bellybutton and then blew gently on the dampened skin.

'Hot.'

Mercedes finished, edging down Sam's sweatpants just enough to place an open mouthed kiss just above his pelvis, her tongue gently sweeping over the skin beneath her lips.

'Oooh my- wow!' Sam breathed, wriggling beneath his wife's ministrations as Mercedes' eyes caught and held his.

'Do you want me to stop?' She asked softly, but even the gentle fanning of the breath from her words against Sam's heated skin had him desperate for her.

'Never.'

Mercedes laughed, and Sam couldn't help but smile in response as she moved to remove the rest of his clothing.

'Um, I don't think so, Mrs. Evans.' Sam insisted, stopping her by placing his hand over hers. 'This is an equal opportunity partnership.' He insisted, popping a button on his wife's shirt smugly. 'And you are wearing far too many clothes.'

'NO!' Catcher let out a scream like a dying animal and pushed several chronicles off his desk before he recovered enough to breathe. Even in Hollywood they'd lived a perfect marriage. No adultery (although the gossip rags liked to run a rumour every now and again) no divorce… they'd been married for 67 years before Mercedes had passed in her sleep, and he had only outlived her by a few months. Even then their children and grandchildren had continued to run a foundation in Sam and Mercedes' name. The whole thing was sickening, Catcher thought as he stared at the last words on the page and tried not to snarl. How could he lose every time? How could he keep losing?! In a fit of rage, Catcher picked up the book and hurled it against a wall, watching with satisfaction as it tumbled through the air in a cloud of dust before hitting the wall with a loud thwack and a small explosion of what looked like ash. Muttering to himself, Catcher stood and crossed the room to retrieve the volume, his heart quickening in his chest as he found only a pile of ash and paper fragments where the book had once been.

'No…' Catcher said again, although this time his tone was one of panic. 'No, no, no…'

Sifting his hands through the ash at the base of the wall as though he might find the chronicle buried there, Catcher scanned the floor for what he knew he wouldn't find, hoping against hope that he hadn't done what he knew he had.

Catcher sat staring at the remains of the book for a long time before numbly climbing to his feet and making his way back to the desk. It would be ok, he told himself firmly. He could start over. At the very least it meant that he wouldn't be around to interfere with Mercedes' story. In a way, Catcher told himself, allowing the tiniest smile to creep onto his face, In a way, he'd finally won.

Still smirking, Catcher sat down at his desk once again and reached for Mercedes' chronicle, his smile growing as his fingertip brushed lightly against her name on the spine. And then the whole thing crumbled to ash beneath his fingers.


Author's note: Hello... it's me. I was wondering if after all these years you'd like me to post the new chapter of Magnetic...

First of all, a quick disclaimer of sorts. Yes, I know this is very different stylistically to the previous chapters of Magnetic, but hopefully if you've read this far you'll have some understanding of why (if I did my job properly). I wanted to show how this particular edit opened up Sam and Mercedes to so much outside commentary that it (at times) led them away from who we know they are and from where they were meant to be. I've been thinking a lot over the last few *cough* years, about how fame can mess with a person and change who they are, and I know some people won't be happy with how that manifested itself in this story, and to those people I apologise, but I tried not to make any of the issues Sam and Mercedes deal with come out of the blue. All of them have been hinted at on the show in the past.

Secondly, and this point is super important: thinking up usernames is REALLY hard, so if I've accidentally used yours then I'm genuinely sorry, and want you to know that it wasn't intentional. If I have used your username and you want me to change it, just let me know in the comments and I will do so.

Finally, If you've read this, I want to say thank you so much for sticking with Magnetic after all this time. I appreciate it more than words can say and I dedicate this chapter to you. x